Respect for Future Generations (
Summary[]
As he observed Yoriichi's dead body, Kokushibo remarked that had he taken one more breath, he would have lost. For centuries, he continued to bear the indignity of never facing an honourable death; with Yoriichi's death, he will never see an honorable death. With the loss of the greatest swordsman to have ever lived, Kokushibo decided he could never lose again; he chose to continue winning, "...until... I became ugly... like this."
Kokushibo releases crescent blades from his body to free himself, mortally wounding Muichiro and Genya.
Kokushibo howls in fear for his life and releases powerful slashes from within his body without warning, narrowly missing Sanemi and Gyomei but cutting Muichiro's body below the waist and splitting Genya down the middle. Numerous katana blades cover his body; Muichiro is aghast at how he attacked so ferociously without swinging his sword, just by the sheer number of blades on him. Only moments ago, he was cornered, yet the monster that is Kokushibo is now pushing them on the brink again, and he scrambles to find a way to help before his death. Nearby, the weakened Genya mutters about his hope to protect everyone regardless.
Sanemi and Gyomei attack Kokushibo together; Muichiro realizes they intend to fight him to the death, yet he cannot let them die. Muzan still awaits them, and he seeks to protect the two. As Kokushibo prepares another attack, thinking quickly, the Mist Hashira grips his embedded katana with all his might, causing it to turn bright red. Upper One feels as if his body is stiffening and his insides are set alight. Seeing him distracted allows Sanemi to land a blow on Kokushibo's neck, but the demon's durability proves too much, and he can barely induce a cut in his skin. Genya, realizing his flesh bullets are still inside Kokushibo, sees that the demon is distracted completely by the three Hashira.
Muichiro's blade turn bright red, burning Kokushibo.
He summons them once more and immobilizes Kokushibo completely again. Enraged by his predicament, Kokushibo prepares to release his crescent blades to kill Genya, but finds that the attack cannot be released from his katana. Gyomei's flail hits home on his neck and back, burning Kokushibo as he screams in pain. Seeing his opponent's tremendous durability, Gyomei employs his axe and swings from underneath, pinning the Upper Rank's neck between both weapons. Kokushibo realizes his Blood Demon Art cannot be summoned as the trees inside him are sucking his blood, and the pain in his body, making him seize, is coming from a red blade, similar to Yoriichi.
Upper Rank One is beheaded.
He flashes back to a time when he spoke with Yoriichi when they were both Demon Slayers; he had asked him about his plan to be succeeded. Nobody could compare to them, and because their Breathing Styles could not be taught to anyone, the techniques they have mastered will fade into history. Yoriichi addressed his brother's pride:
"My brother... we are not that great. We are merely a fragment of humankind's long, long history. At this moment, those whose talent will surpass ours are uttering their first cries. They may come to reach the same place. There is no need to worry. We can draw the curtain of life closed without unease at any time. Does that not exhilarate you? Brother?"
As Kokushibo reflects on his brother's words, Sanemi lands a powerful blow onto Gyomei's flail; the impact causes both weapons to turn bright red. As Upper Rank One's head finally falls from his shoulders, his brother's words ring in him once more. "Someday the children now being born will surpass us and ascend to even greater heights."
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Kokushibo
- Yoriichi Tsugikuni (Flashback)
- Muichiro Tokito
- Sanemi Shinazugawa
- Gyomei Himejima
- Genya Shinazugawa
Events[]
- Muichiro Tokito, Genya Shinazugawa, Sanemi Shinazugawa and Gyomei Himejima vs Kokushibo.
- Kokushibo summons katana blades from his body and unleashes crescent blades to free himself, mortally wounding Muichiro and Genya.
- Planning to keep Sanemi and Gyomei alive, Muichiro grips onto his sword, turning it bright red and burning Kokushibo from the inside.
- Genya immobilizes Kokushibo for Sanemi and Gyomei to land their blows.
- Unable to cut through his neck, Sanemi strikes his katana on Gyomei's flail, turning them both bright red and finally decapitating Kokushibo.
- As he is beheaded, Kokushibo recalls Yoriichi's belief that they will be surpassed by the children of the future.