179. Chapter 179: Time Ends, Return to The Boys!
Meanwhile, the Hashira, who had rushed over desperately upon hearing the explosion, witnessed this scene firsthand.
The bright moonlight gently shone on their faces. They couldn't help but slightly loosen their grip on their sword hilts. In their eyes were complex emotions difficult to describe: there was relief, release, and also shock... But these quickly faded away with Muzan's demise. Finally, they exchanged smiles, as if the heavy burden in their hearts was gradually dissolving at that moment.
"When we get back, I'll treat you all to sakuramochi," Mitsuri Kanroji's eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled happily. "We can see who eats the most."
"No problem, I won't go easy on you."
Kyojuro Rengoku placed his hand on his stomach, his voice exceptionally cheerful.
On the other side.
The retreating Kokushibo and Akaza quickly separated, then clashed with each other again. This was their first confrontation, and also their last! During the combat, their bodies gradually shattered like porcelain. Before dying, Akaza recalled his past. He looked down at his hands and softly murmured: "Koyuki, over the years, I seem to have done many wrong things. Will you forgive me?... I really want... I really want to watch fireworks with you again."
He looked up at the sky. In those azure eyes that resembled the night sky, there seemed to truly be a grand fireworks display blooming...
...
Two years later, the Demon Slayer Corps still hadn't been abolished by the Shogunate. Its presence had simply become less prominent.
In the Courtyard of the Master's Mansion.
Obanai Iguro was persistently giving Mitsuri Kanroji socks. Even Sanemi Shinazugawa, who was training his younger brother nearby, couldn't stand his actions. "If you like someone, just say it openly," he said. "What's with sneaking around giving socks all day? It's truly embarrassing for us Hashira."
"Mr. Iguro, do you like me?"
Looking at the carefree and beautiful girl before him, Obanai's face instantly turned bright red. He felt like his heart was about to leap out of his throat.
Obanai was born on Hachijo Island. His Iguro Family had once prospered by worshipping a Snake Demon. Although the Snake Demon was eventually killed by Kyojuro's Father, he still couldn't forgive himself for being born into a blood-soaked family of scumbags. In his view, the blood in his body was dirty. The corners of his mouth, which had been cut by his family due to the Snake Demon's twisted pleasure, were even a symbol of sin.
Therefore, Obanai Iguro, who believed he carried heavy sins, was actually extremely insecure deep down. He wanted to get closer to Mitsuri Kanroji, but was afraid that his defiled body would taint the beautiful girl before him.
"If you don't say anything, I'll take that as a yes," Mitsuri Kanroji smiled and covered Obanai's hand with hers.
This softness... this warmth! Obanai Iguro's eyes rolled back, and he actually fainted on the spot.
"Don't be nervous, he's just too excited," Sanemi Shinazugawa said, pursing his lips and patting Genya Shinazugawa, who was practicing horse stance. "Speaking of which, ever since the Demons disappeared, I feel completely lazy. You brat, be serious. Your base is really too poor. It's a good thing Muzan was taken care of. Otherwise, someone like you would have probably died two years ago."
Currently, Tengen Uzui, along with his wives, lives on the most prosperous Street in Tokyo Prefecture. With money and beautiful women by his side, his life is incredibly comfortable.
As for Gyomei Himejima, he opened an orphanage and is now the director.
As for Giyu Tomioka and Shinobu Kocho, one moved to the foot of Mt. Sagiri, while the other opened a medical clinic with Tamayo. It's worth mentioning that, on the day after Muzan's death, Blue Spider Lilies bloomed all over the hillside where Yoriichi Tsugikuni and his wife were buried. Under Tamayo's research, she, Yushiro, and Mukago all overcame the damage caused by sunlight. Even during the day, they could walk normally.
At this time, inside a certain mountain peak, Xia Shang walked towards the Mountain Top, stepping on soil mixed with fallen leaves. Fusing Complete Mimicry took him two months. Self-Division took four months. Flesh and Blood Recovery took the longest, a full year to reach 100%. Besides Muzan's ability, he also used the remaining time to fuse Thunderstorm Weather from Stormfront.
Currently, Supersonic Flight is being fused.
[Flight Talent is being fused, Current progress: 20%]
Soon, Xia Shang stopped walking. The open space in front of him was the exact spot where he had first arrived.
"Mr. Xia Shang, Mr. Xia Shang." Tanjiro, running while holding Nezuko's hand, waved and called out to Xia Shang. Because Muzan was killed two years ago, the Hand Demon trapped in the Demon Slayer Corps' trial grounds also died along with Muzan. Therefore, Tanjiro did not go through the Final Selection. He still became a formal member of the Demon Slayer Corps.
And by chance, he met Zenitsu Agatsuma, Inosuke Hashibira, and others, and the few of them got along very well.
"Do you need something?" Xia Shang turned to look at Tanjiro and asked in surprise.
After these two years of training, Tanjiro was no longer the Tanjiro who would get out of breath after running just a few steps. He held Nezuko's hand firmly and said with slightly red eyes: "Are you leaving?"
"How did you tell? Was I that obvious?" Xia Shang smiled. Although he was reluctant to leave this world, he understood that this was far from his finish line. Even after fusing Muzan's ability, he couldn't achieve true undying and immortal. There were still stronger abilities waiting for him to fuse.
His goal, he had never forgotten.
"Mr. Xia Shang, this is a bento that Nezuko and I prepared for you. Keep it to eat on your way." Tanjiro took out a bundle of bamboo boxes from the bamboo basket behind him. He didn't ask where Xia Shang was going, nor did he ask when Xia Shang would return. He just quietly watched Xia Shang, until Xia Shang took the bento from his hand.
"Thank you."
As the sun set in the west, on a large rock on the Mountain Top, Xia Shang placed the empty bamboo box aside. Then he looked at the stretching orange-red clouds on the horizon and smiled slightly. His figure was seen transforming into countless light particles, scattering with the wind. The only traces left to prove his existence were the bamboo boxes on the large rock.
Buzz buzz buzz!! Inside the empty and silent Room, a mobile phone on the desk was vibrating continuously.
Suddenly, a large hand picked it up and pressed the call button.
"Hello, this is Mr. Jervis. What do you need?" Xia Shang pulled out a chair and sat down.
The Doppelganger on the other end of the phone, after hearing Xia Shang's voice, was so excited he almost cried. "My God, it's so good to hear your voice," he said. "Mr. Jervis, if you didn't show up soon, I would have gone crazy. You have no idea what happened in the past few days you were gone."
(end of chapter )