Demon Slayer: Muzan, will you dance too?

Compared to a real monster, any improvement gained through shortcuts, or the power expended in advance, comes at a price.

It's no surprise that he was the first to give in.

The overwhelming weight of the mountain seemed to crush him, his breathing became completely disordered, and his body swayed precariously. Despite giving it his all, he ultimately couldn't defeat Kokushibo within five minutes.

"Fourth Form: The Winding Strike of Blazing Flames!"

It was as if blazing flames suddenly ignited before his eyes. His burly body stood before Kiyokawa Izumi, panting slightly, and without hesitation unleashed the wide-ranging Fourth Form.

With their sprint at full speed, Flame Pillar and Rengoku Kyojuro arrived just in time!

"What a bizarre attack technique..."

The older brother, who had a small cut on his forehead, had an extremely solemn expression on his face—he hadn't been able to block it all in that split second.

Those who were not in the very center of the battlefield experienced far less pressure than the rock pillars.

Even so, he was still injured.

Facing the six-eyed Kokushibo, his body trembled uncontrollably, as if he were refusing to fight him.

Heavy breathing, unimaginable pressure... Is this the power that Upper Moon One possesses?

As the Flame Pillar, how could he possibly back down at this moment?

No matter the cost, we must defeat this person right here.

"Are you alright?"

Faced with Kyojuro's low-pitched question, Kiyokawa Izumi, who was in a very bad state, could only answer.

"Sorry, I need to take a short break."

Its attacks are very unpredictable; be extra careful!

"No problem!"

Kyojuro, of course, was not going to let his guard down. He gently wiped the blood from his forehead, a resolute expression appearing on his young face. Without much hesitation, he decisively threw himself into the battle.

"The Flame Pillar?"

A gaze that seemed to see through everything fell upon him, and Kokushibo recognized at a glance that the newcomer was the Flame Pillar.

The First Flame Pillar, who used the Initial Breathing technique, looked quite similar to this guy.

However, his strength was ultimately inferior—the first Flame Pillar had mastered the Mark, and the current Stone Pillar and Dark Pillar also mastered the Transparent Mark.

In comparison, the eldest brother's strength is considerably inferior.

Even so, he did not hesitate at all, and was able to fight calmly when facing an enemy whose strength far exceeded his own.

In just two exchanges, the overwhelming speed and power, coupled with unpredictable moves, had already caused the eldest brother to suffer repeated defeats.

Is it transparent?

After creating some distance, Kyojuro looked down at the gruesome wound on his chest, lost in thought.

His attacks were ineffective, and even his defense seemed to be struggling.

Without the help of the rock pillar, the injuries would likely have been much more severe.

In a one-on-one fight, he probably wouldn't even last five moves!

The blank pillar certainly doesn't have enough strength to get involved in such a battle.

My father once said that he had no talent.

At that moment, he truly understood what those words meant.

Faced with such a monster, one feels as powerless as an ordinary person.

But who is he?

It's the Flame Pillar!

"Ordinary techniques are useless; even getting close is so difficult... I have no choice but to use my ultimate technique!"

Kyojuro never intended to solve this problem on his own; he wanted to create an opportunity for Gyomei, an opportunity sufficient to sever the demon's neck.

His flawless posture and soaring aura drew Kokushibo's admiring gaze. No matter how many years had passed, the Flame Pillar was still the same Flame Pillar.

Hot blood boiled within him, and his heart pounded violently, producing a deep, drum-like sound. In that instant, many images flashed through Kyojuro's mind.

His gentle mother taught him from a young age that his innate strength was meant to help others.

After learning that Upper Moon Three had been defeated, his father, who had put down his sake jug and picked up his Nichirin Blade again, told him many, many things.

This includes the part that is missing from the breathing guidelines.

The father always believed that neither he nor his children were talented.

The First Flame Pillar possessed a technique called the Mark, but the few words he mentioned left later generations baffled. They could never understand what the Mark was or how to activate it.

Because I know too much, I feel that many things I do are meaningless.

How can we define something as meaningful if we can protect others and fulfill our responsibilities?

"Ninth Form: Purgatory!"

Burning everything, surpassing limits, perhaps his strength is far inferior to Mr. Xingming, and he has also been surpassed by the junior, the boy Qingchuan Quan.

But at this moment, there are always some things I can do.

The roar burst forth from his chest, not a hoarse scream, but a declaration born of a burning determination and the condensation of all his will.

Every bone and every muscle was bursting forth with unrestrained power, and an astonishing aura swept over him. Although Himejima Gyomei was blind, he could feel Kyojuro's determination at this moment.

Given such a large disparity in skill, resorting to this tactic was a last resort.