Chapter 860: A Different Future
Chapter 860: A Different Future
Facing Muzan, Butterfly Ninja felt no overwhelming pressure. But now, with almost all the Hashira severely injured and Mitsuri seeming to be immobilized by bloodline suppression, it seemed that only she was left to confront Muzan.
With her unique elemental power, Butterfly Ninja's attacks were nearly ineffective against Muzan, but after his metamorphosis, the outcome was uncertain. Even if her attacks proved futile, her control over her fruit ability was ultimately insufficient, and it would be challenging to kill Muzan.
At the very least, it would be difficult to prevent Muzan from escaping.
"Ninja, take this."
In the distance, Shinobu struggled to sit up and lifted her hand with difficulty, tossing her sword to Butterfly Ninja.
While Butterfly Ninja's life-draining attacks were effective against Muzan, the Sun-Breathing Sword held no killing power. However, if she were to wield Shinobu's blade, her attacks would inflict damage on Muzan. It appeared that only Butterfly Ninja could now face Muzan head-on.
"How troublesome that only you are left. Your body is peculiar; neither a demon nor a human, perhaps you've transformed into some other strange life form, but it doesn't matter... If I devour you as well, I may become even stronger."
Muzan's gaze fell upon Butterfly Ninja.
Indeed, among them all, only Butterfly Ninja had caught his attention.
After all, from the previous battles and Tougou's memories before his death, Muzan had discerned Butterfly Ninja's peculiarity. Her ability was unlike anyone else's—neither Demon Blood Art nor pure Breath style, and even he couldn't fathom its origin.
Moreover, his previous attacks had been almost entirely ineffective against her.
Above them.
Kanroji Mitsuri, observing the scene, furrowed her brow and asked, "Is Muzan that strong?"
Although they had defeated all the upper moons, they were unable to defeat the remaining Muzan.
"It's just luck, I suppose," Fuye replied with a smile, his eyes flashing with countless scenes as he murmured, "Out of hundreds of thousands of possible futures, this is the only one where Muzan can turn the tables. He just happened to obtain Tanjirou's cells and, by sheer luck, managed to balance the various powers within his body in a short period to achieve his current state."
"What an uncommon stroke of luck," Fuye remarked, shaking his head as he gazed down at the scene below.
Even at this stage, Muzan could still turn the tables, which was not a satisfying ending for Fuye. However, at this juncture, for him to intervene and attack Muzan would be rather undignified.
Furthermore, even at this point in the story, in the many futures he had witnessed, Muzan still had at least a one-in-three chance of dying. Only one-third of the outcomes resulted in victory, and the remaining third involved his escape.
Oh well.
Let's see which of these outcomes will come to pass.
In the end, Fuye calmly looked down, quietly observing the unfolding events and choosing not to interfere.
It was at this moment that the battle between Butterfly Ninja and Muzan commenced. Although Butterfly Ninja's physical attributes, strength, and speed were inferior to Muzan's, her elemental body rendered most of Muzan's attacks ineffective.
Muzan's only effective means of attack was direct consumption, targeting Butterfly Ninja's essence. However, Butterfly Ninja's life-draining ability worked just as well against him, so he was cautious and dared not engage in close-quarters combat with her. Even if he devoured her entirely, it was uncertain who would end up digesting whom.
And as they grappled with each other.
Tanjirou, who was gravely injured and had lost an arm, just like the other pillars, could only watch helplessly as Butterfly Ninja and Muzan fought.
"Tanjirou, are you willing to pay the price to kill Muzan?"
Ignoring everyone else, Juzi directed her words to Tanjiro, and her voice sounded in his ear.
Tanjirou looked at her with difficulty and thought of his sister, Nezuko. But in the end, he firmed his resolve and replied, "What must I do?"
"Accept all my power and become a demon. Only then can you intervene in their fight."
Zhushi's voice rang out.
Become a demon...
Tanjirou hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and opened his eyes again, saying, "I am willing."
He knew the cost of becoming a demon—he might never be able to exist in sunlight again, could lose his humanity and sanity, and might even transform into a ravenous demon. But at this moment, if he could kill Muzan, he was prepared to face any consequences, even if it meant dying together with Muzan! At the very least, Muzan would no longer be able to torment this world.
"Good."
Juzi was also decisive.
In an instant, she used her space threads to pull Tanjirou to her side and then pierced his chest with her right hand. However, instead of consuming his flesh and blood, she injected all her remaining power into his body.
She, too, was taking a gamble.
If she failed, not only would she die on the spot, but Tanjirou would also explode and perish instantly.
But if she succeeded, although she would die, Tanjirou would possess power comparable to Muzan's.
"Miss Zhushi!"
Just then, Yuichiro, who had finally arrived, realized what Akane intended to do and cried out.
But Zhushi only smiled at him.
Then, starting from her head, her body began to disintegrate, inch by inch, turning into ashes.
All her power and blood were injected into Tanjirou's body.
Boom! Tanjirou's flesh underwent a bizarre transformation, as if the world had turned upside down. The blood and power of the Demon King, combined with the unique constitution capable of withstanding the Sun-Breathing technique, violently fused within him in a short time.
Although the transformation was intense, the external changes were not apparent. It was only after Tanjirou lowered his head and then raised it again after a few breaths that his eyes had transformed into the vertical pupils of a demon!
His mouth also revealed the fangs of a demon!
"Big brother."
Standing behind Fuye and watching the scene, Nezuko covered her mouth with her hands.
She wanted to go down, but Fuye stopped her.
Fuye patted her little head, smiled at her, and said, "Don't worry, they won.
In one-third of the futures where Muzan perishes, Tanjiro successfully reaches his current state! If Tamayo had done nothing, Muzan would have ultimately emerged victorious. If she had chosen to devour Tanjiro and claim his power for herself, the outcome would have been Muzan's escape, as she would have lost her sanity and become another Muzan.
Only by entrusting all her power to Tanjirou and only because of Tanjirou's pure and innocent heart, like the sun, could he retain half of his sanity after his final metamorphosis, kill Muzan, and finally resist the temptation of the Demon King's power.
"Muzan!"
Tanjirou roared and charged towards Muzan.
(End of Chapter)
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