After the battle

[Seiji's POV]

I'm confused.

Am I lucky or am I not?

Because what kind of twisted God planned my meeting with Kokushibo while I was in the worst state? I didn't even have my sword godamn it. There was the surprise factor too.

But at the same thing, thank God Kokushibo was as insecure as he was. He never got to defeat his brother even at an old age and Yoriichi died soon after their fight. Because of that, he wanted a proper victory against me instead of killing me while I was weak. It bothered him so much to the point of defying Muzan himself.

"It's all my fault," I said at last while clutching my gaping abdomen.

I was the one who got Kokushibo's attention in the first place and I was also the one who came here. At the same time, I was the one who fought hard enough to the point of earning his respect so he spared me.

I told myself there was no luck or God. It was all me, and I took full responsibility.

My mind was buzzed with such thoughts while I made my way through the forest. Was the Butterfly Mansion always so far? I felt like I had been walking for hours now. My head was feeling strange, probably due to the loss of blood.

I turned my head to stare at the trail of blood I was leaving behind. I let my eyes wander around for a second and I clicked my tongue in annoyance.

Because in the darkness were eyes. It was fortunate I chose to look as I could not hear them approaching at all.

"Oh fuck off," I all but growled at the wolves before sending out a wave of killing intent that scared them away.

But those were the least of my worries. My blood would probably attract demons too. I could take down weaker demons but if it was a higher class like the one I found in the temple, I might just lose.

The journey was long and gruelling but after the sun slowly peaked out from the horizon, it became much better. At least I didn't have to be wary of demon attacks anymore.

It was around the time when the first rays of morning sunlight hit the top of the walls that I reached the Butterfly Mansion.

The sight of Mitsuri sitting on top of the wall near the entrance greeted me. She was holding a cat on her lap, tickling its soft belly. There was also Aoi who sat beside her and they were both smiling happily while chatting.

But when I finally came into their view, their smile turned upside down.

"Seiji..."

"Yo," I flicked a small salute, "What are you girls doing so early in the morning?" I said as if I was not bleeding all over.

"Oh my god Seiji!!" Mitsuri flung the cat away for miles in her shock. It'd probably survive though considering they have nine lives.

She leapt down and rushed at me with a face crying with worry. Aoi was much more composed however since I had shown a strong front but she still had worry in her eyes too.

"W-We were waiting for you since it took you so long to come back even after the guests already arrived," Aoi answered.

"There is no time to talk about that, you are bleeding Seiji!" Mitsuri said and grabbed my cheeks.

"What happened?!"

"Just ran into this super strong demon, nothing too serious...or life-threatening," I said...I didn't even know what I was saying.

"A demon?" she asked while assessing my injury. She released a shriek when she saw my abdomen.

"Seiji this is serious!! I can see your intestines!" she said. Wait really?

She did not ask me anything more as she scooped me up from the ground and carried me in princess style. I lost quite a lot of blood but I still blushed at her strong arms.

"We need to bring you to Shinobu!" Mitsuri said and ran straight at the wall. I thought she was going to bulldoze through the closed entrance but she went a step above and jumped over the twelve or so foot walls.

"I'm fine," I said before I passed out.

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[3rd POV]

(Infinity Castle)

*BOOOOM!!*

*BOOOOM!!*

*BOOOOM!!*

*BOOOOM!!*

Muzan Kibutsuji destroyed the rooms around him with an enraged face. He was violently reacting to the news but still, he dared not direct that violence or anger towards the six-eyed demon who sat in front of him while sipping tea with a calm face.

"Tell me Kokushibo, why?" Muzan asked after he was done with his tantrum.

"Why what my lord?"

"I thought we had an understanding, I am your lord, you serve me. So why did you cross my orders?" he asked while grinding his teeth so hard to the point blood came out.

"Orders? I don't remember being given any order to kill Seiji Shigan. Your order was to create more powerful demons and you gave us one year. It was my own decision and free will to go after Seiji Shigan," Kokushibo replied simply.

"But you know! You know damn well that I want him to die," Muzan pushed.

"Forgive my impotence, I truly wasn't aware. At least, I thought you'd want to kill him yourself," Kokushibo said.

Muzan could only grit his teeth.

"Next time, I will do as you ask and kill Seiji Shigan," Kokushibo said and that sounded like mockery to him.

Of course, there wasn't going to be next time. Kokushibo will only meet Seiji again when he wants to and when Seiji is ready.

"Are you sure you can do that?"

Finally, Kokiushibo put down his teacup and showed a frown.

"You must've seen how the fight went already. Rest assured, Seiji Shigan will never beat me, not in his lifetime," he declared with all the confidence in the world.

At least now, Muzan could rest easy, knowing he had someone on his side who could easily deal with Seiji Shigan.

Kokushibo continued sipping his tea. It had been centuries since he drank tea. He used to love the beverage while he was living but stopped after he died and became a demon.

But right now, he felt alive once more. He finally found meaning for his existence again and had something to look forward to.

So even when his demon biology rejected the human food, Kokushibo kept sipping his tea. Nostalgia filled his mind and the act scratched a certain ich he had as a warrior.

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[Image]

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Author : This is only half of one chapter but I decided to separate it due to the constant switch of POV.

Give stones and I'll update the other half soon