Kagaya Ubuyashiki

The first light of dawn spilled over the horizon, painting the sky in soft hues of gold and crimson. The journey had been silent, save for the rhythmic sound of footsteps against the earth. Giyu Tomioka led the way, his mind heavy with questions he dared not ask. Behind him, Yoriichi walked with an unwavering presence, his expression calm yet unreadable.

As the Demon Slayer Headquarters came into view, the compound stood solemnly amidst the morning mist. Slayers on patrol halted in their steps, their eyes widening at the sight of the two approaching figures. Whispers spread like wildfire. The Water Hashira returning with an unknown man, one who carried an aura so profound that it sent shivers down their spines.

Giyu ignored the murmurs and led Yoriichi past the onlookers, through the long corridors of the estate, until they finally arrived at the main hall. The large wooden doors creaked open, revealing Kagaya Ubuyashiki seated at the center, his presence as gentle as ever, yet now mixed with an unusual tension. His family stood behind him, their expressions unreadable.

The moment Yoriichi stepped inside, Kagaya's breath hitched. Even though his eyes could no longer see, he felt the presence before him. A presence he had only ever heard of in the oldest records of the corps. A legend beyond time itself.

"…Impossible." Kagaya's voice was a whisper, trembling with recognition.

A silence stretched between them before Kagaya finally spoke again. "There is no mistake. You are Yoriichi Tsugikuni—the strongest Demon Slayer in history… the progenitor of Breathing Styles."

The gathered Slayers gasped. The name alone carried weight that transcended generations. Even Giyu, who had suspected as much, felt the truth settle within him like a stone.

Yoriichi remained composed. " Master ".

Kagaya exhaled slowly, regaining his composure. "Of course. You are a man who should no longer exist in this era… yet here you stand." In deep respect. "Your return is a miracle, yet it fills me with both awe and confusion."

Kagaya then continued, his voice steady. "You were once unjustly removed from the Demon Slayer Corps because of Michikatsu's betrayal… because of his choice to abandon humanity and become a demon. I do not know how fate has brought you back to us, but I, as the leader of the Corps, wish to correct that mistake." He lifted his head. "Yoriichi Tsugikuni, it's my pleasure".

"You were the one who could bring an end to Muzan's reign of terror, the only one who ever truly struck fear into his heart," Kagaya said, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of history itself. "For that, you were cast aside when you should have been honored. I have always carried a regret for you, Yoriichi—not just my own, but that of my ancestors as well."

A faint sorrow passed over his expression as he continued, "The betrayal of your brother led to your exile, and those who came before me failed to see the consequences of their actions. They removed you from the Demon Slayer Corps without realizing the price that would be paid. Had they chosen differently, perhaps this war would have ended long ago."

Kagaya head slightly, a gesture of deep respect. "For that injustice, my sincerest apologies, not just as the head of the Ubuyashiki family, but on behalf of those who turned their backs on you. But know this, Yoriichi, your potential has never been forgotten. Even after all this time, I recognize the strength you hold, not just in skill but in heart."

He lifted his gaze, his sightless eyes filled with conviction. "The Demon Slayer Corps stands before its final battle, and if you choose to walk this path once more, I would be honored to have you among us. Not as an outcast, not as a warrior abandoned by history—but as the hope that will bring an end to this long and bloody night."

The hall remained deathly silent. Giyu found himself holding his breath.

Yoriichi closed his eyes briefly, allowing the silence to settle around him. His heart remained steady, yet the past lingered—an ever-present weight that refused to be cast aside, like a shadow that stretched endlessly behind him. No matter how much time had passed, the burden of his purpose had never wavered.

When he finally spoke, his voice was calm, yet resolute.

"My purpose has never changed… it has always been to bring an end to Muzan Kibutsuji."

His gaze met Kagaya's sightless eyes, yet it felt as though the leader of the Demon Slayers could see the unwavering determination burning within him. There was no hesitation, no doubt—only a resolve forged in centuries of loss and duty.

"If my presence means no more lives should be risked, yet signifies that his end is near," Yoriichi continued, his hand instinctively resting near where his blade would be, "then I shall not falter. No matter how long the battle endures, no matter how many obstacles stand in my path… I will raise my sword once more."

The room seemed to hold its breath, the weight of his words settling upon those who bore witness. It was as if time itself had paused, acknowledging the gravity of this moment.

A small, knowing smile formed on Kagaya's lips, his voice quiet yet filled with an understanding far beyond his years. "Then… the long hardship of centuries will finally come to its conclusion."

He exhaled softly, as if releasing a burden he had carried since the moment he had taken his place as head of the Ubuyashiki family. "For generations, we have fought in the shadow of Muzan's cruelty, bearing the weight of an unending war. But if you—who once stood as his greatest fear—have returned, then perhaps fate itself has granted us this final chance."

There was a quiet reverence in his tone, not just for Yoriichi's strength, but for the path he had walked alone for so long. His expression softened, his smile tinged with something unspoken—a silent gratitude, an unshaken belief.

"Your blade has never been raised for yourself, only for the lives of others. Even now, that has not changed," Kagaya murmured. "If this is to be the final chapter in our struggle, then let it be written with hope, not despair."

The flickering candlelight cast long shadows against the walls, and for a moment, it seemed as though even the past itself was listening.

A profound silence settled over the room, heavier than before. Kagaya's expression remained calm, yet there was an unmistakable weight in his gaze as he slowly raised a hand. His voice, though gentle, carried an undeniable sense of urgency.

"Yoriichi," he began, his tone measured yet firm, "before anything else is said, I ask that you grant me a moment alone with you. There are matters that must be spoken of—matters meant for your ears alone."

His words lingered in the still air, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Whatever he wished to discuss and the request itself hinted at its importance. Those present instinctively exchanged glances before silently stepping back, awaiting Yoriichi's response.

Yoriichi nodded. "As you wish master."

Kagaya turned to the gathered Slayers. "Hashira meeting should be call-out tomorrow."

For a long moment, neither spoke. Then, Kagaya finally exhaled. "This is no coincidence. Your return… is the end of Muzan Kibutsuji."

This realization would shatter Muzan's entire worldview. For centuries, he believed that true immortality could only be attained through becoming a demon—by transcending human limitations, forsaking weakness, and rejecting the natural order of life and death. His obsession with self-preservation was fueled by his fear of death, and he sought eternity by devouring others, by spreading his curse, by eliminating anything that could stand against him.

But now, before him stands undeniable proof that he was wrong. Someone exists who has either lived through time itself or has been reborn, carrying their strength, memories, and will across generations—without corruption, without consuming others, without needing to defile their humanity. An untainted existence that defies death, yet remains unbound by the monstrous nature Muzan believed was necessary for survival.

For the first time, fear grips him in a different way—not just fear of death, but fear that his entire life's pursuit was meaningless. That he had twisted himself into something wretched, all for a lie. That eternity was never about consuming and destroying, but about something he could never attain.

And worst of all? He cannot understand it. He cannot control it. He cannot become it.

In that moment, Muzan may feel, for the first time, something truly unfamiliar.

Yoriichi said nothing, but he did not deny it.

Kagaya continued, his voice soft yet heavy with meaning. "Time has passed, and the world has changed. But even now, Muzan still exists, and he still haunts humanity. If you have returned, then this war will no longer continue for much longer." He bowed his head deeply. "For that… I thank you."

Yoriichi remained still. His presence was like an immovable force—unchanged by time, unwavering in purpose.

Finally, Kagaya lifted his head once more. "Tsugikuni … tell me. Do you remember everything?"

Yoriichi closed his eyes for a moment before opening them once more. "Yes."

A deep silence followed, and Kagaya understood.

The past had returned. The strongest Slayer in history stood once more upon the Demon Slayer Corps, his presence a silent echo of an era long buried by time. Yet, his return was not a mere ripple in history—it was a storm, a force destined to reshape the fate of all who still carried the will to fight.

With him came the final reckoning of Muzan Kibutsuji. The progenitor of demons, the embodiment of terror itself, had evaded death for centuries. But now, the shadow of his doom loomed closer than ever. The sins of the past, the countless lives lost, the suffering inflicted upon humanity—all of it demanded retribution.

As Yoriichi Tsugikuni walked once more beneath the moonlit sky, the weight of destiny pressed upon his shoulders. He was not here to reclaim his past, nor to seek vengeance for what had been stolen from him. He was here to finish what had begun long ago. The cycle of hatred, the reign of demons, the unending night—everything would end.

And this time, there would be no escape for Muzan Kibutsuji.