Kokushibo's Final Stance

The Battle Against Upper Moon 3

With all the demon slayers separated from each other in the vast castle, they decided to explore since they were sure to find the last remaining upper moons hidden within the castle. The first group consisted of Mitsuri and Obanai wandering the castle always staying by each other's side. Both feared what demons might appear and in the blink of an eye part of the wall broke open and a low-level demon was charging at them. Obanai took the initiative quickly and decapitated the head of the demon.

"So not only does this place have the upper moons, but it also houses lower-ranked demons. How annoying" said Obanai and Mitsuri blushed at Obanai seeing his courageous stance. They both quickly moved forward and found themselves in a relatively large room and the air was deathly silent. Both put their hands at their swords ready to strike and in the blink of an eye, another demon attacked and had their focus on Obanai with punches seeming to be conjured out of midair. Obanai was confused by the situation and at that moment a crash on the floor made and within the small crater was a familiar demon, a demon that killed one of their fellow Hashira, his name was Akaza. Obanai and Mitsuri both shook to their core that they were laying eyes on the demon that killed a highly regarded hashira. Akaza took another glance at the couple and laid eyes upon Obanai and quickly started to charge at him.

"Serpent Breathing, Fourth Form: Twin-Headed Reptile" Obanai yelled at quickly dashed forward and the next second quickly said "Serpent Breathing, Third Form: Coil Choke" and summoned a large snake that didn't deter Akaza in the slightest and launched a fury of attacks towards Obanai's way. The attacks were fast, but Obanai could still hold his ground and continue with the attacks. What felt like an eternity only lasted a few seconds dodging blow after blow and trying to land as many hits as possible. Mitsuri quickly dashed forward and launched her own attack.

"Love Breathing, First Form: Shivers of First Love" Her sword whipped around Akaza and even after that attack after temporarily stunning Akaza kept the attack going on Obanai. "What!? How come he didn't attack me? Was my attack not strong enough to elicit a repose from him? How come he isn't attacking me!!" Questioned Mitsuri as she continued with her slashes and attacks toward Akaza. The very unusual battle still kept persisting and Obanai was also questioning why Akaza wasn't attacking Mitsuri, but the battle didn't stop for anyone and both hashira gave it their all.

Not even 5 minutes later and Obanai was losing speed. Not by a lot, but it was that quarter of a second delay that Akaza was able to get blows on Obanai and tear away at his kimono. Akaza kept up the attacks and quickly leaped into the air and yelled "Destructive Death: Air Type" and the invisible projectile sent Obanai flying back and seeing his exposed position Mitsuri jumped into the air and yelled "Love Breathing, Third Form: Catlove Showed" which sent a barrage of attacks towards Akaza's way and even after all of that still kept the attacking going on Obanai.

"Enough is enough!" cried Mitsuri and wrapped her sword around Akaza's neck and started to strangle him with her sword, cutting its way deeper and deeper into his neck. Akaza landed on the ground and quickly yelled "Destructive Death: Annihilation Type!" and Mitsuri had a decision to make, save Obanai from Akaza's charging attack that could very much kill him, or make a gamble that her sword would cut through his neck in time. Obanai sprang forward towards Akaza and seeing that Akaza had a grin on his face and Mitusri's sword was barely in Akaza's neck, Mitsuri unraveled her sword around Akaza's neck and sprang forward in front of Akaza.

"Stop!!" Mitsuri cried while kneeling in front of her opponent and ally. Both men looked dumbfounded at her action and Akaza stopped his attack before contacting Mitsuri. Akaza looked into Mitsuri's eyes which reminded him of a memory so very long ago and was overflooded with emotion, although his face didn't show it. Mitsuri had tears in her eyes wondering why Akaza didn't attack her and felt heartbroken that she felt like she was on the sidelines waiting for Obanai's death. "Why must you do this to me you demon!" Mitsuri cried out some more. "Why won't you attack me!!!!" Then as if something reawakened in Akaza, shed a single tear. It confused both hashira so much that they both leaped back and watched the poor demon shed his emotion.

"Destructive Death: Annihilation Type..." Akaza said with resentment and sent the attack towards himself causing a grand explosion that could be heard across the palace. After the smoke cleared Akaza was still standing and severely weakened. Obanai quickly finished the demon off with one slash to the neck and Akaza faded away slowly leaving both hashira to head further into the castle.

"Oh, dear..... I don't sense Akaza's presence anymore.... oh well!" said a mysterious voice that could barely be heard by Shinobu. There was a door to Shinobu's right and once she opened it was horrified to see the image of a demon inside a giant room filled with water and bridges feasting on young women. It took a moment to realize Shinobu's opponent wasn't a stranger to her, she realizes that this was the same demon that killed her older sister. Shinobu was going to face her most difficult challenger yet, upper moon two, Doma.