Chereads / Hunter x Hunter meeting Demon Slayer / Chapter 36 - Chapter 36: The Weight of a Kingdom

Chapter 36 - Chapter 36: The Weight of a Kingdom

The glow of fiery energy clashed with the dark, ancient power of the Forgotten King, casting a brilliant, chaotic light throughout the chamber. The force of Tanjiro's Hinokami Kagura strike sent shockwaves through the air, but the Forgotten King barely flinched. His cursed eyes gleamed with malice as he swung his massive, ornate sword in retaliation, forcing Tanjiro to leap back just in time to avoid being cleaved in two.

Tanjiro landed heavily on the stone floor, his breathing labored. Every muscle in his body screamed with exhaustion, but the power of the ancient techniques he had glimpsed was starting to pulse through him. He could feel it—just out of reach, like trying to grasp the edge of something immense and ancient.

"I can't stop," Tanjiro whispered to himself, clenching his fists around his sword's hilt. His vision blurred for a moment, but he forced his breathing to steady. "We have to defeat him."

The Forgotten King loomed over them, a towering figure of power and rage. His body moved with unnatural speed and grace despite his massive form, and the dark energy swirling around him seemed to grow more intense with every passing second. The ancient curse that had claimed his soul burned brightly in his eyes, and he was no longer a king—he was a monster driven by vengeance and power.

Nezuko, her eyes glowing fiercely, let out a low growl as she darted toward the king. Her claws extended, and she moved with blinding speed, aiming to tear through the king's armor and find a weakness. She struck with all her strength, her demonic power flowing through her in an attempt to break through his defenses.

The Forgotten King moved with terrifying precision, blocking her attacks with his sword and countering with a devastating blow that Nezuko barely managed to dodge. His speed and skill were far beyond that of any normal demon, and even Nezuko's immense strength seemed to barely phase him.

"Nezuko, watch out!" Tanjiro shouted, his heart pounding as he saw his sister narrowly evade another strike from the king's sword.

Gon and Killua joined the fight, their movements quick and coordinated. Killua, his body crackling with electricity, zipped around the king's form, striking at his joints and weak points with precision. But even his speed, enhanced by Godspeed, wasn't enough to land a significant blow. The king's movements were too fluid, too practiced.

Gon clenched his fists, his nen flaring brightly. "Jajanken: Scissors!" he called out, his hand glowing with energy as he aimed a powerful strike at the king's exposed side.

The attack connected, sending a shockwave through the room and forcing the king to stagger slightly. For a brief moment, it seemed like they had finally made progress.

But the king's eyes burned brighter, and with a snarl, he swung his sword with terrifying force. Gon was thrown backward, slamming into the stone wall of the chamber, the impact sending cracks spidering out from where he hit.

"Gon!" Killua shouted, his voice filled with panic.

Gon gritted his teeth, pushing himself to his feet, though his body shook from the impact. "I'm fine! We can't give up!"

Tanjiro's mind raced as he watched the battle unfold. The Forgotten King was far stronger than anything they had faced before, but there was something about the way he moved—something familiar. Every motion, every swing of his sword was perfectly timed, like it followed a rhythm.

"He's using the ancient breathing techniques," Tanjiro muttered, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the king's movements. "But it's different. His body is… perfectly in sync with his breathing."

Killua dodged another attack, his eyes darting toward Tanjiro. "What do you mean?"

Tanjiro's brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to understand what he was seeing. The Forgotten King wasn't just stronger because of his curse. His entire body was in a state of perpetual readiness, enhanced by the breathing techniques he had mastered long ago. It wasn't just a technique he used for attacks—it was the foundation of his existence.

"He's not using breathing like we do," Tanjiro explained, his voice tense. "His body is always in a heightened state, like his breathing has permanently altered him. It's how he's able to keep up with us so easily."

Killua's sharp mind quickly connected the dots. "That makes sense. The way you described those ancient breathing techniques—it wasn't just about bursts of power, right? If he's constantly in that state, his body would be operating at peak performance all the time, without wearing down."

Tanjiro nodded, sweat dripping from his brow. "Exactly. That's why our attacks aren't doing enough damage. His body's endurance and strength are far beyond ours."

"But there has to be a limit, right?" Gon asked, his determination unwavering. "Even if his body is enhanced, it can't last forever."

Killua frowned, glancing at the king, who stood tall, seemingly unfazed by the battle. "There's always a limit. But we need to find a way to push him past it."

Nezuko growled, her fiery determination matching her brother's. She wasn't about to let this ancient curse continue to torment them. She had faced countless demons and enemies, but this king was something entirely different—a living reminder of what could happen if the curse was left unchecked.

Tanjiro's heart ached as he looked at his sister. He could feel the weight of the curse pressing down on her, like a shadow that constantly loomed over her future. But he wouldn't let her fall to the same fate as the king. He would protect her, no matter what it took.

"We have to wear him down," Tanjiro said, his voice filled with resolve. "If we can keep him moving, force him to use his strength, we might be able to find an opening."

Gon grinned, despite the situation. "Sounds like a plan!"

The group launched into action once again, attacking the king with renewed determination. Gon and Killua worked in perfect tandem, their attacks coordinated and precise, while Nezuko and Tanjiro fought with the ferocity of siblings bound by their shared will to survive.

Tanjiro focused on his breathing, trying to mimic what he had learned from the ancient murals and the tablets they had found. He couldn't achieve the full mastery of the ancient techniques, but he could tap into the basics—enough to enhance his strength and stamina in the fight.

As he moved, his breathing became more controlled, more rhythmic. His body felt lighter, his movements sharper. He could feel the power flowing through him, like the breathing techniques were awakening something deep within him.

The Forgotten King, now forced into a more defensive stance, growled in frustration. His attacks, while still powerful, were becoming slower, more calculated. The constant barrage from the group was beginning to take its toll.

"We're getting through to him!" Tanjiro shouted, his voice filled with hope. "Keep going!"

Nezuko, her demonic strength burning bright, delivered a powerful strike to the king's side, forcing him to stagger once more. Gon and Killua followed up with their own attacks, creating an opening that Tanjiro had been waiting for.

With a deep breath, Tanjiro lunged forward, his sword blazing with the energy of Hinokami Kagura. "Hinokami Kagura, Raging Sun!" he called out, his blade cutting through the air with a fiery intensity.

The strike connected, cutting deep into the king's armor and drawing a pained roar from the ancient ruler. The dark energy surrounding him flickered, and for the first time, the king faltered.

"We did it!" Gon shouted, his eyes wide with excitement.

But the victory was short-lived.

The king's red eyes flared with a terrifying light, and the dark energy around him surged with newfound intensity. He raised his sword high above his head, his voice booming through the chamber like thunder.

"You think you can challenge me?" the king snarled, his voice filled with fury. "I am eternal! You will never defeat me!"

Tanjiro's heart sank as the king's power surged to new heights. His body seemed to grow larger, his strength amplified by the very curse that had claimed him. The ancient breathing techniques, combined with the dark power of the god that had cursed him, made him nearly unstoppable.

"We're running out of time," Killua muttered, his eyes narrowing. "If he keeps this up, we won't be able to stop him."

Tanjiro gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He couldn't let it end like this. They had come so far, learned so much. There had to be a way to break through the king's defenses once and for all.

Then, a thought struck him.

"The sword!" Tanjiro gasped, his eyes widening in realization. "The king's sword—it's the key!"

Killua glanced at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

Tanjiro's gaze locked onto the ornate sword in the king's hand. "The sword was forged with the power of the breathing techniques. If we can destroy it, we might be able to sever his connection to the curse!"

Gon's eyes lit up with understanding. "So, if we break the sword, he'll lose his strength!"

Killua smirked, nodding in agreement. "It's worth a shot."

Tanjiro's heart pounded as he focused on the sword. This was their only chance. If they could destroy the weapon that had given the king his power, they might be able to end the battle once and for all.

"Let's do this," Tanjiro whispered, his grip tightening on his sword.

The group moved in unison, their attacks aimed at the king's sword. Gon and Killua struck with precision, while Nezuko and Tanjiro launched their own powerful strikes, forcing the king to defend his weapon with everything he had.

The Forgotten King roared in fury as his sword clashed with theirs, the dark energy around him growing more unstable. His movements became more frantic, more desperate, as he tried to protect the weapon that had given him his power.

But Tanjiro's resolve was unshakable. With one final, powerful breath, he lunged forward, his sword blazing with the energy of Hinokami Kagura.

"Hinokami Kagura, Flame Dance!" he shouted, his blade striking the king's sword with all his strength.

The impact was immediate.

The king's sword shattered into pieces, the dark energy around it dissipating in a burst of light. The Forgotten King let out a final, agonized roar as the power that had sustained him for centuries was torn away.

The king's body began to crumble, his form turning to ash as the curse that had claimed him was finally broken. His red eyes dimmed, and the chamber grew silent.

It was over.

A Heavy Victory

The group stood in the center of the chamber, breathing heavily as the last remnants of the Forgotten King faded into the air. The weight of the battle still hung over them, but there was a sense of relief—relief that they had survived, and that they had won.

Tanjiro knelt on the stone floor, his body trembling with exhaustion. Nezuko quickly moved to his side, her eyes filled with concern as she helped him stand.

"We did it…" Tanjiro whispered, his voice hoarse.

Gon grinned, despite the exhaustion written all over his face. "That was incredible, Tanjiro! You really pulled through."

Killua, still catching his breath, smirked. "Looks like we found the king's limit after all."

Tanjiro smiled weakly, but there was a heaviness in his heart. The Forgotten King had been a powerful warrior—someone who had once fought to protect his people. But his ambition to control the power of the ancient god had led to his downfall.

Tanjiro couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the end of the story. There was still more to uncover, more to learn about the ancient breathing techniques, the curse of the demons, and the god that had once ruled this kingdom.

As the group gathered their strength, they knew that their journey was far from over.

The true battle had only just begun.