I Became Spider-Man's Cousin in Anime Crossover

Chapter 391 HAPPY END

After that, following the original storyline of Demon Slayer...

Aside from his old age, when he died peacefully in front of Kokushibo, Yoriichi Tsugikuni had no further roles.

No one knows what he went through during the years he disappeared.

His life was full of tragedy; he was exceptionally gifted, yet all his desires remained unfulfilled.

Therefore, Riley didn't mind giving this poor swordsman, who only wanted to pursue an ordinary and warm life but could never have it, a small, unknown "surprise" after completing the main "mission".

And so, Riley waited patiently.

He watched as Yoriichi completed the instruction.

The Tanji couple solemnly declared that they would pass on this exquisite swordsmanship from generation to generation. Furthermore, to avoid being targeted by evil spirits, they renamed "Sun Breathing" to "Hinokami Kagura" and disguised it as a New Year's ritual.

As Yoriichi Tsugikuni held the newborn child of the Kamado family for the last time, a subtle, complex expression of sadness and loneliness appeared on his face.

Then he turned around, just like Yoriichi Tsugikuni had happened to pass by, and walked away alone, gradually disappearing into the depths of the mountains and forests, completely away from the Kamado family's sight, and seemingly away from all the warmth of the world.

Right now.

Riley summoned the dimensional wall once more and stepped into it.

When Yoriichi Tsugikuni stopped and sat alone by a stream, staring blankly at the water, it was unclear what he was thinking... or perhaps he was simply emptying his mind, which carried too many regrets and responsibilities.

Riley then slowly walked out of the dimensional barrier as it appeared.

"...Who goes there!"

Because Riley didn't deliberately hide his presence, and because the dimensional barrier was so conspicuous, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who was originally in a relaxed state, instantly noticed the movement behind him.

As he instinctively questioned him, his hand instinctively landed on the hilt of his Nichirin Blade.

But when he turned around, relying on the Transparent World that had unexpectedly opened during his fight with Muzan, he saw through Riley's strange attire and confirmed that Riley's physical structure was normal, that he did not belong to the category of demons, and that he had not emitted any hostile aura throughout. A hint of surprise flashed in Tsugikuni Yuzuru's eyes, but he quickly returned to his calm and composed state.

Although he was very curious about what exactly the dimensional barrier behind Riley was, and how the other party had managed to appear behind him so silently...

But for Yoriichi Tsugikuni now, none of that matters anymore, so why bother with these things?

"A passing traveler, you can call me 'Spider-Man'."

Seeing this exceptionally talented individual, a true prodigy of our time, display such a dejected and forlorn side, Riley, who also values ​​family above all else, couldn't help but soften his tone and sincerely praise him.

"I saw the sword skills you taught that young man; they were remarkable."

Upon hearing this, Yoriichi Tsugikuni showed no joy or pride. Instead, he remained calm and composed, shaking his head slightly and turning his gaze back to the stream.

"That's nothing to brag about... In the end, I still couldn't do anything."

Riley walked over to him and followed Yoriichi's gaze, looking together at the flowing stream.

After a moment of silence, he confirmed that Yoriichi Tsugikuni had relaxed and completely let down his guard.

Riley then spoke again, continuing with a pointed remark.

"I heard... that the place where that young man lives now used to be your 'home,' is that right?"

Yoriichi Tsugikuni's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

He didn't answer, but the moment his eyes dimmed said it all.

He thought of his wife, Ge, who was killed by a ghost because she was weak from childbirth, and the child who died before he could even see him.

That was his deepest pain, and the starting point of all his tragedies.

"Fate has been very unfair to you, Yoriichi Tsugikuni... You possess the power to protect, yet you couldn't even keep the person you wanted to protect the most. This is too cruel for you."

Seeing that Yoriichi Tsugikuni didn't speak, Riley continued talking to himself.

However, what Riley himself didn't realize was...

I don't know if it's because we've spent so much time together, or because I have some deep feelings for someone.

When Riley was reciting these words, his gestures and movements even bore a resemblance to the Ancient One.

Even the words spoken were exactly the same as those spoken by the Ancient One when they first met face to face at the Sanctuary in New York, when the Ancient One tried to persuade Riley to give up his responsibilities!

Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who seems clueless about social interactions but is actually more perceptive than anyone else, naturally understood Riley's unspoken message.

Even so, to Riley, what was meant as an exclamation sounded strange, like a sarcastic remark delivered right to his face...

Although Yoriichi Tsugikuni remained silent, he couldn't help but raise his hand again to grip the hilt of his sword, his knuckles turning slightly white from the excessive force.

"So, if you don't mind me 'meddling,' I think... you'll like the 'gift' I'm about to give you."

Just as Yoriichi Tsugikuni was about to lose control of his impulse and draw his Nichirin Blade from his waist.

Beneath the mask, Riley revealed a mischievous smile, thus experiencing the Ancient One's amusement and understanding why the Sorcerer Supreme would deliberately make things difficult for him when they met alone, while promptly changing the subject.

Then, meeting Yoriichi Tsugikuni's gaze, he shifted a few steps to the side and pointed to the dimensional wall behind him.

Emerging from this dimensional wall was a young woman with a gentle and beautiful face, wearing a headscarf and dressed in simple peasant attire.

Her face was no longer the weak, pale look she had during childbirth; instead, it had a healthy rosy glow, and her eyes held a hint of bewilderment and timidity from being in an unfamiliar environment for the first time. She carefully cradled a newborn baby in her arms, wrapped in soft swaddling clothes.

"Yoriichi...?"

When she instinctively looked around and finally focused her gaze on the stream, on the familiar, unforgettable figure with his back to her, her breath caught in her throat and her eyes quickly filled with unbelievable tears.

"...!"

As the call that Ji Guoyuan had thought only appeared in dreams and memories echoed in his ears again, he was suddenly jolted and froze on the spot!

Before the person behind him could get close, Yoriichi Tsugikuni turned around faster than he had ever done in his life. When his eyes fell on the woman's face and the small swaddled baby in her arms, his usually calm face showed intense emotional fluctuations for the first time.

Shock, ecstasy, fear (fear that the person he longed for was just a hallucination)... countless emotions intertwined, making Yoriichi Tsugikuni momentarily lose track of whether he was in reality or a dream!

"Song……?"

He uttered this name hoarsely, almost from the depths of his soul, a name he thought he would never have the chance to call again in this lifetime.

His gaze was fixed on the healthy, rosy face of the person in front of him, then he incredulously shifted to the swaddled baby in her arms.

There, the face of a small, sleeping baby is faintly visible.

Riley chimed in softly, "I brought them here from the moment before the tragedy occurred. The corpses you see are just a deliberate fabrication to prevent history from being altered and causing unnecessary trouble... Of course, to express my apology for concealing this from you, I've also healed her weakened state from childbirth, so there won't be any further problems. The child is also healthy."

Unfortunately, Riley's explanation was destined to be superfluous.

Yoriichi's gaze was completely fixed on his wife and the tiny swaddled baby she was holding in her arms. He had no time to listen to what Riley was saying.

His child is still alive!

Live healthily!

And Ge, freed from the torment of illness, stood healthily before him!

This realization, like the last straw that broke the camel's back, instantly shattered all of Yoriichi Tsugikuni's defenses.

This man, who had always been strong and never backed down in the face of any formidable enemy, now shed tears like a flood bursting its banks.