1 Prologue

The cruelty of the people of the times in which Yoriichi Tsugikuni lived was terrifying. Sengoku Era, the Warring States Period, flooded with human blood and suffering. The period of troubles, betrayals, and wars that terrified the generations of that time. Few people in this era could be called "kind", because those times required determination and willingness to shed someone else's blood, to commit atrocities so that a person could protect his own.

But even in the deepest darkness there are small rays of light, because there is no absolute evil or darkness. People are ambiguous creatures. Yoriichi Tsugikuni was also an ambiguous person. He didn't rob, didn't rape, and never raised the blade of his own sword on an innocent person. But did that make him someone good? After all, he could save a lot of lives if he decided to cut and chop those who deserved it, as did his older twin brother Michikatsu, who was once the leader of the entire Tsugikuni clan.

Merciless to enemies, merciful to friends, persistent and purposeful, looking only forward and not looking back. Yoriichi considered him the complete opposite of himself, a soft-hearted and weak-minded person. At least until the creator of the breath fighting techniques found out that his brother decided to betray humanity by turning into a demon. Envy, pettiness, self-doubt.... It was these feelings that filled Michikatsu's heart, while blinded by his constantly confident face, Yoriichi didn't even think to look deeper, straight into his soul, although he should have.

He was never able to forgive himself for this sin, and it continued to weigh on his shoulders throughout his life. Responsibility, as the strongest, as a person born only for one single purpose, was forgotten in a fatal failure. One single mistake, only one split second separated the demon king from death, and Japan from salvation. But even here Yoriichi showed weakness, which gave Kibutsuji Muzan an opportunity to escape.

Demons. Vile and disgusting monsters, parodies of those people who decided to turn into them themselves. Becoming a demon, a person buried in himself all that light that had ever been in him, because demons are the purest evil of all possible. Betraying mankind, these beings devoted their eternal life to the torments and sufferings of others. They killed and tortured, dismembered and devoured alive. That's who the demons truly were.

However, it was impossible to change something when it was all over. Although Yoriichi definitely wouldn't turn down such an opportunity if he had it. The chance to correct all the mistakes of youth sounds very tempting!

***

If a small bright sphere could somehow express its astonishment, it would have already done so. It had no limbs, no body. The soul in its purest form, in which it can in principle exist without a body, is the true repository of all the potential inherent in a living being. And Yoriichi Tsugikuni's soul shone extraordinarily bright! This man's talent in exterminating demons and his strength were exceptionally incredible. A unique person who couldn't have been born by himself, the chosen one and the favorite of the gods.

This soul was hanging in an unknown outer space opposite a giant star in comparison with it. The sphere couldn't touch, speak, or move, but it definitely managed to contemplate what was happening. It felt the solemnity of this moment, its majesty. Therefore, every particle of the essence of the former genius and creator of the breath of the Sun trembled. The divine presence, that's what his soul felt!

He was able to think, but with great difficulty. Yoriichi felt the pressure of the being in front of him. And it was by no means an ordinary star. And yet it seemed connected to him.

"The duty is not fulfilled. This needs to be fixed," An imperious female voice swept through the space, brooking no objections.

"But you will be rewarded for your courage and dedication to the cause, my child. Be proud of yourself and don't dare to doubt anymore while you punish evil!" The unknown creature exclaimed, in this tone there was severity, anger and simultaneous praise.

"The Deity… Goddess! Amaterasu herself!" A mind-boggling guess appeared in Yoriichi's mind.

Never before had he encountered the Kami, the gods that the people of the Japanese islands believed in. They were revered and prayed to, Yoriichi himself did the same, many people told him that the gods loved him. However, this man has always been sure that he differs from others only in strength. But, like all those who have ever wandered this earth, he was destined to die.

"For a new task, you will need even more power than before, and I will give it to you!"The giant star inspired fear and horror, because it was definitely not the Sun, which according to myths was supposed to embody the goddess.

Amaterasu was different from all human ideas about her appearance. If the goddess had a human form, then she clearly didn't give it any preference. In a mad kaleidoscope, those stars were changing, each of which was the face of a great deity. Different sizes and colors, but they were all truly beautiful. An incredible sight!

"But now strive to appear in the next world, and I will guide you in the right direction. An unusual woman will become your mother, but she will definitely love you, my child," A soft note appeared in the majestic voice.

After that, everything instantly faded out. Sensing the significance of this moment, Yoriichi followed Amaterasu's order.

He ignited his own desire for life brighter than ever before. If he really has a chance to atone himself, then he will certainly use it!