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I read a lot of posts and comments both on YouTube and on Reddit about Muzan being MUCH stronger than Kokushibo and that even the 4th drug Muzan > UM 1, so I decided to reread the manga and found out that Kokushibo is actually stronger than even prime Muzan. Let me explain it with the facts and assumptions from the manga:

1. Kokushibo as the human was second strongest demon slayer of Sengoku era (sengoku ~ current era), that's means that he was the second most powerful human of all times only behind Yoriichi. Had Demon Slayer Mark (that's already tells us that he was fighting for his life against demonds at least of UM 3 level) and Moon breathing. Muzan was weak and unhealthy as human, got ALL of his powers after becoming a demon.

Demonic powers + Mark + The second strongest breathing + Transparent world VS only superior demonic powers

2. Kokushibo's toughness » Muzan's toughness

In chapter 138 page 8 base Gyomei casually destroyed prime Muzan gead. In chapter 178 Gyomei and Sanemi with red blades and marks struggled in destroying Kokushibo's neck. So UM 1 neck » UM 1 arm ~ Muzan neck

3. In chapter 139 page 9 base Gyomei alone protected himself from Prime Muzan's BDA. Even that Myzan used only single attack that shows us that Gyomei was able to at least block it. This already puts Muzan's attack speed on par with casual Kokushibo and much lower than LS Kokushibo (who was able to damage MARKED Gyomei and Sanemi). Kokushibo's attack was a surprise, Muzan's attack also was a surprise

4. In the end of chapter 164 manga itself tell us "The strongest demon finally appears". Not Moon, but The Strongest Demon. This is not a play of words because in the chapter 168 page 21 manga names Gyomei "The strongest man of demon hunters..." and this is true

5. In chapter 165 Muichiro tells about Kokushibo "He is so different compared to other upper moons. He is so denied and majestic. My body refuses to battle" And manga shows us Kokushibo's aura. Did we see something like this from Muzan? No. Only from Yoriichi but now from Kokushibo's perspective. So it will give us assumption that Unmarked Muichiro/just standing Kokushibo ~ 80 years Kokushibo/Yoriichi beginning attack. Overall I will give this ratio: FP Muichiro/Serious Base Kokushibo ~ 80 Kokushibo/Serious Yoriichi. Very huge gap between brothers but still impressive since it's only Base 80 years old Kokushibo.

6. In chapter 167 page 7 Sanemi tells about Kokushibo "A demon with unnaturally high regenerative and physical prowess" In this chapter casual sixth form of the Moon Breathing almost destroyed base Sanemi (the second strongest slayer of current era) After this moment his rare blood started affect Kokushibo (+1 serious debuff)

7. In chapter 171 Muzan from subconscious tells Kokushibo "It is not time. Do not let them come here yet" That's already shows that 1st drug Muzan already feels that he himself weaker Tham Kokushibo. Also in this chapter Kokushibo tells about Sanemi "But those wounds would normally be fatale enough to leave someone incapable of battle" This already shows us the condition of hunters at the time of meeting Muzan

8. Long Sword Kokushibo casually almost sent Marked Gyomei and Marked Sanemi on heaven which is already on par with what 2nd/3rd drug Muzan showed against HEAVILY injured Hashiras.

During chapters 172-173 Kokushibo just stands on one place and casually attacks from distance. If he was smart enough to move a bit the quartet would easily die against him in close combat

9. The first time Genya used his BDA it made Kokushibo immobile (+1 serious debuff) and after flashback he just casually destroyed it. Prime Muzan couldn't destroy those BDA spikes which looks like weaker BDA than Genya's. Kokushibo's physical strength » Muzan's

10. In chapter 176 Kokushibo sees that "The part where Muichiro stabbed me is crumbling away" BUT!!! This process started only after Kokushibo remembered Yoriichi... again. Before this this place was absolutely unharmed just take a close look at Monster Kokushibo body. He ACTUALLY dies because of the problems with head

11. In chapter 180 2nd drug Muzan tells that he is ready to kill all slayers. So this gives us the fact that 2nd drug Muzan > All injured slayers (don't know, what's difficulty). If we take as the fact that serious Douma can take all prime Slayers combined (and he ACTUALLY can) it will give us that ~ Douma » 2nd Muzan (mid diff)

12. In chapter 184 even Obanai being the second weakest hashira in terms of strength easily was cutting Muzan. Demon King already would die if nit his incredible regeneration and if the decapitation could kill him.

13. In chapter 185 Sanemi and Gyomei at the beginning could keep up with 2nd drug Muzan's attack which already shows that he is not much stronger than two the strongest Marked hashiras (no Transparent world, Gyomei couldn't activate it again)

14. In chapter 187 during Tanjiro's flashback with Yoriichi Muzan tells "i am not longer interested in warriors who can use breath". That shows us that he already sees early demon Kokushibo as demon which cannot be replaced by anyone else in future

15. Thing about which no one ever talked (WHY?)

If Kokushibo was on par with Muzan let alone weaker imagine how will his cells react on alive Yoriichi. Kokushibo knows that his brother defeated Muzan but he still tells that he must kill him (not that: hell he destroyed my master i wouldn't stand a chance). This can be explained only by the fact that even 80 years old Kokushibo is already stronger than Muzan and can just shut up Muzan's cells. Muzan cells reacted on teenager with earrings after ALMOST 500 years and didn't react on ALIVE REAL Yoriichi?! You are kidding me. Yoriichi >> 80 Kokushibo > Muzan

16. Kokushibo's physical powers » Muzan's (9 paragraph)

Rengoku without mark already showed his strength to be somewhere near Akaza level if not even better. Where is Rengoku and where is Marked Michikatsu? Now give this Michikatsu demonic power. That's should be obvious that Muzan doesn't stand a change.

Now for things that people can use as counteraguments:

1] "He is the demon king, he is the strongest!" Nothing prevents subordinate from being stronger than their king. Kokushibo serves Muzan not because he afraid him but because he truly respects him and Muzan has freaking cell control which can insta-kill Koku. Also, Kokushibo has absolutely no reasons to rebel against Muzan. For what? He gave him incredible power boost + eternal life

2] In chapter 174 Kokushibo tells "This sword technique of his sword pushed that man to the brink" Where Kokushibo claimes that he is weaker than Muzan? He just respectfully speaks about Muzan's life experience and BIQ (which he actually hasn't)

3] In chapter 182 2nd drug Muzan attacks even faster than Tanjiro's eye can follow. Giyu tells "An upper moon's strength is nothing compared to Muzan" He didn't see nor Douma nor Kokushibo he just Claimed that 2nd drug Muzan is much stronger than Akaza

4] "Yoriichi wasn't serious when he fought Kokushibo unlike during his fight against Muzan"

1. Yoriichi used 13th form on Muzan because he clearly sees how much brains and hearts he had and that decapitation will not kill him

2. Weak attack on Kokushibo just cut his neck a bit he even stood on his feet (13th form would kill Kokushibo not because he weaker but because he just hasn't this cheat code on organs)

3. Yoriichi didn't use his selfless state during his encounter with Kokushibo because he clearly knows that he is stronger than Kokushibo. He used it against Muzan because he didn't know what he can do.

What can I say in conclusion? Kokushibo takes everything against Muzan expect: IQ, Experience (not BIQ), Regeneration, Endurance and Stamina (man was able to endure 4 deadly strong poison and fight against everyone for hours)

4th drug Muzan > Gyokko (high diff)

4th drug Muzan < Zohakuten (high diff)

4th drug Muzan <<< Akaza (low diff)

3rd drug Muzan < Akaza (high diff)

2nd drug Muzan >>> Akaza (low diff)

2nd drug Muzan << Douma (mid diff)

1st drug Muzan >> Douma (mid diff)

1st drug Muzan << Kokushibo (mid diff)

FP Muzan >>> Douma (low diff)

FP Muzan < Kokushibo (high diff)

FP Muzan < LS Kokushibo (mid/high diff)

FP Muzan << Monster Kokushibo (mid diff)

Yes. Kokushibo will nit be able to kill Muzan, but Muzan also without curse will not be able to kill Kokushibo. Kokushibo can just grab Muzan and force him out into the Sun, Muzan will burn, Kokushibo will get serious injuries but will escape or he can simply get Nichiring Blade from some slayer, make him read (man has more than enough strength for this) and after some weeks of fighting stop Muzan's regeneration and kill him

What are your opinions on Kokunaki? I think it's adorable, 10/10

Kokushibo skull

is it cute?