The last trace of savage fighting spirit vanished as Akaza's head flew free. Kyojuro Rengoku leaned on his Nichirin Blade, its Crimson Blade glow burning incandescent white, and stared at the headless corpse before him with complicated emotions. Blood stained half his flame-patterned haori red, but he still stood straight.
"It's over..." Tanjiro knelt on one knee, his Nichirin Blade supporting his tottering body. He looked toward where Akaza had fallen, an indescribable trace of pity in his eyes. "Did he... give up on regenerating at the end...?"
Nezuko clung tightly to Tanjiro's arm, her large eyes filled with worry.
Zenitsu and Inosuke had already collapsed on the ground. Zenitsu was too exhausted even to lift his eyelids, unconsciously muttering, "Thunder... thunder..."
"He got thunderstruck! We won-cough, cough, cough, cough!"
Inosuke groaned, his Boar Headgear lying crooked beside him. Wounds of varying depths covered his body, and even his trademark swagger had wilted.
"Mm... probably. Otherwise, he would have been even harder to deal with!" Kyojuro Rengoku sighed softly, his voice carrying respect for his opponent and a hint of regret.
"A powerful warrior who lost sight of his true self... and finally found himself again... What a shame..."
Sprawled on the ground, Zenitsu mumbled, "Who cares whether he found himself... I'm exhausted. Can we go back now? Waaah..."
Kyojuro Rengoku took a deep breath and encouraged them. "Yes! Let's head back. You all did wonderfully! I'll ask Instructor Sapphire Star to let you rest!"
"Yay!" A medical miracle struck the previously exhausted Zenitsu. He sprang up, slung Tanjiro and Inosuke over his shoulders, and started to leave.
Inosuke tried to shake him off in disgust. "Let go of me! I can't walk anymore! Let me rest! Gonpachiro, stop him already! Aaaah!"
Tanjiro leaned peacefully against Zenitsu and stopped talking.