At that moment.
Akaza wanted very much to turn both of the people before him into demons.
Because both the orange-haired boy before him and the expressionless boy beside him.
Were exceptionally fine swordsmen.
And only people like these, who kept advancing in martial arts and wanted to grow stronger, could, after becoming demons.
Continue sparring and fighting with him.
Become companions who would climb toward greater heights alongside him.
Besides, possessing such strength at their age.
That kind of talent...
Even if they fell short of Matsushita Shousha.
After becoming demons, they would certainly be much stronger than Gyutaro and Gyokko, and might even surpass the newly promoted New Upper Rank Three.
Unfortunately.
There was not much time right now to persuade them.
Akaza actually knew perfectly well.
That ninety-nine percent of Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen would not become demons because of a few words from him.
After all, over all these years.
It was not as though he had never invited other swordsmen he valued.
Such as Matsushita, Igarashi, and even the Nine Hashira from earlier times.
They had all rejected his invitation.
But Akaza also admired their way of thinking.
Because only people with such integrity could become truly strong.
Some time ago, however, he had heard something else from Lord Kokushibo.
The reason these swordsmen were unwilling to join their side as demons.
Was that the terms Lord Muzan offered... did not seem very good?
There was none of that insurance and pension stuff, or those three days off, was it?
Casting aside those stray thoughts, Akaza spoke.
"You two..."
"It would be such a waste if you died here."
Once again, he easily dismantled Giyu and Kyojuro's attacks.
Akaza asked earnestly, "Tell me your names. I want to remember them."
Only the strong.
At the