White light swallowed everything.
In that instant, both Tanjiro and Sasuke, who was barely holding on in the distance, temporarily lost their sight and hearing. Like an invisible, towering wall, the devastating shock wave swept all the wreckage and snow outward, creating an enormous vacuum.
Only when the light dimmed a little did the piercing roar flood their ears a moment later.
The blast threw Tanjiro to the ground. Fighting through the intense pain, he stared fixedly at the center of the battlefield.
The sight before him left him unable to breathe.
The colossal dragon of flame and the destructive force of the punch remained deadlocked. Like a dragon's fang, Kyojuro Rengoku's Nichirin Blade had torn into Akaza's shoulder, cutting deep enough to expose bone, almost severing his neck and arm together. The searing blade was burning his flesh, halting his terrifying regeneration.
Meanwhile, Akaza's right fist, carrying the finishing blow of "Destructive Death: Annihilation Style," had also pierced the outer layer of the flaming vortex. It pressed firmly against the blade, meeting Kyojuro's strength head-on.
Neither side retreated.
This was a clash of wills, a duel between life and martial prowess.
"Kyojuro!" Akaza's face twisted with excruciating pain, yet he was also ecstatic over this battle pushed to its utmost limits. He could feel the overwhelming power of the flames destroying his body, but he did not care in the slightest.
"Your fighting spirit is truly magnificent! Honed to such purity! You should be the chosen one!" he roared. The muscles in his arm swelled again as he poured more strength into his fist.
Kyojuro did not answer.
His teeth were clenched, veins bulged on his forehead, and beads of sweat mingled with blood as they slid down his cheeks. Unleashing "Purgatory" had drained almost all his life force.