Kyojuro Rengoku and Giyu Tomioka reacted the instant they heard Sasuke roar.
They needed no further words.
As the last and strongest Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, they understood better than anyone that this fleeting opportunity had been bought with Kanao's eyesight, Zenitsu's limits, and Inosuke's dignity. It was their only chance of victory, one they had to seize even if they staked everything on it.
"Sweet dreams, young Tanjiro!"
Kyojuro let out an earthshaking roar. From within his body, already pushed to its limits, a brilliant flame of life erupted, as dazzling as the sun.
His long, red-and-gold hair stirred without a breeze. The flame-shaped Demon Slayer Marks on his cheeks and arms shone brighter than ever before, as though magma flowed beneath his skin.
He poured all his vitality, all his will, all his hopes for his juniors and his resolve to protect them, without reservation, into this final breath.
"Flame Breathing, secret art, Ninth Form: Purgatory!"
The broken blade in his hand gave a mournful cry beneath the unbearable strain.
Yet what his slash unleashed was a roaring dragon of flame, larger and more solid than any before it!
This flame dragon did not charge toward Tanjiro's neck.
Its targets were Tanjiro's limbs and torso.
It chose not to kill, but to restrain!
The enormous flame dragon roared, coiling tightly around Demon King Tanjiro's body as though intent on mutual destruction, temporarily pinning him in place. Scorching flames burned the Demon King's flesh with a sizzling sound, only to be continually counteracted by his terrifying regeneration.
It was a contest between will and instinct!
"Tomioka!"
Kyojuro's roar rang through the heavens.
"I'm leaving this to you!"
Giyu Tomioka had already moved in front of Sasuke.
He did not erupt with a brilliant flame of life as