Akaza twisted his neck, producing a crisp crack. He studied the three before him with interest, his gaze lingering on Giyu and Sabito for a moment.
"Two Water Hashira, and a brat wearing strange earrings. You all have impressive fighting spirit, especially you two. Your bodies have been tempered through countless trials." Akaza grinned, revealing sharp teeth.
"Are you ready to die?"
Before his words had faded, Akaza crushed the floorboards beneath his feet and became a blur, charging straight at the three.
"Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Tidal Wave!"
Giyu reacted first, unleashing a series of slashes with his Nichirin Blade. Blue currents of sword energy blocked Akaza's path ahead.
Sabito followed close behind, crouching low as he unleashed Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance. He wove through the currents with his footwork, his blade closing in on the side of Akaza's neck.
Tanjiro did not stand idle either. He drew a deep breath, and searing flames ignited along his blade.
"Hinokami Kagura: Dance!"
A ring-shaped flaming slash swept toward Akaza from the other side.
Faced with their combined attack, Akaza showed not the slightest panic. He spread his feet slightly and adopted a peculiar opening stance.
"Destructive Death: Compass Needle."
A snowflake-shaped formation shimmering with an eerie blue light instantly spread beneath Akaza's feet. The moment it took shape, his movements changed.
Without a single wasted motion, he merely tilted his head slightly and evaded Giyu's Tidal Wave. Then he raised his right arm, precisely blocking Sabito's blade with the back of his hand. His muscles, honed to the utmost, met the Nichirin Blade with a piercing clang of metal against metal.
Then Akaza used the force to turn, swinging his left leg like a battle-axe and kicking hard at the spine of Tanjiro's blade.
Enormous force traveled through