Akaza!!

Boom!!!

The terrifying blast rang out loudly enough for more than half of the Infinity Castle to hear. Tanjiro's expression tightened as he raced along. "Below us-that feeling, it's Lu You!"

"This city hasn't shifted again. It looks like Zenitsu did it. Good, we're off to a good start."

Giyu Tomioka nodded in response, feeling a little more at ease.

Tanjiro swung his Nichirin Blade, its gleaming edge instantly slicing apart the wooden boards beneath his feet to reveal a seemingly bottomless abyss. A faint halo of light shone in that dark world.

"There's a layer of mist and countless buildings blocking the view, but the light from the explosion can still reach here. That means there must be a way down."

"Yes, Tanjiro. Let's go now."

Whoosh! Boom!

Just as they were about to jump down, an intense sense of danger surged through Tanjiro's heart, and his figure suddenly dissolved into flames.

Giyu Tomioka reacted even faster, pivoting on his toes and flickering away from the spot.

Debris suddenly exploded in all directions, and the two focused their attention.

Only when the dust cleared did they see the young man covered in blue tattoos before them.

The words "Upper Rank" and "Three" stood out in his golden eyes. Clearly, this was one of the three strongest demons-Upper Rank Three, Akaza!

"An Upper Rank...

"This smell is far more overwhelming than Gyokko's was. Is the gap between them really that enormous...? Mr. Giyu, please be extremely careful!"

Tanjiro warned him.

Giyu nodded. Although his senses were not as keen as Tanjiro's, he had broader experience and was now stronger as well. His bluish eyes stayed fixed on their opponent.

Both hands gripped his Nichirin Blade tightly.

"If you want to get past, you'll have to get through me first, Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps."

The corners of Akaza's mouth rose. He did not hold that much respect or fear for Muzan. In his eyes, Muzan was merely someone who gave him orders and whom he needed to follow.

As for whether Muzan lived or died, he could only help him as far as his own abilities allowed.

He had only one obsession: becoming stronger.

As for why he wanted to become stronger-sorry, he no longer remembered, nor did he want to.

His body had only just fully recovered when he sensed two powerful presences passing overhead. How could he let them go?

"What delicious fighting spirit. You really are Hashira, aren't you? Wonderful. Come on, tell me your names. I'll remember you!"

Akaza excitedly assumed his stance and spoke with delight.

"We have no obligation to tell you. You're a man-eating demon, and we're human. Also, we don't like talking. Please don't talk to us."

Giyu had already positioned his azure Nichirin Blade at his side. Holding it in both hands, he bent forward, his breathing seeming to carry the clear burbling of a mountain stream.

Tanjiro blinked. He actually quite liked talking, but since Mr. Giyu had said that, he had to hold it in too! His cheeks promptly puffed out.

"Is that so? Then I'm different from you. I love talking to people. Come on, tell me your names!"

Akaza vanished from where he stood, his leg whipping upward before crashing down toward the two of them with a roar.

"Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance!"

Giyu reacted first. Blue water appeared along his blade, turning into winding ribbons as he darted swiftly around Akaza.

Slash!

In an instant, both of Akaza's legs were severed, blood spraying out. Yet the descending blast of air still forced a muffled grunt from Giyu.

This demon was extraordinarily strong!

In the blink of an eye, before his opponent had even landed, both legs had already grown back.

Illusory flames appeared behind Akaza. Tanjiro swung his dazzling crimson flames toward the demon's neck, their power considerable as well.

"Hinokami Kagura, Fourth Form: Mirage Sun Rainbow!"

"Oh?"

Sensing danger, Akaza gave a soft exclamation, then smiled again. "Destructive Death: Air Type!"

His muscles bulged as he twisted in midair, actually evading Tanjiro's slash. One foot turned at an inhuman angle and kicked straight at Tanjiro.

Thud! A dull impact rang out.

Tanjiro was kicked more than ten meters through the air, driven backward. His arms trembled slightly with numbness, and his chest throbbed faintly. Fortunately, he had blocked it with the flat of his blade.

Otherwise, that single kick would have been enough to punch through his body.

His strength is incredible, and he's so fast!

The thought ran through his mind.

Akaza landed steadily back on the corridor platform and grinned.

"You're both exceptionally rare talents. To show my respect-Cursed Technique Deployment: Destructive Death: Compass Needle!"

Beneath his feet, an array resembling an ice-crystal snowflake slowly spread open.

His perception was now heightened to its maximum.

"Akaza, finish those people off quickly, then come to me!"

Muzan's voice suddenly rang out in his mind, sounding as though he were suppressing his anger.

"Understood."

Akaza felt some regret. Raising his head, he looked at the two opposite him. He had wanted to properly sample their martial skills, but unfortunately, Muzan had given an order, and he had to hurry over.

"A shame. I'll have to finish you off quickly."

Speaking with some displeasure, Akaza assumed a boxing stance. Tanjiro and Giyu immediately braced themselves for a formidable enemy!

This was Akaza holding absolutely nothing back! He was opening with an ultimate attack...

"Destructive Death, Final Form: Blue-Silver Chaotic Afterglow!"

In an instant, several Akazas seemed to stand before them, rapidly unleashing punches in every direction. Blue light blazed outward, piercing every building in its path.

Boom!!!

Countless clouds of dust billowed upward as blasts of fist pressure wreaked destruction. Everywhere they passed, floors and buildings burst apart, moving so fast the naked eye could barely react.

"Tanjiro!"

Giyu chose to activate his Demon Slayer Mark almost instantly.

The red markings on the side of his face shone brightly. He shouted in worry while struggling to evade the densely packed blasts of fist pressure that almost filled his entire field of vision.

Tanjiro watched the countless attacks hurtling toward him, his eyes shining crimson. He took a deep breath, his heart trembling.

Was this the full strength of one of the top three Upper Ranks?!

He wasn't as strong as Mr. Giyu. He couldn't dodge them...

Was he going to die?

In a daze, he remembered what Lu You had said.

"Do you know about the Transparent World, Tanjiro? If you want to help me, you need to work hard to master the Transparent World during your intensive training.

"The Transparent World can enhance your muscular strength and reaction speed, and let you see your enemy's weaknesses. You have a uniquely advantageous gift in this area.

"Do your best, Tanjiro.

"You'll definitely need it when the final battle comes.

"Don't die."

Lu You, I'm sorry. I still haven't mastered the Transparent World, even now. But I don't want to give up!

Tanjiro darted rapidly about, struggling to leap between the blue streaks of light. Of course, even when he could dodge them, the fierce winds still slashed wounds all over him.

After all, this was an ultimate technique with its power pushed to the maximum. Once the attacks reached such extreme density, he could only keep them from hitting his vital points.

This had nothing to do with reaction speed. It was an outright saturation attack, and wounds began covering Tanjiro's body.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosions roared one after another. The longer Akaza attacked, the more carried away he became. The Final Form lasted for dozens of seconds, leaving even him gasping for breath.

"It's over!"

But in fact, it was not.

Dust swirled through the air, obscuring the view.

Gasping for breath, Giyu Tomioka remained standing despite being covered in blood. He gripped his Nichirin Blade tightly, his gaze resolute.

Now!

"Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux!"

Mustering the last of his strength, Giyu sought to seize the moment just after his opponent had finished his technique!