"Hey, Tanjiro, you see, we can't get involved. Let's run!" Zenitsu said, pointing a trembling finger at the battlefield.
"Damn it! We've trained for so long, and now we can't even participate in a battle?!" Inosuke said angrily.
Tanjiro gritted his teeth as well.
Although they were reluctant to admit it, the battle before them was indeed beyond their capabilities.
If they insist on staying, they might even become a burden to Big Brother Rengoku!
"Mr. Rengoku! We're leaving now. You must defeat this demon!"
Tanjiro roared, then turned to look at Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke.
"Let's go!"
Upon hearing this, Zenitsu hurriedly followed, and a smile finally broke out on his lips after being suppressed for so long.
Thank goodness, my life is saved tonight...
A crimson figure suddenly appeared in front of Zenitsu, its blue-glowing fist hurtling towards Zenitsu.
The sudden turn of events caught Zenitsu completely off guard, leaving him standing there dumbfounded.
The enormous fist grew larger and larger in Zenitsu's eyes.
The next moment.
Clang!
A crimson blade blocked Zenitsu's path.
Although his hand holding the knife was trembling slightly, he firmly held his fist on it, preventing it from falling even a fraction of an inch.
Zenitsu stared at the fist and Nichirin Blade right in front of him, his jaw clenching. The next moment, his eyes rolled back and he collapsed.
The sudden turn of events startled Akaza, Kyojuro seized the opportunity to push Akaza away.
Akaza didn't mind and stepped back.
His gaze lingered on the fallen Demon Slayer, but he still couldn't figure out how the Demon Slayer had fainted.
I didn't even manage to hit him!
Frightened to the point of fainting?
That can't be right, can it?
How did someone with that kind of guts become Demon Slayer?
Why are all these Demon Slayer I met tonight so strange?
Akaza shook his head, no longer thinking about it, and looked at Kyojuro.
" Kyojuro, now you know, right? Even with you in my way, it would be very easy for me to kill those few people!"
Kyojuro looked grave upon hearing this.
Although I don't want to admit it, it's the truth. As a Pillar, I couldn't even hold off the Upper Rank Moon!
Looking down at his hands holding the knife, feeling his arms trembling incessantly, Kyojuro's brows furrowed even deeper.
Even if one has mastered what Kato called " Wielding the Heavy as Light," is that all one can achieve for the present moment?
and...
Kyojuro looked up at Akaza.
The opponent was still carrying a load and hadn't even used their full strength.
Was this the same opponent Kato fought two years ago?
Akaza stood at a distance, watching the group, and said, "Since you're a Pillar, you must know the location of Teiichi, right?"
Kyojuro suddenly looked up and met Akaza's gaze.
"What do you mean?"
Seeing this, Akaza's lips curled into a wild smile.
Looks like I made the right choice today!
As expected, Zhu knew Teiichi's location!!
"Let's make a deal! Just tell me the location of Teiichi, and I'll let you go!"
Having said that, Akaza seemed to feel that his words weren't strong enough, so he added another sentence.
"Including everyone on that train!"
Akaza, but stood there with a slight smile, waiting.
Upon hearing this, Kyojuro was somewhat dazed.
The scene from many years ago seemed to be replaying before my eyes.
On one side are the minority, on the other the majority; which should you choose?
A bitter smile appeared on Kyojuro's lips.
I never thought I'd actually encounter such a problem!
If it were Kato, he would probably abandon the minority without hesitation, right?
but...
I already answered that many years ago!
Kyojuro looked towards Akaza, his eyes seeming to burn with fierce flames.
"I won't give up on anyone!"
Upon hearing this, Akaza's upturned lips stiffened slightly, and his expression quickly darkened.
"Is that so..."
"Yes!" Kyojuro laughed heartily. " Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Nezuko Inosuke, I'm sorry, I might not be able to keep my promise to take care of you in the future. You might die here with me today!"
Upon hearing this, Tanjiro and Inosuke were both moved, their eyes filled with tears as they gazed at Kyojuro's back, which was blocking their way.
" Big Brother Rengoku..."
"What kind of behavior is this, crying and sobbing? This is simply the fate of us Demon Slayer Corps members!"
Kyojuro laughed heartily, gripping his Nichirin Blade tightly at his sides.
" Flame Breathing!"
Kyojuro's gaze was fixed on Akaza, and he was breathing heavily.
" First Form!"
Akaza gazed calmly at the Demon Slayer in the distance.
In the pitch-black night, the crimson flames faintly illuminated his golden pupils.
" Unknowing Fire!"
Crimson flames surged forth, then transformed into a massive ball of fire that hurtled straight toward Akaza.
Akaza calmly watched the ball of fire rushing towards him, his gaze fixed on the figure within it.
He only gently raised his hand when the fireball had traveled halfway through its journey.
" Destructive Death - Disorder!"
Clang!
A sharp metallic clang rang out, the forward-rushing fireballs paused, and then quickly flew backward.
Kyojuro quickly sheathed his sword and then attacked again.
" Third Form: All- Blazing Universe!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!...
The resounding clang echoed throughout the venue.
Crimson flames and shimmering blue light flashed incessantly across the battlefield, each collision accompanied by a deafening explosion.
Akaza stared calmly at Kyojuro, tilting his head back slightly to dodge Kyojuro's attack, and then delivered a powerful first kick.
Clang!
As expected, I was blocked.
If he hadn't yet stepped into the Supreme Territory, he might have been more excited about today's battle.
But now.
The only thing that could excite him is Teiichi!
The figure of someone he had only met once seemed to appear before his eyes.
His neat, black hair, straight nose, eyebrows like distant mountains, thin and thick...
The burning flames tore through the scene before my eyes.
I thought I could find Teiichi today, but I was blocked by the pillar in front of me...
Akaza's face was extremely gloomy. He quickly crouched down, dodging Kyojuro's attack. The weight on his body was removed in an instant, and then his fist slammed towards Kyojuro's shoulder.
Click!
A crisp sound of bone cracking rang out.
The sudden increase in speed left Kyojuro no time to react.
Kyojuro gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, and attacked with his other hand, gripping his Nichirin Blade.
" Destructive Death - Footwork - Flowing Light!"
Akaza stood on one leg, while kicking towards Kyojuro with the other leg, which resembled a cluster of stars.
Clang! Clang!
Click!
Clang!
Click!
Click!
Three more crisp cracking sounds rang out.
" Big Brother Rengoku!"
Amid Tanjiro's anxious calls, Kyojuro was sent flying backward.
Akaza slowly walked towards Kyojuro was lying on the ground unable to stand up because he had broken his shoulder and leg bones.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three sounds rang out in succession, and Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Nezuko, who came to block their way, were all easily knocked away by Akaza.
Akaza stood next to Kyojuro, looking down at Kyojuro.
"You just need to get Kato's..."
I won't tell!
Before Akaza could finish speaking, Kyojuro resolutely refused.
Akaza paused for a moment, gazing at Kyojuro lying on the ground.
Even though he couldn't get up and blood kept seeping from his body, his eyes were still so bright.
After a moment's hesitation, Akaza asked.
"Then... would you be willing to become a ghost?"
The two looked at each other silently, and then Kyojuro spoke slowly but firmly:
"I will not become a ghost!"
Was this the answer I expected...?
The fist slowly rose, and the fluorescent light converged towards it...
"If that's the case, then..."
"Bye now!"