The force of the explosion rendered Inosuke and Tanjiro, who were some distance away, completely unable to open their eyes.
When the impact subsided, Tanjiro shouted urgently, "Brother Giyu!!"
"Tomioka!"
Rengoku Kyojuro, who was closer to the explosion, also grew anxious. But just as he was about to move—
Tomioka Giyu flew out from the dust cloud!
Immediately after, Akaza emerged too—more accurately, he flew straight toward Tomioka Giyu!
Bang—bang bang bang bang———!
Man and demon clashed once more, neither showing the slightest intention of retreat.
Akaza said nothing this time, simply unleashing a flurry of brutal, unbelievable punches.
He found Tomioka Giyu's current state curious—interesting, even—but still insufficient.
"Destructive Death: Compass Needle! And the Eightfold Techniques!"
Slash—slash—slash—slash—slash—!
Though Tomioka Giyu was nearing the threshold of the "Transparent World" state, the relentless, high-intensity barrage—eight consecutive strikes from multiple directions—still broke through his defense!
Giyu was knocked back several meters, barely managing to stabilize himself using his Nichirin Blade. Pain radiated from his ribs—at least four or five were broken.
Thankfully, he'd dodged just enough. Any deeper impact might have punctured his lungs.
Breathing heavily, Giyu adjusted his rhythm, using Breath Control to temporarily stem the bleeding. As he was about to rise again—
Rengoku Kyojuro stepped in, stopping him.
"Tomioka, this is my duty. If one of us must fall tonight—let it be me!"
Giyu frowned, grabbed Rengoku's shoulders, and forced a crooked smile.
"No one dies tonight. Not you, not me."
"Let's fight together. We'll find a way—together!"
"…Right!"
Rengoku nodded firmly, flames flaring behind him.
"Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire!!"
"Switching opponents?" Akaza scoffed and struck forward again.
Bang—!
As Rengoku parried the blow, he pivoted, adjusting the blade's angle mid-step—
"Flame Breathing, Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun!"
Rengoku intended to slice clean through Akaza's arm and into his head. But the demon's reaction speed was absurd. He instantly dropped low and aimed straight for Rengoku's abdomen!
Rengoku hastily withdrew his blade and leapt back, barely evading the lethal strike.
Akaza didn't pursue. Instead, his response was even quicker—
"Destructive Death: Air Type!"
Bang—!!
The technique blasted Rengoku backward several meters!
Pfft—!!
Rengoku coughed up blood—but at that moment—
Akaza's punching arm cracked and twisted, broken at the elbow!
"Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow Turbulent!"
Akaza turned his head toward Giyu, who was now kneeling on one leg, bloodied but still glaring with unwavering resolve.
"Hmph. Still trying to fight? With all those broken ribs?"
"This is the fate of a human. If you were a demon, those would be mere scratches…"
But then—something felt off.
Akaza finally noticed: his arm wasn't regenerating.
That's right. For just a moment, Tomioka Giyu had activated the Crimson Blade. It only lasted seconds, but that was enough.
He'd always known he'd need to use it—but never in front of Akaza. If Akaza realized he could activate the red blade freely, he'd ensure Giyu never got the chance again.
"Flame Breathing, Fifth Form: Flame Tiger!!"
Rengoku's blade came roaring down. Akaza's eyes narrowed in cold fury. He turned, bracing himself—
"Destructive Death: Leg Type – Flowing Light Flash!"
Boom—!!
Rengoku was blasted back several paces, blood gushing from his lips.
"…His power increased?!"
Akaza had already leapt high into the air—his next attack was lethal.
"Destructive Death: Crushing Type – Eight-Layered Demon Core!!"
If that crushing punch landed, not even Rengoku's body would remain intact.
In the final second, Rengoku gritted his teeth and used Fourth Form mid-retreat to absorb some of the impact.
But it wasn't enough.
He crashed to the ground, rolled several times, and finally came to a stop.
Across the field, Giyu clenched his fists, staggering back to his feet.
"AKAZA!!"
His wrist trembled—he could no longer draw out the Red Blade's power.
No matter. Even without it—he had to stand.
He couldn't just sit back and watch!
He had once stood on the sidelines.
Now, he had the power to change fate—he couldn't let this end here!
Whether to settle past regrets, or for the decisive battle yet to come at Infinity Castle—
"I still have reasons to fight!!"
Giyu inhaled deeply, body low, sword drawn back behind him.
"Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux!!"
A spiraling blue water dragon erupted from his blade!
The ground cracked beneath his feet as he charged!
Akaza smirked. With only one hand remaining, he readied his stance—
"Destructive Death: Annihilation Type!!"
Man and demon collided once again, earth shattering around them from the sheer force.
But it wasn't over.
From the epicenter of their clash, Giyu swung with all his might toward Akaza's head!
But—Akaza's missing arm regenerated right in that instant.
Giyu's eyes widened in disbelief—too late.
Akaza struck the blade sideways with his wrist—and shattered Giyu's Nichirin Sword.
"Hmph… what a shame. Goodbye!"
'…Am I going to die?'
Giyu stared at the fist hurtling toward his heart. His pupils shrank, jaw clenched.
'This isn't the end!'
Afterimages.
Giyu stepped back at the very last instant.
Akaza's fist passed through where he had just been.
Yes—at that critical moment, Giyu awakened his latent potential.
Even with strength nearly exhausted—
He tapped into the essence of the Thirteenth Form for a brief moment.
A look of surprise flickered in Akaza's eyes—but only briefly.
Without hesitation, Akaza kicked Giyu in the head!
Giyu raised his broken sword in desperation to block.
Bang—!!
He was sent flying again.
This time, Rengoku caught him, cushioning the fall before he hit the ground.
Akaza stood before them both, his voice low and cold:
"You will die.
…You will die."