~# Keep the chapters coming — Support with Power Stones!
<><><><><><><><>
Outside the Wreckage
"You okay?? Good thing the demon's flesh cushioned your fall!" Inosuke found Tanjiro in the rubble.
"I'm fine... just got hurt when I was thrown." Tanjiro had slammed into the ground hard. His body was covered in bruises and scrapes. "What about the conductor?"
"That bastard should've died! He almost stabbed you!" Inosuke's anger flared at the memory. "His leg's crushed under the train now. Can't move."
"He's suffered enough. Please... save him..."
"Tch! Fine, since you're begging me, boss! But after I dig him out, I'm plucking every hair off his body!" Despite his harsh words, Inosuke went to help.
"You don't have to do that..."
"Dawn's coming. I need to adjust my breathing..." Tanjiro focused. 'Total Concentration Breathing—Constant. Slow the pain, accelerate healing. I still have people to save! Nezuko, Zenitsu, Rengoku, Kaidō-san... I know everyone's alright!'
"Mm! Young Kamado, it seems you've mastered Total Concentration: Constant! Admirable! Admirable!"
Kyojuro and Kaidō appeared before him simultaneously.
"Tanjiro, mastering Constant is the first step toward becoming a Hashira." Kaidō's voice was strained behind his mask. "You may have ten thousand steps left to climb. But you've done well today."
"Rengoku, Kaidō-san! Thank you both. I'll keep working hard—"
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
An explosion of dirt and debris erupted behind the two Hashira. They spun immediately.
Hssss...
As the dust cleared, the figure became visible.
An incredibly powerful Upper Rank demon. The kanji for Three in his left eye, Upper in his right.
Upper Rank Three—Akaza.
The Strongest Battle Demon below Upper Ranks Two and One.
Tanjiro, still on the ground, craned his neck to look. His pupils constricted in shock. 'Upper Rank... Three?? Why is he here??'
'Finally.' Kaidō's thought was grim. He adjusted his mask.
"Hm?" Akaza studied the two before him. Excitement blazed in his eyes. The orange-yellow fighting spirit radiating from Kyojuro had nearly reached the Supreme Territory. The blood-red aura surrounding Kaidō was almost tangible, nearly solidified.
But then his gaze fell on Tanjiro behind them. His brow furrowed. He exploded forward, fist aimed at the injured boy.
"Dragon Breathing, Fourth Form: Coiling Dragon!"
Kaidō teleported in front of Kyojuro instantly, barrier materializing.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!
Akaza's punch slammed into the defensive technique. The impact echoed like thunder.
"Flame Breathing, Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun!"
Kyojuro reacted immediately. An arcing flame slash cleaved Akaza's attacking arm in half.
Akaza leaped backward, twisting his severed limb. Regeneration was instantaneous. He licked the blood from his hand. "Excellent blade work! One defends, one attacks—beautiful coordination!"
'Fast regeneration... Overwhelming pressure... So this is an Upper Rank!' Kyojuro's mind processed the threat.
His voice was sharp. "Why did you attack an injured person?"
"Because he'd interfere with our conversation!"
"What could you possibly want to say to us? This is our first meeting, but I already despise you!"
"Is that so? I also despise the weak! They make me sick!" Akaza extended his hand toward both Hashira. "But I have a proposal. Both of you—become demons."
"REJECTED!" They spoke in unison.
"Why refuse? I can tell you're both strong! You're Hashira, aren't you?"
"I am Kyojuro Rengoku, Flame Hashira."
"I am Kaidō, Dragon Hashira."
"I am Akaza." His grin widened. "Kyojuro, Kaidō—your fighting spirits have been honed through countless battles! You've both approached the Supreme Territory!"
"But you're human. You'll age. You'll die!" Passion entered his voice. "If you become demons, you can train for a hundred years—two hundred years! Forever growing stronger!"
"So become demons! Kyojuro! Kaidō!"
Kyojuro's response was immediate. "Because humans age and die, they're precious! Their fleeting beauty is irreplaceable! Young Kamado is not weak—I won't allow you to insult him!"
"I agree." Kaidō's voice was firm despite his condition. "I cannot accept becoming a demon. I have things to accomplish. A path home to find. Promises to keep."
His words carried weight. "The strong exist to protect the weak. When the weak grow strong under that protection, they in turn protect those weaker still. That's the cycle we fight for."
"Is that so?"
"Technique Development: Destructive Death—Compass Needle!"
Akaza stomped his right foot. A twelve-pointed snowflake materialized beneath him in silver-white light. Each point marked with kanji from one to twelve. His left fist clenched at his waist, right palm aimed forward.
"If you won't become demons, then die!"
He launched forward like a missile.
—————————————————
Kyojuro and Kaidō exploded into motion, weapons flashing toward Akaza.
"Second Form: Dragon Claw!"
Kaidō leaped high, bringing his greatsword down with devastating force. Akaza crossed both arms overhead, blocking.
But the greatsword weighed over two hundred pounds. Combined with Kaidō's enhanced strength, Akaza's feet sank into the earth. Both blocking arms were severed.
"First Form: Unknowing Fire!"
Kyojuro coordinated perfectly, rushing in with explosive speed. A horizontal slash aimed for Akaza's neck.
But Akaza was the Battle Demon. He wouldn't fall so easily. His leg shot out, forcing Kyojuro to block.
Kyojuro leaped back, creating distance. Akaza's arms regenerated instantly. He threw a punch at Kaidō.
Kaidō raised his greatsword defensively.
CLANG!
The punch struck steel with ringing force.
The three combatants became blurs—constant high-speed movement. Blade and fist collided repeatedly.
Only flashes of orange, red, and blue could be seen, kicking up dust clouds. The intensity warped the air itself, creating dimensional distortions.
"So fast... I can't even see them!" Tanjiro forced himself upright, watching the battle. A sense of inadequacy washed over him.
—————————————————
Akaza held off both Hashira simultaneously—left hand catching the greatsword, right hand gripping Kyojuro's blade.
"Among all the Hashira I've killed, there's never been a Flame or Dragon Hashira. But like the others, they all refused my invitation!"
"Watching talented individuals wither with age breaks my heart! So you'll both die here instead!"
"Destructive Death: Disorder!"
Akaza unleashed a barrage—eight devastating strikes from all directions converging on a single point.
Kaidō's mind raced, strategy forming instantly.
"Dragon Breathing, Fourth Form: Coiling Dragon!"
He positioned himself before Kyojuro. Every strike hammered into his barrier.
"Dragon Breathing, Ninth Form: Cyclone Pierce!"
The moment the barrage ended, Kaidō unleashed his most explosive offensive technique.
Akaza sensed the danger. He responded immediately.
"Destructive Death: Chaos Style!"
Extreme-speed strikes concentrating on a single point.
Technique and Blood Demon Art collided violently. Even the shockwave carried destructive force.
Everything happened in an eyeblink.
When the clash ended, Kaidō was thrown backward, sliding dozens of meters before stopping. He drove his greatsword into the ground for support. His blood felt like molten lava. His entire body burned.
'What's happening?? Why is the boiling getting worse?? Dawn's still three hours away and THIS happens?? I'm useless!' Kaidō thoughts were anguished.
"Young Kaidō, are you alright? Your body temperature is rising!" Kyojuro's concern was obvious.
"I'm fine, Rengoku! Don't worry about me—we need to stall until dawn to keep everyone safe!"
After a moment's consideration, Kyojuro made his decision. "Young Kaidō, rest now. Leave this to me!"
He charged at Akaza without waiting for a response.
"Rengoku..." Kaidō's voice was weak.
'Damn it! Stop boiling! What's wrong with me?? Why is this happening at the worst possible moment??' He tried desperately to control his blood. But the harder he tried, the worse it became. His mark burned hotter and hotter.
His body collapsed to its knees. Both hands pressed against the ground, barely keeping him upright.
Consciousness began fading. Only one thought remained: protect Kyojuro Rengoku. Keep everyone alive.
He could have asked the System what was happening. But his mind was consumed with saving Kyojuro and the others. He'd forgotten.
'I have to... protect everyone... Can't let... Rengoku die...'
Finally, using his tongue, Kaidō retrieved the [Berserk Pill] hidden in his mask's compartment and swallowed it.
<><><><><><><><>
~# 18 Advanced Chapters Available on my Patreon!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
~# Every 200 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter!
~# Add to Library!