Meiji 44 (1911) — Late Summer, Night
Outskirts of Northern Kantō
Kai — Age 16
Sun Hashira
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The night was heavy.
Not quiet — insects still sang, leaves still moved — but something oppressive sat in the air, pressing against the lungs. Kai slowed his steps as the forest opened into a ruined clearing, stones cracked as if struck by repeated force.
Fresh destruction.
Recent.
His hand settled on his sword.
Then came the clapping.
Slow. Measured. Amused.
A figure stepped forward from the shadows, bare feet touching the dirt without sound. His body was perfectly balanced, muscles coiled like a drawn bow. Blue markings traced his skin, glowing faintly beneath the moonlight. Golden eyes locked onto Kai with sharp, predatory interest.
"Well now," the demon said pleasantly.
"A Hashira alone?"
Kai studied him.
No hesitation. No uncertainty.
"Upper Rank Three," he said. "Akaza."
Akaza smiled wider.
"So you do know me."
He inhaled deeply.
Then his smile paused.
"…What is that smell?"
Akaza leaned forward slightly, nostrils flaring. His pupils contracted, instincts screaming before his mind caught up.
"Sun…?"
Kai took one step forward.
"Leave," he said calmly. "Or die."
Akaza laughed.
Not mockery.
Excitement.
---
The First Clash
The ground exploded.
Akaza vanished in a blur of motion, appearing directly in front of Kai with a fist already thrown. Kai drew his blade in the same instant, steel and flesh colliding with a thunderous shockwave.
Trees snapped.
Earth cracked.
Both were thrown back.
Akaza landed lightly, sliding across the dirt, eyes wide with exhilaration.
"…You stopped me."
Kai exhaled slowly, stance settling.
🔥 Sun Breathing — First Form: Dance
He moved.
Not rushing. Not wasting motion.
Light traced his blade as he closed the distance. Akaza twisted aside, barely avoiding decapitation. The edge scorched his shoulder, flesh sizzling before rapidly knitting itself together.
Akaza touched the wound.
His fingers trembled.
"…That burns."
His grin sharpened.
"Oh, I like this."
---
Fear Awakens
They collided again.
Akaza's fists rained down, shockwaves ripping through the forest. Kai slipped between them, blade flashing, carving clean arcs of fire through the night.
Then—
A misstep.
Akaza struck Kai's mask.
Porcelain shattered.
Fragments scattered across the ground.
Moonlight fell fully on Kai's face.
Akaza froze.
His body locked up as if seized by an invisible hand.
Then blood erupted.
From his eyes.
From his nose.
From his ears.
"No—"
His breath stuttered. His heart slammed violently against his chest.
The forest twisted.
For a split second, Akaza wasn't here.
He was there.
A ruined courtyard drenched in blood.
A man standing before him — calm, unmoving, overwhelming.
A blade raised effortlessly.
Behind that man…
Muzan.
Trembling.
Sweating.
Terrified.
Akaza staggered backward, clutching his head as the image burned into him.
"That face—!"
His voice cracked.
"That face is wrong!"
Youriichi.
The memory of absolute death.
Akaza's terror surged — raw, ancient, humiliating.
Then it flipped.
Into rage.
Into battle lust.
Akaza screamed and charged.
---
Akaza vs Kai
💥 Destructive Death — Air Type
The clearing detonated.
Invisible pressure tore through everything, pulverizing stone and wood alike. Kai ran into it, body weaving through the gaps before the attacks fully manifested.
Akaza noticed.
"You're moving before I strike."
Kai's eyes sharpened.
🔥 Sun Breathing — Second Form: Clear Blue Sky
A rising slash tore through Akaza's torso, launching him skyward. Akaza twisted midair, landing hard but instantly regenerating.
Akaza laughed breathlessly.
"Yes… yes!"
Fear still clawed at his spine — but excitement drowned it out.
"Show me more!"
They clashed again, speed escalating, the night flashing between fire and shockwaves.
---
Transparent World
Kai's breathing slowed.
The world peeled open.
Muscle fibers glowed faintly. Blood flow became visible. Akaza's intent flickered moments before movement.
"…So that's it," Kai murmured.
He stepped inside Akaza's strike.
🔥 Sun Breathing — Third Form: Raging Sun
The slash cut through Akaza's chest, neck, and arm in a single flowing motion. Akaza was forced back, skidding across shattered earth.
Akaza stared at Kai.
"…You're seeing everything."
Fear whispered again.
Akaza crushed it.
He attacked harder.
---
Beheading
Kai didn't hesitate.
🔥 Sun Breathing — Fourth Form: Burning Bones, Summer Sun
A blazing arc swept through the clearing.
Akaza's head separated cleanly from his body.
It struck the ground.
Silence.
"…No."
Akaza's eyes widened.
His body moved.
Muscles twisted violently. Flesh surged upward, dragging the head back into place, veins bulging grotesquely as regeneration forced it together.
Blood splattered.
Akaza stood.
Breathing hard.
Laughing.
"I won't die," he snarled.
Kai tightened his grip.
"So you cling."
---
Second Phase — Akaza Awakens
Akaza's breathing changed.
Slowed.
Focused.
"…I see it now."
The world sharpened for him.
Muscle tension.
Breath rhythm.
Openings.
"…You're not just fast," Akaza said softly.
"You're ahead."
Akaza smiled — wide, genuine.
Transparent World bloomed.
Their next clash shattered the forest entirely.
💥 Destructive Death — Disorder
🔥 Sun Breathing — Fifth Form: Fire Wheel
Shockwaves and flames intertwined, neither giving ground. Akaza laughed in pure exhilaration, blood streaming freely as regeneration struggled to keep pace.
"Yes!"
Faster.
Stronger.
Kai pushed harder, Sun Breathing blazing at full intensity.
Akaza matched him blow for blow.
Joy burned in Akaza's chest.
At last—
Kai drove him into the ground.
Blade at his throat.
Akaza panted, still smiling.
---
The Question
Kai stood over him, chest rising steadily, eyes burning.
"Why?" Kai asked.
Akaza stilled.
"Why do you want to become strong?"
"Who are you fighting for?"
Akaza said nothing.
The joy faded.
Silence stretched.
Fragments stirred — unwanted, painful.
A warmth he couldn't name.
A promise he refused to touch.
Akaza clenched his fists.
"…Don't ask me that."
The sun's edge crept over the horizon.
Akaza looked away.
---