"Hahaha! Tomioka Giyuu, your blade is faster! You've truly grown stronger—just as I expected from a Hashira I admire!" Akaza laughed excitedly, his relentless attacks never ceasing.
BOOM!
With a sudden stomp, he launched forward—
"Destructive Death: Chaotic Fist!"
A torrent of crushing punches surged through the air, engulfing Giyu completely.
"Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Dead Calm!"
A resonant hum filled the air as Tomioka Giyu seemed to stand upon a motionless, tranquil water surface.
The overwhelming force of the punches that had engulfed his body vanished in an instant, dissolving into nothingness.
This was the secret technique of Water Breathing, unique to Tomioka Giyu alone.
The moment his heart settled into perfect stillness, any attack—no matter how fierce—would dissipate without a trace.
Yet, despite the immense power of the Eleventh Form, Dead Calm was ultimately a defensive technique.
Against Akaza's relentless, near-endless onslaught, Giyu could only barely hold his ground.
However, this time, Giyu was not fighting Akaza alone.
"Serpent Breathing, Second Form: Venom Fangs of the Narrow Head!"
A cold, gloomy voice abruptly rang out from behind Akaza.
A twisted black Nichirin Blade shot forward with astonishing speed, its sinister aura coiling like a white serpent baring its venomous fangs.
The strike was swift and ruthless, aimed directly at Akaza's neck.
Destructive Death: Compass Needle!
Akaza's Blood Demon Art, which granted him heightened perception of fighting spirit, was as absurdly overpowered as Giyu's Eleventh Form.
The moment anyone with killing intent approached him, their fighting spirit would be instantly detected.
Whoosh!
Akaza's golden pupils narrowed slightly.
In the midst of his exhilarating battle with Giyu, a flicker of irritation crossed his face.
He hated interruptions—especially from someone whose cold, creeping aura disgusted him.
He pursued pure martial arts, where honorable, face-to-face combat was what true warriors revered.
Even as a demon, he still upheld this principle.
But displeasure aside, Akaza reacted with lightning speed.
"Destructive Death: Leg Style—Crown Splitter!"
His beaded right leg lashed backward like a whip, moving with such sharpness that his limb might as well have been a blade.
Clang!!
The white serpent's venomous fangs were shattered by the kick.
Obanai's figure gracefully twisted mid-air, using the momentum to flip past Akaza and land smoothly in front of him, standing side by side with Giyu.
Obanai glanced sideways at Giyu, whose chest rose and fell slightly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
With a faint scoff, he remarked, "Pull yourself together a little more. Don't disgrace the title of Hashira."
"Upper Moon Three is strong. Don't underestimate him," Giyu replied seriously, taking advantage of the brief respite to steady his breathing.
"Your overly earnest attitude is annoying," Obanai muttered, brows furrowing.
He really couldn't stand Giyu's personality!
Crack!
A vein bulged on Akaza's forehead as he bared his fangs in fury.
"You damn pests! Do you have any idea how rude it is to interrupt someone else's fight?! Damn it! You ruined my battle! I'll crush your skull!"
Before his words even faded, crimson flames erupted beside him.
"AKAAZAAAA! Hinokami kagura: Dance!"
Tanjiro's voice, brimming with rage, rang out as he swung his black Nichirin Blade.
A scorching aura surged from the blade, unleashing a fiery arc straight towards Akaza.
"Another brat?!" Akaza roared, not even bothering to look at Tanjiro properly before throwing a punch—Destructive Death: Annihilation Type.
"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"
In an instant, a brilliant blade light precisely blocked Akaza's punch in front of Tanjiro.
Zenitsu, with a snot bubble at his nose, gritted his teeth as he shielded Tanjiro.
But that wasn't all.
Behind Zenitsu, another figure leaped high into the air, wielding dual jagged Nichirin Blades that gleamed uniquely under the moonlight.
From within the boar's head mask, a rough, loud voice could clearly be heard.
"Yahaha! Taste this move of mine! Beast Breathing, Fourth Fang: Slice 'n' Dice!"
"You! Really! Have gone too far!"
BOOM!!
Akaza's face grew eerily calm despite the fury burning in his chest.
The excitement and admiration he had felt while fighting Tomioka Giyu vanished from his eyes, replaced by genuine, overwhelming killing intent.
"Destructive Death, Final Form: Blue Silver Chaotic Afterglow!"
In that moment, Akaza's figure seemed to vanish into thin air, leaving only faint afterimages visible to the naked eye.
What followed was a terrifying barrage of dazzling, earth-shaking, air-distorting punches—each strike carrying the despair of collapsing space itself.
"Bad! Tanjiro!" Giyu's expression changed drastically.
Without hesitation, he tightened his grip on his Nichirin Blade, and a water-blue glow surged forth.
His blade light, like a tidal wave, rushed towards Tanjiro and the others.
Obanai reacted just as swiftly.
Though surprised to see Giyu was so concerned for others, that was all there was to it.
As the Serpent Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, he would never stand idly by while demons slaughtered his comrades—even if those reckless kids were foolish enough to challenge an Upper Moon head-on.
Still, he had to admit, their bravery was somewhat admirable.
"Serpent Breathing, Fifth Form: Slithering Serpent!"
A fierce slash shot straight toward Akaza.
For Obanai, offense was always the best defense.
******
"Forest Hashira-sama! Thank goodness! We finally found you! Just now, we encountered a large group of demons, including one absurdly strong one—probably one of the Twelve Kizuki. The Insect Hashira-sama has already pursued it, and the rest of the demons have been slain!"
In the sparse mountain forest, a Demon Slayer with blood still smeared on his face excitedly reported to Shinichi.
Shinichi glanced at the other members—each bearing injuries, clearly having endured a fierce battle.
Upon hearing that Shinobu had chased after a Twelve Kizuki, his heart immediately sank.
However, despite his worry, he wouldn't abandon these wounded Demon Slayers.
Drawing his long Nichirin Blade, he motioned for the members to gather around him.
"Forest Breathing, Ninth Form: Eternal Cycle!"
A surge of immense vitality, guided by Shinichi, poured into the earth before spreading to heal the Demon Slayers' bodies.
Instantly, the injured members gasped in delight as their pain and fatigue lessened, and minor wounds visibly closed before their eyes.
"Incredible! Forest Hashira-sama!"
"Forest Breathing is so miraculous! If I could learn it, could I become a doctor?"
"Ah~ Shinichi-kun's Forest Breathing is so useful. Teach me later, won't you? I think the Butterfly Mansion could really use it~"
Shinichi, who had been focused on replenishing his teammates' stamina, suddenly heard that familiar voice—gentle yet with a hint of mischief.
Instinctively turning his head.
"Shinobu?!"
His tone carried faint worry and surprise as he immediately saw Shinobu's beautiful smiling face and her cunning violet eyes.
"Ehe, Eizo told me that Shinichi-kun seemed quite worried about me. Relax, I am a Hashira after all—my strength is nothing to scoff at."
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