Kairo Retsu's words caused Akaza's hallucinations to intensify even further.
Within those illusions, Akaza saw countless scenes—memories he couldn't even recall having.
In those memories, he was still human—still someone who could be injured in a fight.
And it was precisely because of these hallucinations that, at this point, Akaza's movements were being driven almost entirely by instinct.
When he next activated Destructive Death, he once again sent everyone around him flying and roared in pain while clutching his head.
After using an Nullberry to clear the indiscriminate effects of Tamayo's Blood Demon Art from the group, Joseph Joestar shouted toward Kairo:
"Oi! This guy just got even more of a nightmare to deal with!! His combat instincts are freaking terrifying! Are we sure he's not one of the Pillar Men or something?! I swear if he trained just a bit more, he'd end up with some weird 'Over-Heaven Fist Style' or whatever!!!"
"It's fine! He's already completely trapped in the hallucination—for now, we pull back!"
Kairo Retsu stopped Tanjiro and the other Demon Slayer members from advancing again and began explaining, seeing the confusion on Giyu Tomioka and the others' faces:
"He's fighting purely on instinct now… while he's caught in the illusion, I need to share some intel with all of you."
"Miss Tamayo! I'll leave the stalling to you!!" Kairo shouted in her direction.
Tamayo sighed with slight exasperation, silently widening the wound on her arm so that her blood would flow faster—doing everything she could to maintain her Blood Demon Art.
Shinobu Kocho watched Tamayo's bleeding and suddenly recalled how she had drained two barrels' worth of blood earlier. Somehow… the fact that both of them were bleeding because of Kairo Retsu made the whole thing feel oddly surreal.
"Then let's take advantage of this chance while that tattooed bastard's not fighting back! We just charge in and cut him up now, right?!!"
Inosuke was shouting with his usual manic aggression.
"Inosuke, no—we should listen to what the Grandmaster has to say."
Tanjiro calmly kept an eye on Akaza while trying to get Inosuke to settle down.
"Hey, Kairo, isn't this a bit too risky for a strategy meeting?" Joseph finally let out a breath after the intense exchanges.
"I doubt that Tamayo lady can keep controlling Akaza forever, you know."
"There should be enough time—let's keep it short."
Kairo glanced back at Akaza, still groaning in the depths of his illusion.
"While I'm talking, try not to interrupt unless something's really unclear."
"First, this compass beneath our feet is the core of Akaza's Blood Demon Art."
He pointed to the snowflake-like pattern underfoot.
"It senses fighting spirit… and now that he's moving on instinct, it's even more dangerous for us."
"Fighting spirit…?"
Kanao Tsuyuri tilted her head in confusion.
"It's hard to explain," Kairo replied.
"Just think of it as the emotional energy living beings naturally give off. Tanjiro, you can smell people's emotions, right?"
"Yes!"
Tanjiro nodded firmly.
"Basically, any hostile motion within the compass's range triggers a counterattack. Unless someone has mastered Transparent World and can fully suppress their aura…"
Kairo continued,
"Transparent World allows precise control over one's breathing and movements, which in turn lets you perceive the enemy's actions and weak points."
"Tanjiro, originally you were supposed to unlock Transparent World during your fight with Akaza… but to make sure we could take down Doma with no casualties, we had to change how your fight with Akaza played out.
That's on us—we owe you an apology."
Kairo looked straight at him:
"But we'll take full responsibility. Like before—we'll take down Akaza without losing a single person."
"Transparent World… I could've awakened it?"
Tanjiro was briefly puzzled.
He didn't understand how Kairo could talk about this like he knew the future—but he could sense the seriousness behind Kairo's scent.
The Grand Guildmaster truly wanted the Demon Slayer Corps to wipe out the demons in the Infinity Castle with minimal sacrifice.
"I understand, Grand Guildmaster."
Tanjiro spoke without hesitation.
"If you have a plan, please tell us. We'll support it with everything we've got."
"I believe in your words!
And I'll try to master this Transparent World you're talking about too!!"
Tanjiro said loudly, his chest puffed out, his gaze firm—
And Kairo couldn't help but suck in a breath.
"What a… decisively good young man!"
Kairo, a little emotional, patted him on the shoulder.
"Then as a reliable adult—I have to live up to the trust of youths like you!!!"
"If you want to awaken Transparent World, then think back to your father.
That moment before he passed, when he felled that giant bear—that was him trying to teach you Transparent World."
"And now…"
Kairo turned to everyone present.
"Let's send Akaza to hell to atone for his sins—using all of our strength."
As Kairo laid out the plan, Akaza remained deeply lost within the hallucination.
He saw those familiar faces again… yet he couldn't remember who they were.
Why did seeing them bring him such unbearable pain and sorrow?
He didn't understand—but he wanted to know.
Especially that crying girl staring at him—he was certain he once knew her name.
This emotion filled Akaza with rage…
It was like something precious lay behind a wall of glass, forever out of reach.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"
Akaza roared.
And the next moment—
The hallucinations vanished.
What remained in front of him was a single figure.
"Yo."
Kairo Retsu stood before him, twirling his Insect Glaive, then pointed it forward with a smirk:
"Akaza… how's it feel to wake up from your past memories?"
"Where are the others?"
Akaza demanded sharply. He took a step forward—and a giant snowflake sigil expanded from beneath his feet, blanketing the area.
But—
He sensed no other fighting spirit nearby besides Kairo.
"They're somewhere you can't sense."
Kairo aimed the Glaive at him, his Kinsect buzzing at his side.
"And now…
It's time for our one-on-one."