Akaza's Blood Demon Art, Destructive Kill: Compass Needle, can only be dodged by those without fighting spirit or those who can conceal their fighting spirit (Transparent World).
Without comprehending the "Transparent World," Akaza is an almost impossible enemy to defeat.
By activating Destructive Kill: Compass Needle to sense fighting spirit and lock onto the enemy, breaking through illusions becomes a natural consequence.
Akaza opened his eyes, and the illusion was dispelled!
Bang!
Akaza's leg muscles tensed, his foot strength shattered the ground, and he shot out like a rocket.
"Destructive Kill: Chaotic Style!"
Akaza's hands created afterimages in the air, delivering rapid, powerful strikes to the same spot.
Sharingan Copy: Destructive Kill: Chaotic Style!
Kamihara Tetsuya's Sharingan captured Akaza's every movement, and he mimicked them, swinging his fists and unleashing countless fist shadows.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The two's phantom-like fists collided, shaking the space and producing faint sonic booms.
Akaza's face froze for a moment, then he grinned ferociously, "Hahaha, it was truly the right decision to turn you into a demon!"
Kamihara Tetsuya had instantly replicated his technique, achieving six or seven-tenths of its power, which was unbelievable.
However, the gap in their strength was too great.
"Destructive Kill: Leg Style: Crown Splitter!"
Akaza suddenly swung his leg upwards, aiming a powerful kick at Kamihara Tetsuya's head.
Whoosh!
Hearing the strong gust of wind by his ear, Kamihara Tetsuya dared not be careless and leaned his body backward, Akaza's kick grazing his cheek.
However, he was still a split second too slow.
The tearing wind sliced across Kamihara Tetsuya's cheek, splattering blood into his eyes, making it difficult for him to open them and temporarily losing the observation of his Sharingan.
Whoosh!
How could Akaza let go of such a perfect opportunity? He swung his fists, creating afterimages.
Kamihara Tetsuya's expression was grim; he could only cross his arms to protect his head and block.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Akaza's punches rained down like a storm, targeting Kamihara Tetsuya's entire body, accompanied by dull thuds. Kamihara Tetsuya's body showed various degrees of fist imprints, deeply dented.
Boom!
His body continuously retreated. When Akaza's final heavy punch landed, Kamihara Tetsuya felt an irresistible immense force and was sent flying by a single punch.
Like a broken kite, he smashed through a wall, and heavy stone bricks buried him deep.
"Pfft!"
With hundreds of pounds of weight pressing on him, Kamihara Tetsuya's face was pale, and he couldn't muster an ounce of strength.
Tonight, he first fought Kocho Kanae, then performed surgery with the Sharingan, and now Akaza appeared. No one could withstand such a continuous battle.
Soul Manipulation: Devourer!
Kamihara Tetsuya gritted his teeth and devoured all the gains from tonight. Numerous souls transformed into vast energy pouring into his body.
Just as Kamihara Tetsuya was recovering, Akaza had already shifted his target.
After activating the perception of Destructive Kill: Compass Needle, Akaza had discovered a surprise.
Boom!
From the previous house, an astonishing fighting spirit emerged, directly rivaling an Upper Moon!
"My body is so hot, and my heart rate is accelerating," Kocho Kanae murmured, her beautiful eyes growing brighter, as an unending surge of power welled up.
The pain from the surgery was almost imperceptible, her thoughts became clearer, and her limbs became more agile.
She didn't know what was happening to her body, but she needed strength now.
To slay Upper Moon Three Akaza!
Or sacrifice herself, to prevent Akaza from thinking Kamihara Tetsuya and the Demon Slayer Corps were colluding.
"Flower Breathing: Sixth Form: Whirling Peach!"
A silhouette like a butterfly rushed out of the house, doing a somersault in mid-air. Countless flower petals fluttered in her wake as she swung her nichirin blade, delivering a horizontal slash.
The sharp blade light aimed straight for Akaza's neck.
"Hahaha, I must apologize to you; I previously mistook you for a weakling!" Akaza exclaimed in delight, surprised to encounter such a strong opponent. Today was truly a good day.
This powerful fighting spirit, even he had never seen it in a human during his hundreds of years.
"Destructive Kill: Shattering Style: Ten Thousand Leaf Willow Flash!"
Akaza showed no fear, throwing a punch, a fierce uppercut whose impact caused ripples in space, as if it was about to shatter.
Boom!
The punch and the nichirin blade collided, emitting a crisp sound like metal striking metal, and sparks exploded.
Kocho Kanae held her blade with both hands, pressing down with all her might. The ground beneath Akaza's feet couldn't withstand the force, shattering with a "bang."
Whoosh!
The sharp blade light vertically sliced Akaza's arm, which swayed in mid-air, blood splattering.
Kamihara Tetsuya crawled out from under the rubble. Seeing this, he frowned. With that kind of body, Kocho Kanae couldn't possibly retain such immense power.
Using his Sharingan to observe, when he saw something, Kamihara Tetsuya's spirit was invigorated.
Kocho Kanae unbuttoned the top button of her Demon Slayer Corps uniform, revealing her long, slender, snow-white neck like a swan. A peach-colored plum blossom appeared on her right neck.
Mark!
Kamihara Tetsuya was stunned.
One of the Demon Slayer's three essential items—at this crucial moment, Kocho Kanae had actually activated her Mark.
His mind raced; this was not impossible.
The conditions for activating a Mark are a body temperature exceeding 39 degrees Celsius and a heart rate of over 200 beats per minute.
Kocho Kanae, due to wound infection, had an elevated body temperature and accelerated heart rate, already meeting these conditions. Activating her Mark would greatly enhance her physical abilities.
"Turning illness into her own strength."
Kamihara Tetsuya's mouth twitched. Kocho Kanae was even crazier than he had imagined.
"Flower Breathing: Fifth Form: Peony of Futility!"
"Destructive Kill: Demon Core Eightfold Core!"
A gentle breeze blew, flower petals danced, and Kocho Kanae unleashed nine consecutive strikes from all directions, piercing the same point.
Akaza's face grew even more excited, delivering eight scattered, fierce blows from all directions to the same spot.
Their figures rapidly moved across the ground, as fast as lightning. With each collision, intense sparks flew, raising thick dust.
"Destructive Kill: Empty Style!"
Akaza leaped up, his body inverted in mid-air, and delivered six consecutive punches into the void. His speed was too fast to discern, and invisible fist force blasted out.
Causing ripples to appear in space.
Bang!
A dull sound rang out, Kocho Kanae's forearm clothing shattered, and a small piece of flesh was torn away.
"Was I hit?"
The intense pain made Kocho Kanae alert. In an instant, she understood the secret of Akaza's technique: it was an invisible long-range attack.
"Flower Breathing: Second Form: Plum Blossom Shadow!"
Kocho Kanae didn't hesitate at all, unleashing arc-shaped slashes in all directions, their trajectories like plum blossom petals, blocking all of Akaza's attacks.
The invisible fist force struck the nichirin blade, producing a rapid, crackling sound.
The oncoming pressure caused Kocho Kanae's body to continuously retreat, her expression becoming incredibly grave.