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Frieza's Desire! The First Emperor's Dilemma! The Spirit of a True Hero!
Upper Rank Three—Akaza!
His sudden appearance made everyone freeze, breath caught in their throats.
They had just managed to slay Enmu, Lower Rank One, and it seemed like the mission was finally complete. Victory felt close enough to touch—until a new enemy stepped seamlessly onto the stage.
And not just any demon. An Upper Rank.
Back when this world was introduced, people learned the hierarchy of demons:
At the top stood Muzan Kibutsuji, the Demon King—the source of all demons.
Beneath him were the Twelve Kizuki, each monstrously powerful. They were split into Lower Ranks and Upper Ranks. Even the Lowers were terrifying. But the Uppers? Their strength towered over the rest—tenfold, a hundredfold, beyond imagining.
And even among the Upper Ranks, power was uneven. The Top Three stood on a level the rest couldn't touch.
"Upper Rank Three? Damn it, that's really bad news!"
"Of all people, we had to run into one of the Top Three?!"
"After the last fight, that charcoal-selling kid and his friends are battered and half-dead—they can barely stand!"
"Doesn't matter. Even if they can't fight anymore, the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, is still here!"
"Right! That's why he showed up—to face an enemy like this!"
"A showdown between a Hashira and an Upper Rank… this is going to be incredible!"
"But… even for a Hashira, can he really stand against an Upper Rank—especially this Upper Rank?"
"They said it before: the Uppers haven't changed in centuries. I've got a bad feeling about this…"
Across all worlds, spectators couldn't help breaking into a cold sweat for Rengoku.
The light screen.
The fight erupted in a flash.
No wasted words. No hesitation. Following Muzan's command, Akaza's foot smashed the ground as he launched at the fallen Tanjiro.
His mission: kill the boy with the hanafuda earrings.
Akaza's fist cut through the air, about to smash Tanjiro's skull.
"Flame Breathing, Second Form—Rising Scorching Sun!"
Rengoku's blade swept in, slicing through Akaza's fist and driving him back.
But the demon didn't even flinch. With a casual shake of his hand, the wound closed, flesh knitting back together instantly.
He looked at the Flame Hashira with open admiration, and extended an invitation.
"Become a demon, Rengoku. You'll never age, never die. With your fighting spirit, you'll ascend to heights beyond mortal limits—you'll touch the absolute peak!"
Rengoku's voice rang like steel.
"Aging, death—it's exactly because our lives are fleeting that they shine so brightly. Because we can die, love has meaning. Because time is short, life is precious. Strength isn't just about the body. Whatever the reason—I will never become a demon!"
Every word landed firm and unshakable.
...
Naruto World.
"What a conceited brat," Orochimaru sneered, lips curling.
"He doesn't understand how fragile life is, how crushing death can be. That's the only reason he can speak with such bravado. Death has no meaning unless it can be exploited. Life has no meaning either—unless it's eternal."
...
One Piece World, Dressrosa.
"Fufufufufu…" Doflamingo laughed mockingly.
"To throw away the chance at immortality—what a fool! Still… if eternal life means being someone else's lackey, I admit, that's a little distasteful. Doesn't matter. I'll get the real thing. With Law's Op-Op Fruit, perfection is only a matter of time."
...
Dragon Ball Universe, deep space.
"There are actually fools who refuse immortality? Pathetic."
Frieza's cold laughter rippled through the void.
"Immortality is something even I, Emperor Frieza, have dreamed of."
"My lord!" A Ginyu Force member rushed up with a report.
"What is it? Did you find the planet where these demons live? If so, send troops immediately. Capture every last one of them—dissect, analyze, experiment!"
Frieza spoke casually, as though ordering groceries.
"N-no, Lord Frieza. We haven't found the demons' home yet. But—we received valuable intel from Vegeta. There may be another way for you to gain eternal life!"
"Oh? Let's hear it."
Frieza's interest sharpened.
"It's the Namekians! Their Dragon Balls grant any wish. Anything at all."
"Namekians, hmm? Interesting…"
...
Qin Dynasty, the Great Qin World.
"If Xu Fu truly can bring the Demon King from the East… what should I do?"
The First Emperor, Ying Zheng, frowned, deep in thought.
Eternal life was his lifelong pursuit. He had sent alchemists to refine elixirs, dispatched fleets eastward in search of immortality.
And now, the possibility was right before him.
Yet he hesitated.
For eternal life came at a price—becoming a creature of the night, a man-eating fiend that could never face the sun again.
Across all worlds, debate raged.
Some scoffed at Rengoku's refusal, cursing him for rejecting what they most desired.
But far more were struck with awe.
To stare down the temptation of immortality without hesitation—
That is the spirit of a true hero.
"..."
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