Storm?
Akaza's brow twitched slightly. He had assumed Asuka was the Wind Hashira. So he was a Hashira he had never killed before.
This was a breathing rhythm Asuka had pieced together himself—born from observing Tanjiro's Dance of the Fire God and sensing the Flame Hashira's Flame Breathing in battle.
Compared to Wind Breathing, it was more violent, more surging, more furious and ferocious.
More importantly, within this self-created breathing, Asuka had infused his own spirit particle power, allowing the technique to stimulate his internal organs to a far greater extent. Every ounce of strength he exerted was multiplied several times over.
Though the sword forms themselves had not changed much, this sweeping strike alone was enough to make Akaza feel a genuine sense of danger.
"Excellent slash!" he shouted, swiftly shifting his stance to meet Asuka's form head-on.
Slash! Slash!
Even with Akaza's incredible reaction speed, Asuka's Breath of the Storm still tore open numerous wounds across his body.
Some cut deep into flesh, others merely grazed the surface—but without exception, each one filled Akaza with irritation.
Every time he clashed with Asuka's Nichirin Blade, he felt a portion of his demon power being ripped away.
It was slight, but the sensation accumulated steadily, like parasites clinging to bone, seeping into him as his strength continuously drained.
He could feel it—the sluggishness of his regeneration was directly tied to the black battle aura clinging to his wounds.
The speed and strength he so prided himself on were being temporarily suppressed.
What in the world was this power? He could not comprehend it.
The glow of his tattoos intensified. The manic grin on his face faded, replaced by a serious fury born of agitation.
"Become a demon, human!" Akaza growled, golden pupils blazing with unprecedented battle lust.
Whoosh—!
His figure blurred as he charged straight toward the descending Asuka!
Empowered by the Compass Needle, his movements surpassed the limits of sight, reducing him to a streak of pink afterimage!
"Destructive Death: Disorder!"
"First Form: Rending Sky!"
Blade and fist collided once more, the clash of metal ringing across the entire plain!
"I can feel it! Your blade longs to grow stronger! You and I are the same!"
"Become a demon! Your value goes far beyond this!"
Boom—crack!!
Akaza knocked aside Asuka's blade with a punch and struck heavily into his shoulder. The sound of bone fracturing echoed sharply.
"The human body is so fragile! Why can't you understand that?"
Those words were not without impact on Asuka.
Demons were strong. The Upper Ranks were strong. Was Muzan even stronger?
Rengoku Kyojuro had said that even a single Upper Rank demon could kill multiple Hashira-level swordsmen…
If he became like Muzan, could he defeat Aizen?
Asuka's face darkened. Enduring the pain in his shoulder, he slashed forward.
"Pack Howl!!"
The terrifying spiritual-pressure slash severed Akaza's right arm instantly. The trait of Nugata made it difficult for him to regenerate quickly.
Seeing this, Akaza's savage grin stretched nearly to his ears.
"Do you see? You're different from these people! You have the potential to surpass all the Upper Ranks! Don't die here!!"
For a fleeting instant, Asuka's movements faltered—his thoughts clouded by Akaza's words and the searing pain.
Humans have limits… the thought surfaced unbidden.
"Asuka, my boy——!!"
Rengoku's roar exploded like thunder, crashing into Asuka's ears.
"Do not be deceived by a demon's lies! Your strength exists to protect those behind you who need safeguarding! Do not lose your way!"
"Set your heart ablaze! Let it guide your blade!"
His voice surged like a torrent of blazing heat, battering away the wavering thoughts within Asuka's heart.
Before Rengoku's pure, radiant conviction—burning like the sun—Akaza's temptation dissolved like rotten spiderwebs.
"Stubborn fool!" Akaza snapped, irritation rising. Abandoning his entanglement with Asuka, he flashed directly before the Flame Hashira!
"Destructive Death: Leg Style: Flowing Flashing Light!"
"Fifth Form: Flame Tiger!"
Rengoku did not wait passively. The instant Akaza appeared, he counterattacked!
Roaring, he whirled his Nichirin Blade into an impenetrable wall of flames, directly confronting the terrifying barrage of kicks!
Clang! Clang! Clang!!
Explosions rang out in rapid succession like hammering steel.
Though Rengoku blocked most of the blows, each collision numbed his arms. Under the relentless assault, internal injuries spread through his body.
Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. His movements began to warp.
The ground beneath his feet shattered repeatedly. The disparity in strength was becoming apparent.
Slash—!
Even when he severed Akaza's ankle with a single strike, the demon did not fear trading injury for injury.
The leg regenerated instantly—and the next kick struck Rengoku square in the chest!
Pfft!!
Rengoku spat a mouthful of blood, his body sent flying backward.
Yet he refused to fall. Adjusting midair, he forced himself upright, though blood continued to stream from his lips.
"Do not give up! Asuka, my boy! Ignite your heart!!"
Even now, he worried more about Asuka, shouting toward him with all his strength.
For whom do you clench your furious fist?
Asuka remembered a weight greater than revenge.
The anxious eyes of the old man who had fed him. The gentle gaze of Tetsushin Arisaki brushing snow from his shoulders. The tears of Rika before a grave.
He thought of Tanjiro—of the trust between him and his sister. Of Ubuyashiki, who, despite overwhelming despair, never relinquished his resolve to resist evil.
And…
[We made a promise.]
Seeing Asuka standing motionless, Akaza's heart leapt with joy, believing his persuasion had taken effect.
"As long as you nod, I can ask that lord to—"
"Shut up——!!"
Asuka roared.
From the corner of his eye—where Akaza had struck him—jagged scars began to spread like interlocking fangs of a serrated blade.
As the marks extended, Nugata blazed with unprecedented brilliance. Even Akaza, mid-battle, was startled by its radiance.
The Nichirin Blade heated rapidly. Forged from Scarlet Crimson Ore and Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand, its body glowed—not like flame, but like the sun itself.
Whoosh—!!
So fast!
Akaza's Compass Needle had not detected Asuka's movement before he appeared directly in front of him!
Asuka's eyes burned wide with fury. The blade in his hand radiated scorching heat. Red-black serrated patterns writhed as if alive, emitting a piercing cry!
"Storm Breathing, Second Form: New Moon!!"
Crimson-gold light burst from within, as though molten lava surged through steel, distorting the air with blistering heat!
This was a swift and savage fast-slash technique, like the cutting edge of a winter gale—merciless and cold.
Akaza's golden pupils contracted violently. The playful ease vanished from his expression, replaced by a pounding sense of foreboding.
Slash—!!
His newly regenerated right arm was severed again the instant it met the strike.
The tearing of flesh and snapping of bone resounded across the battlefield. Even Upper Rank Three's face shifted at the violent agony.
Akaza tore off the severed limb himself to prevent further erosion from the Nichirin Blade.
He evaded Asuka's relentless slashes while unleashing continuous kicking techniques, seeking to drain Asuka's stamina.
He admitted it—Asuka in this state was terrifyingly strong.
But it could not last forever.
Akaza could hear the lament of Asuka's heart within his chest. He could sense his breathing growing heavier.
Ice-blue battle aura tangled fiercely with Asuka's sword wind. Chaotic currents of energy poured outward like a rampaging flood.
If he endured just a little longer, the boy would exhaust himself.
At this moment, watching the ferocious battle, Inosuke stood stiffly, his skin tingling with icy tension.
"So this is Torataro's strength… It's on a completely different dimension… If I get dragged into that, I'll definitely die!"