"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash!"
The deep blue Nichirin Blade, wrapped in a shimmering azure glow, swiftly delivered a horizontal slash aimed straight at Akaza's neck.
Yet, faced with Giyu's fierce attack, Akaza merely grinned with excitement, neither dodging nor evading.
Instead, he raised his fist to meet the Nichirin Blade head-on.
Thud!!
A dull impact echoed as Akaza's fist struck the side of the Nichirin Blade at an impossible angle, instantly deflecting the slash.
But Giyu wouldn't give up just because one strike missed.
The moment his blade was parried, his grip shifted seamlessly.
"Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide!"
Splash!
Layers of watery light enveloped the Nichirin Blade once more, its flashing arcs resembling surging waves as they assaulted Akaza from every direction.
"Hahaha! Giyu, you're an exceptional Water Hashira! Far stronger than any I've killed before. None of them had your speed or power—subarashi, hontoni subarashi! I'm growing more and more fond of you, Tomioka Giyu. Become a demon!" Akaza roared manically, his fists clashing wildly against the countless slashes unleashed by the Hashira.
"Shut up! Can't you just keep your filthy mouth closed?!" Veins bulged on Giyu's forehead.
He was never one for idle chatter, but this Upper Rank demon's incessant rambling was beyond irritating.
Finally!
Seizing the perfect moment, Giyu leaped high into the air, evading Akaza's punch while raising his Nichirin Blade overhead.
"Water Breathing, Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin!"
Swish!
A powerful blue slash descended like a crashing waterfall, its azure radiance concentrated into a devastating force.
"Haha!" Akaza laughed excitedly, raising his arm to meet the strike.
But this time, the sheer force behind the Nichirin Blade caught him off guard.
Squelch!
Blood sprayed as the razor-sharp blade cleaved through Akaza's fist, slicing off half his forearm.
A flicker of surprise flashed in Akaza's eyes, but his reflexes were unmatched.
The instant he faltered, his bare foot stomped the ground, propelling him backward to create distance.
Crack!
Almost as soon as Akaza regained his footing, his severed arm regenerated completely.
"Is this the regenerative power of an Upper Rank?" Giyu's slash had missed, carving a deep trench into the snow-covered ground.
Now, he witnessed firsthand the terrifying recovery ability of his foe.
Akaza examined his restored arm, his lips curling into another grin as his golden eyes locked onto Giyu.
"The last Water Hashira I encountered was over fifty years ago. Though he wielded the same Breathing Style, he never managed to wound me. Still, that one was a stubborn bastard—no, wait, every Hashira I've killed was stubborn. Not a single one agreed to become a demon, even in death."
"Giyu Tomioka, tell me, are all you Hashira fools? The human body has its limits. Even if you hone your swordsmanship to perfection, what then? How long can you maintain your peak condition?
But becoming a Demon is different! Demons have no limits. You can spend hundreds, even thousands of years refining your skills! Grow stronger without bounds! Engage in countless battles with me, evolving endlessly in combat! Isn't that a far better outcome?! So, Giyu Tomioka—become a Demon!"
Watching the deranged Akaza, Giyu could no longer hold back.
Gripping his Nichirin Blade tightly, he uncharacteristically roared.
"Shut up! I am the Water Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps! The only fate awaiting me is death in battle against Demons. Expect me to become one? In your dreams! I will never, ever, ever become a disgusting monster like you!"
Akaza's expression darkened, a dense aura of killing intent seeping out from his body.
"Is that so? Then die, Giyu Tomioka."
BOOM!!
Akaza suddenly stomped the ground, sending snow flying in all directions as the earth split apart.
The cracks radiating from him formed an intricate snowflake pattern.
Akaza clenched one fist at his waist while extending his other palm before him.
"Technique Deployment: Destructive Death—Compass Needle!"
Giyu charged at Akaza, Nichirin Blade in hand.
"Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux!"
Swirling blue blade light gradually coalesced around him, forming a water dragon.
As Giyu and Akaza clashed, Tanjiro, who was holding his sister Nezuko, stood frozen in shock at the battle unfolding before him.
"Demons… they truly exist? And Giyu-san… he's really a swordsman who slays Demons?" Though hard to believe, the scene before him struck Tanjiro deeply, violently reshaping his worldview.
Most importantly, what did this Demon's appearance signify?
Tanjiro instantly recalled the unfamiliar presence he had sensed earlier in the cabin—that chilling aura.
It must have been another Demon.
In other words, the murderer who slaughtered his family was a Demon!
At this realization, a flicker of rage ignited in Tanjiro's eyes as he glared at Akaza.
But glancing around, he saw no weapons except a woodcutting axe.
With just an axe and his own strength as an ordinary charcoal-seller, could he possibly aid Giyu-san in this desperate fight?
And Nezuko in his arms still had faint breaths.
Tanjiro: "What should I do…?"
"Destructive Death: Air Type!" Akaza shrieked, throwing a barrage of fierce punches into empty air.
Yet, horrifyingly, despite striking nothing, Giyu's expression twisted in alarm.
Relying on sharp instincts, Giyu swiftly raised his Nichirin Blade.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
A series of heavy impacts rang against the blade.
At the same time, Giyu's body stiffened abruptly as excruciating pain tore through his abdomen.
Blood spilled uncontrollably from his lips—he hadn't blocked all the attacks.
"You left an opening!" Akaza grinned, his speed unrelenting as he closed the distance in an instant.
"Destructive Death: Disorder!"
A storm of fists rained down upon Giyu.
There's no time to dodge!
At the critical moment, Giyu actually closed his eyes, but he wasn't waiting for death.
Drip!
In an instant, Giyu's mind became completely empty, entering a strange state.
The surrounding environment seemed to freeze all at once, like a raging sea suddenly turning into a calm, rippleless surface.
"Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Dead Calm."
Swish~
Like a gentle breeze, Akaza's countless attacks instantly melted away like spring snow, completely failing to reach Giyu.
Though his attacks missed, Akaza showed no disappointment.
Instead, a hint of surprise appeared on his face.
"A new form? Previous Water Hashira never used this technique before. Giyu Tomioka, you truly are full of surprises!"
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