Seeing that Kocho Kanae could even block "Empty Style," Akaza was overjoyed. "What's your name?"
Kocho Kanae's pretty face lacked its usual smile. She said in a deep voice, "Kocho Kanae!"
"Kanae, become a demon. Your body won't last much longer!" Akaza said with a smile. He could tell that Kocho Kanae's fighting spirit seemed strong, but it was very unstable, giving off a feeling of being outwardly strong but inwardly weak.
Kamihara Tetsuya frowned. Akaza's eyesight was so sharp that he saw through the drawbacks of the Mark at a glance.
Activating the Mark meant fighting by overdrawing one's life, not living past 25 years old. Kocho Kanae was fighting with an injured body, and this overdrawing was probably even more terrifying.
"I am the Flower Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps!"
Kocho Kanae's response was just that one sentence. She slowly raised her nichirin blade with both hands, attracting Akaza's attention, and subtly glanced at Kamihara Tetsuya with her beautiful eyes.
Kamihara Tetsuya understood that look; Kocho Kanae was prepared to die.
"Flower Breathing: Secret Art: Flower Ocean!"
Kocho Kanae murmured.
As soon as her voice fell, a powerful aura suddenly erupted from her body, yet it gave off a gentle feeling.
A pleasant floral scent wafted over, entering Kamihara Tetsuya's and Akaza's noses. They could even hear crisp and melodious bird calls in their ears.
A gentle breeze brushed their faces, and flowers danced everywhere. Kamihara Tetsuya felt as if he were in a magnificent garden.
Countless petals moved with the wind, obscuring the sky and sun. Kocho Kanae's figure was hidden within them, each petal carrying boundless killing intent as it flew towards Akaza.
Akaza trembled all over, his eyes revealing indescribable pleasure and excitement. In his perception, what a powerful fighting spirit!
It was already comparable to an Upper Moon Four! And the opponent was just a girl who had lived for a little over ten years.
"Destructive Kill: Annihilation Style!"
Akaza said with a sinister grin, his muscles tensed. He took a step forward, and surging fighting spirit gathered in his fist, unleashing a destructive punch.
Boom!!
The force of the punch tore through the ground, exploding with a roar, creating a huge blast. Flames shot into the sky, sparks flew, and an overwhelming wave of fire engulfed the beautiful flower sea in front.
The temperature rose sharply. Under the blazing fire, the vibrant flowers were burned to ashes.
Kocho Kanae's pupils reflected the shocking scene before her. This was the strength of an Upper Moon!
No wonder almost no one had successfully subjugated an Upper Moon for hundreds of years.
Pillar-level Swordsmen went one after another to their deaths!
The sweeping waves of fire spread wildly, overturning everything around. Kocho Kanae's body could no longer hold on, and she was sent flying backward.
Whoosh!
Kocho Kanae used her last ounce of strength, gripping her nichirin blade in a reverse grip and throwing it fiercely.
The nichirin blade transformed into a stream of light, as fast as lightning, its sharp edge piercing through the overwhelming waves of fire in front.
So fast!
Akaza's eyes widened. He shifted his head to the side, but he was still a little too slow.
The nichirin blade pierced through Akaza's neck. The immense impact caused his body to retreat continuously, crashing into a wall and being pinned there by the nichirin blade.
"Is it really not enough?"
Seeing this, Kocho Kanae sighed softly. Her delicate body was sent flying by the waves of fire, the plum blossom Mark on her neck dissipated, and her aura dropped sharply.
She landed heavily on the ground more than ten meters away.
"Pfft!"
Kocho Kanae spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, her face devoid of color. The unhealed wound on her abdomen split open, and crimson blood seeped out, staining her clothes.
As the dust settled, the ground within a hundred-meter radius was empty, with only Kamihara Tetsuya and the other two remaining.
"Hehe!"
Akaza pulled out the nichirin blade that had nearly killed him, casually tossing it aside. "Kocho Kanae, become a demon, or you will die immediately!"
In the perception of Destructive Kill: Compass Needle, Kocho Kanae's fighting spirit had already dropped to its lowest point.
No different from someone about to die!
Her body appeared to have only minor injuries, but in reality, all her internal organs had ruptured.
"I will fight to the last moment as a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps!" Kocho Kanae struggled to hold herself up.
Akaza's expression showed regret. If the person was unwilling, even forced blood injection would be useless.
When the sun came out, if Kocho Kanae stood in the sunlight, she would turn to ash.
Wasting That Lord's blood was no small matter!
Akaza stepped forward, preparing to finish off Kocho Kanae completely, when suddenly a figure blocked his path.
Kamihara Tetsuya's face was like frost, his voice hoarse, "Akaza, let me kill her!"
Akaza stopped, "Suit yourself."
If Kocho Kanae's powerful physique were consumed, it would be nothing short of a top-tier tonic for a demon.
Akaza probably knew Kamihara Tetsuya's purpose: to consume Kocho Kanae and increase his strength. He had his own bottom line and did not eat women or children.
So, letting Kamihara Tetsuya have her was fine.
Kamihara Tetsuya turned and took heavy steps, arriving in front of Kocho Kanae.
Their gazes met in the air.
Kamihara Tetsuya's expression was tense, filled with killing intent.
Kocho Kanae's pale face maintained a sweet smile. The fate of death was like an invisible hand clutching her throat, yet her eyes were incredibly calm. It was as if she was saying, "Sorry, I'm going first."
Rumble!
A rumble came from afar, accompanied by lightning and thunder, like the mournful cry of heaven and earth. Large raindrops fell continuously like broken pearls.
Kocho Kanae was soaked by the rain, her disheveled long hair clinging to her cheeks, making her look tragically beautiful.
Akaza stood behind, his eyes fixed on Kamihara Tetsuya. Ever since Kocho Kanae displayed the strength of a Pillar, a hint of doubt had arisen in his mind.
How did Kamihara Tetsuya survive?
Kamihara Tetsuya felt a prickle on his back. He clenched his right fist, "I will kill you, and then become a Twelve Kizuki!"
Kocho Kanae pursed her lips. And then? What do you want to do after becoming a Twelve Kizuki?
Bang!
Kamihara Tetsuya said no more. He rushed in front of Kocho Kanae, striking like lightning. His right hand pierced through her chest, going all the way to her back, completely crushing her heart.
"Pfft!"
Kocho Kanae spat out a mouthful of blood, losing all strength. Her body tilted and fell forward, into Kamihara Tetsuya's embrace.
Her small head rested on Kamihara Tetsuya's shoulder.
Her gradually dimming beautiful eyes shifted, looking at Kamihara Tetsuya's cold face, so close. Kocho Kanae seemed to feel the pain deep within him.
Raising her small hand to caress Kamihara Tetsuya's cheek, Kocho Kanae whispered in an almost inaudible voice, "For you, it's also a punishment."
As her words fell, Kocho Kanae slowly closed her eyes, her breath ceasing.
Kocho Kanae, dead!
Akaza withdrew his gaze. It seemed he had overthought things.
A small, delicate figure rushed out from the street corner. Her light purple pupils reflected the scene, and a hysterical scream escaped her lips.
"Sister!!"