Blades and fists collided.
In the midst of the fierce battle, Akaza fought against both of them at once.
Yet, their first offense had failed to make any meaningful impact.
"Haha! Yes! That's it!"
"This is the kind of battle I crave!"
"Come! Let us unleash everything we have!"
Laughing wildly, Akaza suddenly launched a devastating attack—
Destructive Death: Leg Type—Explosive Flurry!
His foot lashed out with a blinding speed, delivering a rapid barrage of kicks, each impact detonating like an explosion of pure force.
Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun!
Iron Body: Steel!
Yohan and Rengoku met the assault head-on, bracing themselves to resist the demon's relentless power.
Akaza's techniques were nothing short of terrifying.
Even though Yohan and Rengoku managed to block his attacks, they were both feeling the strain.
For Yohan, this battle had made one thing crystal clear—
The difference between the Upper and Lower Ranks was like the heavens and the earth.
If the Lower Moons' attacks had felt like mere scratches to him before,
Then Akaza's strikes—
Each and every one of them—
Felt like pure agony.
Even with Iron Body reinforcing his defenses, it wasn't enough.
Akaza's very body was a weapon, and every punch, every kick was an overwhelming fusion of speed and power.
Though his blows didn't seem to leave obvious damage on Yohan's body, the sheer force behind them was a brutal test of endurance.
Meanwhile, Rengoku was in even worse shape.
Even though he had avoided direct hits, the sheer force of Akaza's strikes had left him battered.
A mist of blood sprayed into the air.
He was already the most wounded among them.
At this point in time, Rengoku Kyojuro had yet to reach his peak.
Though he had studied the Breath of Flames through the three guidebooks left behind by previous generations, and had pushed himself to the brink of becoming a Hashira,
He was not there yet.
Not completely.
He was still a few years away from the true pinnacle of his strength.
Yohan and Rengoku exchanged a glance—
No words were needed.
They understood.
No matter what, Akaza had to die here.
If they fell—
Then no one else in this town could stop him.
Fight!
Once again, the battle raged on.
Winds roared, dust spiraled into the air, and the ground cracked beneath their feet.
As the fight dragged on, Yohan could feel it—
Rengoku's breathing was growing ragged.
He was no longer as steady as he had been at the start.
He was reaching his limit.
Meanwhile, Akaza—
Though his purple-red short-sleeved robe had been torn into strips,
The wounds on his body—
Were already healing.
Fast.
"As expected," Akaza said, grinning.
"You're both warriors worthy of respect."
"But—"
"With just this level of strength, you will never defeat me."
"Look at yourselves."
"Wounded, exhausted—"
"And yet, as a demon, I feel neither fatigue nor true pain."
"I can see it—"
"You both possess Battle Aura. You should not be shackled by your human limitations."
"Become demons! If you do, we can fight forever!"
Akaza's voice rang with conviction.
For over two hundred years, he had sought out strong opponents, pursued battle after battle.
His past—lost.
His memories—forgotten.
All that remained was his obsession—
To grow stronger.
And today, he had found two humans who were worthy.
Both Yohan and Rengoku had what it took to ascend—to pursue the highest realms of Battle Aura.
They should join the ranks of demons.
That was the only right path.
But neither Yohan nor Rengoku even hesitated.
They had no intention of entertaining Akaza's invitation.
They had their own convictions. Their own unwavering beliefs.
"Rengoku Kyojuro," Yohan said, voice steady, "I'll take the brunt of his attacks."
"You stay back and look for an opening."
He had already realized—
If Rengoku kept fighting like this, he would be the first to fall.
But Yohan—his body was durable, resilient.
If anyone was going to withstand Akaza's attacks head-on, it should be him.
As for Rengoku—
Striking from the side would allow him to make better use of his swordsmanship.
Rengoku hesitated for only a fraction of a second before nodding.
There was no room for stubbornness here.
They had only one goal—
To slay the demon!
Akaza made no move to stop them.
In his eyes, the stronger the fight, the better.
It didn't matter what his opponents did.
So long as they made this battle worthy—
That was all that mattered.
The battle resumed.
This time, Yohan alone faced Akaza head-on.
His initial plan—
Had been to use his newfound grappling techniques to pin Akaza down and create an opening for Rengoku.
But every time he attempted a grab—
Akaza dodged.
As if he had already sensed his intentions.
Yet, every one of Akaza's attacks—
Landed.
Another attack came—
Destructive Death: Crushing Type—Ten Thousand Leaves Flashing Willow!
Akaza leapt into the air, his pale figure cutting through the night.
And then—
A devastating downward strike—
Falling straight toward Yohan.
Yohan stood his ground.
He did not dodge.
Instead—
He reinforced his entire body with Iron Body—
And met Akaza head-on.
The moment their attacks collided—
The ground beneath them shattered, forming a web of fractures.
Akaza threw his head back and laughed.
"Futile."
"Human—"
"I see through you."
"I know your skin is unusual."
"I know you're trying to endure my attacks, to get close to me."
"But under my Blood Demon Art—Destructive Death: Compass Needle—"
"Your Battle Aura is laid bare before me."
"So give up."
"This is—"
"The difference between humans and demons."
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