“Because I feel this brat will hinder our conversation.” Akaza explained the reason to Kyojuro.
Kyojuro was perplexed, “Your conversation with me? Although it’s our first meeting, I already detest you!”
“Is that so? I also detest weak humans. Merely seeing those weaklings is enough to make me sick.”
“It seems our values are completely different.” Kyojuro no longer wanted to waste words, gripping his Nichirin Blade, ready to fight the Upper Rank.
Akaza was unconcerned, “Is that so? I have a great proposal. How about you become a demon too? With just your eyes, I can tell your strength. You are a Hashira, right? This fighting spirit, clearly tempered through countless trials, is approaching the highest realm.”
“Impossible, I am the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro!”
“I am Akaza. Kyojuro, let me tell you why you haven’t stepped into that highest realm yet. It’s because you are human. Humans will age and die. Become a demon! Kyojuro, only by becoming a demon will you have more time to train yourself and become stronger, with enough time to reach the highest realm. One hundred years, two hundred years, it’s not a problem.”
Although Li Xing quite liked Akaza, he didn't intend to let Akaza continue speaking.
“Akaza, don’t forget about my existence!” Li Xing drew his sword and slashed at Akaza, but suddenly a man with a katana appeared and blocked Li Xing's strike.
“You are called Li Xing? Or Okita Souji?”
Li Xing quickly retreated. The script was wrong. Another demon had appeared. This aura, it was definitely one of the Seven Deadly Sins, and likely a top-ranked one.
Akaza looked at Li Xing and smiled faintly, “As I thought, you have reached the highest realm. I can’t detect any excess fighting spirit leaking from you! How about you become a demon too?”
The demon with the katana seemed displeased, “Lord Akaza, your prey is the other one. This one is mine.”
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am the leader of the Seven Deadly Sins, Pride. I can’t recall my name from my life. It seems it was… Yagyu… Jubei?”
Li Xing said to Tanjiro, “Tanjiro, you leave here first. This is no longer a battle you can participate in. You will die. Protect yourself and the people on the train.”
“My name is Li Xing, a Demon Slayer Corps member. So you are Pride. A descendant of the Yagyu clan? Indeed, a worthy opponent. Shall we fight elsewhere?”
Yagyu Jubei sheathed his katana and nodded, “Agreed!”
…
On the other side, Kyojuro and Akaza were discussing life. What a conversation these two were having.
“Both aging and death are the beauty of fragile beings like humans. Precisely because they age and die, humans are so lovable and noble. The word ‘strength’ is by no means limited to the physical body.”
“Also, that boy is not weak. You are not allowed to insult him like that. No matter how many times you ask me, my answer will be the same: our values are different. No matter what reason you have, I will absolutely not become a demon!”
Akaza’s eyes narrowed, “Is that so? Since you refuse to become a demon, then I shall kill you!”
“Art: Blood Demon Art, Destructive Death: Compass Needle!”
“Water Breathing, First Form: Uneven!” Kyojuro also swiftly swung his blade, their exchange so fast that ordinary humans couldn't see clearly.
Akaza was handling the fight with ease, and while fighting Kyojuro, he spoke, “The Hashira I’ve killed before have never included the Flame Hashira, nor has anyone ever accepted my invitation. As fellow cultivators of martial arts, I truly cannot understand you. Why bother? After all, only the chosen can become demons! I can’t bear to see those with astonishing talent grow old so disgracefully. Therefore, while you are still young and strong, let me kill you like this!”
“Destructive Death: Air Type!”
“Flame Breathing, Fourth Form: Flames Spin Like a Whirlwind!”
After a clash, Kyojuro observed their distance. Akaza, using the impact force of his punch, was in front of him in an instant. To sever Akaza's neck at this range was not easy. He decided to proactively close the distance.
Akaza was delighted, Kyojuro was indeed strong.
“This excellent adaptability, this astonishing and pleasing sword technique. Kyojuro, once you die, they will cease to exist. Don’t you find that tragic?”
Kyojuro swiftly slashed his sword towards Akaza’s neck, “As long as one is human, death is inevitable!”
“Flame Breathing, Fifth Form: Flame Tiger!”
“Destructive Death: Annihilation Type!”
Just the powerful shockwave generated by this attack scoured the surrounding earth. Kyojuro knelt on the ground, blood flowing from his forehead, gasping for breath.
Akaza stood in front of Kyojuro, looking displeased, “Kyojuro, don’t die! Fighting me with a death wish is meaningless. The wounds from your exquisite sword skills have already healed, but you? Your ribs are shattered, your internal organs damaged. These are irreparable critical injuries for a human, but trivial for a demon that can heal in an instant. No matter how humans struggle, they cannot defeat demons.”
Kyojuro stood up again, “I will fulfill my duty as one of the Nine Hashira. No one here will die!”
“Flame Breathing, Final Form: Rengoku!”
Akaza’s smile returned, “This powerful fighting spirit, despite being gravely wounded, this spirit, this will, has never shown a single crack. You truly should become a demon, Kyojuro! Only by becoming a demon can you continue to fight me!”
While speaking, Akaza’s movements did not slow down at all.
“Art: Blood Demon Art, Eradication Type!”
As this final blow fell, Akaza lost half his head and one arm, his chest split open, and his other hand plunged into Kyojuro’s abdomen. Kyojuro’s sword was at Akaza’s neck. At this moment, Kyojuro was almost at his limit, lacking the strength to cut Akaza’s neck.
“You will die, Kyojuro, you will die. Quickly state your thoughts, become a demon! You are a chosen strong one!” Akaza was anxious. If this continued, Kyojuro would truly die, and this powerful sword technique would forever disappear from the world. This was a terribly sad event.
Kyojuro seemed to hear his mother Ruka’s teachings again, and with great effort, tried to sever Akaza’s head.
Akaza was shocked, and also a little excited, “This man still has the strength to swing his sword.”
Kyojuro shouted, “Mother, it is my honor to be brought to this world by someone as understanding as you!”
“Aaaahhh!” Kyojuro exerted his last bit of strength, wanting to kill Akaza right here!
“Kyojuro, you cannot sever my neck. Stop wasting your energy. Just become a demon! Otherwise, you will die here!”