Episode 288: I AM RENGOKU KYOJURO! EVEN IF I AM REDUCED TO ASHES AND SCATTERED TO THE WINDS, I WILL SURELY DESTROY THE EVIL DEMONS!!
『 Akaza was already certain that the Rengoku Kyojuro before him had no fighting strength left, but he did not continue his attack. Instead, he paused and said:
"Why don't you want to become a demon? Once you become a demon, these wounds of yours will heal instantly…"
Suddenly, Akaza's idea of persuading the other party to become a demon was interrupted. He stared intently at the dying Rengoku Kyojuro and exclaimed in astonishment: "Kyojuro, what has happened to you?"
In the scene, Rengoku Kyojuro looked like a blazing sun, his body wrapped in a ball of inferno.
"I… will do it!" With a fervent expression on his face, Rengoku Kyojuro's appearance flickered between that of a little boy and a twenty-year-old youth…
He gripped his crimson Nichirin Sword tightly, shifted his left foot back slightly, and kicked up a cloud of dust.
Crouching in preparation to attack, he looked at Akaza before him and said firmly:
"I will complete my mission! I WILL NEVER LET ANY OF MY COMRADES HERE BE SACRIFICED!!"
Rengoku Kyojuro was determined to uphold his philosophy!…
He hoped to live his life from beginning to end, and the conviction in his heart would never easily change, no matter what! 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Ulquiorra Cifer (Bleach): "You speak of it as if it were a tangible thing. Yet, to witness a man throw his existence into the abyss for something so invisible... it defies logic. Rengoku Kyoujurou. Your actions are entirely meaningless, and yet... I find myself unable to look away." ]
[ Kamina (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann): "Gahahahaha! That's it, Rengoku! Burn that soul of yours until there's nothing left! The Great Kamina and the Dai-Gurren Brigade will keep our eyes wide open until your very last moment! Grit your teeth and push past the impossible!" ]
[ Jibril (No game, No life): "Ah, how magnificent~! To think an uncalculated piece of organic matter could display such exquisite violence! Kyojuro, your head is simply too beautiful to belong to a mere human. Please, do not let that crude demon break you before I can add you to my collection~!" ]
[ Whitebeard (One Piece): "Gurarara, it's been a long time since Roger's death that I've felt this hot-blooded! My sons, raise your cups; this toast is to Rengoku Kyojuro!" ]
[ Megumin (KonoSuba): "OHHHHHHH—! The crimson light of his crimson soul is calling to me! Kazuma, Kazuma! My ultimate destructive magic is resonating with his passion! I can't hold it back anymore! I must unleash the ultimate path of carnality upon this world—EXPLO—" ]
[ Satou Kazuma (KonoSuba): "STOP, YOU GODDAMN PSYCHO!!! WE ARE INSIDE A ROOM! DO YOU WANT TO KILL US ALL?!!" ]
[ Alien Empera (Ultraman): "Hmph. A mere fragile creature, yet his insignificant flame dares to pierce through my eternal darkness... Absurd, and yet, mildly entertaining. Amuse me further before you burn to ash, Rengoku Kyoujurou." ]
[ Father of Ultra (Ultraman): "..Empera. To think even the Emperor of Darkness can recognize the unyielding light of a human soul." ]
[ .....]
『 Rengoku Kyojuro stood imposingly, his red eyes fixed on Akaza, his whole body burning with flames, even the Nichirin Sword in his hand was enveloped in fire…
Immediately after, he shouted: "FLAME BREATHING!! ESOTERIC ART—!!"
Suddenly, scorching flames erupted from beneath his feet, surging in all directions like a giant wave, causing everyone present to instantly feel a suffocating heat. They were all sweating profusely, as if they were facing a giant fireball.
Seeing this scene, Akaza's entire body trembled incessantly under the powerful aura released by Rengoku Kyojuro, and his eyes blinked non-stop.
This human had erupted once more; clearly, the previous Flame Tiger had not exhausted his strength!
"An aura that shakes the soul! Astonishing willpower! Terrifying fighting spirit! A PERFECT STANCE!!! Hahaha!"
Akaza was deeply captivated by the power displayed by Rengoku Kyojuro. He watched him with an expression of extreme admiration and said excitedly:
"How wonderful it would be if you could become a demon! Rengoku Kyojuro! Keep fighting me like this! This is exactly what I truly yearn for!"
"Burn your heart, BURN!!! Break through your limits!"
Upon closer observation, one could see that Rengoku Kyojuro's crimson eyes had become as dazzling as sunlight. At this moment, his heart seemed to have been ignited by his flame arts, spraying intense heat from within. Hot blood flowed throughout his body, coursing rapidly through his veins, and steam rose from his body, just like the legendary warriors capable of opening the Eight Gates, making one's blood boil!
"I am the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro—ESOTERIC ART, NINTH FORM: RENGOKU—!!!!!"
"Even if I am reduced to ashes, I will destroy this demon!"
"The oath of us guardians will never change, UNTIL ALL THE DEMONS ARE GONE FOREVER!!!!!!"
Behind such a peaceful era, there are countless unsung heroes working in the shadows to protect safety and tranquility.
Even after a thousand years, few will remember… it was this group of nameless heroes who drove away the darkness of the world.
Other Demon Slayer Corps members currently on missions across the land could feel this intensely burning radiance. They all looked toward the direction of Rengoku Kyojuro, an unease rising in their hearts, as if they sensed that an important comrade might be about to leave this world…
The flames beneath Rengoku Kyojuro's feet erupted violently, and he instantly transformed into a dazzling meteor charging forward. If there were truly dinosaurs at the scene, they would certainly recognize this moment—Rengoku Kyojuro looked as spectacular and shocking as a giant meteorite crashing into Earth!
He advanced with an unstoppable, indomitable momentum, so powerful that even the surrounding space was distorted. Wherever he passed, the ground shattered into countless fragments, leaving behind trails of raging flames.
In the eyes of Kamado Tanjiro, this was clearly a giant red dragon formed from flames. The giant dragon opened its mouth as if it could truly emit a loud roar, and the intense fire radiating from its body was enough to destroy all things!
At this moment, Rengoku Kyojuro seemed to have transformed into a God of Fire!
Seeing that Rengoku Kyojuro had ignited all the passion in his life, Akaza did not want to be outdone; he was almost driven to the point of insanity.
He also erupted with all his strength, because if he held anything back against this offensive, the consequences would be unimaginable!
"HAHAHAHA—! DESTRUCTIVE DEATH—ANNIHILATION TYPE—!"
Akaza's face was filled with an extremely excited, almost irrational smile, as terrifying deep blue energy gathered between his hands.
One could see Akaza striking with his fists, surging with deep blue power;
On the other side, a golden-red dragon of flame, like the sun, lunged fiercely at him.
The two powerful forces collided violently, and even the surrounding ground cracked from the intense tremors.
Gold and deep blue intertwined. This duel showcased the collision between Akaza's most powerful attack and Rengoku Kyojuro's ultimate skill, leaving the distant Kamado Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Agatsuma Zenitsu all deeply shocked.
A few seconds later, colors exploding in the air were accompanied by earth-shattering roars that echoed across the field.
The moment the light dissipated like a dying star, the audience present couldn't help but cover their eyes; it was simply too blinding!
BOOM—!
The roaring sound was as deafening as thunder, and the light and shadow from the explosion spread instantly. Although the sound arrived a moment later, the shock was powerful enough!
Immediately following, a strong blast of air carrying thick smoke swept rapidly in all directions. The vision of Tanjiro and his two companions in the distance was blocked by flying dust, and they felt many small pebbles grazing their cheeks, causing a stinging pain.
"RENGOKU-SAN!!!" An anxious Tanjiro wanted to push aside the dust before him to find the other's figure; he had only one thought in his heart:
Hoping his master would return safely. Although they hadn't known each other long, the deep bond they had built was beyond imagination.
Such a hot-blooded and warm-hearted man, who could not be captivated by him? 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Kakarot (Dragon Ball): "What a terrifying man. Without Senzu Beans… to erupt with such terrifying power time and time again from within his body! I really want to fight him!" ]
[ Isaac Netero (HunterXHunter): "No Nen… not an Enhancer, not a Conjurer, why is he able to release such a technique?" ]
[ Sasaki Kojiro (Type-Moon): "I really want to cross blades with such a swordsman! Guarding the gate every day, I'm sick of it!" ]
[ Illyasviel Von Einzbern (Type-Moon): "So cool… just like a great hero in mythology! This video is so interesting." ]
[ Natsu Dragneel (Fairy Tail): "Rengoku Kyojuro, GO FOR IT!!!! Kill this demon!" ]
[ Kamado Tanjiro (Demon Slayer): "DO YOUR BEST!!!" ]
[ .....]
『 "AHHHHHHHH—!"
After the giant flame dragon vanished, Rengoku Kyojuro rushed out of the smoke and dust, swinging his burning Nichirin Sword and slashing forward with all his might.
Akaza tried to block with his fists, but in an instant, his fist and his entire arm were split in two.
The burning Nichirin Sword followed the cut and pierced straight into Akaza's body. Rengoku Kyojuro poured all his strength into the blade, and the flames erupting from the sword grew thicker and more intense. The entire Nichirin Sword seemed to have turned into a giant torch burning with sacred fire.
On the other side, the portion of Akaza's chest melted by the fire turned into a puddle of flesh. Immediately after, Rengoku Kyojuro, gripping the hilt of the Nichirin Sword, began to twist it, applying force in the opposite direction!
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH—!"
Amidst Rengoku Kyojuro's earth-shattering roar, the Nichirin Sword slashed upward from within the enemy's body, nearly cleaving his upper torso in two. It was only a hair's breadth away from ending the battle.
Just then, a mass of scorching flames suddenly erupted, and a pillar of fire over ten meters high rose between the two, forming a violent whirlwind. The forest for several kilometers around was ignited.
On this desolate, unlit night, illuminated only by moonlight, the earth for thousands of meters around was lit up by this sudden sea of fire.
Kamado Tanjiro and Inosuke witnessed this fierce battle from afar.
Tanjiro stared fixedly, silently screaming in his heart: "Rengoku-san… RENGOKU-SAN!!! You must win!"
The next moment, as the dust gradually dissipated, the scene before him brought tears to his eyes, "Ren…goku."
Rengoku Kyojuro and Akaza's figures became clear.
Kyojuro stood tall, holding his Nichirin Sword, his entire body appearing as if petrified and motionless.
But the left side of Akaza's body was gone; his left arm hadn't recovered, and a piece of his head was missing. Yet, even in this state, Akaza… had thrust his iron fist directly through Rengoku Kyojuro's heart. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Natsu Dragneel (Fairy Tail): This, what is this? ]
[ Rimuru Tempest (Tensura): "Directly… pierced through?" ]
[ Ainz Ooal Gown (Overlord): "The battle… is about to end." ]
[ Kyojuro Rengoku (Demon Slayer): "So that's how it is. But to die in battle, I have not failed myself." ]
[ .....]
〜One Punch Man World〜
"AHHHHHHHHH—! You can't die, Rengoku Kyojuro! YOU CAN'T DIE!! YOU HAVEN'T KILLED THESE DEMONS YET!! How can you die, AHHHHH—!"
Garou, seeing this scene, was furious. He casually crippled a hero who wanted a free meal and kicked away a sponsor of the Hero Association who wanted to harass a beauty.
He pounded the wall beside him frantically with both hands, not stopping even when they bled. Seeing Rengoku Kyojuro reminded him of his original intention…
"This human is too terrifying… even like this, he can still fight. He should be dead by now, right?"
"He must be dead. His heart is gone; even we monsters would be dead!"
"But… humans are too scary. I feel like this person is even more terrifying than those in the Hero Association!"
"Yes… I kind of regret joining the Monster Association."
Inside the Monster Association, these ordinary monsters were mentally shocked by the combat power and spirit displayed by Rengoku Kyojuro.
In their world, those heroes would have died long ago with ruptured internal organs and shattered ribs…
Yet this man, under such injuries, had released the terrifying Esoteric Art: Rengoku. They felt that even a Dragon-level executive might not be able to take that move.
The Dragon-level executives of the Monster Association seemed to see the shadow of the S-Class No. 1, Blast, in Rengoku Kyojuro. That man, just like Rengoku Kyojuro, had pushed the spirit of protection to the extreme.
( Translator-kun: Ahemm... I know Author-san, your glazing... but is this a bit too much glazing? )
—
〜Naruto World, Past Timeline〜
"I will definitely become a man like Rengoku Kyojuro! I understand now that the duties of a Hokage and a Flame Hashira are the same! I want to protect the people in the village!"
At this moment, Uzumaki Naruto said this in front of the adults.
—
『 "You're done for, you're really done for! RENGOKU KYOJURO!!!"
After punching into Rengoku Kyojuro's chest, Akaza shouted anxiously, "Become a demon! HURRY AND PROMISE ME YOU'LL BECOME A DEMON!!!!"
"YOU ARE A HERO CHOSEN BY FATE!! Once you become a demon… your wounds will heal instantly! You will be able to survive, and you will become even stronger. Breaking these shackles will be easy for you!"
"Become a demon and keep fighting with me! Let's become even stronger together and march toward the peak, KYOJURO!!!!"
Akaza's face was filled with urgency. He was trying to seize the last bit of time to persuade the person before him to become a demon; he did not want to lose such a powerful opponent just like that.
After becoming a demon, Akaza had lost all memories of his past, leaving only a longing to become the strongest.
He believed that only by constantly dueling with the strong could he achieve this goal, and if Rengoku Kyojuro also became a demon, he would be the ideal training partner. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Ace (Ultraman): "SHUT UP!! Still trying to shake a human's spirit even now! Damn you!" ]
[ Zoffy (Ultraman): "Ace, calm down." ]
[ Monkey D. Garp (One Piece): "Heh, although there is great terror between life and death, a man like Rengoku Kyojuro can be this strong because he insists on his own heart! Insists on his own convictions!" ]
[ Dio Brando (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure): "HAHAHAHA—! Facing the temptation of eternal life again, will he accept it?" ]
[ Kamado Tanjiro (Demon Slayer): "No, he won't, HE WILL NEVER DO THAT!!!!!!" ]
[ .....]
『 Listening to Akaza's roar, Rengoku Kyojuro ignored him, but if one looked closely at his eyes, they were somewhat hazy.
Because he seemed… seemed to hear that familiar sound of wind chimes.
Ten years ago, Rengoku Kyojuro was still a cute little guy, a simple and resilient boy.
Time flew by, and that simple little boy had grown into a Rengoku Kyojuro capable of protecting the people of the land!
The memory of his mother was the happiest and warmest part of his childhood…
And also the most painful.
In a spacious room, Rengoku Ruka, her face looking very frail, was sitting on the tatami. She called out softly: "Kyojuro…"
"I'm here, Mother!"
"I have a question I want to ask you, and I hope you will consider it carefully. Do you know why you were born stronger than others?"
"..." The young Rengoku Kyojuro had never thought about this question, and for a moment, he didn't know how to answer. He had several guesses in his heart, but couldn't put them into words, so he had to honestly say: "I don't know."
"Because you were born to protect those who cannot defend themselves. Those with extraordinary talent must use this power to help others, to save the world."
Rengoku Ruka looked at her son with extreme gentleness as she explained: "You must never use this heaven-sent power to do evil or to profit yourself!"
"The strong should use their power to protect the weak; this is both a responsibility and a mission. You must always remember this."
After finishing, Rengoku Ruka pulled Rengoku Kyojuro close, bent down slightly, and hugged him, saying: "I don't have much time left…"
"To have a son like you, who has both strength and warmth… I feel very lucky."
"From now on, everything depends on you… Kyojuro."
As she spoke, Rengoku Ruka's eyes were already filled with tears. How she wished she could accompany this child as he grew up, watch him get married and have children, watch him… become a true man.
Rengoku Kyojuro, held in his mother's arms, felt his eyes fill with tears as he heard these words, feeling the warmth from his mother's embrace. 』
『 .....』