Boom—!A deafening explosion tore through the stillness, jolting Kyojuro Rengoku from his thoughts. He turned sharply, eyes narrowing as he looked through the shattered train window.The shockwave traveled through the cold metal of the train, rattling every bolt, shaking every carriage. It wasn't just a sound—it was a tremor that rippled through the very core of everyone onboard.Outside, the world had changed in an instant.Dust and debris were hurled high into the air by a massive force, forming a colossal, circular shockwave. At its center, the ground had been caved in violently, creating a deep crater that split the earth like a scar.Chunks of soil and rock were still tumbling through the air, caught in the swirling dust that now loomed like a shadow over the train. Under the faint glow from the carriages, the scene resembled a nightmare.As the dust began to settle slowly, like a curtain lowering in a theater, a silhouette emerged—dark and commanding, as if the shadows themselves had taken form.The air around him twisted and distorted, bending to his presence. Even without movement, his aura alone disrupted the space, making it feel as if the world was holding its breath.There, crouched in the center of the impact crater, was a man—a demon. A demon god.His presence was more terrifying in stillness than in action. Like the calm before a deadly storm.The dust fully dispersed.What was revealed beneath it was a figure with a strikingly patterned face, marked by eerie indifference—Akaza, Upper Rank Three of the Twelve Kizuki.His gaze was emotionless, void of hatred or fury. But it was sharp, piercing—cold as a winter night wind that cut through bone.The dirt on his clothes was blown away by the breeze. Not a speck remained. The destruction all around him made his untouched figure seem even more unnatural, otherworldly.Akaza raised his head. His eyes locked instantly onto Lucas and the others.Just that glance carried a crushing pressure, almost physical. It was like a predator spotting prey. Inescapable.The air grew heavy. Time itself seemed to crawl.Akaza had arrived—and the battle was about to begin.Lucas inhaled slowly, steeling himself. He knew Akaza was powerful, but he hadn't anticipated the sheer weight of the Upper Moon's presence.Can I really protect Kyojuro Rengoku?The doubt appeared—but only for an instant. Lucas crushed it with resolve.No matter what, he had made a promise to protect the Flame Hashira. Today, he would see it through.---"Upper Moon... Three?" Tanjiro's voice cracked as he read the glowing kanji etched in Akaza's pupils.He didn't even need to smell Akaza's aura. Just standing near him was enough to freeze him in fear.This presence—it dwarfed every demon Tanjiro had faced.The drum demon, the spider family… all of them were ants compared to this one.Akaza didn't even need to attack. Just existing was enough to make breathing difficult."Let's take this outside. I don't want to risk the passengers," Kyojuro said calmly.With a powerful leap, he jumped from the window of the train.Tanjiro and Zenitsu immediately started to follow—but were halted by a single, sharp voice."Stay where you are. Protect the passengers."The command came from Lucas.The three boys froze. It was the first time Lucas had spoken so sternly.Gone was his usual relaxed, smiling expression. He was all seriousness now.Even Inosuke, usually brash and confrontational, said nothing.Zenitsu looked at Lucas nervously. "Lucas…"This demon was no joke. Zenitsu's instincts were screaming. The pressure was making his ears ring. Could Lucas and Kyojuro really handle something this powerful?"I'll be back soon," Lucas said simply, twisting his neck and leaping from the window.---Status Screen: Upper Moon Three - AkazaRace: DemonAptitude: SuperiorComprehension: SuperiorTalent: NoneSkills:Destructive Kill: Compass Needle (Mastered)Destructive Kill: Random Style (Mastered)Destructive Kill: Void Style (Mastered)Destructive Kill: Leg Style: Crown Splitter (Mastered)Destructive Kill: Leg Style: Flowing Flashing Light (Mastered)Destructive Kill: Leg Style: Flying Roaming Star Thousand Wheels (Mastered)Destructive Kill: Crushing Style: Myriad Leaf Flashing Willow (Mastered)Destructive Kill: Annihilation Style (Mastered)Demonic Core: Eightfold Core (Mastered)Final Style: Blue-Silver Chaotic Flashing Light (Mastered)---Akaza rose from his crouch slowly. Every movement was fluid, precise—majestic in its simplicity.He raised his gaze, directly locking eyes with Lucas and the others still on the train.There was no emotion. Just a cold indifference that said: You are beneath me.Then—Boom.Dust exploded under Akaza's feet as he launched himself toward the train.He was fast. Blindingly fast.His fist was already flying toward Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke before they could even think.Their minds screamed at them to move—but their bodies wouldn't respond.They were frozen.That fist, wreathed in power, closed in.Just as they braced for the impact—"Thunder Breathing, Second Form: Inadama!""Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire!"The voices of Lucas and Kyojuro rang out in unison.A blaze of electricity and fire lit up the space in front of the boys.Flames and lightning crackled together, repelling Akaza's punch at the last second.Clang!Akaza landed softly nearby, calm, unbothered.His hand—cleanly severed—reformed in a flash, not even a drop of blood falling."Good… your nichirin blades are strong," Akaza said, his tone almost appreciative.He licked the wrist where the hand had been, his expression unreadable.First, he looked at Kyojuro with interest. Then, he turned to Lucas."You're weak. But you carry Lord Muzan's scent. Interesting."Lucas's brows furrowed.His Ghost King's Aura had no effect on Akaza?Had it been nullified because Akaza possessed a greater concentration of Muzan's blood?Or was this just the difference between Lower Moons and an Upper Moon?Lucas's disappointment was brief. He tightened his grip on his blade and prepared.---"Why do you attack the weak?" Kyojuro Rengoku asked, eyes narrowed. "What could you possibly gain?""I just didn't want them to interfere," Akaza replied calmly. "The one next to you—his strength is acceptable. He barely qualifies to stand before me."Coming from anyone else, it would sound arrogant.From Akaza? It was simply the truth."I have nothing to say to you," Kyojuro said, lifting his sword. "Even though this is our first meeting, I already dislike you."Lucas said nothing.He listened quietly to the exchange, almost grateful that the conversation was dragging on.Every second they delayed was another second closer to dawn.If they could survive until sunrise, Akaza would have no choice but to flee.That was their hope.And Lucas would do everything in his power to make it happen.---
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