"Is that so? I've always despised the weak," Akaza said, his voice calm yet brimming with disdain. "The mere sight of them disgusts me."Lucas tilted his head slightly. "Then it seems you and I judge strength very differently."A silence passed between them, tense and unyielding."In that case," Akaza continued, his expression softening as he extended a hand toward Kyojuro Rengoku, "I have a suggestion. Why don't you become a demon?"His tone was uncharacteristically sincere. There was no malice in his words—only a strange, unsettling invitation."Impossible!" Kyojuro replied sharply, without hesitation.Akaza didn't seem surprised. "I could tell you were strong the moment I saw you. You must be one of the Hashira.""I am the Flame Pillar—Kyojuro Rengoku."Akaza nodded slightly. "I am Akaza. And you—kid?" He turned his attention to Lucas, eyes narrowing with a calculating curiosity.While Rengoku radiated battle-hardened intensity, Lucas's presence was different—less aggressive, but layered with something that made Akaza wary. The Thunder Breathing technique Lucas had used earlier was no trivial display. It had power, precision, and timing—all things Akaza respected."Lucas," he answered coolly."Lucas…" Akaza echoed the name with interest. "Good. Now, let me ask you the same. Would you like to become a demon? You could reach heights of power that even the Flame Pillar beside you has never seen. Immortality. Strength. Freedom from weakness."Lucas paused for a moment, his gaze lifting toward the dark sky. Dawn was still some time away. He shifted his attention back to Akaza and shook his head slowly.Become a demon? He already possessed strength beyond ordinary Demon Slayers. He could use Blood Demon Art without becoming one. Why sacrifice his humanity to live forever in the shadows?"There's no need," Lucas said plainly.Akaza clicked his tongue. "Tsk. Being rejected twice in one night—it's irritating, you know." His eyes glinted coldly. "Very well."Without warning, Akaza stomped his foot hard on the ground."Blood Demon Art: Destructive Kill – Compass Needle!"The ground beneath him cracked like fragile ice. From where he stood, a giant snowflake-shaped symbol radiated outward, its lines glowing ominously. Ancient runes etched into the formation pulsed with power, twisting like living creatures.The entire battlefield seemed to shift under its influence."If you won't join me, then I'll just kill you both."In a blink, Akaza vanished.Lucas and Rengoku didn't need words—they reacted in sync. The moment Akaza moved, their bodies followed. The air crackled as Lucas's nichirin blade danced in an arc, emitting bursts of thunder with each swing. Rengoku's sword followed suit, engulfed in brilliant orange flames.The clash of their blades against Akaza's strikes filled the clearing with explosive energy. Every movement was fast—so fast that the air distorted around them.Beneath their feet, the compass formation flickered with each step, pulsing like a living thing. When Akaza attacked, invisible shockwaves rippled outward from the ground, making it feel like the very earth was against them.From inside the train, Tanjirou watched in awe."S-So fast…" he muttered, barely able to keep up with the afterimages flashing in the distance. "I can't follow them with my eyes…"Inosuke, standing beside him under his boar mask, growled in frustration. "That Big Eyeball guy is strong… but Lucas too—he's not a Pillar, right? How is he this powerful already?!"He clenched his fists. "I haven't even beaten him once in a duel. Damn it!"Back on the battlefield, Akaza's voice rang out between attacks."To this day, I haven't killed a Flame Pillar. Nor has any Pillar ever accepted my invitation to become a demon." He parried Rengoku's flame-soaked slash effortlessly and leaned in. "Why do you think that is, Rengoku?"Before Rengoku could answer, Lucas appeared behind Akaza in a flash of lightning."Thunder Breathing, Second Form: Inadama!"Crackling arcs of electricity shot toward Akaza's exposed neck.Reacting instantly, Akaza twisted his body mid-air. Using the force from Rengoku's blade, he kicked backward, avoiding the attack. His severed arm reformed almost instantly, the wound sealing before a drop of blood could hit the ground."Tsk. You really are an annoying brat," Akaza said, narrowing his eyes at Lucas. "Don't you know it's rude to interrupt someone's conversation?"Despite the irritation in his voice, there was no real anger. Just interest.Lucas didn't reply. He remained focused, nichirin blade in hand, his breathing measured.Akaza's gaze shifted, analyzing Lucas more closely. The boy had skill, but what truly caught his attention was Lucas's timing. Every time Akaza gained an upper hand over Rengoku, Lucas would intervene with frightening precision—always at the exact moment when it would matter most.He wasn't just strong. He was aware, calculated, and strategic."If you insist on being a nuisance," Akaza said, "then I'll deal with you first.""Blood Demon Art: Destructive Kill – Air Type!"With that, Akaza leapt into the air. His clenched fist swung down, but this time, it didn't strike directly.Instead, it created a shockwave—a force invisible to the eye but heavy in its presence. The air distorted, warping under the weight of the attack.Lucas stood his ground, eyes sharp. He knew what this technique was: a ranged strike carried purely through condensed fighting spirit.He braced himself, activating his Slit Line and Echoing Ears talents. A faint hum rang in his ears—the sound of something immense approaching."Now!"Lucas pivoted slightly, his body tilting just enough to avoid the brunt of the attack. His blade swung upward, meeting the invisible wave head-on."Clang!"The sound echoed like steel on steel, despite no visible weapon striking. The pressure around them shifted as the impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, lifting dust and gravel into the air.From a distance, Akaza's expression twisted slightly.He had expected Lucas to dodge—but to block the Air Type directly?"Interesting," Akaza murmured, eyes narrowing with newfound curiosity. "You're better than I thought."Kyojuro Rengoku, watching from the side, was equally stunned. He hadn't even been able to sense the exact form of Akaza's attack—but Lucas had anticipated it, analyzed it, and blocked it."Incredible," he whispered. "You… you knew?"Lucas nodded slightly, flexing his hand. "It travels through the air. It's incredibly fast."Though his palm felt numb from the impact, there was no sign of hesitation in his movements.The thrill of the battle had set his blood ablaze.Since unlocking his Friend System, most of Lucas's fights had been one-sided. Either he crushed his enemies with ease, or held back against allies like Sanemi during practice. But this—This was a real fight.Akaza was strong. Smart. Adaptable.And Lucas loved every second of it.---
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