In the world of Demon Slayer, Tanjiro knelt on the ground, panting heavily.
Although a mysterious person had recently told him that the Hinokami Kagura was the Sun Breathing style, he was still unable to defeat an Upper Rank demon.
Just a Lower Rank demon had been enough to push him to his limit. By the end of that battle, he had suffered a serious abdominal injury.
Even now, every breath he took was painful.
"Damn it! Why is it that every single time, I can't defeat my opponent?! This is so frustrating!"
Tanjiro was so anxious he wanted to cry, because he was completely unable to intervene in the battle raging in the distance.
Even though he had trained with all his might, he hadn't improved much in the limited time he had.
Last time, someone had come to save them.
Could he really hope for someone to save him again this time?
At that moment, Inosuke Hashibira said, "Big Bro Rengoku can't hold on for much longer."
After numerous fierce attacks, Kyojuro Rengoku was covered in wounds. One of his eyes was already injured, and blood was constantly streaming from his arm. It was likely he would collapse in the next second.
Lying on the side, Zenitsu Agatsuma said sorrowfully, "Then what should we do? We can't let Big Bro die!"
"But even if we step in, we can't stop the enemy. This Upper Rank demon is on a completely different level from us," Tanjiro said in despair.
Whether it was speed or destructive power, this demon exceeded their imagination. Tanjiro even thought that if he were to charge in, he might be killed instantly, because he couldn't even see the enemy's movements!
Inosuke Hashibira roared, "Even so, we have to think of a way! We can't just sit here and wait to die! Cough, cough!"
He was also injured, and speaking with such force caused his recently healed wounds to tear open again, to the point where he couldn't even speak properly.
Zenitsu Agatsuma watched the two fighting and prayed with all his heart. If there are gods, please help us. Please don't let Big Bro die!
"Hey, Kyojuro Rengoku, become a demon. I'm serious. As long as you become a demon, no matter how severe your injuries are, they can be healed."
Looking at the battered and bruised young man, Akaza stopped his movements and offered his suggestion.
However, Kyojuro Rengoku roared back, "I would rather die than become a demon! Flame Tiger!"
A massive wave of heat rushed towards Akaza, proving his resolve. Even in death, he would carry out his promise!
But after that one move, even more wounds appeared on Rengoku's body. It was clear he was at his limit.
At that moment, the sound of footsteps suddenly appeared on the battlefield.
The two of them looked towards the sound and saw a man in a grey samurai uniform slowly walking towards them from a distance.
Maple leaves were emblazoned on his scarf and sleeves, and a gentle breeze seemed to float from him.
Akaza subconsciously touched his own face and found that his flesh had been cut.
The distant Tanjiro and the others were extremely surprised. They never expected someone would come to their rescue.
Inosuke said, puzzled, "That person isn't from our Demon Slayer Corps! He's not wearing a uniform!"
"Mm. It feels like this man is like a gust of wind," Tanjiro nodded, speaking his thoughts.
He could smell a strong scent of the wind on this person. It was a strange feeling, as if this wasn't a person, but a gentle breeze.
Just then, Tanjiro saw the Vision on Kaedehara Kazuha's person.
"Huh? That thing is…! Don't tell me he's also from Liyue?"
In the darkness last time, Tanjiro had seen the same kind of object. That one had been purple, and this time it was green. Although the patterns were different, the shape was exactly the same.
Akaza stared at Kazuha, his eyes full of killing intent. "Who are you? Are you also from the Demon Slayer Corps?"
In his perception, the battle aura of the man before him was like a volcano, incomparably turbulent and powerful, almost to the point where he could barely contain himself.
"Me? My name is Kaedehara Kazuha. I have been ordered to eradicate a monster like you," the samurai said faintly.
Then, he drew his tachi, and a layer of wind swirled around him.
"A monster like me? Then I'll be sure to devour you today," Akaza shrieked, lunging directly at Kazuha, completely ignoring Rengoku.
Faced with the demon's attack, Kaedehara Kazuha calmly closed his eyes.
Observation Haki had been activated.
In his field of vision, he could perceive every one of the enemy's fists.
His black blade was now wreathed in a crimson flame.
"Fire Dance: Scorching Sun!"
He sidestepped, and a vortex of fire instantly engulfed Akaza.
Although he didn't have a Nichirin Blade, the power of the Sun Breathing style deeply seared Akaza's flesh.
Not only that, but Kazuha had also used the wind to spread his attack.
To others, it looked as if Akaza had lunged directly into a sea of fire.
BOOM! The massive flames caused Akaza unbearable pain.
"What the hell is this?!" he couldn't help but curse. His torn flesh, far from regenerating, was instead wracked with constant pain.
Kazuha did not answer his question, but swung his blade and attacked again.
"My Style, Secret Art: Autumn Gale!"
A massive wind vortex rapidly spread out.
Akaza hurriedly retreated, just barely dodging the terrifying attack.
Looking at the curtain of flames, for the first time, the thought of escaping entered his mind.
But if he ran away, wouldn't that make him a coward?
Akaza grit his teeth and leaped into the air. "Destructive Death: Air Type!" he roared.
Six fists of compressed air flew towards Kaedehara Kazuha.
"Fists of air pressure? Interesting. It seems the second stage of Haki is this kind of power," the young samurai mused.
He held out his hand and blocked all six punches directly.
With each impact, he took a step back.
It was only after the sixth step that he came to a stop.
He looked at his hardened palm, and he seemed to understand the key to the second stage of Haki.
Hardening was about condensation, while emission was about flow.
You couldn't let the Haki flow to unnecessary places; you had to condense it to a single point!
"So this is what the Master called the second stage of Haki? As expected, only by truly facing an opponent can one understand its meaning. To repay you, before the sun rises, I will send you on your way."
Kazuha gripped his sword, and a layer of Haki slowly wrapped around it.
Unlike before, this time there was an invisible wave of energy continuously enveloping the blade.
The wind swirled around it, and Haki was imbued within it. Then, flames ignited.
Akaza's pupils shrank, because he saw the power condensed on that sword blade.
"What a formidable guy. I acknowledge you. Taste my strongest secret technique!"
"Destructive Death: Annihilation Type, Blue Silver Chaotic Afterglow!"
"Hahahaha!"
A compass array formed at Akaza's feet, and hundreds of projectiles burst forth in an instant.
However, in the next moment, Tanjiro and the others witnessed a scene they would never forget for the rest of their lives.
Kazuha swung his sword at the Upper Rank demon.
A black wave of sword energy tore through everything.
All of the enemy's techniques were buried within that single slash.
In less than a second, the sword energy landed on Akaza's body.
Although the projectiles were powerful, the combination of three powers was even more so!
CRACK.
A crisp sound came from Akaza's bones, and then they were completely shattered.
The flames and wind devoured Akaza.
The Upper Rank Three had been utterly annihilated.
"The battle was easier than I thought," Kazuha said, looking at the gradually brightening sky with a faint smile.
He was one step closer to reviving the Kaedehara clan.
Just then, Kyojuro Rengoku forced himself to walk over to him. "You're so strong, my friend! To think you could even kill an Upper Rank demon. May I ask what that move was called?"
To kill an Upper Rank demon in a single blow had truly been an eye-opener for him. Although the Flame Hashira was already a very strong existence, he felt that he had been a frog in a well.
"Oh, I haven't thought of a name for it yet. Since I had my epiphany at dawn, let's just call it 'Dawn'," Kazuha said calmly.
The mission was complete, and he was preparing to leave.
Just then, Tanjiro Kamado, who was behind him, asked, "Sir, do you happen to know a lady who uses lightning? We were saved by her last time and haven't had a chance to thank her yet."
"You must be talking about Miss Keqing. She did not come this time. As for your thanks, I will pass them on to her. I can see that you are also seriously injured. Please rest well."
After he finished speaking, Kazuha's body gradually grew faint and soon disappeared.
Kyojuro Rengoku was shocked. "I heard you say that someone had saved you before, and I didn't quite believe it. But this time, I truly believe you."
"They might just be gods, Rengoku-san. We're lucky to have had him."
"Mm. If it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't have been able to hold on," Rengoku said, clutching his wounds and slowly sitting on the ground.
In reality, he was also on the verge of collapsing. To be able to remain standing without passing out had already taken all of his effort.
In the grotto-heaven, Kazuha said to Su Han, "Master, I have completed the mission without disgracing you."
"Mm, you've done well. But you still need to continue to work hard."
Faced with Su Han's praise, the young man was very happy.
"Yes, Master. I will continue to work hard in the future and will absolutely not let you down."
After resting for a while, Kazuha began his tedious training once more.
Su Han, meanwhile, looked at the group chat. It seemed that returning to the same world had greatly surprised the others.
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