Raiden looked toward the rising sun, then turned to Akaza. "Look, the sun is about to rise. As a demon, you should know what that means."
There was no trace of mockery in Raiden's voice, only a calm statement of fact.
Akaza's emotions twisted violently. He refused to accept that he had been outmaneuvered by a mere teenager. With the sunrise looming, his rage and humiliation burned fiercely, contorting his face into an expression of pure fury.
"Brat, remember this! I will repay today's humiliation tenfold. The next time we meet, I will take your life!" he growled, before turning and rushing toward the nearby forest, seeking shade from the sun. His steps grew faster as the first rays of light climbed higher.
Raiden watched Akaza's retreat without the slightest intention of pursuing him. Exhaustion weighed on his body, and the Transparent World state had faded completely, leaving him drained and heavy with fatigue. He sank slowly to the ground, feeling each breath prick with lingering pain.
The morning glow spread over him, warm and comforting.
Kyojuro Rengoku, dragging his barely recovered body, approached Raiden and sat beside him. His gaze lingered on Raiden's profile, a swirl of admiration, relief, and something deeper stirring in his heart.
The sunlight gradually illuminated the battlefield, casting warmth over the desolation. Kyojuro had witnessed Raiden's incredible feat firsthand. He knew Akaza's power intimately, having felt its suffocating weight during their fight. Yet Raiden had not only endured but had briefly suppressed Akaza. Even though the battle had ended with Akaza fleeing before the sunrise, his overwhelming strength was evident.
"I initially intended to take you as my successor, to train you," Kyojuro said, voice heavy with weariness and respect, "but now it seems unnecessary. Soon, your strength may surpass mine."
Raiden smiled faintly. "You flatter me, Kyojuro. I'm just glad you're all right."
Rengoku's face, streaked with dried blood, reflected everything Raiden had fought to protect. The Flame Pillar's death in the Demon Slayer Corps had always been a personal regret for Raiden. Now, having defended him and survived, Raiden felt a deep sense of fulfillment.
[Ding]
[Detected that Flame Pillar Kyojuro Rengoku's friendship intimacy has increased to close friend, randomly awarded two rewards]
[Acquired aptitude: Superior Talent]
[Acquired skill: Flame Breathing Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation]
[Do you wish to merge aptitude: Superior Talent now?]
[No]
After the Infinity Train mission, Raiden had fully strengthened his bond with Kyojuro. Their shared fight and last-moment rescue had elevated intimacy by two levels. The Superior Talent reward was part of a collection Raiden had been accumulating; five in total would grant him a qualitative leap in ability.
Additionally, Raiden noted that his bond with Inosuke had also grown to close friend, rewarded with Superior Talent in comprehension. Whether this was a result of his display of power, he could not say. Regardless, any increase in trust was beneficial. With two Superior Talents remaining, Raiden was now on the path to reaching Pillar-level capability.
Elsewhere, the Kasugai Crow relayed news of Raiden and Kyojuro's battle with Upper Moon Three Akaza to all the Pillars.
At the Wind Pillar's training ground, morning sunlight filtered through dense leaves, casting a pattern on the dew-speckled ground. The quiet was punctuated only by birdsong and rustling leaves. Wooden practice stakes lay shattered, cut so cleanly that they appeared polished, as if cleaved by the sharpest blade.
Sanemi Shinazugawa moved among them with precision, each swing of his sword splitting stakes with astonishing force and accuracy. The combination of speed and power made the air tremble around him.
A Kasugai Crow suddenly appeared, landing on a nearby stake. Sanemi slowed and turned his gaze toward it, noting the unusual black feathers. The appearance of a crow signified urgent news from the Demon Slayer Corps.
"What is it?" Sanemi asked, voice low and commanding.
"Flame Pillar and Raiden encountered Upper Moon Three Akaza on the Infinity Train," the crow reported.
Sanemi's eyes narrowed. Upper Moon Three? Rengoku and Raiden had faced an Upper Moon? Were there casualties? He had never seen an Upper Moon demon slain in his lifetime, only encounters where Pillars risked everything. Upper Moons were deadly, often claiming the lives of Hashira before falling.
"How strong must Akaza be?" Sanemi thought. Could Rengoku defeat him? And that boy — is he dead? He hadn't had the chance to properly teach him a lesson yet.
The crow continued: "Flame Pillar and Raiden jointly resisted Akaza, but he was powerful, still gaining the upper hand in the two-against-one fight."
Sanemi's eyes darkened as he processed the words. Even with Raiden's intervention, Akaza had dominated. His gaze hardened. An Upper Moon's strength was terrifying, and yet Raiden had fought alongside Rengoku to buy them time.