Chapter 49: Clash of Realms
Azrathol's massive body dragged itself out of the shattered mountain, chunks of rock crumbling off his armor-like skin. For the first time in countless centuries, the ancient demon king felt something alien — pain.
His golden eyes locked onto Saitama, burning with confusion and rage.
"You… You are no ordinary human. What are you truly?!"
Saitama stood there, hands hanging loosely in his pockets. "I told you already. I'm just a hero for fun." His blank expression only made Azrathol's fury boil hotter.
The Hashira stood behind Saitama, caught between awe and terror. Rengoku's usual enthusiasm flickered into a kind of breathless disbelief.
"This man…" Rengoku whispered. "He's not fighting — he's playing."
Tengen wiped sweat off his forehead. "Flashy. Too flashy. I can't keep up with the scale of this anymore."
Even Giyuu, usually stoic, had a bead of sweat trailing down his neck. "If this outsider is on our side… maybe we have a chance."
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Azrathol's Wrath Unleashed
Azrathol's six arms raised, each weapon glowing with ancient runes — blades, a flail, a spear, and even a burning gauntlet. "Enough games! I shall tear you from reality itself!"
The sky darkened as black lightning crackled around him, distorting space itself. The rift overhead widened, and from within, other distorted shapes began to crawl out — twisted demons that didn't belong in this world.
"Great," Genos muttered. "Now we have a dimensional breach on top of everything."
Tanjiro stepped forward, gripping his sword tighter. "We can handle the smaller ones. Saitama-san, please focus on Azrathol!"
"Eh? Alright." Saitama stretched, joints popping slightly. "This should only take a minute."
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Hashira vs. Rift Demons
As Saitama strolled toward Azrathol, the Hashira leapt into action. Creatures with too many eyes, limbs bending the wrong way, and mouths where they shouldn't be, poured out of the rift. Their hollow screams rang across the battlefield.
Rengoku's sword burst into flames as he cut down three at once. "These may not be Muzan's demons, but they fall all the same!"
Tengen flipped through the air, his blades whistling. "Time to make this a performance to remember!"
Even Zenitsu, trembling, activated his Thunderclap and Flash, darting between demons in a blur of lightning.
"Let's show these freaks what the Demon Slayer Corps can do!" Mitsuri cheered, her whip-like sword carving glowing arcs through the air.
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Saitama's Serious Moment
Azrathol charged, bringing all six weapons down at once. The sheer force shattered the ground, sending shockwaves through the earth.
Saitama raised one fist. Boom.
With a single punch, he deflected all six weapons, sending them flying into the sky. Azrathol's arms trembled from the impact.
"What… What kind of power is this?!"
Saitama exhaled slowly. "Alright, guess I should stop messing around. Genos, take notes. I'm gonna try something new."
Genos' mechanical eyes flickered. "Yes, Sensei!"
Saitama planted his feet and drew back his fist — but this time, he rotated his arm once, twisting his shoulder into it. It was a slight adjustment, barely noticeable.
But the air itself rippled.
Azrathol felt it — a pressure so intense, his knees buckled involuntarily.
"This is… impossible!"
Saitama grinned slightly. "Serious Punch… With a Twist."
He launched the punch.
BOOOOOOOM!
The shockwave didn't just hit Azrathol — it erased the air itself in its path, creating a vacuum so strong it sucked all nearby demons into the void. Azrathol's chest caved inward, his body folding like paper as he was launched through the rift, slamming into the other side of reality.
The rift began to collapse under the force of the punch, sealing itself shut.
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Aftermath
The battlefield fell silent. The only sound was the crackling of Mitsuri's whip-sword and the labored breathing of the Hashira.
"Did he just… punch the villain into another dimension?" Inosuke muttered, eyes wide. "That's so cool!"
Tanjiro couldn't help but smile, exhaustion pulling at his limbs. "Saitama-san really is something else."
Genos was furiously taking notes. "'Serious Punch with a Twist'… I must replicate this technique someday."
Saitama dusted off his cape. "Well, that's done. What's for lunch?"
Everyone faceplanted into the dirt.
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A New Threat Awakens
But just as the Hashira thought they could relax, a faint whisper filled the air — a voice no one recognized.
"You've torn the veil… and now, something much older than Azrathol has noticed."
The earth trembled slightly.
Saitama sighed. "Aw man. Can't I get a nap first?"
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End of Chapter 49
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