CHAPTER 6: SET YOUR HEART ABLAZE

Akaza's storm had not slowed.

His fists rained down like meteorites, a flurry of Destructive Death that cracked stone and air alike. Every movement was beautiful in its brutality—almost like a dance of war.

Giyu lunged from the side, blade flashing—

"Water Breathing: Fifth Form – Blessed Rain After the Drought!"

A precise, executioner's strike.

Akaza twisted, avoiding it with monstrous ease.

His palm struck Giyu's side with enough force to cave in rock. The Hashira crashed into a wall, coughing blood.

Tanjiro staggered forward, sweat and blood dripping from his chin. Why can't I match him? he screamed inside.

Then—

A flame. A voice. A bond.

"Tanjiro…"

Rengoku Kyojuro.

In that moment, the warmth of the flame Hashira filled Tanjiro's soul. He saw the train. He saw the smile. The final moments.

"You have a fire that will never die. Let it burn. Let it shine. For the weak. For the lost."

Tanjiro stood tall, his eyes burning with a blaze not of rage—but of purpose.

He rushed at Akaza, clashing again and again in relentless rhythm.

But Akaza was still faster. Still stronger.

Destructive Death: Leg Type – Crown Splitter!

Tanjiro's shoulder was nearly shattered. His breathing became jagged.

Then—clarity.

He remembered.

The Compass Needle—Akaza's trump card—it responded to fighting spirit.

"The stronger the will, the stronger the target…"

So what if there was no will?

No spirit. No intent.

Tanjiro exhaled, clearing his heart.

He silenced every emotion. He silenced the flame.

His body relaxed.

His steps became soft.

Like a dead leaf falling silently on water.

And he moved.

For the first time, Akaza was too slow.

"What…?" the demon growled. His compass needle faltered. His senses slipped.

Tanjiro vanished—

—only to reappear above Akaza, blade already drawn in a burning arc.

"Flame Breathing: Final Form – RENGOKU!!!!"

The world ignited in a line of golden fire. Tanjiro roared as the blade burned straight through Akaza's neck—

Slice!

Akaza's head flew, spinning into the air.

A silence followed. A stillness like death.

They had done it.

They had won—

But.

Akaza's body still stood.

It trembled—then moved.

The neck, headless, clenched a fist.

The ground cracked beneath his feet.

Akaza's voice echoed from the air—

"I… won't die… Not yet…"

Tanjiro's eyes widened in disbelief.

Giyu pulled himself up, injured but breathing.

They weren't done yet.

Not even close.