MHGA Chapter 16 – The Demons' Reversal of Fate

That power—like the sun itself—erupted within Joseph's blood.

In that moment, Akaza finally understood why Joseph's fighting spirit had fluctuated so wildly before. He had been hiding that power from the start, waiting for this exact moment… to kill him with it.

That power—the power of the sun.

Far more fatal to a demon than simply having his neck cut by a Nichirin Blade, this was a weakness no demon could overcome. Akaza could clearly feel the burning sensation of sunlight searing the flesh lodged inside Joseph's body as the Hamon surged through it.

The approach of death stirred an uncontrollable fury in Akaza.

He still wanted to reach that ultimate realm. He still wanted to push his limits. He was still meant to keep fighting.

But just as Akaza moved, Joseph moved as well.

He had already anticipated this—the Hamon alone wouldn't be enough to kill Akaza. This obsessive demon would undoubtedly do everything in his power to survive… Even the weakness of decapitation had nearly been overcome.

Akaza had originally died by remembering his human past. But now—

"Like hell I'd let you have a chance to reminisce about your human life!!"

Joseph roared as he brought his shield—charged with Hamon—crashing down on Akaza's head.

"AGH!!"

With a howl, Akaza smashed his other fist into his own body.

Before the Hamon could spread further, Akaza shattered his own arm and shoulder—severing the part that had pierced Joseph—cutting it away completely.

But Joseph's shield strike landed before Akaza could fully retreat. The Hamon burst out and melted half of Akaza's head.

And yet—it wasn't fatal.

Having jettisoned his arm and shoulder, Akaza instinctively turned to flee and recover.

But the instant he tried to escape—a sword pierced through his body.

The one wielding the Nichirin Sword—Tanjiro Kamado—had tackled him head-on.

"You're not getting away!"

Tanjiro pinned the Nichirin Blade deep into Akaza's body. "Akaza! I won't let you keep hurting people ever again!!"

"Tanjiro!!"

Akaza's rage surged as Tanjiro blocked his path. The boiling discomfort in his core only intensified.

By then, Joseph had already stepped forward. His breathing surged with Hamon once more, the energy latching onto his weapon, preparing to finish Akaza for good.

Cornered, Akaza instinctively activated his widest-range technique.

The pattern on the floor activated—

and in a torrential burst of fists, the space around him was immediately engulfed.

In an instant, Akaza's Destructive Death: Annihilation Type had unleashed nearly a hundred rapid-fire punches.

The ground, the walls—everything around him was obliterated.

Even Tanjiro and Joseph were caught in the maelstrom, both sent flying by the brutal barrage.

Tanjiro's body was nearly shattered by the onslaught. The searing pain raced through his brain—

—but within moments, a different sensation overtook it.

His wounds… were healing rapidly.

As Tanjiro rose from the rubble and looked toward Akaza—he was shocked.

Akaza looked worse than they did.

His right arm and shoulder—along with a chunk of his chest—had been torn apart. His spine was visible through the massive wound. Half of his head had been melted away. His punching hand was gone—only a wrist remained.

His right arm and shoulder rapidly regenerated… but cracks still ran through the new flesh. The lingering Hamon was clearly interfering.

As for the melted head and left hand—those showed no signs of healing.

And yet, Tanjiro still couldn't accept it.

They hadn't been able to kill Akaza—not even with everything they had.

He clenched his fists, furious, watching Akaza limp away to recover. The best opportunity to finish it was already gone.

"Oi."

Just as Tanjiro prepared to chase after him, Joseph's voice rang out—he, too, had recovered.

"You're running away now? What, no sun to blame this time?" Joseph taunted. "You mentioned Kyojuro earlier, didn't you? The Flame Hashira…"

"You fought him in the dead of night, when he couldn't regenerate his limbs… when his injuries weakened him…"

Joseph shouted, "And now that you're the one in that position—you try to run?"

"..."

Akaza glanced at his Hamon-inflicted wrist, then halted his retreat.

With his recovered right hand, he tore off his left arm, then shattered his own head to force it to regenerate.

With the regeneration speed of an Upper Rank, Akaza's body swiftly restored all four limbs.

"…What is that breathing technique?"

He glared intently at Joseph—then at Tanjiro, who was once again standing tall with his sword leveled at him.

"That sun-like power of yours… It came from your breathing, didn't it?" Akaza asked. "It can instantly melt demon flesh. No wonder they had you two face me alone."

"What a pain!" Joseph grumbled. "To think we didn't kill you even with all that! Looks like it's back to a prolonged fight again!"

"But as long as you're not trying to run, I'm fine with that!"

Joseph resumed his battle stance, shamelessly declaring, "I hate people who run away mid-fight the most!"

His words echoed across the open Squad Comms, reaching the other Hunters in the fortress.

"YOU'VE GOT NO RIGHT TO SAY THAT, DAMN YOU!!!"

At that very moment, Kairo Retsu—still locked in combat with Doma—suddenly blurted out the complaint.

Doma blinked in confusion.

"Who are you talking to?" Doma asked while simultaneously commanding several of his Crystal Children to release a massive Blood Demon Art wave.

Ever since discovering that destroying the lungs didn't work, Doma had shifted entirely to wide-area offense.

The enemies before him… were undeniably on par with Hashira—even the seemingly young Inosuke and Kanao.

But especially Kairo Retsu.

Just then, another Kinsect broke through Doma's defenses, drawing blood directly from his body and returning to Kairo's Insect Glaive—lighting the third lamp.

"Attack! Speed! Defense!"

Kairo shouted with glee. "All three lights are lit! My Insect Glaive is calling me… to victory!"