He's in Marvel, working behind the scenes.

That's right, that's right.

I cannot back down.

I will kill this evil spirit who murdered my most important blood relative.

"Flower Breathing, Fifth Form: Fruitless Peony!"

Fueled by her anger, Kanao unleashed unprecedented power, appearing instantly in front of the child model. Her peach-colored Nichirin Blade slashed rapidly, unleashing nine strikes like a blooming flower.

But Douma simply waved his folding fan lightly, deflecting each attack and turning defense into offense, charging into the fray.

Kanao knew that if she retreated here, she would lose the initiative. And since she was already weaker than him, losing the initiative would mean she would have no chance of winning.

So, taking a risky approach to victory, she swung her sword and turned it around, the sword energy enveloping her like a flower bud, preparing for a defensive attack.

Flower Breathing Third Form: Mikage Plum!

Doma hurriedly raised his fan to block, and retreated repeatedly to increase the distance between them.

Chapter 140 Fighting You Until the Next Life

"Water Breathing - Tenth Form - Flowing Life!"

"Water Breathing - Tenth Form - Flowing Life!"

Tanjiro and Giyu Tomioka, the two brothers, used their breathing techniques to traverse the corridor like a spinning waterwheel, cutting down any ninjas or demons in their path with a single stroke.

Blademaster wielded his twin blades, their cold gleam flashing, as he strode forward. Though not as fluid and flashy as Tanjiro and Giyu's movements, they were nonetheless clean and efficient.

In a few breaths, the corridor was completely cleared.

The three sheathed their swords, looked at each other, and sought each other's opinions.

Before they could speak, a flurry of voices erupted from around the corner of the corridor.

Are they friendly forces on the other side?

"Blade asked into the radio headset."

But on the other end, only static could be heard.

"They're the enemy. Be careful."

Two breaths later, receiving no response, the Blademaster made a decision and drew his weapon again, aiming it at the corner.

A group of men dressed in suits, wearing sunglasses, and carrying automatic rifles, pistols, and rocket launchers came out and opened fire without saying a word.

Blade Warrior was taken aback for a moment, then rushed forward, using his body to shield Tanjiro and Giyu from the bullets, while simultaneously wielding both swords to deflect the incoming bullets.

The narrow corridor offered no space to hide.

Giyu and Tanjiro are human, so if they were shot, they would be seriously injured.

But he's different; he's a half-vampire.

However, even vampires are powerless against rocket launchers.

……

"Take me with you!"

On the way to find Nakime, following Kasugai-ya, two people suddenly appeared from around the right corner.

It was Yushiro and Patton.

After entering the Infinity Castle, Yushiro stayed with the Hidden Club (the Demon Slayer Corps' medical support unit) to treat the seriously injured.

After treating Zenitsu, he sensed a shift in the surrounding space and realized he had to kill Nakime. So he brought Barton, who was still a formidable fighter, with him.

Kanroji Mitsuri and Iguro Obanai exchanged a glance and refused, saying, "Although you are an oni recognized by the lord, we are not familiar with you and do not know your fighting style. Forcing us to act might be..."

"I know how to take a shortcut."

"Okay, let's go together."

Upon hearing Yushiro's words, Obanai Iguro changed his previous attitude and readily agreed.

……

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!!!"

Akaza fired its solar-powered laser gun in rapid succession, but Akaza was like a sophisticated radar, easily detecting the attack trajectory and dodging the attacks with a slight tilt of its head each time.

"Flame Breathing - First Form - Shiranui!"

Kyojuro Rengoku attacked while Akaza was distracted by the Sunbeam Gun.

Akaza, however, seemed to have an automatic counterattack mechanism; he threw a punch that struck the blade, neutralizing the attack.

"Kyojuro, I misjudged you too. You're not a strong person at all..." Akaza deflected the attack and continued to fight him with ease, saying, "You're just like those guys who only know how to use despicable tricks, all trash!"

With that, he swung both arms simultaneously, unleashing eight powerful blows that attacked Kyojuro from all directions.

—Destruction Kill: Eightfold Demon Core!

Kyojuro tried to breathe and use his swordsmanship to fight back, but he was still thrown back by the immense force.

Akaza, no longer holding back, displayed terrifying strength, swiftly advancing and catching up with Kyojuro before he landed, unleashing his ultimate attack.

—Destruction Kill: Shattering Style: Thousand Leaves Flash Willow!

But just as he unleashed his attack, a blinding ray of sunlight shone down upon him. Akaza was startled and instinctively raised his hand to defend himself, only to have it burned and festered.

But Akaza was stunned.

If exposed to sunlight, even an Upper Moon demon would turn to ashes in an instant.

But now it's just skin and muscle ulceration, not turning to ashes, which means that what I'm being exposed to isn't sunlight at all, but some kind of weapon designed to target ghosts.

(It's that guy!)

Akaza instantly thought of that armored person who only knew how to use various sneak attacks, and immediately raised his hand to launch an attack at the light source.

Suddenly, the world began to spin.

"What's going on!?"

"I've been... killed!?"

The flying head saw its own headless body, and saw Rengoku Kyojuro still swinging his sword as he cut off its head. Suddenly, it understood everything.

"Damn it, to be killed by such despicable means!"

"Can't you weaklings fight me fair and square?"

"I refuse to accept this! I am the strongest, and I will never lose to you despicable weaklings!"

"I can become even stronger."

A strong obsession took root in my heart.

The headless body did not turn to ashes like other ghosts.

Kyojuro Rengoku paused for a moment, then yelled at Tony, who was shutting down the solar diffuser, "Keep it on, he's not dead yet!"

But it was too late.

"Spell Deployment: Compass!"

The body, which was regrowing its head, raised its right leg and stomped it. A twelve-pointed snowflake pattern unfolded under its feet, and at the same time, it brought its hands to its waist and abdomen, ready to unleash a killing move.

"Destruction, Annihilation, Annihilation..."

They had already taken their stance and were about to strike, but then hesitated.

Whether it was because his head was chopped off or something else, memories he had forgotten have resurfaced.

His name when he was alive was "Komaji", and his life was extremely tragic.

He wanted to cure his seriously ill father, and he was willing to commit serious crimes and be despised by the world, but he kept trying.

However, the father was heartbroken because his son had gone astray. Knowing that he was a burden to his child, he chose to commit suicide and wrote in his suicide note that his son should start over and be a good person.

But the family he desperately wanted to protect died because of him, leaving him heartbroken and without any hope of living.

Later, he traveled far away and met a second relative, "Keizo," whom he vowed to protect.

He is the headmaster of the Suryu Dojo.

The moment he saw Komaji, he declared him a martial arts prodigy, told him to inherit his mantle, and later entrusted his daughter to him.

He was the one who rekindled Komaji's hope for a second life.

But this time, he still failed to protect them.

Because of a business and romantic rival who poisoned the well, Master Qingzang and his fiancée Lianxue both died.

Upon learning the news, Komaji brutally murdered his enemies, wiping out their entire families. But what was lost could never be regained.

At this moment, Komaji broke down.

He hates the weak because the weak dare not fight the strong head-on and only resort to despicable means behind their backs.

But no matter what, Komaji lost hope once again.

Then, he encountered Muzan Kibutsuji.

Komaji died completely and became Upper Moon Three, Akaza.

"Ha, what's the point of thinking about all this now?" Akaza said self-deprecatingly, his mind now fully recovered.

then……

"call out!"

A beam gun suddenly attacked.

Akaza instinctively tried to dodge, but a long sword pierced through his chest instead.

"Purgatory!"

Akaza glared fiercely at the knife-wielder and slammed his hands out.

"Destruction Kill - Annihilation Style!"