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Chapter 36

My eyes widened, looking from Rengoku to him.

"Hmm... No thanks!"
Rengoku spoke up, burning sword in his hands.

"I can tell your strength by looking at you. You're a Hashira, correct? You've cultivated your fighting spirit to the edge of perfection."

He pointed at me.
"And you. You're the Avatar. Supposedly the most powerful bender in the world. You're overflowing with potential for greatness! But right now,  you are weak. You are frail, and pathetic and lack guidance."

I barely sit up, the pain gone but the fragile layer of dry blood forcing me to be cautious.
My sword is safe, but my glider is nowhere to be found...

This man's aura radiated in a similar manner to Kibutsuji. The Upper Ranks must be the ones directly under him.

Rengoku spoke up, his tone dropping a little.
"I am the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku. She is Y/N L/N, the Avatar."

"I, am Akaza. Let me tell you, Kyojuro, why your power can never reach it's true, full potential."

He glared at him, pointing straight at Rengoku with contempt in his voice.
"It's because you're human. Because you age. Because eventually, you will die."

"Become a demon, Kyojuro. If you do, you can train for hundreds of years and only get stronger."

"Growing old and dying... Is what gives meaning and beauty to the short, fleeting span of human life. It is precisely because we die and age that our lives have value and nobility. Strength, in regards to the flesh, doesn't mean much."

He turned his gaze to me, his aura burning with a passion I've never met in anyone before.

"This girl is not weak. Do not insult her. And hear me when I say it again. You and I have different values. I have my many reasons for not becoming a demon."

"...I see."
Akaza quickly got into his stance, a strange, snowflake-like sigil appearing on the ground.
"If you won't become a demon, then I'm afraid I must kill you."

He charged at Rengoku, who struck back just as quickly. For now I seem to be getting better, able to follow their movements with my eyes.

The bursts of flame and crackles as fire met flesh echoed throughout, Rengoku skillfully avoiding Akaza's attacks while striking his own.

"The other Hashira I've killed weren't such skilled firebenders as you are! And yet still, none accepted my proposal. Why is that?"

His movements followed the wind, and it was incredibly clear that during his human life, he had trained hard to master airbending. Their battle was skillful and carefully fought in the moment.

"As someone who walks the path of a warrior, I can't understand it! One cannot decide to become a demon, he must be chosen!"

He launched more attacks his way.
"But you! Who worked so hard to build such magnificent talent would rather let it wither away. It's a waste I simply can't accept! I won't stand for it!"

"Kyojuro, do it while you're still young and strong!"

If he keeps his distance like this, with how powerful his blows are it will be hard for Rengoku to strike.