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Chapter 36

Even in his condition, Rengoku brought his blade up once more, the golden aura of pure justice burning even brighter around him.

"I will fulfill my duty! I won't let anyone die here!"

Rengoku!
I feel a hand on my back, Tanjiro looking at me in distress. Inosuke gripped my hand tighter, and I could see his panicked breathing.

Akaza showed no shame, even seeming euphoric over the fight.

"Such fighting spirit! Even with those wounds, you're full of determination and pure spiritual fortitude! Your stance has no weakness! You truly should become a demon, Kyojuro! Then, you could fight me forever!"

Akaza readied his stance, and I felt myself want to scream for Rengoku, yet my words were stuck in my throat.

A spiral of golden flames clashed with Akaza's burst of wind in a powerful explosion, and in that moment my voice poured out.

"RENGOKU-SAN!"

Silence was left, a cloud of dust swirling in the air.
Did he win? Why did they stop?! I can't see anything!

"Rengoku! Rengoku!!"
I called out, my voice running hoarse.

Tanjiro and Inosuke shook from the fight, and once the cloud of dust had cleared, my eyes widened and my heart dropped to my stomach.

Akaza's fist pierced through Rengoku's chest, a spurt of blood covering him.

"DIE! YOU'RE FINISHED, KYOJURO! JUST GIVE IN! JUST SAY YOU'LL BECOME A DEMON! YOU'RE ONE OF THE CHOSEN STRONG ONES!"

Time stood at a standstill. My eyes saw and my mind understood what just happened, but my heart denied it vehemently.

Suddenly, with a final battle cry, Kyojuro brought his blade down on Akaza's neck, pushing with all his might to cut through.

Akaza tried to strike again, Rengoku blocking his fist mid-air. I held on to my final glimmer of hope. Dawn was soon to break, if Rengoku could stall him enough, we would win!

In an instant, my body moved without thinking, and I forced my sword out of its scabbard, moving towards the demon and Rengoku, ignoring the pain and aching in my limbs.

The first few rays of sunlight broke, and Akaza began to burn, Rengoku unmoving as he kept him there.

I only moved quicker, crying out to the only other people in condition to aid.
"Tanjiro! Inosuke! Help! For Rengoku's sake!"

They got up, and we all rushed Akaza.
Sky Breathing : Fifth Form! Burning Sky!

My sword managed to pierce Akaza, who simply pulled away, dropped Rengoku and launched himself high into the air.

Rengoku's blade was broken and buried in his neck, arm cleanly cut off at the elbow.

He made a mad sprint towards the forest, and Tanjiro threw his sword straight into his chest, but he quickly ran towards Rengoku's aid.

I stood at the edge of the woods and screamed at the top of my lungs, my body crying in pain.
"WHERE ARE YOU GOING, YOU COWARD?! HOW DARE YOU RUN AWAY?!"