Chapter 790: A Fierce Battle
Chapter 790: A Fierce Battle
"Then it's all up to you."
Kanae Kocho didn't hesitate for a moment.
In order to kill the Upper Moon demon, she didn't mind using any means necessary.
"You guys..."
"Are being a little too presumptuous."
Akaza, who had been in a frenzied state until now, turned cold. The way they were talking, it was as if killing him would be easy.
For someone who had been relentlessly pursuing strength ever since becoming a demon, this was a strong stimulus.
Whoosh!
Akaza didn't wait idly by. He lunged at Butterfly Kanae once more, aiming for the Nichirin Sword in her hand!
To be more precise, he was aiming for the sword itself, not its wielder.
Ever since Akaza became a demon and lost his memories as a human, he had killed countless people over the centuries, but he had never killed or devoured a single woman.
This was a line he wouldn't cross, even as a human, and even though he had forgotten his past life, he still instinctively adhered to this principle as a demon.
This was also the reason why Shinobu hadn't sensed any killing intent from Akaza.
All he needed to do was destroy the Nichirin Sword.
After that, he could continue to enjoy his battle with Shinobu.
But.
That was easier said than done.
Not only was Shinobu strong enough to completely suppress him, but Butterfly Kanae was also far from being a weak girl. She was a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps!
Whoosh!
Shinobu swung her sword, the blade cutting through the air and severing Akaza's body mid-air, halting his assault.
However, such an attack could only temporarily stop Akaza's movement. The severed limbs instantly regenerated.
But this brief interruption was enough.
Silently, petals danced in the air.
Butterfly Kanae, holding the Nichirin Sword, was surrounded by beautiful petals that spiraled around her. Like a flower sprite, she dashed towards Akaza.
As a seasoned warrior who had slain countless demons, she wouldn't be constrained by a strategy that relied on lending her sword to Shinobu to slay the Upper Moon demon. Seeing an opening in Akaza's defense due to Shinobu's attack, she naturally seized the opportunity without hesitation.
"Breath of Flowers: Fourth Form—Benihana!"
As the petals danced, Kanae's Nichirin Sword traced two beautiful yet deadly arcs, slicing towards Akaza's body and neck.
Witnessing this, Shinobu was slightly surprised and tilted her head.
—This older sister is quite strong.
She thought to herself.
"Destructive Death: Ranshin!"
Akaza faced danger but remained calm. With a steady gaze, he thrust his fist forward, sending a punch that blasted the air and created visible fist-shaped waves that collided with Kanae's slashes.
Although Akaza was attacking with all his might, the strike was rushed due to Shinobu's previous assault, resulting in severely diminished power.
Nonetheless, this move still halted Kanae's attack and unleashed a force that she couldn't withstand head-on, forcing her to retreat.
"What immense power..."
"So this is the strength of an Upper Moon demon..."
Kanae landed at a distance, but the look in her eyes as she gazed at Akaza now held a hint of trepidation.
Previously, while observing from the sidelines, she could sense Akaza's strength, but since he was being suppressed by Shinobu, she couldn't clearly grasp just how powerful Akaza truly was.
Now, she understood.
Even when caught off guard by Shinobu's attack, his hasty counter still unleashed a force that she couldn't withstand directly, compelling her to retreat!
Although this was partly due to her own lack of prowess in physical strength, the underlying reason was that she wasn't strong enough, and Akaza was just too powerful!
And the more she realized this, the more awe-struck she became.
But she didn't have much time to ponder these thoughts.
Akaza's attacks continued relentlessly.
Whoosh!
Shinobu struck again, directly confronting Akaza to prevent him from harming Kanae.
Kanae, aware of her own limitations, didn't attempt to face Akaza head-on. Instead, she took advantage of Shinobu's frontal assault to strike at Akaza's vulnerabilities from the side.
Shinobu's strength was already enough to suppress Akaza, and with the addition of Kanae, a skilled user of the Nichirin Sword and Flower Breathing, Akaza found himself in a precarious situation.
"This battle is getting troublesome..." Akaza muttered.
"There's only one Nichirin Sword, but that new woman is likely another Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, and she's not weak. With her interference, I can't destroy the Nichirin Sword in her hands."
Akaza stopped his reckless attacks and stood firmly in place, fully unleashing his ability.
His Blood Demon Art was the array of rune-like patterns that extended from his body, granting him a powerful sense of perception that allowed him to detect his enemies' every move. Combined with his centuries of honed martial arts and fist techniques, he stood unwavering like an immovable mountain!
However, Shinobu's relentless sword techniques were too fierce. Even in a defensive stance, he couldn't completely guard against her attacks, and Kanae was exceedingly 'crafty'. He deliberately set traps to lure her, but she remained unmoved, refusing to take the bait.
"What flawless swordsmanship. What powerful Breathing Technique."
"To cultivate yourself to this level, you must have endured unimaginable hardships. Won't you reconsider becoming a demon and preserving this power forever?"
Akaza acknowledged Kanae's strength and extended an offer to her as well.
With a smile, Kanae replied, "Thank you for the offer, but I must decline. No matter the reason, I could never become a demon."
Shinobu glanced at Kanae.
This older sister is so gentle.
To think that someone so gentle could be a swordswoman who faces demons without hesitation... I wonder what she has gone through to become so strong...
As these thoughts crossed Shinobu's mind, her resolve to eradicate demons only grew stronger.
In the next moment, she took a step back, sheathed her sword while maintaining her grip on the hilt, and then swiftly drew it again, slashing forward.
"Dance of Ice and Snow."
At her current level of swordsmanship, she could draw inspiration from the natural phenomena she encountered and create her own unique techniques.
Although she hadn't witnessed much during her sword training in the valley, she had experienced the changing seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—six times. Thus, her developed sword styles were mostly extensions of the weather.
Akaza's pupils constricted slightly.
Danger!
At that moment, he felt the hairs on his body stand on end, and every cell in his body seemed to be screaming a warning of imminent peril—a sensation he hadn't experienced in countless years.
Without hesitation, Akaza stomped his foot and thrust his palm forward.
"Destructive Death: Final Form—
"Azure Chaos of Silver and Blue!"
(End of Chapter)
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