Chapter 182 The Returned Soul

A golden-red flame grazed Akaza's neck, and Akaza's eyes widened. He sensed not a trace of fighting spirit. He watched Tanjiro flying backward, and time seemed to slow down.

Akaza knew he had lost; the essence of centuries-old martial arts had been shattered squarely. He looked into his opponent's eyes, but there was no hatred, no anger, no murderous intent, and no fighting spirit.

What I could see in those eyes was the "supreme realm" he sought, the "state of selflessness." I vaguely sensed that state existed, but I still couldn't reach it.

It's not over yet, I can get stronger.

Akaza supported his head with both hands, blood flowing from his mouth and neck. Tanjiro watched in shock, his hand gripping his sword but unable to move.

"Pfft—".

A broken sword flew out from behind, piercing Akaza's head. The powerful impact caught Akaza off guard, causing him to drop his grip. His vision blurred, and his head slammed heavily to the ground, bounced back up, and gradually turned to ashes.

It's over... We won...

After throwing that punch, Yi Yong felt as if his whole body was starting to shatter. He fell to the ground uncontrollably, struggling to look ahead. Every movement caused pain in his internal organs.

He looked at Akaza's motionless body and sensed something was wrong. There was no sign of collapse. He tried to sit up, but his arms were trembling violently.

Akaza moved, assuming an attack stance. A huge snowflake pattern appeared beneath his feet, and the severed neck gradually healed. Tanjiro's pupils contracted as he watched the falling hand blade and forcefully fell to the side, the broken wooden shards scraping against his skin.

Tanjiro trembled uncontrollably, his muscles cramping uncontrollably. He was kicked hard in the waist, and even though he tried to block with the hilt of his sword, the huge impact sent him flying into the wall.

"Charcoal cures cough cough cough cough cough—"

Giyuu coughed violently, his blurred vision allowing him to see Akaza walking step by step toward Tanjiro. He tried to get up, but his normally breathing was now painful, with blood gushing from his mouth with each breath.

"Breath of Flames - Ultimate Technique - Ninth Form - Purgatory"

The hellfire-like force surged forward, instantly blasting a gash through Akaza's body, leaving his skin severely damaged. Kyojuro swayed, his blood dripping onto the ground, blurring his vision and staining half his body red.

"——".

The chipped Nichirin Blade slipped from his trembling hand with a crisp sound. Kyojuro's right arm hung limply at his sides, like a withered branch swept away by the autumn wind, and bright red blood spilled from his mouth. Akaza's wound, however, was healing at an astonishing speed, becoming completely healed in an instant, as if the loss of his head had no effect whatsoever.

What's this?

Suddenly, Akaza saw a man in a white taekwondo uniform standing before him. The man raised his fist and said, "We are not samurai, we do not have swords, but we have swords in our hearts, and we only use our own fists."

Who is it? An eyesore.

Akaza felt a strange sense of unease welling up inside him. He was about to step forward when he felt a gentle force pull his arm back. Turning around, he saw a woman in a pink kimono with a snowflake hair ornament looking at him with tears in her eyes, her eyes filled with pleading and reluctance.

'Mr. Komaji, please stop!'

Let go, who is it? Let go of my hand, who are you?

Stop, go to the afterlife.

The woman's voice was filled with endless pleading, and her tears fell like broken beads onto Akaza's hand, each drop like a sharp blade cutting into him. Akaza's heart clenched. He remembered—remembered his time as a human, painful and desperate.

Why, you wretched humans, do you remind me of that past? Even in death, I cannot go to where those three are, to kill you, to kill you all.

Just then, Tanjiro suddenly opened his eyes. He saw a fleshy mass gradually growing on Akaza's neck, and the wound was healing at an alarming rate. Tanjiro's heart was filled with tension and fear.

Akaza raised his fist, ready to strike, and swung it towards Kyojuro. Tanjiro didn't hesitate to get up and rush over. However, halfway there, his Nichirin Blade slipped from his hand. Tanjiro didn't care about that; he gritted his teeth, raised his fist, and punched Akaza's recovering half-face.

"Bang—".

A deafening roar echoed through the air as Tanjiro's fist slammed into Akaza's face like a meteorite. The force of the blow sent Akaza sprawling to the side, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.

'Transform yourself, young man!'

A familiar face appeared before his eyes, with a warm smile, making Akaza feel utterly ashamed.

He despised the weak, for the weak would not fight fair and square, but would resort to any means necessary. And the weak lacked the patience to endure, becoming self-destructive and using their "fist of protection" to kill. He was weak, letting his blood stain his master's most important Su-ryu Fist technique, and he also failed to obey his father's dying wish.

Tanjiro's pupils constricted sharply as he saw Akaza get into position. He rushed forward, grabbed Kyojuro by the waist, and tried to pull him back, swaying him as he tried to go back and get Giyu. Just as he thought it was too late, Tanjiro saw Akaza raise the corners of his mouth and give him a gentle smile.

"Bang—".

A massive blast of air knocked Tanjiro and Giyu off their feet. Tanjiro, shielding Giyu, fell to the ground, glancing at Kyojuro who was unharmed a short distance away, and breathed a sigh of relief. His gaze then fell on Akaza, whose body was mangled beyond recognition.

Why would he attack himself?

Tanjiro was somewhat bewildered. The moment he saw the other's smile, he sensed a hint of gratitude. He sat there, watching Akaza's shattered body rapidly recover. After swaying a few steps, Akaza stopped and then suddenly knelt down on the ground.

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Dad.

"It's alright, Komaji. Thank you..." The frail man in the yellow kimono smiled and patted his head. The sensation changed the moment Akaza bowed his head; his master's cheerful voice came through, "It's alright. No matter what you become, a son is a son, and a disciple is a disciple. I would never abandon you, even in death. Although I can't take you to heaven..."

Master…

"Didn't you want to become stronger? And it's just ending like this? Akaza!"

A sense of danger emanated from him, and Muzan's icy voice stunned Akaza, causing him to clench his fists tightly.

'Mr. Komaji, it's alright, thank you. That's enough, that's enough.'

A warm hand cradled Akaza's face, and he saw the woman he wanted to protect and love. A gentle, warm smile and soft words brought tears to his eyes. His face gradually returned to its former appearance, and he couldn't help but hug her tightly, tears sliding down her pink eyelashes.

I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. I couldn't protect you, I wasn't there for you when you needed me, and I didn't keep any of our promises. Please forgive me, Lianxue.

'It's so good that you remembered. Welcome back, Mr. Komaji.'

Tanjiro watched as Akaza's body, which was still recovering, suddenly dissipated, disappearing in an instant with the wind. He was a little dazed; he smelled the scent of happiness.