Chapter 87: Rebattle with Gyokko

Flame Breathing. First Form. Shiranui!

Rengoku Kyojuro struck first, swinging his Crimson Flame Blade in a blazing high-speed rush, closing the distance to Akaza in an instant—his target: Akaza’s neck.

Akaza remained calm; his Luo Zhen precisely predicted Rengoku’s attack trajectory, and with a powerful leg thrust, he leapt into the air, evading the strike.

Destruction Technique. Air Form!

Mid-air, Akaza unleashed a long-range technique, striking repeatedly with his fists toward Rengoku Kyojuro.

Seeing this, Rengoku Kyojuro did not panic—he spun his Crimson Flame Blade around himself, activating a defensive combat technique.

Flame Breathing. Fourth Form. Blazing Vortex!

The spiral flame slashes instantly blocked every one of Akaza’s long-range attacks.

Rengoku Kyojuro knew Akaza would use this move thanks entirely to the intelligence Zero had gathered on all the Upper Moon demons.

After landing, Akaza stared at Rengoku Kyojuro, puzzled—how did he know his techniques?

But when he saw Zero, he likely understood what had happened.

“Zero must have told you everything about our Twelve Kizuki Upper Moons’ moves! Hahaha! How delightful! Truly delightful! I’ll turn both of you into demons—you’ll fight alongside me forever!”

Rengoku Kyojuro said nothing—he surged forward at a speed invisible to the naked eye, launching another attack!

Flame Breathing. Third Form. Ten Thousand Flames!

With blinding speed, he slashed downward from above, a curved wave of blazing fire tearing a gash from Akaza’s shoulder straight through his chest.

Seeing this, Akaza admired Rengoku Kyojuro’s skill—and his battle lust intensified further.

“Outstanding swordsmanship and speed! You really should become a demon, hahaha!”

But Rengoku Kyojuro’s assault was not over.

Flame Breathing. Second Form. Blazing Ascent!

Before the wound on Akaza’s body had even fully healed, Rengoku swung another upward slash—stronger, more brutal than before!

As if trying to cleave Akaza in half!

After learning all the Upper Moon demons’ techniques and witnessing their power, every Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps intensified their training—Rengoku Kyojuro included.

Their goal: to fight the Upper Moons—even if they couldn’t kill them, they must hold them until dawn.

Destruction Technique. Foot Form. Crown Cut!

Akaza seized Rengoku’s blade bare-handed, then bent his body sharply downward and kicked backward with explosive force!

Feeling the power of that kick, Rengoku spun his Crimson Flame Blade, wrenching free from Akaza’s grip, and leapt backward.

“Is this the true power of an Upper Moon demon?! Indeed, not to be underestimated! But I will never give up!” Rengoku Kyojuro’s resolve hardened.

Immediately, he launched another offensive.

Akaza met him head-on, striking with his bare fists against Rengoku’s Crimson Flame Blade.

The Crimson Flame Blade erupted in flames, cleaving through the air as it clashed with Akaza’s fists.

Akaza’s fists, seemingly without pain, kept swinging relentlessly in counterattack.

The battlefield shifted again—descending into a white-hot frenzy.

Their attacks grew fiercer; sonic booms erupted and dust storms swirled around them.

Only two red-and-blue figures could be seen darting through the swirling dust.

Even the air seemed ready to tear apart!

“Among the Pillars I’ve killed, I’ve never faced a Flame Pillar—or that Zero behind you. But neither did they accept my invitation.”

As he fought Rengoku Kyojuro, Akaza spoke to himself.

“We both seek the pinnacle of martial arts—so why won’t you join me? So… die, Rengoku Kyojuro!”

Rengoku blocked Akaza’s blows with his blade, slicing his wrist as he replied: “Everyone feels the same! As humans, it’s only natural!”

Tanjiro’s face was filled with disbelief—what level of power had they reached?!

“I can’t see… I can’t see anything… their speed…”

Shinobu, who had just arrived, wore a mask—but his eyes betrayed the same shock!

“No openings! Their movements are too fast to track! Around those two—it’s like another dimension!”

Shinobu knew this battle was beyond his reach.

If he stepped in, he’d only be delivering himself to death.

Even helping would only hinder them.

Zero, facing Tanjiro and Shinobu from behind, spoke: “Tanjiro, Shinobu—watch closely. This is the battle between a Pillar and an Upper Moon demon. I hope it helps you in the future.”

Boom!

Rengoku Kyojuro swung his Crimson Flame Blade with overwhelming force, sending Akaza crashing into the nearby forest.

He followed him into the trees, searching for his silhouette.

Before he could blink, Akaza appeared right before him.

“Incredible reflexes and speed!”

A kick shot out—Rengoku raised his blade to block.

But the force was too great—he was blasted backward, slamming into a dirt wall and sinking into a deep crater.

Akaza stepped out of the small grove and said: “Become a demon, Kyojuro. Then you can fight with me forever.”

Rengoku Kyojuro plunged his Crimson Flame Blade into the ground, propping himself up, and answered: “I refuse. Once more—I hate you. I will never become a demon!”

Flame Breathing. Fifth Form. Flame Tiger!

Rengoku Kyojuro surged forward like a blazing tiger, unleashing a massive slash with renewed power.

Destruction Technique. Chaos Form!

His fists exploded with blinding speed, colliding with Rengoku’s Flame Tiger.

The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, affecting the surroundings.

Both combatants plunged back into battle.

Every strike targeted the opponent’s vital points.

But Rengoku Kyojuro was losing ground.

Faintly, it was clear—he was growing exhausted.

Clearly, prolonged combat drained a human body’s strength inevitably.

Especially against an Upper Moon of the Twelve Kizuki—his stamina drained at geometric speed!

Boom!

Suddenly, a violent surge of power erupted ahead.

The ground cracked like a spiderweb, fissures spreading outward.

The source, of course, was Akaza.

Destruction Technique. Shattered Form. Ten Thousand Leaves Willow Flash!

His furious punch struck the earth, shattering the ground like leaf veins.

Rengoku Kyojuro, caught in the shockwave, stumbled—giving Akaza his opening.

He swung both fists at him!

Destruction Technique. Demon Core Eightfold Core!

Eight rapid strikes from all directions, delivering a devastating barrage upon Rengoku Kyojuro.

Seeing this, Rengoku activated his defensive sword technique once more.

Flame Breathing. Fourth Form. Blazing Vortex!

Akaza’s attacks were blocked—but this time, their power was even greater, forcing Rengoku back.

The Crimson Flame Blade could barely hold—upon close inspection, fine cracks had begun to spread across its blade.

Destruction Technique. Air Form!

Akaza unleashed his long-range technique again, striking continuously—Rengoku kept blocking with Fourth Form.

Ping!

Crack…

Finally, the Crimson Flame Blade shattered under the strain, splitting cleanly in two.

Just then, Akaza’s final strike landed squarely on Rengoku Kyojuro.

Zero rushed forward and caught him.

“Cough… Is this… the true power of an Upper Moon?… Indeed, formidable…”

Though Rengoku Kyojuro’s voice held disbelief, there was no despair.

Instead, his resolve hardened—he would become stronger!

Too bad his Crimson Flame Blade, his faithful companion for so long, was now broken.

“Kyojuro, rest well. The rest… is mine.”

“Mm, thank you, Zero.”

Supporting Rengoku Kyojuro to Shinobu’s side, Zero said: “Watch over him. Understood?”

“Y-yes…” Shinobu was still stunned from the battle.

Akaza, seeing Zero, grew even more excited than before.

“Finally—I can fight you again, Zero! Hahaha!”

“Akaza, before we fight, I have a few questions. Will you answer them?”

“Oh? Go ahead.”

For a strong opponent, Ikosato still had sufficient patience, so he did not refuse him.

Zero took a deep breath and asked, “Why are you so obsessed with becoming stronger? And why do you despise the weak?”

“Hahaha! Do you really have to ask?! Of course it’s to reach the pinnacle of martial cultivation—just as you have reached it!”

“As for the weak—hah! In this world of survival of the fittest, what right do the weak have to remain?”

Upon hearing Ikosato’s answer, Zero felt no great surprise; his expression remained as calm as still water.

He continued, “One final question: you seek strength to reach the pinnacle of martial cultivation—what can you accomplish once you’ve grown strong?”

“Of course, to protect...” Ikosato paused suddenly as he spoke.

Had he forgotten something?

Something very important—but he couldn’t recall what it was.

“Don’t compare yourself to others. Your true opponent is always yourself. What matters is becoming stronger than you were yesterday...”

A voice echoed in Ikosato’s ear—it was familiar.

He also felt someone place a hand on his shoulder, then swing a punch behind him.

But when he turned, he saw nothing.

Every person present witnessed this motion.

“There’s nothing behind him—why did he swing a punch?!” Tanjiro wondered inwardly...

Zero became even more certain: deep within Ikosato, some fragment of his consciousness still remained.

He had simply lost his memories, leaving only the obsession with becoming stronger.

“Ikosato...”

Hearing Zero call his name, Ikosato turned to look at him.

“Ikosato, I don’t know what you’ve endured—but I will defeat you honorably!”

【Dark Alloy Battle Armor, Arm!】

Click! Click!

The armor reappeared, fully arming Zero from head to toe, retrieving the Sun Wheel Scythe from the 【Nanospaces】.

“Let’s end this. 【They】 have been waiting for you a long time.”

“They? Who? What are you talking about?!” Ikosato roared.

But Zero’s only reply was his attack!

Whoosh!

Zero instantly teleported, swinging the Sun Wheel Scythe through the air, striking directly at Ikosato!

Ikosato’s hairs stood on end; his cells seemed to scream a warning—he must eliminate Zero now!

He leaped backward, away from his original position.

Destruction Kill. Air Style!

Immediately, he launched a long-range technique, unleashing a flurry of punches at Zero in rapid succession!

Zero swiftly spun the scythe, blocking every attack, then counterattacked!

Seeing his techniques failed to inflict real damage on Zero, Ikosato dared not slacken—he fought with all his strength!

Moreover, he clearly sensed: Zero was holding back.

He continuously radiated that crimson battle aura—unlike last time, he had not restrained it at all.

“Why aren’t you using your Pinnacle Realm?! Are you mocking me?!”

Ikosato felt insulted.

“I said I would defeat you honorably!”

The battle between them grew fiercely intense; the surrounding air tore apart, showing faint signs of fracturing.

Moreover, the extradimensional space erupted with deafening roars.

Rengoku Kyōjurō now clearly sensed it—and understood one thing.

Earlier, when Ikosato fought him, he had held back.

Destruction Kill. Foot Style. Flying Star Thousand Wheels!

His kicks traced erratic paths like wandering meteors, weaving through chaotic currents as they struck Zero.

Zero raised the Sun Wheel Scythe to block, then swung hard—severing Ikosato’s leg.

He followed with a kick to Ikosato’s chest, sending him flying into the forest.

Pressing the advantage, Zero charged into the forest, Sun Wheel Scythe in hand, continuing the battle with Ikosato.

“You’re growing stronger by the moment—I’ll turn you into a demon, hahaha!” Ikosato’s wild laughter echoed from within the forest.

Destruction Kill. Final Style. Azure-Silver Chaotic Afterglow!

This was Ikosato’s ultimate technique: summoning Luo Zhen, and firing hundreds of azure projectiles outward from his center in an instant.

The move was not only swift, but devastatingly powerful.

The azure projectiles struck Zero’s battle armor—leaving only faint scratches, causing no damage whatsoever.

The remaining azure projectiles obliterated the surrounding trees, which collapsed with thunderous crashes.

Rengoku Kyōjurō and the others outside the forest watched in deep concern.

Boom!

A figure flew out of the forest, crashing into the exact same spot where Rengoku Kyōjurō had stood moments before.

His chest bore several deep gashes, blood spurting freely.

Within mere breaths, the wounds regenerated completely.

But it wasn’t over.

From within the forest, a Sun Wheel Scythe shot out—spinning rapidly like a meat grinder, intent on slicing everything before it!

Destruction Kill. Foot Style. Flowing Flash Mass Light!

Seeing the danger, Ikosato kicked upward with one leg, striking the incoming spinning scythe multiple times in rapid succession—like bursts of lightning.

Boom!

The Sun Wheel Scythe was kicked high into the air.

Shhh!

Zero’s figure burst from the forest again, leaping into the air, grabbing the scythe’s handle by its tail, and swinging it down with lightning speed toward Ikosato!

Slish!

Ikosato barely managed to dodge—he lost half his shoulder.

Destruction Kill. Foot Style. Crown First Cut!

Frustrated, Ikosato swung his leg upward from below, aiming a powerful kick at Zero’s armored head.

But Zero merely bent his body slightly backward, evading the blow.

Then he twisted his torso, raised his leg, and delivered a spinning kick—striking Ikosato square in the face, snapping his neck in a full 360° rotation.

With the added force of momentum, Ikosato’s entire body flew sideways and crashed to the ground.

All of this occurred within mere breaths.

“It’s over!”

Tightened grip. Activated Crimson Blade.

The edge of the Sun Wheel Scythe radiated heat like the sun.

Finally, he charged forward and swung the scythe—severing Ikosato’s neck!

Ikosato hadn’t even reacted before his head was severed—the cut site burned with searing heat!

“Success!” Tanjiro cried inwardly.

Ikosato’s head fell to the ground and turned to ash.

Yet his body remained standing upright—unbroken, uncollapsed, despite losing its head...

“This...” Rengoku Kyōjurō sensed something was wrong!

【No... I haven’t lost... I must still pursue the Pinnacle of Martial Cultivation... I cannot lose!】

【So what if my neck is cut? I can still fight! I can still grow stronger! I must keep my promise...】

Boom!

Technique Unleashed. Destruction Kill. Luo Zhen!

Ikosato’s headless body sealed its wound and activated the technique once more!

Seeing this, Zero understood one thing: Ikosato had overcome decapitation.

Through sheer, overwhelming obsession—he had overcome decapitation.