33. Upper Rank Three

A dying scream rang throughout as the train aggressively shook and began to lose all its balance.

The thick flesh of the demon exploded and was dragged along the speeding wind. Hana's heart raced violently, her stomach twisting as panic clawed at her chest.

With extreme tremors and high acceleration, the running train derailed.

Hana and Inosuke stood on the roof of the train, trying their best not to fall. "The train is tipping over because of its screams and tremors! Inosuke, are you okay?" she shouted, coughing violently, her hand pressed firmly to her wounded stomach. The pain was sharp, almost unbearable, yet she forced herself to focus.

Inosuke, beside her, visibly panicked. "Wait! You! Is your stomach okay?" he shouted.

Hana hesitantly nodded. "Inosuke, Protect the passengers-"

All of a sudden, they were hurled off the platform, falling backward off the roof of the train. Hana's eyes widened as she realized that not only she, but also Inosuke and the unconscious train driver had been thrown off. Her hand reached out to grab him, but it was too far.

I can't die! she pleaded to herself. If I die, this person will become a murderer! I can't die! I don't want anyone to die!

As time seemed to slow, she tumbled to the ground, rolling on the dirt and hopping occasionally like a pebble. She closed her eyes to keep dust out. Slowly, her body stopped tossing and turning, just as the train's chaos finally came to a halt. She lay there helplessly, struggling to even open her eyes a bit.

All she could hope for was that everyone else was okay.

Tanjiro. Nezuko. Inosuke. Zenitsu. Rengoku-san. The passengers... all of them.

Inosuke arose from the rubble of the train in a rather battered condition. He stood up with a shout, shaking off the leftover dust and debris. After this, he continued toward Hana, screaming while doing so. Climbing over the demon's remaining flesh, he grunted, proceeding to trip due to the slimy and slippery texture. His body bounced like a ball, moving forward, then landed back on his feet on the ground.

Inosuke balanced himself, spreading his arms. When he had secured his footing, his stance faltered as he saw Hana lying in the distance. He inwardly gasped. "Hana!" Running over to her, he asked loudly, "Are you okay?!"

As he neared Hana's almost unconscious body, Inosuke bent down, trying to shake her awake. "Wake up!" he exclaimed. "The demon's body is too elastic and became a meat pad, but we're saved!" His cheerful voice faded slightly. "Keep it together! You saved me when I was tangled in that demon's flesh and when that stupid man tried to stab me. Now it's my turn!"

Inosuke continued shaking her. "Get up!"

Hana's eyelids creased in response, tightly keeping them shut. Her eyes slowly fluttered. She grunted in pain, ears ringing. "I... Inosuke?"

The boar-headed boy rapidly nodded. "Yes! Yes! It's me! How's your stomach? You got stabbed there, right?"

Hana copied his nod with a less energetic one, trying to pry her eyes open completely. "I-I'm fine... How about you?" she said, smiling slightly.

"As fit as flea, not even a small cold!" Inosuke gruffly responded.

"Why are you smiling? Did you hit your head or something?" he added.

"You called me by my name," she whispered with a weak laugh causing Inosuke to grunt in annoyance.

"I can't move yet. Hurry up and save the others," Hana said, coughing violently, her body trembling. "I wonder if anyone's injured...?" Then realization struck her, the railroad engineer had fallen with them. "Near the demon's neck, where is he? The train driver?"

Inosuke's expression hardened. "I think it's okay if that guy's dead!"

Hana shook her head gently. "That's not good at all."

Inosuke clicked his tongue, frustrated by her stubbornness. "He's the one who pierced you through the stomach! His feet were pinched under the train, he can't move at all. Just leave him alone to die for all I care!

Again, Hana shook her head disapprovingly. "In that case, what you're saying has a point. He's already been punished enough. So please, hurry up and get him out of there. Save him." She pleaded, her head bobbing up and down in exhaustion. "Please, Inosuke!"

Inosuke contemplated for a moment before standing, his body quivering with uncertainty and slight fury. "Fine!" he scoffed, turning his head away. "I'm going! Because you begged desperately, the lord himself will grant your wish!" Steam puffed from his nostrils as he grabbed his dual blades. "After I save him, I'm going to pull out all his hair!"

"You don't have to do that..." Hana voiced with a frail voice as Inosuke began trotting away. She sighed, opening her eyes a little. It looks like daybreak is about to dawn... Nighttime's going to end soon. Shutting her eyelids back, her figure relaxed. I need to adjust my breathing. Stop the bleeding and help Inosuke rescue the injured quickly! Come on... Still focusing on her breathing.

'Get your breathing under control, hurry, we have to save the injured.' She told herself.

Tanjiro...Nezuko...Zenitsu..Rengoku-san..
I'm sure they're safe...I have to belive it.

Her thoughts died down for a second when suddenly she heard footsteps approaching, frantic and fast.

With a weak voice, she called out, "Tanjiro...?"

The figure rushed closer limping towards her, she realized it was indeed Tanjiro. He dropped to his knees, eyes softening upon seeing Hana's fragile and injured state.

Tanjiro's hair was messy, and his face streaked with dust and blood she noticed a deep wound on his forehead, blood trickling down the side of his face.

Her breath hitched. "T-Tanjiro...your head! You're bleeding"

He blinked, wiping it with his sleeve. "Ah, it's nothing-"

"Nothing?!" Hana tried to sit up, ignoring the sharp pain that stabbed through her stomach. "You're badly hurt!"

Tanjiro pressed his hands against her shoulders to keep her down. "Hana, stop! You'll worsen your wound!"

"But-"

"I said I'm fine," he said firmly, with gentleness. "You're bleeding more than me. You shouldn't even be moving."

Tanjiro's hands trembled as he gently cupped her face. "Hana... you're so hurt..." His eyes glistened with tears he fought to hold back.

"I'm... fine," she said softly, trying to move but flinching as pain tore through her abdomen.

"No, don't move," Tanjiro said quickly, placing a hand over hers to stop her from sitting up. His touch was warm, gentle. "You're badly hurt. We need to stop the bleeding."

Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared beside them. The fierce, bright-faced man towered over them with a broad smile plastered on his face. "It seems you've learned to concentrate your breathing! Impressive truly admirable!"

"You too, Tanjiro! Both of you have great potential."

Hana looked up weakly. "R-Rengoku-san?" she stammered.

"After all, Constant is the first step toward becoming a Hashira!" he said. "Although, there might be 10,000 steps before you can become a Hashira.."

Tanjiro's whole body trembled with solemn resolve. "We'll do our best."

He lowered his arm and nodded firmly, then glanced back at Hana. "Your abdomen is bleeding heavily. You have to concentrate harder and improve the precision of your breathing.." He pointed at her. "Concentrate on bringing your breath to every part of your body. Spread the sensitivity to every fiber. Make your nerves reach every corner of your body."

Hana grunted in pain as sweat trickled down her forehead, she panted heavily.

"There's a broken blood vessel," Rengoku continued. "To repair it, focus harder. Strengthen your concentration."

Hana's eyes scrunched up as she searched her internal body, putting all her concentration into every fiber veins, muscles, tissues, nerves, and most importantly, blood vessels. She felt her heart pounding, racing, then slowing.

Then she felt it the broken vessel Rengoku had spoken of. Her eyes widened as the Pillar noticed it too. Rengoku's eyes squinted in anticipation. "There," he said. "That's it. Stanch it. Stop the bleeding.."

Rengoku softly placed a hand on Hana's forehead, guiding her focus.

Hana drew a deep, steadying breath, trying to control her breathing. Concentration wavered as pain stabbed her, but she grit her teeth and forced herself to focus. Her body trembled, and a sudden fit of coughing wracked her, tears pricking at her eyes.

Rengoku bent down once more, observing intently. At last, a proud smile spread across his face. "Hm! You've managed to stop the bleeding." He nodded firmly. "As long as you can master the breathing methods, you can do what ordinary people cannot. You may not be able to do everything but you will be stronger than yesterday for sure."

Hana softly nodded and returned his smile, weak but genuine.

Rengoku's grin widened, eyes crinkling. He balled his fist. "Everyone's safe! Although many are injured, none of their wounds are life-threatening." His voice was reassuring. "You don't need to be strong now. Rest." he told the siblings.

"Thank you very much," Hana whispered, her voice brimming with gratitude.

She turned to Tanjiro, whose face was wet with tears he fought to hold back. Seeing his sister in such a state pained him deeply.

"Oh, Tanjiro... come here," she murmured.

Tanjiro leaned forward, and Hana placed a trembling hand on his face. "I'm fine, all right. You don't need to worry." She ruffled his hair.

Tanjiro nodded through his tears.

Rengoku looked at the siblings, smiling broadly, warmth in his eyes.

Then, suddenly, a loud explosion detonated behind them. The ground trembled violently, and smoke poured into the air.

The three Demon Slayers immediately snapped their heads toward the source, eyes wide.

As the smoke cleared slightly, a distinct pair of yellow eyes glowed in the distance. When the dust thinned enough to reveal a figure, a muscular young man emerged, fair-skinned with thick blue markings and short, bright pink hair.

An Upper Rank demon...?! Tanjiro thought, panic coursing through him. Why is it here? How is it here? He thought pulling Hana closer.

In an instant, the demon moved faster than the eye could follow, sprinting toward them like a lightning strike.
Rengoku, sensing the danger, surged forward. His sword blazed as he, cut through the demon's arm.

The demon's arm, sliced earlier, regenerated instantly.

"Nice sword," the demon said, licking blood from his hand, amusement in his voice.

"I don't understand why you'd target the wounded first," Rengoku questioned.

"I thought they'll get in the way of our conversation." the demon replied.

"What could you and I possibly have to talk about? It's our first meeting, and I already dislike you."

"Is that so? I dislike weak humans too. Weaklings make me sick."

"It seems our senses of values differ."

"Then I have a brilliant proposal for you how about you become a demon too?"

"Never."

"I knew the moment I saw you. From your strength, you must be a Hashira. You're fighting spirit is well developed. It's close to the realm of highest"

"I am the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro."

"I'm Akaza."

"Kyojuro, let me tell you why you can't enter the realm of the highest. It's because you're human. You're going to grow old and die. Become a demon, Kyojuro."

'Out of all the demons that I've met until now, he has the strongest scent of Kibutsuji.' Hana thought.

Rengoku did not falter. "Growing old and dying are part of the beauty inherent in the fleeting nature of man. It is precisely because life is finite that it holds value and nobility. This girl is not weak, nor is the boy. Do not insult them. I will say it again we have different moral values." His voice carried unshakable conviction. "I won't become a demon, no matter what."

"I see." Akaza narrowed his eyes.

"Technique Development. Destructive Death, Compass Needle!" Akaza snarled. "If you refuse to become a demon, then I'll have to kill you."

Rengoku and Akaza clashed with a speed the human eye could scarcely follow. Their figures blurred as they moved like lightning.

I can't follow their movements! Tanjiro thought. His heart hammered. Standing back was better than becoming a hindrance.

Inosuke returned after helping the passengers. They were going to intervene, but Rengoku's booming voice stopped him.

"Don't move! Stand back!"

"no..." Hana whispered, fear gripping her.

"Don't bother with the weaklings Kyojuro give me your best shot." Akaza cheered.

The fight progressed beyond clear sight. Rengoku's breathing grew ragged, blood dripping from his forehead after a heavy blow to his side.

"Become a demon, Kyojuro. Then, fight me forever, and let us spar each other on. You have what it takes." Akaza offered again, his figure slowly getting out of the forest.

"I refuse. I'll say it once more, I dislike you." Rengoku refused again, before standing up. "I won't become a demon."

'Flame Breathe... Third Form! Flame Spirit of All Creation

Akaza was about to punch a heavy blow on Rengoku but he used his sword as a shield and went into Slash Akaza's chest.

"D-Did he do it?! Did he win?!" Inosuke yelled.

Blood splattered the ground. Rengoku's breaths came in ragged gasps, yet Akaza showed no sign of fatigue, only a cold, solemn expression.

"Let's fight some more. Don't die, Kyojuro," Akaza said almost gently, stepping back.

Hana's eyes widened.

"Tanjiro," she said urgently, "we have to help him.."

She tried to rise but failed miserably.

"No, Hana, stay where you are! You're hurt. You can't fight. I'll go..."

"Tanji-"

Before she could finish, Tanjiro had already disappeared toward the fight.

He tried to follow the duel with clenched fists. Th-those two... they're moving so fast... he thought, sweat running cold down his forehead. Every strike flashed before his eyes faster than he could track. He tried to find an opening, but only a blur appeared. His head throbbed from his injuries, and dizziness staggered him slightly. Fighting seemed impossible.

Hana, despite her wounds, tried to push herself up. She gripped her sword pushing herself off the ground. Every movement reminding her of her injuries.

Rengoku, noticing them, spun around, looking at them. "Stay where you are! Do not move! You will only become a liability!"

Tanjiro froze, nodding, heart aching at being unable to act. Hana hesitated, trembling but unwilling to obey.

The moment Rengoku's back was turned, Akaza vanished from his duel. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Hana.

"Hey there," Akaza said, a sly smile spreading. "You're strong... I can sense it." His gaze lingered, assessing her potential. "I have the same offer I gave your companion become a demon. Think of the power you could have, the strength you could gain..."

Hana's knees buckled slightly, but she held her sword, gritting her teeth. "I... will never become a demon!" She swung with all her strength, but Akaza was faster. With barely any effort, he deflected her attack, pressing her sword to the ground. She stumbled, almost falling, struggling to maintain her stance.

Before Akaza could push further, a burst of fiery energy cut through the tension. Rengoku appeared before Hana in an instant, his sword blazing. His presence alone created a protective wall between her and the demon.

"Step back!" Rengoku commanded, eyes locked on Akaza. "She will not be touched!"

Hana's breathing was heavy, body trembling, but she managed a small nod. Rengoku's gaze softened momentarily, acknowledging her bravery, then hardened as he prepared to face Akaza again.

"Do not move! Stay behind me! If you step forward, you'll be the one in danger, not me!" he shouted to Tanjiro and Hana.

"Flame Breathing... First Form! Unknowing Fire!" Rengoku roared, sword slicing through the air with blinding speed.

Akaza's eyes narrowed, grin widening. "Destructive Death... Compass Needle!" He twisted, evading Rengoku's strike and delivering a spinning kick that sent a shockwave through the ground.

"Don't die, Kyojuro," Akaza said.

Hana's eyes widened, lips quivering as she stared at Rengoku's back, tilting like he might collapse.

"You may fight tooth and claw, but it's no use, Kyojuro. The splendid slash you landed already healed. But what about you?" Akaza taunted. "Your left eye is crushed, ribs shattered, internal organs injured beyond repair. If you were a demon, you'd heal in a blink of an eye."

Ragged breaths left Rengoku, but a flame aura surrounded him, leaving Akaza in disbelief.

"Kyojuro, you..."

Rengoku raised his sword. "I... I will fulfill my duty! I won't let anyone here die!"

Flame Breathing... Ultimate Skill...

Akaza gasped. "What a wonderful fighting spirit! Despite your injuries, such drive and force of will! That flawless stance!" He laughed, then yelled, "As I thought! You gotta become a demon, Kyojuro! Let's keep fighting, together! Forever!"

"Fire yourself up. Push the limits. I am the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro!"

"Ninth Form. Hell Fire!"

"Destructive Death Annihilation Type!"

With a massive explosion, Rengoku and Akaza's attacks collided. Smoke and wind surged violently, obscuring them entirely.

They moved so fast, it was impossible to see clearly.

"Rengoku-san...!" Hana screamed, a tightness forming in her chest as the smoke began to clear.

What she saw made her heart drop Akaza's fist was impaled in Rengoku's stomach.