Yet, despite Akaza dodging his grappling attempts, Yohan felt no disappointment.
That had never been the real plan.
From the very start of this battle, he had known—he and Rengoku were outmatched.
A prolonged fight? A battle of attrition?
Neither was an option.
Their only chance—was to seize the moment and risk it all.
And now—that moment had come!
Skill Activated—Berserker's Roar!
A shadowy, phantom-like figure appeared above Yohan, its mouth opening in a silent, primal scream.
A golden glow surged over his body, forming a spectral armor.
And at that instant—Akaza's body stiffened.
His retreating motion abruptly reversed, as if something had hijacked his control.
Like a puppet with its strings pulled taut, he surged forward—straight toward Yohan.
His body ignored his will.
Instead of dodging, he attacked.
What—?
A wave of shock crashed through Akaza's mind.
For the first time in centuries, he could not control his own body.
Something was wrong—terribly wrong.
"Rengoku Kyojuro!" Yohan roared.
This was it. Their one and only chance.
Rengoku did not hesitate.
He charged—his entire being ignited in a blaze of fury.
Flame Breathing, Ninth Form—Rengoku!
The ultimate secret technique of the Flame Breathing Style.
A technique bearing the very name of the Rengoku family itself.
A single, devastating strike—designed to carve through demons, leaving deep, inescapable wounds.
Rengoku's strength was already nearly spent.
And this technique—
Would cost him everything.
This would be the final, decisive blow.
For the first time, panic flashed in Akaza's eyes.
His instincts—honed through centuries of combat—screamed at him.
His muscles burned with an unfamiliar sensation—fear.
No! I won't allow this!
At that moment—Akaza's desperation to survive surged to an all-consuming level.
But he was still under the Berserker's Roar's effect.
He could not move.
The flaming blade descended—aimed directly at his neck.
Flame Breathing, Ninth Form—Rengoku:Purgatory!
Destructive Death, Final Form—Azure Silver Chaotic Afterglow!
The moment Berserker's Roar ended, Akaza unleashed everything he had.
A devastating shockwave erupted from his body—hundreds of needle-like force projectiles blasting outward at terrifying speeds.
"Ugh!"
When the dust settled—
Rengoku stood there—his blade buried halfway through Akaza's neck.
But—
His entire body was drenched in blood.
The counterattack had struck him at point-blank range.
He had been so close—too close.
And now, his strength was completely drained.
His body—unresponsive.
Had Yohan not grabbed him at the last second and pulled him back—he would be dead.
"That was close. That was really close."
Akaza's voice rang out, rough yet strangely exhilarated.
He lifted a hand—gripping his half-severed neck.
A grotesque squelching sound followed.
The demon's body began to regenerate.
Flesh stitched itself back together.
Muscles reconnected.
In mere moments, it was as if he had never been wounded at all.
How long had it been?
How long—since someone had pushed him this far?
Since Lord Muzan had turned him into a demon, he had fought countless battles, seeking out the strongest warriors.
Yet never—never had anyone brought him to the brink of death.
His entire being trembled.
But not with fear.
With excitement.
"You… You two are magnificent!"
His eyes gleamed with an almost manic joy.
"Join me!" he urged again.
"This is not where your journey should end! Your true future lies as demons!"
"Together, we can fight forever!"
Akaza was not just offering them power.
He was begging them to accept it.
Yohan turned his gaze to Rengoku.
The Flame Hashira was unconscious, his body barely clinging to life.
Yohan knelt down—his hands glowing faintly.
Healing Skill—Vital Surge.
A soft light pulsed through Rengoku's body as Yohan carefully laid him aside.
Yohan knew.
At that final moment—he had hesitated.
If he had let Rengoku complete the strike—if he had not pulled him back—
Akaza would be dead.
But so would Rengoku.
And Yohan—could not accept that trade.
What was the point of having a second chance at life—if he couldn't change fate itself?
He looked down at Rengoku once more, then back up at Akaza.
He took a deep breath—
And smirked.
"Akaza."
"From this point on…"
"This fight is between you and me."
A fierce glint flashed in his eyes.
"I promise you—"
"This battle will satisfy you—to death."
For a moment, Akaza was silent.
Then—
"Hahahaha!"
Laughter erupted from him, echoing across the battlefield.
His bloodthirsty eyes locked onto Yohan.
"Good. Good! That's exactly what I want!"
The battle resumed.
The two warriors clashed beneath the fading night sky.
Yohan and Akaza—
One human.
One demon.
And yet, both seemed tireless.
Attack after attack—strike after strike—neither faltered.
Yohan activated Berserker's Roar multiple times—
But Akaza, having learned his lesson, would instantly retreat the moment he saw the phantom appear.
And so, their fight became an endless cycle—one rushing forward, the other pulling back.
Over and over.
His Counter Spiral skill activated several times—
But it wasn't enough.
Even with pure, unblockable damage, Akaza's regeneration always brought him back.
Defeating him by luck alone—was impossible.
And then—
The sky began to brighten.
Yohan knew.
The sun was about to rise.