At this moment, Tanjiro and Tomioka Giyu have encountered Upper Rank Three, Akaza.
Without a word, Tanjiro charges directly at Akaza. Akaza, also silent, unleashes a punch.
"Sun Breathing, Fifth Form, Burning Sun!"
Tanjiro leaps over Akaza's body, striking downwards from an inverted stance. Akaza twists his body slightly, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow to the neck, but one of his arms is severed.
"I now acknowledge Kyojuro's words. You are not a weak human. Therefore, I shall show you sufficient respect," Akaza says, looking at Tanjiro.
"Art unleashed, Destructive Death, Compass Needle!"
"It's time, let the banquet begin!"
"Shut up! Rengoku-san is not dead! Rengoku-san won that battle! Akaza, this time, I will definitely defeat you here!"
Akaza does not believe Tanjiro's words. A human with ruptured internal organs should not have survived under those circumstances.
"Water Breathing, Third Form, Flowing Dance!"
Tomioka Giyu, standing by, has no time for further pleasantries and directly attacks Akaza.
Akaza, excited by another powerful human, says, "The Water Hashira? Excellent. It's been fifty years since I last encountered a Water Hashira."
"Destructive Death, Barrage!"
Akaza punches forward with immense force, forcing Tomioka Giyu to halt his attack and subsequently employ his self-created Eleventh Form.
"Water Breathing, Eleventh Form, Stillness!"
"A never-before-seen technique. The Water Hashira I defeated back then did not possess this move. You are powerful!" Akaza smiles as Tomioka Giyu calmly blocks his attack. His battle spirit surges within him.
"Sun Breathing, Third Form, Burning Crimson Sunlight!"
Tanjiro flashes from the side, aiming a slash at Akaza's neck. Akaza suddenly vanishes, only to reappear behind Tanjiro and strike with a chop.
"Water Breathing, Second Form, Water Wheel!"
Seeing Tanjiro in mortal danger, Tomioka Giyu rushes forward and severs Akaza's arm.
"Fluid and graceful, a thousand times refined swordsmanship, truly magnificent! What is your name? Tell me quickly, I wish to remember it," Akaza asks Tomioka Giyu while they clash.
Tomioka Giyu's movements do not falter. "I have no name to give to a demon. Furthermore, I detest talking, so stop hitting on me."
"Is that so? You detest talking? I love talking! I never tire of it, even if asked ten thousand times!"
"Destructive Death, Leg Style, Shifting Flash!"
Akaza kicks Tomioka Giyu away. Mid-air, Rensei senses this and catches the flying Tomioka Giyu with a palm.
"Giyu? So the one inside is Upper Rank Three, Akaza, correct? Why is it always you guys flying to me? I'm so fed up," Rensei says, holding Giyu and flying back to Akaza's location.
"Yo! Long time no see, Akaza-dono. Do you remember me?" Rensei greets Akaza with a smile.
Seeing Rensei return with Tomioka Giyu, Akaza's smile widens. "I remember you. The one who has reached the supreme domain, the one who killed Lord Yagyu, Rensei!"
"Rensei-san!" Tanjiro is equally excited. With an added helper, they can surely behead Akaza quickly.
Rensei has an idea, but the timing isn't quite right. He turns to Tomioka Giyu.
"Giyu, you take Tanjiro and leave. Go find other Upper Ranks or Muzan Kibutsuji. I'll handle this. Don't worry, nothing will happen."
Although Tanjiro understands Rensei is powerful, Akaza is Upper Rank Three, a demon who nearly killed Rengoku-san.
"Rensei-san, can you do it? He's Upper Rank Three!"
Rensei waves his hand. "It's fine, it's fine. Help me find Kanao and protect her. I'll catch up to you soon."
Tomioka Giyu is not one for excessive sentimentality. Since Rensei has spoken, he will follow Rensei's command. He then leaves with Tanjiro.
"Rensei-san, you must come back alive!" Tanjiro shouts back to Rensei one last time.
Akaza watches Tomioka Giyu and Tanjiro depart, making no move to stop them. In his eyes, this Rensei is more powerful and thus a more fitting opponent.
"So the Water Hashira's name is Giyu. I'll remember him. Rensei, do you want to become a demon?" Akaza asks Rensei with a smile.
"Akaza, there's no need for pointless talk. Yagyu Jubei also said such things, but he died by my sword. Are you ready?"
Seeing this, Akaza says nothing more and slowly assumes a stance for Destructive Death.
"Art unleashed, Destructive Death, Void Style!"
Rensei has no intention of taking the blow head-on. He leaps over Akaza's fist and appears behind him, inserting a hand into Akaza's head, activating his memories as a human, just as he did with Daki.
"Such speed! Compass Needle didn't sense any aura! What are you doing! Ah! Get away from me!"
Akaza is wracked with pain as Rensei forcibly awakens his memories from hundreds of years ago. He frantically swings his fists, trying to throw Rensei off, but Rensei grips both of Akaza's arms with just one hand.
…
Meanwhile, Kanao encounters the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku. They enter a room together and find Douma greedily consuming a female Demon Slayer Corps member.
"Ara, another beautiful young lady has arrived. Do you also wish to journey to the Pure Land together?" Douma says with a grin, looking at Kanao.
"Upper Rank Two, Douma. You are the demon who killed my sister, Kanae!" Kanao rarely loses her composure, but upon encountering Douma, she feels a surge of anger.
Rengoku places a hand on Kanao's shoulder. "Do not let anger control your mind. Anger can make one powerful, but it can also create openings!"
Douma suddenly recalls the past. "Ah! Is it that girl who used Flower Breathing? She was such a gentle and lovely girl. I really wanted to devour her back then, but it was nearing dawn, so I couldn't succeed. I remember it all too clearly. What a shame."
"Enough talk. My Rengoku Flame Sword will burn you to ashes!" Rengoku draws his sword and charges at Douma.
"Flame Breathing, First Form, Unknown Flame!"
"Blood Demon Art, Lotus Ice!"
Douma wields his iron fan, scattering numerous ice lotuses to block Rengoku's advance. He detests this scorching breathing style and doesn't want Rengoku to get close.
"Rengoku-san, his Blood Demon Art counters breathing styles very effectively! Please drink the medicine distributed by the Butterfly Mansion!" Kanao, already aware of Douma's Blood Demon Art, shouts a reminder to Rengoku from the side, while also attacking Douma herself.
"Flower Breathing, Fifth Form, Fallibility of the Peony!"