Goku and Akaza were in front of each other, ready to clash.
Giyuu has been sent away, so I have to resist until he comes back... thought the one-eyed boy.
"You know what? I'm glad I didn't kill you that night," said Akaza. "I wouldn't have felt anything to kill a kid who didn't know how to fight. But now, you're on a totally different level!"
"Stop flattery, Akaza! I said this to you six months ago, and I repeat it now: I don't like you," said Goku. "I don't care if you're glad I became so strong, you're not the one I want to defeat! Or at least, you're not my main goal!"
"Oh, I see... and I understand. If you don't like my flattery, then I'll stop and just kill you," said Akaza. "Just know this: unlike you, I don't despise you. I only despise the weak people. Yeah, weaklings make me gag,"
"Your mentality is totally wrong, Akaza. The strong ones protect the weak ones, so the weak ones become strong and protect the weak ones, that's how the world works!" exclaimed Goku. "Now I'm done talking, come at me!"
I feel a strange sensation, like claws scratching on metal, thought Akaza. I misunderstood. At first, I thought it was because he was a weakling, but this sensation remained even when he became strong. His eye, his voice, his sole presence... It's as if they're wearing out the insides...
The demon remembered something.
"In the beginning, we're all kids. You get help and slowly learn. Don't compare yourself to others. Your opponent is always yourself. The important thing is to always become stronger than yesterday. If you keep this up for ten or twenty years, you'll be fantastic. And then, you will be able to help others."
Who said this to him? And when? In that moment, Akaza didn't think about it. The demon felt someone placing their hand on his left shoulder, and instinctively, Akaza punched the air.
He punched the air! thought Goku.
"Goku, you're really annoying," said Akaza. Then, quickly, the Upper Rank dashed forward the Sun Hashira. "Destructive Death, Annihilation Type!"
Goku jumped backwards and dodged.
He's too fast! thought the boy. No, wait, he's not only fast, this precision, this sensation, is...
But before Goku could finish thinking about it, Akaza attacked again.
From down below! thought the Sun Hashira, barely dodging the attack from below.
"Destructive Death, Leg Type: Flying Planet Thousands Wheels!" exclaimed Akaza. This time, the attack landed, and Goku flew away.
Ugh... Even if I can predict or block his attack, I can't reduce damages! realized the boy. His precision is insane, he hits in every opening without failing... I thought I could rival him with my current strength, but I was wrong! He was chilling against me that day!
I have to find an opening, a weak point, anything! Think, Goku, think: according to what he said and did, he's strong, but not unbeatable!
Akaza released another kick, but Goku dodged.
"Sun Breathing: Ninth Form -- Sun Halo Dragon Dance!" exclaimed Goku, shielding himself and countering with multiple, consecutive slashes. Akaza barely dodged.
"Oh, what an interesting technique! It's as if your two blades became longer, I thought I dodged it!" said Akaza. "Tell me, since when have you used two swords?"
"Since I visited the Swordsmith Village, but this is not important now!" replied Goku. "Sun Breathing: First Form -- Dance!"
He attacked Akaza with an X-shaped blow.
He almost hit me... Am I lowering my guard? Or did he begin to fight seriously? wondered Akaza.
"First Form -- Dance!" repeated the Sun Hashira, but Akaza blocked the sword.
"Ha! And that's why I use two swords!" said Goku. He raised his sword in his left hand. "Thirteenth Form -- Perpetual Light!"
First, he cut Akaza's arms, freeing his sword in his right hand. Then, he continued to perform the previous twelve forms of the Sun Breathing, which Akaza barely dodged. But eventually, the final blow landed, and Akaza got stabbed in the stomach.
I slowed down his regeneration! realized the boy. "Third Form -- Raging Sun!
He aimed for Akaza's head, but the demon jumped and dodged, slowly regenerating his arms and his hole in the stomach.
How did he... do that? He wondered. When Akaza's arms grew back, the demon attacked Goku again. The boy shielded. But then, Akaza's arms got cut again.
Goku turned to his right and saw Giyuu had returned. "Now I'm really pissed off, my back hurts. You really sent me flying, Upper Rank Three."
"About time, Giyuu!" exclaimed Goku.
I don't want to unsheathe the sword, and I don't like fighting for fun. But this time, for the first time in a long time, I'm facing an opponent who overhangs me. And just now I realize how my senses have improved considerably... thought Giyuu.
Then, slowly, a blue mark appeared on Giyuu's left cheek.
"Giyuu, you..." muttered Goku. In that moment, Giyuu awakened his Demon Slayer Mark for the first time.
That's fantastic! Now that he has the mark as well, we can win! thought Goku. My Mark is still active, but the time is running out, and it'll soon disappear! I can't maintain it as much as I want!
Without hesitating and now with a Demon Slayer Mark, Giyuu dashed towards Akaza, who tried to punch him, but the Water Hashira dodged. Then, he aimed for the Upper Rank's head. Akaza barely dodged.
The mark manifested, and his speed improved! he realized.
"Water Breathing: Fourth Form -- Striking Tide," said Giyuu, slicing Akaza's right arm in half.
They're both so fast, I almost can't follow their movements! But even so, Akaza quickly adapted to Giyuu's increased speed. How? In a prolonged battle, a human is at a huge disadvantage! Furthermore, our goal is to defeat Muzan, so we have to hurry up and get rid of Akaza before it's too late! thought Goku, panicking. No, stay calm, Goku! Think, why are Akaza's attacks so precise? Wait! I think I get it! Inosuke-kun told me one thing one day. It's called 'fighting spirit', which you can use to sense the other's presence. Maybe Akaza can feel the others' fighting spirit, so he knows where he's gonna be attacked! Now I understand!
Right, with his developed skin, he's able to feel it. If you aim to kill a demon, you can't do it without manifesting ostility, so how can I attack him without him noticing?
Suddenly, a flash. A memory came to his mind. Right, I forgot... I have demonic cells inside me.
Chapter 55 - End