Chương 17: The Mugen Train – Akaza vs. The Six Hashira

After the Mount Natagumo battle, the Demon Slayer Corps had returned victorious, but that victory carried a dangerous side effect—complacency. The Hashira, new and old alike, were basking in their triumphs. They had become relaxed, their training sessions fewer and their intensity dulled. The MC, ever watchful from the shadows, noticed this subtle shift.

"They think they've got it all figured out," the MC mused with a smirk, his fingers steepled as he watched them laugh and joke, their swords resting at their sides. "Time to remind them why we never stop training."

With an evil chuckle, he devised a plan—one that would humble the young Hashira and force them to remember the deadly reality they faced. The Mugen Train was the perfect opportunity. It was a mission that, on the surface, seemed routine: a demon preying on the passengers of a speeding train. But the MC knew better. He knew Upper Moon Four, Akaza, would be waiting in the shadows, eager for a fight.

He called Kyojuro Rengoku, the Fire Dragon, for a private conversation.

"Follow the young Hashira on their mission," the MC said, his voice low but laced with authority. "Stay out of sight. Even when Akaza appears, do not engage—no matter how badly they're faring."

Kyojuro's eyes widened. "You want me to let them fight Akaza? Without my help? That's suicide!"

The MC's smirk widened. "Not if they learn. Trust me, they'll need this lesson. Only intervene if they're on the brink of death. Consider it their true test. And when you do show up, let something slip in front of Akaza. Something about the blue lily. Make it sound like a mistake."

Kyojuro frowned, confused. "The lily? Why? And you're asking me to let Akaza escape?"

The MC's eyes gleamed. "Just trust me. This is all part of the bigger picture."

Though puzzled, Kyojuro nodded, knowing the MC's plans were always complex, but with purpose. He agreed to the mission.

The Mugen Train: Akaza's Arrival

As the six young Hashira—Tanjirō, Inosuke, Zenitsu, Kanao, Genya, and Senjurō—boarded the train, they felt confident. After their triumphs at Mount Natagumo, they believed no demon could stand against them.

Their initial fight with the low-level demon onboard was a breeze. They dispatched the creature in mere minutes, their confidence growing with every swing of their blades.

But just as they thought the mission was over, the train jolted to a stop. The air turned cold, an oppressive weight pressing down on them. And then, from the darkness, a figure emerged.

Akaza, Upper Moon Four.

The aura of death that radiated from him was suffocating, and yet he smiled—a grin filled with anticipation. "Six Hashira... how interesting. I was hoping for a challenge."

Tanjirō's eyes narrowed, sensing the overwhelming danger. "Be careful, everyone. He's far stronger than anything we've faced."

Akaza wasted no time, launching himself at them with incredible speed. His fists glowed with destructive energy as he aimed his first strike at Tanjirō, who barely managed to block it with his sword, the force sending him skidding back.

Akaza's Technique: Destructive Death – Compass Needle activated, a technique that heightened his battle senses, allowing him to predict and counter their moves with terrifying precision.

"He's reading our movements!" Tanjirō yelled, sweat dripping down his face as he barely avoided another devastating punch.

The six Hashira quickly formed teams to counter Akaza's overwhelming power.

Team One: Tanjirō and Senjurō. Team Two: Kanao and Inosuke. Team Three: Zenitsu and Genya.

The Three Teams' Counterattacks

Team One: Tanjirō and Senjurō moved in unison, flames and sun-like slashes dancing through the air. "Hinokami Kagura: Flame Dance!" Tanjirō cried, his blade glowing with fiery intensity as he slashed toward Akaza. Senjurō followed up with a devastating Flame Breathing technique, combining their flames in a seamless attack.

But Akaza weaved through their strikes effortlessly. "You're strong," Akaza admitted, catching Tanjirō's blade mid-swing and tossing him aside. "But not nearly strong enough."

Team Two: Kanao and Inosuke charged next, hoping to overwhelm Akaza with their speed and unpredictability. Kanao used her Flower Breathing: Final Form – Equinoctial Vermilion Eye, dodging Akaza's attacks with precision, while Inosuke, ever the wild card, unleashed his Beast Breathing techniques, his dual swords hacking at Akaza from unpredictable angles.

Akaza laughed as he blocked and deflected their attacks with ease. "Too slow!" he taunted, delivering a crushing punch to Inosuke's gut, sending him flying.

Team Three: Zenitsu and Genya were the last to attack, Zenitsu moving like lightning with Thunder Breathing. "Thunder Breathing: Sixth Form – Rumble and Flash!" he shouted, his blade crackling with electricity as he zipped around Akaza, slashing at him with blistering speed. Genya, using his brute strength, fired his shotgun at Akaza, trying to slow him down.

But it was no use. Akaza's Destructive Death: Leg Type – Explosive Flurry countered their every move, his powerful kicks creating shockwaves that knocked them both to the ground.

Despite their coordinated efforts, they were no match for Akaza's overwhelming power. He was toying with them, dodging their attacks with a smile, delivering bone-crushing blows that left them gasping for breath.

"You've grown complacent," Akaza said, his voice cold. "This is the result of arrogance. You've forgotten what it means to fight for your lives."

The six Hashira struggled to their feet, battered and bruised, realizing the truth of his words. They were strong—but they were nowhere near strong enough.

The Arrival of the Fire Dragon

Just as Akaza prepared to deliver the finishing blow, a blazing light illuminated the battlefield.

"Flame Breathing: Ninth Form – Rengoku!"

Kyojuro Rengoku, the Fire Dragon, appeared in a flash of fire, his sword slashing toward Akaza with the power of a roaring inferno.

Akaza blocked the attack, but the sheer force sent him sliding back. He grinned. "You... finally, a real opponent."

Kyojuro's eyes burned with resolve. "I won't let you harm them any further."

The two clashed in a violent explosion of fire and fists. Akaza unleashed his Destructive Death: Annihilation Type, his fists moving at blinding speed, but Kyojuro countered with his Flame Breathing, their attacks colliding in a spectacular display of power.

For every punch Akaza threw, Kyojuro met it with a blazing strike, his sword moving with the precision of a master. "You've forgotten what it means to protect life," Kyojuro said, his voice steady. "That's the difference between us."

Akaza's grin faltered for a moment as Kyojuro's attacks grew fiercer, the flames of his blade burning brighter with each strike. "You think you can defeat me?!" Akaza roared, launching himself at Kyojuro with a barrage of punches.

But Kyojuro was ready. With a final, devastating strike, he unleashed Flame Breathing: Ninth Form – Rengoku, his sword slicing through the air like a blazing comet. The force of the attack sent Akaza flying, the ground beneath them scorched.

Akaza, bloodied but not beaten, staggered back, glaring at Kyojuro. "You... I'll kill you next time."

Before disappearing into the shadows, Kyojuro, following the MC's plan, let slip a seemingly careless comment. "Shame about the blue lily being at HQ. Would've made this easier."

Akaza's eyes narrowed in interest as he vanished, the seed of the MC's plan firmly planted.

Aftermath: The Lesson

As the six Hashira lay on the ground, battered and beaten, Kyojuro looked down at them, a mix of pride and disappointment in his eyes.

"This is why we never stop training," Kyojuro said, his voice soft but firm. "Complacency is the enemy. You've survived this time, but next time, you may not be so lucky."

The six, humbled by their defeat, nodded solemnly, vowing to never let their guard down again. The MC's plan had worked perfectly—their arrogance shattered, their resolve strengthened.

But as Kyojuro looked back at the shadows where Akaza had disappeared, he couldn't help but wonder what the MC was truly planning.