by MangaMoon

Demon Slayer - Rengoku 3D panel

Remember… Rengoku holding Akaza until dawn, even with the demon’s arm driven through his body? The Mugen Train has derailed. Its passengers survived, Enmu is defeated, and an injured Tanjiro struggles to control his breathing. Then Upper Rank Three appears. Akaza moves to kill Tanjiro, but Rengoku intercepts him. Recognizing his strength, Akaza offers him immortality: become a demon, never age, and perfect his skills forever. Rengoku refuses. A human life has value despite its brevity. Sword meets fists. Akaza’s wounds regenerate instantly; Rengoku’s injuries accumulate. His eye is damaged, his breathing labored, yet he keeps the demon away from the others. Finally, he unleashes Flame Breathing’s Ninth Form: Rengoku. When they collide, Akaza’s arm pierces his torso. Still, Rengoku holds him. Remembering his mother’s teaching—that the strong must protect the weak—he drives his blade into Akaza’s neck and struggles to restrain him until sunrise. Akaza tears his own arms free and flees. Tanjiro shouts after him: Rengoku protected everyone. Dying, the Hashira encourages the younger fighters. Then he sees his mother, receives her approval, and smiles. He could not kill Akaza, but everyone under his protection survived.

Material: Wooden