Chapter 73: Run!
The sudden attack startled all of them.
Naturally, Isao could escape this attack smoothly, especially when the airflow from this attack was so intense. Even if he wanted to ignore it, he couldn't.
Yet the presence of this demon caused Hinatsuru, Makio, and Suma to be completely frozen with fear. This demon was on a different level from Gyutaro and Daki. Even if they closed their eyes, they could feel it clearly.
Dead.
This was the only conclusion if they faced this demon.
Yet, Isao was calm, and compared to Doma, this demon was far weaker. However, the problem was that this demon wasn't alone, as he hadn't killed Gyutaro yet.
'Well...'
[You have acquired Gyutaro's DNA.]
[Do you want to absorb it?]
Soon, Isao was going to kill Gyutaro and obtain the DNA of this new demon. Still, he didn't expect that his luck would be so good that he would meet many high-level demons on the same night.
The demon before him had the appearance of a young man with a muscular build, which was decorated by a pattern of thick blue lines, like a tattoo.
'Akaza...'
Even if the anime's appearance and reality were different, and he didn't even touch this demon, Isao could tell that this was the fourth-strongest demon, the Upper-Rank Third, Akaza.
Why so?
It was because of the ability of this demon that Isao sought the most.
Unlike Doma's ice manipulation, which Isao couldn't use in a fight as no ordinary people could generate or control ice, Akaza's ability, which was a shockwave generation, was suitable for him, especially when he could use it furtively.
If Isao had Akaza's ability, he could tell that his power would increase dramatically, and it would help him greatly in his fight with the last boss, Muzan Kibutsuji.
On the other hand, Akaza was surprised that Isao had avoided his attack. Even though he attacked him secretly and Isao even had a burden on his back, he could tell that Isao didn't dodge his attack by a fluke but by a pure ability.
Moreover, Isao's clothes.
If there was something that attracted Akaza the most, it was Isao's clothes. It wasn't that he was attracted to a stylish suit that Isao wore. Instead, he was attracted to how flawless and immaculate Isao's suit was. Some people might think his thoughts were strange, but please think of them carefully.
Isao's opponents were Gyataro and Daki, who were part of the Upper-Rank Sixth and were also the seventh strongest demon!
Yet, even if Isao fought such an opponent, his suit was spotless without a single dirt, which made Akaze realize how strong his opponent was.
'His dodging ability is troublesome...'
Not only could Isao dodge his sneak attack, but Akaza also saw how Isao dodged Gyutaro's barrage of attacks with ease.
Yet, the stronger the opponent was, the better.
Still, Akaza didn't take his stance and looked at Isao with a smile. "You are strong."
"Thank you?" Isao looked at Akaza weirdly.
"Instead of fighting like this, do you want to become a demon and be our friend? You will become even stronger if you do!" Akaza said excitedly, thinking it would be fun to have Isao become a demon.
If Isao was this strong, then when he became a demon, his ability would be enhanced further!
Akaza could imagine that those days when he was with Isao would be fun.
"What?!"
Yet, Gyutaro couldn't accept it!
Isao was the one who had slain his sister, so how could Gyutaro accept Isao to become a demon?
If Isao became a demon, then could Gyutaro have his revenge?
Yet, Gyutaro didn't move and only buried his hatred since he knew that facing Akaza and Isao, he wasn't an opponent. His only chance if Isao really became a demon was to kill Isao when Isao was about to transform.
Gyutaro had never given up his revenge, and he was going to completely obliterate Isao and those he cared for!
Isao glanced at Gyutaro and said, "Your friend doesn't seem to welcome me much, though?"
"Haha." Akaza laughed and said, "It's fine. The weakling has no right, so what do you think? Do you want to become a demon? I will put in a good word for you. Being a demon is great, you know? You will gain eternal life, and you will become invincible."
"That's a great offer."
"Right?" Akaza smiled and said, "If you agree, I can kill this guy here now."
Yet, there was no doubt those conversations made Hinatsuru, Makio, Sumi, and Gyutaro nervous.
However—
"But I have to refuse," Isao rejected the offer with ease.
"Oh... that's a shame." Akaza sighed helplessly, then asked as he started to put on a battle stance. "Can I ask the reason?"
"Well... do you want to listen?" Isao asked.
"Sure. Tell me." Akaza nodded. "It might be a good reference in the future." He was pretty curious as to why Isao decided to reject him right away. After all, Isao didn't seem to hate them, and frankly, it was his first time to see a Demon Slayer who showed such a relaxed expression when he saw them.
"Well, if there is a reason." Isao thought for a moment, then said with a mocking smile, "As a demon, you two are pretty weak, after all."
"...." 5x
Hinatsuru, Makio, and Suma opened their mouths wide.
Similarly, Akaza and Gyutaro were dumbfounded since the answer that came out from Isao's mouth was so goddamn rude!
"Moreover, compared to the demon that I killed last time, you are far, far, far weaker. Your words aren't persuasive."
Akaza took a deep breath and asked, "Did you the one who killed Doma?"
"Doma?"
"Well, whatever." Akaza smiled and said, "You are right. I haven't shown you my real power yet, so I will defeat you here."
"That's good." Isao also put up his stance, showing he was ready for battle. "Come at me. Let me see how strong you are."
"Haha... you will see it soon!" Akaza started to emit pressure from his body.
On the other hand, Gyutaro also decided to join and was ready to launch a deadly attack anytime Isao gave an opening.
The air turned tense, and it wouldn't be weird for the two to start their fights at any time.
"Suma, no matter what, don't let go."
"Yes!" Suma hugged Isao even tighter.
Akazafrowned and asked, "You are going to bring a burden in our battle?"
"I am giving you a handicap so this fight won't be boring."
"You sure have a talent to make people angry, huh? But I will make you regret your words and decision!"
Yet—
"Run!"
Isao turned around directly and ran away with all of his might.
"..." Everyone.
Not only the three widows but also Akaza and Gyutaro were dumbfounded by Isao's actions.
Huh?
Was this guy running away?
They couldn't believe such a thing had happened, especially when Isao appeared like he was about to have a deadly battle with only life or death as a result.
However, Hinatsuru and Makio also quickly ran away.
On the other hand, Akaza was so dumbfounded that he couldn't believe what he had seen. After all, it was his first time seeing someone run away like this in the battle.
Only Gyutaro was enraged. "Don't you run away, coward!" He quickly chased after Isao, and somehow, with his speed, he could chase after him and use his sickle, which was made from his blood manipulation ability, to decapitate Isao like how Isao cut his little sister.
However, when his sickle was about to cut Isao's neck, Gyutaro saw that Isao suddenly disappeared.
"Huh?"
No, Isao didn't disappear, but his body seemed weightless in the air as if gravity didn't affect him in the slightest. He twisted his body into the sky, avoiding Gyutaro's sickle, and swung his blade.
"Flower Breathing Sixth Form: Whirling Peach."
Gyutaro's head was separated from his body, and before he said anything or realized what was happening, his decapitated head was stabbed by a sword coated with poison. His body and heart were cut so many times that there was no chance of his body recovering by the young man he hated the most.
"......"
Akaza watched this scene in disbelief since Isao's action was so smooth, without a single mistake, and somehow, his instinct told him to run away.
"You are next."
Isao showed a gentle smile toward Akaza as Gyutaro's body burnt and crumbled into ash.