Wild Boar, Part 2

Tanjiro’s vision blurred, but not from tears—his breathing was ragged, his pulse thundering in his ears. He could still feel Inosuke’s lifeless weight in his arms, still hear the faint rasp of his last words.

Akaza flexed his fingers, crimson dripping from his knuckles. “He fought well. Died well. You should feel proud.”

Tanjiro’s jaw tightened. “You don’t get to talk about him.”

Hinokami Kagura’s flame surged along his blade, the heat singing the edges of his hair. His body screamed in protest, muscles fraying from the strain, but the fire inside him blazed hotter than the pain.

He lunged.

Akaza’s grin widened as their blows collided—steel against flesh that might as well have been steel. The ground shattered beneath them, each impact shaking the forest. Tanjiro’s breathing fell into perfect rhythm: inhale, swing, exhale, pivot.

But Akaza was faster. Always faster. Every time Tanjiro’s blade came close, a counterstrike sent him stumbling back. His arms ached. His lungs burned. His grip was slipping.

“Oi, Kamaboko Head… you slowing down already?”

The voice was sharp, teasing—but it was Inosuke’s. Tanjiro’s eyes widened.

You’re not here.

“Doesn’t matter! You better keep fighting, or I’ll come back and beat your sorry face myself!”

Tanjiro’s lips twitched into the faintest smile. Even in death, Inosuke’s spirit was wild and relentless.

Akaza’s fist came for his head. Tanjiro ducked low, twisting his hips, letting instinct guide him. The flames around his blade shifted into Sun Breathing, Eleventh Form: Fire Dance. He struck upward in a blazing arc, grazing Akaza’s shoulder.

Akaza hissed—his first sign of pain. “Not bad. But you’ll need more than that.”

Tanjiro’s breathing deepened. He could feel Inosuke’s presence like a hot wind at his back, pushing him forward.

“Don’t think—just fight! Tear him apart!”

“Right,” Tanjiro whispered.

Their battle became a blur—flames and shadows weaving together, steel and fists clashing in a rhythm of survival. Tanjiro’s movements grew unpredictable, almost feral, echoing Inosuke’s wild style. Every strike was faster, every dodge sharper.

Akaza finally faltered, just enough for Tanjiro to slip past his guard. The blade bit deep into his side, searing through flesh.

Akaza staggered back, his smile gone. “You’ve changed…”

Tanjiro raised his sword, fire curling up the length of it. His voice was steady now. “This is for Inosuke.”

He dashed forward in a final, burning charge—Hinokami Kagura and Beast Breathing melded into a furious, unrelenting storm.

The night erupted in flame.