- Y/n Tsugikuni -

Chapter 5 - Beyond Repair -

The dust cleared slowly, morning light slicing through the aftermath like a blade. Two broken Nichirin swords clattered to the ground — one golden, one crimson — their edges still faintly steaming.

Y/n's hand shook violently as he released his grip, his arm numb from the force. Kyojuro collapsed to one knee, chest heaving, blood soaking through his uniform.

Tanjiro stared ahead, eyes wide.
“Where… where is he?” Inosuke asked, stepping forward, still gripping his swords. “Did we… did the sun get him?”

“There’s no ash,” Tanjiro muttered, pinching his nose. “I should smell something — anything.”

The spot where Akaza had stood moments ago was now empty. No body. No signs of retreat. Just scorched earth.

Tengen slowed to a stop beside them, eyes scanning the ground. “He’s gone…” he said, narrowing his gaze. “But that doesn’t feel like a retreat.”

“Too clean,” Giyu added quietly, almost to himself. “He vanished before impact.”

The group fell silent again, save for Kyojuro’s labored breathing and the faint crackle of burnt soil beneath their feet. The sun was rising fast.

Tanjiro dropped to his knees, a broken cry escaping his throat. Inosuke stood frozen, shoulders trembling. Y/n lowered his head, fingers twitching toward his broken blade.

Something felt off — like the enemy hadn’t fled, but been… pulled.

And none of them had any idea why.

Y/n’s blade clattered to the dirt beside him. His knees hit the ground.

Everything felt far away — muffled.

The pounding of his heart roared in his ears, each beat making his head throb.
His mouth tasted of iron. His hands wouldn’t stop shaking.
He couldn’t breathe right. Couldn’t think.

Then—

“Tsugi…”

Kyojuro’s voice cut through the static.

“Y/n-san.”

Y/n slowly looked up. His eyes were red, soaked with tears that hadn’t stopped.

“Rengoku-san…”

He gritted his teeth.

“I tried so hard… trained so long… and it still wasn’t enough. No matter how far I’ve come, it's still not enough.”

His voice cracked.

“All the times you stood between me and death, the times you smiled even when you were bleeding — I thought if I could be strong enough… maybe I could earn that. Maybe I could be enough to return the favor.”

Kyojuro watched, silent as the hole on his abdomen kept dripping blood.

“I hate this feeling,” Y/n said, his voice low. “The shaking in my hands, the taste of blood, the way my heart won’t stop hammering in my ears... I hate all of it.”

He looked away.

“And right now... I don’t even know why I keep picking up this sword.”

Kyojuro blinked slowly. He managed to steady his breath, even if it hurt.

“…So that’s why,” he said quietly. “You always abandon your sword after every missions.”

Y/n turned his eyes back toward him.

“I used to think you were just tired. Or frustrated. But now I see it. You were always carrying something heavier.”

“I should’ve asked.” Rengoku looks down.