That Kai could use Telekinesis must have already been found out by the Demon Slayers.
Kai had to use it against Tanjiro just after coming into this world. Analyzing demons was a part of their daily routine for them, and more so when their life depended on it.
Not to mention, Rengoku was a Hashira, with unparalleled instincts of his own, his strength, reflexes, and swordsmanship even greater than Kai.
The moment Rengoku's feet touched the ground, he vanished again.
Flame Breathing - First Form…
The burning katana came for Kai's neck horizontally, and this time, even the energy field failed to deflect or slow it down.
… Unknowing Fire!
Kai horrifyingly realized that the energy field hadn't slowed the slash down last time, either.
Rengoku had faked the resistance.
An even more terrifying realization was that his Advance Telekinesis was fluctuating intensely as the sword got closer to him.
Kai had already deduced that Electromagnetic Interference caused the Spiritual Currents in his surroundings to go haywire, resulting in the failure of Telekinesis. Now, he couldn't help but relate his armor's energy field's failure to his Telekinesis' failure as well.
So, Spiritual Currents are useless, Kai concluded, the image of a burning katana enlarging in his hazel eyes. What about Mana, then?
Kai put up his armored right hand for defense, but suddenly the incoming katana changed direction, now hacking at his waist.
It didn't seem he could avoid this slash.
It was then a snapping sound broke the silence.
An ethereal blow at Rengoku's wrist redirected the katana towards the ground.
Knockback Jinx - Flipendo!
20 MP vanished from Kai's Mana store, making him scowl at the worst result possible.
The sword landed on the ground, and with a boom, the shockwave threw both of them away from each other, a dust cloud roiling, churning between them.
Even before the dust settled, Kai's wraith-like, blue figure blurred around it, advancing towards Rengoku. The fallen swords lifted off the ground and flew towards him using Telekinesis.
The Flame Hashira didn't give Kai this chance.
He appeared between Kai and the swords, and Kai lost control over the Spiritual currents, both katanas falling to the ground once more.
Either Rengoku's katana, or the Hashira himself, was disturbing the Spiritual Currents perceived by him, Kai realized. How? He didn't know. Nor did he have the time to figure out this mystery.
Rengoku hacked at Kai with his burning sword, advancing, pressuring him with every next move.
Kai dodged the slash with the width of a hair. Those he couldn't dodge got blocked by his armor.
One majestic blow landed on his shoulder, and a bone-snapping sound creaked as the armor dented under the blow.
"Ha!" Rengoku shouted and put more force into the blow, trying to penetrate the material.
Kai smiled. The Flame Hashira had finally stopped.
Once again, he snapped his fingers. 20 MP disappeared, and Rengoku's figure looked as if one was watching a video, slowed down extremely.
Impediment Jinx - Impedimenta!
The smile on Kai's face vanished as soon as it appeared, though.
Flame Breathing - Third Form…
Rengoku's eyes burned with ethereal fire, and his katana exploded with flames, a dense red-white blanket of heat wrapping around it, enhancing its sharpness.
… Blazing Universe!
The armor gave in, and the katana entered Kai's body like a knife through butter. It cut his shoulder, and then traced an arc, running down to his waist.
Blood sprayed out, and painted the Hashira and Kai's faces alike.
Kai's eyes had murder in them.
A burst of blue light surrounded his figure, and he took a deep breath, the demon slayer's sword still inside his waist.
Another 50 MP vanished, darkening his vision, and then Kai vomited out a jet of water.
Skill - Hydro Pump!
…
[
Skill: Hydro Pump
Grade: D
Specification: Fire a massive Water Pillar at the target
Requirement: MP 50-100
Attributes:
1. Accuracy up to 10 meters: 100%
2. Accuracy decreases because of Water Pillar breakdown beyond 10 meters
Effect:
1. Minimum Base Damage: 70 HP (MP 50)
2. Base Damage +10% with every +10 MP consumed over Minimum MP consumption
3. Maximum Base Damage: 110 HP
2. +20% Base Damage against the magical beasts of fire, ground, and rock type
Warning: Base Damage will decrease with accuracy
]
…
Bang!
Because of the proximity, the minimal damage water jet became so strong that it hit Rengoku's head, sending him flying dozens of meters away.
The Skill would remain active only for 30 seconds, Kai knew. And by the time its Cooldown would reach its limit, it would be too late for him.
With a sense of intense urgency, Kai took out an MP capsule and threw it in his mouth, regaining all his lost MP and his senses.
Ignoring the scorched flesh and burning pain, he called out the swords again, and the moment he held them, Kai took another breath, deeper than before.
50 MP vanished, and another equally powerful Hydro Pump got fired towards the fallen figure of the Hashira.
Rengoku flipped himself to his feet, his head and left eye covered with dark blood.
Flame Breathing - Fourth Form…
He swung the katana in a circular motion, taking the incoming jet of water head-on.
… Blooming Flame Undulation!
Jets of even hotter flames evaporated the water jet, cutting it into several chunks, and turning it into boiling steam.
Rengoku didn't give Kai another chance to breathe.
Flame Breathing - Fifth Form…
The katana in his hand blurred, and the Hashira slashed at Kai several times from afar. Flames snarled at Kai and rushed towards him, taking the form of a flaming tiger.
…Flame Tiger!
One moment, the flaming figure was still coming at him, in the other, it had already arrived.
Twin Saber Style…
Kai outstretched his hands to his left, and swirled, using Slither Steps to gain momentum. His two katanas met the flaming tiger, the attacks exploding on the impact.
… Kiss of the Giant Serpent!
The explosion threw Kai back, his figure rolling like a lifeless doll over the ground.
With one flick of his hand, Kai landed on his feet, his eyes locking on the Demon Slayer.
Cough! Cough!
Several mouthfuls of blood got coughed out, making Kai fall to his knees. In the distance, Rengoku panted, his eyes moving from Kai to the wooden box over his shoulder.
It must have astonished the Hashira, seeing Kai holding himself against him with the wooden case containing Nezuko still on his back.
Yet, it seemed, for him, the fight was all but over.
Kai and Rengoku were to the left and right of the hut, respectively, some 300 meters away. And now, the Hashira was closing this gap with every next step.
Kai slammed his swords into the ground and pushed himself up.
"Hehe-hahaha!" The Blood Demon laughed like a maniac. "You are strong, Hashira!" he shouted, knowing well that Rengoku was indeed the strongest opponent he had faced after his resurrection. "But… don't think me defeated yet. You have danced enough.
"… Now, let me show you my dance."
Kai lifted the Murasame, with meticulous control, and nicked the flesh over his heart.
***************
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