44. Akira's Ability

"This is the present you brought me?"

Akira looked at Leo weirdly and asked in confusion.

"Yeah. Don't look down on that kid, he has an ability similar to yours."

"Is that so?"

Akira turned his head to look at Inosuke who was stuffing his mouth with food. He was surprised when Inosuke took off his boar head as his original face was beautiful, yes beautiful.

"Well, just spar with him and you will understand what I am saying then."

"Fine."

Akira got up and dragged Inosuke out. Going outside he threw Inosuke who did a somersault in mid air and landed steadily.

"Oi Old man! What the hell are you doing!?"

Inosuke flared up and cursed at Akira.

"Quite the temper."

"Hmph! Since you threw me out, let's fight!"

Without waiting for Akira's reply Inosuke attacked. He threw a punch at Akira who tilted his head and dodged it by an inch. Using the forward momentum Inosuke did a leg sweep.

Akira jumped to the side and replied in kind. He palmed Inosuke, facing the old man Inosuke felt his chest tighten, like he was standing before a wild beast.

Hmph!

Snapping out of daze he crouched down and struck towards Akira's gut. Seeing the incoming move Akira changed his palm's direction and deflected the strike.

Inosuke lost momentum for a second, Akira grabbed his leg and pulled. A strong force pulled Inosuke towards Akira who chopped down towards his neck.

Though caught off guard Inosuke still reacted and countered. He twisted his body and barely dodged the attack. However Akira seemed to have already predicted his move, his hand moved speedily and fell towards the back of Inosuke's neck.

Still in mid air with no sight Akira's attack Inosuke looked like he was about to lose. However what happened next slightly surprised Akira.

Inosuke curled his body and dodged the attack, like he had a third eye to the back of his head, and he kicked back hard. Akira's wrist was struck and he took a step back.

Inosuke rolled on the ground and got to his foot. He looked warily at Akira and snorted before walking away.

How come these two are so strong?

Vexed he sat down beneath a tree and sulked.

"I told you."

Leo stood beside Akira and grinned.

"Though he does have it, his use of it is too crude."

"That's why I brought him here."

Like Leo and Tanjiro, Akira also had an ability, his instincts were abnormally high. Every being possess this trait and they would subconsciously use it sometimes. However Akira was different, his was off the charts.

Instinct can be defined in many ways according to situation, however there is only way to define it in a battle, to sense danger.

Due to his abnormal instinct Akira is able to sense his enemies, their attacks and fight them without incurring any injuries. This is also the reason why he was able to fight an Upper Moon alone and come out alive.

"So, you will do it?"

Akira thought for a bit and said, "I can do it but not alone. I developed my ability through battle, I came close to death countless times, that's not suitable for this kid."

"Then...

"We will visit an old friend of mine, with his help and my own experience he will grow by leaps and bounds."

...

"Hey, we have been walking for two days. Hey! Don't ignore me! Tell me when are we gonna reach there?Hey! Hey!"

Leo had veins popped on his head as he listened to Inosuke's constant banter. At first he thought just ignoring it would be fine but who would have thought this kid would have so much energy to keep going for three hours straight.

Even Akira was at his wits end. He kept sighing constantly. Finally Leo couldn't take it and smacked him so hard that he saw stars everywhere.

Leo grabbed his leg and placed him over his shoulder like a sack of rice and kept walking. Akira's mouth twitched when he saw Leo's nonchalant attitude towards what he just did.

By the time the sun was high up in the sky the trio finally reached their destination. Akira smiled slightly and walked faster.

Soon they stood atop a small hill covered with grass. A lone tree stood on top of it with lush green leaves. Several figures were standing beneath the tree.

Leo was surprised when he saw who they were. He walked towards them, by now the others also noticed their visitors. Coming to a stop before them Leo asked in a surprised tone.

"Why are you guys here?"

"The old man living here is a friend of our master, he decided to visit him so we tagged alone. What about you, why are you here?"

Who else could these guys be other than Sabito and the rest.

"Us? For this guy of course."

Leo tossed out Inosuke and pointed at him. Giyu squatted down and poked Inosuke's boar head and asked.

"What's with this mask?"

"Don't know. Didn't ask."

While they were speaking a hoarse voice reached their ears.

"So you finally decided to come out of your hole."

"Haha, getting old. Might as well make a last trip to see you guys off."

"Get lost! I still have a decade left in me."

"Yeah Yeah. Leo come here."

Akira was speaking to a hunched back old man with a large white mustache. He beckoned to Leo to come over and introduced.

"Leo, this is Jigoro Kuwajima, the former Thunder Hashira and an old friend of mine."

Leo smiled and said, "Nice to see you again, Elder Kuwajima."

Hearing him Akira remembered Leo's mission to awaken other Hashiras.

"Ah, I forgot about that."

Jigoro stared at Leo and sighed in his mind, "An excellent young man, looks like you lucked out."

Akira laughed heartily. All of them spoke for some time and had lunch before Akira explained his purpose of visiting.

"Why the heck are you so lucky? You didn't just get one student with potential but two. But mine... sigh...

Akira was confused, "Hmm? What's wrong? As far as I know your students are promising young men."

Jigoro sighed and explained, "I am worried about my last and final student."

Akira was surprised, this he didn't know.

"And where is he?"

"He went out with Urokodaki to gather firewood."

"What's his name?"

"Zenitsu Agatsuma."