The Transparent World (
Summary
Having seen the Transparent World momentarily, Tanjiro realizes his own movement and speed had increased greatly, he was able to see how Akaza's body reacts in battle and concludes he may be able to behead him if he removes his battle spirit to avoid his senses.
Akaza begins to overwhelm Giyu, the latter having used all his Water Breathing forms only for Akaza to immediately adapt to them all and anticipate what he uses. The Upper Moon decides to finally kill him, commending the Hashira for lasting this long in battle. As Tanjiro attempts to enter the Selfless State, Giyu tries to strike the Demon's head directly. Akaza responds by dodging the blow, then using the side of his fist to break Giyu's Nichirin Sword without getting harmed. As Giyu becomes stunned at having his sword broken, Akaza farewells him before crouching down and going in to punch through his stomach.
Suddenly, Akaza's hand falls off, saving Giyu from getting hit; Tanjiro has managed to enter the Selfless State and bypass Akaza's Compass Needle. As Giyu looks on at Tanjiro's new appearance and power, Akaza's body becomes stricken with uncertainty at Tanjiro's changed aura. He deploys his final form, Technique Deployment: Blue Silver Chaotic Afterglow. Giyu looks at this new threat and is uncertain if he can negate this with his own Dead Calm. Tanjiro however, seeing into the Transparent World again, is able to detect the attack with his increased perception and vision.
Giyu is unable to beat Akaza's new technique and is knocked back against the wall, his Dead Calm unable to handle the force. The Demon commends for surviving such a large number of fatal blows and tells him, "Don't die like Kyujuro and Tanjiro, become a demon Giyu". However, the Water Hashira becomes confused, wondering how Akaza can state that he killed Tanjiro with Tanjiro standing behind him, realizing maybe he is unable to sense his partner. He mutters to Tanjiro to go for the neck, now that Akaza is unaware. Tanjiro calls out to the Upper Moon and declares he will decapitate him, annoying Giyu for announcing his attack out loud. Akaza retaliates by attempting to swipe the Demon Slayer's head, only for Tanjiro to duck down to safety. Akaza wonders how he is able to avoid his final form but assures himself that his Compass Needle will sense any attack with his battle spirit high.
Suddenly, he notices he cannot sense anything, seeing Tanjiro as completely different from before and shocking him. With his battle spirit seemingly gone, Akaza tries to calm himself and believes he will be able to sense an attack. Without warning, his head is sliced off by Tanjiro using the Hinokami Kagura: Setting Sun Transformation. With Giyu stunned at Tanjiro's feat, Akaza declares this impossible, unable to sense what happened.
