Chapter Summaries

Miyamoto Ichiro fought a powerful Evil Spirit but was gravely wounded after it strengthened itself. Tsugikuni Yoriichi rescued him and killed the Evil Spirit, then carried Ichiro toward Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, unfazed by the enemy’s threat against it.

• Miyamoto Ichiro evaded the burly Evil Spirit’s attacks and wounded its shoulder with Wind Breathing, Eighth Form, First Fierce Wind Slash, but the injury quickly healed.
• The Evil Spirit used Blood Demon Art, Flesh Strengthening, and struck Miyamoto Ichiro so hard that he spat blood and could no longer fight.
• Tsugikuni Yoriichi arrived, severed the Evil Spirit’s arm, and promised the unconscious Miyamoto Ichiro that he would handle the fight.
• Tsugikuni Yoriichi used Sun Breathing, Mirage Sunbow, to behead the Evil Spirit before it could attack him.
• Tsugikuni Yoriichi carried Miyamoto Ichiro toward Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters as the dying Evil Spirit threatened the headquarters and its Lord Master, and Yoriichi said he would wait for the person behind the threat.

Rota stopped Muzan’s demon from assassinating Ubuyashiki Gakusan at Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters and killed it in the Wisteria Flowers. After Tsugikuni Yoriichi arrived with the injured Miyamoto Ichiro, Rota reassured him that Ichiro would survive and warned him to be careful.

• Tsugikuni Yoriichi hurried toward headquarters after a dying demon claimed Muzan was coming, while carrying the injured Miyamoto Ichiro.
• A demon disguised as a Corps member infiltrated headquarters and tried to attack the sleeping Ubuyashiki Gakusan.
• Rota blocked the demon’s attack, threw it into the Wisteria Flowers, and killed it while warning the observing Muzan not to try again.
• Tsugikuni Yoriichi arrived with Miyamoto Ichiro, whom the Kakushi took for treatment, and asked Rota whether anything had happened.
• Rota told Tsugikuni Yoriichi about the demon and said Miyamoto Ichiro would survive; Yoriichi and Rota agreed to be careful around Muzan.

Muzan resolved to strengthen demons by creating the Twelve Kizuki after witnessing Rota defeat an Evil Spirit, while the Demon Slayer Corps summoned its swordsmen to headquarters. Tsugikuni Iwakatsu encountered Muzan on his way back, then arrived and reunited with Yoriichi.

• Muzan grew furious at Rota but decided against a rash attack and planned to form the Twelve Kizuki to improve the demons' strength.
• Ubuyashiki Gakusan asked Rota and Yoriichi to summon the Corps' swordsmen so he could announce countermeasures against the headquarters attack.
• While waiting for the others, Rota noticed Yoriichi's unease about Iwakatsu's delayed return.
• Muzan met Iwakatsu on the road and invited him to join him, but Iwakatsu drew his sword and rejected the offer.
• Iwakatsu continued to headquarters and reunited with Yoriichi, saying they should talk properly once they were done there.

Ubuyashiki Gakusan gathered the Demon Slayer Corps to introduce Rota and establish a clearer ranking system, including strict requirements for Pillar rank. Miyamoto Ichiro resolved to become the first swordsman besides the Tsugikuni brothers to reach that rank.

• Ubuyashiki Gakusan began the meeting and formally introduced Rota to the assembled Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen.
• Ubuyashiki Gakusan asked Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Tsugikuni Iwakatsu to train the other members because they were the Corps' strongest fighters.
• Ubuyashiki Gakusan established ranks from Reserve Demon Slayer Swordsman to Pillar Demon Slayer Swordsman and explained their responsibilities.
• Ubuyashiki Gakusan set Pillar requirements that included complete mastery of Breathing Techniques, Total Concentration: Constant, and approval from Tsugikuni Yoriichi, Tsugikuni Iwakatsu, or Rota.
• Miyamoto Ichiro resolved to become a Pillar so he could grow stronger and protect others from Evil Spirits.

Yoriichi challenged Rota to a sparring match at the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, and the two displayed their extraordinary strength before the assembled swordsmen. After Rota repelled Yoriichi’s attacks with his fingers and an invisible force, Yoriichi realized the Old Heavenly Master was far stronger than he was.

• Ubuyashiki Gakusan announced the Kasugai Crow training plan, blessed the Corps members, and returned to his room to rest.
• Yoriichi asked Rota for a match, and Rota agreed after Miyamoto Ichiro encouraged them.
• At the training ground, Rota blocked Yoriichi’s opening sword strike with one finger.
• Yoriichi unleashed a barrage of slashes, but Rota calmly intercepted every one with his fingers.
• Rota struck with an invisible force that nearly knocked the Sunwheel Blade from Yoriichi’s grip, leading Yoriichi to conclude that Rota was far stronger than him.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi sparred with Rota and unleashed his strongest Sun Breathing techniques, but Rota effortlessly countered them with his qi and Golden Light Spell. Rota protected the Demon Slayer Corps from the battle’s dangerous aftermath, and the duel ended as a draw.

• Tsugikuni Yoriichi attacked Rota with crimson slashes, but his strikes dissipated before reaching him.
• Yoriichi used Mirage Sunbow, but Rota caught his blade and explained how the technique worked.
• Yoriichi unleashed Sun Breathing’s thirteenth form, and Rota scattered its attacks with the Golden Light Spell before extinguishing the resulting flames to prevent casualties.
• Yoriichi apologized to the Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen, who forgave him and admired Rota’s strength and technique.
• Yoriichi began to concede defeat, but Rota called their spar a draw.

After ending his duel with Tsugikuni Yoriichi, Rota took Miyamoto Ichiro as his disciple and began training him near Sakuragi Town. He selected a mountain site for the Celestial Master Mansion and gained Tougen Akiyama's support, who hoped his son Taki could study there.

• Rota declared his duel with Tsugikuni Yoriichi a draw, while Tsugikuni Iwakatsu left the training ground feeling jealous of Rota as a new rival.
• Rota left Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters with Miyamoto Ichiro, intending to train him in qi cultivation.
• On the journey, Rota taught Miyamoto Ichiro to stay vigilant and told him he was close to Pillar-level strength.
• After returning to Sakuragi Town, Rota put Miyamoto Ichiro through demanding training and chose the highest nearby mountain as the mansion site.
• Rota told Tougen Akiyama he planned to establish the Celestial Master Mansion, and Tougen Akiyama offered his help in hopes that Taki could study there.

Rota trained Miyamoto Ichiro until he reached Pillar-level strength, then approved his return to the Demon Slayer Corps. At headquarters, Ubuyashiki Gakusan named Miyamoto Ichiro the Corps' first Wind Pillar.

• Tougen Akiyama asked Rota to teach Taki, and Rota agreed while the Tougen Family took responsibility for building the Celestial Master Mansion.
• Over more than half a year of training, Miyamoto Ichiro greatly improved his Breathing forms, qi cultivation, and use of the Golden Light Spell.
• Miyamoto Ichiro endured five minutes against Rota in a spar, demonstrating that he had reached Pillar-level strength.
• Miyamoto Ichiro told Rota he planned to return to demon slaying, and Rota approved his return and Pillar promotion assessment.
• Ubuyashiki Gakusan welcomed Miyamoto Ichiro at headquarters and appointed him the Demon Slayer Corps' first Wind Pillar.

Miyamoto Ichiro completed a series of missions and was promoted to Wind Pillar before returning to headquarters, where Ubuyashiki Gakusan announced that three Marked Swordsmen had died at age twenty-five. The warning that Marked Swordsmen might not live past twenty-five shook the Corps, while Tsugikuni Iwakatsu privately worried that he would never have time to surpass Yoriichi.

• Miyamoto Ichiro claimed a Kasugai Crow and slew more than a dozen Evil Spirits in a week, earning promotion to Wind Pillar.
• Miyamoto Ichiro returned to headquarters after his Kasugai Crow summoned all swordsmen to assemble.
• Ubuyashiki Gakusan announced that three recently marked swordsmen had died at age twenty-five and warned that the Demon Slayer Mark might shorten their lives.
• The swordsmen mourned the news, and Ubuyashiki Gakusan gave a speech that steadied their resolve.
• Tsugikuni Iwakatsu brooded in the courtyard, fearing he could not surpass Yoriichi before turning twenty-five.

Tsugikuni Iwakatsu joined Muzan, killing Ubuyashiki Gakusan to prove his loyalty before accepting Muzan’s blood. Transformed into Upper Rank One, he took the name Kokushibo.

• Tsugikuni Iwakatsu left Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters and met Muzan, agreeing to prove his loyalty in exchange for eternal life.
• Tsugikuni Iwakatsu returned to Headquarters and killed Ubuyashiki Gakusan, then carried his head to the meeting place.
• Muzan injected Tsugikuni Iwakatsu with his blood, transforming him into a demon.
• Muzan named Tsugikuni Iwakatsu Upper Rank One of the Twelve Kizuki.
• Tsugikuni Iwakatsu saw his new appearance and chose the name Kokushibo.

Kokushibo tested his new demonic powers, destroyed his Sunwheel Blade, and agreed to help Muzan search for the Blue Spider Lily. At the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Yoriichi accepted responsibility for his brother Iwakatsu’s murder of Ubuyashiki Gakusan and promised to capture him, while the Corps considered asking the Old Heavenly Master to lead them.

• Kokushibo broke his Sunwheel Blade, formed a Katana with his Blood Demon Art, and demonstrated a powerful crescent slash against the forest.
• Muzan explained that he wanted Kokushibo to search for the Blue Spider Lily, which might remove their weakness to sunlight, and Kokushibo agreed.
• Muzan took Kokushibo with him to select companions, leaving Ubuyashiki Gakusan’s head in the dirt.
• At Corps Headquarters, Rengoku Kyojuro condemned Iwakatsu, and Yoriichi apologized for his brother’s crime and vowed to capture him.
• Yoriichi proposed that the Old Heavenly Master temporarily command the Corps, and Miyamoto Ichiro sent his master a request for an answer.
• The Corps planned a funeral for Gakusan, and Yoriichi offered condolences to Ubuyashiki’s Wife while expressing remorse over his failure.

Rota took charge of the Demon Slayer Corps until Ubuyashiki Teruyama came of age, then reorganized its missions and planned measures to protect it from further attacks. He left Tsugikuni Yoriichi guarding Headquarters while the Corps prepared for Muzan’s growing threat and sought to recruit more members.

• Rota arrived at Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters and told Ubuyashiki Teruyama and the gathered swordsmen that he would manage the Corps until Teruyama was grown.
• Rota recognized Rengoku Kyojuro as the new Flame Pillar and assigned demon-slaying missions to the Corps members.
• Rota proposed keeping a Pillar-level swordsman at Headquarters, and he warned Tsugikuni Yoriichi to treat Tsugikuni Iwakatsu as an enemy.
• Rota suggested Muzan might have controlled Iwakatsu, and Yoriichi volunteered to guard Headquarters while Miyamoto Ichiro and Rengoku Kyojuro handled missions outside.
• Rota concluded that the Corps needed to recruit more swordsmen as demons increased and casualties mounted.

Rota investigated the massacre of a village and discovered that Kokushibo and the Twelve Kizuki were behind it. He faced the demons alone, while Muzan watched from the shadows.

• Rota sent Miyamoto Ichiro to guard Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters and traveled alone to investigate a village where demons had slaughtered the residents and stationed swordsmen.
• Rota found bloodstains and damage from slashing attacks, concluding that Kokushibo and other demons had been involved.
• Rota waited in the village until nightfall, when Kokushibo and eleven other demons appeared.
• Kokushibo said the demons had come to kill Rota as one of Muzan's targets and revealed that they had originally hoped to draw out Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
• Rota mocked Muzan for hiding, while Kokushibo claimed Muzan did not need to fight him.

Rota confronted the Twelve Kizuki and swiftly incapacitated all six Lower Ranks, while Kokushibo warned the demons not to underestimate him. After Kokushibo cut down Upper Rank Six for defying him, the Upper Ranks attacked Rota, who began assessing their strength and welcomed the chance for a longer fight.

• Lower Rank Three attacked Rota and had his head smashed, leaving him unable to regenerate while Rota subdued the other five Lower Ranks in a minute.
• Upper Rank Six ignored Kokushibo’s warning and was cut in half by Kokushibo for his insubordination.
• Kokushibo urged the remaining Upper Ranks to fight seriously, and they agreed.
• Kokushibo sent moon-shaped blades at Rota, who shattered them with a slap and recognized Kokushibo’s strength.
• Upper Rank Six attacked Rota with a blood-red punch, but Rota stopped it effortlessly and compared his strength with Kokushibo’s.

Rota easily defeated Upper Rank Six, then faced Kokushibo and the other Upper Ranks as they attacked him together. He overwhelmed their assaults and knocked Upper Rank Three into the ground, while the remaining demons continued their attack.

• Rota used the Golden Light Spell to whip Upper Rank Six until he collapsed, then hindered his regeneration with qi.
• Kokushibo led the Upper Ranks into battle and attacked Rota with Moon Breathing, but Rota's golden light destroyed the moon blades.
• Rota rushed Kokushibo and tore off his right arm before Kokushibo regenerated it.
• Kokushibo ordered the other Upper Ranks to coordinate their attacks, and Kokushibo and Upper Rank Three charged Rota together.
• Rota deflected Upper Rank Three's punch, appeared behind him, and slammed him into the ground.
• Two of the remaining Upper Ranks launched attacks at Rota.

Rota overwhelmed the attacking Upper Ranks, then used the newly unlocked Five Thunder Orthodox Method to destroy the incapacitated demons. Kokushibo survived their final exchange, and Rota left the devastated village for the Demon Slayer Corps to rebuild.

• Rota blasted Upper Ranks Three, Four, and Five away, then crippled Upper Ranks Four and Five with golden tendrils.
• Rota saw through Upper Rank Two's sneak attack and shattered his head with Haki.
• Jarvis announced that Rota had unlocked the Five Thunder Orthodox Method at 25% roleplay progress.
• Rota summoned a thunderstorm and struck down the incapacitated demons, leaving only Kokushibo standing.
• Kokushibo attacked with Moon Breathing, Eighth Form: Moon Dragon Tail, and forced Rota back half a step.
• Rota spared Kokushibo, mourned the village's people, and considered the ruins as a future Demon Slayer Corps supply base.

After defeating the Twelve Kizuki, Rota cleared the ruined village while Kokushibo and Muzan plotted to lure Tsugikuni Yoriichi into a joint ambush. The next day, Miyamoto Ichiro arrived with the Demon Slayer Corps and learned about the demon ranks.

• Rota used the Golden Light Spell to demolish the damaged buildings and prepare the village site for a Demon Slayer Corps base.
• Kokushibo reflected on Rota's strength before Muzan proposed that they lure out Tsugikuni Yoriichi and kill him together.
• Muzan left Kokushibo to devise a way to lure Tsugikuni Yoriichi out alone, and Kokushibo decided to recover before acting.
• Miyamoto Ichiro arrived with Demon Slayer Corps members and asked Rota why the village had been leveled.
• Rota explained the Upper Rank and Lower Rank titles and told Miyamoto Ichiro how many demons he could likely handle.

Rota explained the Upper Rank threat, arranged for a new Demon Slayer Corps base, and returned to headquarters. After learning that Tsugikuni Iwakatsu had become Kokushibo, Tsugikuni Yoriichi resolved to face his brother and seek justice for the dead.

• Rota explained the Twelve Kizuki’s rankings to Miyamoto Ichiro and warned him to prioritize survival against multiple Upper Rank Demons.
• Rota left the village’s construction and remaining affairs to Miyamoto Ichiro, then returned to headquarters and greeted Ubuyashiki Teruyama.
• Tsugikuni Yoriichi asked Rota what he had learned about the village attack and his elder brother.
• Rota told Tsugikuni Yoriichi that Tsugikuni Iwakatsu had become Kokushibo, Upper Rank One, and had served Muzan in attacking Ubuyashiki.
• Tsugikuni Yoriichi asked Rota to notify him if he encountered his brother again, and resolved to kill the Evil Spirit and seek justice for the victims.

After helping Ubuyashiki Teruyama stabilize the Demon Slayer Corps, Rota returned to Sakuragi Town and inspected the completed Celestial Master Mansion. He discussed payment and protection with Tougen Akiyama, then prepared to show him the gold he had brought.

• Rota comforted Tsugikuni Yoriichi, who regained hope after reflecting on his surviving companions and friends.
• Over the next half year, Rota guided Ubuyashiki Teruyama into becoming a capable leader, then returned leadership to him and left for Sakuragi Town.
• Rota returned to Sakuragi Town and learned from Tougen Akiyama that the Celestial Master Mansion had been completed.
• Rota praised the mansion and told Tougen Akiyama that he would pay the agreed construction cost rather than leave him with the expense.
• Tougen Akiyama asked whether Rota would protect the Tougen Family, and Rota explained that he had established the mansion near Sakuragi Town to protect its people.
• Rota asked about Tougen Akiyama's strength and handed him a cloth sack filled with gold from his Storage Ring.

Rota gave Tougen Akiyama a bag of gold and learned that the night-working doctor in Sakuragi Town was Tamayo. He went to her clinic to investigate her presence, where he found a crowd of men watching her rather than seeking treatment.

• Rota gave Tougen Akiyama a heavy bag of gold, and a Kasugai Crow was sent to carry it for the Tougen Family.
• Tougen Akiyama told Rota that the skilled doctor in town was a woman named Tamayo who only saw patients at night.
• Rota toured the Celestial Master Mansion with Tougen Akiyama, then joined him and the servants on their trip back to Sakuragi Town.
• Rota admitted he planned to visit Tamayo's clinic and asked Tougen Akiyama where it was.
• Rota reached the clinic and saw a crowd of sturdy young men gathered outside, apparently there to look at Tamayo rather than receive medical care.