Chapter Summaries

Hakuji fought Muzan in Asura's Wrath but was trapped by Muzan's flesh-and-blood spears, leaving Kokushibo to finish him. Before Kokushibo could strike, a bolt of lightning from the heavens shattered Hakuji's restraints and badly burned Kokushibo.

• Hakuji used Asura's Wrath to fight Muzan, landing a powerful punch and surviving Muzan's attacks with his enhanced durability and regeneration.
• Muzan trapped Hakuji with spears formed from flesh and blood scattered across the ground.
• Kokushibo arrived, and Muzan ordered him to kill the pinned Hakuji.
• A strange blue bolt of lightning descended from the clouds, striking Kokushibo and shattering the spears holding Hakuji.
• Kokushibo remained half-kneeling with his uniform in fragments as black smoke rose from his body.

After the Old Heavenly Master’s lightning disrupted Muzan and Kokushibo, they escaped when Kokushibo held Hakuji back. Hakuji visited the Celestial Master Mansion to speak with the Old Heavenly Master, while Tamayo and Kamado Tanjiro planned to report the damage and arrange repairs.

• Kokushibo stabbed his numb leg to recover his senses, then helped Muzan escape while keeping Hakuji at bay with crescent-blade attacks.
• Hakuji found Tamayo and Kamado Tanjiro in a stone cave, where Tamayo scolded Tanjiro for rushing into battle.
• Hakuji told Kamado Tanjiro that the Old Heavenly Master had cast the lightning from the Celestial Master Mansion but had not captured Muzan or Kokushibo.
• Tamayo and Kamado Tanjiro decided to seek the Tougen Family’s help with the ruins and report the disturbance.
• Hakuji reached the Celestial Master Mansion and greeted Grandpa Zhang, who flicked him on the forehead.

Hakuji asked Rota why Muzan could not be killed, then challenged Rota to a spar and was defeated with one slap. The next morning, Hakuji accepted the vast gap between their abilities and gave up on surpassing him.

• Hakuji asked Rota why he had spared Muzan, and Rota explained that Muzan had to live until the Child of Destiny arrived centuries later.
• Rota asked Hakuji to protect the Demon Slayer Corps and the Celestial Master Mansion disciples from demons until that time, and Hakuji agreed.
• Hakuji challenged Rota to a spar, but Rota effortlessly moved him outside and later knocked him unconscious with a single slap.
• The next morning, Hakuji woke up and admitted that Rota was a monster, abandoning his hope of surpassing him.

After losing to Rota, Hakuji learned not to depend solely on Qi Perception and returned to Sakuragi Town. Several hundred years later, Tanjiro stayed overnight at an uncle’s home, but the scent of blood from his family’s house sent him rushing to investigate.

• Rota explained that Hakuji’s reliance on Qi Perception had cost him the fight and advised him to keep training while seeking Clear World.
• Hakuji thanked Rota, returned to Sakuragi Town to report Rota’s answer to Wind Sickle, and Rota watched him leave.
• Several hundred years later, Tanjiro sold charcoal in town until dusk and accepted Uncle’s invitation to stay overnight because demons appeared at night.
• While preparing for bed, Tanjiro smelled blood coming from the direction of his home and told Uncle he had to go check on his family.

Tanjiro rushed home after sensing blood and used the ring Uncle gave him to summon the Ghost Shadow Legion. He arrived as Muzan threatened his family and overwhelmed him with a growing horde of shadow ninjas, but Muzan questioned whether their numbers had a limit.

• Tanjiro accepted a black heirloom ring from Uncle and hurried toward home after smelling blood.
• The ring spoke to Tanjiro and instructed him to summon the Ghost Shadow Legion, whose ninja carried him rapidly toward his home.
• Muzan attacked the Kamado Family, injured Nezuko, and threatened Kie and the other children.
• Tanjiro arrived and stood between Muzan and his family, then summoned dozens of Ghost Shadow Ninjas to attack.
• Muzan crushed several ninjas, but they revived almost immediately, so Tanjiro summoned nearly a hundred more.
• Muzan grew alarmed by the growing horde and wondered whether the Ghost Shadow Ninjas had a limit.

Tanjiro held Muzan off through the night with the Ghost Shadow Legion while his family escaped, forcing Muzan to flee from the rising sun. After Tanjiro collapsed from exhaustion, Giyu Tomioka found Nezuko in the Kamado family’s temporary home and began investigating what had happened.

• Tanjiro sent his family to town and stayed behind to hold Muzan back with the Ghost Shadow Legion.
• Tanjiro directed the Ghost Shadow Legion’s attacks until Muzan fled as the sun rose, then collapsed from exhaustion.
• Kie Kamado and her children settled temporarily in town, where Nezuko remained unconscious.
• Giyu Tomioka followed a demon’s scent to the Kamado home and confirmed that Nezuko was its source.
• Giyu introduced himself as a member of the Demon Slayer Corps and asked Kie to explain what had happened, agreeing to help her.

Rota prepared to leave the Celestial Master Mansion and confront Muzan, believing Tanjiro was the child of destiny who would bring about the demon progenitor’s destruction. Meanwhile, Giyu learned that Tanjiro had encountered Muzan and found him alive at home, though he could not explain how the boy had survived.

• Rota told Taoyuan Long he would leave the Celestial Master Mansion for several years and entrusted its management to him.
• Rota explained that Tanjiro had appeared and that he was leaving to deal with Muzan; Taoyuan Long wished him victory.
• Rota set out for the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters after arranging matters at the mansion.
• Kie Kamado told Giyu that Tanjiro was still at home after encountering a man who called himself Kibutsuji Muzan.
• Giyu explained that Muzan was the Progenitor of Demons, then hurried to Tanjiro’s home.
• Giyu found Tanjiro alive but asleep amid the wreckage and held back his questions until the boy woke.

Giyu found Tanjiro and escorted him toward town to reunite with his family, questioning how he had fought Muzan. Tanjiro credited the Ghost Shadow Legion Ring, returned to thank its owner, and Giyu considered inviting him to join the Demon Slayer Corps.

• Giyu introduced himself to Tanjiro as a swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps and offered to take him to his family.
• As they traveled, Giyu questioned Tanjiro about fighting Muzan, and Tanjiro explained that the Ghost Shadow Legion Ring had helped him hold his opponent off.
• Tanjiro stopped to return the ring and thank the kind Uncle who had lent it to him.
• Uncle told Tanjiro to keep the ring, but Tanjiro refused and returned only the borrowed item.
• Giyu admired Tanjiro's honesty and considered asking him to join the Demon Slayer Corps, but chose to take him to his family first.

Tanjiro and Kie learned that Nezuko had likely become a demon, but Giyu agreed to spare her unless she attacked them. When Nezuko lunged at Giyu, Tanjiro called to her and their family bond helped her resist her hunger and recognize him.

• Tanjiro returned safely to Kie and learned that Nezuko had gone mad after a doctor examined her.
• Giyu explained that Muzan had likely turned Nezuko into a demon and said he would kill her if she tried to attack anyone.
• Kie and Tanjiro pleaded for Nezuko's life, and Giyu agreed to spare her unless she showed intent to attack.
• Giyu opened Nezuko's room, where she lunged at him, and he subdued her without drawing his katana.
• Tanjiro called to Nezuko and reminded her of their past, and she stopped struggling and called him her brother.
• Nezuko resisted the urge to bite Tanjiro despite being stirred by his scent, leaving Giyu amazed.

After Nezuko resisted her urge to attack, Giyu decided to spare her and told Tanjiro about the Demon Slayer Corps. Tanjiro chose to join, and he set out with Nezuko to train under Sakonji Urokodaki.

• Giyu saw Nezuko's resolve and abandoned his plan to kill her, then explained the Demon Slayer Corps to Tanjiro.
• Tanjiro agreed to join the Corps to protect his family and asked Giyu to teach him; Giyu sent him to find Sakonji Urokodaki.
• Giyu warned Tanjiro about Muzan, gave him a bamboo tube for Nezuko, and left on another mission.
• Tanjiro told Kie and his family that he was leaving, and Kie chose to trust his decision.
• Tanjiro packed Nezuko into a wooden box and set off to find Sakonji Urokodaki, vowing to restore her and kill Muzan.

Rota returned to Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters and asked to see Kagaya Ubuyashiki, while Kagaya held a Hashira meeting. Kagaya recognized the visitor’s story and left to meet him, interrupting the meeting before its main discussion began.

• Rota arrived at Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters and told a Corps member he had come to revisit a former home and visit an old acquaintance.
• Sanemi Shinazugawa argued that Rengoku Shinjuro should lose his Hashira title for missing meetings, and Kagaya said he would replace him if his condition did not improve.
• Gyomei Himejima calmed Sanemi when he grew angry about Shinjuro’s absence, and Kagaya began to introduce an important matter.
• A Corps member told Kagaya that an old man was waiting to see him, and Kagaya recognized Rota’s explanation and went to meet him.
• Sanemi questioned why Kagaya was prioritizing the visitor over the Hashira meeting.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki introduced Gyomei Himejima, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Kanae Kocho to Rota, the Old Heavenly Master, a legendary benefactor of the Demon Slayer Corps. Rota said Gyomei and Sanemi only barely met his old standards while Kanae had not, and Sanemi demanded an explanation.

• Kagaya Ubuyashiki explained that Rota was a legendary benefactor and brought the three Pillars to meet him.
• Rota praised Sanemi's strength and spirit, while Kagaya credited Sanemi, Gyomei, Kanae, and Shinjuro Rengoku with helping him persevere.
• Sanemi criticized Shinjuro for missing Pillar meetings, and Rota said he would visit the Rengoku residence.
• Kagaya told Rota that the Corps' advancement standards had changed, and Rota said Gyomei and Sanemi barely met his old requirements.
• Sanemi asked why Rota had not acknowledged Kanae and demanded that he explain his judgment.

Sanemi Shinazugawa challenged Rota after learning that the Old Heavenly Master had established the Demon Slayer Corps’ Pillar rank and once led the Corps. Rota explained how much the promotion standards had changed, and Sanemi remained determined to prove himself by fighting him.

• Sanemi angrily objected to Rota’s judgment of the Pillars, and Kagaya Ubuyashiki revealed that Rota had established the Corps’ promotion standards and led it during the Warring States period.
• Sanemi bowed and apologized to Rota for his disrespect, but insisted he still wanted to challenge Rota’s assessment of their strength.
• Rota asked Sanemi about the current Pillar requirements, then listed the Clear World, a Demon Slayer Mark, and a Scarlet Blade as the standards from his era.
• Rota said Sanemi and Gyomei Himejima barely met his old standards and told Kanae Kocho she needed to keep training.
• Sanemi demanded a fight and offered to accept any consequence if he lost, ignoring Gyomei and Kagaya as they urged him to stop.

Rota accepted Sanemi Shinazugawa’s challenge and quickly defeated him, then urged him to change his behavior and cherish those close to him. He warned the Hashira that the Upper Rank demons were far stronger than they seemed, leaving Gyomei Himejima grateful for his guidance.

• Kagaya Ubuyashiki allowed Sanemi Shinazugawa to challenge Rota, while Gyomei Himejima stopped Kanae Kocho from intervening.
• Sanemi Shinazugawa led Rota to an open area and challenged him to prove his strength.
• Rota seized Sanemi by the throat before he could finish calling out Wind Breathing, then released him after overpowering him.
• Rota told Sanemi to correct his domineering behavior and treat the people he cared about better, prompting Sanemi to wonder if Rota knew about his younger brother.
• Rota warned the Hashira that the strongest Upper Rank demons could overwhelm them, and Gyomei Himejima thanked him for the advice.

Rota planned to visit the Rengoku residence and assess Shinjuro’s condition, while Kagaya agreed that Kyojuro could inherit the Flame Hashira position if needed. At the residence, Sanemi warned Kyojuro that the Corps might remove Shinjuro from the position if his condition did not improve.

• Kagaya comforted Sanemi, who apologized to Rota and promised to remember his lesson.
• Rota told Kagaya he wanted to visit Shinjuro, and Kagaya said Kyojuro could inherit the Flame Hashira position if Shinjuro could not serve.
• Sanemi volunteered to guide Rota to the Rengoku residence.
• Kyojuro trained Mitsuri, then learned from Senjuro that Shinjuro remained listless and decided to speak with him.
• Sanemi arrived at the residence and warned Kyojuro that the Corps might remove Shinjuro as Flame Hashira if his condition remained unchanged.

Sanemi Shinazugawa and Rota visited the Rengoku household to discuss Rengoku Shinjuro leaving his position as Flame Hashira. After Shinjuro rejected Kyojuro and resigned himself to despair, Kyojuro decided to take over the post and carry on his clan’s mission.

• Sanemi Shinazugawa told Rengoku Kyojuro that he would take over his father’s duties, and introduced Rota as Old Heavenly Master Zhang Zhiwei.
• Rota praised Kyojuro’s fighting spirit and offered to train him and other willing Demon Slayer Corps members at Headquarters.
• Kyojuro visited Shinjuro, who dismissed his guests and said he no longer wanted to be a Hashira.
• Kyojuro informed Shinjuro that the Corps would revoke his position, then declared he would take over and protect the weak as his mother had taught him.
• Kyojuro returned to Sanemi and Rota and announced his intention to apply to become the new Flame Hashira, earning their support.

Rengoku Kyojuro prepared to prove himself worthy of becoming the Flame Pillar by hunting a Lower Rank Demon near Tokyo. He set out with Kanroji Mitsuri and the Old Heavenly Master, who planned to observe the mission, while Kyojuro left Senjuro to care for their father.

• Rengoku Kyojuro received Kagaya Ubuyashiki's encouragement before preparing for his mission.
• Kyojuro comforted Senjuro, asked him to look after their father, and promised to return safely.
• At the dango shop, Kyojuro met Kanroji Mitsuri and the Old Heavenly Master, who asked to accompany them.
• Kyojuro explained that killing a Lower Rank Demon near Tokyo would qualify him for promotion to Pillar.
• Kyojuro, Mitsuri, and the Old Heavenly Master set off for Tokyo, where Rota intended to visit Wind Sickle as well.

Mitsuri began her first mission in Tokyo, where she encountered the demon Wind Sickle and struggled to decide how to respond. After Wind Sickle saved her from a surprise attack, she focused on fighting the ordinary demon.

• Rengoku Kyojuro assigned Mitsuri to search for demons and told her to alert him if she found the Lower Rank Demon.
• Rota used Observation Haki to locate Wind Sickle and noticed Mitsuri was nearby, so he went to keep her safe.
• Mitsuri followed Wind Sickle into an alley after detecting his demon aura, despite his unusually polite behavior.
• Wind Sickle noticed Mitsuri and teased her about being a nervous rookie before she drew her Sunwheel Blade.
• A demon ambushed Mitsuri from behind, and Wind Sickle used a whirlwind to move her out of its attack.
• Mitsuri steadied herself and prepared to face the ordinary demon.

Mitsuri fought off an Evil Spirit and learned that Wind Sickle was a former Upper Rank demon who had saved her. Rota arrived and revealed that he and Wind Sickle had been friends for centuries, while Wind Sickle discovered Rota had come to Tokyo simply to accompany Mitsuri and a member of the Purgatory family on a mission.

• Mitsuri killed the starving Evil Spirit that had attacked her.
• Mitsuri questioned Wind Sickle about saving her, and he demonstrated how easily he could overpower her before assuring her that he was not her enemy.
• Wind Sickle told Mitsuri that he had once been the Upper Rank Two known as Blood Mist Wind, but had left Muzan's orders behind long ago.
• Rota arrived in the alley, and Mitsuri and Wind Sickle greeted him with delight.
• Rota explained that he and Wind Sickle had been friends since the Sengoku Era and that he had come to Tokyo to accompany Mitsuri and a boy from the Purgatory family on a mission.
• Wind Sickle joked that Rota had come to wander around, and Rota struck him on the head.

Rengoku Kyojuro encountered Lower Rank Two, who attacked him with firearms while claiming they had fought before. As Kyojuro charged through the gunfire, Lower Rank Two remembered his human life and a voice calling him Pei Lang.

• Wind Sickle told Rota and Mitsuri that the demon in Tokyo was Lower Rank Two, though he knew little about his strength.
• Rengoku Kyojuro encountered Lower Rank Two, who accused him of defeating him in the past, but Kyojuro did not recognize him.
• Lower Rank Two pulled twin pistols from his body and fired, but Kyojuro dodged and attacked with Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire.
• Lower Rank Two realized Kyojuro was not the person he sought revenge against, but decided to target him anyway and opened fire with his guns.
• Kyojuro charged through the bullets and faced Lower Rank Two's rotary machine gun with Flame Breathing, Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation.
• Lower Rank Two remembered a voice from his human life saying that cold weapons could never defeat firearms and telling him to give up, Pei Lang.