Chapter Summaries

Shinobu met Nezuko and learned from Hiruma how the young Demon had resisted Muzan and protected her brother. Shinobu saw hope in studying Nezuko’s blood, while Hiruma insisted she would become human again.

• Giyu left Nezuko in Shinobu’s care and departed to carry out his mission.
• Shinobu met Nezuko, who babbled like a small child, and held her beneath the moonlight.
• Hiruma woke and stumbled into Shinobu; after teasing and kissing her, he explained Nezuko’s unusual condition.
• Hiruma told Shinobu that Nezuko had broken free from Muzan’s control, had never eaten a person, and had become a Demon to protect her brother.
• Shinobu said Nezuko’s blood might offer a breakthrough toward turning Demons human again, and Hiruma confidently said Nezuko would recover.

Hiruma reassured Tanjiro that Nezuko might become human again and brought her before the Pillars to demonstrate that she could resist his Rare Blood. The chapter ended in tense silence as Nezuko struggled against her demonic instincts.

• Hiruma comforted Tanjiro after he learned Nezuko might have a chance to become human again.
• A month later, Hiruma promised Tanjiro that the Pillars would accept Nezuko and took him to a meeting at the Ubuyashiki estate.
• Tanjiro thanked the assembled Pillars for saving his family, and Kyojuro cheerfully urged him to stand up.
• Hiruma revealed that Nezuko was another demon and placed her before the Pillars to test whether she could resist his blood.
• Nezuko's demonic nature stirred at the scent of Hiruma's blood while Tanjiro and the Pillars watched in silence.

Nezuko resisted the lure of Hiruma’s Rare Blood, and the Demon Slayer Corps agreed to let her stay on the condition that Tanjiro would kill her if she ever harmed anyone. Hiruma arranged for Tanjiro to learn Water Breathing from Urokodaki’s disciples, and Tanjiro left with Giyu to say goodbye to his family before training began.

• Nezuko’s bamboo muzzle broke, but she fought her demonic instincts and refused to bite Hiruma or drink his blood.
• Hiruma praised Nezuko, and the Hashira and Ubuyashiki Kagaya approved her staying with the Corps after Tanjiro promised to kill her if she harmed anyone.
• Hiruma brought Tanjiro to Sabito, Giyu, and Makomo and asked them to arrange Water Breathing training with Urokodaki.
• Tanjiro introduced himself to his new fellow disciples while Makomo and Sabito argued over who was the eldest senior.
• Giyu told Tanjiro to say goodbye to his family before they left the next day, and Tanjiro followed him away from the bickering pair.

Tendo Hiruma returned to Mount Peach Town with Shinobu after sending Jigoro Kuwajima a letter that made it seem he could not come home. Jigoro welcomed them with a feast, and Hiruma realized his old master had always kept the house stocked with food for him.

• Jigoro Kuwajima heard from Uncle Yamamoto that Hiruma had not visited and waited at home for news of his disciple.
• Saber delivered Hiruma's letter, which described the Demon Slayer Corps' strength and said Hiruma might not return because of dangerous missions.
• Jigoro accepted that Hiruma was busy saving people, though he worried for his safety and asked Saber to carry a reply.
• Hiruma and Shinobu surprised Jigoro by arriving in person, revealing that Hiruma had sent the letter as a prank.
• Jigoro sent Hiruma to buy rice, then welcomed Shinobu and prepared a feast for them.
• Hiruma returned with a huge sack of rice and realized Jigoro had always kept plenty of food for him.

Zenitsu Agatsuma used his extraordinary hearing to win at Hanafuda before fleeing men who wanted to catch him. He fell for a girl who asked him to carry her away, while a swordsman arrived in the alley moments later.

• Zenitsu Agatsuma begged a girl to marry him, but she slapped him and ran away.
• Zenitsu entered a Hanafuda Hall and used his extraordinary hearing to detect the gamblers' hidden cards and money.
• Zenitsu won every round, then threw money into the air and escaped while the three men chased him.
• Zenitsu ran into a girl, fell in love at first sight, and carried her away after she asked him to.
• A swordsman carrying a blade rushed into the alley after Zenitsu had left with the girl.

Kaigaku chose to attack a Demon rather than save Zenitsu, but Tendo Hiruma rescued the boy before the strike landed. After Kaigaku killed the Demon, Hiruma confronted him over his disregard for the Demon Slayer Corps’ rules, leaving their bitter conflict unresolved.

• Kaigaku complained that his new Thunder Breath trainer had failed to teach him the First Form, then went to investigate screams from a nearby alley.
• A female Demon cornered Zenitsu, who fainted but repeatedly dodged her bites while unconscious.
• Kaigaku arrived and refused to protect Zenitsu, choosing instead to use Thunder Breath, Fourth Form: Distant Thunder as the Demon threw the boy into his path.
• Tendo Hiruma rescued Zenitsu, and Kaigaku pursued and decapitated the fleeing Demon.
• Hiruma confronted Kaigaku for risking Zenitsu’s life to secure a promotion, while Kaigaku answered that the boy would only have been crippled.

After Hiruma rejected and struck Kaigaku for disregarding an ordinary man’s life, Kaigaku left the Demon Slayer Corps and encountered Kokushibo in the rain. He accepted Kokushibo’s offer to become a demon so he could gain power and kill Hiruma.

• Hiruma condemned Kaigaku’s selfishness, struck him, and said he would report him to Oyakata-sama and have him expelled from the Demon Slayer Corps.
• Kaigaku cursed Hiruma, left the city drunk, and swore he no longer cared about the Demon Slayer Corps.
• Kaigaku encountered Upper Rank One Kokushibo, whose presence terrified him and reminded him that only Hiruma could oppose the demon.
• Kokushibo offered Kaigaku a chance to live and gain power by betraying the Demon Slayer Corps and becoming a demon.
• Kaigaku eagerly knelt before Kokushibo and drank his demon blood, convinced that survival justified becoming a demon.

After rescuing Zenitsu from a Demon, Tendo Hiruma persuaded him to learn swordsmanship and brought him to Peach Mountain. Zenitsu became Jigoro Kuwajima’s disciple, then learned that his training would be harsh, while Hiruma had still yet to meet Inosuke.

• Zenitsu woke at an inn, panicked at Hiruma’s sword, and begged him not to kill him.
• After learning that Demons threatened his life, Zenitsu asked to follow Hiruma and agreed to learn swordsmanship when Hiruma promised free meals and lodging and described the chance to save beautiful girls.
• At Peach Mountain, Jigoro assessed Zenitsu’s talent and prepared to accept him as his closed-door disciple.
• Zenitsu tried to back out of training, but Hiruma left the choice to Jigoro, and Zenitsu formally joined Peach Mountain’s Thunder Breath lineage.
• Jigoro took Zenitsu down the mountain to buy necessities, while Hiruma warned him about the old man’s harsh training and recalled that he had avoided being caught after age ten.

Hiruma visited Mount Sagiri, where he caught up with Tanjiro and Urokodaki, learned that Giyu had married Tsutako, and drew blood from Nezuko for Tamayo's research. A Kasugai Crow then urgently ordered him back to headquarters, and Hiruma hurried down the mountain.

• Hiruma visited Tanjiro during his training and warned him to stay focused and avoid overexerting himself.
• Hiruma met with Urokodaki, who revealed that Giyu had married Tsutako in February.
• Hiruma drew blood from Nezuko to support Tamayo's work on a cure for demons and a poison against Muzan.
• A Kasugai Crow ordered Hiruma to return to headquarters at once, and he rushed away from Mount Sagiri.

Hiruma learned that Kaigaku had become a Demon under Kokushibo and that the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters might be exposed. He organized an urgent relocation, while Kagaya insisted on traveling with the main group, and Hiruma warned Tamayo and Yushiro to prepare to move.

• Kagaya told Hiruma and Gyomei that Kaigaku had betrayed the Corps and become a Demon after Kokushibo gave him Demon blood.
• Gyomei regretted having once helped Kaigaku, while Hiruma blamed Kaigaku for putting Headquarters at risk.
• Hiruma proposed relocating the swordsmen's families first and moving the Corps in batches, but Kagaya refused to leave ahead of the main group.
• Hiruma assigned Gyomei to remain with Kagaya and hurried to Tamayo and Yushiro's home to tell them to pack and destroy their equipment.
• Hiruma gave Tamayo Nezuko's blood sample and promised that a Hashira would escort them during the relocation.

After learning that a swordsman had become a demon, Hiruma organized the Demon Slayer Corps’ relocation and assigned escorts and preparations. The evacuation began that night, while Hiruma and the others continued guarding the old headquarters and preparing for the next missions.

• Shinobu and the Pillars gathered at Hiruma’s home, where he told them a swordsman had betrayed the Corps and explained the relocation plan.
• Hiruma assigned Tengen and Kyojuro to prepare Headquarters 2, Shinobu and Muichiro to relocate the Butterfly Mansion, and Muichiro to lead a later family group.
• Hiruma tasked Giyu with escorting Tamayo and Yushiro to Headquarters 2, and Giyu departed with them that night.
• Hiruma and the Tokito brothers patrolled the area around Headquarters 1, then reported to Ubuyashiki Kagaya that they had found no demons.
• Hiruma insisted Muichiro rest before his escort mission, and Ubuyashiki Kagaya backed him as someone suddenly pushed open the living room doors.

The Demon Slayer Corps evacuated most of its members and moved Kagaya from Headquarters 1 while Hiruma, Iguro Obanai, and another swordsman stayed behind to guide stragglers. Yushiro spotted an approaching Upper Rank near the evacuation route and raised the highest-level alarm, leaving both the convoy and those at Headquarters 1 on alert.

• Iguro Obanai returned to Headquarters 1, learned of the emergency, and left to patrol after Kagaya chose to stay until the others had evacuated.
• Yushiro returned to Headquarters 1 to help with reconnaissance, and his Blood Demon Art assisted patrols as the Corps evacuated most of its personnel over two days.
• Kagaya visited the cemetery, reflected on the fallen swordsmen, and agreed to leave for Headquarters 2.
• Giyu, the Tokito brothers, Kyojuro, and Tengen escorted Kagaya and the Kakushi, while Hiruma and two others stayed behind to guide returning swordsmen.
• Yushiro spotted a bright red object approaching near the convoy's route, lost the Kasugai Crow's vision when a beam struck it, and fired a signal flare to warn everyone of a suspected Upper Rank.

Gyokko hunted Yushiro through the abandoned Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, while Hundred Eyes clashed with Himejima Gyomei and Iguro Obanai outside. Gyokko flattened the surrounding buildings as Yushiro fled, and the fight outside continued with Hundred Eyes facing the Hashira.

• Yushiro sent a signal flare, then fled when Gyokko found him at Headquarters No. 1 and recognized Tamayo’s scent.
• Gyokko cut off Yushiro’s arm, but Yushiro used his Blood Demon Art to create a maze and escape toward the Butterfly Mansion.
• Gyokko broke through the maze and unleashed Octopus Pot Hell, destroying the nearby buildings to flush Yushiro out.
• Hundred Eyes approached the Corps headquarters, where Himejima Gyomei attacked him with a Meteor Hammer and Broad Axe.
• Iguro Obanai joined the battle, but Hundred Eyes’ Crimson Blade tore through his serpent-like attack and sent him flying.
• Hundred Eyes opened seventy eyes and prepared to continue fighting Gyomei.

Hiruma rescued Yushiro from Gyokko and battled the demon, shattering its pots and nearly beheading it. Dōkū intervened by targeting Yushiro with its Blood Demon Art, forcing Hiruma to choose between saving him and finishing Gyokko.

• Gyokko found Yushiro hiding in the ruins, severed both his arms, and unleashed a school of flying fish to kill him.
• Hiruma appeared, cut through the fish, and shattered Gyokko’s pot, then broke several more pots as Gyokko attacked.
• Gyokko transformed into its full form, and Hiruma used Way Breathing and Swamp Form techniques to bring his blade to its neck.
• Gyokko’s hardened scales delayed Hiruma’s strike long enough for Dōkū to emerge from hiding and create a dark-purple swamp beneath Yushiro.

Yushiro nearly died in Dōkū's spatial mire, but Hiruma rescued him and learned that Gyomei and Iguro Obanai were still in danger. As Hiruma rushed toward them, Hundred Eyes Demon overwhelmed the two Hashira, leaving Gyomei trapped and Iguro charging in to save him.

• Yushiro accepted that he might die, but Hiruma pulled him out of the mire and urged him not to give up on winning Miss Tamayo.
• Gyokko fled, and Yushiro used his Blood Demon Art to report that Oyakata-sama's convoy had escaped while the other two were in trouble.
• Hiruma carried Yushiro toward the outskirts as Yushiro gave him directions.
• Hundred Eyes Demon battered Iguro Obanai and broke his Nichirin Blade, while Gyomei prepared a counterattack.
• Gyomei struck Hundred Eyes Demon and snapped its spine, but the Demon folded its body and trapped him between enormous phantom palms.
• Iguro Obanai, badly wounded, charged at Hundred Eyes Demon to save Gyomei.

The Hashira arrived in time to save Gyomei and help Hiruma battle Hundred Eyes. Outnumbered and unwilling to fight anyone but Hiruma, Hundred Eyes retreated, ending the threat to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.

• Sanemi cut through Hundred Eyes' beam while Sabito shattered its attack and rescued Gyomei.
• Hundred Eyes opened eighty eyes, sent Sabito flying, and clashed head-on with Sanemi's Wind Breathing.
• Hiruma joined Hundred Eyes in a fierce exchange of blows, and the two fighters separated after hundreds of strikes.
• Giyu, Kyojuro, Shinobu, the Tokito brothers, and Mitsuri arrived, bringing all eleven Hashira together against Hundred Eyes.
• Hiruma challenged Hundred Eyes, but it chose to retreat rather than fight the assembled Hashira and left the crisis resolved.

A year after the evacuees returned to Headquarters 2, Zenitsu continued training under his grandfather at Peach Mountain, where a lightning strike turned his hair yellow. On Mount Sagiri, Tanjiro struggled to cut through Urokodaki's boulder trial until Sabito returned from a mission and hinted that someone else had come to visit.

• A few days after leaving Base 1, Hiruma and the evacuees arrived at Headquarters 2, where Ubuyashiki Kagaya welcomed them home.
• A year later, Zenitsu fled his grandfather's training at Peach Mountain and climbed a tree to avoid being caught.
• Lightning struck Zenitsu on the tree, turning his hair yellow, and his grandfather carried him down the mountain to find a doctor.
• Tanjiro continued striking Urokodaki's boulder trial, driven by his wish to restore Nezuko and avenge his family by killing Muzan Kibutsuji.
• Sabito returned from a mission, stopped Tanjiro's strike, and hinted that someone else had come to visit.

Tanjiro met Kanao at a stream and accidentally caught her when she twisted her ankle, tumbling into the water with her. Hiruma and Sabito arrived, the misunderstanding was resolved, and Tanjiro learned that Kanao was Hiruma’s younger sister.

• Sabito sent Tanjiro to wash his dirty face before meeting Hiruma and the girl who was with him.
• Tanjiro found Kanao at a nearby stream and was struck by her beauty when she turned to face him.
• Kanao slipped on the wet stones and twisted her ankle, and Tanjiro caught her but carried them both into the stream.
• Hiruma found Tanjiro holding Kanao in the water and reacted angrily, while Tanjiro apologized and explained that she was hurt.
• Sabito stopped Hiruma from drawing his sword, and Hiruma carried Kanao home after Tanjiro asked him to treat her ankle.
• Tanjiro explained the accident on the way home, clearing up the misunderstanding and getting to know Kanao.

Tendo Hiruma killed the Triangle Demon after it used Koji as a hostage, then learned that Inosuke had once visited Koji’s home. Hiruma stayed with Koji and his grandfather, hoping Inosuke would appear.

• Tendo Hiruma chased the Triangle Demon and nearly beheaded it, but the Demon repeatedly escaped using different tricks.
• The Triangle Demon seized Koji and threatened to kill him unless Hiruma dropped his Nichirin Blade.
• Hiruma cut through the Demon’s arm without his sword, rescued Koji, and decapitated the Triangle Demon.
• Koji invited Hiruma to stay for a meal, and his frail grandfather asked whether Inosuke had come.
• Hiruma realized Inosuke had visited Koji’s home before and decided to stay until Inosuke appeared.

Hiruma stayed with Koji while waiting to meet Inosuke, then demonstrated his strength and Wind Breathing to the wild boy. Inosuke accepted Hiruma as his boss and demanded to learn from him.

• Hiruma learned from Koji that Inosuke lived in the mountains and could be found at Koji's house.
• Inosuke burst in, challenged Koji, and knocked him flying before declaring the place his territory.
• Inosuke repeatedly charged Hiruma, but Hiruma easily sent him flying each time.
• Hiruma demonstrated Wind Breathing: Second Form: Claws-Purifying Wind, leaving Inosuke awestruck.
• Inosuke called Hiruma his boss and demanded that he teach him.