Chapter Summaries

Haruto Takanashi left the Swordsmith Village for the Mount Fujikasane selection, carrying 200 rice balls and relying on his limited Flame Breathing skills. At the selection grounds, he noticed two masked boys and saw a strange Chinese message flash before his eyes.

• Kakushi members carried Haruto blindfolded and earplugged toward Mount Fujikasane, and he thanked each carrier with rice balls from his basket.
• Haruto told the last Kakushi member that his Master had packed 200 rice balls and explained that he had left swordsmithing to train as a demon-slaying swordsman.
• Haruto recalled learning Flame Breathing from Godogawa and receiving occasional advice from Shinjuro Rengoku, though his Master doubted he would survive the selection.
• Haruto reached Mount Fujikasane, ate along the way, and found the other candidates gathered among the wisteria and torii gates.
• Haruto spotted two boys wearing fox masks, then saw Chinese characters reading “Senior brother, my destined husband” flash across his vision.

Haruto entered Final Selection on Mount Fujikasane after seeing comments that predicted his death, then encountered the forty-year-old Hand Demon. The demon struck Haruto through the chest, and he died as a fox-masked boy rushed to help him.

• Haruto saw comments identifying him as a white-haired trainee who would be killed by the Hand Demon, but entered Final Selection anyway.
• Haruto ventured into Mount Fujikasane with the Nichirin Blade forged by Godogawa and sensed a demon nearby.
• Haruto met the Hand Demon, which revealed it had been imprisoned for nearly forty years and was hunting Urokodaki’s fox-masked trainees.
• Haruto severed the demon’s arms with Flame Breathing, then launched Flame Tiger at it.
• A fox-masked boy warned Haruto as the Hand Demon attacked from underground, piercing his chest with a giant arm.
• Haruto collapsed and died while blaming the Ubuyashiki Family for letting such a powerful demon face a trainee.

Haruto woke from a vivid dream of being killed by the Hand Demon and began to suspect he had returned to an earlier point in time. At Mount Fujikasane, he saw signs that his fate might have changed and moved closer to two masked boys he believed could help him survive.

• Haruto woke from his nightmare and remembered the Hand Demon killing him, then chose to wear Godogawa's blue-green haori instead of his own.
• Haruto left the Swordsmith Village with a Kakushi, recognizing her and the journey from his dream, and wondered whether events were repeating.
• Haruto ate rice balls, decided he could avoid the Hand Demon's known location or follow a skilled swordsman, and ran toward Mount Fujikasane.
• At the mountain, Haruto saw scrolling comments that no longer described him as dying and suggested he would appear again during the Infinity Castle battle.
• Haruto identified the two fox-masked boys as likely disciples of Urokodaki and edged closer to them, intending to stay nearby when the selection began.

Haruto killed a demon on Mount Fujikasane, then went after Sabito to keep him from facing the Hand Demon alone. He arrived just as Sabito’s sword broke and the Hand Demon was about to strike, cutting off its reaching arm.

• Haruto severed a demon’s arm with his sword, then beheaded it with Flame Breathing: First Form, Unknowing Fire.
• Haruto found Murata carrying the unconscious Giyu Tomioka and learned that Sabito had gone farther up the mountain.
• Haruto followed the trail of Sabito, whom other aspiring swordsmen praised for helping them and killing demons.
• Sabito fought the Hand Demon, but his sword snapped as he struck its head, leaving him vulnerable to its attack.
• Haruto arrived and severed the Hand Demon’s reaching arm just before it could hit Sabito.

Haruto intervened when Sabito’s sword broke during their fight with the Hand Demon, drawing the demon’s attacks while Sabito prepared a counterstrike. Sabito beheaded the demon with his broken blade, and the dying demon remembered his human brother as he crumbled away.

• Haruto rushed to Sabito’s aid and severed the Hand Demon’s arm when Sabito’s sword snapped.
• The Hand Demon recognized Sabito’s cold expression as resembling Urokodaki’s and redirected its attacks toward Haruto.
• Haruto fought off the Hand Demon’s arms and deliberately drew its attention while Sabito concealed himself.
• Sabito struck the Hand Demon’s head with Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide, and killed it with his broken sword.
• Haruto was struck by one of the Hand Demon’s hands but survived, while the dying demon recalled that he had eaten his brother and pleaded to hold his hand.

After passing Final Selection, Haruto confronted the Corps representative about the Hand Demon before Kagaya Ubuyashiki invited him, Sabito, and Giyu to talk. The meeting ended with Haruto devouring twenty boxes of eel and rice while Sabito and Giyu watched in shock.

• Haruto demanded an explanation from the Corps representative for allowing the Hand Demon to remain on the selection mountain for decades.
• Kagaya Ubuyashiki arrived, apologized to Haruto, and invited him, Sabito, and Giyu inside to meet his wife, Amane.
• Kagaya praised Urokodaki as a Hashira and trainer, and explained that the new recruits would receive uniforms, tamahagane, and Nichirin Blades.
• Haruto said he wanted a swordsmith other than Haganezuka to forge his blade.
• Amane served Sabito and Giyu one meal box each, then placed the remaining twenty boxes before Haruto, who ate them all.

Kagaya recalled his unusual friendship with Haruto Takanashi as Haruto, Sabito, and Giyu traveled to Mount Sagiri after passing Final Selection. They arrived home to good news for Sakonji Urokodaki and Makomo, who learned that Sabito and Giyu had survived and were bringing Haruto with them.

• Kagaya told Amane that Haruto had been wise and mature since childhood, and Amane remarked on his enormous appetite.
• Haruto asked Sabito and Giyu to take him to Mount Sagiri so Sakonji Urokodaki could help correct his Water Breathing, and he promised not to tell Sakonji about the fox masks and the Hand Demon.
• Haruto teased Giyu for his awkward way of speaking as the three boys walked down the mountain together.
• Makomo reassured Sakonji that Sabito and Giyu would return safely, and Sakonji's Kasugai Crow announced that both had passed Final Selection.
• Sakonji learned from the crow that Sabito and Giyu were returning with Haruto, who could really eat, and prepared food.

Haruto visited Sakonji Urokodaki at Mount Sagiri and demonstrated his Flame Breathing, hoping for advice on improving his swordsmanship. Urokodaki told him Flame Breathing did not suit his personality and urged him to find another path, leaving Haruto uncertain about his future as a demon slayer.

• Haruto arrived at Urokodaki’s home with visiting gifts and gave Makomo a present.
• Haruto and Urokodaki’s students shared a meal around a fire as Haruto explained how to cook fish.
• Haruto demonstrated his Flame Breathing forms for Urokodaki, who said his swordsmanship integrated poorly with the style.
• Urokodaki advised Haruto to give up Flame Breathing, find a conviction that could ignite his passion, or join the Kakushi.
• Sabito comforted Haruto while Giyu asked Makomo about her gift, and Makomo’s new wisteria-shaped sword tassel was shown on her Nichirin Blade.

Haruto returned to the Swordsmith Village, where Godogawa grilled him about Makomo and his prospects for marriage. He then met Hotaru Haganezuka to discuss his Nichirin Blade design, but criticizing its appearance made the swordsmith fly into a rage.

• Haruto returned to the Swordsmith Village and gave Mitarashi Dango to the Kakushi who had carried him there.
• Godogawa questioned Haruto about Makomo, scolded him for not knowing her birthday, and accepted a new pair of geta and a haori.
• Godogawa told Haruto that Hotaru Haganezuka had been waiting for him to return and was angry about the delay.
• Haruto brought Mitarashi Dango to Hotaru Haganezuka, who showed him the revised design for his thinner Nichirin Blade.
• Haruto asked Hotaru Haganezuka to make the tsuba and nakago look nicer, and Hotaru Haganezuka erupted in anger.

Haruto received his Nichirin Blade, learned that a shortage of suitable assignments had kept him waiting, and trained while awaiting a mission. Cang Kong finally delivered a report of disappearances near Chiba Plain, and Haruto prepared to leave with Godogawa’s worried blessing.

• Hotaru Haganezuka gave Haruto a newly designed blade and warned him to treat it well.
• Haruto asked Gyomei Himejima why he had not received a mission, and Himejima explained that too many new Mizunoto swordsmen were competing for too few suitable demons.
• Haruto trained intensely, while Godogawa told him about Gyomei Himejima’s tragic past and privately worried that Haruto might seek revenge for his own family.
• Cang Kong reported that more than fifteen people had disappeared near Chiba Plain and that five Mizunoto swordsmen had been summoned.
• Godogawa prepared rice balls for Haruto’s journey, and Haruto set out with Cang Kong despite the parrot’s ominous reply.

Haruto went to Hirano in Chiba Prefecture to investigate reports of missing fishermen and learned that Saori Asai’s husband, Yūki, had disappeared, leaving her and their newborn daughter hungry. After offering Saori food in exchange for information, Haruto began to suspect that Yūki had not simply run away with a geisha.

• Haruto asked an innkeeper and an old woman about the missing fishermen and heard that several men had left for Tokyo after a festival, including Yūki Asai.
• Haruto learned that Saori had gone fishing despite recently giving birth because she and her daughter Rika had little food.
• Saori returned home exhausted and, believing Haruto had tracked her from Asakusa, threw household items at him.
• Haruto offered Saori prepared food and infant rice cereal in exchange for information about Yūki.
• Saori fed Rika first, then ate while Haruto wondered whether Yūki had been a fisherman who had won a geisha’s heart.

Haruto investigated the disappearance of Saori’s husband, Yūki, and discovered that a demon was hiding at the Hot Steam House. He confronted the demon after finding a bath full of human bones, but the demon disguised herself as a young girl and reappeared.

• Saori told Haruto that Yūki had vanished after delivering seafood to two hot spring inns, and she rejected the rumor that he had run off with a geisha.
• Saori recalled how she and Yūki had fled Asakusa and built a family together before Yūki disappeared.
• Haruto learned the names of the inns and decided to investigate the Hot Steam House before the other Demon Slayer Corps members arrived.
• Haruto sneaked into the Hot Steam House and sensed a demon devouring someone in a private bath, but the demon vanished before he reached the room.
• Haruto found human bones hidden beneath the bathwater, then recognized the young girl who entered the room as a demon and attacked with his Nichirin Blade.

Haruto defeated the long-haired demon woman, but a second demon attacked before he could recover. Giyu Tomioka arrived as Ox Demon swallowed Haruto, whose vision went black.

• The long-haired demon woman trapped Haruto in her hair, but he burned free with Flame Breathing, Fourth Form: Flourishing Flame Whirlwind.
• Haruto pressed his attack and beheaded the demon woman with Flame Breathing, Second Form: Blazing Heaven Ascension.
• Haruto noticed danger warnings in his vision and realized another demon might still be nearby.
• Ox Demon seized Haruto with a poisonous tentacle and dragged him out of the Hot Spring District.
• Giyu Tomioka rushed toward Haruto as Ox Demon shoved him into its mouth, and Haruto's vision went black.

After dying and returning to his arrival in Hirano, Haruto focused on eating before investigating the demons and met Giyu during a dangerous eating contest. The two prepared to investigate the missing fishermen, with Haruto bringing up the legend of Nure-onna and the Ox Demon.

• Haruto awoke back at the Late Sea Inn and recalled that Nure-onna and the Ox Demon were in Hirano.
• Haruto entered an eating contest against Yato Kazuma, who nearly choked after shoveling sushi rice into his mouth.
• Giyu saved Yato by pouring water into his mouth and striking his torso with his sword hilt.
• Haruto paid for food and bought Baby Rice Flour for Saori and Rika before visiting the Asai Family with Giyu.
• Haruto explained that Makomo had read his letters to Giyu, then began telling Giyu about the legend of Nure-onna and the Ox Demon.

Haruto and Giyu tracked Nure-onna to the coast, where she fed Ox Demon and revealed that both demons served Doma, Upper Rank Two. The boys began fighting the pair, and Nure-onna transformed as Ox Demon joined the battle, leaving a fierce confrontation underway.

• Haruto persuaded Giyu to follow Nure-onna instead of attacking her immediately.
• Nure-onna lured Ox Demon to the coast with her blood, and the two argued about feeding and their fear of a powerful demon slayer.
• Haruto learned from their conversation and the comments that Doma was Upper Rank Two and had given the demons his blood.
• Haruto and Giyu attacked Nure-onna and Ox Demon, with Haruto warning Giyu about the tentacles.
• Nure-onna transformed her lower body into a snake's tail as Ox Demon joined the fight on shore.

Haruto and Giyu defeated Nure-onna and the Ox Demon, but Haruto was struck by poison and lost consciousness. In a vision, he saw Keita find Mihoko dead, then watched Doma revive her and throw Keita into the sea.

• Haruto and Giyu coordinated their attacks after the Ox Demon interrupted their fight to devour Nure-onna's severed arm.
• Haruto tricked Nure-onna's defenses and beheaded her with Flame Breathing, Third Form: Blazing Universe.
• Haruto and Giyu beheaded the Ox Demon together, but a venomous tentacle struck Haruto in the chest before he passed out.
• Haruto saw a flashback in which Keita found Mihoko's body washed ashore and wept over her.
• Doma offered Mihoko a place in the Eternal Paradise Cult, gave her his blood, and threw Keita into the sea.

Haruto recovered from his injuries and returned to the Swordsmith Village, where he learned that Ruka Rengoku had died. He visited the grieving Rengoku family and left stunned when Shinjuro called them both useless men.

• Haruto woke at a Wisteria House with four broken ribs, and Sabito explained that he and Giyu had found him near the battle site.
• Haruto brooded over his weakness as Sabito and Giyu left for new assignments, then traveled back to the Swordsmith Village after his injuries improved.
• Godogawa told Haruto that Ruka Rengoku had died, so Haruto went to the Rengoku estate to pay his respects.
• Haruto met Kyojuro and Senjuro at Ruka's mourning altar before Shinjuro arrived and coldly told him to leave.
• When Haruto's injured ribs caused him pain, Shinjuro called them both useless men.

After Shinjuro Rengoku rejected Haruto and revealed he had resigned as Flame Hashira, Haruto questioned his own convictions and whether Flame Breathing suited him. While training beneath the stars, Haruto discovered a new Breathing Style, prompting Hotaru Haganezuka to confront him over using a different style with the sword he had forged.

• Shinjuro Rengoku told Haruto to leave and said he had resigned as Flame Hashira, while Kyojuro Rengoku promised to join the Corps and work to take his father's place.
• Haruto spent several days on the mountaintop questioning his purpose and deciding that he would change Breathing Styles if Flame Breathing did not suit him.
• Inspired by the stars, Haruto found new sword forms and began using a previously unknown Breathing Style that left him less exhausted than Flame Breathing.
• Hotaru Haganezuka followed the sound of Haruto's sword practice and realized Haruto was using a blue-violet blade with a style other than Flame Breathing.
• Haruto confronted Hotaru Haganezuka after discovering him crouched in the bushes, and Hotaru insisted on forging him a new sword.

Haruto tested his new Star Breathing forms and decided to settle near Mount Sagiri so Urokodaki could help train him. His new house became a shared home for Sabito and Giyu, while Makomo was left puzzlingly unhappy about her room.

• Haruto demonstrated three Star Breathing forms, destroying the training dummies and impressing Gyomei Himejima.
• Haruto rejected the idea that he had mastered nine techniques and reflected that becoming a Hashira would not be enough to end Muzan Kibutsuji’s dark era.
• Haruto declined offers to stay with the Ubuyashiki and Rengoku families and chose to build a house on Mount Sagiri.
• Godogawa teased Haruto about getting engaged to Makomo and starting a family as Haruto left the Swordsmith Village.
• Sabito and Giyu brought their bedding to Haruto’s new house, explaining that they would share his home and train with him under Urokodaki.
• Makomo seemed unhappy after giving up her room to Sabito and Giyu, though Urokodaki and the others could not understand why.

Haruto trained under Sakonji Urokodaki for over half a year before receiving a mission in Takinogawa Village, where a demon attacked the Kocho family. The chapter leaves Kanae and Shinobu facing the demon after it killed their parents.

• Haruto trained in Constant Total Concentration Breathing under Sakonji Urokodaki and grew stronger.
• Cang Kong delivered a mission from the Stone Hashira, assigning Haruto to investigate suspected demon activity in Takinogawa Village.
• Before Haruto left, Sakonji gave him a fox mask marked with stars, and Haruto promised Makomo and Giyu presents on his return.
• In Takinogawa Village, the physician warned his family to secure their home after examining the villagers killed by what they thought were wild beasts.
• A demon broke into the Kocho home, killed Kanae and Shinobu's parents, and turned its attention to the sisters.