Chapter Summaries

Xia Xi persuaded the Hashira and Kagaya to adopt new Swordsman ranks and create Provisional Hashira adjutants to support and train alongside the Nine Hashira. With the Mist Pillar’s seat vacant, Xia Xi recommended Tengen Uzui, and Kagaya revealed that Tengen had refused promotion three times because he wanted to earn it by slaying a Lower Rank and fifty Demons.

• Xia Xi explained that Provisional Hashira would be elite Kinoe and Kinoto Swordsmen assigned to assist a Hashira, improve their survival odds, and train as future Hashira.
• Kazetoriin, Shinjuro, and Gyomei accepted Xia Xi’s proposal, and Kagaya approved the new three-tier Swordsman system and separate tests for Elite and Provisional Hashira.
• Kagaya asked for candidates to fill the vacant Mist Pillar seat, and Xia Xi recommended Tengen Uzui because his strength qualified him for the Nine Hashira.
• Kagaya said Tengen had declined promotion three times because he wanted to slay a Lower Rank and fifty Demons before becoming a Hashira, inspired by Xia Xi’s example.
• Kagaya decided to write Tengen another letter because the Corps had too few Hashira.

Xia Xi presented the Hashira with a profile of Muzan Kibutsuji based on the identities of demons he had encountered, outlining Muzan’s possible human disguises, impulsive choices, arrogance, caution, and search for a way to overcome sunlight. Kagaya planned to investigate the suggested identities discreetly, and Xia Xi ended the meeting by offering the Hashira new uniforms.

• Ubuyashiki invited Xia Xi to share speculative intelligence on Muzan Kibutsuji, and Xia Xi presented records tracing demons to their former human identities.
• Xia Xi inferred that Muzan likely used a respectable human identity, might possess powers of disguise or concealment, and chose people to turn into demons on a whim.
• Xia Xi described Muzan as arrogant toward the Demon Slayer Corps but extremely cautious, suggesting that an unknown limitation made him keep to the shadows.
• Xia Xi speculated that Muzan was searching for a way to overcome sunlight, possibly through ancient treasures or objects connected to the sun.
• Gyomei, Shinjuro, and Kazetoriin praised Xia Xi’s profile, and Kagaya decided to direct the Corps’ searches toward the identities and occupations he had identified.
• After no one raised further matters, Xia Xi offered to show the Hashira a new batch of uniforms.

Xia Xi performed a new treatment on Gyomei Himejima, restoring his ability to see blurry shapes and colors, and told him to continue applying medicine for six months to a year. Meanwhile, Kazami mourned Igarashi’s retirement but felt proud of his students, while Matsuyama Daimon and Nikaido planned to thank Xia Xi.

• Xia Xi operated on Gyomei Himejima, who woke to blurry vision and recognized Xia Xi by seeing two raised fingers.
• Xia Xi told Gyomei that his sight had initially returned and that regular treatment could make it clear within six months to a year.
• Kazami drank alone at the Dojo and grieved that Igarashi could no longer wield a sword, while taking pride in his students’ achievements.
• Matsuyama Daimon and Nikaido heard that an Upper Rank had been driven back and Gyomei’s eyes had been healed.
• Nikaido urged Matsuyama Daimon to thank Xia Xi, and they planned to go the next day after a market visit.

Xia Xi returned to the Northern Region base with Kanae, Makomo, and new swordsmen, where he found his dojo bustling with training and was greeted by his recovering allies. The chapter left him surveying the gathered fighters as Kanae and Persimmon regarded each other warily.

• Persimmon pushed through rehabilitation despite her lingering injuries, determined not to fall behind Xia Xi.
• Tengen Uzui trained Sabito, Giyu, and members of the Seventh Squad, then learned from a ninja mouse that Xia Xi was returning with new swordsmen.
• Xia Xi arrived at the Northern Region base with Kanae, Makomo, and Kuang Jin, and the dojo's swordsmen rushed to welcome him.
• Tengen greeted Xia Xi with a complaint, but Xia Xi effortlessly caught his wrist when he tried to grab his shoulder.
• Makomo greeted Sabito and Giyu, while Kanae noticed Persimmon watching her warily.
• Xia Xi looked over the assembled swordsmen and asked them not to crowd him so he could inspect them.

Xia Xi welcomed returning swordsmen and new trainees to the Northern Region dojo, assessing their strength and introducing Butterfly Kanae, Yegu Kuang Jin, and Kaga Makomo. Kanae planned to train toward Hashira Candidate rank and serve under the Feather Hashira, while Persimmon and Dingqi Shanhua privately regarded her as a rival for Xia Xi’s attention.

• Xia Xi praised Sabito’s progress and reassured Giyu, then assessed Tengen, the Seventh Squad, and the recovering Yukishiro Seiko as they returned to the dojo.
• Xia Xi introduced Butterfly Kanae as an Elite Swordsman and Butterfly Mansion’s head, and told the swordsmen that her medicine had cured their Blood Demon Art affliction.
• Xia Xi introduced Yegu Kuang Jin as his junior brother and warned the dojo members not to bully him, then Sabito and Giyu introduced their former junior sister, Kaga Makomo.
• Tengen asked Kanae why she had come to Sendai, and Kanae explained that she had joined Xia Xi to train and hoped to qualify as a Hashira Candidate.
• Persimmon and Dingqi Shanhua exchanged a look and silently decided that Kanae was a rival they needed to resist.

After returning to Kūmachiza, Xia Xi intensified the swordsmen’s training and continued refining Tengen Uzui’s Sound Breathing. Uzui delayed his Hashira promotion to seek out and slay a Lower Rank, while Xia Xi’s growing training schedule left Yukishiro Seiko handling rising expenses.

• Xia Xi pushed the swordsmen through harder training and sparred with Tengen Uzui and Kanae, while Yukishiro Seiko watched the matches.
• Xia Xi told Tengen Uzui that his improved Sound Breathing and stronger fundamentals made him qualified to become a Hashira.
• Tengen Uzui said he had postponed his promotion to try slaying a Lower Rank himself, and Xia Xi encouraged him to take missions in the Northern Region.
• Tengen Uzui left to pursue Lower Rank demons and agreed to keep an eye on the younger swordsmen’s training.
• Xia Xi expanded his training days as demon missions grew scarce, and Yukishiro Seiko asked him for more funding to cover the Corps’ expenses.

Yukishiro Seiko discussed her jealousy over Kanae’s gifts and closeness with Xia Xi while spending time with the Water Breathing Squad. Sabito and Giyu were ordered to support Kyoto, while Makomo stayed in the Northern Region to continue training under Xia Xi.

• Yukishiro Seiko talked with Sabito, Giyu, and Makomo about Kanae’s strength and the scented sachets Xia Xi wore.
• Yukishiro Seiko admitted she wanted to give Xia Xi a gift, and Sabito and Giyu kept quiet about the knot they had made for him.
• Makomo suggested that everyone who liked Xia Xi could live together, embarrassing Yukishiro Seiko.
• Giyu said that fighting Kanae would let people communicate through their blades, startling Yukishiro Seiko, Sabito, and Makomo.
• Sabito explained that headquarters had ordered him and Giyu to support Kyoto, while Makomo would stay and train in the Northern Region.
• Yukishiro Seiko ended the conversation and sent everyone back to training.

Sabito and Giyu secretly visited the Wish Books to leave messages for Xia Xi before their transfer, and Makomo joined them with her own wish for their friends to stay together and healthy. Outside, Tengen listened to the children and found himself thinking of his hometown and Sōnosuke.

• Sabito entered the records room to write in a Wish Book before leaving the Sendai Dojo.
• Giyu arrived with the same intention, and the two discussed what to write and whether their wishes might come true.
• Makomo found them, wrote that she hoped Urokodaki and Xia Xi would stay healthy and that she and the boys could remain together, then read their messages.
• Sabito wrote that he would protect everyone, while Giyu wrote that he wanted Makomo's wish to come true.
• Tengen listened outside the window and thought about his wives, his hometown, and Sōnosuke.

The Northern Region Dojo continued training Swordsmen as Murata arrived and Sabito and Giyu departed for Kyoto. The Feather Hashira, Takitsuki Kazetoriin, then visited the Dojo, where his shameless teasing of Xia Xi drew wary looks from two other Hashira.

• The Dojo settled into a routine of training, combat challenges, and Xia Xi practicing skills beyond cooking as Swordsmen transferred in and out.
• Murata arrived seeking to grow stronger, learned that Sabito was a Senior Swordsman and Giyu an Intermediate, and heard that Sabito and Giyu would soon leave for Kyoto.
• Xia Xi and the Dojo members gathered to see Sabito and Giyu off, and Xia Xi urged them to keep training and take care of themselves.
• After the Dojo grew lively again, Takitsuki Kazetoriin arrived, saying he had come as promised and asking to meet Kanae.
• Kazetoriin teased Xia Xi about taking his measurements for a uniform, and Xia Xi tossed him an outer robe; two unseen Hashira watched them warily.

Feather Hashira Kazetoriin Takitsuki visited Sendai to assess Kanae and meet his prospective adjutant, Xia Xi, then began training there to grow strong enough to face Upper Ranks. His interest also turned to Uzui Tengen, whose strength he sensed was nearing his own.

• Kazetoriin Takitsuki met Kanae, assessed her Flower Breathing and physical ability, and postponed testing her combat skills until after a day's rest.
• Kazetoriin and Uzui Tengen exchanged probing blows, but Xia Xi stopped them before their sparring could begin.
• Kazetoriin asked Xia Xi about places to eat and visit in Sendai, then settled in to train and study with the Corps members.
• Kazetoriin demonstrated Feather Breathing, Whip Technique, and String Technique, impressing the young swordsmen with his skill.
• Kazetoriin sought to become strong enough to fight Upper Ranks and became curious about Uzui Tengen's strength.

Kazetoriin and Tengen Uzui trained with Xia Xi at the Dojo, improving their strength before both departed to take up their Hashira duties. Tengen promised to stand by Xia Xi if he faced danger, and Xia Xi urged him to grow stronger and survive.

• Kazetoriin sparred with Xia Xi in the mountains, pushing himself to new progress despite Xia Xi countering his strongest techniques with ease.
• Tengen Uzui joined the sparring sessions, and Kanae and Persimmon watched to learn from the Hashira’s battles.
• After a week, Kazetoriin left to report the training results to the other Hashira and encouraged Kanae to grow stronger.
• Tengen Uzui was appointed a Hashira after failing to behead a Lower Rank, and Xia Xi suggested the title Ninja Hashira for him.
• As Tengen departed, he promised to help Xia Xi if he encountered an Upper Rank, and Xia Xi told him not to die pointlessly.

Xia Xi received Nikaido, Matsuyama Daimon, and former Rumble Hashira Jigoro Kuwajima at the Northern Region dojo. Nikaido challenged him to a spar, and Xia Xi agreed to repay her for her past instruction.

• Xia Xi opened the dojo door and recognized Nikaido and Matsuyama Daimon, who had arrived with Jigoro Kuwajima.
• Matsuyama introduced Kuwajima as a former Rumble Hashira whose leg had been crippled in a battle with a Twelve Kizuki demon.
• Nikaido explained that Kuwajima had been called the Rumble Hashira to distinguish him from a Thunder Breathing senior who had not yet retired.
• Xia Xi welcomed the visitors and served them tea while Nikaido watched the disciples sparring and asked to fight him.
• Xia Xi agreed to spar with Nikaido, saying he was eager to repay her for her past instruction.

Xia Xi faced Nikaido in a sparring match and overwhelmed her with superior strength, then revealed a powerful Thunder Breathing technique of his own. He defeated her with his newly created Seventh Form, which he named after her, leaving Nikaido delighted by his achievement.

• Nikaido challenged Xia Xi and struck first with Thunder Breathing’s First Form, but he caught her wrist and evaded her attacks without using a Breathing Style.
• After more than thirty exchanges, Nikaido asked how Xia Xi could match her without a Breathing Style, and he explained that his base stats were high enough.
• Nikaido unleashed her Sixth Form, but Xia Xi countered with Thunder Breathing far stronger than hers and knocked her back.
• Xia Xi picked up a second bokken, told Nikaido he had avenged her eye, and revealed that he had created a Seventh Form of Thunder Breathing.
• Xia Xi defeated Nikaido with the twin-sword technique he named Nikaido Seigō, and Nikaido laughed with joy at having taught him.

After Xia Xi’s display of Thunder Breathing, Nikaido thanked him and unexpectedly offered her daughter Ryuko as his bride. Matsuyama and Kuwajima also visited the dojo, and Kuwajima badly misunderstood Xia Xi’s connection to Nikaido as the chapter ended with Kanae and Persimmon overhearing the trainees’ talk of Xia Xi being married off.

• Matsuyama admired Xia Xi’s twin-blade technique, while Kuwajima envied Nikaido for having such a gifted student.
• Nikaido bowed to Xia Xi in gratitude, then offered to arrange his engagement to her daughter Ryuko.
• Hanayama Kichō and the Seventh Squad returned to the dojo, where Nikaido took Dingqi aside and Matsuyama gave Xia Xi gold and eggs in thanks for helping Gyomei.
• Kuwajima inspected the trainees and questioned Xia Xi about his Breathing Styles before mistakenly deciding Xia Xi was Nikaido’s live-in son-in-law.
• Makomo asked what a live-in son-in-law meant, and Kanae and Persimmon overheard Kuang Jin and Murata discussing Xia Xi being married off.

Xia Xi analyzed the system’s stats and Breathing Style progression to estimate how the Upper Ranks might compare with the Demon Slayer Corps. He concluded that raising the Corps’ combat strength would require more than physical training, while his own progress would depend on finding better ways to gain experience.

• Xia Xi compared the known Lower Ranks and Akaza’s energy levels to estimate the strength range of the other Upper Ranks and the Demon King.
• Xia Xi considered how the Hashira’s human bodies and lifespans limited their growth, and how technique or Breathing Style levels might help them face stronger demons.
• Xia Xi studied how [Body], [Technique], and [Mind] affected combat, concluding that a strong balance of Body and Technique mattered more than energy level alone.
• Xia Xi calculated that advancing his Breathing Style required increasingly large amounts of experience and far more demon kills than the Far East could provide.
• Xia Xi recognized that life skills and dojo achievements offered a faster path to progress than training or hunting demons alone.

Xia Xi learned that the Swordsmith Village could not supply the Crimson Red Iron Sand he had requested, so he decided to visit and arrange for stronger weapons. Before leaving for the village with Yumaru, he assigned training and demon-slaying duties to the dojo’s swordsmen.

• Yumaru told Xia Xi that the Swordsmith Village lacked iron sand because it was prioritizing Nichirin Blades for new members and replacements.
• Xia Xi recognized Yumaru as the swordsmith who had delivered his weapons in Yokohama and decided to visit the village to discuss repairs and new weapons.
• Xia Xi told Yumaru they would leave that day and said Little Black would notify Oyakata-sama on the way.
• Xia Xi put Kanae and Persimmon in charge of the dojo and advised them to handle urgent missions together or bring additional swordsmen.
• Xia Xi instructed Kuang Jin and Makomo to keep training, and told Murata to join Shotaro and Philip on demon-slaying trips to Hokkaido.
• Xia Xi promised the dojo’s swordsmen he would bring them new weapons after training his proficiency at the Swordsmith Village.

Xia Xi arrived at Swordsmith Village and discovered that his guesses about its hidden locations unsettled Ono. As Hotaru Yumaru led him to the Village Chief, the swordsmiths crowded around Xia Xi to discuss his weapons, and their conversation slowly increased his Forging proficiency.

• Xia Xi arrived at Swordsmith Village, and Ono explained that Kakushi members could not stay there without a reason.
• Xia Xi guessed that the village had once been near Gifu and was now around Shimane, alarming Ono, then asked him to tell Ubuyashiki that swordsmiths should be escorted when they left after the next relocation.
• Hotaru Yumaru welcomed Xia Xi and led him toward the Village Chief's residence while asking about his new weapon requirements.
• Kōshin and other swordsmiths surrounded Xia Xi to ask about his Fist Armor, his fight against an Upper Rank, and his three-sword style.
• Xia Xi listened as the swordsmiths discussed Nichirin Blade forging, and his Forging proficiency began to rise.

Xia Xi impressed the Swordsmith Village with his forging advice and asked to make unusually large, heavy weapons himself. After demonstrating his strength to Village Chief Tecchin, he left the smiths reconsidering what kind of Nichirin Blades he needed.

• Xia Xi shared forging ideas with the swordsmiths, while Hotaru Haganezuka dismissed him as an amateur and left.
• Xia Xi requested three great Tachi and a new pair of extra-thick, extra-heavy Fist Armor, then said he wanted to forge his own Nichirin Blades.
• The swordsmiths brought Xia Xi to Village Chief Tecchin, who questioned whether such oversized weapons suited his build.
• Xia Xi slashed the ground with a defective Nichirin Blade, deforming it, then broke a nearby tree with his bare hand.
• Xia Xi claimed he was slightly stronger than Gyomei, leaving Tecchin and the swordsmiths stunned.

Xia Xi asked Tiezhen to guide him as he forged his own weapons, and persuaded the skeptical village chief to let him demonstrate his skill. The chapter ended with Xia Xi forging tamahagane in Tiezhen’s old workshop while the village smiths watched his practiced work.

• Xia Xi told Tiezhen he wanted to forge his own weapons and asked for guidance rather than having Tiezhen make them for him.
• Tiezhen doubted Xia Xi’s skill until Xia Xi showed him his forging hammer and explained he had taught himself to a level he called Lv2.
• Tiezhen invited Xia Xi into his workshop to demonstrate his ability with ordinary iron.
• Tiezhen showed Xia Xi his collection of weapon prototypes and lent him his old workshop.
• Xia Xi used Stone Breathing to heat and hammer tamahagane, impressing the watching smiths with his practiced technique.
• Tiezhen signaled the smiths to wait until Xia Xi finished forging before judging his work.

Xia Xi impressed Village Chief Tiezhen with his swordsmithing skills and secured a chance to learn the craft. After hearing that the village was running low on top-grade Crimson Red Iron Sand, he decided to search the nearby mountains for ore.

• Xia Xi shaped and water-quenched Tamahagane in one attempt, then folded and hammered the steel faster than the other swordsmiths.
• Tiezhen stopped Xia Xi's demonstration, praised his talent, and agreed to teach him after he practiced with ordinary steel.
• Hotaru told Xia Xi that his lodging was ready and recommended the village hot spring.
• Hotaru explained that the supply of top-grade Crimson Red Iron Sand was dwindling and could affect the demon-slaying weapons.
• Xia Xi decided to use his Mining skill to search the nearby mountains for a new ore deposit.