Chapter Summaries

Xia Xi put the Swordsmen through an escalating hunt until their rotating battle formation finally wore him down, then oversaw the remaining training segments. As the second group fled the camp and a new set of examiners arrived, Xia Xi was left wondering why Sabito had gone to meet Giyu, who was supposedly due at the camp.

• Xia Xi easily defeated the Swordsmen in the first two hunt rounds before their improved rotating squads gradually exhausted him.
• After two days of fighting, Kanae knocked Xia Xi down with a self-sacrificing tackle, giving the Swordsmen their first victory.
• Xia Xi sat out the Swordsman Battle Royale, where the team led by the Butterfly girl won, while Tanjuro lost deliberately or by chance to Sabito.
• Xia Xi and Tanjuro taught the Swordsmen about Transparent World, Bright Red Nichirin Blades, and the Twelve Kizuki, while Xia Xi gave top performers extra guidance.
• The exhausted trainees and Kanae left early, and Sabito departed to meet Giyu, confusing Xia Xi because Giyu was expected at the camp.

The 1909 advanced Grand Training Camp ended after seven days of intensive practice, with Xia Xi overseeing the trainees and arranging theory lessons for Gyomei Himejima and Kazetoriin. Xia Xi then headed to the Butterfly Mansion to fulfill his promise to Kanae, wondering what secret the sisters had said only he could handle.

• Xia Xi assessed the Water Breathing-heavy group of trainees, including Yukishiro Seiko, Giyu, Murata, Makomo, Dōjima Kazuma, Yagami Izumo, and Kusanagi Kotetsu.
• Xia Xi recruited his Senior Brother and Tanjuro to teach Gyomei Himejima and Kazetoriin theory, hoping they would develop Simulated Transparent World.
• Xia Xi supported the trainees with accelerated training and individual advice while Gyomei Himejima enforced strict practice and Kazetoriin trained with the other Hashira.
• The seven-day Grand Training Camp concluded, rewarding its instructors and trainees while costing the Ubuyashiki Family a large sum.
• Xia Xi set off for the Butterfly Mansion to make good on his promise to Kanae and pondered the secret the sisters said only he could deal with.

Xia Xi visited the Butterfly Mansion, frightened Aoi Kanzaki with a joke, then comforted her and encouraged her to stay alive. Kanae Kocho and Shinobu Kocho revealed a new child in their care who seemed unable to act without direct orders, and Xia Xi noticed that her panel had no name.

• Xia Xi arrived at the Butterfly Mansion and caught Aoi Kanzaki when she nearly collided with him carrying medical supplies.
• Xia Xi teased Aoi, making her cry, then apologized and gave her candy while encouraging her to keep living and pursue strength.
• Kanae Kocho explained that Aoi wanted to become a swordswoman after demons killed her family, though she currently helped at the Butterfly Mansion.
• Kanae and Shinobu Kocho showed Xia Xi a quiet, unnamed girl who would not even eat without being told to do so.
• Xia Xi examined the girl's panel and saw that her name was blank, her Flower Breathing was level 0, and her notes included '[Sold by the pound]' and '[Coin-operated girl].'

Kanae and Shinobu asked Xia Xi to help care for Kanao, a traumatized child they had rescued from slavery. Xia Xi discovered that Kanao responded to commands and began encouraging her to make small choices, leaving the sisters unsure whether his approach was treatment or teasing.

• Kanae explained that she and Shinobu had rescued a malnourished, silent girl from a man who led her by a rope, and they had named her Kanao.
• Kanae asked Xia Xi to help Kanao, while Shinobu questioned whether he could handle the task.
• Xia Xi approached Kanao, found that she obeyed direct orders, and used his Medicine panel to identify her complex post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Xia Xi offered Kanao a choice between two candies and praised her when she selected one, prompting a faintly shy reaction.
• Kanae and Shinobu watched Xia Xi rub Kanao's head and wondered why his care still looked like he was teasing an animal.

Xia Xi used hypnosis and daily psychological counseling to help Ye Ying begin making small choices and feel safer at the Butterfly Mansion, where she grew increasingly attached to him and Kanae. As Ye Ying settled into her new life, Kanae raised the need to give her a proper surname.

• Xia Xi used hypnosis to help Ye Ying choose candy and try small actions, though she returned to her withdrawn state when the hypnosis ended.
• Xia Xi stayed at the Butterfly Mansion and worked with Ye Ying daily, encouraging small decisions and praising her efforts.
• Ye Ying grew more comfortable eating beside Xia Xi or Kanae and began following Xia Xi around quietly.
• Ye Ying overheard Xia Xi explaining how the Kocho Sisters could care for her after he left, and she feared he would abandon her until all three comforted her.
• Shinobu Kocho felt jealous of Ye Ying's closeness to Xia Xi and Kanae, while Kanae encouraged her to be more patient and affectionate.
• Kanae told Xia Xi that Ye Ying needed a proper surname.

Ye Ying chose Xia Xi’s surname and became Kurumaji Ye Ying, growing closer to him and the others at the Butterfly Mansion. Meanwhile, a Ninja investigating a dead Elite Swordsman in Tama City found evidence of a suspected Upper Rank demon and alerted the Demon Slayer Corps.

• Kanae and Shinobu let Ye Ying choose a surname from slips read aloud by Aoi Kanzaki, and Ye Ying picked Kurumaji.
• Xia Xi named her Kurumaji Ye Ying, and the name panel above her changed from [(Unnamed)] to [Kurumaji Ye Ying].
• Xia Xi braided Ye Ying’s hair into twin tails, and Aoi Kanzaki happily asked if she could be Ye Ying’s big sister.
• Kanae remembered Xia Xi’s lost family and thought he was beginning to emerge from his grief as he cared for Ye Ying.
• In Tama City, a Ninja examined a dead Elite Swordsman and used Xia Xi’s detector on a sample from the corpse.
• The detector shattered after its reading surged toward deep red, so the Ninja summoned a Ninja Eagle to report a suspected Upper Rank to the Demon Slayer Corps.

Xia Xi set out to investigate a possible Upper Rank demon after local intelligence reported that its detector had burned out. Meanwhile, Senior Intelligence Agent Earth Cat tracked the demon through the mountains, only to be discovered by a six-eyed samurai.

• A Kasugai Crow warned Xia Xi that an Upper Rank might have been spotted and urged him to wait for the Waterfall Hashira and Sound Hashira.
• Xia Xi gathered his weapons and gear, then rode the Ninja Eagle Winter Soldier toward the reported sighting with the Kasugai Crow following.
• Xia Xi guessed that the demon might be Upper Rank Two, Three, or the new Upper Rank Four.
• Earth Cat followed traces through the forest and sensed that the humanoid target was more dangerous than expected.
• The target appeared behind Earth Cat without warning and revealed his six crimson eyes.
• Earth Cat recognized the samurai in the purple Kimono as an Upper Rank.

Kokushibo cornered the Demon Slayer Corps intelligence agent Earth Cat and demanded information about the swordsman with Nichirin Flower Earrings. Earth Cat fired a red Super Threat flare, and Xia Xi arrived to face Kokushibo, whom he recognized as Upper Rank One Michikatsu.

• Kokushibo used Transparent World to detect Earth Cat and the hidden Ninja Beasts and killed the Kasugai Crow that could have carried a message.
• Earth Cat tried to escape Kokushibo through the forest, but Kokushibo caught up and demanded information about the swordsman with Nichirin Flower Earrings.
• Earth Cat fired a red flare to warn the Demon Slayer Corps of a Super Threat, and Kokushibo wounded him before preparing to kill him.
• Xia Xi crashed down between Kokushibo and Earth Cat, told Earth Cat to retreat, and faced Kokushibo.
• Xia Xi recognized Kokushibo as Michikatsu and realized he was confronting Upper Rank One.

Xia Xi faced Kokushibo, Upper Rank One, and tested his powerful Moon Breathing attacks while taunting him about Yoriichi. Kokushibo recognized Xia Xi’s defensive style as Sun Breathing and demanded to know where he had learned it.

• Xia Xi examined Kokushibo’s formidable stats and abilities, then exchanged introductions with him as Kokushibo called him Matsushita Shousha.
• Xia Xi questioned Kokushibo about his six eyes and mocked his rivalry with Yoriichi, provoking Kokushibo into unleashing a spreading crescent slash.
• Xia Xi dodged the slash’s main trajectory and used Flowing Water, Empty-Sky Circle to block its dangerous fragments.
• Kokushibo attacked again, and Xia Xi used Dawn Breathing to defend himself while testing the strength of Kokushibo’s Blood Demon Art.
• Kokushibo recognized Xia Xi’s Breathing Style as Sun Breathing and demanded to know where he had learned it.

Xia Xi fought Kokushibo, whose mastery of Moon Breathing let him recognize that Xia Xi’s Dawn Breathing resembled Sun Breathing. Realizing his style had been shaped by an inspiration item that let him experience Yoriichi’s insights, Xia Xi landed a powerful red-blade strike, then stalled while secretly asking the System to add points before Kokushibo resumed attacking.

• Kokushibo unleashed Moon Breathing slashes and questioned Xia Xi about where he had learned Sun Breathing as their battle turned against Xia Xi.
• Kokushibo identified the cadence of Xia Xi’s Dawn Breathing as resembling Sun Breathing, while Xia Xi insisted he had created it himself.
• Xia Xi recalled that the System’s Primordial Inspiration item had followed a CG showing Yoriichi teaching the first Hashira, and realized it had likely given him Yoriichi’s perspective.
• Xia Xi used a red Nichirin Blade and his Seventh Form to damage Kokushibo’s sword and force him back, then boasted that he could surpass Yoriichi.
• Kokushibo prepared to fight in earnest, but Xia Xi asked him to wait while secretly begging the System to add points because he was about to lose.

Xia Xi spent achievement points to raise Dawn Breathing to level 7, greatly increasing his strength and skill. He used his new power and tactical feints to batter Kokushibo, and the chapter ended with their fastest Iaido slashes colliding.

• Xia Xi spent 23 achievement points to raise Dawn Breathing to level 7, increasing his energy level from 791 to 925.
• Kokushibo mistook Xia Xi's sudden growth for the effect of a secret drug and criticized his reliance on external aids.
• Xia Xi used the Transparent World to disrupt Kokushibo's predictions, then kicked dirt and debris into his face.
• Xia Xi struck Kokushibo with Ninth Form: Sea Radiance: Return to the Void and drove him into the mountainside.
• Kokushibo escaped with Moon Breathing: Fifth Form: Moon-Sickle Vortex and charged Xia Xi with First Form: Dark Moon: Evening Palace.
• Xia Xi countered with Dawn Breathing: Eleventh Form: Nether Dawn: Soul, Return to the Underworld, and their Iaido slashes collided.

Xia Xi used True Total Concentration and spent his remaining achievement points to strengthen several Breathing Styles, turning the tide against Kokushibo. He knocked Upper Rank One through trees and mountainsides, leaving Kokushibo wounded and questioning how Xia Xi could wield Sun Breathing.

• Xia Xi and Kokushibo clashed with their ultimate Iaido slashes, and Xia Xi was sent flying while Kokushibo’s deep wound began to heal.
• Kokushibo wondered how Xia Xi could match his strength, unaware that True Total Concentration multiplied Xia Xi’s physical power nearly fivefold.
• Xia Xi spent 12 achievement points to raise Stone Breathing to level 5, then spent another 12 to raise Wind Breathing to level 5.
• Xia Xi used his final two achievement points to raise Water Breathing to level 4 and gained enough strength to overwhelm Kokushibo.
• Xia Xi knocked Kokushibo through trees and mountainsides, and Kokushibo rose slowly while wondering why Xia Xi could master Sun Breathing.

Xia Xi taunted Kokushibo during their duel, prompting Kokushibo to embrace the thrill of fighting him until Muzan ordered him to use his Blood Demon Art and bring Xia Xi back alive. Kokushibo transformed and surged in strength, leaving Xia Xi worried that he had provoked too much.

• Xia Xi explained that a ninja’s spirit meant ignoring restrictive conventions, and Kokushibo began to understand and enjoy their fierce sword duel.
• Muzan contacted Kokushibo, ordered him to use his Blood Demon Art, and decided he wanted Xia Xi brought back as a demon subordinate.
• Xia Xi mocked Kokushibo’s strength and compared him unfavorably to Yoriichi Tsugikuni, enraging Kokushibo.
• Kokushibo activated his Demon King’s Blood, enlarged Kokyū Shinju, and raised his Energy Level to 1469.
• Xia Xi realized Kokushibo was transforming and tried to take back his insults as Kokushibo attacked with enhanced sword techniques.

Xia Xi fought Kokushibo after the demon unleashed his transformed form, but Kokushibo’s fused Moon Breathing and Blood Demon Art overwhelmed him. Kokushibo rejected Xia Xi’s comparison to Yoriichi as they continued battling until the mountain collapsed.

• Xia Xi faced Kokushibo’s transformed form, whose energy surged past 3,000 and whose attacks tore through the forest.
• Kokushibo chained powerful Moon Breathing attacks together, blasting Xia Xi through the air and forcing him to defend with both swords.
• Xia Xi realized Kokushibo’s enormous ranged crescents came from combining Moon Breathing with Blood Demon Art, while his own hands began to bleed.
• Kokushibo told the kneeling Xia Xi that forcing him into his transformed state was impressive but did not bring him close to Yoriichi’s level.
• Kokushibo recalled his jealousy of Yoriichi and insisted that only he, Yoriichi’s older brother, had the right to judge him.
• Kokushibo and Xia Xi resumed their clash, and their violent sword strikes caused the mountain to collapse.

Kokushibo’s battle with Xia Xi rekindled memories of his rivalry with his younger brother Yoriichi and the choices that led him to become a demon. As Xia Xi’s strength began to falter, Kokushibo insisted that he could never reach Yoriichi’s level and questioned how long he could keep fighting before dawn.

• Kokushibo flew into a rage at Xia Xi’s boast and attacked him with increasingly powerful slashes, but Xia Xi survived by using Force Dissipation and Beggar’s Transparent World.
• Kokushibo remembered growing up beside the gifted Yoriichi, who surpassed him effortlessly and later left home so Michikatsu could inherit the Tsugikuni family.
• After Yoriichi rescued him from a demon, Michikatsu abandoned his family to join the Demon Slayer Corps and train alongside his brother.
• Michikatsu became desperate when the Demon Slayer Mark’s curse threatened to cut short his chance to catch up with Yoriichi, so he accepted Muzan’s offer of demonic immortality.
• Even after becoming Kokushibo, he could not defeat Yoriichi, who spared him in their final battle before dying of old age.
• Kokushibo judged that Xia Xi was nearing his limit and challenged him to say how long he could keep fighting before dawn.

Xia Xi’s Transparent World evolved into its full form during his desperate battle with Kokushibo, though Kokushibo’s own mastery kept Xia Xi on the back foot. Tengen Uzui arrived with a surprise attack after using explosives to blind Kokushibo.

• Xia Xi argued that future generations could surpass Yoriichi Tsugikuni and forced Kokushibo’s attack into the ground.
• Kokushibo briefly saw a resemblance to Yoriichi in Xia Xi, then dismissed the idea as Xia Xi kept boasting.
• Xia Xi’s Mimicry: Transparent World broke through into the Transparent World, letting him perceive Kokushibo’s body, attacks, and intentions in extraordinary detail.
• Kokushibo also used the Transparent World, so he countered Xia Xi’s predictions and continued to overpower him.
• Kokushibo’s Ninth Form destroyed explosives in the nearby woods, and the sudden glare distracted him long enough for Tengen Uzui to launch a silent decapitation strike.

Tengen Uzui joined Xia Xi against Kokushibo, Upper Rank One, but their combined attacks could barely withstand his overwhelming swordsmanship. Xia Xi’s poison-coated bullets and a coordinated strike created an opening, though he warned Uzui that they needed to escape.

• Tengen Uzui surprised Kokushibo with a flash bomb and a powerful attack, but Kokushibo blocked it and hurled him away.
• Xia Xi warned Uzui about Kokushibo’s strength, and Uzui agreed to support him while Xia Xi remained the main fighter.
• Uzui used his Score, Simulated Transparent World, bombs, and twin blades to predict and disrupt Kokushibo’s attacks while Xia Xi fought him.
• Kokushibo unleashed his Fourteenth Form, forcing Xia Xi and Uzui to evade a vast storm of moon-shaped slashes.
• Xia Xi shot Kokushibo with poison-treated bullets, buying Uzui time to escape and wound the demon’s shoulder.
• Xia Xi struck Kokushibo hard enough to send him sliding back, then secretly signaled Uzui to prepare to flee.

Xia Xi and Tengen Uzui struggled to hold off Kokushibo, who offered Xia Xi the chance to become a demon. Xia Xi answered by asking about Kokushibo’s benefits, leaving Tengen dumbfounded as the battle remained unresolved.

• Xia Xi fired signal flares to call for reinforcements while he and Tengen fought Kokushibo.
• Kokushibo overwhelmed both Hashira, wounded Xia Xi, and sent Tengen crashing through trees.
• Kokushibo asked Xia Xi whether he had seen a swordsman with hanafuda earrings, and Xia Xi denied it while joking about selling charcoal.
• Kokushibo praised Xia Xi’s swordsmanship and invited him to become a demon and serve Muzan.
• Xia Xi asked whether the demons got weekends off and paid annual leave, leaving Tengen stunned.

Xia Xi rejected Kokushibo’s offer to become a demon, denounced Muzan and the demons as parasites, and declared that he would remain human and make his name across Terra. As Kokushibo prepared to take him by force, an approaching arrival prompted Xia Xi to unleash a smoke-filled escape.

• Kokushibo struggled to offer Xia Xi any benefits beyond the strength and longevity of demonhood, while Xia Xi mocked the Demon Group’s poor working conditions and promotion prospects.
• Kokushibo realized Xia Xi was toying with him and threatened to disable him and carry him back to Muzan.
• Xia Xi refused to become a demon, arguing that demons were bound to Muzan and would die with him, while declaring that he would remain human and become a living legend.
• Kokushibo accepted Xia Xi’s refusal and prepared to cut him down, but the fighters sensed something approaching through the sky.
• Xia Xi called out to Tengen, released purple smoke across the battlefield, and announced that it was his escape route.

Xia Xi and Tengen Uzui used a poison made from wisteria and Hajimi’s rare blood to slow Kokushibo while they escaped. Reinforcements arrived in the form of the Sengoku-era First Generation Nine Hashira, Narukaze Shōkichi and Iwashiro Jin, who drove Kokushibo back.

• Kokushibo recognized wisteria and rare blood in the smoke bombs, and the poison briefly impaired his vision, breathing, and movement.
• Xia Xi explained the poison’s ingredients to Tengen Uzui as they fled, but Tengen stopped to offer himself as a rearguard until Xia Xi told him reinforcements had arrived.
• Ninja Eagles dropped hollow wooden crates, which Xia Xi and Tengen opened as Kokushibo approached through the fading smoke.
• Narukaze Shōkichi emerged from the smoke and attacked Kokushibo with Wind Breathing, prompting Kokushibo to recognize the swordsman as someone he believed had died centuries ago.
• Iwashiro Jin joined Narukaze Shōkichi, and their Wind and Stone Breathing attacks forced Kokushibo back.