Chapter Summaries

Xia Xi introduced a team combat exercise and asked Sabito and Giyu for their thoughts. Sabito identified reducing Corps casualties as its purpose, and Xia Xi confirmed his assessment.

• Xia Xi briefly introduced the team combat exercise.
• Xia Xi asked Sabito and Giyu what they thought of the exercise.
• Sabito recalled hearing about Lord Dawn Hashira's Hell Wednesday in Tokyo and suggested that the exercise aimed to reduce Corps members' deaths.
• Xia Xi confirmed that reducing casualties was the exercise's purpose.

Han Lu chose Purple Cloud Mountain, Yang Feng recognized the need to join Dong Cheng, and several fighters faced separate confrontations. Jian Ao and the others settled their order of appearance, while Diana reminded Ron to respect her father.

• Han Lu inspected more than a dozen large mountains and set his sights on Purple Cloud Mountain south of Phoenix Spirit City.
• Yang Feng realized that he should have joined Dong Cheng to keep rival warlords outside the passes into Luoyang.
• Hun Huo suffered damage from the extreme cold of the Ice Silkworm Amber's tough threads.
• A senior brother raised pillars of fire around the Desolate Serpent as it pursued four people.
• Jian Ao took the field first, followed by Taiyi and Bing Ning, while Long Tian became the grand finale.
• Diana repeatedly reminded Ron to show her father respect when they met.

Dingqi and her companions cautiously searched a shrine after three people lost contact. Elsewhere, Tianyi withstood repeated attacks, Wu Song narrowly avoided arrows, and Nie Wei identified gu as the cause of Wen Fangxia's condition.

• Dingqi entered the shrine with her two partners and Lord Xuezou to search for the missing people.
• Tianyi's father expressed relief that Tianyi was working to support the family without breaking rules.
• The white-robed man's Senior Brother repeatedly attacked Tianyi with red light but barely wounded him.
• Wu Song opened a window and immediately shut it as seven or eight arrows shot through the window paper.
• Lin Xiumei cried over her son's clothes after Daniu left, while Nie Wei continued keeping watch at another house.
• Nie Wei told the Li family that Wen Fangxia had been afflicted with gu rather than an illness, and they believed him.

Taibai witnessed a strange world emerge around a blue moon, and Duan Jinyu assessed Su Qingyi as capable of reaching the Innate Realm before thirty with sufficient resources. Elsewhere, a spear attack threatened the Heaven-Connecting Demon Sage, while the prophet insisted that gods and immortals were merely swindlers.

• Zhou Zhou contemplated changes across China and the Earth while tapping his fingers on a table.
• Yi Jifeng offered five million as compensation and threatened to smash Luo Yuqing's office.
• Taibai watched a world of yellow earth, blue ocean, and forest appear as the blue moon's radiance expanded.
• Ouyang Pengcheng ordered the jade lichen dug up after discovering a large quantity.
• Duan Jinyu examined Su Qingyi's meridians and declared that she might reach the Innate Realm before thirty with enough cultivation resources.
• The prophet denied the existence of gods and immortals and mocked those who believed in them.

Yukishiro Seiko and Squad Seven fought Lower Rank Five Men Shou while waiting for Xia Xi, and all four suffered grave injuries before defeating him. Xia Xi arrived after the battle, killed the fading demon, and promised to treat the survivors.

• Men Shou used his Blood Demon Art to pull the Swordsmen toward him, but Persimmon attacked through the force and revealed a gap between his techniques.
• Men Shou weakened Persimmon with a black rod, then threw it through Dingqi's defense and pinned her to a tree.
• Hozō Yuto and Fujian Hui exploited Persimmon's opening and nearly severed Men Shou's neck together, but his repulsive force blasted them and Seiko away.
• Seiko told Hozō Yuto and Fujian Hui to back her up as she led another attack, and Squad Seven defeated Men Shou at the cost of severe injuries.
• Xia Xi arrived to find Men Shou fading, crushed his head, and found Seiko, Dingqi, Hozō, Fujian Hui, and Persimmon alive but gravely wounded.

After four wounded Swordsmen defeated a Lower Rank demon, Xia Xi promised to secure their promotions and considered how to support their recovery. The mission’s success reached Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who began weighing Xia Xi’s wider reforms, especially changes to the Corps’ flawed rank and mission-assignment systems.

• Xia Xi treated Tomioka, Dingqi, Persimmon, and Kozō, and promised to report their victory and seek promotions for them.
• Kozō asked Xia Xi for a flintlock like his, and Xia Xi said he would look into getting one.
• Sabito and Giyu arrived with Kakushi, and Sabito praised the wounded Swordsmen after learning they had fought a Lower Rank.
• Kagaya Ubuyashiki reviewed the mission report and credited Xia Xi’s training and squad tactics with helping the four Swordsmen exceed expectations.
• Kagaya considered promoting the four Swordsmen and reviewing Xia Xi’s proposals for the Hashira structure and Corps ranks.
• Kagaya recognized that the Corps’ merit-based ranks and unclear mission-difficulty assessments caused mismatches, inefficiency, and unnecessary deaths.

Xia Xi proposed overhauling the Demon Slayer Corps’ ranks for swordsmen and demons, replacing seniority-based advancement with strength and mission-based classifications. Ubuyashiki planned to discuss the changes at the next Hashira meeting, while promoting four swordsmen under the existing system.

• Xia Xi outlined five strength-based ranks for swordsmen, from Junior to Hashira candidate, and proposed a separate Reserve category for trainees and Kakushi members.
• Xia Xi proposed classifying ordinary demons into Third, Second, and First Ranks, with mission assignments based on preliminary assessments from the Kakushi intelligence department and Kasugai Crows.
• Ubuyashiki kept Xia Xi’s letters and decided to discuss implementing the reforms at the next Hashira meeting.
• Ubuyashiki promoted Togashi Hai and Kitsune Kurando from Tsuchinoto to Hinoto, and Hanayama Kichō from Hinoto to Hinoe.
• Ubuyashiki exceptionally promoted Yukihashiri Seiko from Hinoto to Kinoto for leading the Lower Rank demon’s slaying and repeatedly saving comrades.

Xia Xi comforted the injured Yukishiro Seiko about the battle against Lower Rank Five and revealed that Dingqi and the other slayers had survived. He asked Seiko to become his Tsuguko, leaving her flustered after she mistook his serious words for a romantic confession.

• Xia Xi told Yukishiro Seiko that she had defeated Lower Rank Five, a powerful Twelve Kizuki demon, and that her injured comrades and Dingqi were all alive.
• Xia Xi reassured Seiko that surviving the battle without losing anyone counted as a good ending, and he stayed beside her while she rested.
• Seiko asked whether she had caused Xia Xi trouble, and he took her hand before asking her to become his Tsuguko.
• Seiko accepted the offer, then blushed and chased Xia Xi from the room after realizing he had not meant to confess his feelings.

Nikaido Mei learned that Dingqi Mihua had helped slay a Lower Rank and discussed Xia Xi’s Northern Region reforms with Jigoro Kuwajima. Meanwhile, Uzui Tengen reflected on his training after his defeat by Xia Xi and decided to travel north to seek his guidance.

• Nikaido Mei heard from a Kasugai Crow that Dingqi Mihua had helped defeat a Lower Rank alongside Yukishiro Seiko.
• Nikaido Mei explained Xia Xi’s new Seventh Squad system and his work in the Northern Region to Jigoro Kuwajima.
• Nikaido Mei learned that the injured youngsters had received treatment but faced unusual circumstances Xia Xi was trying to resolve.
• Uzui Tengen trained with a new Sound Breathing form but felt that his progress had stalled.
• Uzui Tengen recalled Xia Xi’s strength and the Northern Region’s training results, then decided to seek Xia Xi’s guidance.

Xia Xi prepared to leave the Northern Region to seek help for the lingering effects of a Lower Rank’s Blood Demon Art and handle Corps duties. He left Sabito and Giyu in charge, with Sabito having developed Waterfall Breathing and the pair considering how they might face a Lower Rank demon.

• Xia Xi found that a supernatural substance from a Lower Rank’s Blood Demon Art was slowing the recovery of Dingqi, Kozō, Fujian Hui, and Persimmon, so he decided to consult the Butterfly Mansion.
• Sabito told Xia Xi he had created Waterfall Breathing, and his spar with Giyu showed that the new style was still at LV.1 despite Sabito’s strength.
• Xia Xi asked Sabito and Giyu to help manage the Northern Region and dojo while he was away, advising them to retreat if they encountered a Lower Rank and seek Shinjuro’s help.
• Two days later, Xia Xi headed south with two Corps members and a Kakushi, carrying medical samples and five demons for the selection grounds.
• Xia Xi planned to complete his outstanding missions and selection reforms, and considered using the captured demons as exam equipment before killing them to claim a side-quest reward.

Xia Xi reviewed his growing strength and spoke with his cohortmate Shota about accepting his limits while continuing to improve. He encouraged Shota to switch to Wind Breathing and promised to help him develop a derivative style, while Sakizono asked for the same training.

• Xia Xi checked his skills and stats, noting that Dawn Breathing had reached LV.5 and brought his Energy Level close to 500.
• Xia Xi recognized Shota as a fellow member of his cohort from Lake Ashi and teased him about his weak Flame Breathing.
• Xia Xi told Shota that accepting being ordinary could keep him from being discouraged, while still striving to become stronger than before.
• Xia Xi silenced the noisy Demons in a coffin, then advised Shota to train Wind Breathing and promised to help him develop a derivative style.
• Sakizono asked Xia Xi to train him in Wind Breathing and help him develop a derivative style too.

Tengen Uzui arrived at Xia Xi’s Sendai dojo seeking special training and decided to wait there after learning Xia Xi had gone south. Xia Xi finished a Selection Grounds assignment and visited the Butterfly Mansion for medicine, where Shinobu hurried him aside because her sister Kanae was home.

• Tengen Uzui introduced himself at Xia Xi’s dojo and learned Xia Xi was away in the south.
• Tengen recognized Sabito, noticed his improved skills, and announced he would stay until Xia Xi returned or the dojo reopened.
• Sabito agreed to lead Tengen to a guest room, seeing him as a powerful ally while Seiko recovered.
• Xia Xi killed two powerful demons at the Selection Grounds, gained experience, and raised Dawn Breathing to LV.5.
• Xia Xi traveled to the Butterfly Mansion for medicine, and Shinobu pulled him aside after warning him to keep quiet because Kanae was home.

Xia Xi visited the Butterfly Mansion to seek help treating Corps members afflicted by the lingering effects of a Lower Rank demon’s Blood Demon Art, and Kanae agreed to investigate with him. Shinobu’s nervous feelings toward Xia Xi surfaced when she cornered him, leaving her flustered after Kanae caught them together.

• Shinobu cornered Xia Xi at the Butterfly Mansion and nervously asked why he had come, while he explained he needed help with a medical problem.
• Xia Xi described how a Lower Rank demon’s Blood Demon Art had left substances in wounded Corps members’ bodies that his medicine could not treat.
• Kanae arrived, noticed Shinobu clutching Xia Xi’s haori, and led Xia Xi to the sitting room to examine his samples and records.
• Kanae assessed the cases and invited Xia Xi to stay and research a cure with her, and he said he had arranged for others to handle his northern duties.
• Shinobu returned with medicinal ingredients, and Kanae teased her about looking nervous, leaving her too flustered to meet either of their eyes.

Xia Xi helped Shinobu Kocho test a custom Nichirin Blade designed to inject poison, and she demonstrated how well her Poison Breathing worked with it. Shinobu then revealed five new poisons she had developed, leaving Xia Xi impressed and Kanae watching their closeness with complicated feelings.

• Xia Xi studied medicine with Kanae and Shinobu while Shinobu admired him and the custom Nichirin Blade he had made for her, named Raccoon Zero.
• Xia Xi brought Shinobu to the training grounds, where she quickly mastered the blade’s thrusts and cartridge changes using Poison Breathing.
• Shinobu showed Xia Xi and Kanae five poisons: a sun-like burning poison, a wisteria-based paralyzing poison, biological toxins, a mixture of heavy-metal powder and glass fibers, and a hallucinogenic blend made with marechi blood.
• Xia Xi praised Shinobu’s work, making her blush, while Kanae smiled at their closeness before her thoughts turned complicated.

Kanae watched Shinobu train with Xia Xi and joined them in a sword spar, revealing how much stronger she had become. Xia Xi invited both sisters to attack him with real blades, then called for beef so he could make gyūdon for dinner.

• Kanae noticed Shinobu's embroidered sachet among Xia Xi's belongings and felt a trace of jealousy at their closeness.
• Xia Xi asked Kanae and Shinobu to spar against him together, and Kanae agreed to use her Nichirin Blade.
• Kanae used Flower Breathing to evade and counter Xia Xi, impressing Shinobu with her sister's strength.
• Kanae and Xia Xi called for Shinobu to join the fight, and Xia Xi told a limping Swordsman to fetch beef for dinner.
• Shinobu and Kanae attacked Xia Xi together as he announced they would have gyūdon that night.

Kanae Kocho asked Xia Xi about his impressions of Shinobu and herself while noticing Shinobu’s scented sachet beneath his haori. Xia Xi praised both sisters as swordsmen, then called Kanae better suited to becoming an excellent wife, leaving her flustered.

• Kanae Kocho noticed Shinobu’s handmade scented sachet on Xia Xi and teased him about being popular with girls.
• Xia Xi said he liked the sachet and asked Kanae whether its demon-repelling effect would stack with another one.
• Kanae asked Xia Xi what he thought of Shinobu, and he praised her intelligence, effort, and potential to become one of the Nine Hashira.
• Kanae realized Xia Xi treated Shinobu as a fellow swordsman rather than a child who needed protection, and said she understood why Shinobu was close to him.
• Kanae asked Xia Xi for his impression of her, and he praised her kindness and strength before saying she would make an excellent wife.
• Kanae froze at Xia Xi’s remark, returned the sachet to him, and drank several sips from her empty teacup.

Kanae asked Xia Xi to train her after seeing how quickly Shinobu and other Swordsmen improved under his guidance. Xia Xi agreed and invited both sisters to help oversee the Demon Slayer Corps’ reformed Final Selection, leaving Kanae surprised and eager to follow him.

• Kanae and Shinobu pushed themselves harder in training after Kanae noticed Shinobu’s progress and began striving not to fall behind.
• Kanae developed a medicine that could gradually suppress the Blood Demon Art curses and gave the formula to Xia Xi for the wounded in the Northern Region.
• Kanae thanked Xia Xi for looking after Shinobu, then asked him for systematic, demanding training so she could grow stronger.
• Xia Xi agreed to train Kanae and said she would need to travel with him when he continued his work.
• Xia Xi invited Kanae and Shinobu to help him oversee the five Final Selection examination grounds, and Kanae agreed.

Xia Xi coached Kanae on Total Concentration and Flower Breathing during the journey to Mount Fujikasane, while Shinobu grew jealous of the hands-on instruction. The chapter ended with Kanae insisting that her sister leave her training time alone, as Xia Xi mistook Shinobu’s jealousy for a request for more training.

• Shinobu walked ahead as Xia Xi and Kanae traveled toward Mount Fujikasane, and Xia Xi guided Kanae in maintaining Total Concentration.
• Xia Xi corrected Kanae’s Flower Breathing by adjusting her posture and breathing, helping her stabilize her technique and reach LV.5.
• Shinobu stopped and watched Xia Xi’s hands on Kanae, then approached and pulled his hand away.
• Xia Xi ruffled Shinobu’s hair and mistook her jealousy for a desire for extra training.
• Kanae took Xia Xi’s hand while holding Shinobu’s and told her sister not to interrupt her training time.

Xia Xi gave Kanae demon-specific anesthetic so she could use poison without causing demons extra suffering, then sent the Kocho sisters to investigate a suspected Level One Demon near Blue Village. The sisters set out to test their training while Xia Xi stayed back to finish off the demon.

• Xia Xi offered Kanae poisons for her Nichirin Blade, but she refused because she did not want demons to suffer.
• Xia Xi gave Kanae an anesthetic that could numb demons, slow their movements, and interfere with their Blood Demon Arts, and Kanae accepted it.
• A Kasugai Crow ordered Kanae Kocho to go northeast to investigate a suspected Level One Demon outside Blue Village.
• Xia Xi assigned Kanae and Shinobu to handle the mission together so Kanae could test her training and Shinobu could test her new blade.
• Xia Xi told the sisters to weaken the demon until it was nearly defeated, then leave the kill to him.

Xia Xi accompanied Kanae and Shinobu Kocho to hunt the demon Wakuraba, who was nearing Lower Rank strength. The sisters fought him with their Breathing Styles, but Wakuraba’s speed, invisibility, and rapid healing kept the battle dangerous.

• Shinobu explained that Xia Xi always delivered the final blow on demon hunts, and Kanae accepted the rule before the group headed for Blue Village.
• Kanae, Shinobu, and Xia Xi learned of a monster in the mountains and searched for it at dusk.
• Wakuraba sensed the women and ambushed the Kocho sisters, but Kanae blocked his opening strike.
• Wakuraba revealed his confidence that he would soon become a Lower Rank, and Kanae and Shinobu began their planned attack.
• Shinobu’s thrust forced Wakuraba to dodge, while Kanae tracked his invisible attacks and cut his chest; he healed quickly and taunted her.