Recaps

Kanzaki Kumo realized Kanao had not come to his room and went to check on her, finding her with Shinobu Kocho. The chapter left him entering their room as Shinobu continued working at her desk.

• Kanzaki Kumo planned a new Water Breathing technique to counter wide-area attacks before visiting the Rengoku Family to learn Flame Breathing.
• Kanzaki Kumo remembered that Kanao often sneaked into his bed and decided he might need to ask the Zemu couple to watch over her at night.
• Kanzaki Kumo noticed Kanao had not come to his room and went to check on her and Shinobu Kocho.
• Kanao eagerly opened the door, called Kanzaki Kumo her brother, and nestled into his arms when he picked her up.
• Kanzaki Kumo carried Kanao into the room and found Shinobu Kocho engrossed in work with beakers and test tubes.

Kanzaki Kumo found Shinobu Kocho researching wisteria-based poisons and learned she wanted to help protect her sister and him despite her limited strength. After Kanao and Kanzaki Kumo comforted her, he promised that everyone at the Butterfly Mansion would live safely and sent both girls to bed.

• Kanzaki Kumo discovered Shinobu Kocho researching wisteria and asked why she was working with the doors and windows shut.
• Shinobu Kocho explained that she wanted to help Kanae and Kanzaki Kumo by developing medicines and drugs effective against demons.
• Shinobu Kocho admitted she felt helpless because her small frame prevented her from fighting demons like a Swordsman.
• Kanao hugged Shinobu Kocho, and Kanzaki Kumo embraced her and promised that she, Kanae, Kanao, and everyone at the Butterfly Mansion would be safe.
• Kanzaki Kumo told Shinobu Kocho and Kanao to rest, then returned to his room resolved to make the future better.

Over the course of a month, Kanzaki Kumo trained, helped advance demon-targeting drugs, and checked on Kagaya Ubuyashiki and his students. He completed his new Eighth Form, “Storm of Blossoms,” and planned to visit the Rengoku Family next.

• Kanzaki Kumo patrolled and trained while Shinobu Kocho and Butterfly Zemu tested demon-targeting drugs, prompting Kagaya Ubuyashiki to increase their funding.
• Butterfly Zemu examined Kagaya Ubuyashiki but could only prescribe medicines to ease the symptoms of his curse-induced illness.
• Kanzaki Kumo visited Mount Sagiri, where Kanae, Makomo, Sabito, and Giyu continued their training, and Mount Momiji, where Zenitsu eagerly asked him about demon slaying.
• Kanzaki Kumo completed his new move, Eighth Form: Storm of Blossoms, which used rapid, precise thrusts to counter dense attacks.
• Kanzaki Kumo decided that his next visit would be to the Rengoku Family.

Kanzaki Kumo left the Butterfly Mansion to visit Shinjuro Rengoku and, while stopping for lunch in a town near the Rengoku home, noticed a girl devouring sakura mochi. He bought some to try, and the encounter began as he watched her eat.

• Kanzaki Kumo said goodbye to Shinobu Kocho and the Zemu couple before setting out to visit Shinjuro Rengoku.
• Butterfly Zemu and Kocho Delia discussed the growing feelings Kanae, Shinobu, and Makomo had for Kanzaki Kumo, and Delia said they should let the young people decide for themselves.
• Kanzaki Kumo traveled for three days and stopped in a town near the Rengoku home to find lunch.
• Kanzaki Kumo saw a girl with pink-to-green twin ponytails eating stacks of sweets while a crowd watched her.
• Kanzaki Kumo bought the sakura mochi the girl was eating and inspected its ingredients.

Kanzaki Kumo visited the Rengoku residence to meet Shinjuro and spar, after stopping to eat in town and glimpsing Mitsuri Kanroji. The chapter ended as Kumo countered Shinjuro’s opening Flame Breathing attack with Thunder Breathing’s Second Form.

• Kanzaki Kumo enjoyed sakura mochi, then ate a large meal at a restaurant in town.
• Kanzaki Kumo spotted Mitsuri Kanroji amid a crowd as he left town, but did not approach her.
• Kanzaki Kumo arrived at the Rengoku residence, where Kyojuro Rengoku welcomed him and brought him to Shinjuro.
• Shinjuro Rengoku challenged Kanzaki Kumo to a spar, with Kyojuro watching.
• Shinjuro attacked with Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire, and Kanzaki countered with Thunder Breathing, Second Form: Rice Spirit.

Kanzaki Kumo sparred with Shinjuro Rengoku, then learned the Flame Breathing forms by watching Shinjuro demonstrate them. The chapter left Kumo preparing to study the style’s principles alongside Kyojuro.

• Kanzaki Kumo and Shinjuro Rengoku sparred, and Shinjuro realized Kumo was holding back while still overcoming his Flame Breathing attacks.
• Shinjuro agreed to demonstrate every Flame Breathing form so Kumo could learn them.
• Kanzaki Kumo watched the forms once and reproduced eight of them, including the movements of the Ninth Form, Purgatory.
• Shinjuro told Kyojuro to treat Kumo’s talent as an example, and Kyojuro said he would train harder.
• Shinjuro began explaining the principles of Flame Breathing to Kumo and Kyojuro.

Kanzaki Kumo spent nearly twenty days training with the Rengoku Family, helped Ruka Rengoku receive treatment, and prepared to return to his patrol area. Meanwhile, Kanae struggled to develop a Breathing Style suited to her, and her excitement over Kanzaki Kumo’s letter revealed her feelings to Makomo.

• Kanzaki Kumo arranged for Butterfly Zemu and his wife to examine and treat Ruka Rengoku, bringing him closer to the Rengoku Family.
• Kyojuro and Senjuro kept calling Kanzaki Kumo “Senior Kanzaki,” despite his requests to use a different form of address.
• Kanzaki Kumo told Shinjuro he had learned Flame Breathing and was heading back, while Shinjuro asked to see the new sword forms he was developing.
• Kanae watched the waterfall and considered creating her own Breathing Style because Water Breathing did not suit her and she lacked strength.
• Makomo told Kanae that Kanzaki Kumo had written to say he had mastered Flame Breathing, and Kanae eagerly focused on the news of his letter.

Kanae took the first step toward creating her own Breathing Style after reading Kanzaki Kumo’s encouragement. On his way back to the Butterfly Mansion, Kumo found Mitsuri Kanroji crying and comforted her, leaving her reconsidering the traits that had made it difficult for her to find friends.

• Makomo gave Kanae a letter from Kanzaki Kumo, whose trust and encouragement helped Kanae find inspiration for her own Breathing Style.
• Kanae’s breathing changed as she began taking the first step toward creating a new Breathing Style, and Makomo noticed.
• Kanzaki Kumo left the Rengoku family and heard sobbing beneath a stone bridge in town.
• Kanzaki Kumo recognized Mitsuri Kanroji and asked why she was crying; Mitsuri said people had called her a monster for eating so much.
• Kanzaki Kumo reassured Mitsuri that her appetite, strength, and hair were not flaws and suggested she look for friends among a different group.

Kanzaki Kumo befriended Mitsuri Kanroji and encouraged her after she struggled to make friends, then returned to his routine at the Butterfly Mansion. Kanae developed Flower Breathing, and another year passed as the annual Final Selection arrived.

• Kanzaki Kumo reassured Mitsuri, agreed to be her friend, and warned her to stay safe before leaving town.
• Mitsuri watched Kanzaki Kumo disappear into the crowd, then went home eager to tell her family she had made a friend.
• Kanzaki Kumo resumed training, spending time with Shinobu Kocho and Kanao, and patrolling at night.
• Kanae created Flower Breathing, a style derived from Water Breathing with six forms.
• Another year passed, and the annual Final Selection came around again.

Kanzaki Kumo and Makomo met again at Mount Fujikasane, where they had been assigned as examiners for the Final Selection. As they waited for the candidates, Makomo reflected on her feelings for Kumo and told him that Kanae would also be taking part.

• Kanzaki Kumo arrived at Mount Fujikasane and greeted chief examiners Hinaki Ubuyashiki and Nichika Ubuyashiki.
• Makomo arrived, and she and Kumo laughed over becoming examiner partners after once serving together on their first mission.
• Makomo told Kumo that she had recently become a Kinoe swordsman and that Kanae would be attending the Final Selection.
• Kumo recalled trying to persuade Kanae to wait another year, but Makomo said Kanae was stubborn about important matters.
• Makomo remembered their first walk through the selection grounds a year earlier and considered how Kumo had helped her survive.
• Kanzaki Kumo and Makomo found a rise with a good view and waited for the Final Selection to begin.

Kanzaki Kumo supervised the Final Selection while keeping watch over Kanae and checking on the candidates. After seven days, Kanae, Giyu, Sabito, and two others passed, and Kanzaki returned to the Butterfly Mansion with Kanae and Makomo, anticipating a frank discussion.

• Kanzaki Kumo and Makomo split up to examine the candidates, and Kanzaki promised to visit the Butterfly Mansion with Makomo after the trial.
• Sabito defeated a group of Demons before Kanae and Giyu could act, so Kanzaki Kumo struck him for treating the trial like his personal show.
• Kanzaki Kumo left the three to continue the trial and checked on the candidates in his assigned area.
• Giyu overcame his nerves and beheaded a Demon, while Sabito refrained from trying to clear the mountain of Demons.
• At the end of the seven days, Kanae's group and two other candidates passed; Kanzaki Kumo took Kanae and Makomo to the Butterfly Mansion while Sabito sent Giyu back to Mount Sagiri.

Kanzaki Kumo admitted to Makomo and Kanae that he was greedy and hoped to be with them, while also revealing that he had feelings for Shinobu and might someday care for Kanao. The confrontation eased after he promised to protect the people he loved, and Makomo agreed to give him a chance; an unseen figure quietly left outside the room.

• Kanzaki Kumo told Makomo and Kanae that he had used their age as an excuse to delay discussing his feelings and wanted to be with them in the future.
• Makomo suspected Kanzaki Kumo also cared for Shinobu and Kanao, and his reactions confirmed her suspicions.
• Kanzaki Kumo explained that he would respect the girls’ wishes and wanted to grow stronger to protect the people he cared about.
• Kanzaki Kumo promised to take responsibility with his life, softening Makomo and Kanae’s anger.
• Makomo said she and Kanae would see how Kanzaki Kumo behaved and would not accept just anyone.
• A petite figure quietly left outside the room while Kanzaki Kumo, Makomo, and Kanae sat in silence.

Kanzaki Kumo sent Tengen Uzui to learn Thunder Breathing from Jigoro Kuwajima, then arranged special training for Kanae and promised to handle her missions until she was strong enough. Kanae visited Shinobu Kocho to discuss Kumo’s feelings for her, while Shinobu struggled to understand her own newfound affection for him.

• Makomo and Kanae reflected on their staged confrontation with Kanzaki Kumo and agreed they could accept his feelings for more than one woman, provided he openly acknowledged them.
• Tengen Uzui asked Kanzaki Kumo to teach him Thunder Breathing, and Kumo instead wrote him a letter of introduction to his former master, Jigoro Kuwajima.
• Kanzaki Kumo told Kanae he would begin special training with her the next day and take her missions until she met his requirements.
• Kanae went to Shinobu Kocho’s consultation room, where Shinobu privately wrestled with the happiness she had felt when Kumo did not deny his interest in her.

Shinobu broke down in Kanae’s embrace over her feelings for Kanzaki Kumo, while Kumo reassured Kanao that they would always stay together. At lunch, Shinobu left in silence, and Kumo followed her as Kocho Delia took Kanae aside and Butterfly Zemu glared at him.

• Kanae comforted Shinobu and told her to follow her own heart, promising she would always be there for her.
• Kanao reunited with Kanzaki Kumo and told him she had waited patiently while he met with Kanae, Makomo, and Shinobu.
• Kanzaki Kumo told Kanao that they would all stay together, making her joyful.
• At lunch, Shinobu quietly finished her meal and left without looking at anyone, while Butterfly Zemu glared at Kanzaki Kumo.
• Kocho Delia took Kanae aside, Kanzaki Kumo followed Shinobu, and Kanao hurried away from Butterfly Zemu.

After Shinobu Kocho confronted Kanzaki Kumo about his feelings, he admitted his greed while promising to be sincere and give her time to understand her own feelings. Kanzaki Kumo left for Mount Sagiri, while Kanae told Kocho Delia she did not regret growing closer to him and felt only a little jealousy.

• Shinobu Kocho asked Kanzaki Kumo what she and the others meant to him, and he said he wanted to protect them while admitting their relationship was not yet love.
• Kanzaki Kumo promised Shinobu Kocho he would show her his sincerity, said Kanao was still like a little sister to him, and admitted he would not willingly let go of someone who rejected him.
• Shinobu Kocho asked Kanzaki Kumo to leave her room so she could think, and he quietly departed.
• Kanzaki Kumo ran toward Mount Sagiri as Kanae and Kocho Delia watched him from a window.
• Kocho Delia asked Kanae if she regretted her closeness with Kanzaki Kumo, and Kanae said she did not, though she felt a little jealous and worried more about Shinobu Kocho's feelings.

Kanzaki Kumo visited Mount Sagiri, where Sakonji Urokodaki confronted him about Makomo’s sadness and learned that Kumo cared for several women. Kumo and Makomo reconciled, and the chapter ended with them embracing.

• Kanzaki Kumo dodged Sakonji Urokodaki’s surprise attack and learned that Makomo had been moping since returning home.
• Kumo admitted that he had confessed his greed to Makomo and Kanae, then revealed that he wanted more than just the two of them.
• Sakonji Urokodaki chased Kumo to the courtyard and warned him not to toy with his students; Kumo promised to take responsibility for them.
• Makomo emerged from behind a tree and told Kumo that watching Urokodaki chase him had helped improve her mood.
• Kumo refused to lie about giving up the other women, reassured Makomo that she was wonderful, and embraced her as she told him she had never regretted falling for him.

Kanzaki Kumo reunited with Makomo and then sparred with newly promoted Swordsmen Sabito and Giyu. He easily defeated them, leaving Sabito determined to grow strong enough to beat him.

• Sakonji Urokodaki found Kanzaki Kumo and Makomo together and brought them inside, where Sabito and Giyu were waiting.
• Kanzaki Kumo and Makomo cornered Sabito and playfully punished him for watching them, until Sakonji Urokodaki stopped them.
• Kanzaki Kumo challenged Sabito and Giyu to test their skills as newly official Swordsmen, and both accepted.
• Kanzaki Kumo beat Sabito repeatedly, while Giyu stopped after two exchanges and watched from the side.
• Giyu told the exhausted Sabito that he was amazing, making Makomo and Kanzaki Kumo laugh and leaving Sabito determined to surpass Kanzaki Kumo.

Makomo told Kanzaki Kumo to return to the Butterfly Mansion and cherish Kanae, revealing that Kanae had persuaded her to accept his feelings for multiple girls. Kanzaki Kumo reunited with Kanae at the mansion, and they joined the family for dinner, sharing affection as they ate.

• Makomo told Kanzaki Kumo to spend the evening with Kanae and warned him not to hurt her.
• Makomo confirmed that Kanae had asked her to accept Kanzaki Kumo and had tried to spare him difficulty, even after learning his heart held other girls too.
• Kanzaki Kumo raced back to the Butterfly Mansion, where Kanae waited for him at the gate and embraced him.
• Kanae led Kanzaki Kumo inside for dinner, where Shinobu Kocho, Kanao, Butterfly Zemu, and Kocho Delia were gathered.
• Kanzaki Kumo and Kanae fed each other during dinner, while Kocho Delia repeatedly quieted Butterfly Zemu's grunts by serving him food.

Kanzaki Kumo and Kanae shared a quiet conversation about their feelings, and Kumo decided to train her until she could kill a Lower Rank Demon alone. Their moment together ended when Ink Shadow summoned Kumo to patrol, while Kanae prepared for training the next day.

• Kanae comforted Kanzaki Kumo as he struggled with guilt and his inability to give up the other people he cared about.
• Kanzaki Kumo admitted he wanted to keep Kanae safely at the Butterfly Mansion, but said he would not deprive her of her freedom.
• Kanzaki Kumo decided to train Kanae until she could kill a Lower Rank Demon alone and told her she would not go on missions alone before then.
• Ink Shadow arrived to summon Kanzaki Kumo for patrol, and Kanae encouraged him to go while they looked forward to spending more time together.

Kanzaki Kumo tested Shinobu Kocho’s new poison on a restrained demon and confirmed that it could kill demons. He considered other ways to strengthen himself against demons, especially developing a Bright Red Nichirin Sword, and left planning to visit Asakusa and save the Kamado family.

• Kanzaki Kumo restrained a demon and injected it with Shinobu Kocho’s poison, which caused its body to ulcerate until it died.
• Kanzaki Kumo recorded the test results and considered visiting Asakusa to seek help from someone skilled in making demon-targeting drugs.
• Kanzaki Kumo reviewed how a Bright Red Nichirin Sword could inflict wounds demons struggled to heal and decided to pursue that method of strengthening himself.
• Kanzaki Kumo considered the Transparent World and hoped that saving the Kamado family would let him ask Tanjuro Kamado for guidance.

Kanzaki Kumo began Kanae's special training, helping her improve her Flower Breathing, swordsmanship, reflexes, and stamina. After half a month of progress, Kanae received her Nichirin Blade and Corps Uniform, leaving Kanzaki Kumo awkwardly explaining why he had checked the uniform's fit.

• Kanzaki Kumo adjusted Kanae's training to focus more on Breathing Styles and helped her refine Flower Breathing while demonstrating techniques from his own styles.
• Kanae trained with Kanzaki Kumo for half a month, becoming proficient in Flower Breathing's first six forms and beginning to develop a seventh.
• Kanamori delivered Kanae's Nichirin Blade, which turned peach-pink when she drew it.
• Kanzaki Kumo checked the fit of Kanae's Corps Uniform, and Kanae blushed and ran out after he explained himself.

Kanzaki Kumo accompanied Kanae on missions while training her, and Shinjuro brought the rescued Obanai Iguro to the Butterfly Mansion for treatment. After Kanae completed her special training, Ink Shadow summoned Kanzaki Kumo to a Hashira Meeting, prompting his killing intent.

• Shinjuro brought Obanai Iguro and Kaburamaru to the Butterfly Mansion, where Butterfly Zemu examined Obanai's injuries and said he could only partially repair the scars around his mouth.
• Obanai recovered at the Butterfly Mansion, watching Kanzaki Kumo, Kanae, Kanao, and Shinobu Kocho from a distance before asking Kanzaki Kumo to arrange his return to the Rengoku Family.
• Kanzaki Kumo accompanied Kanae on two missions as she created Flower Breathing, Seventh Form: Iris Gale, mastered Total Concentration: Constant, and met the remaining requirements of her training.
• Kanzaki Kumo congratulated Kanae after ending her special training, and she embraced him.
• Ink Shadow told Kanzaki Kumo to prepare for a Hashira Meeting in two days and hurried away after sensing his killing intent.

Makomo Urokodaki joined the Hashira and sparred Shinjuro to a draw at the meeting called to confirm her promotion. She headed back to the Butterfly Mansion with Kanzaki Kumo, where their teasing turned to his unresolved relationship with Shinobu Kocho.

• Kanae guessed the Hashira Meeting concerned Makomo’s promotion and asked Kanzaki Kumo to invite her to the Butterfly Mansion.
• Kanzaki Kumo met Makomo at the Ubuyashiki Estate, where she introduced herself to Shinjuro and Gyomei as one of his sweethearts.
• At the meeting, Makomo chose a patrol area between Kanzaki Kumo’s and Gyomei’s, then sparred Shinjuro to a draw.
• Makomo walked back toward the Butterfly Mansion with Kanzaki Kumo, who told her Kanae had invited her to stay.
• Makomo asked about Shinobu Kocho, and Kanzaki Kumo said she still needed time to sort out her feelings before Makomo teased him about pursuing other girls.

After Makomo returned to the Butterfly Mansion, Kanzaki Kumo trained under Gyomei Himejima to overcome a physical bottleneck and grew strong enough to overpower Shinjuro Rengoku. In late autumn, he reunited with Mitsuri, who clung to him and revealed that she had been unable to make any friends while he was away.

• Makomo reunited with Kanae at the Butterfly Mansion and teased her and Kanzaki Kumo about their relationship.
• Kanzaki Kumo left the Butterfly Mansion when his physical limits stalled his progress and trained intensely with Gyomei Himejima for two months.
• Kanzaki Kumo pushed himself through Gyomei's full training routine, nearly died from exhaustion and dehydration, and was saved by Gyomei.
• Kanzaki Kumo's physical strength improved enough for him to overpower Shinjuro Rengoku in their clashes, impressing Kyojuro and Senjuro.
• Kanzaki Kumo searched for Mitsuri in town and reunited with her; Mitsuri ran into his arms and said she had thought he no longer wanted to be her friend.
• Kanzaki Kumo comforted Mitsuri and realized she had made no friends during the six months they were apart.

Kanzaki Kumo reunited with Mitsuri and offered to teach her how to control her strength, then accompanied her home. There, he met Mitsuri’s younger brothers, Shota Kanroji and Hikaru Kanroji.

• Mitsuri lost her strength after excitedly hugging Kanzaki Kumo, then worried that she had hurt him.
• Kanzaki Kumo reassured Mitsuri and explained that mastering her strength would keep it from becoming a burden.
• Kanzaki Kumo offered to teach Mitsuri ways to control her strength, and she invited him to her family’s home.
• Mitsuri welcomed Kanzaki Kumo into her home and introduced him to her brothers, Shota Kanroji and Hikaru Kanroji.
• Mitsuri told Shota not to bully Hikaru over snacks and said he could ask their parents or her for more.