Chapter Summaries

After dying in a traffic accident, Bai Yun was reborn as Kanzaki Kumo in the world of Demon Slayer. When Kaigaku broke the temple’s demon-repelling incense and fled, Kumo realized a demon was about to attack the children and called for Gyomei Himejima.

• Bai Yun was struck by an out-of-control car and died, regretting that he had consumed pirated media instead of supporting official releases.
• Kanzaki Kumo recovered memories of his previous life after Kaigaku hit him with an incense burner during a fight at the temple.
• Kumo recalled being abandoned as a child, taken in by Kanzaki Keizan, and later sheltered at a temple with other orphans and Gyomei Himejima.
• Kumo realized Kaigaku had broken the demon-repelling incense and that a demon was waiting outside the temple as the smoke faded.
• Kumo shouted for Gyomei Himejima to help.

Kanzaki Kumo and Gyomei Himejima fought to protect the children when a demon broke into their sleeping quarters. Gyomei overwhelmed the regenerating demon but was wounded, and the chapter ended with the demon fighting back as Kanzaki tended to two injured girls.

• As the demon-repelling incense faded, the demon smashed through the door and sent Xiaoxiang and Huaxia flying, injuring them with wooden splinters.
• Gyomei Himejima rushed in to protect the children and knocked the demon's head off with a single punch, but the headless body continued moving and wounded his back.
• Kanzaki Kumo warned Gyomei that sunlight was needed to kill the demon, so Gyomei began repeatedly breaking its limbs and knocking off its regenerating head to restrain it until dawn.
• Kanzaki stopped the other children from approaching and checked Xiaoxiang and Huaxia, finding their injuries severe but not immediately life-threatening.
• The demon began trading injuries with Gyomei and showed signs of breaking free of his suppression.

Gyomei fought the demon through the night while Kanzaki Kumo used his newfound ability to predict movements to help keep it under control. The demon dissolved in sunlight, saving the children and preventing Gyomei from being blamed, but Kanzaki Kumo spotted someone moving past the temple.

• The demon tore off its arm to escape Gyomei’s hold, and the two resumed fighting as the demon began landing more counterattacks.
• Kanzaki Kumo realized he could follow and predict the fighters’ movements, then threw stones and prayer beads to disrupt the demon and help Gyomei regain control.
• Kanzaki Kumo stopped several children from approaching the fight while Gyomei pinned the demon down and continued punching it.
• As dawn came, the demon cursed and begged until sunlight streamed through the broken doorway and dissolved it beneath Gyomei.
• Kanzaki Kumo thanked Gyomei and recognized that his presence had saved the children and spared Gyomei imprisonment, then spotted a figure flashing past outside the temple.

After Gyomei defeated a demon while protecting the temple children, Kagaya Ubuyashiki learned of his strength and came to recruit him for the Demon Slayer Corps. Kanzaki Kumo recognized Kagaya and followed as he and Gyomei went to speak privately.

• Gyomei brought a doctor to treat the injured children and his own wounds, then government guards investigated the devastated temple and accepted the children's account that he had defended them.
• Jigoro Kuwajima reported Gyomei's victory to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who decided to approach him and arrange care for the children who had witnessed the demon.
• The guards' superior ordered the squad to keep the incident secret, and the squad members later died in separate incidents.
• Kagaya returned to the temple with the abbot, who explained that demons ate people and asked Gyomei to speak with Kagaya in the meditation room.
• Kanzaki Kumo recognized Kagaya and followed him and Gyomei, intending to help change tragic events.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki explained the Demon Slayer Corps to Kanzaki Kumo and Gyomei Himejima, while Kanzaki questioned its recruitment practices and decided the Corps’ training and generous pay made joining worthwhile. The chapter ended with Kagaya considering Kanzaki’s concerns about Final Selection.

• Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Gyomei Himejima welcomed Kanzaki Kumo into a quiet room and discussed the demon he had helped fight.
• Kagaya explained that Muzan Kibutsuji created demons and described the Demon Slayer Corps, its Breathing Styles, and its mission.
• Kanzaki asked about training, official swordsman trials, pay, benefits, ranks, and promotion, prompting Kagaya to explain the Corps’ system.
• Kanzaki criticized Final Selection for exposing weak candidates to demons and warned that dangerous demons could evade patrols and grow stronger.
• Kanzaki decided he wanted to join the Corps to learn a Breathing Style, protect himself, change future misfortunes, and earn the generous salary.
• Kagaya fell silent to consider Kanzaki’s objections to Final Selection.

Kanzaki Kumo agreed to join the Demon Slayer Corps on the condition that he never see Kaigaku again, and Gyomei also agreed to join. After returning to headquarters, Kagaya learned that Jigoro Kuwajima had lost a leg on a mission and asked him to become a cultivator once he recovered.

• Kagaya Ubuyashiki admitted the Corps could not yet fix the flaws in final selection and said the Hashira would patrol Mount Fujikasane more often.
• Kanzaki Kumo agreed to join the Corps if Kaigaku was kept away from him, and Kagaya accepted the condition after Gyomei confirmed Kaigaku's misdeeds.
• Gyomei also offered to join the Corps, and Kagaya arranged for both him and Kanzaki Kumo to be taken to headquarters the next morning.
• Kagaya returned to the Ubuyashiki estate and learned from Amane that Jigoro Kuwajima had been severely injured and lost his lower right leg.
• Kagaya visited Jigoro in the Medical Department and asked him to become a cultivator after recovering; he also arranged for a prosthetic limb.

Kanzaki Kumo and Gyomei Himejima traveled to Demon Slayer Corps headquarters after the orphaned children were sent to shelters. Kumo chose a Breathing Style and arrived at the Ubuyashiki Estate, where Kagaya asked which styles he and Gyomei wanted to learn.

• The convoy took Kanzaki Kumo and Gyomei Himejima toward the Demon Slayer Corps while the other children were sent to shelters.
• Gyomei asked Kumo why he had not gone with the children, and Kumo said he wanted to gain strength to protect himself.
• Kumo considered the five basic Breathing Styles, ruled out Stone and Water, and settled on another style.
• Kanzaki Kumo and Gyomei arrived at the Ubuyashiki Estate, where Kagaya Ubuyashiki welcomed them with his family.
• After introducing the Breathing Styles, Kagaya asked Kumo and Gyomei which style they wanted to practice.

Kanzaki Kumo chose Thunder Breathing and went to meet his future trainer, the injured Jigoro Kuwajima. The chapter left Kuwajima testing Kumo’s strength after the boy caught his Nichirin Blade with one hand.

• Kanzaki Kumo chose Thunder Breathing, though Kagaya Ubuyashiki told him that Jigoro Kuwajima would train him after recovering from his injury.
• Gyomei Himejima chose Stone Breathing, and Kagaya offered to read him the style’s training manual and past users’ insights.
• Kagaya sent Kanzaki Kumo and Gyomei to their lodgings, and Kumo asked permission to visit his future teacher.
• Kanzaki Kumo went to the medical department and met the recovering Jigoro Kuwajima, who tried to frighten him away from becoming a swordsman.
• Jigoro Kuwajima tossed Kanzaki Kumo his sheathed Nichirin Blade, and Kumo caught it easily with one hand.

Kanzaki Kumo convinced the recovering Jigoro Kuwajima to teach him a Breathing Style, while the two grew closer through their visits. After two and a half weeks, Kuwajima recovered enough to leave, and he and Kumo traveled by carriage to Mount Momiji, where Kuwajima planned to live in seclusion.

• Kanzaki Kumo told Jigoro Kuwajima he wanted to learn a Breathing Style to better survive encounters with demons, and Kuwajima reluctantly accepted his determination.
• Kanzaki Kumo joined Gyomei at their courtyard lodging, where they settled into daily routines of training and recovery.
• Over two and a half weeks, Kanzaki Kumo visited Kuwajima regularly, and the two grew closer despite Kuwajima continuing to urge him to postpone training.
• Kuwajima arrived at the courtyard with a prosthetic leg and announced he was ready to leave.
• Kanzaki Kumo supported Kuwajima to a waiting carriage, and they set off for Mount Momiji.

Kanzaki Kumo reflected on Muzan Kibutsuji’s history and flaws, then reminded himself that demons remained dangerous and he needed to grow stronger. The carriage arrived at Mount Momiji.

• Kanzaki Kumo recalled how Muzan Kibutsuji became a demon and how the Demon Slayer Corps arose to fight demons.
• Kanzaki Kumo considered Muzan’s poor decisions and the origins of the Twelve Kizuki.
• Kanzaki Kumo stopped himself from underestimating Muzan and resolved to study his Breathing Style and become stronger.
• The carriage stopped at Mount Momiji.

Kanzaki Kumo settled into Jigoro Kuwajima’s old home on Mount Momiji and felt moved by the old man’s care for him. The next morning, Kuwajima began teaching him Thunder Breathing, but his attempts to discourage Kumo failed when the boy listened and held his stance through the entire lesson.

• Kanzaki Kumo arrived at Jigoro Kuwajima’s home and inspected the room prepared for him by the Ubuyashiki.
• Jigoro Kuwajima cooked Kumo a filling dinner, and Kumo was deeply touched by his affectionate concern.
• Kanzaki Kumo wondered whether the Ubuyashiki had dealt with Kaigaku and resolved not to let him ruin Kuwajima’s life.
• Kanzaki Kumo woke earlier than Kuwajima expected, thwarting the old man’s plan to discourage him from learning Breathing.
• Jigoro Kuwajima explained Thunder Breathing theory throughout the morning while Kumo maintained his stance and listened attentively.

Kanzaki Kumo asked about the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection and watched Jigoro Kuwajima demonstrate Thunder Breathing, then imitated the technique with startling accuracy. The chapter ended with Kumo nearly suffocating after attempting Total Concentration Breathing, while Kuwajima rushed to save him and scolded him.

• Kanzaki Kumo realized Jigoro Kuwajima had been trying to persuade him to quit training, but reaffirmed that he wanted to learn a Breathing Style before visiting Kanzaki Keizan's grave.
• Kumo asked when Final Selection would take place, and Kuwajima said it was next month and refused to let him enter this year.
• After massaging Kumo's sore legs, Kuwajima demonstrated Thunder Breathing's second form, Rice Spirit, hoping the difficulty would discourage him.
• Kumo watched the demonstration once and soon reproduced its movements with a wooden sword, astounding Kuwajima with his talent.
• Kumo tried to imitate Kuwajima's Total Concentration Breathing, collapsed, and was caught and revived by the frightened old man.
• Kuwajima scolded Kumo and struck him with his wooden sword before Kumo blamed him for demonstrating the breathing technique.

Kanzaki Kumo trained under Jigoro Kuwajima and struggled to learn Thunder Breathing's first form until Kuwajima helped him recognize the need to master his own strength rather than rely on talent. After regaining his patience, Kumo decided to write to Kagaya Ubuyashiki about Kaigaku and planned to bring Zenitsu Agatsuma to keep Kuwajima company.

• Kanzaki Kumo followed a rigorous daily routine, improving his fitness and learning Thunder Breathing's second through sixth forms, but he could not maintain Total Concentration Breathing for long or learn the first form.
• Jigoro Kuwajima scolded Kumo for getting frustrated after only three days and explained that Thunderclap and Flash required him to understand and concentrate his own strength.
• Kanzaki Kumo reconsidered his self-important attitude, corrected his mindset, and accepted that learning the first form would take time.
• Jigoro Kuwajima affirmed Kumo's talent and urged him to master it rather than rely on it, then returned to preparing dinner.
• Kanzaki Kumo decided to write to Kagaya Ubuyashiki to check whether Kaigaku had been dealt with and planned to find Zenitsu Agatsuma and bring him to Kuwajima after becoming an official swordsman.

Kanzaki Kumo kept training, exchanged letters with Gyomei Himejima and Kagaya Ubuyashiki, and eventually mastered every Thunder Breathing form. As winter arrived, he prepared to travel alone to visit Kanzaki Keizan’s grave, despite Jigoro Kuwajima’s worries.

• Kanzaki Kumo trained while Gyomei Himejima amazed Hinaki Ubuyashiki and Nichika Ubuyashiki with his extreme physical feats near the Ubuyashiki Estate.
• Kagaya Ubuyashiki read Kanzaki Kumo’s letters to Gyomei and replied that Kaigaku had been dealt with; Kanzaki Kumo began exchanging regular letters with both men.
• Gyomei Himejima passed Final Selection and joined the Demon Slayer Corps, and Kagaya Ubuyashiki arranged a custom axe and spiked flail for him.
• Kanzaki Kumo mastered the first Thunder Breathing form and practiced all six forms before setting out to visit Kanzaki Keizan’s grave.
• Jigoro Kuwajima worried about Kanzaki Kumo’s solo journey, but Kanzaki Kumo refused to let him come along.

Kanzaki Kumo traveled toward his destination, practicing Total Concentration Breathing along the way, then spent an uneasy night in a half-empty village. He and the driver left the next morning without learning what made the village unsettling.

• Kanzaki Kumo departed Mount Peach with a driver after saying goodbye to Kuwajima and carried Kuwajima's old Nichirin Blade beneath his coat.
• Kanzaki Kumo practiced Total Concentration Breathing in the carriage as he worked toward mastering Total Concentration: Constant.
• At dusk, Kanzaki Kumo noticed that many houses in a small village beside a stream were empty, but entered it with the driver to seek shelter.
• A wary woman let Kanzaki Kumo and the driver sleep in her woodshed, and the driver grew alarmed at the village's strange signs.
• After an unexpectedly peaceful night, Kanzaki Kumo left money and departed with the driver, who hurried them toward their carriage.

Kanzaki Kumo returned to town and visited Kanzaki Keizan’s grave, sharing news of his new master, friend, and growing strength. After demonstrating Thunder Breathing, he left at night, promising to visit again next year.

• Kanzaki Kumo arrived in town early after fleeing the eerie village with the carriage driver.
• He bought offerings and went to Kanzaki Keizan’s grave, remembering the grandfather who had cared for him.
• Kanzaki Kumo told Kanzaki Keizan about his master, friend, and confidence that he could protect himself.
• He demonstrated Thunder Breathing’s First Form and unknowingly deepened his mastery of its six forms while talking at the grave.
• At night, Kanzaki Kumo said goodbye and left, while a kindly face briefly seemed to watch him go.

Kanzaki Kumo returned to the suspicious village and discovered its chief had enslaved the villagers through fear of a supposed River God. He killed the demon posing as the River God, freed the captive woman, and continued home to Mount Momiji.

• Kanzaki Kumo traveled alone to the village, arriving near sunset and hiding to watch the villagers gather by the stream.
• The village chief accused the woman who had sheltered Kanzaki Kumo of betraying the village and announced that the River God would judge her.
• Kanzaki Kumo waited until nightfall, when a turtle-like demon emerged from the stream to claim the woman.
• Kanzaki Kumo used Thunder Breathing, First Form, Thunderclap and Flash, and decapitated the demon with one strike.
• Kanzaki Kumo freed the woman, left the unconscious village chief in her hands, and resumed his journey home to Mount Momiji.

After killing his first demon, Kanzaki Kumo returned to Mount Momiji, where Jigoro Kuwajima praised his combat skill and taught him how to assess Nichirin Blade damage while warning him about fighting alone. Six months later, Kumo prepared to take part in the Final Selection, determined to join the Corps and confront the Hand Demon on Mount Fujikasane.

• Kanzaki Kumo returned to Mount Momiji after killing his first demon, and Jigoro Kuwajima examined his sword and praised his decisive victory.
• Jigoro Kuwajima scolded Kumo for fighting without reporting the demon or securing support, then taught him how to judge a blade's condition.
• Kagaya Ubuyashiki read Kumo's letter and was pleased by his progress, while Amane worried as the curse marks on Kagaya's forehead appeared.
• Gyomei Himejima became the Stone Hashira, and six months passed before the next annual Final Selection approached.
• Jigoro Kuwajima considered asking Kumo to wait another year, but Kumo's mastery of Total Concentration: Constant and his determination persuaded him to let Kumo participate.
• Kanzaki Kumo planned to join the Demon Slayer Corps sooner and confront the Hand Demon, while learning that Sakonji Urokodaki had taken on Sabito and Giyu Tomioka as disciples.

Kanzaki Kumo left Kuwajima and arrived at Mount Fujikasane to take the Final Selection, where he reunited with Kagaya Ubuyashiki and spotted Makomo. As the examination began, Kumo planned to follow Makomo to find the Hand Demon that threatened Sakonji Urokodaki’s students.

• Kuwajima reluctantly handed Kanzaki Kumo his Nichirin Blade, and Kumo left for Mount Fujikasane despite his teacher’s worries.
• Kanzaki Kumo greeted Kagaya Ubuyashiki at the Final Selection gathering and noticed the mark concealed beneath Kagaya’s hair.
• Kanzaki Kumo recognized Makomo as Sakonji Urokodaki’s student and decided to follow her to locate the Hand Demon.
• Makomo noticed Kanzaki Kumo watching her, and Kagaya Ubuyashiki began announcing the selection rules.

Kanzaki Kumo followed Makomo into Final Selection and watched over nearby participants as they faced their first night of demons. By sunrise, some had withdrawn after Kumo’s warnings, and Kagaya Ubuyashiki was grateful for his help.

• Kagaya Ubuyashiki reminded the participants they could withdraw before or during the trial, then led them through the wisteria barrier onto Mount Fujikasane.
• Makomo refused Kanzaki Kumo’s offer to team up, but he kept her in sight while monitoring other participants.
• Kanzaki Kumo saved three frightened swordsmen from a demon, told them to improve their swordsmanship or work in support, and warned he would not save them again.
• Throughout the night, Kumo occasionally rescued participants nearby while Makomo defeated the demons she encountered.
• At sunrise, several participants voluntarily withdrew, and Kagaya Ubuyashiki realized Kumo had helped persuade the unprepared swordsmen to leave.