Chapter Summaries

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.

Kanzaki Kumo taught Mitsuri exercises to improve her control over her strength and arranged to keep in touch by letter. Later, Makomo agreed to let him take her first to visit Kanzaki Keizan’s grave, while telling him to leave the relationships between the women to them.

• Kanzaki Kumo met Mitsuri’s mother and sisters, then taught Mitsuri balance, strength-control, and body-awareness exercises.
• Kanzaki Kumo gave Mitsuri a nearby postal station as a way to exchange letters and promised to visit within six months.
• Kanzaki Kumo and Makomo continued patrolling together, and time passed until Kanzaki Kumo’s birthday approached.
• Makomo and Kanae agreed that Makomo would accompany Kanzaki Kumo first to visit Kanzaki Keizan’s grave.
• Makomo told Kanzaki Kumo to let the women resolve their relationships among themselves, and he agreed.

Kanzaki Kumo visited Kanzaki Keizan’s grave with Kanae and told her the full story of his difficult childhood and the people who had cared for him. He reassured her that he was happy now and vowed to protect those he loved, while a faint silhouette appeared and vanished behind them.

• Kanzaki Kumo and Kanae ran to Kanzaki Keizan’s grave, cleared the weeds, and offered incense and bows.
• Kanzaki Kumo recounted how his birth family abandoned him, Kanzaki Keizan adopted him, and he later joined the Demon Slayer Corps and met his friends.
• Kanae grew tearful as she listened, but Kanzaki Kumo comforted her and said that meeting the people who loved him made his life happy.
• Kanzaki Kumo and Kanae held each other beneath the moon, while a faint silhouette flickered and disappeared behind them.

Kanzaki Kumo and Kanae were returning to town when Makomo’s Kasugai Crow, Long Night, arrived to call for help. Makomo had encountered Upper Rank Five Gyokko, who pursued her after deciding to turn her head into one of his pots.

• Kanzaki Kumo and Kanae discussed his need to grow stronger as they walked back toward town.
• Long Night flew toward Kanzaki Kumo, and he recognized the crow as Makomo’s and rushed to respond to the call for help.
• Makomo found a strange pot by a river, and Gyokko emerged from it after catching and crushing the stone she threw.
• Makomo recognized Gyokko as Upper Rank Five and focused on surviving until help arrived while Long Night went to summon aid.
• Makomo tried to escape after asking Gyokko to die, but Gyokko vanished into his pot and reappeared behind her.

Makomo fought Gyokko but was poisoned and trapped in a water prison. Kanzaki Kumo arrived in time to rescue her, and Gyokko turned his attention to him.

• Makomo severed Gyokko's regenerating hand and realized he could move between pots.
• Gyokko summoned fish monsters, which Makomo killed, then attacked her with poisoned bone needles.
• As the poison and exhaustion slowed Makomo, Gyokko trapped her in a water prison where she began to suffocate.
• Kanzaki Kumo shattered the prison with Thunder Breathing and caught Makomo as she fainted.
• Gyokko emerged from another pot and declared that he would collect Kanzaki Kumo as well.

Kanzaki Kumo carried the poisoned Makomo away from Gyokko, then stayed behind to keep the Upper Rank from pursuing her and Kanae. He drew Gyokko’s attention with taunts and fought off his attacks, leaving the battle still underway as Gyokko unleashed Octopus Pot Hell.

• Kanzaki Kumo carried Makomo away while blocking Gyokko’s Thousand Needle Fish Kill with Thunder Breathing, Eighth Form, Storm of Blossoms.
• Gyokko pursued Kanzaki Kumo, hoping to discover the Demon Slayer Corps’ medical department or headquarters.
• Kanae met Kanzaki Kumo, took Makomo to the Butterfly Mansion, and left him to hold Gyokko off.
• Kanzaki Kumo mocked Gyokko to keep his attention fixed on him, then destroyed Gyokko’s Ten Thousand Gliding Sticky Fish attack with Storm of Blossoms.
• Gyokko unleashed Octopus Pot Hell, and Kanzaki Kumo answered with Thunder Breathing, Seventh Form, Dragon’s Roam.