Chapter Summaries

Kanzaki Kumo trained Kanao and the other youngsters while testing Mitsuri’s Love Breathing with her newly forged flexible Nichirin Blade. After their spar, he caught and scolded Mitsuri before hugging her, while the four youngsters watched their affectionate display.

• Kanzaki Kumo stayed at Gyomei’s place to train Kanao, supervise the youngsters’ conditioning, and plan Mitsuri’s training.
• Kanzaki Kumo commissioned a custom flexible Nichirin Blade for Mitsuri, and the Swordsmith Village chief delivered it after nearly a month of forging.
• Mitsuri used her Love Breathing forms to attack Kanzaki Kumo, who countered each move with Thunder Breathing techniques.
• Kanzaki Kumo caught Mitsuri after her final strike, scolded her for risking a fall, and then hugged her.
• The four youngsters watched Kanzaki Kumo and Mitsuri’s affectionate display during their training break.

Kanzaki Kumo finished training Mitsuri, Kanao, Tanjiro, and Muichiro before sending Muichiro and Yuichiro to study Mist Breathing. As winter approached, he left Gyomei’s home to visit Kanzaki Keizan’s grave, taking Shinobu Kocho with him and planning a shopping trip along the way.

• Kanzaki Kumo added flexibility training for Mitsuri and completed Kanao’s Breathing Style instruction while Tanjiro, Muichiro, and Kanao pushed themselves through intense training.
• Muichiro chose Mist Breathing, and Kanzaki Kumo sent him and Yuichiro to train under its Cultivator.
• Kanzaki Kumo left Gyomei’s home as winter and his seventeenth birthday approached, with Kanao and Mitsuri watching him go.
• Kanzaki Kumo returned to the Butterfly Mansion and prepared to leave with Shinobu Kocho to pay respects to Kanzaki Keizan.
• Kanzaki Kumo and Shinobu Kocho set out early, and he planned to take her shopping during their journey.

Kanzaki Kumo carried Shinobu Kocho into Town as she playfully styled his hair and reflected on how much had changed since she left three years earlier. They arrived in Town and Shinobu pointed out where she wanted to go first.

• Kanzaki Kumo carried Shinobu Kocho toward Town after she chose to ride on his back instead of hiring a carriage.
• Shinobu Kocho teased Kanzaki Kumo by styling his hair into a hedgehog shape, then smoothed it out while continuing to play with it.
• Shinobu Kocho reflected on leaving Town three years earlier and on how demons, the Demon Slayer Corps, and Kanzaki Kumo had changed her family's life.
• Kanzaki Kumo asked Shinobu Kocho where she wanted to look around, and she pointed toward a place in Town.

Kanzaki Kumo accompanied Shinobu Kocho as she revisited places from her childhood, discovering how the Demon Slayer Corps had transformed her family’s former clinic into a regional communications hub and free lodging. After sharing childhood treats, they left an elderly neighbor’s now-empty home and continued toward the next place.

• Kanzaki Kumo and Shinobu Kocho visited the Butterfly family’s former clinic and learned the Ubuyashiki Clan had turned it into an inn, communications hub, and nearby orphanage.
• Kanzaki Kumo met a former temple child who worked at the outpost and heard that other children had joined the Kakushi or become Demon Slayers, while Gyomei still visited them.
• Kanzaki Kumo booked rooms for the night, and Shinobu Kocho teased him about how their pasts had become intertwined.
• Shinobu Kocho and Kanzaki Kumo shared candied hawthorns from a shop she remembered from childhood as they walked through town.
• Shinobu Kocho told Kanzaki Kumo about an elderly neighbor who had been kind to her and Kanae, then grew sad when they found his house empty.
• Kanzaki Kumo comforted Shinobu Kocho, and she decided they should continue to the next place.

Shinobu Kocho and Kanzaki Kumo visited Kanzaki Kumo’s hometown and paid their respects at Kanzaki Keizan’s grave. Kanzaki Kumo glimpsed what might have been his grandfather’s ghost, leaving him wondering whether he could truly communicate with him.

• Shinobu Kocho reflected on how the town and its residents had changed during her three-year absence as she walked with Kanzaki Kumo.
• Shinobu Kocho teased Kanzaki Kumo about his relationships, and he told her he would rather be honest than use sweet talk.
• Kanzaki Kumo and Shinobu Kocho bought supplies and went to pay their respects at Kanzaki Keizan’s grave.
• Kanzaki Kumo briefly glimpsed Kanzaki Keizan’s familiar face and wondered whether his grandfather’s soul still lingered in the world.
• Shinobu Kocho noticed Kanzaki Kumo’s troubled expression, checked his pulse, and urged him not to hide it if something was wrong.

On his birthday, Kanzaki Kumo and Shinobu Kocho discussed how the people around him were pushing themselves to help him face the demon threat. Shinobu reminded him that family shared both burdens and protection, leaving Kanzaki to reconsider what home meant.

• Kanzaki Kumo insisted he took care of himself, and Shinobu Kocho stopped him from making an unlucky remark on his birthday.
• Kanzaki Kumo confronted Shinobu about sacrificing rest for drug research, and she agreed to be more careful.
• The chapter described how Tamayo and Shinobu’s research had improved demon-killing drugs, injury treatments, and their theoretical approach to turning demons human.
• Shinobu explained that Kanae, Makomo, Mitsuri, Kanao, and she were all working to support Kanzaki Kumo in their own ways.
• Shinobu told Kanzaki that family members accepted one another without keeping score, and that he should not treat himself as indebted to them.
• Kanzaki reflected that home was not only the people he protected, but also the people who protected and supported him.

Kanzaki Kumo and Shinobu Kocho shared an affectionate birthday moment that ended in their first kiss. They left the moment teasing each other about having done three intimate things couples do.

• Kanzaki Kumo thanked Shinobu Kocho for considering his wishes while celebrating her birthday, and she said she wanted to thank him too.
• Shinobu tried to reach Kanzaki Kumo for a kiss, then jumped up and accidentally hurt their lips when they collided.
• Shinobu apologized, and the two shared a gentler kiss beneath the sunset.
• Shinobu called the kiss her thank-you gift and birthday present, then teased Kanzaki Kumo about giving herself to him someday.
• Kanzaki Kumo joked that they had hugged, kissed, and lifted each other up, prompting Shinobu to call him a jerk.

Kanzaki Kumo teased Shinobu Kocho while visiting Kanzaki Keizan’s grave, then noticed his grandfather’s spirit appearing to him again. He suspected his growing connection to the Transparent World had let him perceive the dead, and he left with Shinobu as night grew cold.

• Kanzaki Kumo poked and pinched Shinobu Kocho’s flushed cheeks, then wheedled until she agreed she was no longer angry.
• Kanzaki Kumo promised to buy Shinobu two goldfish and reminded her to care for them and make time to rest.
• Kanzaki Kumo set Shinobu down, and they bowed together at Kanzaki Keizan’s gravestone before preparing to leave.
• Kanzaki Kumo saw Kanzaki Keizan’s hazy figure smile and wave at them, and he suspected the Transparent World had allowed him to sense the spirit.
• Shinobu Kocho worried about Kanzaki Kumo’s health, but he said he was fine and led her toward their lodging as she held his hand.

After Shinobu Kocho found no physical problems with Kanzaki Kumo, the girls secretly arranged a pretend hospitalization to let him rest. Kanae confessed her jealousy and reminded him that he could lean on her too, leaving him held in her arms as she looked at him with concern.

• Shinobu Kocho examined Kanzaki Kumo and found him healthy, though she worried about his unexplained episodes of spacing out.
• Kanzaki Kumo told Shinobu Kocho he had seen his dead grandfather's soul, and she diagnosed him with severe complicated grief.
• Kanae laughed as Kanzaki Kumo recounted his diagnosis, while he realized the girls had staged his hospitalization to give him a rest.
• Kanae admitted she had been jealous since Kanzaki Kumo took Makomo's first kiss and confessed that she also felt sadness and wanted someone to talk to.
• Kanae nestled into Kanzaki Kumo's arms and asked whether carrying everyone else's burdens alone was exhausting for him.

Kanzaki Kumo agreed to let Kanae join him in future battles after she proved her strength, but their quiet moment was interrupted by news of a Hashira Meeting. At the meeting, Kyojuro Rengoku prepared to take over as Flame Hashira, while he continued calling Kanzaki Kumo his senpai.

• Kanae told Kanzaki Kumo she had grown strong enough to fight beside him and asked him not to leave her behind in danger.
• Kanzaki Kumo agreed, and Kanae hugged him before resting his head on her thighs as they shared a quiet moment.
• Ink Shadow announced that a Hashira Meeting would be held in two days, and the crows later revealed that Kyojuro Rengoku would become the Flame Hashira.
• Kanzaki Kumo arrived at the Ubuyashiki Estate with Makomo and Kanae, where Kyojuro greeted him as Kanzaki-senpai.
• Kanzaki Kumo tried to persuade Kyojuro to stop calling him senpai, but Kyojuro insisted that seniority still mattered.

At the Hashira Meeting, Kyojuro earned his promotion after helping defeat Lower Rank Two Per Wolf, and Shinjuro announced his retirement so his son could take over as Flame Hashira. After Sabito beat Kyojuro in a spar, Kanzaki Kumo challenged Giyu, who reluctantly agreed to fight.

• Kanzaki Kumo teased Giyu and invited him to spar, while Sabito distanced himself to avoid being dragged into the dispute.
• Kagaya presided over the Hashira Meeting as his illness worsened, and the group heard how Kyojuro had helped finish off the wounded Lower Rank Two, Per Wolf.
• Shinjuro announced his retirement, praised Kyojuro for surpassing him, and left the Corps' duties to his son.
• Sabito challenged Kyojuro to a spar and won after a measured fight in which Kyojuro held his ground.
• Kanzaki Kumo turned to Giyu and challenged him to spar, and Giyu reluctantly accepted.

Kanzaki Kumo defeated Giyu in a spar after breaking through his Eleventh Form, and the Hashira Meeting ended after the others had sparred. Later, Kanzaki Kumo walked with Kanae on her eighteenth birthday, promising to prepare a special gift and urging her to be more demanding so she would have no regrets.

• Kanzaki Kumo broke through Giyu's Dead Calm and beat him, leaving a bruise around his left eye.
• The spectators laughed at Giyu's bruised eye, and the Hashira Meeting ended after everyone except Kanzaki Kumo and Gyomei had sparred.
• Kanzaki Kumo and Kanae walked hand in hand along a mountain path on Kanae's eighteenth birthday as she asked about her present.
• Kanzaki Kumo told Kanae that he had put considerable effort into her surprise and asked her to be willful, picky, and greedy for her birthday.
• Kanae said she trusted Kanzaki Kumo not to disappoint her, and the chapter noted his promise to give each girl a unique eighteenth-birthday experience and gift.

Kanzaki Kumo took Kanae shopping for her birthday and explained that he wanted to make up for never having enjoyed an ordinary outing with her. After they shared a playful, affectionate day, he led her toward a destination near the Butterfly Mansion, leaving her curious about his present.

• Kanzaki Kumo told Kanae that their recent outings were not her present, but his way of making up for never taking her shopping before.
• Kanae teased Kanzaki Kumo about being too clever and jokingly acted out a more demanding version of herself.
• Kanzaki Kumo told Kanae he could not bring himself to lie to her or the others, and Kanae blushed at his answer.
• Kanzaki Kumo and Kanae browsed the streets, shared food, and bought small trinkets together.
• Kanzaki Kumo led Kanae toward the center of the area near the Butterfly Mansion, and her curiosity about his present grew.

Kanzaki Kumo showed Kanae the year-round flower bed he had made as a gift, and she loved it. They imagined building a house beside it after defeating Muzan, then kissed among the flowers.

• Kanzaki Kumo brought Kanae to a hidden valley near the Butterfly Mansion and showed her the flower bed he had created.
• Kanae admired the flowers blooming in summer and heard Kanzaki Kumo explain how the bed would change with the seasons.
• Kanzaki Kumo reflected on the distinctive smiles of the girls around him and realized Kanae's smile reminded him of a flower opening in sunlight.
• Kanae told Kanzaki Kumo she loved his gift and noticed the empty space he had saved for a future house.
• Kanae asked Kanzaki Kumo to fulfill his other promise, and he embraced and kissed her.

Kanzaki Kumo and Kanae shared a private, playful moment before returning to the Butterfly Mansion, where Makomo teased him about their past. His joke embarrassed Makomo, and he reassured her that he liked her as she was, leaving her asking if he truly meant it.

• Kanae teased Kanzaki Kumo about his experience, then revealed Shinobu had taught her the joke.
• Kanzaki Kumo and Kanae returned to the Butterfly Mansion hand in hand.
• Makomo teased Kanzaki Kumo, who silently compared her with Kanae and made her blush.
• Makomo chased Kanzaki Kumo before embracing him, while the others watched and Mitsuri asked Shinobu to explain the joke.
• Makomo asked Kanzaki Kumo if he cared about her, and he reassured her that he liked her as she was.

Kanzaki Kumo learned that Muichiro Tokito, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Obanai Iguro had been promoted to Hashira after clearing Spider Mountain. At the Hashira Meeting, Giyu made a remark that offended the newly promoted Hashira, just as Kanzaki Kumo had hoped.

• Kanzaki Kumo heard that Mitsuri had become an official swordswoman and that Muichiro had joined her in Final Selection.
• Ink Shadow reported that Sanemi Shinazugawa, Obanai Iguro, and Muichiro Tokito were being promoted to Hashira, surprising Kanzaki Kumo with Muichiro's speed.
• At the Ubuyashiki Estate, Muichiro greeted Kanzaki Kumo while Sanemi and Obanai acknowledged him, and Sabito kept Giyu from speaking.
• Kagaya explained that Sanemi, Obanai, and Muichiro had been sent to investigate Spider Mountain, where Muichiro killed Lower Rank Three Rui.
• Giyu remarked that the Demon Slayer Corps had all sorts of people, drawing the attention of Kagaya and the newly promoted Hashira.

During the Hashira meeting, Giyu repeatedly offended Sanemi and Obanai, then refused to spar with Sanemi and redirected him to Sabito. The sparring match left Giyu defending against both Sanemi and Obanai after Kanzaki Kumo encouraged Obanai to join in.

• Sabito apologized for Giyu’s blunt remarks, but Giyu continued insisting that Sanemi, Obanai, and Muichiro were different from them, angering Sanemi and Obanai.
• Kanzaki Kumo stopped Sanemi and Obanai from confronting Giyu in the Master’s house, and Kagaya confirmed the three newcomers as the Wind, Serpent, and Mist Hashira.
• At the sparring grounds, Sanemi challenged Giyu, who declined and told him to spar with Sabito instead.
• Sabito pushed Giyu into the match, and Sanemi attacked; Giyu steadily adjusted to the assault and blocked his strikes.
• Kanzaki Kumo persuaded Obanai to join Sanemi, and Obanai entered the fight against Giyu.

At Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Sanemi and Obanai struck Giyu after his wooden sword broke, while in Infinity Castle Muzan decided to abolish the Lower Ranks and began killing them. The chapter left Kyogai and Enmu facing Muzan after Rokuro and Kamanué were devoured.

• Sanemi and Obanai coordinated their attacks against Giyu until his wooden sword snapped, and both landed a blow before stopping.
• Muzan summoned the newly appointed Lower Ranks Enmu, Rokuro, Kamanué, and Kyogai to Infinity Castle and declared that the Lower Ranks would be abolished.
• Rokuro pleaded for more blood and promised to defeat a Hashira, but Muzan swallowed him with a flesh tentacle.
• Muzan condemned Kamanué for his fear and crushed and devoured him before he could finish speaking.

Muzan killed the remaining Lower Ranks, spared Enmu, and gave him more of his blood. As Muzan’s search for the Blue Spider Lily took priority and the threat to the Demon Slayer Corps continued to grow, Kanzaki Kumo struggled to master the Transparent World and weighed awakening the Demon Slayer Mark.

• Muzan killed Kyogai and spared Enmu, whose Blood Demon Art he valued for gathering intelligence.
• Muzan injected Enmu with a large quantity of his blood, then left the Infinity Castle.
• Muzan deprioritized searching for the Kamado Family after deciding their Dance of the Fire God was not authentic Sun Breathing.
• The Demon Slayer Corps faced the prospect of Nakime locating them and Upper Ranks attacking, while Kanzaki Kumo’s plan to fight Doma with Gyomei stalled because he had not mastered the Transparent World.
• Kanzaki Kumo considered awakening the Demon Slayer Mark but hesitated because it would cost him lifespan.

Makomo visited Kanzaki Kumo late at night and confronted him about his growing impatience over failing to master the Transparent World. She tried to offer him someone to lean on, leaving him to consider how he had never found a new place for his heart to rest after Kanzaki Keizan died.

• Kanzaki Kumo let Makomo into his room, where she teased him before saying she had come to talk.
• Makomo told Kanzaki Kumo that he had become more impatient and seemed unable to relax or play along as he once had.
• Makomo explained that she and the other girls believed his frustration came from being stuck at the threshold of the Transparent World, and had sought advice from Tanjuro Kamado and Gyomei.
• Makomo said the girls thought Kanzaki Kumo needed to stop shouldering everything alone and have someone to lean on.
• Makomo recalled how Master Urokodaki and the Butterfly Mansion had given her a home, then asked whether Kanzaki Kumo had found anyone to lean on since Kanzaki Keizan died.