Chapter Summaries

Tetsu no Sosuke and Shinobu Kocho found a remote house and discovered human remains inside. Tetsu no Sosuke stayed outside and began cutting through the roof with his Nichirin Blade.

• Tetsu no Sosuke explained that they had followed the path Charcoal Seller had worn to reach the house.
• Tetsu no Sosuke and Shinobu Kocho approached the clearing and noticed an unsettling chill around the house.
• Tetsu no Sosuke checked the windows, then positioned himself and Shinobu Kocho in the sunlight beside the front door.
• Tetsu no Sosuke kicked open the door, revealing rotting bones, scraps of flesh, maggots, and flies inside.
• Tetsu no Sosuke drew his Nichirin Blade, thrust it through the roof, and swung hard without entering the house.

Tetsu no Sosuke and Shinobu Kocho found a single skeleton in the mountain house and concluded the demon was hiding elsewhere. They rested through the day and planned to wait for the demon to come to them after nightfall.

• Tetsu no Sosuke tore open the house’s roof and carried its bones into the yard, where he and Shinobu Kocho found only one skeleton.
• Shinobu Kocho reasoned that the house was not the demon’s lair because at least ten people had gone missing.
• Tetsu no Sosuke and Shinobu Kocho rested in a nearby tree, taking turns keeping watch.
• At sunset, Tetsu no Sosuke and Shinobu Kocho agreed to conserve their strength and wait for the demon to find them.
• After night fell, Tetsu no Sosuke lit a campfire and sat alone.

Tetsu no Sosuke and Shinobu Kocho waited in the mountains to ambush a demon, but the visitor who approached was Tsujimoto Takato, the Storm Pillar. Tetsu no Sosuke recognized him from their earlier meeting and was surprised to see him again.

• Shinobu Kocho hid in a tree while Tetsu no Sosuke acted as bait, ready to poison their target with her swift thrusts.
• As the full moon rose and no demon appeared, Tetsu no Sosuke wondered whether their waiting strategy was a mistake.
• Footsteps approached, but Tetsu no Sosuke sensed no demonic emotion.
• A gentle voice called out to Tetsu no Sosuke, and Tsujimoto Takato stepped into the firelight.
• Tetsu no Sosuke recognized Tsujimoto Takato as the Storm Pillar and recalled their previous meeting.

Tetsu no Sosuke began repairing Tsujimoto Takato’s damaged Nichirin Blade, but their meeting was interrupted by the arrival of Upper Moon One, Kokushibo. The two swordsmen faced each other as Kokushibo asked where Takato’s blade was.

• Tsujimoto Takato visited Tetsu no Sosuke and asked him to repair his damaged Nichirin Blade.
• Tetsu no Sosuke made a temporary repair and told Tsujimoto Takato to bring the blade to the Butterfly Estate for proper repairs.
• Tsujimoto Takato said he had searched all day for someone, and Tetsu no Sosuke sensed that the person had arrived.
• Kokushibo emerged from the darkness, and Tetsu no Sosuke recognized the six-eyed demon as Upper Moon One.
• Kokushibo identified Tsujimoto Takato as a Pillar and asked where his Nichirin Blade was.

Tetsu no Sosuke repaired his sword under Kokushibo’s watch, knowing the demon would kill him once the work was done. He feared he could not survive a fight against Upper Moon One, whose strength had taken three Pillars and other factors to defeat.

• Kokushibo told Tetsu no Sosuke he would wait for the sword to be repaired before killing him.
• Tsujimoto Takato urged Tetsu no Sosuke to focus on repairing the sword, and Tetsu no Sosuke began his work.
• Tetsu no Sosuke repaired the sword steadily despite his fear of Kokushibo.
• Tetsu no Sosuke recalled Kokushibo’s past as Yoriichi Tsugikuni’s brother and his transformation into a demon.
• Tetsu no Sosuke realized he was weaker than a Pillar and doubted he could survive the coming fight.

Tetsu no Sosuke faced Kokushibo while worrying that Shinobu Kocho was in danger, and he saw no likely way to survive. As Tsujimoto Takato questioned Kokushibo, Tetsu no Sosuke began looking for a way to get Shinobu Kocho to safety.

• Tetsu no Sosuke assessed his hopeless chances against Kokushibo and resolved to learn what he could before dying.
• Tetsu no Sosuke briefly thought of Kanae and regretted that they had not married, then regained his focus.
• Tsujimoto Takato asked Kokushibo whether he was a swordsman and wondered if demons had no feelings.
• Kokushibo remained silent and showed no concern that Tetsu no Sosuke might be stalling.
• Tetsu no Sosuke tried to devise a way to get Shinobu Kocho out of danger.

Tetsu no Sosuke prepared for his coming fight with Kokushibo, but Kokushibo attacked as soon as Tsujimoto Takato finished cleaning the Nichirin Blade. Tsujimoto Takato blocked the strike, while Tetsu no Sosuke wondered whether Kokushibo had noticed Shinobu Kocho hiding nearby.

• Tetsu no Sosuke steadied himself and prepared to face Kokushibo despite expecting to die.
• Tetsu no Sosuke handed the cleaned Nichirin Blade to Tsujimoto Takato.
• Kokushibo attacked Tetsu no Sosuke with the First Form of Breath of the Moon.
• Tsujimoto Takato blocked Kokushibo's blade, while Tetsu no Sosuke discovered cuts on both wrists.
• Tetsu no Sosuke took up the Hammer Sword and worried that Kokushibo might have spotted Shinobu Kocho.

Tetsu no Sosuke unleashed his newly created Fifth Form, Extreme Flow Intent, to push beyond the limits of his body as Tsujimoto Takato attacked Kokushibo. He began accelerating his blood flow, thoughts, reflexes, and ability to track movement.

• Tsujimoto Takato retreated from Kokushibo, then circled to his side and struck with Breath of the Storm—Form Two: Entering the Night with the Wind.
• Tetsu no Sosuke recognized Takato’s Sword Form and realized Kokushibo’s six eyes might overcome its deceptive angle.
• Sosuke changed his breathing and unleashed Breath of the Sun—Fifth Form: Extreme Flow Intent.
• Sosuke accelerated his blood flow, mind, reflexes, and tracking ability in an attempt to break past his physical limits.

Tetsu no Sosuke used Extreme Flow Intent against Kokushibo, pushing his body past its natural limits and perceiving the brief opening after Kokushibo countered Tsujimoto Takato. He struck Kokushibo in the face with the Iron Hammer, but the impact sounded like iron striking iron.

• Tetsu no Sosuke activated Extreme Flow Intent, speeding his blood and heart until his perception of the world slowed.
• Tetsu no Sosuke saw Kokushibo deflect Entering the Night with the Wind and considered how Kokushibo's six eyes let him perceive attacks.
• Tetsu no Sosuke noticed the instant-long opening after Kokushibo countered Tsujimoto Takato's Sword Form.
• Tetsu no Sosuke swung the Iron Hammer into Kokushibo's face, producing a thunderous clang.

Tetsu no Sosuke and Tsujimoto Takato attacked Kokushibo together, but their strikes failed to injure him. Kokushibo drove Tetsu no Sosuke into a tree and unleashed a barrage of slashes as Tetsu no Sosuke counterattacked.

• Kokushibo caught Tetsu no Sosuke's Iron Hammer and swung at him, but Tsujimoto Takato struck from behind and forced Kokushibo to defend himself.
• Tetsu no Sosuke released the hammer, drew his fiery-red Nichirin Blade, and used Breath of the Sun—Fourth Form: Lightning Flash against Kokushibo.
• Kokushibo knocked Tsujimoto Takato away and stopped Tetsu no Sosuke's blade at his neck, reacting angrily to its color.
• Kokushibo struck Tetsu no Sosuke into a tree and threw the hammer's sheath at him.
• Tetsu no Sosuke sheathed his blade, braced himself against the tree, and used Breath of the Sun—Form Two: Direct Forging of Qiankun as Kokushibo unleashed a barrage of slashes.

Tetsu no Sosuke fought Kokushibo with everything he had, but his wounds made his sword hesitate just as Kokushibo struck for his neck. Tsujimoto Takato arrived in time to force Kokushibo to turn and face his blade.

• Tetsu no Sosuke used Breath of the Moon, Form Six: Eternal Night, Lonely Moon, No Gap, and shattered Kokushibo's Iron Hammer before cutting across his chest.
• Tetsu no Sosuke ignored his injuries and prepared to strike again, but blood loss made his breathing falter and his sword hand hesitate.
• Kokushibo's blade reached Tetsu no Sosuke's neck, threatening to kill him.
• Tsujimoto Takato attacked Kokushibo from behind, forcing him to turn away from Tetsu no Sosuke.

Tetsu no Sosuke and Tsujimoto Takato attacked Kokushibo, who unleashed a powerful Moon Breathing technique and sent both Swordsmen flying. Kokushibo remained fixated on killing Tetsu no Sosuke, pursuing the mission that had brought him to the mountains.

• Tetsu no Sosuke charged into Kokushibo’s deadly blade storm and struck with Sun Breathing, Form One: Gale Sun.
• Kokushibo countered with Moon Breathing, Fifth Form: Moon Spirit Calamity, cutting through the surroundings and blasting both Swordsmen away.
• Tsujimoto Takato laughed through his injuries, righted himself against a tree, and rushed back toward Kokushibo.
• Tsujimoto Takato called Kokushibo pathetic for pursuing a single Swordsman, but Kokushibo ignored him and focused on killing Tetsu no Sosuke.
• Kokushibo recalled that he had come to the mountains to lure in Demon Slayer Corps members and complete his mission if Tetsu no Sosuke appeared.

The attacker’s sight of Tetsu no Sosuke’s Nichirin Blade revealed Breath of the Sun and ignited his resentment toward Sosuke for wielding a technique he considered undeserved. He launched a furious attack, while Sosuke let its force carry him backward and waited for a chance to change course.

• The attacker saw Tetsu no Sosuke’s Nichirin Blade and recognized its color as belonging to Breath of the Sun.
• The attacker recalled his failed efforts to master the technique and judged Sosuke’s forms weak and disgraceful.
• The attacker dismissed the Pillar protecting Sosuke and attacked him with Breath of the Moon—Form Three: Loathing Moon Erosion.
• Tetsu no Sosuke let the attack drive him backward instead of wasting strength resisting it.
• Tetsu no Sosuke prepared to change course once the force weakened and used Extreme Flow Intent.

Tetsu no Sosuke used Breath of the Sun—Form Three: Comet Waltz to evade Kokushibo’s spinning blades and attack him with True Draw. Kokushibo countered with a deadly Breath of the Moon form, and the chapter ended as he brought down another powerful strike.

• Tetsu no Sosuke watched Kokushibo’s spinning blades tear through the surrounding trees and prepared to risk his life.
• Tetsu no Sosuke used Comet Waltz to dodge the blades, then plunged toward Kokushibo with True Draw.
• Kokushibo unleashed Eternal Night, Lonely Moon, No Gap, covering Tetsu no Sosuke with wounds before their blades clashed.
• Tetsu no Sosuke remained suspended in midair after the clash, having poured his strength into a single strike.
• Kokushibo turned toward the speaker and brought his blade down with a powerful strike.

Shinobu Kocho watched Tetsu no Sosuke and Tsujimoto Takato battle Kokushibo, unable to intervene as the Upper Moon overwhelmed them. The fight reached a brief opening when Tetsu no Sosuke’s strike cut Kokushibo’s scabbard and bit into his arm, but failed to sever it.

• Kokushibo stopped Tetsu no Sosuke from turning his sword by meeting his strength with his own blade.
• Tetsu no Sosuke’s strike cut Kokushibo’s scabbard in two and bit into his arm, but did not sever it.
• Shinobu Kocho watched from a tree, recalling Kokushibo’s crushing presence and her inability to help against Doma.
• Shinobu Kocho recognized that Tetsu no Sosuke had grown stronger, yet still seemed powerless against Kokushibo.
• Shinobu Kocho waited helplessly, tormented by memories of being unable to act during her encounter with Doma.

Shinobu Kocho attacked Kokushibo with the Breath of the Insect’s Dance of the Bee Stinger: True Drag, but he anticipated her strike. Tetsu no Sosuke seized Kokushibo’s sword and condemned him as a vile Demon as he unleashed Great Sun Like a Dragon.

• Shinobu Kocho hid herself on the battlefield and waited for an opening.
• Shinobu Kocho launched True Drag at Kokushibo with nearly all her strength.
• Kokushibo anticipated Shinobu Kocho’s attack and brought his sword down toward her.
• Tetsu no Sosuke seized Kokushibo’s blade with his left hand and pressed his Nichirin Blade harder.
• Tetsu no Sosuke denounced Kokushibo and unleashed Great Sun Like a Dragon.

Tetsu no Sosuke and Tsujimoto Takato attacked Kokushibo while Shinobu Kocho pierced his skull, but Kokushibo fought back. Tetsu no Sosuke shattered Kokushibo’s sword and struck him with both its broken point and his Nichirin Blade, leaving a deep wound across his chest.

• Shinobu Kocho pierced Kokushibo’s skull with True Draw, and Tsujimoto Takato threw her clear before unleashing Breath of the Storm, Form Seven: Mount Storm.
• Kokushibo tried to knock Tetsu no Sosuke aside, but Tetsu no Sosuke clung to his sword and said he had seen something.
• Tetsu no Sosuke’s grip caused cracks to spread through Kokushibo’s blade until it shattered.
• Tetsu no Sosuke drove the broken blade’s point into Kokushibo’s neck and slashed his chest with his Nichirin Blade.

Tsujimoto Takato and Tetsu no Sosuke’s attacks left Kokushibo badly wounded, and Kokushibo pinned his severed upper half in place to keep fighting. As Takato pressed his advantage, Kokushibo realized that a wound to his head had poisoned him and weakened his body.

• Tetsu no Sosuke’s delay let Mount Storm cut through Kokushibo’s waist, and Kokushibo pinned his upper half in place with his broken blade.
• Kokushibo struck Tsujimoto Takato across the chest, but Takato immediately countered with Breath of the Storm—Sixth Form: Cloudstorm.
• Kokushibo’s wounds would not heal, and his severed left hand did not regenerate, leading him to suspect Tetsu no Sosuke’s special Nichirin Blade.
• Kokushibo tried to attack again, but Takato’s strike drove him back as Kokushibo recognized the wound in his head had poisoned him.

Tsujimoto Takato fought Kokushibo alone after Tetsu no Sosuke could no longer help, determined to keep Sosuke alive. He took Shinobu Kocho’s poisoned Nichirin Blade and blocked an attack aimed at her as she ran to Sosuke.

• Kokushibo countered Tsujimoto Takato’s attack with a sweeping barrage of sword cuts.
• Tsujimoto Takato pressed his assault despite his wounds, while Shinobu Kocho struggled to her feet and could not join the fight.
• Tsujimoto Takato took Shinobu Kocho’s poisoned Nichirin Blade and told her to get Tetsu no Sosuke to safety.
• Shinobu Kocho ran toward Tetsu no Sosuke, but Kokushibo’s sword cuts swept toward her.
• Tsujimoto Takato appeared in front of Shinobu Kocho and blocked the incoming cuts, covered in blood.

Shinobu Kocho found Tetsu no Sosuke gravely wounded but still alive while Tsujimoto Takato fought Kokushibo nearby. She began dragging Tetsu no Sosuke away, leaving the outcome of the battle unresolved.

• Tsujimoto Takato blocked Kokushibo's attack and told Shinobu Kocho to take Tetsu no Sosuke and flee.
• Shinobu Kocho returned to Tetsu no Sosuke and found him lying in a pool of blood, badly wounded.
• Shinobu Kocho noticed that Tetsu no Sosuke still had a heartbeat and was breathing.
• Shinobu Kocho steadied herself, draped Tetsu no Sosuke's arms over her shoulders, and dragged him away.