Recaps

Teiichi failed to lure the water demon out and returned to the village chief’s house to ask for more information. After learning the demon had increased its demands for people, Teiichi suspected it was injured and rejected using a person as bait, just as a creak came from the storeroom.

• Teiichi waited underwater for the demon, then surfaced and swam back to shore when it would not approach.
• The village chief and Hayato assumed Teiichi had died, while Hayato secretly headed toward the storeroom.
• Teiichi returned and asked the village chief when he had last seen the demon on land; the chief described the demon’s earlier attack and showed his scars.
• The village chief confirmed that the demon had stayed in the water since then and had recently begun demanding one person each month.
• Teiichi suspected the demon’s increased appetite meant it was injured, considered using a person as bait, and rejected the idea when a creak sounded from the storeroom.

Teiichi discovered that the village chief and his son, Hayato, were concealing a basement where five people were chained and imprisoned. He left the unresponsive captives for the Kakushi to handle after confirming that they had shut away their consciousness.

• The village chief tried to stab Teiichi, who struck him and left him unable to move far.
• Hayato emerged from the basement and denied that anything was down there.
• Teiichi hurled Hayato into a wall, then entered the basement.
• Teiichi found five captives chained to the walls, all silent and unresponsive.
• Teiichi concluded the Kakushi would have to care for them and returned upstairs.

Teiichi tortured the village chief and Hayato for information about the village’s crimes and learned that Hayato’s uncle was the mayor of Nagashima Town. After Hayato offered money and women to save himself, Teiichi realized the village chief could serve as bait and stopped his blade before striking him.

• Teiichi questioned the village chief and stabbed him until he admitted that he and Hayato had forced his wife to take the blame.
• Hayato threatened Teiichi with his uncle, and Teiichi struck the village chief unconscious so Hayato could speak.
• Hayato revealed that his uncle was the mayor of Nagashima Town and threatened to have Teiichi put on the wanted list.
• Hayato offered Teiichi money and women, then admitted that he and his father could capture more women for him.
• Teiichi stopped his Nichirin Blade above the village chief and realized the man could be useful as bait.

Teiichi carried the unconscious village chief to Shoura Bridge and used him as bait to draw out the demon, despite White Feather's protests. When the rope went slack, Teiichi plunged into the sea and attacked the demon with his Wind Breathing.

• White Feather confronted Teiichi about killing a man, and Teiichi admitted it, explaining that the victim and his father had helped a demon and imprisoned women.
• Teiichi told White Feather he planned to use the village chief as bait, then threw him off Shoura Bridge with a rope tied to his ankle.
• Teiichi explained that the rope was meant to sense the demon's movements, and sprang into action when it went slack.
• Teiichi leapt after the village chief, used his Eighth Form: Primary Gale Slash to cleave open the water, and plunged beneath the sea.

Teiichi killed the water demon beneath the sea but failed to save the village chief, then told White Feather about women imprisoned beneath the chief’s house. Seven days later, a Kasugai Crow summoned Teiichi to headquarters.

• The water demon cut the rope, grabbed the village chief, and tried to escape, but Teiichi split the sea and confronted him underwater.
• Teiichi fought the water demon with his Nichirin Blade and killed him, while the village chief was swept away by ocean currents.
• Teiichi swam ashore and told White Feather he had not tried to save the village chief.
• Teiichi told White Feather to inform the Kakushi that several women were locked beneath the village chief’s house, and White Feather flew off to report the events.
• Seven days later, a Kasugai Crow ordered Kato Teiichi to proceed to headquarters, and Teiichi welcomed its arrival.

At a specially convened Hashira Meeting, Teiichi admitted to killing civilians and using civilians as bait to lure demons. The Hashira began debating his punishment, with Kyojuro calling for seppuku over the baiting, while the meeting remained unresolved.

• Kanae met Teiichi at Corps Headquarters and said she understood his reasons for killing the criminals, though she disapproved of using people as bait.
• Teiichi told Kanae he might leave the Corps rather than commit seppuku, and she reluctantly agreed not to speak up for him at the meeting.
• Kagaya Ubuyashiki opened the Hashira Meeting and asked Teiichi whether he had committed the two violations; Teiichi admitted both.
• Giyu Tomioka urged the Hashira to follow the Corps rules, while Kagaya explained that the rules covered killing but not using civilians as bait.
• Gyomei Himejima and Kyojuro Rengoku condemned using people as bait, and Kyojuro called for the highest punishment: seppuku.

The Hashira debated whether Kato Teiichi should commit seppuku for killing two people who had worked with demons and using people as bait. A vote favored seppuku, and Kagaya Ubuyashiki began announcing the meeting’s decision.

• Tengen Uzui defended Kato, while Kyojuro Rengoku and Gyomei Himejima argued that the rules required seppuku and that Kato’s actions were unacceptable.
• Teiichi explained that the two people he killed had helped demons murder people for years after sacrificing a family member to escape.
• Tengen Uzui approved of Kato’s actions, while Kyojuro Rengoku argued that the perpetrators should have been handed over to the police.
• Giyu Tomioka supported following the rules, and Kanae Kocho said Kato deserved only a minor punishment.
• Kagaya Ubuyashiki held a vote, and Gyomei Himejima, Giyu Tomioka, and Kyojuro Rengoku voted for seppuku while Tengen Uzui and Kanae Kocho opposed it.
• Kagaya Ubuyashiki began announcing that the final outcome was to have Kato commit seppuku.

Teiichi defended his decision to use two criminals as bait for a demon and refused to accept seppuku as punishment, arguing that the Demon Slayer Corps's rules were flawed. The Hashira challenged his views on justice, human equality, and the Corps's duty, leaving the argument unresolved.

• Teiichi refused to commit seppuku, insisting that he did not believe his actions were wrong.
• Gyomei Himejima condemned Teiichi for using people as bait, saying it violated the Corps's principle of protecting humanity.
• Teiichi criticized the rule requiring cultivators to commit seppuku if someone they trained became a demon.
• Giyu Tomioka questioned how Teiichi could claim equality while killing people, and Teiichi said their actions had put them among demons.
• Kyojuro Rengoku rejected Teiichi's distinction between humans and demons and argued that the Corps should leave human crimes to the police.
• Teiichi argued that sacrificing two evil people to kill a demon could prevent further deaths, but Gyomei Himejima insisted that lives could not be weighed so simply.

Teiichi challenged the Hashira to weigh the lives saved by pragmatic choices against their duty to protect those before them, then realized their ideals differed fundamentally from his. He told the gathered Corps members that he intended to leave the Demon Slayer Corps.

• Gyomei Himejima questioned whether Teiichi would use an innocent person as bait if no evil person could be found, and Teiichi admitted he might sacrifice one life to save many.
• Teiichi asked Kyojuro Rengoku whether he would risk dying to protect someone behind him, warning that the choice could cost many more lives.
• Kyojuro reaffirmed that he would fight to protect anyone in immediate danger, and Gyomei and the other Hashira agreed with him.
• Teiichi realized the Hashira would pursue their ideals even without assurance of success, while he had joined because he knew the Corps would ultimately win.
• Kanae brought Teiichi out of his thoughts, and he announced that he would leave the Corps.

Teiichi decided to leave the Demon Slayer Corps because his willingness to sacrifice one person to save many conflicted with the Corps' convictions and could divide its members. Kagaya Ubuyashiki accepted his decision, and Teiichi said he would keep training and killing demons, including Muzan Kibutsuji.

• Kanae told Teiichi that Kagaya Ubuyashiki's vote meant he did not have to commit seppuku, but Teiichi said the dilemma had clarified that his beliefs differed from the Corps'.
• Teiichi explained that he would abandon one person to save a greater number, while the others would choose to protect the person behind them.
• Tengen Uzui argued that Teiichi could remain in the Corps, but Teiichi warned that his beliefs might encourage members to flee and weaken the Corps' unity.
• Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked Teiichi to reconsider, but Teiichi firmly confirmed that he would leave the Corps.
• Teiichi told Kagaya Ubuyashiki that he would keep training and killing demons, and offered to take missions no one else could accept.

After Teiichi left the Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki and the Hashira discussed rules about using humans as bait and holding cultivators responsible when their students became demons. Later, Kagaya worried about losing a Hashira, and Amane suggested Sanemi Shinazugawa fill the vacant Wind Hashira position.

• Kagaya Ubuyashiki reassured the Hashira that Teiichi’s departure did not change their shared goal of defeating Muzan Kibutsuji.
• The Hashira agreed to record cases of using humans as bait while keeping the practice from being publicized.
• Kagaya Ubuyashiki proposed reducing cultivators’ punishment for students who became demons to three months of confinement, and the Hashira accepted the compromise.
• Amane Ubuyashiki comforted Kagaya as he worried that Teiichi’s departure had left the Corps with one fewer Hashira.
• Amane suggested appointing Sanemi Shinazugawa as Wind Hashira, and Kagaya agreed.

At dinner, Teiichi explained why he had voluntarily left the Demon Slayer Corps and asked the Butterfly Mansion residents to decide for themselves whether they would save one person nearby or many people farther away. That night, an unidentified figure entered Shinobu Kocho’s room, and she woke to its approach.

• Kanon learned Teiichi had left the Corps and grew angry about the crimes that had prompted his decision.
• Teiichi clarified that he had chosen to leave and described his choice to save the greater number of people, while Kanae said she would save the person in front of her.
• Teiichi urged Kanon and Shinobu Kocho to consider the dilemma independently, and Kanon began to understand something as she watched Teiichi and Kanae talk.
• That night, Shinobu Kocho woke when a dark figure quietly entered her room and approached her bed.

Kanon visited Shinobu in the middle of the night and learned that Kanae and Teiichi were likely together, leaving her heartbroken. Teiichi resumed sparring with the Butterfly sisters, and months passed until the post-New Year Hashira Meeting approached.

• Shinobu mistook the figure sneaking into her room for Teiichi, but caught Kanon and released her after realizing who she was.
• Kanon asked whether Kanae and Teiichi were together, and Shinobu said their relationship had likely begun after Teiichi saved Kanae from Upper Rank Two.
• Kanon cried over her lingering feelings for Teiichi, and Shinobu comforted her as she fell asleep.
• The next day, Teiichi suggested restarting daily sparring with Shinobu, Kanae, and Kanon, and Shinobu agreed to tell Kanae.
• Teiichi trained at the Butterfly Mansion for several months and spent another New Year there before the customary Hashira Meeting.

Sanemi Shinazugawa attended his first Hashira Meeting and angrily confronted Kagaya Ubuyashiki over the Corps’ dangerous work and Masachika’s death. Kagaya explained his own limitations and gave Sanemi Masachika’s final letter, which Sanemi began to read.

• Sanemi Shinazugawa questioned why he had become a Hashira after Masachika died, then insulted Kagaya Ubuyashiki for sending Corps members into danger.
• Kagaya Ubuyashiki apologized and explained that he had tried to wield a sword but could not, and that he wished he could protect people himself.
• Kagaya Ubuyashiki told Sanemi Shinazugawa that he remembered every fallen Corps member and expressed sorrow over Masachika’s sacrifice.
• Kagaya Ubuyashiki said Masachika’s final letter described his hope for a bright future and gave it to Sanemi Shinazugawa.
• Sanemi Shinazugawa steadied his trembling hand, took the letter, and unfolded it.

At the Butterfly Mansion, Kanae told Teiichi about the new Wind Hashira and her anger at his behavior, then revealed she had taken first place in the Hashira Battles. The chapter ended with Teiichi praising Kanae and Kanae bashfully reminding him that she was not his yet.

• Saito questioned whether Teiichi was human for training with an overweight iron sword, while Yamashita told him he could not train with it.
• Kanae told Teiichi that the new Wind Hashira had refused to kneel to Oyakata-sama and insulted him at a meeting.
• Teiichi recalled that the new Wind Hashira was Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Kanae complained about his temper despite having cared for him during treatment.
• Kanae said she had been hurt in the Hashira Battles but had received treatment, and Teiichi asked how she had placed.
• Kanae revealed that she had taken first place because Himejima had not participated, and Teiichi praised her for beating Uzui.
• Kanae blushed and told Teiichi that she was not his yet.

Teiichi and Kanae nearly shared a kiss after falling together during a spar, but Shinobu interrupted them. Two months later, Teiichi considered how to pursue his goal of defeating Muzan and decided not to seek ordinary demon-hunting missions unless Kagaya Ubuyashiki assigned them.

• Kanae suggested sparring with Teiichi, but she lost her footing and pulled him down on top of her.
• Teiichi and Kanae gazed at each other and nearly kissed before Shinobu Kocho arrived and interrupted them.
• Teiichi told Shinobu Kocho that he and Kanae had been sparring, and Shinobu then described her mission.
• Over the next two months, Teiichi trained, sparred with Kanae, Shinobu Kocho, and Kanon, and guided Aoi Kanzaki and Kanae.
• Teiichi decided that the Demon Slayer Corps had enough strength to handle ordinary demons, so he would not request missions unless Kagaya Ubuyashiki assigned him one.

Teiichi decided to leave the Butterfly Mansion and travel around Japan, setting out with Kanae after arranging to go when one of the women next left on a mission. As they departed, Kanae said she believed Kanao would open her heart someday when she met someone she liked.

• Teiichi realized he wanted to explore the world and decided to begin by traveling around the country.
• Over dinner, Teiichi told Kanae, Shinobu Kocho, and Kanon that he planned to leave the Butterfly Mansion; Kanae accepted his decision.
• Teiichi arranged to leave after the next mission, and three days later he departed with Kanae.
• At the Butterfly Mansion entrance, Kanae reminded Kanao to smile and wave when saying goodbye, but Kanao's expression quickly returned to normal.
• On the road, Kanae told Teiichi that Kanao had closed off her heart and might someday open it after meeting someone she liked.

In Akita City, Teiichi urged Kanae to flee if she ever encountered an Upper Rank, and she promised to warn Shinobu and Kanon as well. They spent three days exploring the city together, and the chapter left them on the beach as Kanae suggested collecting and roasting the sea creatures washed ashore.

• Kanae swiftly killed a demon before it could use its Blood Demon Art, then talked with Teiichi about fighting stronger demons.
• Teiichi asked Kanae to promise she would run from any Upper Rank unless he had approved her readiness, and she agreed to tell Shinobu and Kanon to do the same.
• Kanae asked Teiichi to stay and enjoy Akita City with her before his journey, and he agreed.
• Teiichi and Kanae explored the city, chose gifts for the younger girls at the Butterfly Mansion, and walked together along the beach at sunset.
• Kanae found a sea snail and asked Teiichi whether they could collect the washed-up creatures and roast them.

Teiichi and Kanae gathered seafood, then shared a playful evening in the surf. Teiichi gave Kanae a necklace, and they kissed before Kanae rested against his chest and listened to his heartbeat.

• Teiichi and Kanae gathered seafood on the beach and grilled their catch after sunset.
• Teiichi led Kanae into the surf, where she delighted in feeling the sand shift beneath her feet, and they splashed each other.
• Teiichi pretended to be hurt, then revealed a necklace and fastened it around Kanae's neck.
• Teiichi and Kanae kissed beneath the moonlight, pausing to catch their breath before kissing again.
• Kanae leaned against Teiichi's chest, closed her eyes, and listened to his heartbeat.

Teiichi spent two years traveling around Japan, keeping in touch with Kanae by letter and returning to the Butterfly Mansion each New Year. He reunited with Tengen Uzui and his wives, and went with them to Tengen’s home for drinks.

• Teiichi set out on a two-year journey after saying goodbye to Kanae, exploring places across Japan and returning to the Butterfly Mansion only for New Year.
• Teiichi and Kanae exchanged letters once a month while he traveled, and they were delighted whenever they reunited at New Year.
• While traveling, Teiichi encountered Tengen Uzui shopping with Suma, Makio, and Hinatsuru.
• Teiichi and Tengen recognized each other and caught up after two years apart.
• Tengen invited Teiichi to his home to drink, and Teiichi accepted.

Teiichi returned to Tengen Uzui’s home and learned that the Demon Slayer Corps had gained three Hashira while he was away. As Tengen discussed the Corps’s growth and asked about Teiichi’s digestion-training method, Teiichi explained that it favored younger, talented practitioners, leaving Tengen to wonder whether ordinary members could learn it.

• Teiichi joined Tengen Uzui and his wives for dinner and heard that Sanemi Shinazugawa, Kyojuro Rengoku, and Mitsuri Kanroji had become Hashira, bringing the Corps’s total to seven.
• Tengen explained that Kyojuro had taken over the Flame Hashira position from his father, then joked about establishing an Uzui family line of Sound Hashira.
• Tengen complained that most Corps members lacked talent or discipline and asked Teiichi to become his Tsuguko, but Teiichi refused.
• Tengen told Teiichi that the Corps had improved greatly and asked about the Breathing Styles technique Teiichi had suggested for aiding digestion.
• Teiichi said the technique worked best for younger practitioners and required considerable talent, prompting Tengen to ask whether ordinary Corps members could learn it.

Teiichi sparred with Tengen Uzui, used their training to refine his swordsmanship, and continued traveling for another year. In Hokkaido during the winter of the third year, he faced a training bottleneck and considered trying underwater training while waiting for a local winter festival.

• Teiichi and Tengen Uzui sparred at the Uzui residence, and Teiichi defeated him.
• Teiichi stayed several more days to train with Tengen, stopping when Tengen could no longer find any blind spots in his techniques.
• Teiichi left the Uzui residence and traveled for another year.
• In Hokkaido, Teiichi found that his swordsmanship had stalled and his physical growth had slowed now that he was nineteen.
• Teiichi considered underwater training, then visited a familiar noodle shop in town as he waited for the winter festival.

Tanjiro sold charcoal in the village, then stayed overnight with Grandpa Saburo after hearing about demons that appeared after sunset. As Tanjiro slept, a well-dressed stranger headed toward the mountain, where Teiichi encountered Upper Rank Three.

• Tanjiro sold his charcoal and helped a villager clear his name by identifying the smell of a cat on a broken plate.
• Grandpa Saburo persuaded Tanjiro to stay at his cabin for the night and told him that demons preyed on people after sunset.
• Tanjiro wondered whether demons were real before falling asleep at Grandpa Saburo's home.
• A figure in a suit and round hat passed Grandpa Saburo's cabin and continued toward the mountain.
• Teiichi, walking through the snow late at night, turned to face a red-haired man and recognized him as Upper Rank Three.

Kato Teiichi rejected Akaza’s invitation to become a demon, challenging him to consider whether he would ever reach the Transparent World. Akaza renewed his determination to keep training, and the two prepared to fight.

• Akaza recognized Kato Teiichi’s fighting spirit and invited him to become a demon so they could pursue the Transparent World together.
• Kato Teiichi refused, saying that forcing a breakthrough would not guarantee success, and asked how long Akaza had been stuck at his current level.
• Akaza realized he could not remember how long he had pursued the Transparent World and became troubled by the possibility that he might never reach it.
• Akaza recovered his resolve, declaring that he would keep training because giving up would make reaching the Transparent World impossible.
• Kato Teiichi and Akaza exchanged names and prepared to fight.

Akaza and Teiichi began their battle in the snowy field, where Teiichi’s speed and strength overwhelmed Akaza despite his Compass Needle. After both recovered from a powerful clash, they faced each other and prepared to attack again.

• Akaza activated Destructive Death: Compass Needle as Teiichi lowered into a fighting stance.
• Teiichi used First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter and launched a rapid assault that Akaza blocked with Destructive Death: Disorder.
• Teiichi’s blade severed Akaza’s arm, but Akaza dodged a fatal neck strike by twisting his body.
• Akaza used Annihilation Style, and Teiichi countered with Fifth Form: Cold Mountain Wind, creating an explosion that blasted them apart.
• Akaza regenerated his arm and spine while Teiichi assessed the fight, then the two charged at each other as the last snowflake landed.