Arc 9Mist and the Twin Demons

Teiichi joined the Hashira Battles, then took Muichiro as his disciple and guided him through training and Final Selection until he developed Mist Breathing. In Kazami Town, Muichiro and Teiichi uncovered the truth about the linked Lower Rank Six demons, and the brothers turned on each other as the confrontation continued.

  • Gyomei Himejima stopped Sanemi Shinazugawa from confronting Teiichi and invited Teiichi to the Hashira Battles, where Teiichi defeated Sanemi and later sparred with the other Hashira.
  • Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked Teiichi to train Muichiro Tokito, and Teiichi accepted after learning about Muichiro and Yuichiro Tokito’s past.
  • Teiichi trained Muichiro in Wind Breathing, then helped him develop Mist Breathing by observing clouds and changing his breathing rhythm.
  • During Final Selection, Muichiro protected Aoi Kanzaki while she fought demons, then rescued her from a powerful demon and beheaded it.
  • Kanae Kocho and Teiichi visited Sakonji Urokodaki to see Nezuko and collect a sample of her blood, while Aoi chose to work at the Butterfly Mansion rather than fight demons.
  • Muichiro went to Kazami Town to investigate disappearances, defeated a demon he believed was Lower Rank Six, and later discovered that the demon had survived through his twin, Jiro.
  • Teiichi captured Taro and learned that he and Jiro were conjoined twins transformed into demons by Muzan Kibutsuji, with each able to regenerate from the other.
  • Teiichi brought Taro to Muichiro and Jiro, ordered Muichiro to disable Jiro without beheading him, and led the brothers out of town, and Jiro then attacked and began devouring Taro.
Chapters 201–225 Vol. 3 Read

Ch. 201Intuition

Teiichi agreed to join the next day’s Hashira Battles so the Hashira could experience the gap between themselves and Upper Rank One firsthand. After dinner, Kanae worried he might humiliate Sanemi Shinazugawa, but Teiichi insisted Sanemi could handle a serious fight.

  • Sanemi Shinazugawa challenged Teiichi, but Gyomei Himejima stopped him and defended Teiichi as a guest of the Demon Slayer Corps.
  • Gyomei Himejima invited Teiichi to participate in the next day’s Hashira Battles so the Hashira could better understand Upper Rank One’s strength, and Teiichi accepted.
  • Kanae asked Teiichi to go easy on Sanemi Shinazugawa, while Mitsuri learned that Teiichi had defeated Kanae and Shinobu Kocho in only a few moves.
  • Teiichi explained that he would not hold back because the Hashira needed to understand the difference in strength, and Shinobu Kocho agreed that Sanemi could take the defeat.
  • When Shinobu Kocho asked how Teiichi knew Sanemi’s personality, Teiichi called it a man’s intuition.

Ch. 202What Are You Doing Here?

Mitsuri learned that Kanae and Teiichi were dating, while Shinobu asked Kanae whether Teiichi’s Lifting Light as Though Heavy technique could help her cut off a demon’s head. Teiichi went to Kanae’s room at night, but Shinobu opened the door and asked what he was doing there.

  • Mitsuri asked Kanae about her relationship with Teiichi, and Kanae told her they were dating and shared how they had met.
  • Mitsuri reacted with excitement and envy to Kanae and Teiichi’s romance, and Shinobu comforted her.
  • Shinobu asked Kanae whether learning Lifting Light as Though Heavy might let her sever a demon’s neck, and Kanae agreed it could help.
  • Shinobu warned Kanae that Mitsuri might be interested in Teiichi, but Kanae said Mitsuri would not pursue someone who was already in a relationship.
  • Teiichi, unable to sleep alone after sharing Kanae’s bed, went to her room, where Shinobu opened the door and questioned him.

Ch. 203The beginning

Teiichi explained to Shinobu Kocho why Lifting Light as Though Heavy was unlikely to suit her fighting style, and she agreed to keep developing her speed and Wisteria Poison. The next day, Teiichi and Sanemi Shinazugawa began their spar with a tense standoff.

  • Kanae and Shinobu Kocho agreed to spar with Teiichi again the next day.
  • Teiichi told Shinobu Kocho that she needed to master Wielding the Heavy as Light before attempting Lifting Light as Though Heavy.
  • Teiichi advised Shinobu Kocho to build on her speed-focused fighting style and research Wisteria Poison.
  • At Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Sanemi Shinazugawa challenged Teiichi to a spar and boasted that he wanted to test his strength.
  • After the spar began, Teiichi and Sanemi Shinazugawa held their positions and challenged each other to make the first move.

Ch. 204Overwhelmed

Teiichi overwhelmed Sanemi Shinazugawa in a brief spar, defeating him with a wooden sword and pinning his blade beneath his foot. The Hashira watched in shock, discussed the gulf between their strength and Teiichi’s, and Gyomei Himejima volunteered to face him next.

  • Teiichi struck Sanemi Shinazugawa with such force that Sanemi was sent flying and struggled to defend against his follow-up attacks.
  • Sanemi used Wind Breathing to counter and then attacked Teiichi’s lower body, but Teiichi stomped on the wooden sword and trapped it in the ground.
  • Teiichi held a Nichirin Blade to Sanemi’s neck, ending the match.
  • Tengen Uzui and the other Hashira reacted to Teiichi’s swift victory, while Gyomei Himejima and Kyojuro Rengoku urged everyone to train harder.
  • Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked who would spar with Teiichi next, and Gyomei Himejima volunteered.

Ch. 205The end

After losing to Teiichi, Sanemi Shinazugawa reflected on his weakness as Gyomei Himejima prepared to face Teiichi in the Hashira Battles. Meanwhile, Shinobu Kocho gained the advantage over Kyojuro Rengoku, and the chapter ended as she launched her next attack.

  • Sanemi Shinazugawa rejected Teiichi's offered hand and vowed to surpass him after losing their match.
  • Gyomei Himejima told Sanemi Shinazugawa he had joined the battles to test himself against someone with strength like Upper Rank One's, then faced Teiichi.
  • Teiichi declined to switch to a Nichirin Blade, and Gyomei Himejima began his attack with Stone Breathing, First Form.
  • Shinobu Kocho evaded Kyojuro Rengoku's Flame Breathing, Fifth Form: Flame Tiger, and prepared Dance of the Bee Sting: True Flutter.

Ch. 206We will succeed

The Hashira Battles ended with the Demon Slayer Corps reflecting on how the matches could help them improve, and Teiichi met with Kagaya Ubuyashiki to discuss whether they could defeat Muzan Kibutsuji. Teiichi insisted they would succeed, just as Amane Ubuyashiki arrived with a little boy.

  • Shinobu Kocho defeated Kyojuro Rengoku, and they discussed how Hashira Battles helped them identify weaknesses rather than simply compete.
  • Kagaya Ubuyashiki agreed that the battles were meant to help the Hashira learn from one another and grow stronger.
  • The three-day Hashira Battles ended, with Gyomei Himejima blocking the most of Teiichi's strikes and Mitsuri Kanroji surprising Teiichi by enduring one head-on.
  • The next day, Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked Teiichi whether the Demon Slayer Corps could truly kill Muzan Kibutsuji, and Teiichi said they would succeed.
  • Amane Ubuyashiki entered the tea room with a little boy.

Ch. 207Muichiro Tokito

Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked Teiichi to train Muichiro Tokito, and Teiichi agreed to take him as his sole disciple. Amane Ubuyashiki recalled finding Muichiro and his brother after they had been gravely injured, and the chapter ended with Amane trying to save Muichiro while Yuichiro was already dead.

  • Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked Teiichi to take Muichiro Tokito as a disciple, and Teiichi agreed on the condition that he would teach no one else for now.
  • Kagaya explained that Muichiro and his older brother, Yuichiro Tokito, had been left alone after their parents died, and that Amane had repeatedly invited them to join the Demon Slayer Corps.
  • Amane Ubuyashiki traveled with Hinaki Ubuyashiki and Nichika Ubuyashiki to visit the brothers, explaining that their ancestors had been among the first Breathing Style swordsmen.
  • Amane and her daughters found Yuichiro and Muichiro lying bloodied and motionless inside their home.
  • Amane discovered that Muichiro was still breathing, while Hinaki reported that Yuichiro was dead, and Amane ordered them to save the younger brother.

Ch. 208Master and disciple

Kagaya Ubuyashiki entrusted Muichiro Tokito to Kato Teiichi as his disciple after hearing how Muichiro had killed a demon without training. Teiichi brought Muichiro to the Butterfly Mansion and planned for him to take Final Selection with Aoi, leaving Kanae and Shinobu reassured after learning of his feat.

  • Kagaya Ubuyashiki explained Muichiro's lost memories and asked Teiichi to train him, and Teiichi accepted.
  • Amane Ubuyashiki explained the master-disciple relationship, and Muichiro knelt to accept Teiichi as his master.
  • Teiichi introduced Muichiro to Kanae and Shinobu, and Kanae invited him to make the Butterfly Mansion his home.
  • Teiichi said he planned for Muichiro to take Final Selection with Aoi, prompting Kanae and Shinobu to question whether he would be ready.
  • Teiichi revealed that Muichiro had already killed a demon alone, and Kanae concluded that he might be ready for Final Selection.

Ch. 209Why don't you leave the Corps too?

Giyu Tomioka told Teiichi about the demon girl he had spared and sought reassurance that his choice was right. Teiichi supported protecting her if she remained on humanity’s side, then suggested Giyu leave the Demon Slayer Corps.

  • Giyu Tomioka asked Teiichi to speak privately after Kanae, Shinobu Kocho, and Muichiro went ahead.
  • Giyu told Teiichi that he had spared a demon girl who tried to protect her older brother, and sent the boy to Master Urokodaki.
  • Teiichi believed Giyu’s account and said sparing the girl was acceptable if she would not eat people and remained on humanity’s side.
  • Giyu admitted he did not want to kill the girl and feared that the Corps might punish her, her brother, himself, and Master Urokodaki.
  • Teiichi asked Giyu why he did not leave the Corps too.

Ch. 210Teaching

Teiichi brought Muichiro to the Butterfly Mansion and began teaching him Wind Breathing, explaining why understanding how a Breathing Style worked mattered. The chapter left Aoi wondering whether Muichiro was strong enough to learn it and whether Teiichi could teach it effectively.

  • Teiichi told Giyu that he could leave the Corps if its demands became too much, and Giyu agreed that Teiichi could tell Kanae about his troubles but not Shinobu.
  • Teiichi caught up with Kanae and Shinobu and joked that Giyu had come to him for direction in life.
  • At the Butterfly Mansion, Teiichi introduced Muichiro to Aoi as his apprentice and urged Aoi to master Total Concentration: Constant before Final Selection.
  • Teiichi took Muichiro, Aoi, and Kanao to a hill, where he assigned the girls to train and began teaching Muichiro Wind Breathing.
  • When Muichiro questioned why he needed to learn the theory, Teiichi explained that understanding Breathing Styles would help him forge his own path and become stronger.

Ch. 211Punishment

Teiichi coached Muichiro in Wind Breathing until Muichiro learned the technique, surprising Aoi. That night, Teiichi reunited with Kanae and teased her with a playful “punishment.”

  • Teiichi corrected Muichiro’s breathing and told him to keep practicing until he could maintain Total Concentration: Constant all day and while sleeping.
  • Aoi Kanzaki worried that Teiichi’s teaching was ineffective, then learned that Muichiro had already mastered Wind Breathing.
  • Teiichi returned to the Butterfly Mansion with Muichiro, Aoi Kanzaki, and Kanao.
  • Teiichi joined Kanae in bed, teased her about missing him, and moved closer as she invited him to kiss her.

Ch. 212Mist

Teiichi encouraged Kanae by telling her about a demon who did not eat humans, then guided Muichiro toward developing a Breathing Style suited to him. As the Final Selection approached, Muichiro began to understand that style by reflecting on what mist meant to him.

  • Teiichi told Kanae that Giyu had met a demon who did not eat humans, and Kanae asked to visit the demon and her brother in secret.
  • Teiichi taught Muichiro Wind Breathing's sword forms, then explained that Muichiro should develop a Breathing Style that suited him best.
  • Muichiro said he liked watching clouds, so Teiichi told him to observe the dawn and sunset clouds while sensing and adjusting his breathing.
  • After nearly ten days, Muichiro still had not mastered Mist Breathing, so Teiichi asked him what mist meant to him.
  • Muichiro recalled the many shapes and colors of the clouds and realized that they were all mist.

Ch. 213Mount Fujikasane Test

Muichiro created Mist Breathing, while Aoi Kanzaki faced demons during the Mount Fujikasane test and proved she could fight them. After Muichiro appeared to protect her, Aoi argued that every person's life was precious, but he insisted people had different value.

  • Muichiro changed his breathing rhythm and named his new Breathing Style Mist Breathing.
  • Aoi Kanzaki encountered a demon on Mount Fujikasane and beheaded it with her Nichirin Blade.
  • Aoi chased down and killed a second demon, gaining confidence in her ability to carry out missions.
  • Muichiro startled Aoi by placing a hand on her shoulder, then explained that he had followed her to keep her safe.
  • Aoi told Muichiro to protect the other test-takers and said everyone's life was precious, but Muichiro replied that everyone had different value.

Ch. 214You Should Have Been Able to Beat It

Muichiro stayed beside Aoi Kanzaki during Final Selection, letting her face the demons while promising to intervene if she was in danger. When Aoi froze before a powerful demon, Muichiro rescued her and killed it, then told her she should have been able to win.

  • Muichiro agreed that stronger candidates might be more valuable to protect but decided to keep Aoi safe while letting her fight any demons they encountered.
  • Over several days, Aoi killed demons during the trial while Muichiro remained nearby to protect her.
  • Muichiro and Aoi found a muscular demon feeding on a dead candidate, and it charged at Aoi after taunting her.
  • Aoi froze as the demon swung at her, so Muichiro pulled her clear and beheaded the demon with Mist Breathing, Fourth Form: Shifting Flow Slash.
  • Muichiro calmly told Aoi that the demon was strong but slow and that she should have been able to beat it.

Ch. 215Mount Sagiri

Kanae Kocho and Kato Teiichi visited Sakonji Urokodaki to see Nezuko, who had become a demon but did not eat people. They found Nezuko and Tanjiro asleep, collected a small sample of Nezuko’s blood, and left to stay at a nearby Wisteria House.

  • Kanae Kocho and Kato Teiichi arrived at Sakonji Urokodaki’s home on Mount Sagiri and explained they had come to see Nezuko.
  • Sakonji Urokodaki showed them Nezuko and Tanjiro asleep in a side room, explaining that Nezuko had been sleeping since she helped Tanjiro fight a demon.
  • Kanae asked Sakonji Urokodaki for permission to draw a little of Nezuko’s blood, and he agreed.
  • Kanae collected a small blood sample from Nezuko, then she and Teiichi declined lodging and said they would return to the nearby Wisteria House.

Ch. 216The strongest

Tanjiro began training with Sakonji Urokodaki, who told him that one of the people whose scent he had noticed might be the strongest person he would ever meet. At the Butterfly Mansion, Teiichi decided to keep Muichiro in training and limit his missions, then prepared to leave, promising Kanae he would return for the New Year.

  • Tanjiro woke early, noticed two unfamiliar scents, and learned from Sakonji Urokodaki that one belonged to someone exceptionally strong.
  • Aoi Kanzaki told Teiichi and Kanae she would work at the Butterfly Mansion because she was afraid of demons, and Kanae reassured her that the choice was normal and helpful.
  • Teiichi decided to keep Muichiro training beside him, arrange fewer but difficult missions, and let him go independently once he could withstand around ten of Teiichi's sword strikes.
  • Kanae realized Teiichi planned to travel again and later asked when he would return.
  • Teiichi left two days later and promised Kanae he would come back for the New Year.

Ch. 217Ginko

Teiichi trained Muichiro near Hoshio Town and explained why he practiced in the sea, while Muichiro completed his assigned sword swings. Ginko arrived with a report of frequent disappearances in Kazami Town, and Muichiro was asked to investigate suspected demon activity.

  • Muichiro completed a thousand practice swings with his Nichirin Blade while Teiichi returned from the sea with fish.
  • Teiichi praised Muichiro’s training and explained that sea training required more strength and full-body effort.
  • Ginko arrived and argued with White Feather before delivering her mission report.
  • Ginko told Muichiro that suspected demon activity had caused frequent disappearances in Kazami Town and urged him to go there immediately.

Ch. 218Lower Rank Six

Muichiro investigated the disappearances in Kazami Town with Teiichi, then encountered Lower Rank Six during his first mission. After wounding the demon, Muichiro pursued him, but Lower Rank Six threatened to kill a surviving captive.

  • Muichiro told Teiichi that all the missing people were female and that disappearances happened both inside and outside Kazami Town.
  • Teiichi explained that stronger demons could evade hunters with their Blood Demon Arts and advised Muichiro to kill demons quickly when possible.
  • Muichiro heard footsteps at night and found Lower Rank Six carrying a fat man over his shoulder.
  • Muichiro attacked Lower Rank Six with Mist Breathing, evaded his blue flames, and cut off one of his arms.
  • Lower Rank Six burned away Muichiro's mist, grabbed the wounded captive, and threatened to kill him if Muichiro came closer.

Ch. 219Bear

Muichiro killed Lower Rank Six and celebrated with Teiichi at a market in Kazami Town. After hearing reports of someone being mauled by a bear, Teiichi wondered whether Muichiro had really killed the demon.

  • Lower Rank Six threatened Muichiro with a hostage, but Muichiro charged ahead, threw the man aside, and cut off the demon's remaining arm and head.
  • Ginko praised Muichiro for killing Lower Rank Six, and Muichiro said the fight had felt too easy before sending Ginko to inform the Master.
  • The next day, Teiichi and Muichiro ate dango and watched Ginko reenact the battle while Ginko and White Feather argued about Muichiro's talent.
  • At Kazami Town's market, Teiichi overheard people discussing someone mauled by a bear and asking if a demon was responsible.
  • Teiichi turned to Muichiro and asked whether he had really killed Lower Rank Six, while Muichiro asked what was wrong.

Ch. 220Twins

Teiichi and Muichiro investigated a bloody attack that the police had blamed on a bear, while the previous night’s events revealed that the culprit was a demon who could split into two bodies. The chapter ended with the demon’s second head and body forming, exposing him as Lower Rank Six-Twins.

  • Teiichi questioned Muichiro about the blue-flame demon’s Blood Demon Art and whether another demon might have killed someone outside town.
  • Teiichi and Muichiro read the police notice about a deadly bear attack and went to inspect the house where it happened.
  • Teiichi and Muichiro found three mutilated corpses inside the house, and Teiichi noticed bloody footprints on the floor.
  • The previous night, a demon in a mountain cabin ate one victim’s leg and promised the surviving girl he would spare her.
  • The demon screamed as a second body grew from his waist, and the girl saw that both heads were marked Lower Rank Six-Twins.

Ch. 221Allocation

Taro’s younger brother Jiro returned as a demon after Muichiro beheaded him, and the brothers planned to attack people in Kazami Town. Ginko found Jiro during a patrol and led Muichiro to confront him again.

  • Jiro grew a second upper body from Taro’s waist and told him that a Demon Slayer had killed him, but insisted they could survive by staying apart.
  • Jiro ordered Taro to enter town with him and assigned the girl and two other victims for the brothers to eat.
  • White Feather and Ginko patrolled Kazami Town, and Ginko spotted the supposedly dead Lower Rank Six walking through the streets.
  • Ginko summoned Muichiro and led him to Jiro, who recognized the Demon Slayer as he approached.

Ch. 222Meeting Eyes

Muichiro Tokito confronted Jiro, who offered to trade information about how Muichiro had found him for a way to kill him. After Jiro explained his Blood Demon Art, Muichiro refused to honor the deal, while Teiichi learned that the slain Lower Rank Six had returned and then came face-to-face with another demon.

  • Jiro proposed a deal: he would explain how to kill him if Muichiro Tokito explained how he had found him.
  • Jiro described how his Shadow Flame could burn away the damage from a Nichirin Blade and make it appear that his head had been severed.
  • Muichiro Tokito refused to reveal how he had found Jiro and prepared to capture him alive.
  • White Feather told Teiichi that Muichiro had killed the same two-meter-tall Lower Rank Six the previous day, but the demon had returned.
  • Teiichi considered whether the demon used clones and decided that more people would need to search the area.
  • A demon marked Lower Rank Six raised his head beneath Teiichi's windowsill, and their eyes met.

Ch. 223Taro and Jiro

Taro, a demon who entered Teiichi’s room, attacked him but was swiftly dismembered and pinned down. Under Teiichi’s interrogation, Taro identified his brother Jiro as the other demon in Kazami Town and began recounting their past.

  • Taro climbed through the window, questioned Teiichi about who else had been in the room, and then attacked him with his Blood Demon Art.
  • Teiichi cut off Taro’s limbs and pinned him to the floor by thrusting his Nichirin Blade through Taro’s throat.
  • Teiichi forced Taro to answer questions, and Taro revealed that he and his younger brother Jiro were the two demons in Kazami Town.
  • Taro explained that he and Jiro had been conjoined twins abandoned by their father and named by a traveling performers’ troupe that raised them as a way to make money.

Ch. 224Monsters

Taro and Jiro recalled how years of rejection and abuse led them to accept Muzan Kibutsuji’s offer to become demons, then slaughter their troupe. Teiichi learned that Muichiro had encountered Jiro and sent White Feather to confirm it and lead the way, leaving Taro terrified that both brothers were facing Demon Slayers.

  • Taro and Jiro remembered being mocked and abused by their troupe and by the audiences who saw them perform as conjoined brothers.
  • After Taro touched a little girl, her mother and the troupe members turned on them, and the troupe leader warned them to stick to performing.
  • Muzan Kibutsuji offered to separate the brothers, then turned them into demons after Jiro admitted they wanted to be separated.
  • The brothers killed everyone in the troupe and continued living as demons.
  • Teiichi asked whether both brothers had to be killed together and learned that Muichiro had encountered Jiro.
  • Teiichi told White Feather to confirm the encounter and lead the way, and Taro realized that two Demon Slayers were involved.

Ch. 225Devouring

Teiichi brought Taro to the battlefield, where Muichiro subdued Jiro, and the two Demon Slayers took the demon brothers with them. As Taro carried Jiro toward the outskirts, Jiro regained consciousness, killed Taro, and began devouring him while watching Teiichi and Muichiro.

  • Teiichi brought Taro to Muichiro and Jiro, revealing that the brothers were both Lower Rank Six demons who could regenerate from one another.
  • Teiichi sent Muichiro after Jiro and told him not to cut off Jiro's head; Muichiro eventually disabled him and carried him back.
  • Teiichi ordered Taro to carry Jiro, and the brothers followed Teiichi and Muichiro out of town as Teiichi explained how to identify a demon's weakness.
  • Jiro regained consciousness on Taro's back and urged him to run, but Taro said they could not escape Teiichi.
  • Jiro struck Taro's head apart, sprawled over his body, and began devouring him while keeping watch on Teiichi and Muichiro.
Arc 9 of 21
Arc 9 of 21