Chapter Summaries

Kanae and Shinobu recounted how Gyomei tested them before allowing them to pursue joining the Demon Slayer Corps. Gyomei then revealed that he had never intended for them to pass because he was deeply disappointed in and averse to children.

• Gyomei said he had initially refused to let Kanae and Shinobu join, hoping they would live ordinary lives.
• Kanae and Shinobu explained that Gyomei challenged them to move a 1.8-meter rock when they were twelve and six, and they used a lever to shift it.
• Gyomei explained that Kanae and Shinobu trained under different cultivators because their physical aptitudes suited different Breathing Styles.
• Shinobu said the sisters trained, passed the Mount Fujikasane exam, and eventually joined the Demon Slayer Corps.
• Gyomei admitted he had arranged the rock challenge because he never intended to let the sisters pass and was averse to children.

Gyomei Himejima recounted how a demon entered his temple, killed the children in his care, and left him falsely accused by the child he had saved. Teiichi and the Hashira debated the children’s choices, and Kanae reminded them that the world held many colors.

• Gyomei Himejima told the Hashira that one orphan had extinguished the wisteria incense burner and led a demon into the temple, where it killed four children.
• Gyomei Himejima described fighting the demon until sunrise to protect the last child, who later accused him of killing the others.
• Kanae suggested the child had been too frightened to understand what happened, and Gyomei explained that her gentleness had once made him reluctant to let her join the Demon Slayer Corps.
• Sanemi Shinazugawa condemned both children, while Obanai questioned whom Sanemi meant and reflected on his words.
• Teiichi argued that fear had driven the children to act on instinct, though he said people should still face appropriate punishment.
• Kanae said the world had many colors and pointed to the beautiful things still in it.

Teiichi encouraged Gyomei Himejima to trust people again, and the Hashira shared painful parts of their pasts. Obanai Iguro ended by blaming himself for the deaths that followed his escape from a family that had offered him as a sacrifice.

• Gyomei Himejima said he had learned that good and bad people coexisted, and he apologized to Kanae and Shinobu for singling them out before.
• Tengen Uzui revealed that his father had forced his nine siblings to kill one another, and he had left his family after his younger brother killed the rest.
• Obanai Iguro explained that his family had worked with a demon for three hundred years and planned to sacrifice him as a baby.
• Obanai said he escaped on his own, after which the demon killed most of his family before Lord Shinjuro killed her.
• Obanai recalled that his surviving cousin blamed him for the deaths and called himself scum because he had chosen to escape despite foreseeing what might happen.

After Obanai Iguro’s conflicted account ended, Sanemi Shinazugawa told the Hashira how a demon killed his siblings and forced him to fight his transformed mother. Teiichi revealed that Genya Shinazugawa was Sanemi’s younger brother, and Sanemi insisted they no longer had a relationship, prompting Shinobu and Mitsuri to challenge his reasoning.

• Gyomei Himejima said Obanai Iguro’s family had paid for its centuries of sins, and Teiichi turned the discussion to Sanemi Shinazugawa.
• Sanemi explained that he had joined the Demon Slayer Corps after meeting one of its members while hunting demons, but Teiichi asked why he had started hunting demons in the first place.
• Sanemi revealed that his father had been killed and that a demon later killed his six younger siblings; he fought the demon, only to discover it was his mother.
• Sanemi said his Marechi blood helped him hold off his demon mother until sunrise burned her to ashes, and the Hashira reacted with sorrow and anger.
• Teiichi pointed out that Genya Shinazugawa was in the Corps, and Sanemi admitted he was his younger brother but said he had disowned him after Genya cursed at him.
• Shinobu Kocho and Mitsuri questioned Sanemi’s decision to reject Genya, arguing that Genya may not have understood what had happened.

At the Hashira meeting, Teiichi challenged Sanemi to consider reconciling with Genya before the coming battle against Muzan Kibutsuji might separate them forever. Kyojuro and Muichiro then shared their backgrounds, and Muichiro’s account ended with his life in the Demon Slayer Corps.

• Gyomei revealed that Genya had realized his past misunderstanding and wanted to apologize to Sanemi, but Sanemi refused to accept him as his brother.
• Sanemi lashed out when Teiichi asked whether he was trying to protect Genya, insisting that Genya’s life had nothing to do with him.
• Teiichi reminded Sanemi that Genya would likely fight in the final battle and that it might be their last chance to spend time together, leaving Sanemi quieter but still unwilling to reconcile.
• Kyojuro described his family’s generations of service as Demon Slayers and said his mother had died of illness rather than because of demons.
• Muichiro recounted that a demon had killed his older brother, that he had killed the demon in return, and that he had later joined the Demon Slayer Corps and met his teacher.

The Hashira shared personal histories before Teiichi briefed them on Muzan and the Upper Ranks ahead of their coming battle. As the meeting ended, Mitsuri suggested naming their upcoming training, and Kanae called it “Training the Hashira.”

• Muichiro told the Hashira he had no memories from before Amane rescued him, and Teiichi reassured him that he could keep living as himself.
• Tengen Uzui said Muichiro should find more things to love, and Muichiro listed watching clouds, eating sauced boiled radishes, and making paper crafts.
• Mitsuri chose not to share her past, and the Hashira discussed how many Corps members carried psychological wounds from demons.
• Teiichi outlined the abilities of Muzan, Kokushibo, Akaza, and Nakime, then told everyone to prepare for the battle in five days.
• Mitsuri suggested naming their training, and Kanae called it “Training the Hashira.”

Teiichi brought Muichiro and Nezuko back to the Butterfly Mansion, where Tamayo prepared to use a medicine developed with Kanae and Shinobu to turn Nezuko human. Tamayo explained that Nezuko’s instincts held something more important than recovering her memories, leaving Teiichi’s question unresolved.

• Teiichi invited Muichiro to stay at the Butterfly Mansion, and Muichiro accepted.
• Teiichi, Kanae, Shinobu, Muichiro, and Nezuko returned to the Butterfly Mansion and greeted Aoi Kanzaki.
• Teiichi told Tamayo that he had informed Muzan Kibutsuji that Nezuko had been turned human and asked Tamayo to help restore her humanity.
• Tamayo explained that the medicine she developed with Kanae and Shinobu could turn Nezuko into a human.
• Teiichi asked whether Nezuko would regain her memories after becoming human, and Tamayo said her instincts held something more important than recovering them.

Tamayo explained that Nezuko's blood kept changing because she was instinctively searching for a way to defeat Muzan, and described the drug being prepared to weaken him. As Tamayo injected Nezuko with a drug to turn her human, Teiichi's growing unease remained unexplained.

• Tamayo told Teiichi that Nezuko's blood was constantly changing and that she was evolving, including toward the ability to withstand sunlight.
• Tamayo said Nezuko had instinctively been searching her body for a way to defeat Muzan, and Kanae realized Nezuko may have helped their research.
• Tamayo explained that the drug for Muzan would prevent him from splitting apart and accelerate his aging, while Teiichi suggested also slowing his regeneration.
• Teiichi asked Tamayo to turn Nezuko human, and she soothed Nezuko before preparing the injection.
• Teiichi felt an inexplicable warning as Tamayo injected Nezuko in the arm.

Teiichi stopped Tamayo from turning Nezuko human after realizing Muzan might sense her disappearance, and decided Nezuko should stay with him until the final battle. Later, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke returned to the Butterfly Mansion after finally defeating Kanon in a three-on-one spar, and Kanon assigned their next training partners.

• Teiichi halted Tamayo before she injected Nezuko, then asked whether Muzan would sense that Nezuko had become human.
• Tamayo explained that Muzan would at least notice he could no longer sense Nezuko, so Teiichi postponed the transformation until the final battle and planned to keep Nezuko by his side.
• Kobayashi Kanon led the Corps members back to the Butterfly Mansion after Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke finally defeated her together.
• Inosuke boasted that he would beat Kanon alone soon, while Kanon predicted he might manage it the year after next if he trained seriously.
• Kanon assigned Tanjiro to spar with Kanao and told Inosuke and Zenitsu to continue sparring with her.

Teiichi returned to the Butterfly Mansion with Nezuko and told Tanjiro and the others that the final battle with Muzan would begin soon, with Hashira-led training planned beforehand. At the first Hashira training session near an abandoned shrine, Sanemi and the others insisted on sparring against Teiichi together.

• Zenitsu rushed to greet Nezuko, but Inosuke shoved him aside and claimed her welcome; the two fought until Teiichi tossed them into the courtyard.
• Kanon asked Teiichi whether Muzan had received the news about Nezuko, and Teiichi confirmed that the final battle should begin soon.
• Teiichi explained that Kagaya Ubuyashiki would gather Corps members nearby and have them rotate through training with the Hashira.
• Teiichi said Nezuko would stay with him until the final battle, when someone would help watch over her as she turned human again.
• Several days later, Teiichi waited near an abandoned shrine for the Hashira to begin training, but Sanemi asked to spar with him as a group.
• Kyojuro, Obanai, and Giyu joined Sanemi, with Obanai calling the spar a rehearsal for fighting the Upper Ranks and Muzan.

Ten Hashira joined forces to spar against Teiichi, who used Wind Breathing to hold them off. As the battle continued, Tengen Uzui and Obanai worried that the group might lose to him.

• Gyomei Himejima, Tengen Uzui, Mitsuri, Kanae Kocho, and Shinobu Kocho joined the challenge against Teiichi, while Muichiro asked whether he should fight beside his master.
• Teiichi told Muichiro to join the others, and the ten Hashira launched their Breathing attacks together.
• Teiichi used Modified Seventh Form: Wind Field to slow the Hashira, then parried Shinobu's thrust and knocked Gyomei's wooden meteor hammer toward Muichiro.
• Teiichi used Modified Second Form: Wind Firmament Wandering Dragon to weave through the Hashira's attacks and counter as they pressed him.
• Tengen attacked Teiichi with Sound Breathing but struck the ground, then complained that Teiichi's relentless wind drained the Hashira's stamina.
• Obanai agreed the fight might end in a humiliating defeat and charged back into battle.

Teiichi defeated the Hashira in their group battle and explained that speed and poor teamwork had contributed to their loss before beginning their training. During a mountain run with rocks held overhead, he urged Tengen Uzui to move faster and described how the exercise built strength and endurance.

• Teiichi used his forms to knock the Hashira out of the fight, sparing Kanae, Shinobu Kocho, and Mitsuri from being sent flying.
• Sanemi Shinazugawa and Obanai questioned whether the Hashira could face the Upper Ranks and Muzan, and Teiichi explained how speed and weak coordination had caused their defeat.
• Teiichi announced that he would train the Hashira in stamina, speed, Breathing Style meditation, individual combat, and teamwork.
• Tengen Uzui struggled up a mountain carrying a rock overhead while Teiichi, carrying a rock twice as large, caught up and urged him to run faster.
• Teiichi explained that the exercise trained arm strength, leg strength, and endurance, and Tengen considered improving his own training method.

Teiichi led Tengen Uzui and the other Hashira through rock-carrying training up and down a mountain, then began Breathing Style meditation on slippery river rocks. The chapter ended with Sanemi abandoning meditation to practice sword forms by the riverbank.

• Teiichi encouraged Tengen Uzui up the mountain and told Mitsuri to carry a larger rock in the next day's training, while Shinobu Kocho chose to keep her current rock.
• Teiichi and Tengen Uzui reached the summit, returned to the foot of the mountain, and dropped their rocks, leaving Uzui exhausted.
• Teiichi instructed those who finished quickly to choose bigger rocks tomorrow, then led the Hashira to a waterfall for Breathing Style meditation training.
• Teiichi explained that practicing Breathing Styles could improve body control and development, and had the Hashira meditate while standing on slippery rocks in the river.
• Sanemi repeatedly lost focus, fell into the water, and eventually went to the riverbank to practice sword forms instead.

Teiichi completed the Hashira training and later discussed Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s plan to lure Muzan Kibutsuji out, while Demon Slayer Corps members increased their night patrols. On his third night patrol, Teiichi heard that all the Hashira and ordinary members had been transported into the Infinity Castle.

• Teiichi and Gyomei Himejima meditated by the river while the other Demon Slayer Corps members began sparring.
• Tengen Uzui pushed the trainees through strenuous exercises, and Shinobu Kocho chased them around the training hall to train their speed and dodging.
• Kagaya Ubuyashiki told Teiichi he planned to use himself as bait for Muzan Kibutsuji, and Teiichi asked what they would do if Muzan did not appear.
• Teiichi later discussed the next steps with Kagaya Ubuyashiki and then explained the plan to everyone at the temple.
• Three days into his night patrol, Teiichi heard a snow-white seagull announce that all the Hashira and ordinary members had been transported into the Infinity Castle.

The Demon Slayer Corps members fell into the Infinity Castle as Nakime's biwa sent them through the shifting houses. As they prepared to face Muzan Kibutsuji and the demons inside, Shinobu landed safely while the others continued falling.

• Nakime's biwa opened doors beneath Demon Slayer Corps members, sending them falling into the Infinity Castle.
• Gyomei Himejima used the Transparent World to observe the houses as he fell.
• Mitsuri steadied herself in midair and resolved that the Corps had to fight without Teiichi.
• Kanae and Shinobu coordinated in midair, and Shinobu pushed off Kanae's Nichirin Blade to land on a house.
• Tanjiro warned Zenitsu and Inosuke about the many demons, including Upper Ranks, while Inosuke drew his blades excitedly.
• Kasugai Crows flew through the Infinity Castle, calling out Muzan, Upper Ranks, and Nakime.

The Hashira and Corps members fought their way through the Infinity Castle while searching for Muzan, and Muichiro encountered a red-haired figure with six golden eyes. Teiichi learned Muzan had sent demons to attack headquarters and remembered Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s advice to trust the others as he hurried to protect him.

• Obanai, Kyojuro, Tengen Uzui, Sanemi, and Muichiro navigated the Infinity Castle, with Kyojuro and Sanemi killing demons along the way.
• Muichiro crossed several suspended houses and came face to face with a red-haired figure who recognized his Tsugikuni descent.
• White Feather told Teiichi that Muzan had transported the Corps into the Infinity Castle and that demons were attacking headquarters, where Kagaya Ubuyashiki remained protected.
• Teiichi recalled asking Kagaya Ubuyashiki what to do if Muzan refused to confront him, and Kagaya had urged him to trust the others.
• Teiichi hurried toward Kagaya Ubuyashiki, repeating Kagaya’s advice to himself.

Muichiro faced Kokushibo, who recognized him as a Tsugikuni descendant and tried to turn him into a demon before attacking. Elsewhere, Akaza overwhelmed Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu, but Rengoku arrived to fight him.

• Ginko flew off to summon the other lords after seeing Kokushibo’s rank, while Kokushibo asked Muichiro whether he was Muichiro Tsugikuni.
• Kokushibo recognized Tsugikuni blood in Muichiro and offered to make him a demon, but Muichiro refused.
• Kokushibo attacked Muichiro, and Muichiro countered with Mist Breathing as Kokushibo began using Moon Breathing.
• Akaza attacked Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu; Zenitsu bought time for the others, but Akaza defeated all three and asked them to become demons.
• Rengoku arrived and attacked Akaza with Flame Breathing, and Akaza turned to face him with a smile.

Gyomei confronted Muzan in the Infinity Castle and refused his offer to become a demon, while Shinobu searched for Nakime and Kyojuro fought Akaza. The chapter left Gyomei under attack and Kyojuro and Akaza launching their next techniques at each other.

• Muzan offered to turn Gyomei into a demon if he let Muzan eat Nezuko, but Gyomei rejected the offer and condemned him for his many victims.
• Muzan attacked Gyomei with a huge arm of flesh, and Gyomei countered with Stone Breathing, Fifth Form: Arcs of Justice.
• Shinobu searched the Infinity Castle for Nakime, and her Kasugai Crow eventually told her Nakime was nearby.
• Akaza praised Kyojuro's improvement and offered to make him a demon, but Kyojuro refused and said the Demon Slayers had come prepared to die.
• Akaza used Blood Demon Art, Destructive Death: Disorder, as Kyojuro launched Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire.

Kyojuro, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke struggled to hold off Akaza until Obanai arrived and saved Tanjiro from a powerful attack. Even with five fighters against him, Akaza gradually gained the advantage and relished the battle.

• Kyojuro blocked Akaza’s attacks while fighting alongside Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke, but he feared they would be worn down.
• Akaza sensed someone approaching and unleashed Annihilation Style, forcing Kyojuro to meet the attack with Rising Scorching Sun.
• Akaza’s attack threatened Tanjiro, but Obanai arrived, deflected the fist with Winding Serpent, and carried Tanjiro clear of the blast.
• Obanai joined Kyojuro, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke in attacking Akaza, but Akaza fought all five without fear.
• As the battle continued, Akaza’s advantage slowly grew, while Tanjiro and Obanai watched anxiously and Akaza grew more exhilarated.

Akaza’s battle with Kyojuro and the others intensified when he stopped attacking and left Kyojuro exposed to a counterstrike aimed at Tanjiro. Elsewhere, Muichiro stalled Kokushibo until Sanemi arrived, but Kokushibo overwhelmed Sanemi and charged at Genya.

• Akaza unleashed Eight-Layered Demon Core, forcing Kyojuro and the others to fight faster.
• Akaza abruptly stopped attacking, and Kyojuro’s blade failed to cut through his neck in one stroke.
• Akaza fired Annihilation Style toward Tanjiro, and Kyojuro lunged to intercept the attack.
• Muichiro kept Kokushibo occupied with Mist Breathing techniques until Sanemi arrived to support him.
• Sanemi clashed with Kokushibo, but Kokushibo knocked him away and charged at Genya despite Sanemi’s warning.