Chapter 63

Akaza is the sixty-third chapter of Koyoharu Gotōge's Kimetsu no Yaiba. It was published in the 26th issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump on May 29th, 2017.

Summary
The dust settles to reveal a tattooed Demon, who Tanjirou quickly realizes is Upper Moon Three of the Twelve Demon Moons. The powerful foe swiftly attacks the prone Demon Hunter, but Kyoujurou defends the youth and slices the offender's arm in twain. The Demon retreats a short distance, the damaged arm quickly regenerating, and compliments Kyoujurou's blade.

Kyoujurou states he cannot understand why the Demon would attack a wounded person, the answer to which is that they would simply get in the pair's way. Kyoujurou dismisses this, stating that despite this being their first meeting, he already hates the Upper Moon, a sentiment the Demon shares with weak humans. Kyoujurou notes their different moral values, to which the Upper Moon offers a proposal: become a Demon like him. The prominent Demon Hunter quickly declined this, but the Upper Moon complimented his strength nevertheless, deducing him to be a Pillar.

Kyoujurou introduces himself as the Flame Pillar, while the Upper Moon reveals his name to be Akaza. He goes on to say that Kyoujurou will never cross into "supreme territory" because he is human, destined to grow old and die, and again proposes he become a Demon. Tanjirou notes that Akaza smells similarly to Kibutsuji Muzan and desperately searches for his sword to help Kyoujurou. The Pillar explains that growing old and dying is the fleeting beauty of humanity and that their strength doesn't lie in the body. He states that Tanjirou isn't weak and shouldn't be insulted, repeats his earlier observation of their different moral values, and firmly declares that he will never become a Demon.

Akaza readies an attack, declaring his intent to kill Kyoujurou for his refusal, and the two clash. Tanjirou is unable to follow their fight with his eyes, while elsewhere Inosuke senses the conflict. Akaza informs Kyoujurou that all of the Pillars he had killed previously had refused his proposal and that he cannot understand their reasons for doing so. He tells the Pillar to die while he is still young and strong, and the two exchange attacks. Kyoujurou quickly deduces the nature of Akaza's fighting style, deciding to close the distance to the Upper Moon. The Demon compliments Kyoujurou's reaction speed, and the two exchange a flurry of blows. Akaza also compliments the Pillar's swordsmanship, stating that losing these skills would be sad, but Kyoujurou denies this.

Tanjirou attempts to stand to assist his superior, but Kyoujurou orders him not to move on account of his recent wounds. Akaza continues his assault on the Pillar, chiding him for paying attention to a weakling instead of focusing on the fight at hand. Inosuke arrives just in time to see the two exchange another clash of techniques.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Kamado Tanjirou
 * Rengoku Kyoujurou
 * Enmu
 * Akaza
 * Hashibira Inosuke
 * Kamado Nezuko
 * Agatsuma Zenitsu