Tanjiro Kamado vs Kyogai

Tanjiro Kamado vs Kyogai was a battle that took place in the Tsuzumi Mansion. It focuses on the battle between Demon Slayer Tanjiro Kamado against the former Lower Rank 6, Kyogai.

Prologue
Following his battle with Yahaba and Susamaru, Tanjiro is tasked by the demon Tamayo with obtaining a sample of blood from a demon within the Twelve Kizuki, the demons serving directly under Muzan Kibutsuji, in order to aid in her research to turn his sister Nezuko Kamado back into a human. Following this instruction, he is soon directed to his new mission; to investigate a woodland mansion. As he travels, he encounters and is joined by another Demon Slayer; the meek and cowardly Zenitsu Agatsuma.

Though annoyed by his antics, he nonetheless takes him along to aid in his mission as extra man-power. After reaching the forest, the two meet a pair of siblings, Teruko and Shoichi. They inform Tanjiro that their older brother has been taken by a demon and is trapped in the mansion, which emits eerie drum-like noises from inside. Tanjiro and Zenitsu head in to investigate, leaving Nezuko's box with the children outside. But as they enter the rooms, the children unexpectedly join them. Before the problem can be resolved, the four become separated as pairs, Tanjiro with Teruko and Zenitsu with Shoichi. Tanjiro and Teruko then discover the strongest demon within the mansion, Kyogai. The demon begins ranting about his "ruined hunt", but when Tanjiro tries to attack him, he taps on a tsuzumi imbedded in his body, causing the room to turn sideways.

Discovering that Kyogai can use a Blood Demon Art, he is soon interrupted by the appearance of a new Demon Slayer; a young man wearing a boar mask and wielding two blades. The stranger's antics ruin Tanjiro's plan of attack, and his argumentative attitude almost causes an altercation. The two quickly learn that Kyogai is also capable of creating invisible powerful slashes. Kyogai then causes the rooms to change, leading Tanjiro and Teruko to locate her oldest brother Kiyoshi. Seeing that he is holding one of Kyogai's tsuzumi, having been ripped off in a fight with another demon, Tanjiro then discovers that Kyogai is hunting him for his rare blood. Sensing that Kyogai is nearby, Tanjiro informs the siblings of his plan; when the demon emerges, he will charge towards him to leave them simultaneously as Kyoshi taps his tsuzumi. Once the rooms shift, they will be safe and Tanjiro can fight, promising to find them afterward.

Battle
As Kyogai peers behind the wall at his target, Tanjiro lunges forward and gives Kyoshi the signal; he taps the tsuzumi and their room shifts, keeping them safe. The Demon Slayer charges at the Drum Demon as he taps a tsuzumi twice, flipping the room upside down. However, Tanjiro senses the change and is able to land upright. Surprised, Kyogai speeds up his tsuzumi playing, but Tanjiro is able to remember each of the different actions from the tsuzumis. As he gets close to Kyogai however, he plays the central tsuzumi on his stomach, creating a slash that nearly hits Tanjiro, forcing him to stop. Tanjiro soon realizes that his injuries from his previous battle are still hindering his movements, preventing him from staying up. Looking for a way forward, he recalls his lessons from training regarding Water Breathin g's adaptability to any situation. Now regain his confidence to fight, Tanjiro prepares himself to attack Kyogai, as the demon grows angry at his defiance.

Kyogai repeatedly plays his tsuzumis, causing the room to turn uncontrollably and sending numerous slashes to kill his adversary. Tanjiro becomes disoriented and is nearly hit by the slashes, barely dodging them in time. Kyogai, wanting to reclaim his place in the Twelve Kizuki, plans to wear Tanjiro down and kill him, focused on devouring Kiyoshi. Tanjiro declares that he will not hand the boy over to him, and his refusal to quit suddenly reminds the demon of moments of his past when someone had told him to quit. He speeds up his tsuzumi playing, disorienting Tanjiro even more as he struggles to keep up in time. The demon reminisces on his past as a tsuzumi player and composer, but his hobby was rebuked by others and he was insulted for being a shut-in. After one final insult, Kyogai, already a demon at that point, had killed his tormentor by slicing him apart with a slash. Reminded of the painful memories, he unleashes Rapid Drumming, playing them faster than ever and causing the room to spin so quickly, Tanjiro is trapped by the altered gravity. His slash attack becomes more dangerous, now causing five slashes instead of three. Despite his seemingly unwinnable situation, as the tsuzumi playing slows, Tanjiro realizes something he had been doing subconsciously.

He had been using shallow breaths after re-injuring himself in order to not aggravate his wounds, allowing him to stay upright while maintaining strength. Kyogai shifts the room again but Tanjiro is now able to cope and stay up despite the demon's tsuzumi playing. Additionally, he notes that a mould-like scent can be detected just before the slash attack appears, enabling him to dodge them more effectively. With his new knowledge, Tanjiro is now able to evade Kyogai's attacks with minimal movement, shocking the former Kizuki. Preparing his final attack, Tanjiro breathes in to empower himself and uses Total Concentration: Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow, Turbulent. As the room shifts, he leaps up and maintains his footing as it turns upside down. Unable to react, Kyogai watches as Tanjiro closes the distance between them. Finally, he senses the Opening Thread for the slash and beheads the Drum Demon.

Aftermath
After beheading Kyogai, Tanjiro accidentally takes a deep breath in a moment of forgetfulness, causing him great pain. Kyogai, having heard him acknowledge his Blood Demon Art as incredible, asks the Demon Slayer if he meant what he said. Tanjiro states that he truly believed so, but also tells him that he can't be forgiven for killing innocents. Remembering to take a sample of blood, Tanjiro jabs the demon's body with a syringe-like knife, taking a vial of blood for Tamayo's research. Kyogai, hearing Tanjiro compliment his tsuzumi playing, remembers his past memories regarding people rejecting his hobby, finally realizes it is not true. Watching the Demon Slayer pray for him before departing, he sheds tears as he fades away into ash, happy that someone has recognized his talents.