Chapter 176

Samurai is the one hundred and seventy sixth chapter of Koyoharu Gotōge's Kimetsu no Yaiba.

Summary
Thinking back to the time he spoke with Yoriichi Tsugikuni about his confidence that theur generation would be the golden age of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kokushibo remembers how he had been disgusted at his brother's response. He wonders what had been so funny to see the future ahead of them where there would be Demon Slayers who could surpass them.

Kokushibo acknowledges the strength and talent of those who had been fighting him. Noting how they had not let go of their blades despite severe injuries, the capability to use Blood Demon Arts despite being only human, continuing on in spite of blood loss and even managing to turn their blades red though they were not Sun Breathing users.

Asking what had been so funny about being able to predict such a future as this, Kokushibo says that the mere thought of losing made him seethe with anger. Resolving not to lose, he manages to stem the bleeding from the stump of his neck much to the shock of Gyomei Himejima who tells Sanemi Shinazugawa to keep attacking the demon to finally end him and not to let the sacrifices of Genya Shinazugawa and Muichiro Tokito be in vain. Sanemi is fired up at these words and unleashes a Wind Breathing: Eighth Form - Primary Gale Slash at Kokushibo as Gyomei follows it up with a Stone Breathing: Fifth Form - Arcs of Justice.

The Upper Rank manages to dodge Gyomei's axe and slices off Muichiro's sword hand. He attempts to pull out the boy's blade and also remove the stump Genya summoned on him. Kokushibo's head slowly begins to regenerate as he continues to evade strikes from Gyomei and Sanemi. Much to their shock he manages to fully regrow a new head but it is far more monstrous than what he had before.

Determined, the Hashira continue their onslaught to defeat the Upper Rank and as Sanemi charges at him, Kokushibo sees the reflection of his new face in Sanemi's blade. Shocked and disgusted at the ugliness of his new form, Kokushibo remembers the words of his brother from their childhood, where he resolved to become the second strongest samurai in the country after his own brother. Reflecting on these memories, Kokushibo wonders if this is the form of a samurai and if it is truly what he had wanted.

Suddenly, the spot near his stomach where he had been stabbed by Muichiro begins to crumble away on it's own. In the split second where Kokushibo is shocked at this, Gyomei and Sanemi cleave off his new head and he is left unable to use his Blood Demon Art.

Still unwilling to lose, Kokushibo attempts to muster more strength but suddenly remembers the words of his brother from their final fight. Kokushibo questions his motives and wonders if all of this is what he had wanted from his life and deeds, calling himself a disgrace to life and acknowledges that all he had ever wanted was to be like his brother Yoriichi.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Yoriichi Tsugikuni (flashback)
 * Kokushibo
 * Gyomei Himejima
 * Sanemi Shinazugawa
 * Muichiro Tokito
 * Genya Shinazugawa

Events

 * Death of Kokushibo.
 * Death of Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito.

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