Chapter 18

The Curse is the eighteenth chapter of Koyoharu Gotoge's Kimetsu no Yaiba.

Summary
After successfully decapitating Yahaba, Tanjiro notes that the Whirlpool form, though weaker in open air, was able to gain momentum by using the arrows. Yahaba rants and curses the Demon Slayer for ruining his chance at recognition from Muzan, declaring he would never forgive him. Suddenly numerous arrows begin to form within Tanjiro, the Arrow Demon intending to kill him as he dies.

Suddenly pulled, Tanjiro becomes alarmed and uses the Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide to avoid crashing into a wall. The arrows start throwing his body in multiple directions and he is forced to use continuous breathing techniques such as the Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel, then Drop Ripple Thrust, Water Surface Slash, Waterfall Basin, Water Wheel and then Striking Tide, to protect himself; while doing so, he notes that he had never used so many forms at once. Eventually, the arrows fade and Tanjiro is released.

He manages to land back to the ground with the Water Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirlpool. However, his body has already sustained a substantial amount of damage, leaving him with a broken leg and multiple rib fractures. Tanjiro lays on the ground, wincing from the pain but nonetheless grabs hold of his blade in his mouth and wills himself to move. He proceeds to crawl on the floor towards everyone else, mentally pleading for Tamayo, Yushiro, and Nezuko to be safe.

At the same time, Susamaru suddenly sees her own temari launched at her by Nezuko. Having healed and kicked it back the Temari Demon, Nezuko then engages her in a back and forth confrontation, kicking a temari at each other with increasing power and speed. Eventually, Nezuko is able to absorb the momentum and kick it back with such force, even Susamaru is forced to dodge it. Yushiro wonders if the drug Tamayo had given her had also improved her strength, but she notes that all it did was aid her regeneration. They are witnessing Nezuko's own strength without devouring humans. Despite this, Tamayo knows that should Susamaru utilize her full strength, even Nezuko would lose. As Susamaru begins to feel excitement over seeing Nezuko's power, Tamayo stands in front of Nezuko and asks the Temari Demon of what she knows of Muzan. Susamaru attempts to dismiss her as the runaway unworthy of speaking about him but Tamayo claims that Muzan is little more than a coward who is always afraid.

Angered, Susamaru tries to silence her but Tamayo continues, saying the true reasons demons don't group up isn't because they will eat each other but because Muzan fears they will all overpower his control. Aghast, Susamaru attempts to defend her master's honour, speaking about his unmatched strength and abilities. Yushiro notes that Tamayo has used an ability. Suddenly, the Temari Demon, in her defence of Muzan, says his last name, horrifying her.

Tamayo had used Magical Aroma of Daylight: a truth serum-like spell that inhibits brain function on the affected and prevents them from withholding secrets. Tamayo mentions that saying his name will trigger the curse, and though she pities her, she had no choice. Now frightened, Susamaru runs away and desperately begs for Muzan's forgiveness, only for her body to drastically change, hunching over in pain. As Tanjiro watches, three giant arms burst from the Temari Demon's body.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Tanjiro Kamado
 * Yahaba
 * Susamaru
 * Nezuko Kamado
 * Yushiro
 * Tamayo

Events

 * Tanjiro Kamado, Nezuko Kamado, Tamayo and Yushiro vs Susamaru and Yahaba.
 * Tanjiro survives Yahaba's last attempt at revenge.
 * Nezuko increases her strength to match Susamaru's.
 * Tamayo uses a spell that causes Susamaru to say Muzan's name.
 * Susamaru is harmed by Muzan's curse.

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