To Become a Marked One (
Summary[]
Muichiro explains that during his recent fight, he was paralyzed by a poison and used his breathing to slow its circulation. A boy attempting to save him was almost killed and his lost memories returned. Lost in his anger, he explains his heart rate must have exceeded 200 beats per minute and his body temperature rose to above 39°C. Shinobu is surprised to hear this, believing such conditions could have been fatal. Muichiro believes that with the harsh conditions on the body, surviving them separates those who can manifest it from those who can't. Amane asks how he determined his body temperature, to which he mentions he once had a fever of that temperature, and he felt the same way when the mark appeared.
Sanemi is surprised by its seeming simplicity; Giyu mentions his envy for his simple mind to believe such conditions are simple but doesn't continue when the Wind Hashira confronts him. Shinobu believes all the Hashira must attain the mark and Gyomei believes they can attain it, asking Amane to ease Kagaya's concerns. However, Amane adds one more caveat regarding the mark manifested and explains it is already too late for those who have it; something will happen to those who have it and it cannot be avoided.
After Amane's leave, Giyu excuses himself; Sanemi confronts him for leaving now but Giyu states the six of them should talk, excluding him. Obanai questions his remarks, believing he isn't taking his duties as a Hashira seriously or perhaps he wants to train ahead of them. As he walks away, Sanemi yells at him to stop and Shinobu asks that he explain himself. Giyu simply states he is different to them. Sanemi gets up and angrily asks if he is looking down on them, having heard the same phrase before. Mitsuri stands between them to stop a potential fight but the situation is silenced by a loud clap from Gyomei, who orders them sit and explains he has a proposal.
At the Butterfly Mansion, Hotaru arrives to deliver Tanjiro his sword. The swordsmith is breathing heavily behind his mask with visible sweat coming off it. Hotaru gives Tanjiro his sword and sits down at Goto's request. Tanjiro is amazed to see Kyojuro's tsuba on it. The swordsmith urges Tanjiro to unsheathe the blade, and Tanjiro is in awe by its appearance. Hotaru says that because it is made from high quality steel, it must been used previously by a strong swordsman. He notes that the blade has the single kanji for Slay (
When Tanjiro asks why he couldn't see the kanji when he used it, Hotaru angrily answers it was because it had only been polished to its first stage when he used it. Even now, the pain of polishing it has not subsided, hence his exhaustive efforts to stand here now, and adds that he was further interrupted numerous times, while pulling Tanjiro's cheek. Goto explains that Tanjiro's own wounds are as bad as his to make him stop and Hotaru turns to face him, threatening the Kakushi. He then demands that Tanjiro give him a life time supply of mitarashi dango, to which Tanjiro agrees, before bidding the swordsmith goodbye when he leaves.
Goto asks about the rumours of his temper and the Demon Slayer notes that with his pain, Hotaru was actually calm today. Lying in the bed beside him, an annoyed Genya asks Tanjiro on why he is being noisy. Tanjiro attempts to apologize but is interrupted when Inosuke crashes through the window. Goto and Tanjiro reprimand him as Genya wishes he was placed elsewhere, while Inosuke only tells him that training to get stronger has begun. When Tanjiro asks for the details, Inosuke replies he does not know.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Kotetsu
- Muichiro Tokito
- Mitsuri Kanroji
- Shinobu Kocho
- Amane Ubuyashiki
- Sanemi Shinazugawa
- Giyu Tomioka
- Obanai Iguro
- Gyomei Himejima
- Tanjiro Kamado
- Hotaru Haganezuka
- Goto
- Genya Shinazugawa
- Inosuke Hashibira
Events[]
- Muichiro explains conditions he experienced when manifesting his Mark.
- Something is revealed to happen to those with the Mark.
- Hotaru gives Tanjiro his new sword.
- Hashira Training commences.