Falling (
Summary[]
Kagaya Ubuyashiki is dead at the age of 23. The progression of his illness had eventually rendered him immobile and left him bedridden; until that day happened, Kagaya had visited the graves of the fallen Demon Slayer Corps member, never missing even a single day.
Gyomei meets Kagaya for the first time.
Gyomei recalls the first time he met Kagaya, when the Oyakata was fourteen and he himself was eighteen; it has surprised Gyomei to know that someone of his character was younger than himself. At the time, Kagaya immediately knew that he had protected the children he was accused of killing, causing the former monk to bow in gratefulness; Gyomei remembers even back then, Kagaya spoke in a way that people wanted to hear, and his solemness remained till his last moments. During the last time he personally spoke with the Stone Hashira, Kagaya predicts that Muzan will come within five days, instructing Gyomei to kill him while he uses himself as bait.
When asked about his certainty, Kagaya only responds it is just his instincts. It is revealed that the Ubuyashiki clan not only possessed their special calming voice, they had instinctual precognition that allowed them to see the future, using it to become wealthy and avoid crisis many times as a result. Kagaya knows the other Hashiras will not accept his decision of self-sacrifice, asking the Hashira he has known for the longest to carry out his last wish. Gyomei obliges, to the gratitude of Kagaya, who finally requests he does not let any of "his children" die.
Gyomei manages to successfully behead Muzan, assisted by Tamayo keeping the demon still. As Kagaya had predicted, Muzan does not die and regenerates his head completely, which does not come as a surprise to Gyomei. He recalls his late leader's words that sunlight is the only way to kill the Demon King and he surmises from the sound of his healing that Muzan's regeneration surpasses that of any demon he has faced; even after the damage he had taken from the explosion, he remains extremely powerful. He nonetheless promises to restrain him till dawn.
Gyomei tells the rest of the Hashira that they are now facing Muzan himself.
Muzan attempts to ensnare the Stone Hashira with Blood Demon Art: Black Blood, Brambles, but the attack is deflected when Gyomei performs Stone Breathing, Third Form: Stone Skin. Sanemi soon arrives and angrily asks what has become of Kagaya, to the relief of Gyomei, as do the rest of the Hashira, who all call out to Kagaya. Gyomei announces they are now facing Muzan Kibutsuji himself, to the shock of all the Hashira as none of them have ever directly encountered him. Tanjiro, the only one present who has personally faced him, angrily calls out to him.
Doors open to the Infinity Castle, trapping the Demon Slayers.
All the Hashira use their respective Breathing Styles in order to cut Muzan down: Muichiro uses Mist Breathing, Fourth Form: Shifting Flow Slash, Shinobu uses Insect Breathing, Butterfly Dance: Caprice, Obanai uses Serpent Breathing, First Form: Winding Serpent Slash, Mitsuri uses Love Breathing, Fifth Form: Swaying Love, Wildclaw, Giyu uses Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance, Sanemi uses Wind Breathing, Seventh Form: Gale, Sudden Gusts and Tanjiro attacks with Hinokami Kagura: Sunflower Thrust, but as they converge on the demon, Muzan only smiles with an eerie expression.
Giant doors suddenly appear and slide open under the Demon Slayers, causing all of them to plummet into the Infinity Castle. Muzan mocks them for believing they had him cornered, declaring they will now fall into hell and that he will kill them all. Tanjiro responds back that the only one to go to hell will be Muzan and he promises to kill him. Muzan answers his challenge: "Then do it if you can! Tanjiro Kamado!!".
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Kagaya Ubuyashiki
- Amane Ubuyashiki
- Gyomei Himejima
- Muzan Kibutsuji
- Tamayo
- Sanemi Shinazugawa
- Mitsuri Kanroji
- Obanai Iguro
- Giyu Tomioka
- Shinobu Kocho
- Tanjiro Kamado
- Muichiro Tokito
Events[]
- Gyomei realizes decapitation will not kill Muzan, leaving sunlight as the only solution.
- The Demon Slayers all attack Muzan at once.
- The Demon Slayers fall into the Infinity Castle through manifested doors.