Pride (
Summary[]
Yushiro taunts Kaigaku for his lonely death, before saving Zenitsu.
After Zenitsu beheads Kaigaku with Seventh Form: Honoikazuchi no Kami, both fall in the Infinity Castle to their deaths. Zenitsu plummets while unconscious as the disintegrating Kaigaku grows furious at his defeat by Zenitsu's hand, angered that the one he believed to be weaker than himself had managed to create a seventh form. He comforts himself with the idea that he too will die with him when he hits the bottom.
Suddenly Yushiro enters Kaigaku's vision, telling him that those who never give anything will one day never gain from others, and that only wanting is the same as having nothing when they cannot create for others, before coldly telling the fallen Upper Rank that it is pitiful to die alone. Yushiro leaps across the walls and catches the unconscious Zenitsu, while the fallen Upper Rank disintegrates to ash, marking a pathetic end to the prideful and traitorous Demon Slayer.
Zenitsu see himself in the afterlife, a land full of red spider lilies; he sees his master Jigoro across the Sanzu River, separating the two. He apologizes to him for never getting along with Kaigaku despite his attempts to reach out, believing if it wasn't for him, Kaigaku wouldn't have been goaded into becoming a demon. He apologizes for never repaying his debts, and adds that he truly wanted to become a Hashira whilst he was alive. However, Jigoro remains silent, and Zenitsu, believing he still hates him, asks for his trainer to say something to him.
Suddenly, the lilies begin to wrap around his feet, pulling him into the ground. Watches as he sinks lower, Jigoro tearfully informs his former student, "Zenitsu... I'm proud of you", causing him to tear up as well. In reality, Zenitsu awakens to Yushiro patching his wounds, surrounded and guarded by more Demon Slayer. Murata, who recognizes him, asks on his condition and whether he can be saved. Annoyed by his yelling and begging, Yushiro only tells him to keep on guard.
Yushiro telling Murata that his screams draws the attention of several demons.
Murata does not taken kindly to his orders and demands to know his rank but the demon ignores him while administering a styptic to stop Zenitsu's bleeding, though he notes that the cuts on his face might worsen. Murata chastises him for his pessimism and comforts Zenitsu, as the others tell him he will be saved as well. Yushiro remarks was lucky that Kaigaku had not mastered his techniques, saying he could have killed him had he progressed in a years. Murata once again demands he keep positive, but his screaming draws the attention of several demons.
Yushiro, the only demon to not be created by Muzan Kibutsuji, recalls when Tamayo had told him to act naturally as he assisted the Demon Slayers, though his dissatisfaction was plainly written on his face. After changing his eye color and donning a uniform, the others did not suspect Yushiro to be a demon, though they sensed that something was not right. Murata struggles to sever a demon's neck, causing Yushiro to demand he hasten his effort. He uses a Kasugai crow with his talisman to sense his surroundings, but grows concerned when something is nearby.
Tanjiro becomes enraged to see Akaza again.
As Tanjiro and Giyu continue through the castle, he notices they have not encountered any Upper Ranks, before wondering on the whereabouts of Muzan and the other Hashira. As he tries to tell himself they will succeed, the hallway they are in begins to shake violently as something approaches them. He wonders if it is a battle but senses it is approaching them, recognizing its scent. Giyu warns him to stay back as the ceiling cracks open; Akaza lands down to face the two and taunts Tanjiro, surprised that someone as weak as him is still alive, before lunging at Tanjiro while yelling his name. Angered to see the familiar face, Tanjiro dodges and in return, yells out his name, ready to fight Upper Rank Three.
Tamayo is trapped in a cocoon of demon flesh.
Elsewhere, hovering above a bottomless shaft, Tamayo finds herself trapped in a fleshy cocoon. Noticing it is able to decompose the human-conversion, she realizes it will absorb her as well in enough time and pleads for someone to save her.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Events[]
- Zenitsu is saved by Yushiro as Kaigaku burns to ash.
- Zenitsu reunites with Jigoro for a moment, who tells his student he is proud of him.
- Yushiro is joined by a group of Demon Slayers, which include Murata.
- Tanjiro and Giyu encounter Akaza.
- Tamayo is trapped in a flesh cocoon.