Forever Member of the Twelve Kizuki (
Summary
Muzan stripping Kyogai of his rank as a Demon Moon.
Kyogai thinks of his time as a member of the Twelve Demon Moons. He recalls gradually reaching his limit and becoming unable to devour more humans, resulting in Muzan Kibutsuji depriving him of his rank. Kyogai's disappointment in himself drives him to become strong enough to eat more humans and gain recognition by Muzan in order to receive more of his blood, lamenting on how his original prospect of becoming stronger after the acknowledgement of his abilities was a risky belief.
After finding Kiyoshi, Teruko runs to him as they greet each other with tears of relief. Tanjiro introduces himself as a Demon Slayer and treats Kiyoshi's wounds with medicine given to him by Sakonji Urokodaki. After settling down, Kiyoshi describes how Kyogai kidnapped and tried to devour him, but was interrupted by the Horned Demon and Tongue Demon. The three Demons began a scuffle, arguing over who would be the one to eat Kiyoshi, Kyogai's back drum being pulled out in the process. The young boy mentions how he used the drum to stay alive so far, beating it to change the rooms and avoid ambushes. Tanjiro mentions "rare blood," and Kiyoshi recalls that the Demon did in fact refer to him as that. Tanjiro's Kasugaigarasu appears and details the meaning of "rare blood": Demons favored humans with this blood as they hold nutrition equal to about fifty to a hundred people and are considered a delicacy.
Tanjiro encouraging himself.
Tanjiro suddenly hears someone approaching and instructs the siblings to use the drum to escape, reassuring them that he was here to defeat the Demon and would return. The two children nod, and he praises them for their mental fortitude as he dashes out of the room and comes face-to-face with Kyogai. The Demon angrily refers to Tanjiro as a pest, beating the drum on his stomach and turning the room upside-down. He continues hitting the drums, attacking Tanjiro with slashes and shifts of the room as the young Demon Slayer tries to understand the movement and coordination of the Demon's attacks. Despite being treated by Tamayo, he notes how his wounds weren't completely healed and caused him immense pain, having endured it ever since he met Zenitsu Agatsuma. Tanjiro tries to clear his mind and remembers his master telling him how the Breath of Water is very versatile and can change shape, never breaking its flow. The boy tells himself that he needs to do his best and that he will never give in to the Demons, healing his spirit.
Characters in Order of Appearance
- Kyogai
- Muzan Kibutsuji
- Teruko
- Kiyoshi
- Tanjiro Kamado
- Horned Demon
- Tongue Demon
- Yushiro
- Nezuko Kamado
- Tamayo
- Zenitsu Agatsuma
- Sakonji Urokodaki