Kyojuro Rengoku's Story: Part 1 (
Summary[]
When his father rejects his duties as Hashira during a critical mission, Kinoe-ranked Demon Slayer Kyojuro Rengoku takes his place. Despite the doubts of the Hashira, he aims to prove he is capable of taking his father's mantle as the new Flame Hashira, as he hunts down an elusive member of the Twelve Kizuki in Japan's capital city.
Plot[]
While interrogating a Demon Slayer trapped in his Blood Demon Art, a demon rants about his hatred of a past opponent, describing his appearance and swearing to have his revenge. He yells out that he cannot seem to get rid of him in his memory and shoots himself in the head, horrifying the Demon Slayer. He calms himself down and is relieved the gunshot has alleviated his rage, before realizing he had been talking about the man too much, his left eye bearing the kanji for Lower Rank Two.
While sparring with fellow Demon Slayer Mitsuri Kanroji, Kinoe-ranked Kyojuro Rengoku notes that she has gotten weaker. The Mizunoto instead replies it is because she is hungry and asks for a break, despite Kyojuro noting that they had lunch recently, urging her to continue. Kyojuro's brother Senjuro appears, having made some food for the two when they finish, causing Mitsuri to tackle him in a tight hug. Kyojuro beckons her over to keep training but eventually decides a break is due. As the two enjoy Senjuro's food, Mitsuri receives her new uniform. Kyojuro congratulates her, as she had passed Final Selection only six months after she began to train, acknowledging her no longer as his student but as his partner, much to her joy.
As she dons her uniform, Kyojuro is shocked to see it reveals her chest; when he asks if it is meant to be tighter for a uniform, she mentions the Kakushi who made it said it was the official style. Though doubtful, Kyojuro accepts it. A Kasugai crow then announces that the Flame Hashira must attend a Hashira meeting immediately, to which Kyojuro decides to go to his father. His father Shinjuro dismisses the order and adds that he can go in his place if he wants to. When Kyojuro implores his father to go, he throws a pot of alcohol at him, narrowly missing his face. Shinjuro angrily declares his son won't become a Hashira and dismisses their Flame Breathing style as weak. With his answer, Kyojuro looks at his father's haori, which is meant to be worn by the Flame Hashira.
Kyojuro at the Hashira meeting.
At the meeting, Kagaya Ubuyashiki welcomes the Hashira in his presence, apologizing to them for more frequent requests in the future but hoping they will strive to support each other more than ever. Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa notes the presence of Kyojuro, a non-Hashira Demon Slayer with them, and asks Kagaya for his opinion. When Kyojuro attempts to explain the situation, Sanemi instead asks if he is fit to stand in for him, his aura intimidating the Kinoe. Kagaya urges Sanemi not to antagonize Kyojuro as he had requested for him to appear. Kyojuro explains that since his mother's death, Shinjuro has spiraled into alcoholism and rejected his duties as Hashira.
Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima pities him for his circumstances and Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui adds he is setting a bad example as a Hashira, believing his retirement is the best course of action. The unsympathetic Sanemi believes that since the Hashira lack numbers, a drunkard like Shinjuro would be detrimental. Kyojuro offers to become the new Hashira to motivate his father, causing Tengen to laugh at his confidence. Sanemi does not take kindly to his statement, telling Kyojuro that being Hashira is easier said than done.
Sanemi attacks Kyojuro, ordering him to fight back.
Kyojuro explains he knows the steps to be one but the Wind Hashira wants to see his skills proven. Apologizing to Kagaya and Gyomei for the interruption, he attacks and kicks Kyojuro in the head, who barely blocks his leg. Despite Gyomei's warning, Sanemi pummels the Kinoe repeatedly and demands he fight back, urging him to prove his worth. Kyojuro grabs his arm and declares he will not hit him, as swordsmen are forbidden to strike each other and he greatly respects him, shocking Sanemi. As Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho notes the newcomer's strange behaviour, Tengen is impressed that Kyojuro blocked Sanemi's blows. Kagaya calls out Sanemi, who quickly bows down and apologizes for getting too heated, impressing Kyojuro that Kagaya can command him so easily.
Turning to Kyojuro and acknowledging he knows the process to become a Hashira, Kagaya informs him of a suspected demon in the country's capital, perhaps a Twelve Kizuki. Shinobu interjects, believing that if a Twelve Kizuki is present, it would be advisable if they were sent instead of the Kinoe, but Kagaya notes the area is in Shinjuro's jurisdiction. Believing Kyojuro can prove himself, Kagaya sends him on the mission to Tokyo.
In the city, Kyojuro, Mitsuri, and a squad of Demon Slayers prepare to split off, ordering them to report to him should the demon's presence be detected. As they depart, Mitsuri is excited to go on her first mission with a friend when a child suddenly bumps into her. He begins to cry and Mitsuri tries to calm him when his mother appears, mocking her for her hair and confronting her for carrying a sword, threatening to call the police. Kyojuro defuses the situation and explains what happened, sending her away. Mitsuri, hurt by the woman's words, recalls being rejected at a marriage proposal for her hair.
Kyojuro uses First Form: Unknowing Fire against Lower Two.
A bomb suddenly explodes near Kyojuro and Mitsuri, followed by a second explosion near the squad of Demon Slayers. Mitsuri attempts to run but narrowly misses getting shot by Lower Two, wielding a rifle. Excited to see his target, he attempts to shoot Kyojuro but finds he has vanished. The Demon Slayer suddenly appears in front of him, using Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire. The demon calls him by his surname, Rengoku, and declares he will have his revenge. Kyojuro realizes the demon is Lower Rank Two of the Twelve Kizuki, recalling the condition to become Hashira is to slay either fifty demons or a Twelve Kizuki demon as Kinoe.
The demon summons numerous guns from his shadow Blood Demon Art.
He calls out the demon's action for attacking and terrorizing innocents. Lower Two explains he has never forgotten him and had gotten stronger for the day he would face him again, asking Kyojuro to prepare for his death. To his shock, Kyojuro does not recognize him at all; the demon shoots himself in the mouth to calm himself down and remember again, perplexing Kyojuro with his antics. Another explosion rocks the city behind him, but as he turns to see the damage, the demon unleashes numerous bolt-action rifles and revolvers from inside him, firing them at the Kyojuro.
Kyojuro evades the shots and ducks behind cover, but he sees more guns appear from a black shadow beneath him. Using Flame Breathing, Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation, Kyojuro defends himself from the bullets and lunges at Lower Two, narrowly missing getting shot in the face. Lower Two stops his blade from beheading him, as Kyojuro notes the shadowy aura around the demon is his Blood Demon Art. Lit sticks of dynamite emerge from the demon's coat and explode, destroying the rooftops and shocking Mitsuri, as Kyojuro was in the area.
The demon then appears behind her and pins the Mizunoto down, aiming a rifle at her head. The demon claims that Kyojuro is alive but close to death, unwilling to let him die quickly. Instead, he will torture everyone he holds dears, recalling that as a human, he knows when humans can break under torture. He intends to cause Mitsuri the maximum pain a human can feel and mocks her by claiming it is her fault to die by becoming a Demon Slayer, causing her to cry in fear. Kyojuro then appears from behind him, using Flame Breathing, Fifth Form: Flame Tiger to fend off the demon and save Mitsuri. He tells Lower Two that despite what others may think, as a Demon Slayer, he will carry out his duty.
Kyojuro declares he will defeat Lower Two and be the new Flame Hashira.
He informs Mitsuri that bombs have been planted throughout Tokyo by the demon and it is her job, along with the other Demon Slayers, to disarm them as he faces the demon. The demon brushes off his confidence and remarks that his neck is nearly uncuttable, adding that he may use his sword no matter what, and it won't defeat his guns. As he recalls his family had been hunting demons for generations, becoming the Flame Hashira had always been the pride of the Rengoku family. Recalling his mother's words of having a fire in his soul, Kyojuro proudly yells out his name in front of Lower Two, declaring he will end the demon's grudge as he becomes the new Flame Hashira.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
References[]