Chapter 45

## Trial by Hashira

* Chapter Cover
* Color Page

**Trial by Hashira** (鬼 (き) 殺 (さい) 隊 (たい) 柱 (ちゅう) 合 (ごう) 裁 (さい) 判 (ばん) , *Kisaitaichū gō saiban*?) is the forty-fifth chapter of Koyoharu Gotoge's Kimetsu no Yaiba.

## Summary

Tanjiro wakes up confused on the ground before the Hashira after being knocked unconscious. Shinobu is the first to speak and informs Tanjiro that he has arrived at the Demon Slayer Headquarters and is being put on trial. The scene cuts to inform the viewer with more background information regarding the Hashira. The Hashira are the highest ranked swordsmen among the Demon Slayers. They have mastered different forms of breathing techniques that general Demon Slayers have not, and are the ones sustaining the Demon Slayer Corps.

The scene returns back to the main storyline introducing each Hashira and their perspectives of the trial. The Flame Hashira is introduced as Kyojuro Rengoku, who comments that a trial would not be necessary since Tanjiro violated the conduct, mentioning that the only plausible option would be to decapitate Nezuko. The next swordsman introduced is the Sound Hashira, a tall muscular man with a unique, painted accent around his left eye, who goes by the name Tengen Uzui. The third member thats introduced is the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, who felt sorry about possibly having to kill a cute girl. The fourth member thats introduced is the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, who appears to be crying while praying. The fifth member can be seen staring aimlessly at the clouds, and is introduced as the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito.

With the majority of the Hashira agreeing to decapitate Nezuko, Tanjiro is left rattled and desperately looks around for his sister. However, his train of thought is suddenly cut off when he hears a voice coming from above. He looks up to see a young man loitering in the tree above, who is introduced as the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro. Obanai points at Giyu Tomioka and demands to know what his punishment will be for violating the Demon Slayer conduct. Shinobu mentions that they can think of Giyu’s punishment after they hear Tanjiro's reasoning for protecting a Demon.

Tanjiro begins to explain his reasons for travelling with a Demon, however the pain from his injuries prove to be too great for him to ignore. Shinobu approaches him and gives Tanjiro some water laced with painkillers to ease his pain. After drinking some water given to him, Tanjiro proceeds to explain that his sister was turned into a Demon, but has never eaten someone before, vowing that she would never hurt a living person. Despite his pleas, Obanai and Gyomei do not sympathize with his reasoning and Tanjiro continues to try to appeal to them.

Not long after this, the last Hashira arrives holding Nezuko’s box. A swordsman with white hair and covered in scars is introduced as the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa. He mocks Tanjiro for carrying a Demon around with him and proceeds to draw his blade before stabbing the box. Enraged, Tanjiro charges at Sanemi and manages to headbutt him. However, before they could continue the fight, the leader of the Demon Slayers arrives to begin the trial.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Tanjiro Kamado
* Tengen Uzui
* Mitsuri Kanroji
* Kyojuro Rengoku
* Muichiro Tokito
* Gyomei Himejima
* Shinobu Kocho
* Sanemi Shinazugawa
* Giyu Tomioka
* Obanai Iguro
* Goto
* Nezuko Kamado
* Hinaki Ubuyashiki
* Nichika Ubuyashiki
* Kagaya Ubuyashiki

## Events

* The Hashira are formally introduced.
* Tanjiro has a scuffle with the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa.