Episode 6

* Episode
* Title Card
* Eyecatcher A
* Eyecatcher B

**Swordsman Accompanying a Demon** (鬼を連れた剣士, *Oni o Tsureta Kenshi*?) is the 6th episode of the Kimetsu no Yaiba TV anime series.

## Synopsis

Tanjiro is now clad in the uniform of the Demon Slayer Corps. His Nichirin sword on his hip, and Nezuko, now awake, in a special box made by Urokodaki on his back, he heads out for his first assignment: a town to the northwest where girls have been vanishing nightly. There, Tanjiro meets Kazumi, haggard with worry after his girlfriend has been abducted. Though he does catch the scent of a demon nearby, none are in sight. Tanjiro is sure that a demon is behind this sinister incident...

## Plot

After donning his uniform, Tanjiro prepares for his first mission as a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. Sakonji gives him information now that he is a member. His uniform is made of a special fibre, making it waterproof and flame retardant, as well as strong enough to repel the claws and teeth of a weak demon. He also explains that so little is known about Demon Slayers with black Nichirin blades, it is believed that they don’t progress far. Despite this belief, Tanjiro reassures him that he will stop at nothing to turn Nezuko back into a human. Sakonji also provides him with a new box to carry Nezuko during day hours, made with new lighter wood and treated to have greater durability.

As Tanjiro travels to his destination, he asks if Nezuko is fine in the back but isn’t responded to, realizing Nezuko is simply asleep to recover. After some time, he finds the town of the northwest region, the location of his mission. As he walks around, he catches sight of a dishevelled and dazed man. The townsfolk notice the man too, Kazumi, and pity him, as he was with the latest victim, Satoko, during her disappearance. Hearing the rumours of the townsfolk regarding the vanished girls, Tanjiro questions him.

Kazumi takes him to the area where she disappeared, an alley in town. When he claims no one believes him, Tanjiro responds that he does, to his surprise, and begins his investigation. Using his sense of smell, he realizes that the area still contains the faint scent of a demon. As he watches the boy figuring out the situation, Kazumi remembers when he told Satoko’s parents; her father had beaten him severely for blaming her disappearance as her simply vanishing, to the anguish of Satoko’s mother.

As they continue about the town, Tanjiro remains observant and sniffs around the area, to the confusion of the townsfolk. As the sun sets, Tanjiro reaffirms Kazumi’s words that she really did vanish, hence why he is here. Still searching into the night, Kazumi tries to dissuade Tanjiro from continuing his investigation at dark hours and pick up again during the day, but Tanjiro remains vigilant and continues to smell around the area, telling him that “*those things*” are only active at night. At first, Kazumi is initially surprised but realizes what Tanjiro is.

In another part of town, a girl is told by her mother to stay indoors at night. But as she prepares to go to bed, something dark follows her through the floor of her house. While lying down to sleep, she wonders what became of the girls who disappeared. Without warning, her bedroom floor becomes a dark and swampy puddle and a pair of hands grab her from beneath. With her mouth covered, she is unable to scream and is pulled into the murky water.

Suddenly, Tanjiro gets up and begins to run away, to the confusion of Kazumi. Tanjiro tells him the scent is now stronger and the demon is now around. He leaps into the air to run atop the roof tiles, with Kazumi stunned by his high jump and realizing that Tanjiro is indeed a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. Landing in another alleyway, he senses the demon’s presence and a woman’s scent. Determining where the scent is strongest, he stabs into the ground, causing a spray of swamp water to spurt out. He spots something in the water and grabs it, rescuing the young girl from the demon’s grasp.

Remembering Sakonji's words about a demon's abilities, Tanjiro realizes this one is capable of a Blood Demon Art. With the girl in his arms, he asks the demon on the whereabouts of the missing girl. The demon only grinds its teeth in response and returns into its swampy portal. Kazumi appears alongside him and wonders what he saw, as Tanjiro asks him to take the girl in his care. With Kazumi vulnerable, Tanjiro stands in front of him and looks about the area. He notes that even while it’s submerged, its scent isn’t masked. He detects the likely location to strike but becomes shocked seeing three demons now. He leaps into the air to evade their grab and uses **Water Breathing, Eight Form: Waterfall Basin** in retaliation.

Before leaving, Sakonji mentioned one final piece of information; there is only one demon whose blood is capable of turning someone into a demon, the progenitor. He was the first to become a demon, doing so over a thousand years ago, and he is known as Muzan Kibutsuji.

Tanjiro’s attack fails to hit their weak spots and only causes minor damage, while the demons retreat back into their swamp. He notes that all three have the same smell and that demons don’t usually group together. With the realization he is fight three clones to save two people, he steels his resolve and prepares for battle, as well as remaining focused that he will asked them about Muzan and how to turn a demon back into a human. Sensing an incoming attack, he turns around and uses **Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel**, but the cut is too shallow to cause severe damage.

The two-horned clone retreats momentarily and reappears, cursing Tanjiro for interrupting his hunt; the demon claims that the girl is now 16 and will turn stale if she isn’t devoured in time, shocking Tanjiro and Kazumi. The one-horned clone appears behind them and calms its other self, claiming that it has already devoured several girls in the town in satisfaction. The first clone becomes angered and states it wants to consume more. Kazumi asks the demon to return Satoko to him, but their attention is drawn by the appearance of the third, three-horned clone.

The one-horned clone remembers Satoko and showcases its collection of hairpins taken from past victims; upon seeing Satoko’s hairpin among them, Kazumi tears up with the realization she was devoured. Tanjiro, upon learning the missing girls are now dead, suddenly reminisces on the murder of his family and Nezuko’s transformation into a demon, becoming filled with rage. The third clone attacks him but Tanjiro slashes its arm off in anger, missing its neck again. It escapes and regroups with the two-horned clone, overwhelming Tanjiro. When it attempts to grab him, Nezuko emerges from her box and kicks it away.

The one-horned clone is confused at why a swordsman is accompanied by a demon, as he and the two-horned clone back away. Nezuko turns to Kazumi and the girl and gently touches their heads, seeing her siblings Takeo and Hanako within them. While Tanjiro is initially confused by her action, he remembers that Sakonji had tried to hypnotize her into believing all humans are her family and must be protected, and to never forgive any demon who harms them. With this message, Nezuko sprints towards the clones and raises her leg for an axe kick.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Tanjiro Kamado
* Sakonji Urokodaki
* Nezuko Kamado
* Kazumi
* Swamp Demon
* Tokie
* Muzan Kibutsuji (Silhouette)

## Anime Notes

* In the manga, Tanjiro has already arrived to the town assigned as his first mission, whereas in the anime, a short opening scene shows him equipping his uniform and being informed by Sakonji of vital information, which was only shown in the manga as something he remembers.