In Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 3, Tanjiro finally recovers and begins his training against Tengen. Meanwhile, a new demon may have appeared.
In the mountains, as the trainees navigate a long trail, Tengen pushes them to move faster with the sun setting. He confronts one trainee, pinning him with his shinai and demanding he move his arms and legs more before letting him go. The next day, as they struggle through sit-ups, Tengen reminds them that they can’t advance to the next stage of Hashira Training without boosting their fitness and stamina.
To make a point, he jabs a trainee with his bamboo blade as the trainee lies exhausted, warning that they won’t survive Sanemi’s and Mitsuri’s training stages at this rate. Despite the grueling exercises, the trainees all know that even tougher challenges lie ahead.
Tengen hears Tanjiro calling to him. The Demon Slayer bows to the former Hashira, saying he looks well. Tengen flicks the diamond in his eyepatch, showing that’s not quite true. He mentions he needs to start training again since his body is intact. Tanjiro thanks him, saying he’s the reason he’s alive, and promises to do his best. Throughout the day, Tanjiro outperforms his fellow Demon Slayers in every exercise: he runs faster, lifts more, and has greater endurance, leaving everyone dumbfounded by his physical abilities.
A new demon emerges?
That night on patrol, the Demon Slayer and his partner notice fewer demons around, but his partner mentions that the nights still feel uneasy. The first Slayer thinks the demons are hunting for Nezuko, but the other points out that it’s just speculation since no one asks demons what they’re up to. As he wishes out loud for the demons to disappear, his partner reminds him that demons have been around for a thousand years. Suddenly, the Demon Slayer realizes his partner has vanished, leaving him alone in the dark. Panic sets in as he frantically looks around, getting more nervous with each passing second.
His partner suddenly jumps out from behind a corner, causing him to fall over, yelling that demons might attack at any moment. Angered and scared, he demands that he stop joking around. His partner apologizes and extends a hand to help him up. Then they hear a rustling sound from a dark alley behind them. The first Demon Slayer warns him not to repeat his prank and to keep patrolling. He agrees. Unbeknownst to them, the sound is coming from an eyeball marked “Four,” crawling on its tendrils as it follows them.
The Wind Hashira vs The Serpent Hashira
Sanemi sits alone, waiting for Obanai. When Obanai arrives, he apologizes for being late, but Sanemi points out that he just got there too. He then asks about the trainees’ progress. Obanai says the trainees won’t be much help against the Upper Ranks, and Sanemi agrees. Despite their frustration, they both know they’re following Kagaya’s orders. Obanai asks why Sanemi called him here, and Sanemi reveals he’s been thinking about the castle they saw, where they thought they had the demons cornered before they vanished.
Obanai admits he’s also been wondering what lies beyond what they saw and if it’s a new demon hideout. Sanemi mentions he’s investigated the castle several times with no results. Obanai notes that demon activity in the nearby city has decreased, which Sanemi takes as a sign that they’re targeting Nezuko. Obanai feels something big is coming and sees the reduced activity as a bad omen for the Corps. Sanemi, however, brushes off his worries, declaring that he will be the one to end it all.
Obanai mentions that training the Corps members has been a good distraction for him, but he can’t shake the feeling that this calm is just the quiet before a major storm. Sanemi waves off his worries, saying it’s pointless to predict the future. When Obanai says he has a suggestion, Sanemi cuts him off, insisting he go first. He challenges Obanai to a fight, and Obanai replies that he was thinking the exact same thing.
Tanjiro vs Tengen
As the sun sets, Tengen informs the trainees of a change in plans. Instead of the long-distance run to the mountain, they will face a special exercise based on real combat. He excitedly orders them to enter the mountain. In the dark of night, armed with wooden blades, the trainees must survive against Tengen, who will play the role of a demon hunting them. For Tanjiro, the strongest fighter, the goal is to defeat the former Hashira.
In a clearing within the forest, the trainees face outward, trying to find Tengen. But he is too fast. One by one, they are downed and knocked unconscious. Tanjiro, knowing not to expect any less from Tengen, struggles to sense him by scent. Eventually, he catches sight of Tengen in motion. Tengen continues to down the trainees until the moonlight reveals his position. When one trainee flatly declares it is impossible to face him, Tengen suddenly appears behind him and asks if he would say the same to a demon attempting to kill him before knocking him out.
Tanjiro warns the remaining trainees that Tengen will see through any half-hearted attack, urging them to group towards him and leave no openings. As the trainees rush forward, Tengen attempts another strike but finds his swing blocked by Tanjiro. The force of their clash blows the trainees away, but Tanjiro stands his ground. Tengen commends Tanjiro’s intuition, while Tanjiro marvels at Tengen’s immense strength with just one hand. He orders Tanjiro to attack, leading to an intense skirmish between the former teammates, with both combatants seemingly neck and neck.
The trainees are stunned by Tanjiro’s ability to clash with Tengen, who himself is impressed by how much stronger Tanjiro has become. As the two continue trading blows, the trainees attempt to help Tanjiro; though their attacks fall short, they manage to surround Tengen, much to Tanjiro’s appreciation. Impressed by their determination, Tengen flamboyantly spins his bamboo blade and remarks that the battle has become interesting, watching as the trainees converge on him to attack.
With the trainees inspired, Tanjiro’s off to the next Hashira: Muichiro Tokito.
