Upon arriving at the training grounds, Zenitsu and Tanjiro listen to Gyomei emphasize the importance of their body’s core, especially their lower body. He explains that by stabilizing themselves with a firm foundation, both their attack accuracy and defense will improve. Training starts with them immersing themselves under the waterfall, where they watch two trainees struggle to stay upright. Next, they must lift three large logs, and to complete the training, they have to push a boulder for one chō. Gyomei believes his stage is simple with only three tasks; he decides against setting a fire beneath them, deeming it too dangerous.
Tanjiro interrupts Gyomei to inform him that Zenitsu has fainted, and Gyomei instructs him to throw Zenitsu into the river. As soon as Zenitsu hits the cold water, he jolts awake and scrambles for dry land, lamenting the misery of being in a river during winter. Tanjiro calls out to him, but Zenitsu yells that his internal organs feel like they’re crying out in fear of death. Even after getting out of the river, Zenitsu shivers uncontrollably, convinced he will freeze to death. Then he senses something behind him and sees Murata, who advises him to cling to the boulders for warmth.
Coming through the Cold
Zenitsu instantly lunges towards a nearby boulder, tears streaming down his face as he marvels at its warmth. “I never imagined boulders could be so warm,” he exclaims, claiming it feels like being in his mother’s arms and calling out to her. Meanwhile, Tanjiro struggles to reach the waterfall to begin his training, shivering from the cold. He spots Inosuke standing under the icy torrent with a trainee, chanting “Comin’ through” as he bravely endures the freezing water. The trainee soon gives up and steps away, but Inosuke remains, prompting Tanjiro to admire his determination.
However, when Tanjiro realizes Inosuke has stopped speaking, he pulls him to dry land, removes his mask, and performs CPR. Inosuke wakes up, confused and asking if Tanjiro had called his name, bringing tears of relief to Tanjiro’s eyes. Determined, Tanjiro makes his first attempt at waterfall training, struggling to stay upright as the cold water pounds down on him. Beside him, Murata instructs him to chant the Nenbutsu to stay focused and signal his consciousness. With great effort, Tanjiro puts his hands together and begins to chant “Nenbutsu,” pushing through the relentless weight of the water.
The is the strongest Hashira
Inosuke has no doubt that Gyomei is the strongest in the Demon Slayer Corps. Tanjiro adds that Gyomei’s scent is different from the other Hashira, wondering if he’s already gained his mark. Inosuke wouldn’t be surprised, recalling when Gyomei pounded him into the ground.
The other trainees mutter that they can’t keep up with the conversation of those who ranked up quickly, claiming they’re on a different level. They’re also pleased by Tanjiro’s cooking. Zenitsu angrily chimes in that Gyomei can’t possibly move a boulder one chō and that he just enjoys tormenting them. When Tanjiro mentions hearing that the Stone Hashira could move bigger boulders, Zenitsu mocks him for believing everything he hears. Tanjiro counters, saying he can tell if someone is lying because of his hearing. Just then, Gyomei appears behind the group, pushing an immense boulder while chanting the “Nianfo.”
Zenitsu and the trainees stare in silence at Gyomei’s immense strength. When Tanjiro asks if he could be like Gyomei, Zenitsu repeatedly punches him for his optimism amidst the hellish training, claiming there’s a gap between “giants and little people.”
Nakime locates the Demon Slayers
That night, in town, the Biwa Demon’s detached eyes stalk the townsfolk until she spots a Demon Slayer. She informs Muzan that she has found sixty percent of the Demon Slayers but still can’t locate Nezuko. Muzan, addressing the demon as Nakime, expresses delight at seeing her surpass his expectations. Nakime thanks him for the compliment before he directs her to look into a new location. Using her biwa, Nakime accesses the view from the detached eye and follows two more Demon Slayers. As she does, Muzan feels confident that it’s only a matter of time before he has Nezuko and Kagaya.
