Demon Slayer Chapter 115

Demon Slayer Chapter 115, titled "To Be a Hashira," delves into the heartbreaking past of Genya Shinazugawa, revealing the profound motivations behind his desire to become a Hashira, while Tanjiro Kamado delivers a crucial blow to Hantengu. The chapter opens with Genya reflecting on his tragic past: a small, weak mother who, along with him and his siblings, frequently suffered abuse from their father. One fateful night, Genya notices his mother is late returning, even after his older brother, Sanemi Shinazugawa, goes to search for her. He tries to calm his terrified siblings and urges them to sleep, but a sudden knock on the door shatters their fragile peace. Genya desperately warns them not to open it, fearing a stranger, but his siblings ignore him and are immediately slashed upon opening the door. Genya is also cut across the cheek, and he stares in horror at a shadowy figure clinging to the ceiling, unable to identify it in the darkness. Suddenly, Sanemi appears, tackles the figure out the window, and yells at Genya to run. This harrowing flashback reveals the trauma that shaped Genya's early life and the brutal circumstances that led to his demon-slaying path.

Terrified, Genya checks on his siblings, trying to cover their already cold wounds. As he runs off to find a doctor, he stumbles upon an injured Sanemi standing over the corpse of their demonified mother. Distraught by the sight, Genya cradles his mother's lifeless body, crying uncontrollably and cruelly calling Sanemi a murderer. After reliving this painful memory, Genya internally apologizes to his older brother, acknowledging that his shock had overwhelmed him, leading him to wrongly accuse Sanemi, who had undoubtedly struggled to protect him by killing their mother. He recalls an earlier, happier moment where, after their abusive father's death, they both agreed to protect their mother and siblings as brothers, a poignant memory that highlights their fractured bond. As Sekido aims for Genya's neck in the present, Genya reflects on his regrets and flaws. A painful memory of Sanemi, as a Hashira, coldly declaring he had no brother, deeply saddens Genya. He laments his inability to achieve Hashira status, believing he needed that right to apologize to his estranged brother, revealing his profound desire for reconciliation.

Just as Sekido scrapes Genya's neck with his staff, Tanjiro Kamado appears above them, saving Genya by slicing Sekido's neck. He shouts at Genya not to give up, reminding him of his goal to become a Hashira and urging him to focus solely on decapitating Hantengu. As Tanjiro finishes speaking, he notices Aizetsu approaching him from behind. Aizetsu unleashes his Blood Demon Art, Weeping Spears, to attack Tanjiro, but the swordsman is shielded by Genya, who courageously takes multiple impaling blows to his body. Genya, with his remaining strength, tells Tanjiro that he should be the one to decapitate Hantengu, and Tanjiro accepts the burden. Dashing towards Hantengu, Tanjiro strikes the demon with his flaming sword. Upon being struck, Hantengu lets out a piercing, unearthly scream. This dramatic conclusion to Demon Slayer Chapter 115 sets the stage for a climactic confrontation with Hantengu's true form, driven by Genya's sacrifice and Tanjiro's unwavering resolve in the thrilling Swordsmith Village Arc of the Demon Slayer manga.