Demon Slayer Chapter 148

Demon Slayer Chapter 148, titled "Clashing," intensifies the battle within the Infinity Castle as Tanjiro Kamado and Giyu Tomioka face the formidable Upper Rank Three, Akaza, leading to a profound clash of ideals and a testament to human resilience. The chapter opens with Giyu skillfully evading Akaza's numerous attacks using Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance. Akaza, impressed by Giyu's technique, remarks that it has been fifty years since he last fought a Water Hashira. He unleashes Destructive Death: Disorder, attempting to force Giyu into a direct retaliation, but Giyu counters with Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Dead Calm, dispelling the shockwaves. Akaza is astonished, having never seen this technique before, noting that the previous Water Hashira he killed did not possess such a skill. Tanjiro then attacks from behind with Hinokami Kagura: Raging Sun, aiming for Akaza's neck. Akaza deftly evades, appearing behind Tanjiro and attempting a decapitating blow. Tanjiro narrowly fails to use Hinokami Kagura: Fake Rainbow, but Giyu saves him by slashing off Akaza's arm with Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel. Akaza instantly regenerates, and the intense battle continues, highlighting the combined strength and strategic coordination of the Demon Slayers against a relentless Upper Rank demon in the thrilling narrative of the Demon Slayer manga.

Tanjiro attacks again with Hinokami Kagura: Flame Dance, but Akaza fends him off with Destructive Death: Leg Type, Crown Splitter. Tanjiro blocks the attack, but the sheer force of Akaza's kick causes his nose to bleed. As Akaza evades Giyu's slashes, he expresses admiration for Giyu's superb technique and demands to know his name, wishing to remember him. Giyu refuses, stating his dislike for talking in battle. Akaza, amused, resolves to continually ask for his name instead. Using Destructive Death: Leg Type, Explosive Flurry, Akaza delivers a rapid succession of kicks, launching Giyu through multiple walls with powerful shockwaves. Despite blocking with his sword's handle, Giyu is sent flying, leaving Tanjiro to face Akaza alone. Akaza reappears before Tanjiro, satisfied to have learned the Hashira's name. The Demon Slayer and Upper Rank Three clash again, with Tanjiro performing Hinokami Kagura: Burning Bones, Summer Sun, and Akaza retaliating with Destructive Death: Eight-Layered Demon Core. Tanjiro narrowly escapes the attack unharmed, his sword resonating with the attack's vibrations. Akaza compliments Tanjiro's growth and his training, recalling their first encounter when Tanjiro was too weak to be noticed. He expresses excitement to battle Tanjiro now, affirming his respect for the young Slayer's progress.

Akaza then provocatively states his gladness that Kyojuro Rengoku is dead, believing the Flame Hashira had reached his peak because he valued being human. Tanjiro, enraged by this insult, demands Akaza retract his words. Akaza, confused, claims he is praising them both, but Tanjiro retorts that he is only insulting those he calls weak. Akaza dismisses Tanjiro's viewpoint, stating his disgust for the weak, believing it is the law of nature to eliminate them. Tanjiro vehemently rejects this ideology, declaring that Akaza is wrong. He asserts that all humans begin as weak babies, dependent on others for survival, including Akaza himself. Tanjiro proclaims that the true law of nature is for the strong to protect the weak, and for the weak to strive for strength to help others. He deems Akaza's way of thinking unforgivable and declares his days of unrestrained violence are over, causing Akaza to clench his fist in anger. This powerful confrontation of ideals between Tanjiro's unwavering empathy and Akaza's ruthless nihilism sets the stage for a climactic battle, defining the core struggles of humanity against demonic evil in the thrilling Infinity Castle Arc of the Demon Slayer manga.