Demon Slayer Chapter 156

Demon Slayer Chapter 156, titled "Thank You," delivers a poignant conclusion to Akaza's tragic story, as he finds redemption through the echoes of his human past and the embrace of his loved ones, ultimately accepting his defeat and mortality. As Akaza laments his inability to join his father, Keizo, and Koyuki in heaven, he is consumed by fury at Tanjiro Kamado and Giyu Tomioka for forcing him to confront his painful human memories. He curses humans as weak, soft, and brittle, dying easily and disappearing into nothingness. Tanjiro, having regained consciousness, is shocked at his momentary collapse. Akaza begins to regenerate his head, unleashing Destructive Death: Annihilation Type. Tanjiro, yelling for him to stop, is shocked that he survived Akaza's kick. Vowing to behead the demon once more, Tanjiro's sword ignites with the radiant flames of Hinokami Kagura, a symbol of his unwavering resolve against the Upper Rank Three in the thrilling narrative of the Demon Slayer manga.

However, Tanjiro's sword slips, forcing him to punch Akaza's face instead, a moment that mirrors his first encounter with Keizo. Akaza then vividly recalls why he hated weak people: they fought unfairly, poisoned wells, and lacked patience. He remembers killing such individuals with his bare fists. In a profound moment of clarity, Akaza realizes that throughout his demonic life, he had perverted Keizo's fighting style into a weapon and dishonored his father's dying wish. He finally understands the true target of his rage: his own past self, consumed by weakness and despair. As Tanjiro panics over his lost sword and sees Akaza preparing the same technique that killed Kyojuro Rengoku, he notices Giyu in the attack's range. Despite Giyu's insistence that Tanjiro focus on the demon, Tanjiro instinctively grabs him, throwing both of them out of the devastating technique's path. He then witnesses Akaza, with a faint smile, engulfed by numerous shockwaves from his own attack, leaving the surrounding area devastated and Akaza's body a broken, bloody mess. Perplexed by Akaza's self-inflicted attack, Tanjiro smells a scent of gratitude from the corpse and wonders why Akaza smiled before striking himself. The body begins to regenerate, but Akaza consciously halts the process, accepting that the battle is over and he has lost. He commends Tanjiro for his magnificent technique, which anticipated and slashed him before he could react.

Akaza's broken body slowly walks away, while his spirit resolves to descend into Hell with dignity. As he pauses, to Tanjiro's confusion, Akaza's spirit encounters his father's. His father reassures him, calling him Hakuji and thanking him. As Hakuji apologizes for his inability to fix himself, his head is gently cradled by Keizo, who, alongside his father, reassures him that they would never abandon him, regardless of his demonic existence, even though he cannot join them in heaven. As Hakuji calls out for his master, Muzan Kibutsuji appears, grabbing his head and fiercely urging him to grow stronger and continue fighting. With Muzan's influence, Akaza's body regenerates even faster, and he vocalizes his renewed will to keep his promise and get stronger, once again declaring he will kill everyone. Suddenly, Koyuki's spirit gently touches his face, thanking Hakuji and telling him that he has done enough. Though Muzan reappears, calling him Akaza once more, Hakuji overcomes Muzan's control, grasping Koyuki's tearful spirit, transforming back into his human self. He tearfully apologizes for his failure to protect her, for his absence when she needed him most, and for being unable to keep his promise. Seeing his tears of remorse, Koyuki is overjoyed that Hakuji remembered them all despite his long demon life and has finally returned to his human self. With the tender words, "Welcome back, my husband," Akaza completely ceases his regeneration. Tanjiro watches as the body of Upper Rank Three finally fades into ash, marking a poignant end to a tragic life and a significant victory for the Demon Slayer Corps in the thrilling Infinity Castle Arc of the Demon Slayer manga.