Demon Slayer Chapter 168

Demon Slayer Chapter 168, titled "Never Disappear," delves into Sanemi Shinazugawa's tragic past, reveals the profound wisdom of Kagaya Ubuyashiki, and culminates in the dramatic arrival of Gyomei Himejima against the formidable Upper Rank One, Kokushibo. Sanemi reflects on his early demon hunting days, where he discovered his rare Marechi blood could intoxicate demons, a trait that saved him from his suicidal, Nichirin-less methods. He recounts meeting Masachika Kumeno, a fellow Demon Slayer who introduced him to a trainer, and the bitterness of seeing good people die, like Masachika, who was killed by Lower Rank One, paving Sanemi's path to becoming the Wind Hashira in the thrilling narrative of the Demon Slayer manga.

As Sanemi clashes with Kokushibo using Wind Breathing, Sixth Form: Black Wind Mountain Mist, the demon expresses surprise at his continued fight, noting that previous Hashiras could never reach his current stage. Kokushibo observes Sanemi has stopped his wounds from bleeding, speculating if he used Total Concentration Breathing to coagulate his blood or flexed his muscles. Intrigued by this unprecedented human feat, Kokushibo begins to enjoy the slight intoxication from Sanemi's Marechi blood, finding it pleasant. He dodges a slash, stomps on Sanemi's katana, and prepares a fatal strike to his neck. Meanwhile, a flashback reveals Sanemi's first meeting with Kagaya Ubuyashiki. Angered by Kagaya's serene smile amidst others' suffering, Sanemi accused him of being a detached leader, prompting ire from Gyomei Himejima and Tengen Uzui. Kanae Kocho, however, sat concerned.

Kagaya, calming Gyomei, allowed Sanemi to voice his disdain for the Corps being used as pawns, and criticized Kagaya for his lack of martial arts. To Sanemi's astonishment, Kagaya apologized, confessing his inability to even swing a sword ten times due to his condition, and expressed his wish to be a strong swordsman like Sanemi to protect others. Sanemi, speechless, saw his mother's affection in Kagaya's face. Kagaya explained that if Hashiras were pawns, he too was one, and that his death, with a replacement chosen, would be meaningless. He clarified that the respect shown was not due to his superiority, but genuine reverence, and that Sanemi was free to disregard it. Kagaya only requested that Sanemi protect others as a Hashira, apologizing for summoning him so soon after Masachika's death. Kanae revealed Kagaya's extraordinary memory of every fallen Corps member's name and background, further shocking Sanemi, who had forgotten many names himself. Kagaya then gave Sanemi Masachika's will, where Masachika, who saw Sanemi as a younger brother, wished for a future where loved ones lived happily, free from cruel threats, even if they were not beside them. Reading this, Sanemi tearfully begins to think of Genya. Back in the present, Sanemi blocks Kokushibo's blade with Genya's fallen shotgun and fires, but Kokushibo deflects the pellets. Using Moon Breathing, Third Form: Loathsome Moon, Chains, Kokushibo attempts another kill, but Sanemi vanishes in the dust. As Kokushibo remarks on the persistent Demon Slayers, Gyomei Himejima dramatically arrives, promising that the Demon Slayer Corps will never disappear until every demon is eradicated, setting the stage for an even more intense battle in the climactic Infinity Castle Arc of the Demon Slayer manga.