Demon Slayer Chapter 169

Demon Slayer Chapter 169, titled "Rumbling," throws Gyomei Himejima and Sanemi Shinazugawa into a desperate, combined assault against Upper Rank One, Kokushibo, culminating in Gyomei awakening his Demon Slayer Mark to even the odds. Gyomei, having arrived to save Sanemi, immediately orders him to stitch his wounds as he takes on Kokushibo himself, an order Sanemi acknowledges. The Stone Hashira confronts Upper One, rapidly spinning his flail. Kokushibo, observing his new opponent through the Transparent World, delights in Gyomei's immense physicality, noting it has been 300 years since he faced a Demon Slayer of such strength. Gyomei spins his flail faster, creating a vacuum that draws Kokushibo in in the thrilling narrative of the Demon Slayer manga.

Gyomei releases his grip, launching the flail at Kokushibo, narrowly missing. Kokushibo attempts to use Moon Breathing but is forced to bend backward to avoid Gyomei's axe, which was thrown immediately after the flail. He tries again, but Gyomei counters with Stone Breathing, Second Form: Upper Smash, stomping his chain and driving the flail down. Kokushibo dodges, but the chain wraps around his neck. He fails to cut through the links and ducks to escape strangulation, losing a lock of hair that burns on contact. Kokushibo notes that Gyomei's chain, axe, and flail are all made of pure iron, an extremely refined weapon that will burn his flesh-made sword before breaking. He realizes such sun-absorbing iron was not present during the Sengoku period, even at the peak of swordsmithing. Despite this, he knows striking range benefits him and lunges at Gyomei's neck. To his surprise, he misses completely as Gyomei leaps high above, throwing his axe and tearing a piece of Kokushibo's haori.

As the Stone Hashira continues his relentless assault, Kokushibo is shocked by his opponent's agility and lightness despite wielding such heavy weaponry. The chain wraps around Kokushibo's sword, snapping its blade before he can move. The Hashira and Upper Rank clash head-on: Kokushibo uses Moon Breathing, Second Form: Pearl Flower Moongazing, and Gyomei counters with Stone Breathing, Fourth Form: Volcanic Rock, Rapid Conquest. In the aftermath, Kokushibo reveals his blade regenerates, rendering attacks against it useless, while Gyomei sustains a cut across his face. Breathing deeply, Gyomei remarks that he had reserved this power for Muzan, but facing the risk of failure, he has nothing to lose. Declaring his resolve, Gyomei flexes his arms and manifests his Demon Slayer Mark, signaling a monumental power-up and a shift in the tide of battle against the formidable Upper Rank One in the climactic Infinity Castle Arc of the Demon Slayer manga.