Demon Slayer Chapter 180

Demon Slayer Chapter 180, titled "Recovery," marks Muzan Kibutsuji's brutal reemergence from his cocoon, the tragic sacrifice of Tamayo, and the escalating desperation of the Demon Slayer Corps within the Infinity Castle. Tanjiro and Giyu, continuing through the castle, receive the devastating news of Muichiro and Genya's deaths. Tanjiro, heartbroken but resolute, pushes aside his pain to focus on the mission, willing himself to fight to the end. He acknowledges his unreadiness as a successor, knowing he only knows 12 of Hinokami Kagura's 13 forms, yet he must defeat Muzan for everyone's sake in the thrilling narrative of the Demon Slayer manga.

Kiriya Ubuyashiki realizes time is running out; the Demon Slayers cannot reach Muzan in time to save Tamayo, and he will soon fully recover. He receives news that the first squad has arrived, with a second on the way. Kiriya warns them not to engage Muzan, but the first squad ignores him, attempting to cut down the cocoon. When this fails, they try to cut the flesh attaching it to the walls. A Demon Slayer receives Kiriya's order to stand down, but another insists they must act before the Hashiras arrive. Without warning, the cocoon splits, and a transformed Muzan leaps out, instantly decapitating the leading Demon Slayer. In a bloody flurry, Muzan massacres the first squad, leaping between them with inhuman speed. Kiriya frantically orders the remaining Demon Slayers to wait for the Hashira, or they will only become Muzan's food, but the message is too late. Muzan proclaims them all dead, then decapitates the Kasugai crow, Kiriya's mouthpiece. Muzan, having lived for a thousand years, finds his sense of taste dulled, but being hungry, he enjoys the Demon Slayers' flesh. He mockingly praises Kagaya for providing sustenance and, impressed by his successor, offers them a chance to become demons, as his subordinates are all dead. Kiriya then orders the second squadron to fall back, fearing Muzan will recover his full strength if he consumes more.

Muzan then turns his attention to Tamayo, now a crumbling, severed head in his hand. He mocks her transformative drug as a failure, but Tamayo boldly declares he will go to Hell. Muzan dismisses her threat, having heard it countless times. With tears, Tamayo pleads for her husband and children back. Muzan coldly replies, "Die and join those relatives you killed," before crushing her head and absorbing her remains. Elsewhere, Yushiro is racked with pain, realizing Tamayo's death. Muzan locates and massacres the second squad, encountering no resistance. Kiriya demands their retreat and asks if Giyu has arrived. Informed that the Water Hashira is in another direction, Kiriya panics at the thought of Muzan regaining full strength, rendering Tamayo's sacrifice in vain. Deriding his fallen Upper Ranks as useless, Muzan declares he alone will kill all Demon Slayers tonight, setting the stage for the final, desperate battle in the climactic Infinity Castle Arc of the Demon Slayer manga.