Demon Slayer Chapter 197

Demon Slayer Chapter 197, titled "Tenacity," escalates the desperate battle against Muzan Kibutsuji as Tamayo's final poison takes full effect, forcing Muzan to unleash a devastating shockwave, while the Demon Slayers, despite severe injuries, find renewed resolve. Tamayo's apparition within Muzan's mind taunts him, asserting that his victims' collective will to kill him outweighs his desire to survive. Muzan laments that Tamayo's medicines, unlike the simple red blade of Yoriichi Tsugikuni, have rendered him susceptible to exhaustion, making the Demon Slayers' attacks far more potent. He struggles to analyze and counteract the complex compound.

Muzan suddenly freezes, head skyward, briefly leading Tanjiro Kamado to believe the demon is finally succumbing to exhaustion. Tanjiro and Obanai Iguro attempt to capitalize, but Muzan unleashes a massive shockwave of lightning, obliterating everything nearby and leaving Tanjiro in seizures and unable to move. Giant jaws erupt from Muzan's torso as he glares at the destruction. Kiriya, Kanata, and Kuina Ubuyashiki also suffer damage, their Kasugai Crow instantly killed, prompting Tengen Uzui and Shinjuro Rengoku to rush to their aid. Kiriya, bleeding but resolute, insists he is fine, questioning if Muzan somehow sensed their distant location, while Kuina announces 25 minutes until dawn, urging the Demon Slayers to hold on for a final victory.

Tanjiro struggles to rise, fearing lung damage, as Muzan anguishly walks away. However, Inosuke Hashibira abruptly intercepts Muzan with Beast Breathing, Fourth Fang: Slice 'n' Dice, infuriated by Muzan's disregard for their fallen comrades and demanding he return their lives. Muzan, weakened, attempts to attack Inosuke but can only weakly flail his whips. Panting, Muzan realizes his shockwave attack drained too much energy. Inosuke, also gasping for breath, recounts Gyomei Himejima's lost leg and Giyu Tomioka's lost arm, tearfully vowing that Muzan will pay with a million deaths if he cannot restore their friends. Muzan attacks Inosuke, who dodges, but is ensnared by whips from the ground. Tanjiro, unable to help, believes he will die, but Zenitsu Agatsuma saves Inosuke, slicing Muzan's whip and declaring Tanjiro is still alive by his heartbeat. Zenitsu implores Tanjiro to keep fighting, reminding him of Nezuko Kamado's return to humanity and their shared dream of returning home. Muzan smacks Zenitsu, but Inosuke protects him, further infuriating Muzan.

Desperate, Tanjiro suspects a Blood Demon Art is affecting his nervous system and stabs himself in a non-vital area with his Nichirin Sword, praying it will stop the shaking. Muzan observes a recovering Zenitsu and Inosuke, noting his inability to raise his arms as Giyu and Gyomei, battered but unyielding, rejoin the fray, determined to finally end Muzan's reign of terror in the climactic Sunrise Countdown Arc of the Demon Slayer manga.