Kidnapper's Bog

Now a sworn member of the Corps, Tanjiro Kamado sets out on his opening mission while recalling lessons from Sakonji Urokodaki. He remembers that Nichirin blades shift color depending on the wielder, and that black blades are so poorly understood many assume their owners rarely advance. His uniform is woven from a tough, breathable cloth that resists water, fire, and the claws of weaker demons. Sakonji has also given him a sturdier, lighter box for carrying Nezuko by day, and has speculated that her long sleep may build strength in place of feeding on people.

In the assigned town, Tanjiro spots a haggard man named Kazumi, who is pitied by locals because he was beside the most recent missing girl, Satoko, when she disappeared. After questioning him, Tanjiro is taken to the spot where she vanished. Kneeling, he catches the faint odor of a demon, which confirms Kazumi's account even as the man expects to be doubted.

As night falls, another young woman lies down to sleep, worrying about the disappearances. The floor of her room turns into a dark pool and demonic arms drag her down before she can cry out. Tanjiro suddenly bolts through the town, Kazumi trailing him, as the scent grows stronger. He scales the rooftops, then plunges his blade into the ground where the smell peaks, forcing murky water to surge up, and pulls the captured girl free.

A horned demon rises from the puddle, and Tanjiro recognizes it as a user of a Blood Demon Art, one of the supernatural powers Sakonji warned him about. He questions it about the missing girls, but it grinds its teeth and vanishes. Handing the rescued girl to Kazumi, Tanjiro senses the demon returning and is startled to face three of them. He responds with Water Breathing, Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin, striking all three together.

Part of the Kidnapper's Bog Arc, this chapter appeared in Weekly Shonen Jump issue 20 of 2016, dated April 18th, and is gathered in Volume 2. It was adapted as part of Episode 6 of the anime. The installment introduces the Swamp Demon, marks Tanjiro's debut field assignment, and gives readers an early look at how Blood Demon Arts function in the series.