Gyomei Himejima

From Genya's lesson, Tanjiro learns that Repetitive Action opens all the senses by recalling a painful or rage-filled memory to raise body temperature. Following the advice, Tanjiro pictures his family and Rengoku's words about keeping his heart aflame. By pouring out his full strength, his body recalls the sensation of gaining his Mark, and the boulder finally begins to inch forward. Inspired, Inosuke pushes his own boulder by thinking of food, and Tanjiro at last moves his the full cho, completing the training and collapsing in exhaustion.

Gyomei brings Tanjiro water and praises him, both for finishing the trials and for his choices at the Swordsmith Village. Tanjiro corrects him, insisting it was Nezuko who chose to protect the swordsmiths, and humbly denies deserving such respect. Gyomei reflects that he had long believed children to be selfish and dishonest, yet sees none of those traits in Tanjiro.

The Stone Hashira then recounts his past. He once cared for nine orphans at a temple until one child, to save himself, told a demon where they were and snuffed out the protective wisteria incense. The demon killed most of the children, and Gyomei, defending the youngest girl Sayo, beat the creature to death with his bare hands. The traumatized Sayo branded him a monster, and he was sentenced to death before Kagaya intervened. Calling Tanjiro a special child, Gyomei vows to help keep him on the right path.

Zenitsu receives a letter delivered by Chuntaro.

Tanjiro completes Gyomei's training through Repetitive Action and earns his praise.

Gyomei reveals the tragedy at the temple that shaped his distrustful and objective nature.

The chapter delivers Gyomei's full backstory, explaining both his immense strength and his guarded worldview, while cementing his bond with Tanjiro. His gentle pat on Tanjiro's head, echoing his memory of Sayo, marks the emotional close of his training stage.