Sorrowful Love

Muzan's assault grows so fierce that Gyomei can no longer read it, while Obanai fears he will soon be unable to shield him and Giyu and Sanemi struggle as well. Unable to see the demon, Mitsuri relies on intuition to dodge and laments that she has done the least yet may fall first. Hoping to help by pinning his arms, she suddenly halts, held by an unseen force, and is gravely cut across the face and shoulder before she can react.

Obanai rushes to her aid as Gyomei wonders how she was struck despite dodging. Muzan swings to kill the Serpent Hashira, but Gyomei, Sanemi, and Giyu block and shatter the arm, turning the demon's focus on the three. Obanai and another slayer drag Mitsuri behind an alley; insisting she can still fight, she pleads not to die now, but Obanai tells her she has done enough, orders the slayer to guard her, and returns to the battlefield as she tearfully begs him to stay alive.

Returning to the battle, Obanai dwells on his refusal to let another person die and curses demons for the lives they take. He briefly wishes he and Mitsuri had met in ordinary times, then rejects the thought. As the bandages fall from his face to reveal the great scar across his mouth, he steels himself for what must be done.