Urgent Summons

Tanjiro is puzzled to see Zenitsu, once furious about having carried a girl, now groveling to get near Nezuko, and is jostled by Inosuke's random headbutts. Once healed, the three receive an urgent order to reach Mount Natagumo quickly. As they leave, they thank Hisa, who strikes sparks to wish them luck.

Baffled by the gesture, Inosuke loudly insults her, prompting Zenitsu and Tanjiro to intervene. Overhearing her blessing for safety and a proud life, Inosuke stares in confusion and presses the others for its meaning, until an exasperated Tanjiro speeds up to avoid the conversation.

Reaching the mountain after dark, the slayers prepare to investigate while a frightened Zenitsu hangs back. Tanjiro smells blood and finds a wounded slayer pleading for help, only for the man to be yanked into the mountain. Inosuke insists on leading the way up, and as they climb through unusual masses of spiderwebs, Tanjiro thanks him, admitting the sinister scent had scared him until Inosuke's willingness helped him press on.

They meet a hiding slayer, Murata, who is disappointed they are not Hashira and is punched by Inosuke. He explains that ten Corps members arrived together yet began killing one another, then points out a slain slayer whose corpse is being manipulated, marionette-style, at the will of an unseen female demon.

The chapter opens the Mount Natagumo arc, presenting the eerie threat of slayers controlled against one another by the Mother Spider Demon and pairing Tanjiro and Inosuke against the manipulated Corps members.

It also reveals the leadership of the Corps for the first time, as Kagaya Ubuyashiki, recognizing the work of a member of the Twelve Kizuki, sends Giyu Tomioka and Shinobu to the mountain, establishing that Giyu is a Hashira and previewing the conflict over whether humans and demons can ever coexist.