Episode 5 of *Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba* Season 3 opens with a frantic rush as Kotetsu and Tokito Muichiro, the enigmatic Mist Hashira, sprint to Kanamori's rescue. After swiftly dispatching a fish-like minion, Tokito's immediate request for his sword leaves Kotetsu momentarily stunned by his seemingly misplaced priorities. Kanamori, however, remains unperturbed, revealing that Tanjiro had actually instructed him to aid in forging a replacement blade for the Mist Hashira—a revelation that catches Tokito off guard. Kotetsu, recalling the notorious swordsmith Haganezuka, suggests they go in search of him.
As they prepare to set off, Kanamori notices the chipped edge of Tokito's sword and mentions that he has already crafted a new one, which lies stashed away in a nearby hut. Before they can reach their destination, their path is obstructed by the potted demon, Gyokko, whose arrival casts a sinister shadow over their quest.
Meanwhile, back in the village, chaos reigns as fish minions wreak havoc, their relentless assault pushing the inhabitants to the brink of despair. Just when all hope seems lost, Mitsuri, the vibrant Love Hashira, bursts onto the scene. With effortless grace, she annihilates the fish minions and rushes to locate the village chief. She finds him at the mercy of a fish minion, with only a lone swordsmith attempting to intervene. As the swordsmith's hope dwindles, Mitsuri arrives in a blaze of glory. The subordinate's eyes widen in admiration as he notices her sword, which doubles as a whip—a creation of the chief himself. In a single, fluid motion, Mitsuri dispatches the fish minion and cradles the chief, who is overjoyed to be in her embrace.
Elsewhere, Nezuko and Tanjiro find themselves under siege by clone demons as they attempt to flee. Sekido unleashes a barrage of lightning, causing Nezuko to lose consciousness. Tanjiro awakens first, scooping up his sister and fleeing as Karaku gives chase. As he hurls them out of the crumbling house, Nezuko regains consciousness and clings tenaciously to Tanjiro's blade. The house collapses into rubble, and the clones begin combing through the wreckage in search of the siblings. Nezuko, trapped beneath debris, refuses to let go of the blade, her hands bleeding from the effort, leaving Tanjiro bewildered by her resolve.
As for the unlikely trio of Kotetsu, Kanamori, and Tokito, Gyokko unleashes his fury by creating a monstrous minion infused with the essence of five consumed swordsmiths. The swordsmiths, still conscious and writhing in agony, become unwilling participants in this macabre spectacle. Annoyed by the turn of events, Tokito launches a fierce assault. Gyokko, ever elusive, slips through his grasp but is incensed when Tokito damages his prized vases, a transgression he deems an affront to art. While Tokito deduces that a simple beheading would suffice to vanquish Gyokko, the potted demon retaliates by launching a barrage of fish needles at Kotetsu and Kanamori.
Tokito sprints towards the looming threat, only to find himself riddled with poisoned needles from every direction. Despite his wounds, he urgently commands the two swordsmiths to flee and seek shelter, as he bravely stands his ground against the potted demon. Gyokko taunts him, proclaiming that Tokito will meet his demise while trying to protect lives deemed worthless, a statement that triggers a haunting memory for Tokito. He recalls someone once telling him that his life held no value, leaving him to ponder the truth of those words.
In that critical moment, Gyokko seizes the opportunity and ensnares Tokito within a water prison. Gyokko then gloats with malicious delight, revealing his plan to raze the village to the ground, weakening the demon slayers and paving the way for demons to slay Ubuyashiki with ease.
Meanwhile, Nezuko taps into her blood demon art, channeling her power into Tanjiro’s black sword, which ignites into a blazing red hue. As Tanjiro prepares to launch his attack, he is suddenly enveloped by an inherited memory of a slayer from 300 years prior. A woman had once marveled at that slayer's black sword, which had similarly turned red in the heat of battle. Tanjiro, though bewildered, declares that his sword's transformation is a result of Nezuko's aid.
Fueled by the gratitude for all who have aided him along his journey, Tanjiro's resolve hardens. He is determined to repay their kindness by vanquishing the demons. He charges at the clones, only to be met with the mocking laughter of Urogi and Karaku. However, Sekido, who harbors a memory of Muzan, recognizes the resemblance of Tanjiro's sword to that of the ancient slayer who had nearly decapitated Muzan.
Sekido observes that Tanjiro's scar has morphed into the same mark the slayer bore. As he strikes, Sekido is momentarily blinded by a vision of the slayer looming behind Tanjiro. In a singular, fluid motion, Tanjiro effortlessly beheads all three clones simultaneously. He recalls employing the same technique to behead Gyutaro, his entire body ablaze with a fiery intensity. Tanjiro realizes that all heads of the clones must be severed at once to prevent regeneration.
As he searches for the fourth clone, Aizetsu, Tanjiro discovers that Genya has already dealt the fatal blow. Overjoyed by the timely intervention, Tanjiro realizes that all four clones have been permanently vanquished. But upon rushing to Genya's side, he is met with a harrowing sight: Genya's eyes are pitch-black, and he is frothing at the mouth.
In the epilogue, Tanjiro and Nezuko approach Mitsuri, curiosity gleaming in their eyes as they inquire about how she sheaths her whip-like sword. With a flourish, Mitsuri effortlessly slides the blade back into its sheath, prompting cheers and applause from the duo. Touched by their admiration, Mitsuri basks in the attention, repeatedly showcasing her skill as Tanjiro and Nezuko continue to cheer her on, their enthusiasm unwavering.
