Episode 7 of *Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba* Season 3, titled "Awful Villain," opens with Tanjiro in relentless pursuit of Hantengu, finally closing the distance and delivering a decisive slice to his neck. Just as victory seems within reach, a new clone materializes—the Hate Clone, Zohakuten. Tanjiro, desperate to end Hantengu swiftly, finds himself intercepted by the Hate Clone's arrival. Genya attempts to assist, but his efforts are thwarted as he inadvertently places Tanjiro in his line of fire. The Hate Clone unleashes his fury, and Tanjiro is hurled back as a colossal, multi-headed serpent emerges from the shadows. Nezuko springs into action, saving Tanjiro, but not before her limbs are ensnared and bitten by the serpent.
As Nezuko slowly recovers from her ordeal, the formidable Hate Clone introduces himself with a menacing presence. Tanjiro, noticing the absence of the other clones, turns to Genya for answers, who fills in the gaps. Alarmed by the prospect of Tanjiro's success, Sekido suddenly absorbs the remaining clones, transforming into the full-fledged Zohakuten. Before Tanjiro or Genya can launch an attack, the clone cunningly conceals Hantengu within the serpent's embrace. Tanjiro strives to intercept him, but Zohakuten wields his power to suffocate the two slayers with a mere glance, sapping their strength and rendering them immobile. He accuses them of villainy for tormenting a "weak" being like Hantengu.
Tanjiro fires back, arguing that Hantengu is far from weak, having devoured countless innocent lives alongside his clones. He exposes the Hate Clone's hypocrisy and prepares to strike. Zohakuten, however, claims he hasn't harmed Tanjiro, thus providing no justification for an attack. Tanjiro counters, asserting that familial bonds are not the sole reason to aid others, and the clash ensues.
Meanwhile, Tokito remains trapped within the water prison, while Gyokko revels in the sight of his ingenious trap. Curiosity piqued by the contents of the hut Tokito attempted to conceal, Gyokko sets off to investigate. In that moment, the Mist Hashira realizes he has just enough breath for one final assault, though his sword is badly chipped. Overwhelmed by hopelessness, he yearns for assistance. Suddenly, Tanjiro's visage flickers before him, though he knows Tanjiro never uttered such words, leaving him to wonder if it's a fragmented memory of another.
As for Gyokko, he arrives at the hut where Kanamori is holed up with a sword. His attempt to strike is met with a swift injury from the potted demon. Puzzled by what Kanamori is protecting, Gyokko's gaze falls upon Haganezuka, diligently polishing a 300-year-old sword. Enraptured by his work, Haganezuka pays no heed to Gyokko's presence. This indifference fuels Gyokko's jealousy, and he launches a series of attacks. Despite bleeding profusely, Haganezuka remains undeterred, his mask falling away to reveal his determination. Instead of succumbing to fear, he ponders why the swordsmith inscribed only a single letter rather than his full name, marveling at the unwavering resolve behind such a masterpiece.
For Gyokko, this becomes a personal challenge. He knows he could easily slay Haganezuka, but with his pride wounded, his new objective is to shatter the swordsmith's focus.
Outside, Tokito's vision begins to haze as the last whispers of air escape his lungs. In his mind, Dream Tanjiro's voice echoes, urging him not to surrender, whispering that salvation is on its way. But Tokito, gasping for breath, responds with a bleak resignation, insisting that no one can come to his aid, for all are feeble. He berates himself, thinking he should have been stronger, that he had foolishly underestimated his own capabilities.
Just then, Kotetsu bursts onto the scene, his small frame determined as he begins to hack at the prison bars with all his might. Tokito, his spirit waning, tells him listlessly that it's futile, urging him to flee with the swords to safety. In that crucial moment, a fish minion swoops in, its attack leaving Kotetsu injured. Tokito pleads with the boy to escape, but Kotetsu stands his ground, stubbornly trying to aid the Hashira despite his wounds.
Tokito is bewildered, unable to fathom why the child would risk himself so valiantly. But then, with a defiant act of bravery, Kotetsu presses his face against the prison bars and blows a precious gust of air towards Tokito. Dream Tanjiro imparts one final nugget of wisdom, saying that what you give to others will find its way back to you. He transforms into a figure from Tokito's past, adding that humans possess an unfathomable strength when the need arises to help others.
Revitalized by this revelation, Tokito unleashes a furious assault, shattering the prison bars. As he rises to his feet, a flood of memories returns to him. The man, he realizes, is his father, sharing the same crimson eyes as Tanjiro.
In the epilogue, we find Tanjiro on a quest to locate Haganezuka. The swordsmith is revealed to be secretly honing his skills. Kotetsu, puzzled, inquires about the reason, and Haganezuka confesses that the weight of responsibility lies heavy on his shoulders, knowing that his slayer's life hangs in the balance with every swing of the blade. Thus, he feels compelled to craft the perfect sword. The child then divulges a humorous secret: the knife that Haganezuka had once used to chase Tanjiro was, in fact, his own creation. Its sharpness is so intimidating that Kotetsu fears using it for even the simplest cooking tasks, rendering it practically useless. An irate Haganezuka, upon hearing this, takes off after the boy, knife in hand, in a comical chase.
