Episode 9 of *Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba* Season 3, titled "Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito," opens with the swordsmiths seeking cover as Tokito squares off against Gyokko. The demon continues to hurl insults at him, but Tokito remains unfazed, calmly stating the simple truth: he is there to kill Gyokko. Unable to endure the relentless taunts, the demon unleashes a horde of fish-like minions. Tokito dispatches them effortlessly with just two swift strikes.
As Tokito lunges at the demon, Gyokko sheds his outer skin to reveal his true form—a fearsome diamond-scaled serpent. The two exchange barbs, with Tokito unimpressed by Gyokko's attempts to flaunt his speed and strength. The slayer smirks, remarking that all of Gyokko's bravado is meaningless if his attacks fail to connect.
Memories flash through Tokito's mind—the fury he felt as he watched his brother Yuichiro's body deteriorate before his eyes. He, too, was on the verge of death when Amane and her children arrived, saving him from the brink. Though Tokito loses his memories, his anger remains a driving force, propelling him into rigorous training with the singular goal of exterminating all demons.
Gyokko, sensing the gravity of the situation, unleashes his full might. But Tokito stands undeterred, shrouded in a veil of mist that renders him elusive. The demon's frantic attacks prove futile as Tokito effortlessly dodges and weaves through the chaos. In a moment of clarity, the slayer delivers a decisive blow, beheading Gyokko.
Stunned by his defeat, Gyokko rails against being bested by what he deems a "worthless child." He attempts to regenerate, intent on exacting revenge for Lord Muzan. Yet Tokito remains stoic, his expression devoid of anger as he methodically slices Gyokko into oblivion.
A sudden recollection surfaces—Ubuyashiki's words echoing in his mind, assuring him that once he remembers who he is, he will grow stronger. The marks on his face fade, and a faint smile tugs at his lips as he reassures Kanamori that he is unharmed. But his body betrays him; trembling, he declares his intent to aid Tanjiro before collapsing into unconsciousness.
Kanamori, exasperated, berates Haganezuka for his stubborn refusal to move, even as danger looms. Just as Kotetsu rushes to his aid, the older swordsmith is momentarily stunned, believing the child to be dead. Kotetsu quickly corrects him, pointing out that only his hand was injured—protected by the sword guard Tanjiro had given him for his next blade.
Tokito's eyes flutter open, and he spots the familiar design of the sword guard—belonging to Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira who had always shown him kindness. In that instant, visions of his parents and Yuichiro flash before him, their smiles warm and approving as they whisper, "You did well."
Poor Tanjiro finds himself locked in a desperate struggle against the five fearsome dragon heads of the Hate Clone. Alongside Nezuko and Genya, they give it their all, yet are relentlessly pushed onto the defensive, as the Hate Clone unleashes a barrage of attacks wielding the combined powers of the four demons it has devoured. Their survival hangs by a thread, and their shock knows no bounds when one of the dragon heads suddenly engulfs Tanjiro.
In a burst of timely intervention, Mitsuri appears on the scene, her blade slicing through the dragon’s head with effortless precision, and rescuing Tanjiro from certain doom. Though he can't make out her words amidst the chaos, he understands her promise as she urges him to rest, vowing to save Nezuko and Genya. Worried as he is, Mitsuri's prowess becomes evident as she deftly wields her whip-like sword, halting the demonic head charging towards her with a flourish.
In the epilogue, Zenitsu ponders over their dwindling screen time with a hint of melancholy, while Inosuke scratches his head, perplexed by his inability to detect any demonic presence nearby. Zenitsu resigns himself to fate, murmuring that they'll simply have to complete their current mission and press on to the next.
