Did Rengoku’s Presence in Demon Slayer’s Infinity Castle Arc Could Have Averted a Tragic Hashira Death?

The Infinity Castle arc of Demon Slayer is a thrilling segment of the series, offering a vast amount of action and significant plot development. This arc stands out as the most extensive in the entire story, featuring key character fatalities at the hands of formidable demons. With powerful adversaries like Kokushibo, Doma, and Kibutsuji Muzan, the theme of death is ever-present.

The defeat of Upper Moon 2 by Inosuke, Kanao, and Shinobu Kocho came at a high cost, as one of them had to sacrifice their life to weaken the demon. This tragic event raises a captivating question – could Shinobu’s fate have been different had the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, been part of the battle?

Disclaimer: This article contains significant spoilers from the manga chapters.

Demon Slayer: Would Rengoku’s involvement have spared Shinobu?

Could Kyojuro Rengoku have played a role in keeping Shinobu alive during the fight against Doma? In reality, while Rengoku’s involvement would have prolonged the battle, Shinobu’s demise was crucial for the successful defeat of Upper Moon 2. Had he still been alive, Kyojuro Rengoku would have ranked among the strongest Hashira, comparable to Giyu Tomioka, with only Sanemi, Obanai, and Gyomei Himejima appearing more powerful.

Moreover, witnessing Kamado Tanjiro unlock his Demon Slayer Mark might have enabled Rengoku to access that power, given his innate skill and determination. Should that have happened, he would have been a tremendous asset in the confrontation against Doma. However, it’s vital to recognize the immense strength of the Upper Moon 2 demon; Shinobu’s sacrifice was essential for Inosuke and Kanao to ultimately triumph.

In the manga, Shinobu discovered that Doma would consume her, driven by his obsession for beautiful women, a revelation imparted to her by her sister during her last moments. To combat Doma, Shinobu spent a year ingesting Wisteria poison, allowing it to permeate her system, and even had it at the tips of her fingernails.

Shinobu explains the amount of poison circulating in her body (Image via Shueisha)

Her blade could deliver only 50 milligrams of poison at a time, yet her body contained about 37 kilograms, far exceeding 70 times the lethal dosage. Although Rengoku’s abilities could have dealt some damage to the Upper Moon 2 demon, it wouldn’t have been sufficient to avert Shinobu’s tragic end, as her combat skills were not on par with the other Hashira.

Shinobu was acutely aware of her limitations, acknowledging her fate as unavoidable. She strategically relied on Doma’s desire to consume her, which significantly weakened him. While Rengoku’s participation might not have prevented Shinobu’s demise, it would have lightened the burden on Inosuke and Kanao, allowing Rengoku the opportunity to land the decisive blow after Shinobu’s sacrifice had diminished the Upper Moon 2 demon.

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