truth about Kyōjurō Rengoku

Appearance

Kyojuro was a young adult of tall stature and athletic build. He had long bright yellow hair with red streaks with two shoulder-length bangs and two chin-length bangs on the side of his head, black forked eyebrows, and golden eyes that fade to red with white pupils.

Kyojuro wore a paler brown version of the regular Demon Slayer uniform, which consisted of a brown gakuran jacket, a white belt around his waist and hakama pants. Over this, he wore a haori with a white-yellow gradient pattern and red flame-like ridges at the end that his father Shinjuro once worn and more than likely his father worn when they were the Flame Hashira respectively. Finally, he wore red Kyahan with yellow flames erupting from the bottom-up, with pale brown tabi socks and a pair of white zōri with red straps.

Personality

Kyojuro was greatly enthusiastic in regard to his duties as a Hashira, and often came across as cheerfully eccentric. He was amiable, pure of heart and boasted extraordinary technique and swordsmanship stemming from strict practice and discipline. He was an honorable warrior who adhered to his code of morals and principles that was instilled into him by his mother at a young age—the most significant being his belief that those who were born strong have a duty to protect the weak.

Abilities

Overall Abilities: As a former Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kyojuro was a very powerful swordsman.[2] Even Demons as strong as Akaza, Upper Rank 3 and the fourth-strongest of the known Demons, acknowledged Kyojuro's strength.[3] He even went as far as to offer to turn Kyojuro into a Demon so he could surpass his human limits and become stronger, something he only offered to swordsmen whose abilities he believed were refined to their utmost.[4] Akaza also complimented his battle spirit and stated that it is getting close to the "domain of supremacy," which meant that he was incredibly close to obtaining the Transparent World (透すき通とおる世せ界かい, Sukitōru Sekai?), if only he could awaken his Demon Slayer Mark. His father, Shinjuro Rengoku, stated that, after his son abandoned what he taught him, Kyojuro trained himself into the level of a Hashira after reading through an instruction book of the Flame Breathing style, a book which only had 3 volumes.[5]

Physical Abilities

Immense Strength: As a former Hashira who spent years perfecting his physical prowess, Kyojuro possessed amazing physical strength, being capable of swinging his katana at speeds faster than the eye can see incessantly and terrifying accuracy while engaging in combat. Kyojuro also possessed a caliber of grip strength that was able to hold down Upper Rank 3, Akaza, one of the strongest characters in the series, despite having his Solar Plexus pierced earlier, to the point that Akaza expressed his disbelief and shock over strength he describes as "unbelievable".[6]

Kyojuro exchanging blows with an Upper Rank at speeds faster than the eye can perceive.Immense Speed & Reflexes: Kyojuro possessed great speed and reflexes that even a trained and gifted Demon Slayer like Tanjiro couldn't perceive or register. Kyojuro could even cause tremors to the ground and nearly launching a train off its tracks by running at speeds faster than the eye can see.[7] His reflexes were so fast that he managed to cut Akaza's hand in half moments before the Upper Rank was going to kill Tanjiro. Kyojuro also managed to keep up with Akaza's high-speed techniques, which even the Hashira remarks is faster than the blink of an eye, sometimes even managing to out-speed him. Inosuke Hashibira himself noted that Kyojuro was in a different dimension due to his blinding attacks and speed. Kyojuro's phenomenal movement speed and reflexes even surprised and impressed Akaza, who openly expressed his amazement over.[8]

Immense Stamina & Endurance: Kyojuro displayed superhuman stamina and endurance during his battles over the course of the series. In his Special One-Shot, Kyojuro ruptured his eardrums on purpose, yet didn't flinch in the slightest, ignoring the pain and continuing to fight. In his Gaiden, he suffered dozens of severe wounds and injuries from the former Lower Rank 2, Hairo, but continued to stall enough time for all the bombs he planted to be disarmed without showing any signs of pain or fatigue, which shocked even Hairo, who questioned himself on whether the person he met in the past was really the same person he was fighting now. Furthermore, his battle against Enmu when he fused with an entire train, he was able to keep him at bay in 5 different train carts without tiring.[9] Lastly, he managed to keep up with his strongest opponent yet, Akaza, despite physically and mentally exert himself beyond his limit and sustaining multiple irreversible and fatal wounds, like a smashed eye, shattered ribs and damaged internal organs.[10] Most impressively, he managed to keep Akaza at bay despite having his vital spot, his Solar Plexus, pierced by the Upper Rank's arm and bleeding out.[11] Despite all of his fatal wounds and injuries, he never once flinched or showed signs of pain or agony.

Mental Abilities

Tactical Intellect: As a swordsman who came from a lineage of Flame Hashira, Kyojuro had access to generations of combat knowledge and tactics as well as training from previous Flame Hashira, like his father, Shinjuro Rengoku.[5] During the battle against Akaza, he displayed keen judgement. For example, after being attacked by Akaza's Destructive Death: Air Type, he realises that he must fight at close range with he wanted to increase the chances of cutting of his head.[12] Even when the usually deductive and sagacious Tanjiro Kamado was at a loss of how to kill Enmu, Kyojuro instinctively knew that, no matter what form a Demon takes, it will always have a weak spot.[13] He also possesses great knowledge in the use of the Total Concentration Breathing (全ぜん集しゅう中ちゅうの呼こ吸きゅう, Zen Shūchū no Kokyū?), knowing how to plug minor wounds and hemorrhaging and saved Tanjiro from dying of blood loss.[14]

Supernatural Abilities

Enhanced Senses: Like all skilled Demon Slayers, Kyojuro had incredibly honed senses, such as when he was able to sense and perceive Akaza's immense presence and demon aura which he uses to discern that he was an Upper Rank.[15] Kyojuro was also capable of sensing demonic presences faster and more accurately than Tanjiro Kamado, who harbors an acute sense of smell, when he detected two demons right after another on a train before anyone else noticed.[16] This ability also allowed him to precisely gauge the regenerative abilities and weaknesses of most Demons, like Enmu.[13] Kyojuro was also able to perceive Tanjiro's injuries and torn blood vessel accurately, which allowed him to teach him how to plug up that wound.[13]

Miscellaneous Abilities

Indomitable Will: Kyojuro had an undaunted spirit, which even impressed the likes of Upper Rank 3, Akaza. Ever since he was a child, he had inculcated indomitable will and passion in himself due to his promise to his late mother.[17] Even when the Upper Rank overwhelmed him with powerful attacks, giving Kyojuro insidious wounds, he remained steadfast resolute.[18] After Kyojuro lost an eye and had internal wounds caused by Akaza, he still persisted, vehemently expressed his unwavering will and determination, saying that he will protect the lives of the other innocent people no matter what.[19] Finally, when Akaza's fist pierced his solar plexus, it triggered a memory in his psyche, reminding Kyojuro of his mother again, giving him the final push to cut the Upper Rank's head, even stopping his fists from moving.[20] But alas, his efforts were in vain, but because of the incredible determination Kyojuro displayed, it affected Tanjiro Kamado greatly, giving the incentive to push on.[21]

Fighting Style

Master Swordsman: As he was a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kyojuro was one of the most powerful and skilled swordsmen in the entire organization.[2] His mastery of the blade is best showcased during his battle with Akaza, in which he is able to hold his own against the Upper Rank even when gravely injured.

Swordsmanship

Flame Breathing (炎ほのおの呼こ吸きゅう, Honō no kokyū?): Taught to him by the previous Flame Hashira, Shinjuro Rengoku, and later mastered by reading the instruction books left behind by previous Flame Hashira in the Rengoku Family[5], Kyojuro became extremely proficient in fighting with this Breathing Style, being able to go toe-to-toe with the former Lower Rank 2, Hairo and later Upper Rank 3, Akaza.[18]

Kyojuro using First Form: Unknowing Fire on a demon that appeared on the Infinity Train.

First Form: Unknowing Fire (壱いちノ型かた不知火しらぬい, Ichi no Kata: Shiranui?)[22] - The user charges towards their opponent at high speed and decapitates them in one slash.

Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun (弐にノ型かた昇のぼり炎えん天てん, Ni no Kata: Nobori En Ten?)[23] - The user releases an arching slash attack upwards.

Third Form: Blazing Universe (参さんノ型かた氣き炎えん万ばん丈じょう, San no Kata: Kien Banjō?)[24] - The user swings their blade downwards in an arc.

Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation (肆しノ型かた盛せい炎えんのうねり, Shi no Kata: Sei En no Uneri?)[25] - The user swings their blade in a circular motion that can defend them from all incoming attacks or decapitate multiple enemies at once.

Fifth Form: Flame Tiger (伍ごノ型かた炎えん虎こ, Go no Kata: Enko?)[26] - The user unleashes a powerful series of sword slashes that seemingly takes the form of a rampaging tiger engulfed in flames that charges towards the enemy at blinding speeds.

Kyojuro using Ninth Form: Rengoku against Akaza.

Ninth Form: Rengoku (玖くノ型かた煉れん獄ごく, Ku no Kata: Rengoku?)[27] - A devastating dashing slash that the user initiates from a high stance, the technique had enough power to carve a deep impression that burnt the ground where it was unleashed.

Equipment

Standard Nichirin Katana: Kyojuro carries a standard sized and shaped katana made from Nichirin that is a deep shade of reddish-orange in color with the words Destroyer of Demons (惡あっ鬼き滅めっ殺さつ, Akki Messatsu?) engraved on the side. There is also a noticeable flame pattern on each side of his katana with a white handle. Kyojuro's katana's hilt is shaped like a flame with a red core and golden border. He also carries a standard sword sheathe that is white and grey in color.

Battles

Mugen Train Arc

Demon Slayers vs Enmu

Kyojuro Rengoku vs Akaza

Trivia

Kyojuro's surname means "purgatory" (煉れん獄ごく, rengoku?). His first name contains the kanji for "apricot" (杏, kyō?), "longetivity" (寿, ju?)", and "son" (郎, rō?).

Kyojuro's rankings in the popularity polls are as follows:

Kyojuro ranked 7th place in both the first and second popularity poll with 1,021 votes and 8,000 votes respectively.[28]

Kyojuro loved to watch sumo wrestling.

Kyojuro's favorite food was sweet potatoes. When eating them, he said "tasty/delicious" (旨うまい, umai?) each time he puts one in his mouth.

His favorite side dish was salt grilled bream.

Kyojuro was never allowed to have a pet because his father hated animals.[29]

Kyojuro's very distant ancestor, as stated by Kyojuro, ate a lot of tempuras causing their descendants' and their own hair to become quite abnormal.

During his first mission, Kyojuro ruptured his own eardrums to counter the Flute Demon's Blood Demon Art. It is unknown but highly unlikely that this permanently affected his hearing.[30]

Quotes

(To a Demon) "However, if you bare your fangs at innocent people, my bright red flame blade will burn you to the bone!"[31]

(To Senjuro Rengoku) "And, Senjuro, you're different from me! You have a big brother! And he believes in his little brother! Whatever path you walk you'll be a great person! You have a burning passion in your heart! So let's do our best! Let's work hard in life! Even if we're lonely!"[32]

(To himself) "I can't believe it! As a Hashira, I'm ashamed of myself! If there's a hole, I want to go into it!"[33]

(To Akaza) "Growing old and dying is what gives meaning and beauty to the fleeting span of a human life. It's precisely because we age and die that our lives have value and nobility. Strength is not a word that means much in regard to the flesh."[34]

(To Akaza) "I will fulfill my duty! I won't allow anyone here to die!"[35]

(To Tanjiro Kamado) "Go ahead and live with your head held high. No matter how devastated you may be by your own weakness or uselessness, set your heart ablaze. Grit your teeth and look straight ahead. Even if you stop and crouch down, time won't wait for you or snuggle you and grieve along with you. Don't feel bad that I'm going to die here. As a Hashira, of course I would shield my juniors."[36]

(To himself) "Life is a series of decisions. You never have unlimited options... or unlimited time to think, but... what you choose in that instant defines who you are... Warriors who strive to save other people's lives are precious. Their pure and single-minded dedication is separate from their natural talent. They don't risk their lives to earn praise. They simply feel that they must. What they choose in that moment, is a cry from the depths of their souls. Isn't that right... my friends?"[30]

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