Why Didn’t Inosuke Help Rengoku?

Tanjiro can’t help Rengoku because of a potentially fatal stomach injury. So why didn’t Inosuke help Rengoku?

Inosuke does not help Rengoku because he can’t keep up with the movements. He says that Rengoku and Akaza are “in another dimension” and interfering would only get in the way. Inosuke is frozen in this paralysis-like fear.

He watches the battle alongside Tanjiro, a slayer who’s been specifically instructed by Rengoku not to join the fight.

Why Inosuke did not help Rengoku

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Chapter #64 begins with Rengoku’s battle against Akaza well underway. Rengoku didn’t become a demon, rejecting Akaza’s offer and opting to fight for the honor of humanity instead.

Tanjiro does not help Rengoku, as the Flame Hashira specifically instructs him to not intervene during the battle. Tanjiro has a potentially deadly wound that will easily open up under stress. 

Inosuke jumps into position beside Tanjiro. Watching the elegant and neck-break speed movements of Rengoku and Akaza, he pauses. Inosuke thinks to himself that there’s no available opening to jump into the battle.

“I can’t keep up with their movements,” Inosuke says. “It’s like they’re in another dimension.”

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He says that if he gets too close, it would only result in death. Inosuke admits that if he were to try to help, he’d only get in the way.

Later in the fight, Akaza’s arm penetrates Rengoku’s abdomen. Amazingly, Rengoku is able to hold Akaza’s body in place in an effort for the sun to rise. While holding Akaza, Inosuke breaks out of his fear and jumps into battle.

Before Inosuke makes contact with Akaza, the demon breaks free and begins to run. Tanjiro throws his sword at Akaza in an attempt to immobilize him. Unfortunately, the demon gets away.

So that’s the answer. Inosuke does not help Rengoku because he is frozen in fear. He’s paralyzed by the lightning fast movements between Rengoku and Akaza. Inosuke admits that if he were to help, he’d only be getting in the way.