Brothers Through Ashes(Complete)

Shinobi Training

Tanjiro returned to the Mansion of Flame at sundown. Kyojuro was waiting for him on the porch. "What took you?" He inquired. "Had a little chat with Shinobu-sama. Just a friendly talk." He answered. "Mhm. Time for dinner." Said Kyojuro.

Again, Tanjiro was led to the mess hall and sat in the back. Instead of Kanroji, a tall buff man with white hair, two nichirin cleavers strapped to his back; connected by a chain, and a jewel-encrusted headband was sitting in her place. "Where is Kanroji-sama?" Tanjiro questioned. "Mission," Kyojuro replied swiftly.

"Ah yes! The second most flamboyant Hashira!" Said the man. Tanjiro recognized him as being one of the 9 Hashira. They sat down. "Glad to see you are back, Tengen-Kun!" Beamed Kyojuro. "Of course I'd be back. Now... who's this plain-looking kid." He groused with fingers outstretched. "My younger brother. The second person to create a Flame variant since its origin."

"Oho! Very flamboyant! Well, let me introduce myself. I'm the Sound Hashira and professional Shinobi! The Flamboyant God Of Festivites! Tengen Uzui! As a fellow variant creator, you have some of my respect!" Declared the ninja... flamboyantly? "Thank you. I'm Tanjiro Kamado. It's a pleasure to meet you." He greeted.

Kyojuro then cleared his throat, "Well, since you both created variants, I believe it would be beneficial for Tanjiro to train under you now, Tengen-Kun." He suggested. "Hmm. Hey kid. How many forms have you created?"

"I have two forms ready and 1 in progress."

"Describe them."

"The first form, Rising Cinders is based off of Flame Breathing's second form, rising scorching sun but diagonal and from below. The second Form, Settling Ash, is the Third Form, Blazing universe. The third Form, Coal Burner is a bit complicated. It involves me using speed and agility in a zig-zag. I'm basing it off what I heard about Thunder Breathing. But I need to find someone with that affinity." He explained. "Mmm. Very impressive. I assume Rengoku-san helped you?"

"Nope."

"Wow! Now THAT is flamboyant. I will definitely train you in the Shinobi Arts."

"Thank you," Tanjiro monotoned. "I mean no direct but, why can't Elder Brother continue my training?" He added. "Frankly, I can no longer facilitate your training. I have passed along all my knowledge but you still have a long way to go. If you were able to use Breath Of Flame, I would have trained you until you were the pinnacle of a Rengoku. But, since that is not the case, I will send you along with another who has created a variant." He explained.

"Us variant creators are special y'know." Said Uzui. "Really?" Tanjiro said perplexed. "Yes. We are creating an entirely new way of slaying Demons. The funny thing is, these styles are a reflection of who we are. Like me for instance. As a glorious shinobi, the silence was my mistress and stealth my major. But I rejected it all. I became a flamboyant god! I used the very thing I wasn't supposed to. It was like my heartbeat." He said passionately. "As for you, Rengoku-san has told me about your Breath of Ash. You have a burning desire for revenge and justice. But it is nullified by your calm demeanour. So. As I said: We are unique beings."

"Understood."

"Good. Since you were trained by Rengoku, your body is the epitome of fitness. But, I will teach you the ways of the Shinobi. Smoke is a component of Ash and smoke is also a ninja tool. You will be quite handy with it."

"I'm honoured to be under your tutelage."

"You should be."

The next day

Tanjiro was resting soundly in his cot when suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. He awoke to investigate his newfound pain. "Wake up! Your plot armour ends today!" Shouted Tengen. Tanjiro was basically flipped out of bed and face planted onto the floor. "What's pl-"

"Enough talk! Get dressed. We are to collect your sword!"

Tanjiro sluggishly got dressed in his uniform and haori. They went out to the porch of the mansion to see a standard built ma with a baby-ish face mask.

"You the newbie?" He asked. "Yes."

"Good. I put my heart and soul into this blade. Fun fact: Nichirin Swords are also called Color Changing Swords. Ohhh, I wanna see a red shiny sword!" He babbled. Tanjiro took some time to admire the hilt. "C'mon! Hurry up!" Shouted the swordsmith. "Okay, okay!"

Tanjiro gingerly unsheathed the blade and pointed it in the air. The silvery blade was then cloaked in a coating of black as if it had been charred beyond repair. "Hmm! This... is... FLAMBOYANT!"

"What!? NO nO No, Nono! It's most certainly NOT flamboyant! I wanted to see a red sword!"

He proceeds to chase Tanjiro

After the Swordsmith had departed and Tanjiro's Shinobi training continued. "Firstly, since your affinity is water, you of all people must learn how to flow like water in your movements. So, the first part of your flamboyant training is Stealth and Agility!"

What he meant was, Hell and Pain.

His training first consisted of spying on wild boar. They have excellent hearing and will run if they feel threatened because of certain sounds like the sounds of humans. Uzui and Tanjiro were hiding behind bushes. "Crouch and watch it." He ordered.

Tengen stooped onto his two feet while Tanjiro kneeled. "I said crouch. Not kneel, boy. Like me, on your toes. It minimizes sound from your feet." He explained. "Sorry, Uzui-sensei," Tanjiro whispered. He did as told. He felt his toes scream for him to release pressure but he bore it. "You are doing well, young Kamado. Now, move through the bushes. Quietly."

Tanjiro groaned silently. And he thought Rengoku was merciless in training. He was in for an entire new show.

Tanjiro slowly shuffled through the bush. He thought he was doing well until he entered the boar's earshot. The boar easily detected his movements and scampered off. Uzui appeared behind him. "How disappointing. Yosh! You'll practice until you become almost as flamboyant of a Shinobi is I!"

"Why do I do this to myself."

Words 1038

Posted 25/5/2021

Forgot to upload earlier.