Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hinokami Flames

Chapter 22: A Mighty Flame & The Lower Rank Meeting

Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke found the Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku who was in a different world of concentrated eating through many bento boxes. As he takes one bite, he excitedly shouts "Tasty!". 

"Is this really the Flame Hashira?" Nezuko whispers to Zenitsu. "Yes." he replies.

"He seems more of a glutton." Inosuke quietly grumbles. 

Tanjiro tests the water and approaches the Hashira. "Um... Excuse me? Mr. Rengoku?" But Rengoku did not reply back. He still kept complimenting the bento box flavor. "We were asked to assist you in this mission?" 

"TASTY!"

"Yeah, we heard you the first 50 times." 

Rengoku looked to his right seeing Tanjiro. "Hm. Green checkered Haroi, red eyes, and a scar on the left side of your forehead! You're Tanjiro Kamado, aren't you?!"

"Yes, I am!" Tanjiro replied.

"I'm glad to have finally meet you! The Oyakata has told me much of your journey. So, aren't you going to introduce me to your fellow comrades?"

"Oh! Of course. This my sister Nezuko," Nezuko bowed to Rengoku. "Our friend Inosuke Hashibira," Inosuke just grunted. "And I'm sure you know Zenitsu..."

"Young Agatsuma!!" Rengoku was happy to see a familiar face. "Congratulations on you and your new friends for surviving Final Selection!"

"Thank you very much." Zenitsu replied.

Now the demon slayers have gotten comfortable with their superior, sitting close waiting for their foe. "So, I was informed that you are on the verge of becoming a Sun Hashira, was it?"

"Yes. The Oyakata said I have defeated at least one Twelve Kizuki and earn your approval." Tanjiro replied. "So, not to be blunt, but a long time ago, my father received a book that contained the secrets to the Sun Breathing Technique. He said it was given to him by a man with hair that appeared like flames."

"Then you must mean my father. One day when I was a baby, he left with a book to the mountains in far east. I'm guessing he gave your father that book which made you what you are today. These past few days, I've been hearing about the Sun Breathing styles, as well as a starting demon slayer encountering Muzan Kibutsuji."

Tanjiro felt happy that he was feeling acknowledged, as Rengoku continues. 

"Regarding Sun Breathing that was nearly buried, I only studied the Flame Breathing Style that my ancestors have used. Ever since the Demon Slayer Corps were founded, there have always been a Flame and Water Hashira. The five fundamental breathing styles Flame, Water, Wind, Stone, and Thunder have always been the original forms since the beginning. And as time progresses, many more forms branch out creating new possibilities in this fight, as Mist for example, branches from Wind. All of you, what colors are your blades?!"

"Mine is Crimson Red." Tanjiro said.

"Mine's Golden Yellow and Inosuke's are Indigo gray." Zenitsu stated.

"I WAS GONNA SAY THAT!" Inosuke shouted "YOU STOLE MY MOMENT!"

"My color's black." Nezuko said.

"Interesting!" Rengoku replied. "You all have very unique colors, but I've never seen someone with a black blade become a Hashira. Also, I've heard that they have no idea what breathing technique to master. So, you two Kamados can rest easily! I'll help you train!"

'It's kind of amazing.' Tanjiro thought. 'He has a caring sense of justice.'

Inosuke suddenly pokes his head out the window as the train moves. "WOOOOHOHOHOHO!! THIS THING MOVES SO FAST!!" Zenitsu holds him. "I swear every mission you lose brain cells!! Get back in here! It's dangerous!"