A Cook, A Doctor, A Ghost and A Ronin.

Venomous Tongue

"Please get stronger, Tanjiro. And then tell that guy..." Kotetsu begged Tanjiro to train with this mechanical doll. He also asked Tanjiro to do something for him when he met Muichiro again.

"Is that all you got, dirtbag? Your hair is too long! Looks like a seaweed! Shrimp! Ugly midget! Commit seppuku! You're shameless!" Kotetsu lets out so many curses that he wanted Tanjiro to said to Muichiro.

Kotetsu actually has a venomous tongue. He was so depressed by his father's death that his tongue fell silent. But Tokito's actions snapped him out of it. 

"Um...Maybe just hang him?" Kotetsu is running out of ideas on how to call Muichiro names. His brain is processing more and more insults to call Muichiro with. 

"Don't bother. The Japanese had already been doing it since 1944 until now. No one could fight against them in that matter." Zoro interrupts saying that the Japanese are rocking it to the top when it comes to suicide.

"Pardon me but can you repeat that?" Tanjiro didn't hear then very clearly and ask Zoro if he were willing to repeat it again.

"Nah, forget what I just said." Zoro told Tanjiro to shake it off and forget about that. He pulls out an onigiri that he gets from nowhere and munch on them. Where did he get that?

"No! Kotetsu?! I don't think I can say such harsh things!!" Tanjiro is shocked from how Kotetsu changed from being nervous and scared to instantly pissed off out of his mind. The enraged boy caught him off guard.

"But you will." Kotetsu is keen on asking Tanjiro to say in front of Muichiro next time he sees him.

"No!!" Tanjiro refused to do it. It was not his thing insulting and making fun of other people. He can't say harsh things like that. Even if I don't voice it, Tokito was incredible! He's smaller and younger than I am, but I won't be beaten!  I must get stronger too!

"I think I'll just watch." Zoro decided to just watch how the mechanical doll work. He's also interested at how strong the current Tanjiro is. He knew that the red-haired trained with Law alongside his friends. 

Then, Kotetsu activated the doll to engage against Tanjiro as Tanjiro took on a guard using a sword gifted from Kotetsu. The doll started  to engage to Tanjiro in full speed.

*Whirr...*

*Fwoosh!*

*King!*

"Gughh!" The doll swing it swords in a circular motion, all of its arms targeting Tanjiro. Tanjiro blocked the first attack before he was pushed back and fell on the ground. He groans in pain as he wiped out the blood on his lips.

He could predict and block the previous attack, but he's not sure if he could actually withstand the blows from the mechanical doll. The speed of the attack is fast, but the strength is no joke. He ignored the pain and stand tall on his feet.

He could feel the pain in his torso but if as he's used to it. He didn't know if he could block or parry the next attack. Thanks to Law's training before, he starting to become used to it. He wonder if it actually a good choice to fight a doll with six arms?

*Tap*

*Tap*

*Shing!*

Tanjiro rushed in with his sword and thrust his sword on towards the doll. He hoped that he could get a hit inside. The doll used two of its arms and blocked the attack. Tanjiro left himself opened.

*Swoosh!*

The doll lifted his swords upwards on Tanjiro launching an overhead attack with its remaining arms. Four swords all at once?! Think! Think! Tanjiro had no time to spare. One small mistake could actually led to his death.

*Swish!*

*Kring!*

He pulled his sword back, he's no longer had any openings no more. The problems is that he knew that blocking four swords at once is going to break his shoulder. Using the momentum of the doll's swords, he parried it to the left.

*Klang!*

Tanjiro successfully parried it, but his left shoulder is dislocated due to the impact of the blow. He didn't manage to channel the momentum away perfectly yet. Before Tanjiro could even blink, the doll swings from the right side.

*Kang!*

The blade is blocked again as it was so close to his face, making a small cut on his cheek. Again, he was pushed back by the impact and crash on a tree.

*Thok!*

"Tanjiro!" Kotetsu run towards Tanjiro.

"Six arms is too much! I can't!" Tanjiro lie on the ground. He was overwhelmed by the doll and almost get himself killed if it weren't for his Haki. He didn't know whether its a Haki or not.

"You're worthless if this is all it takes to kill you! Do your best! I'll say it again, so listen up!" Kotetsu throws few light smack on Tanjiro. Impressive. I didn't think he would hold on. I thought he was going to get one-shot. Zoro thought to himself.

"You're moving based on habit, Tanjiro. Don't watch your opponent and decide what you'll do before moving. That's not good." Tanjiro is surprised by Kotetsu's analyzation skills.

"Do you understand me? You've mastered basic fundamentals. I'm surprised you survived this long. Keep the momentum steady! I won't give you any food until you can do what I'm telling you!" Kotetsu give Tanjiro a comment after observing Tanjiro.

Turns out, Kotetsu had a good eye for analyzing fighting styles. With his excellent skill of observation, he correctly diagnosed his own weakness in technical ability. Despite being only ten years old.

He was disappointed at himself and blames himself for being a failure for not be able to continue his father's legacy. He understood that people are often motivated by anger.

"You've done good for your first try. Take a break. What do you say?" Zoro offered the red-haired a tuna onigiri. It was prefect since Tanjiro does felt pretty hungry. Kotetsu did not like this at all. He was displeased.

"No food until he had accomplished something!" Kotetsu forbids Zoro to give Tanjiro any sort of food. He snatched away the tuna onigiri on Zoro's hands. Zoro didn't say anything. His face is expressionless.

*Bam!*

Tanjiro and Zoro enjoyed some onigiri meanwhile Kotetsu is "sleeping" on top of a tree.