Kishi Kaisei

isolation

Rengoku's self-inflicted isolation and excessive training had not gone unnoticed. Tengen, who had a sharp eye for his friend's state of mind, visited Rengoku at his estate one evening with a box of sake.

"Rengoku," Tengen called out as he approached the house. "You're pushing yourself too hard. It's time we talk."

Rengoku was actually surprised to hear Tengen as he'd walk outside as he'd reply "Oh hello Tengen!-" he'd pause when he heard the last part "I see" he said as he'd cross his arms

Tengen raised an eyebrow at Rengoku's crossed arms, sensing that he was being defensive.

"Cut the crap, Rengoku. I can see you're struggling," Tengen said, his voice firm, but tinged with concern. "You've been isolating yourself, training relentlessly... and you look like you haven't slept in days. What's really going on?"

Rengoku sighed and looked away, his smile slightly faltering. "Yeah..but you can't underestimate the power of a pillar, Tengen," he said as he looked back up at his friend. Tengen chuckled dryly at Rengoku's response. "I'm not underestimating your strength, you idiot. You're one of the strongest hashiras. But that doesn't mean you're invulnerable, either."

He approached Rengoku and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You can't keep pushing yourself like this. You'll burn out eventually, and you'll be no use to anyone, least of all yourself."

Rengoku simply nods as he watches and glances at his hand then at him. "I know Tengen. Sometimes we need to put our lives at risk to save others though" he said as he'd put his hands behind his back "and I do get breaks" Tengen raised an eyebrow at Rengoku's response. "Breaks, you say?" he replied skeptically. "And how many of those 'breaks' involve you drowning your sorrows in sake and training 'til you drop?"

He paused, studying Rengoku for a while before speaking again. "You know, you can't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders alone. It's okay to lean on someone else every now and then. That's what friends are for, you know?"

"Hey, I don't drink like my father," he said, sounding offended. "Plus, I don't understand how people drink alcohol," Rengoku explains as he tilts his head. Tengen chuckled at Rengoku's reaction. "Okay, okay. I'll give you that. You're not as heavy of a drinker as your old man."

He shook his head and continued, "As for alcohol, well, some people find it helps to loosen up and forget their troubles for a while. But in your case, it sounds like you'd rather bury yourself in training than deal with what's really bothering you."