CHAPTER 46 - Blades of Fire

Law scoffed observing Zoro sleep off next to the courtyard.

"He is tired from his journey." Shinobu mentioned.

Both of them walked ahead.

"Tired getting lost, I'd say. I can't be more amazed by this man's sense of directions. But then again, they found Eustass Kid and his crew. I wouldn't lie, but I was kind of amused that Kid was the one to have fought the Upper Moon instead." Law said.

"Kanae said Eustass Kid is a pirate. I am surprised he handled the Upper Moon Akaza and lived." Shinobu said.

"Kid's a nasty one. He's making a name for himself the past two years. Him being here makes things more complicated. Just like Zoro-ya's captain Straw Hat-ya, Kid knows no restraints in his behaviour."

"In that case, I am surprised Zoro and this pirate did not fight. The other man sounds like uncontrollable."

"Uncontrollable? I think Kid comes close." Law chuckled. "But as for Zoro-ya, he did mention meeting Kid a while back, before Kibutsuji had showed up at Shi-niju. I don't know the circumstances, but I doubt Kid's going to be any trouble for us."

"Hmm. Doflamingo, Moria, Jack 'The Drought' with Scratchmen Apoo and Hawkins, if the latter's alive, Sengoku, Fujitora and from the latest report, Vice Admiral Tsuru as well; Kid, and Killer's with him, Zoro-ya and myself." Law counted, "Nine Pirates worth at least 200 Million or more, and within that, seven Pirate Captains. On the other side, we have an Admiral, a Vice Admiral and a former Fleet Admiral with reputation throughout the Grand Line…"

"What are you trying to say?" Shinobu asked.

"Nothing specific. Just the unprecedented escalation of things after we had arrived ashore. Zoro-ya mentioned that he'd want to finish business here before we head back and I have to concur, despite my hesitance to stay here longer. Don't get me wrong, I have every intention to help you people out but our crews take higher precedence."

"I can understand. Though he doesn't show it, Zoro has been tensed regarding this the whole time. Myself or anyone else within the Corps couldn't ask you of more. You both have done a lot for us."

"I just hope things aren't worse now than when we had arrived. Listen to me." Law turned towards Shinobu with a grave look. "There's a high chance things might get out of control. Doflamingo has already sided with Kibutsuji for some unknown reason, but for the rest of the names I have mentioned, all of them have the capability of making things worse. I doubt most of them are in the mood to team up with Kibutsuji and his Demons but either way, they are trouble as lone enemies. Moria and his assistant Hogback are in our custody, and I hope Kid and Killer doesn't rile up against the Mainland's Navy. That might become another problem should the Imperial Forces get involved. As much as I hate to wish for another day, I hope Kibutsuji and his minions make a move sooner so that we can get to fighting."

"You have thought this through." Shinobu stated, appreciating Law's predicament.

"I am a Captain and I have a bounty on my head. I'll need to think ahead."

"Trouble is brewing. There's increase in Demonic rampages. And I believe, most of the Demon Slayers, especially the ones to have seen bloodshed from these Demons are getting ready for a major battle. Revenge and retribution. They'll fight to the end."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to an ultimatum." Law said. "We'll have casualties, and within us Doctors, we must prepare a medical team ready to deal with field casualties. I'll take charge of the Medical Camp. In the meanwhile, I trust you to gather the folks worthy or willing to volunteer for the Medical Unit."

"Right."

"Zoro-ya is brimming to be in the vanguard should the fight arise. I want you to go along with him so that he's not twisted in his directions."

"You read my mind. I will be fighting, and I have a duty to complete should a certain Demon show up."

"Very well. The Corps will be riled up. And as such, I myself plan to refrain from the battlefield and keep the Medical Unit in order, unless the situation should become bad enough and the fight should come to the wounded."

"I'll handle recruitment for the Medical Unit. Do you have anyone in preference?" Shinobu asked.

"The kids – Aoi, Sumi, Kiyo, Naho. I want them prepared for hectic duty. Tamayo must be there unless she wants to join the fight. Despite her bone to pick with Kibutsuji, I want to say against that. Heck, I'll talk to her myself. Hinatsuru, Suma and Makio, I'll need at least one of them, best preferred to have all the three wives, commendable for their stealth, scouting and anti-poison skills. They'll all be of great help." Law stated.

"Okay."

"I would prefer another Hashira at the camp, but that depends on the enemy force that shows up. Mitsu-ya is the one I would prefer most since she has worked with the both of us and has good knowledge of medicine as well. She leads me to refer Obanai Iguro as another choice. He is yet tending to his wounds and though he might have notions of joining the vanguard, I would prefer him at the camp away from the battlefield, while he takes it easy and could fight as well should the enemy reach the camp. But that's up to him. Giyu-ya's another adept fellow but it's better for him to be fighting Demons than taking guard duty. He's welcome should he want the job."

"Very well. I understand where you are going with this. I'll assemble all the Kakushis and other Demon Slayers needed for the Medical Unit. You'll need them to handle the wounded. I will have a meet with Master Ubuyashiki to provide you command of the whole Kakushi Unit. You'll know best to handle their reports and the casualties."

"Appreciate it. I hope to do my best."

"So, you have come?" demanded Shinjuro Rengoku, the former Flame Hashira.

"That's right. You asked me, didn't you?" Zoro asked. He walked ahead and returned a book.

Mr. Rengoku was surprised.

"I thought you'd use it to learn the techniques of Flame Breathing." He said, feeling a tad confounded, "Master Ubuyashiki specifically told me of your talents. I heard you met Kibutsuji and Upper Moon No. 1, and survived."

"I know." Zoro replied.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't get me wrong, I read through your book and I appreciate your help in the regard. But this belongs to you, not me. I won't presume to take a family's heirloom." Zoro said, handing back the book.

Mr. Rengoku remained speechless for a while.

"So you mean to say…"

"I am no master. I could pick up the techniques but I'm far off from handling them to the best." Zoro replied.

"Despite all I've heard from Master Kibutsuji's referral, I thought it hard to believe things unless I saw it for myself. You, show me!" Mr. Rengoku demanded.

"Alright." Zoro said without hesitation. "But since they were imperfect, I tried fusing them with my own techniques to enhance the effect for now."

"Show me!" Mr. Rengoku bellowed in disbelief. His younger son Senjuro brought out his old Nichirin blade.

"We battle." He declared, removing the blade from the sheath, revealing a bright red sword.

"Very well." Zoro drew his Shusui and Kitetsu.

Mr. Rengoku was agitated from the thoughts that Zoro might have been a swordsman who could have learned the Flame Breathing techniques faster than any member of the Rengoku family. He was prepared to go all out to denounce the rumours.

"Flame Breathing: First Form…" he aimed his blade towards his opponent. "Prepare yourself!"

"Father!" Senjuro was surprised to find his father going wild in their home compound.

Zoro crouched ahead.

"Flame Breathing One Sword Style…"

"Unknowing Fire!*" Mr. Rengoku bellowed.

"Rising Scorching Sun!*" Zoro retorted, performing the Second Form, deflecting Mr. Rengoku's First Form with his Shusui. The latter was dumbfounded to discover the man's brute strength and especially, the flames emanating from Zoro's sword, to have learnt the Breathing technique within a few weeks. Not to mention, Zoro maintained a Total Concentration Breathing despite the man not being trained as a Demon Slayer.

"Flame Breathing Two Sword Style…"

"What in the world?" Mr. Rengoku prepared to defend. "Second Form…"

"Scorching Tower Climb!"

"Rising Scorching Sun!"

Two flame pillars spiked above from Zoro's blades. The attack was blocked by Mr. Rengoku's experienced retort. But it took a toll on him. Astounding, he acknowledged. At that moment, he recognised Zoro as a Flame Breathing user; he though believed Zoro's techniques could do with more work and polishing, for which, Mr. Rengoku began to believe Zoro might be able to do it before long. But that's not what amazed him the most. Zoro's strength, according to Mr. Rengoku, played his strongest ability. Zoro's Tower Climb was a Flying Blade Attack, and for the usual part, a Flying Blade tends to be weaker than a direct melee attack. And yet, despite being a ranged technique, it shook Mr. Rengoku to regard Zoro as a competent swordsman. The former Flame Pillar felt an uncanny enthusiasm to continue the spar.

Mr. Rengoku wasted no moment after landing. He leaped right back like a tiger.

"Third Form…" he charged.

"Flame Breathing Two Sword Style…"

"Blazing Universe!"

"Blooming Flame Undulation!"

Zoro blocked the empowering charge attack with his own variation of the Fourth Form. To his surprise, Mr. Rengoku broke through his defence. He realised the man was getting serious. Zoro was compelled to dodge the opponent's Third Form technique.

"Don't play easy, boy!" Mr. Rengoku bellowed.

"Right." Zoro replied grinning, drawing out his Wado Ichimonji, holding it onto his mouth.

"Flame Breathing Three Sword Style…"

More surprises. Mr. Rengoku never believed a third-sword in the play.

"Flame Demon!" A combination of Unknowing Fire and Bull Demon: Courageous Talons, Zoro thundered at incredible speed.

Mr. Rengoku dodged the attack at the last moment, breathing deep from the fact that the attack could have been lethal if he hadn't dodged.

"Flame Breathing One Sword… Blazing Dance!" Another combination. Zoro retorted with his Shusui. A combination of Bird Dance and Blazing Universe.

"Blooming Flame Undulation!" Mr. Rengoku blocked the swift attack.

He tried again dashing from around to strike Zoro with his Third Form technique.

"36 Pound Phoenix!" Zoro tried to break off the opponent's dash. Mr. Rengoku leaped ahead whilst avoiding the Flying Blade.

"One Sword…" Zoro hurried, grasping his Shusui hard.

"Blazing Universe!" Mr. Rengoku bellowed.

Zoro changed his breathing flow, "Water Wheel!"

The blade clashed for a mere moment, leaving off a large shockwave and sparks.

"What in the…" Mr. Rengoku looked back in astonishment, as his momentum from the Third Form moved him away. He landed back observing the three-blade swordsman.

"Thought water cancelled fire or something." Zoro muttered. He looked upon the man, "Do you want to go on?" he asked.

"I'm being surprised one moment after the other." Mr. Rengoku replied. "I have seen enough." He withdrew his blade.

"Never thought you also knew Water Breathing, amongst other things." He said.

"I learnt that from Giyu Tomioka."

"I haven't seen anyone learn Flame Breathing at your rate. Not even my eldest son, Kyojuro. For a moment I thought to teach you to polish the techniques, but I believe you are in the right path. I apologise to have doubted your prior deeds, even after Master Ubuyashiki had mentioned to me himself."

"No need for any apology. I enjoyed the spar. But I have to train harder. My new techniques need more work."

"A good virtue." Mr. Rengoku turned around. "Come with me. The Master told me to provide you with something."

He led the both of them into his house. Senjuro, the younger son, had brought in a sword, much to Zoro's surprise.

"This is a Nichirin sword. The Master had requested one each for you and your pirate friend." Mr. Rengoku presented.

"I can see that you already have three swords. But unlike your blades, a Nichirin sword is made from Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand and Scarlet Ore, minerals which are exposed to sunlight upon mountains like the Sunlight Mountain of Mt. Yoko. Such mountains see neither rain nor clouds. And thus, the minerals gain similar properties as that of the sun, which can slay Demons with a similar power that normal blades can't do." He gave the blade to Zoro.

"I chose the ores, if you don't mind, but I chose them to the needs I had when I completed my Final Selection long ago. I hope it will achieve your needs."

"It's fine. Thank you." Zoro replied.

"Every new Nichirin blade changes colour once it is held by a Demon Slayer." Mr. Rengoku stated. "Each colour is said to impart certain properties to the blade."

"I'm no Demon Slayer." Zoro replied.

"You are a proper swordsman, and an astounding good one at that. Go on, take out your sword."

Zoro drew his new blade and held it high. It had its usual metallic colour for a while.

"I don't think it's going to change." Zoro remarked.

At that moment, his words turned tables. Mr. Rengoku observed the sword in surprise, changing colour and with patterns. The process had ended, leaving the sword with pure black marks of fangs and claw-based shapes throughout the metal. Mr. Rengoku was no less surprised. He observed Zoro for a while, the latter, who couldn't make out the meaning behind the colour change.

"A Black Blade." Zoro muttered.

"There's not much understood regarding the properties of black Nichirin swords, unlike the other colours." Mr. Rengoku stated.

"Why's that?"

"It's considered a bad omen in some ways. Demon Slayers wielding black Nichirin swords are rarer than the rest, and from those few, they have died young before they could have learned about their swords."

"Much like a cursed blade." Zoro mentioned, drawing his Kitetsu.

"I felt an ominous notion from that blade of yours." said Mr. Rengoku.

"You can sense it as well, eh?" Zoro asked. "It's a cursed sword, the Kitetsu."

He held his new Nichirin blade with his other hand. "I don't mind having another cursed blade. I have survived one for two years."

"I concur. Your demeanour gives me hope. The superstition relating a black Nichirin sword won't be there for long." Mr. Rengoku said with confidence. "The Demon King, Kibutsuji, seems to be planning something enormous. I believe you will be facing Demons whilst you and your friend are here. I hope the Nichirin blade helps you in your battles ahead."

"I appreciate it." Zoro thanked.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Footnotes:

*Though it's not mandatory, do refer the names of the Flame Breathing techniques used in the Chapter for better understanding.