Hinokami's Blessing
Chapter 5
12Thirtypain03
WARNING: This story is rated M for mature-rated content. If some acts of violence, blood, or anything easily triggering make you uncomfortable, please leave and do not read. Any change to a character, when introduced, killed, changed into demon/human, or more will be labeled in the chapter of occurrence. If a character has died in a chapter, that chapter will give a cause of death to that character.
Giyu's POV
"Thank you all for coming for this meeting." Giyu looked on as he began to walk off. After slicing off the demon's head off, he was immediately called back to the Ubuyashiki estate.
Apparently, it was just a typical meeting, nothing overly significant, besides him preparing the others for the Final Selection.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki was talking a lot about the annual Final Selection act this time around. As for why they were called, Giyu right now was unsure.
"I'll be making sure my tsuguko is present for this final selection." A female, of a rather slender build, very short, was speaking within the Hashira meeting.
That individual was Shinobu Kocho. Currently, is a doctor who specializes in poison and remedies. While also trying to find medicine and treatment to help humans suffering from diseases, she was also delving more into the poisonous aspects of the entire field.
She had taken up demon slaying as well, deciding to incorporate her knowledge of poison to create a devastating poison for demons. However, she herself was not a Hashira, but she fought using a different, unique breathing style.
Insect Breathing, utilizing her poison to kill demons without using decapitation.
But despite this, she usually retained her role as a supporter, in healing and poison, as her older sister was more in dept for sword fighting.
Kanae Kocho, the Flower Pillar.
She was also there, however, she remained noticeably quieter. Shinobu did make an error by saying Kanao was her tsuguko when she was Kanae's. Kanao was even being taught flower breathing, not insect breathing.
Kanao Tsyuri. She was not blood-related to Kanae nor Shinobu, despite the similar names. She was simply not given a name by her blood family, as the conditions she lived in were terrible.
Regardless, they weren't the only individuals who were here for the Hashira meeting. Far from it.
While Giyu himself was a Hashira, he felt like he didn't deserve it. Regardless of the circumstances, he had to accept he was a Hashira. Many people would say, he looked the most boring of the bunch. The depressed loner of the bunch.
There was one with a mask, alongside mismatched eyes. This individual was rather short and also had a snake on their neck. That individual was the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro. Despite this, Giyu was the one who wore a mask. A figurative one. A mask to hide from the rest of the group, even if it caused him to be the bulk of hatred from any within the group, particularly Iguro and Sanemi.
The other was best identified by the numerous scars on his body, and his white eye. He was the wind hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, the other individual who did not like Giyu at all.
The other, the tallest of all the Hashira, had no pupils on his eyes, and a scar around his forehead. Despite being blind, this individual was by far the strongest of all the Hashira. He was called Gyomei Himejima. Gyomei also has a tsukugo, by the name of Genya, who ironically was the younger brother of Sanemi.
The other was barely a teenager, with cyan-like eyes and a green tranquil expression on his face. That was the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito. He loved staring at clouds and usually forgot who or where he was.
Then, there were two individuals. One was a male, with very presentable hair and red eyes. The other was a female with hair standouts pink hair, and green tips. The female was taller than the average lady and very curvaceous.
They were the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, and the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji.
The final of the bunch was someone who was the second tallest of the bunch, also having some weird design on his eye. This was the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui.
As for Shinobu, she herself remained outside, as she played a role in the Hashira meeting regardless. Instead, she played more of a role with wisteria, and its properties and how to use them as a protective barrier for the Ubuyashiki estate.
"It is no problem; I hope we can eventually see some flamboyant slayers joining our ranks!" The Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui.
"Hehe! Indeed! Perhaps one of them could be strong enough to pick up as a tsuguko!" Rengoku responded kindly.
Those two were the most talkative of the bunch, alongside Mitsuri.
"Highly unlikely, most of them will in the end die during their plights." The Snake Hashira, Iguro mumbled, not really caring as he decided to chill up and relax on a tree. His snake named Kaburamaru is currently wrapping itself around the branch.
"Hehe, as if." Sanemi grinned, "Only the most ruthless will be respected by me."
"Isn't your brother going to the Final selection this year?" Kanae asked Sanemi,
Sanemi merely grunted, "Don't care, but perhaps some of them may be worth it."
Kanae gave Sanemi a disappointed look before turning around.
"Regardless, let us hope most of our children survive. It is a sad fact that not everyone will survive, but the hope is that these deaths are not in vain," Ubuyashiki solemnly stated.
For the most part, many within the Hashira had begun to talk about nonsense, at least in Giyu's own mind, as he merely just chilled on his own. He wasn't the only one not really partaking in the event.
Iguro too was just relaxing on his own, while Tokito was just staring up into nothing. As such, the three of them decided to just leave on their own.
Eventually, the rest of the Hashira began to leave. Kanae had gone with Tsukogo, whilst the others began to do their own thing.
The only person, whom Giyu himself approached, was Shinobu.
"Hey, Giyu!" Shinobu waved, almost too excitedly.
Giyu mentally facepalmed and sighed, knowing he was going to be reprimanded by her. It was almost a tradition for the two of them to get into these kinds of conversations. He was not a fan of this, because she usually spewed the same nonsense.
Besides the smile, Giyu knew Shinobu was wearing a mask. Besides that smile, Giyu knew Shinobu held a deep hatred for him. Shinobu was a somewhat aggressive individual, in that she had a monotone personality.
The reason was that she wanted to be liked, like her elder sister, Kanae.
"Nobody likes you."
"You should make some friends and not always be alone."
"You do nothing alone and when you are in your mansion."
"What are you doing all by yourself?" Shinobu teased. Giyu sighed. It was the second one he thought of once Shinobu approached him.
"I'm not on my own, Iguro is above me." Giyu wasn't necessarily wrong. He was chilling and sitting underneath the tree Iguro had been laying on top of with his snake, Kaburamaru.
"Oh please, I know for a fact that you two haven't even said anything towards each other." Shinobu chuckled.
"Hey, don't get me involved in your couple talk." Iguro mumbled, causing Shinobu to momentarily become shocked at the sudden statement of Iguro, "And I thought you were the one wanting me to help you with your poison."
Shinobu smiled, "Of course, I'll need more research, but I think it'll be of very great use for your breathing style."
Iguro grunted, before he jumped down the tree, and walked off, not wanting to be involved in Shinobu's sassy, sarcastic talk with Giyu.
"Oh, shame, seems you truly have no friends, Giyu-kun." Shinobu chuckled.
"Don't call me that," Giyu responded with a rather monotone voice.
"Aww, you're no fun. Come on Giyu, you should try and get some friends." Shinobu tried to persuade Giyu even poking him in many places, "You don't want to die alone, don't you?"
Giyu sighed, "I'll worry about that when it happens. However, within this profession as a demon slayer, this is not the place for me."
"Aww for shame, Giyu, you really should try to get close to a girl, hell look at Iguro and Mitsuri!"
Giyu was at this point, running on edge with Shinobu's teasing.
"I need to go talk to Okayata-sama." Was all Giyu responded, and he began to walk towards the estate. "Privately." It was something he had to inform Ubuyshiki about, considering their corporation.
"Oh, Giyu you poor thing, well then have fun being alone!" Shinobu smiled insincerely, as she walked back to her own estate, probably to do more experimenting.
No doubt she was trying to find something to kill Giyu after that, but he would worry about that at a different time.
As Giyu made his way to the Ubuyashiki estate, he was allowed in by his children.
The main notable feature of Ubuyashiki was the diseased side of his face that covered part of his eye. To say that was tragic was more than said, as he already couldn't see out of that eye, making him partially blind.
"Oh, hello Giyu, is there anything you need?" Ubuyashiki asked.
Giyu nodded, "I came here personally and privately to talk about some very serious matters."
"I see, and what is the matter?"
Giyu brought out the note he had sent to Urokodaki and gave it to Ubuyashiki.
"In short, I found two demons who had managed to retain their human characteristics. One even showed a breathing technique." Giyu explained.
"I've decided to spare their lives, and in turn, they have gone to Urokodaki to be trained to become demon slayers. I am asking you for your opinion on the matter." Giyu added.
"Two demons who've immediately retained their humanity, and are currently training to become demon slayers?" Ubuyashiki asked. "And they've described the demon?"
"Yes, they seem to have retained their personality. The only notable instance of a loss of their personality was that the sister lost her voice entirely."
Ubuyashiki smiled sadly, "Those poor individuals, very well, I shall see fit this request, and accept them into the demon slayer corps. However, you are wrong about one thing"
"And what is that?"
Ubuyashiki smiled, "Humans don't actually become demons when exposed to demon blood. There is only one way for them to become a demon."
This, what Ubuyashiki said next caused a shockwave in Giyu's own thoughts.
"There is only one demon who can turn humans into demons, and that is the demon king himself, Kibutsuji Muzan," Ubuyashiki explained.
At this, Giyu's eyes widened, "So you mean to tell me, I came across the result of Muzan massacring the Kamados?"
Ubuyashiki nodded.
Giyu sighed before he got up, "Thank you. And one more thing, the whole idea of the Final Selection, they may not be able to participate."
"That is fine, I'm sure the both of you can find and oversee a different way to prove their worth as demon slayers," Ubuyashiki explained.
Giyu nodded, "Alright, but in the event they go manage to pass all of this, will you provide them with their respective nirchirin blades and crows?"
Ubuyashiki nodded a wide smile, "Of course, I will, they may be demons, but they have retained their humanity and are swearing to kill those who harm our children. I will."
"Also..." Giyu looked a bit troubled.
"What is it, my child?" Ubuyashiki asked, giving Giyu a smile.
"I think these two demons may have experience in demon slaying... My mentor, Urokodaki revealed to me with a letter the day after, that they seemed to understand some of the basics of demon slaying. Not to mention how they have made too quick of progress to not have already been exposed to this."
"And even if they struggled to pass his own starting test, that was only because Master had purposely made it more difficult for them since they're demons," Giyu added, causing Ubyashiki to hum in thought.
"So, are you worried that there may be a demon who knows breathing styles and breathing techniques?" Ubuyashiki asked.
Giyu nodded.
"I can understand the concern, but if you have faith in these two demons that you send them to your mentor to be taught more about their breathing style, then there is probably nothing to worry about. I trust you, and your intuition, for you have one of the least biases within the Hashira rank." Ubuyashiki smiled at Giyu. "I will sanction their case, and find a way for them to be incorporated into the demon slayer corps."
Giyu sighed before bowing, "Thank you, master. That is all."
With that, Giyu left the estate and went on his way to chill alone. He was tired of everything and found it necessary now to get some rest. He made sure to avoid Shinobu in the meantime.
"Will those two demons, actually stay true to their words, and will they make a difference?" Was all Giyu was thinking about. It was rather difficult keeping everything a secret, but considering Giyu never really talked, it didn't matter much.
Tanjirou's POV
*pant* *pant* *pant*…
Tanjirou felt like collapsing. It took him five tries, but he had finally managed to pass Urokodaki's training. Now, Urokodaki was being ruthless in his training regimen.
Both he and Nezuko had taken quite the beating, as they both were trying to fight Urokodaki with wooden swords, only to be sliced down.
Tanjirou was panting, and so was Nezuko, despite not being able to show it through their pants.
"I didn't expect demons to be tired out of all things." Urokodaki commented, "But then again, the impressive ability to regenerate your stamina must be nice. Allows for quick, compact training methods."
"I know…" Tanjirou mumbled as he continued to strike back toward Urokodaki, only to be kicked down.
"Ow…"
Nezuko herself attempted to also strike Urokodaki, only to fall as well.
"Not good, both of you. But at least you are making progress." Urokodaki said at last before he went back into his home. "But you will need to make the progress if you really want to survive out there. Don't be useless."
At this, Tanjirou looked down, as if that word was sending him back.
Almost immediately, the words of his father were beginning to come back to Tanjirou, haunting his thoughts once again.
"Trust me, that kid is worthless for everything he does. He couldn't perform any of the sword techniques, only falling in exhaustion. He's useless, not worth our time." The words of his father once again caused Tnjirou to grit his teeth.
Both Tanjirou and Nezuko sighed, clearly not content with the comment Urokodaki had given them.
They quickly got up and continued to train passively.
Before Tanjirou could talk to Nezuko, Urokodaki approached Tanjirou.
"Tanjirou." Urokodaki began.
"Y-Yes Urokodaki?" Tanjirou responded. He realized he was distracted, and so tried to calm himself down.
"How come the both of you always flinch whenever I tell you, you performed something wrong with my training?" Urokodaki asked.
Tanjirou flinched before he sighed. "It's a sensitive topic that neither of us really want to talk about..."
Urokodaki, instead remained silent. However, Tanjirou could smell that Urokodaki was interrogating him with his own nose. Tanjirou gulped.
"I see..." Urokodaki mumbled.
"W-What?" Tanjirou responded, hoping Urokodaki wouldn't push it.
"I can smell the hurt and pain you and your sister felt whenever I inform you of some failures. However, I will let you two know. I do not harm my students if they fail at one simple thing. I merely tell them to do it again until they get it right. So, do not worry about being punished physically." Urokodaki explained.
Tanjirou nodded, "Sorry... It's probably just a reflex considering how much it's happened."
"Poor Kids... I can tell they have a bad reaction to failing a task... Are they perhaps scared of failure, because they anticipate a beating?" Urokodaki sighed and left the two to relax, as they were successful in their improvements.
"Nezuko?" Tanjirou asked. "Do you think we should spar with each other?"
Nezuko nodded her head, and thus the two, with their wooden blades began to spar each other.
Tanjirou was once again being light on Nezuko, as he worried, he would end up hurting Nezuko badly. Grunting as they went back and forth on each other, they continued until they noticed the orange glint of the sun rising.
Almost as quick as they could, they quickly ran back into Urokodaki's house, clearly not wanting to be burned to death.
Sighing, Tanjirou bid Nezuko a good sleep, and they slept.
This was the daily routine of the bunch. They would wake up during the night and begin training by swinging their swords, and then spar with Urokodaki. They would continue this until the sun came up, where they then went to sleep.
This was the process for around a week until Urokodaki noticed something.
Urokodaki was looking over them when he noticed the boy, Tanjirou had managed to do something that made him second-guess the potential of the two of them.
When Tanjirou was going towards Urokodaki, he finally noticed what Giyu was talking about. The breathing technique Tanjirou was doing, judging by the breathing he was performing now. It really did lower his battle spirit, as Giyu stated. It radiated power, but it was so foreign and unknown. Almost like it was something that needed to be dug up.
Tanjirou merely continued to think how he had, just like how he felt when he was about to lose Nezuko.
It mildly surprised Urokodaki, that he didn't realize Tanjirou had managed to strike him, by swinging his body low to strike his leg.
"So Giyu was telling the truth, the boy did have a breathing technique, almost like he knows a breathing style." Urokodaki thought, "But that breathing technique is not compatible with any other breathing style I know…"
That was quite a conundrum. The boy seems to know a breathing style, but it did not match with any other breathing style Urokodaki knew.
"I did it!" Tanjirou smiled, as Urokodaki could only stare at the two.
Nezuko smiled and hugged Tanjirou.
"Seems like the siblings are happy, very well I'll give them this time for now."
"Well, seems you both have made remarkable progress. Now, we'll start with the breathing techniques." Urodaki started.
"Might as well tell them now."
"In order for the both of you to use a breathing style, you will need to breathe a certain way," Urokodaki explained. "To first use a breathing style, you will need to breathe properly."
Both Tanjirou and Nezuko nodded, however, for the two siblings, the whole idea of what Urokodaki said felt familiar.
"Breathe like…" Tanjirou shook his head. Could that possibly work?
"Now, I'll take a look at both of your breathing," Urokodaki said at last.
Immediately, both Nezuko and Tanjirou tried breathing like normal, only to be punched in the abdomen by Urokodaki.
"You left your abdomen open!" Urokodaki exclaimed.
"KF!" Tanjirou immediately covered his head as a result of the punch by Urokodaki.
Almost immediately, Urokodaki stopped and remained silent. "Well, that's an unexpected reaction..." Urokodaki sighed.
"My apologizes, Tanjirou..." Urokodaki sighed, as he helped the boy up. "I'm only doing this particularly to prepare you in the event you get hit by a demon, an inevitable event. Alright?" Urokodaki asked.
"Y-Yeah... Alright..." Tanjirou mumbled as he got back up, albeit much more aware due to the sudden attack he faced.
He looked specifically to Tanjirou, "It's time you began to breathe like that more often."
While Nezuko had made less progress by the end of the day, it was above average for the average demon slayer progress usually made.
Tanjirou had made remarkable progress, and Urokodaki was clearly trying to figure out the enigma that was Tanjirou Kamado.
He seemed to have gotten the message, as when he was breathing how his father taught him, he rarely felt the pain.
When Urokodaki punched Tanjirou in areas he thought would be weak, he was mildly surprised to see that Tanjirou had continued breathing.
"Seems I managed to make him do it," Urokodaki stated.
That is until they went to sleep.
At this, Urokodaki shook his head.
Not only were they supposed to breathe a certain way, but they also needed to swing the sword properly.
Urokodaki looked a bit dumbfounded at everything they were doing, before he sighed, leaving. "I guess progress is progress, regardless. They definitely have some things they must improve on, however. They still are far from ready."
For Urokodaki, he hated how he was beginning to actually feel guilty for being harsh on them. He was getting too close to them, just like his other students. But even then, he had to remain rough on them, so that they could improve.
Just like his other students, he was going to be hurt if they eventually died, like his other students.
"Sigh… and of all the things, they're demons…" Urokodaki mumble. Nobody would have expected him to train demons, especially ones like Tanjirou and Nezuko, but they were so human-like, and so had made the stick in performing his training.
They were even performing relatively well, it was remarkable, even if they were demons, they were still performing well.
No doubt if they were human, they would be able to perform just as well proportional to the rest of his other students.
Urokodaki sighed. This was going to be quite an experience, as these siblings were different from the other students, he had prior.
Once Urokodaki looked on, he noted the swords both siblings were using. The breathing technique the boy was using was clearly different from the rest of the others he knew. On the one hand, it was unique, but Urokodaki was not worried Tanjirou might struggle to learn water breathing.
Sighing, he decided to worry about that later.
Unfortunately for Urokodaki, his worries would come to life, at least in unique ways.
During training, two weeks after he started training them, Tanjirou had surprised him, yet again.
Water breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance
In an amazing display of technique, Tanjirou successfully managed to activate a water-breathing technique. The more the two siblings progressed, the more Urokodaki feared.
He feared that he cared for them, he feared that they would actually turn into demons. Perhaps he was being paranoid, but the fact that he was training demons to kill other demons, was something he found redundant.
But alas, nobody had a reason to kill them. They have done everything right so far and even killed a demon without using a blade. Therefore, Tanjirou and Nezuko were still doing fine regarding their humanity.
"Good job, Tanjirou, Nezuko." Urokodaki looked at the girl, "Take some lessons from your brother, I know how both of you are sparing each other."
Nezuko nodded, as she was now determined to catch up to her brother's skill.
As the two continued, however, Urokodaki noticed something happening with Tanjirou.
While Tanjirou was seemingly able to activate the water breathing technique sooner, he also suffered more of a feedback side effect from the breathing style.
The reason for this was the exact thing Urokodaki knew would happen. Because Tanjirou's breathing technique was different, it was going to hurt, as that was not the breathing technique needed to use water breathing.
Urokodaki had hoped that being a demon would help alleviate the side effect, however, it seems that was not the case, at least for Tanjirou. Urokodaki looked on, clearly wondering if this would hamper Tanjirou's progression.
Around three days later, Nezuko was able to use water breathing, and unlike Tanjirou, she did not suffer the feedback side effects, likely because she was taught to breathe to adapt to water breathing.
While this made Tanjirou impressed and content with his sister, it also made Tanjirou feel sad. Urokodaki could smell a deep sense of sadness, and insecurity within Tanjirou, as he was continuing to suffer from the side effects of his breathing forms.
It may also be because Tanjirou's body may not be well adept at water breathing, but Urokodaki digressed. He was a teacher of water breathing, and therefore he would teach water breathing.
Tanjirou was reminded of the time back when his father would force them to swing swords. For Nezuko, learning water breathing was something she was familiar with. This means Nezuko would find herself progressing faster than Tanjirou.
This ultimately made Tanjirou feel more insecure about his own talents.
His father would always downplay him, and it over the course of the years, made Tanjirou feel inferior.
Once he noticed the sun was rising somewhat, he decided to let them get an early rest. The two had continued to practice their water-breathing training now, and this was the part where Urokodaki found the easier within his training regimen.
Usually, once the trainee can perform the proper breathing and breathing style, the rest was due to their own imagination, as they could perform how they want.
However, strangely, Urokodaki was finding an issue that was unique to Tanjirou.
He continued to suffer from the side effects of water breathing.
It was something even he was unsure about. Many of his students, including his sister were able to use water breathing just fine once they learned it.
"Why was Tanjirou unable to do it?" Urokodaki asked himself.
He theorized it was due to the breathing technique Tanjirou had known previously to meet them. The one Giyu had mentioned.
And so, when Nezuko had gone to sleep, Urokodaki had talked to Tanjirou.
"If you want to use water breathing, you'll need to fix your breathing technique," Urokodaki explained.
"I don't know how…" Tanjirou explained, "I've been doing it since I was like, 6 or 7 years old."
"I see, well it seems that the breathing technique you are using does not work with water breathing for you," Urokodaki responded, clearly a bit displeased with Tanjirou's sudden lack of progress.
"Listen, your own sister is making nice progress, and she doesn't suffer from the same side effects as you do."
Tanjirou shrugged, "Nezuko was never taught the breathing technique like I was."
"Oh…" Urokodaki mumbled, "That may explain it then."
"Is there any way to fix this side effect without messing with my breathing?" Tanjirou asked.
Urokodaki sighed, "Not that I'm aware of, sadly. Usually, you need to adapt your breathing to use the breathing style."
"I understand, I'll keep trying," Tanjirou responded.
"Very well, I'll see your progress eventually. I am saying, however, if you cannot use water breathing, you may not be able to fight demons."
This had a profound effect on Tanjirou, as he began to stress about it.
Was he once again going to be useless? Was he once again going to be a worthless person? Was he once again, going to be a failure?
Around a week passed, and Nezuko continued to master the rest of the water-breathing techniques.
Tanjirou… Not so much.
"Ack!" Tanjirou fell to the ground as he felt his lungs being attacked.
"Ow…"
"I can't do it... Maybe I am just a failure... Perhaps this is something Nezuko should do alone... Maybe I should live alone and find something I can actually do..." Tanjirou looked down, as he contemplated everything.
Tanjirou lay in a feral position as he tried to get air steadily into his lungs. Those water-breathing techniques were really messing with his body, and he didn't know why.
"You alright?" Urokodaki asked.
Tanjirou nodded, panting quite a lot, before quickly getting up and proceeding to continue his training.
While Nezuko was able to learn almost all the current forms of water breathing, Tanjirou could only do two: the third form, and the fifth form.
It was rather tragic how Tanjirou had fallen behind in progress when compared to Nezuko.
"This isn't going so well…" Urokodaki mumbled.
"I know… Maybe I'm just not meant for demon slaying…" Tanjirou sighed.
Again, the memories of that man were impacting Tanjirou.
"So weak... So hideous... So useless... Why did I ever feel threatened by you..."
"I wouldn't say that." Urokodaki responded, "Sometimes it takes everyone a while to master breathing styles and techniques. Just because someone is doing it quicker than you doesn't mean you aren't any worse at learning."
"What makes you say that?" Tanjirou asked. "I've always been useless and a failure... I couldn't even complete your training when my younger sister can. She's always been better at this than me... Even father admitted..."
"Father? You were trained by your father to use breathing forms?" Urokodaki asked.
Tanjirou sighed, "I was conflicted, but after learning, it is... Nezuko has always been deemed the prize and most potential of the family because she was able to perform some breathing styles... Me, however..." Tanjirou gritted his teeth, as he was brought back to the memories of his failures, and the physical punishment he got...
"What about you?" Urokodaki asked.
"I was deemed a failure, and worthless because I couldn't do any forms." Tanjirou punched the ground in anger, while Urokodaki took in everything.
"This is quite the development... So these two do have experience with breathing styles but weren't aware of demons... Not to mention the boy claims to have never been able to perform a single breathing style... if that's the case, then why did Giyu and myself detect such an advanced breathing pattern from him?" Urokodaki asked himself. He knew now, that he had to get Tanjirou to train to find out.
Tanjirou showed something, something hopeful for learning a breathing style. He just needed to find out what it was.
"You swing your sword well, and your form is strong, it's just difficult for you because of the feedback side effect." Urokodaki explained, "So it's not an issue with your body and form, but rather, it's your breathing."
"What happened with trying to change it?" Urokodaki asked.
"I don't know, I've tried, but I haven't gotten any luck," Tanjirou mumbled.
"Perhaps it's not a matter of that your breathing technique is wrong, but rather it's unpolished." Urokodaki theorized.
"What?"
"Maybe the way you breathe right now is unpolished, and it's causing issues with you using breathing techniques." Urokodaki theorized.
"I don't know…" Tanjirou mumbled, "I'm happy Nezuko is making progress, but for myself, I feel ashamed of myself for not being able to thrive in this water-breathing technique. She's always been the one to be seen as full of potential, whilst I was labeled a failure..."
Urokdaki patted Tanjirou's head, "You are not a failure, Tanjirou. Just try to fix the issues you observed, and maybe it will work. Else, you may have to retry the mountain climb."
At this, Tanjirou paled, "Please no, not that…"
Urokodaki merely responded, "Unless you don't learn a new breathing form of water breathing, then I'll make you do it."
"AH!" Tanjirou panicked as he quickly grabbed his sword and began to practice more. Urokodaki sighed. He had to do this. Perhaps making Tanjiro abandon the life of a demon slayer would help.
"What was all that yelling about?" Urokodaki turned around and noticed Giyu was behind him.
"Ah, so you decided to finally check up on your demon students?"
Giyu nodded, "How are they doing?"
Urokodaki sighed, "The girl is doing fine, she's almost learned all ten forms of water breathing. However, the boy…"
"What about the boy?" Giyu asked, clearly confused.
That was until he saw Tanjirou himself.
Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash.
Both Giyu and Urokodaki had watched just in time to see Tanjirou managing to perform the first form of water breathing. With this alongside the third and fifth forms, Tanjirou was now able to use three different forms of water breathing.
However, just as Giyu was about to ask what was wrong with Tanjirou, said boy immediately clutched his chest, breathing heavily to stabilize his lungs.
"What the…" Giyu mumbled.
"Yeah." Urokodaki responded, "I had the same reaction."
"That's…" Giyu couldn't really think, until he sighed, "This may be due to the breathing technique he showed back then."
"What do you think then?" Urokodaki asked.
"I'm starting to think it may be the breathing technique for a different breathing style," Giyu explained. "I can try to go back and explore the Hashira and their own experiences for their breathing styles, but I cannot guarantee I will find the correct breathing style."
Urokodaki sighed, "At the very least, the sister is progressing very well, and I may even allow her to become your tsukugo"
"I don't want a tsukugo." Giyu mumbled, "But I guess I can teach her a personal move of mine if she's able to use all water forms."
"I'll take a look at their progress." Urokodaki explained, "However, at this rate, the boy will never be able to become a proper demon slayer."
At this, Giyu looked down, "I see, perhaps for now, let him focus on his breathing technique."
"His breathing technique? It may be unpolished, but what do you mean?" Urokodaki asked.
"My apologies for not being specific, maybe teach him total concentration breathing," Giyu explained. "The more I think about it, it's actually very close to matching total concentration breathing. I'm not necessarily sure if he's able to perform it whilst he sleeps, but maybe get him to do that." Giyu explained. "His breathing pattern is very advanced, so perhaps getting him to alter it to that may help him."
"That's odd, normally demon slayers must learn their breathing style before they learn total concentration breathing…" Urokodaki remarked. "But I can see why you are getting at it, perhaps it's a circular pattern. Assisting on one part may help with the rest."
"It may be odd, but maybe giving him the ability to use total concentration breathing may allow him to use water breathing. Who knows, maybe the breathing technique is generalized to most of the other breathing styles." Giyu explained.
"That may be true," Urokodaki mumbled. "But, the outcome for Tanjirou is very poor right now."
Giyu nodded, "I guess I'll train Nezuko for Dead Calm, that is if she is able to perform the remaining water forms. As for Tanjirou, I'd recommend teaching him total concentration breathing."
"Understood," Urokodaki responded.
"Whatever happened to make your training regiment hard?" Giyu asked, "Didn't you not want them to succeed?"
"I did, but I also am doing the thing I don't want to do." Urokodaki revealed, "Caring for them, even if they're demons."
"I understand that…" Giyu mumbled, "I talked to Ubuyashiki about this, and he was willing to oversee this."
"That's good." Urokodaki explained, "Now, our main worry is Tanjirou's struggling to perform the water breathing."
Giyu nodded, "Perhaps his breathing technique is playing a role, but the breathing technique isn't bad. The breathing technique seems similar to that of those the Hashira learn."
"Very well, albeit it is rather unconventional to teach someone so new to demon-slaying something as complex as total concentration breathing, I will do what you recommend," Urokodaki responded.
"Perhaps when he is able to master the breathing technique, it'll help him deal with the side effects," Giyu explained.
With that, Giyu went off, as Urokodaki ignored Tanjirou hyperventilating yet again, having tried to push himself with his breathing style.
Tanjirou heard everything, and once again, felt himself going into a pool of failure.
"Am I destined to always be a failure? Why is Nezuko so gifted to be given praise by Urokodaki?" Tanjirou looked to the side.
"Perhaps I should abandon my training, and live a normal life alone... After everything, I failed to protect my family. I deserve to live a lonely, sad life." Tanjirou looked down, as he couldn't find himself motivated to try again.
Urokodaki approached Nezuko, where Giyu was already talking to her.
"So, I've heard that you've been progressing well in the art of water breathing. Therefore, I will offer you the chance to perform a new form, a personal one I've made up. If you can show me properly, the prior ten forms of water breathing consecutively, I'll show you the 11th form of water breathing." Giyu told Nezuko.
Nezuko, for her part, nodded, still not being able to speak at all.
It was around this time did Tanjirou come back, having stabilized his lungs. "Oh, hey Giyu!"
"You." Giyu pointed straight at Tanjirou.
"Uhh… Yes?" Tanjirou looked rather nervous as Giyu seemed serious. To Giyu's surprise, Tanjirou began to tense up, clearly looking at Giyu with wide eyes.
"You will be learning something different from Nezuko from now on, at least until you stop suffering from the side effects of water breathing," Giyu explained. "If you can't even do this, then you will be unable to perform any breathing forms."
"G-Got it…" Tanjirou mumbled as he was now very nervous. For him, it brought back the bad memories of his father beating him for being unable to do a breathing form right.
Just like Urokodaki, Giyu could tell that Tanjirou was waiting, his whole body tense, almost like he was waiting for some form of physical punishment. Urokodaki himself could smell it. But even a good sense of smell wasn't needed for Urokodaki and Giyu to realize what Tanjirou was thinking.
"Does this boy think I'm going to beat him as punishment?!" Giyu alarmingly thought as he forced the boy onto his feet. He felt more guilty when the boy instinctively covered his head with his own hands, dropping his wooden sword in the process.
"This may become a problem..." Giyu thought to himself. He was shocked to see Tanjirou mumbled something, as his breathing was hiking.
"I'm sorry for being such a failure..." It was a mumble, but Giyu could understand what Tanjirou was getting at.
"You aren't a failure, Tanjirou. Listen, I think the way you are breathing right now is interfering with your breathing style. As a result, either you will need to find a new breathing technique altogether, or learn total concentration breathing."
"Total concentration breathing?" Tanjirou asked. He was still trying to calm himself from his fear and thoughts of being hurt as a result of failure, probably.
Giyu nodded, "You will have to breathe in a way to gather and expand your lungs as much as you can, to perform almost superhuman movements. Note, you will have to do the same breathing technique involuntarily, which includes when you sleep, eat, or whenever." Giyu explained, which made Tanjirou a bit nervous.
"E-Even when you sleep?!" Tanjirou asked incredulously.
"Yes." Giyu nodded.
"Ahhhh…." Tanjirou mumbled, clearly knowing he would not be having a good time for the next couple of weeks or months. "I mean, our families notoriously have large and strong lungs..."
"Is that so?" Giyu asked, clearly intrigued. "Why is that?"
"Oh! Well, you see, our ancestors usually live in the mountains, where it's harder for people to breathe. Plus, our ancestors also burn coal, and I always used to run up and down the mountain daily to sell the coal we burn." Tanjirou explained.
At this, both Urokodaki and Giyu looked impressed. "Having stronger lungs will help you with breathing styles and techniques, but you still have to learn like everyone else."
And Giyu was proved right, Tanjirou saw.
After week after Giyu's visit, while Nezuko was able to perform the breathing styles relatively well, he, unfortunately, couldn't make the progress, so Urokodaki was instead told to teach him how to use total concentration always breathing.
While Tanjirou at first thought it would be easy since he apparently had the form down, he found himself struggling again.
"Damnit, am I really this useless?!" Tanjirou asked himself, a bit frustrated, but also wanting to cry. "I can't afford to lose this. If I can't, Nezuko will always be alone, and I'll be the failure father saw me as..."
As Tanjirou thought about his father, something came back to Tanjirou.
"Just remember your father's Hinokami dance, just remember that Tanjirou…" He kept telling himself, as he managed to get a way to perform it while he was awake.
The same couldn't be said when he was sleeping.
*Bonk*
"Ow!" Tanjirou exclaimed in pain, rubbing his head when Urokodaki hit his head. Almost immediately, Tanjirou tensed again, and Urokodaki could smell a dramatic rise in fear in Tanjirou.
"You lost your breathing," Urokodaki explained. However, it was also an opportunity for Urokodaki to get Tanjirou to get used to the physical touch of any proportion after Giyu warned him of the potential drawbacks it could have.
"Damnit…" Tanjirou mumbled, "It's so hard!"
Urokodaki slapped him in the face. "Keep doing it."
Tanjirou sighed in dejection as he tried to continue his total concentration breathing yet again. He then went back to sleep, as he tried to maintain his total concentration breathing.
Needless to say, it was difficult, and Tanjirou didn't really get much sleep.
As he continued to try and maintain the breathing constant, he only managed to easily do it when thinking of the Hinokami Kagura.
The one thing that connected him to the good side of his father.
"Why was this the only thing you taught me, Father? Why did you always beat me? Why did you always see me as a failure? Why did you always pity me? Why... Why do I have to have this one thing you taught me, not even directly, so influential on my life!" Tanjirou growled to himself.
Whilst Nezuko continued to practice her breathing style, Tanjirou was sitting down, practicing to make sure he maintained total concentration breathing.
He was able to properly do it after Giyu's visit, as all Tanjirou had to do was make some small adjustments to his breathing. That was fine. If he remembered the Hinokami Kagura dance, then perhaps that could help him breathe properly.
Considering it was the only thing Tanjirou was praised for doing, Tanjirou decided that try to go back to the dance. Managed to find himself in a state of peace when he thought about the Hinokami Kagura, it was the very thing that helped him maintain the breathing constant.
It also helped him mentally, as he was able to at least get rid of the thoughts of insecurity and failure he was feeling.
All he had to do was make sure he breathed in for much longer, but also hold it for longer. Once he did that, the rest was fine, until he went to sleep.
He knew he would eventually have to do the same thing whilst sword fighting, or slaying demons, and so, the times he would join to spar Nezuko was purely to maintain his breathing. He couldn't let it fall behind.
"Remember Tanjirou, remember to breathe like the Hinokami. Once you can breathe like him, he'll bless you with unlimited stamina." Tanjirou could hear his father telling him to keep it going. He growled, punching his head to get rid of his father's consistent voice.
Still, Tanjirou did find it strange a bit. Why were his father's instructions about learning the Hinokami Kagura similar to this? Why was this coming up, when he desperately wanted to get his father and mother out of his mind?
To him, his parents were nothing but abusers, who hurt Tanjirou every time he failed to do a correct sword swing. How they mentally abused him, as the remnants of being a failure and useless ran into Tanjirou's mind.
Tanjirou shrugged with a scowl on his face. He did not think much about it, as it allowed him to accelerate with this. He was able to do it thanks to it, and that was that. As Tanjirou continued to breathe, he noticed Urokodaki watching them. He hated the fact his father was so influential for this particular reason.
Ever since Tanjirou had begun his training for total concentration, Urokodaki was looking at him strictly.
Eventually, Urokodaki began to bring out some weird materials and called Tanjirou over.
"Yes?" Tanjirou asked, eyeing the objects.
"These are gourds." Urokodaki explained, "The purpose of these is to perform total concentration breathing constant. If you are capable and properly doing it, you blow into the gourds to the point of shattering it."
Tanjirou faltered, "Shatter them just by breathing?"
"Did I stutter?" Urokodaki asked.
Tanjirou quickly shook his head.
Urokodaki nodded, "Good, now you will be blowing into these gourds once every two hours, and the more you shatter them, I'll replace them with larger ones."
Tanjirou nodded, "Got it master!"
Urokodaki nodded as he then began to observe the two demons.
Nezuko continued to make progress in water breathing, while Tanjirou was blowing into the gourds Urokodaki had ordered.
Well, it was actually Giyu who ordered them on behalf of Urokodaki. This occurred for quite a long time.
Urokodaki allowed them to continue with their training. Eventually, however, after a week of tries, Tanjirou was able to produce a crack on the smallest gourds.
Urokodaki looked at the results, somewhat shocked.
"Um, is everything alright, Urokodaki?" Tanjirou asked.
Urokodaki looked at the gourds closely, as if making sure there was a crack.
"It doesn't take until 3-6 months, at the very least."
"What?" Tanjirou asked, very confused.
"How… Did you at least make a crack on the gourds, already?"
"Um?" Tanjirou was confused, "I blew into it after using the technique you told me."
Urokodaki shook his head. "In a single day, you've already managed to produce a single crack on the gourd, the smallest. It takes a normal demon slayer or even those who make it to Hashira level 6 months to completely break the smallest gourd. Once they manage to break the largest ones, 2 years pass usually."
At this, Tanjirou remained silent, "So, it usually takes 6 months at the very least to break the smallest gourd?"
"Yes, and then they have to break progressively larger gourds, which in total can last for around a year and a half, or two years," Urokodaki explained. "This begs the question, if you are so close to being able to use total concentration breathing constant, then why do you suffer such a side effect from Water Breathing?"
"I don't know…" Tanjirou explained, "It feels like I'm not meant for it, especially when I see Nezuko perform it so well. Maybe my breathing is not compatible, because there's a specific way I do the breathing that conflicts with the breathing style… Or maybe I'm just not meant to be a demon slayer..."
"That is not true... You were using a proper breathing technique when you were first spotted by Giyu. And now, you are able to break a crack into the gourd." Urokodaki started.
"That is what we've been theorizing, but until you can properly use the total concentration breathing, we won't know if it's right. This is probably more beneficial for you in the long run, rather than closely watching you throughout the day." Urokodaki made it clear for Tanjirou. If he could learn the breathing constant, then maybe he would have an easier time using the techniques.
"I'll continue to let you use a sword, especially as you continue to learn the constant breathing, but I will forbid you from using any water-breathing forms until we're sure you won't suffer from any side effects any longer," Urokodaki warned.
Tanjirou sighed, "Alright, but I do wish I can become a demon slayer."
Urokdaki patted Tanjirou's head, "You know, this isn't anything new to us. Well, the idea that some people cannot perform a specific breathing style."
"What do you mean?" Tanjirou asked.
"What I'm saying is that there are numerous people out there who cannot perform the breathing they were able to use." Urokodaki reiterated.
"But then how do they become demon slayers?" Tanjiro asked.
"They create their own breathing style," Urokodaki answered.
"Wait." Tanjirou's eyes widened, "You're saying, I may be creating my own breathing style?"
"Not necessarily. The truth is that we're not sure." Urokodaki specified. "You may be, with the current breathing technique you show, or not, you could just not be compatible for water breathing."
"Oh," Tanjirou mumbled.
"But the point I'm trying to get across is to not worry about the fact that you cannot properly use water breathing. This is normal for many demon slayers, it's just a matter of finding a breathing style that works for you." Urokodaki explained, clearly wanting to cheer Tanjirou up.
He was watching Nezuko finalize the proper form of the tenth form of Water Breathing. He was somewhat jealous that Nezuko was easily able to perform without many issues, but if what Giyu and Urokodaki were saying is true, then it meant he just needed to use a different breathing style.
"Why are you always gifted, Nezuko..." Tanjrou mumbled as he held down his hidden jealousy for Nezuko.
Tanjirou merely looked on, "I hope I can find my style soon."
"Don't be upset about yourself, you are learning something that not even Nezuko could master. You are making great progress in your total constant breathing." Urokodaki explained.
"I guess, it's just not as cool as performing that." Tanjirou pointed towards Nezuko using the tenth form, seemingly struggling a bit, but making the move work. A bit more work on the move, and she could easily be able to use it.
"Everything takes time, Tanjirou, just breathe to the best of your ability, and who knows, maybe the breathing technique you are designed to use will manifest itself," Urokodaki explained, patting Tanjirou on the back before he got up.
As Tanjirou continued to ponder, making sure he was retaining his constant breathing, he eventually sighed.
What Urokodaki said gave Tanjirou mixed opinions. On the one hand, it made him feel better that what he was going through was normal for many demon slayers. On the other, his telling him he may have a different breathing technique manifest was unfortunate, as it made Tanjirou feel he was failing Urokodaki.
Once again, Tanjirou felt like a failure.
Sighing, he quickly realized he had to continue with the gourds.
Quickly picking up a gourd, he unconsciously picked up a size 7/10, with 1 being the smallest, and 10 being the largest, and blew into it.
"Just breathe to the best of your ability, and who knows, maybe the breathing technique you are designed to use will manifest itself."
"Remember Tanjirou, just breathe like Hinokami Kagura, and they shall bless you with unlimited stamina and breathing."
Tanjirou growled.
He wanted to stop thinking about his father.
He didn't even care about the Hinokami Kagura. He actually loved doing the dance. But the fact that dance was the only thing his father openly taught infuriated Tanjirou. His father didn't even teach him how to properly burn coal! All he did was make him swing a sword! He only praised him when it came to the Hinokami Kagura.
Tanjirou did not know why he kept thinking about the Hinokami Kagura, but when he thought about both, he felt somewhat angered, as the image of his father and mother came to him, and when he blew into the gourd with his mindset, to his shock, it shattered.
No.
It didn't shatter.
It exploded.
It shattered violently.
The surprising noise and gourd breaking apart surprised Tanjirou, which caused him to mess up his breathing.
So, all Tanjirou could remember was blowing into a 7/10 size, and then seeing it shatter violently. The surprise caused Tanjirou to yelp in surprise, ruining his constant breathing, and he fell, blacking out.
The last thing he saw was Urokodaki, whom he knew was incredibly shocked about what he just saw.
A.N / LOL Tanjirou. Somehow managing to do something so well, so clumsily. As you can see, Tanjirou is struggling to adapt and perform the different water-breathing forms, when Nezuko is thriving, and may even be taught a personal technique by Giyu himself. Tanjirou's issue with water breathing will make more sense hopefully as the story and this arc progresses, and he will instead run into more issues. I really like making these different kind of plots and challenges, because the smallest challenges are the most significant for a character's development.
As for some other notable character introductions. The Hashira! Giyu has told Ubuyashiki about his findings of Tanjirou and Nezuko, and Urokodaki and Giyu have been talking about the two demons. Another notable character introduction is Kanae Kocho! In the end, I decided to bring her back, and as for her purpose in the story, I think I have an acceptable role for Kanae, and with her introduction, I had to de-rank Shinobu to a more supporting role, sorry Shinobu! Also, hope you liked the little talk Hashira gave, specifically Shinobu and Giyu. I'll save much of their dialogue for later in the story, but for now, they were just presented to get a sense of what was happening whilst Tanjirou and Nezuko were training.
Also, some explanation. Tanjirou's demonic appearance can easily be switched. Tanjirou has very good control over his human and demonic appearances in voluntarily being able to switch, unless for very specific and dire circumstances. The only problem for Tanjirou was that he lost some parts of his memories, which includes him smelling the regret and hesitance of his parents. He instead remembers the scars on his body that didn't go away when he turned into a demon, and thinks of his parents as nothing but abusers, as I do want to confirm in my story that this does happen. The only thing Tanjirou misses is the role Muzan played in this. You bet Tanjirou's perception will change eventually. Nezuko is the same, with the added temporary inability to speak. As I said, both will learn the truth of why their parents abused them and treated them strictly when it came to sword styles and breathing techniques. On the bright side, it's making Urokodaki's training easier for them!
I do want to make Tanjirou's internal battle with inferiority known, as this is a new change critical to this AU for Tanjirou. Because Tanjirou was only praised as a kid for his performance on the Hinokami Kagura, he holds it close to his heart, which will make him more exposure to the dance.
Character Profile:
Shinobu Kocho: Female, 17 years old.
Status: Alive, Human. Height: 5'0 (152cm) Weight: 85 IbsKanae Kocho: Female, 20 years old.
Status: Alive, Human. Height: 5'7" (170cm) Weight: 128 IbsObanai Iguro: Male, 20 years old.
Status: Alive, Human. Height: 5'4" (163cm) Weight: 120 IbsSanemi Shinazugawa: Male, 20 years old.
Status: Alive, Human. Height: 5'11 (180cm) Weight: 172 IbsGyomei Himejima: Male, 26 years old.
Status: Alive, Human. Height: 7'3" (222cm) Weight: 292 IbsMitsuri Kanroji: Female, 18 years old.
Status: Alive, Human. Height: 5'6 (167cm) Weight: 132 IbsMuichiro Tokito: Male, 14 years old.
Status: Alive, Human. Height: 5'2" (158cm) Weight: 115 IbsTengen Uzui: Male, 21 years old.
Status: Alive, Human. Height: 6'6 (198cm). Weight: 210 IbsKagaya Ubuyashiki: Male, 22 years old.
Status: Alive, Human. Height: 5'10 (178cm). Weight: 152 IbsAbilities: Breathing Styles
Tanjirou Kamado:
Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash - The user crosses their arms, generating momentum to release a singular, concentrated slash.
Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance. - User swings and bends their blade with their body, dancing in a flowing pattern.
Water Breathing, Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought. - User changes their grip to decapitate the opponent in a painless manner.
Total Concentration: Constant - Tanjirou is in the early stages of learning total concentration breathing constant. Because of his advanced lungs, he is able to progress quicker alongside the sudden strain that comes with learning it. He has yet to be able to turn it involuntarily, but is strong enough to blow larger gourds already.
Nezuko Kamado:
Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash - User crosses their arms, generating momentum to release a singular, concentrated slash.
Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance. - User swings and bends their blade along with their body, dancing in a flowing pattern.
Water Breathing, Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought. - Users change their grip to decapitate the opponent in a painless manner.
Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux. - User charges towards the target performing a continuous flowing attack, with each strike increasing in strength and speed, using momentum.
