Hello everyone! Hope all of you are doing well. I didn't think that I would get this far in my fanfiction to be honest. Its s fun side project for sure snd I'm happy some people are enjoying it. We are finally past the little kid stuff and will be going on to how Izuku learns more fire bending and other things. please remember to read and review, thank you all for who reads.
DISCLAIMER: DEMON SLAYER AND MHA BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CREATORS. I DO NOT OWN THEM.
Chapter 8: Progress
Izuku stood at one end of the dojo facing another student. His name is Daki and has a fire quirk called Fire Ball which allows him to make balls of fire of different sizes to throw at his targets. Iroh stood on the side of the dojo to observe. The spar between the two students is to gauge how Izuku can handle an experienced hero student. Both boys got into their battle stance and waited on Iroh's signal. Izuku went into a defensive stance with his left arm bent at an angle Infront of him and his right arm guarding his chest.
Daki got into a different stance that Izuku didn't know. Both arms are bent in front of him with his left arm being higher than the right and plams facing out. Iroh nods at their stances and signals the spar to begin. Daki doesn't give Izuku any room to think as he immediately launches two small fire balls at him. Izuku side steps the first fire ball while inhaling and catches the second one using the flame to ignite his fist. Once ignited he spins around, using the momentum to swing his hand upwards. Daki looks slightly impressed but jumps back when Izuku sends a flame covered upper cut at his chin.
Izuku doesn't let up as he persues Daki with a straight lunge kick that the other boy catches. Daki falls onto his back and tosses Izuku over him. Izuku recovers in the air and lands on his feet, stance ready. Both boys eye each other, looking for an opening. Izuku attacks first, doing a three hundred sixty degree spin kick that shoots an arch of fire at Daki. The boy summons two large fire balls and uses them to block the arch which causes the flames to spread out. Izuku uses the flames to his advantage by raising both hands into the air and and swinging them down while crossing his arms.
The flames that Daki hit suddenly surrounded him. Seeing no way out, the boy raises his hand in surrender. Iroh claps along with the other students and mentors, some cheers being heard. Izuku smiles and exhales, the fire that surrounds Daki goes out. Both boys bow and then high five.
"That was a nice trap, kinda a cheap shot though."
Daki said with a grin. Izuku smiles sheepishly and chuckles.
"It was that or either prolonge a fight that I couldn't win. You are definitely stronger than me so you forced me to think differently."
Iroh watches the two with pride. He notes that Izuku has exelled faster than most of his students ever had. The old man walks up to the two and puts a hand on each of their shoulder.
"That was a good display of control and power my students. Daki, you are free fo continue your training, I believe it's time for Izuku to take the test."
Daki nods at Iroh and gives a thumbs up to Izuku. Izuku nods and follows Iroh to the paper dojo.
"Izuku, do you know why I wanted you to wait so long before trying the paper dojo test?"
Izuku shakes his head. Everytime he asked to try it, Iroh would tell him to be patient.
"This test measures the control and will power that a person has to hone their inner flame. It's spiritual practice goes back to the earliest fire users in legend to have served the last dragons."
Izuku thought about how Iroh's story lined up with the letter he got from his father. The thought of sharing that information with Iroh has crossed his mind many times. Especially since he seems to have this spiritual connection like the older man. Deciding to bring it up later he followed Iroh.
"I have one last thing to say to you Izuku. Fire is the essence of life and energy. Even though it can cause destruction, it can also give hope. No matter what anyone says to you, remember that you are the one who controls the fire not the other way around."
Izuku nodded and stepped over to the center of the paper dojo. He took a deep inhale of air and thought of the stances of the Dragon Fire Dance. The moves flowed almost like water to the boy. It felt stange how fluid each step felt. Fire danced from Izuku's limbs, but instead of streams of flames it was percise blows. The students watching were shocked at how easy the greenette made it look. Iroh just nodded with a smile on his face. If one were to pay attention to the old man's eyes, the flames that were reflected off his eyes glowed in green and blue.
To Izuku, he is thankful for every time Iroh demonstrated the dance. It also helped that the older students who knew the dance would occasionally come back and demonstrate as well. The boy's analytical eyes saw each motion and filed them away in his mind. The experience is mind numbing, almost euphoric. Each breath he took came in practiced rhythm. He ended the dance with his feet spread shoulder length, knees bent. His arms strestched above his head at an angle. The flames that come from his fist spread out and cover his body in a fire sphere. Izuku ends the dance by standing straight with his palms together.
He exhales the breath with smoke coming out of his mouth. Everyone minus Iroh are looking at him in shock. No one had ever completed the dance on their first try. Iroh has a gentle smile on his face. The man walks over to Izuku and pats him on the shoulder. Izuku looks at Iroh with teary eyes.
"You have made me a proud mentor Izuku. No one I've met has had such an ability to break down everything he sees and notices only to build it back up the same way if not better."
Izuku gives Iroh a hug to which the man returns.
"Thank you so much Mr. Iroh. If it weren't for you and the others, I wouldn't have been able to use my quirk like I can now. I promise to make you proud."
Iroh takes Izuku's hand and raises it, showing the other students.
"Izuku has just become the youngest one to graduate the Jasmine Dragon's most difficult test."
Cheers and claps can be heard from everyone present. Izuku smiles proudly and bows.
"I couldn't have done it without the help from all of you. Thank you so much for accepting me."
-Later at the Tea Bar Table-
Izuku sat at the table waiting for Iroh to finish putting away the tea leaves. He finally decided to talk to the man about what his father left behind. The boy noticed that he had been lost in thought and his tea went cold. Taking a breath like how Iroh showed him, he blew into the tea. Smoke can be seen leaving the sides of his mouth and the tea began to steam slightly. Taking a sip and smiling, the boy drank the rest of the beverage.
Iroh came back and took a seat infront of Izuku. The man let Izuku explain everything before he said a word. The face he made at the end of Izuku's words made the boy question everything he knew about the man. Ever since he met Iroh, the man has shown nothing but kindness and smiles. The facs that Izuku sees now is one of anger, sadness, and understanding.
"So you know about the demon slayers, huh? I thought they all have been wiped out honestly. It's a surprise to hear that Muzan has actually been defeated."
Izuku did a double take. Of course Iroh would know about Muzan and the demon slayers. There was something not normal about how he is connected to the spiritual side of the world.
"My boy, if what you're telling me is true then you're training has only just begun. Your father being a Hashira means that he is one of the most skillfull swordsmen to live. On top of that he must of known one of the breathing styles to combat the demons."
Izuku tilted his head. He remembered the katana that his mom said was left to him from his father.
'Isn't the nichirin blade what's used to defeat demons?'
Izuku thought to himself. Iroh saw the boy's confusion and explained more.
"Breathing styles are used to help a normal person keep up with fighting demons before quirks starting manifesting in people. It all starts in learning total concentration breathing."
Iroh pointed to Izuku's stomach and then his chest.
"Total Concentration breathing allows a person to control their breathing in a way that gives one abilities to fight on par with demons who have super strength and speed."
The explanation left Izuku speechless. Total concentration breathing sounds like the way his inner flame gave him a boost. Though he doesn't use that technique too often as it leaves him exhausted afterwards.
"Mr. Iroh, would you be able to teach me how to do total concentration breathing? My father said that it will help me with my hero studies in the future, but if demons do come back then I want to he prepared to defeat them."
Iroh gave Izuku a look of sadness. The boy has never seen Iroh look like this. It was heart breaking in away.
"My boy, I don't think you understand the weight that your father has left you with. You can't defeat a demon the way you do a villain. You'll have to slay the demon, which means killing them by decapitation or leaving them in the sun light."
Izuku's eyes widened as the word sunk in.
'Slay a being that used to be a human? Even if they are horrible monsters, does that mean death is the only way?'
He opened his mouth to say something against the idea but closed it when he couldn't think of anything to say. He sagged his shoulder and lowered his head. Iroh pulled the boy into a hug. No words were said for a long moment. Once Izuku calmed down Iroh let go.
"I can't teach you total concentration because of my own fighting style. My fire bending is actually a branch of the technique that allows me to control my breathing so that my fire is stronger."
The man went back behind the table and bent down to the ground. Izuku watched him a bit confused on what he's doing. Iroh lifted up a loose floor board and pulled out a wooden case that looks similar to the one his father left behind, except that this one is red with a fire symbol on the front. Izuku looked at Irohs face and saw he has a look of regret and something else he couldn't explain.
"My nephew joined the demon slayers when he was about your age. He rose through the ranks at a fast paste and was close to becoming a Hashira just like your father. He would have became the next flame Hashira, but during one of his missions he sacrificed himself to save his comrades."
Izuku let the words sink in. He watched Iroh put the case on the bar table.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Mr. Iroh. The life of a demon slayer sounds like a troubled one, but they don't seem too far from what a hero is. I understand that the only difference is that you must actually kill a demon to succeed."
Iroh nods with a pained smile. He opens the case for Izuku to see. Inside the wooden case is a katana with a striking red and black blade. The handle is wrapped in a white clothe with a guard in the shape of a flame. Iroh takes out the katana and holds it carefully.
"This nichirin blade belonged to my nephew. When he first held it, the blade changed color from the original steel to as it is now. I've kept it hidden for almost two decades since his passing. Izuku, I believe that you are meant to weild this blade along with your fathers."
The looks of surprise on Izuku's face couldn't be helped. The man that taught him how to use his quirk and basically helped raise him is giving him a piece of himself. Before the boy could refuse the offer, Iroh sets the katana down on the table gently with a look that says let him finish.
"Before you refuse I must say something. You remind me of my nephew so much. In a way, I gave you special treatment compared to my other students. I've taught you that fire bending is not destruction but life and energy. I can see your inner flame and it's gentle, warm, and loving. He would also be proud to give you the blade."
Izuku didn't say anything at first. He slowly reach out to the katana and wrapped one hand around the handle. With a heavy sigh he places his other hand on the handle and lifts the blade up. Something strange happens as Izuku feels an inner sensation, almost like something has been unlocked. The blade changes infront of their eyes. The red part of the blade that makes up the sharp end turns into a dark green, similar to Izuku's hair. The black part that makes up the back of the blade remains black. The guard changes from a flame color to that of a blue and green flame.
"I see that you are meant to weild such a weapon. The color only changes when someone with great skill and potential picks up the katana."
Iroh said softly. Izuku can feel tears start to pool up in his eyes. There is a slight guilt that he feels for not even looking at his own father's nichirin katana after his mom explained everything, but it's replaced with a calm feeling at seeing the proud face of Iroh. He loves his father dearly but Iroh was the one who saw him grow and helped him.
"I only have the skills and strength that you taught me. It's strange to say but for a long time, I've seen you as my father figure. I'm so glad my mom brought me here all those years ago."
Iroh let the tears he's hidden fall freely at Izuku's words. Izuku's tears follow as he and Iroh hug each other again, this time longer. When they leg go there's a short silence before Izuku spoke.
"Where do I find the remaining demon slayers? If Muzan was defeated than is there a reason to keep the corp operating?"
Iroh's smile is bright but his heart has a small pang of pain. Another one of his family will enter a dangerous world of uncertainty.
"My nephew left me a letter before his death. It seems that we have that in common from the ones we've lost. He mentioned that a retired Hashira lives here in Japan, the one that taught him flame breathing."
Izuku looked at the guard of the sword. Flame breathing sounds fitting for the way the weapon looks.
"Is flame breathing similar to total concentration?"
He asked curiously. Iroh shakes his head. Before answering, he refills both their tea cups and takes a sip.
"From what I understand, flame breathing is one of many sword fighting styles that replicates the elements. Zuko said that it's techniques mimic flames with powerful strikes. The sword styles are only named after the elements since early humans didn't have quirks and so couldn't create said elements."
Hearing that made the gears inside Izuku's head turn.
'Sword styles that mimic the elements? Even one that mimics fire? Are these demon slayers even human if they're able to keep up with super strength and speed?'
"Has your nephew been able to mix his fire bending with flame breathing? I mean, if flame breathing is powered through total concentration breathing shouldn't the breathing from fire bending make it stronger?"
Iroh shakes his head. He puts down his tea cup and looks out of the window at the setting sun.
"I'm sure you know this but demons are only killed through decapitation by a nichirin blade or left to burn in the sunlight. Mixing fire bending with flame breathing won't make much of a difference against a demon. That being said, Zuko wasn't able to combine the two. The strain was too much for his body and he nearly died the first time he tried it."
Izuku thought back to when he used his fire to enhance his speed and reaction time. The strain was very painful on his body which is why he rarely tries it now. He looks at the katana in his hands and holds it up.
"Mr. Iroh, would you be able to teach me how to handle a sword? Not in flame breathing but at least the basics so I won't be going to the flame Hashira blind."
The old man looked at Izuku with pride. He walked over to the wall where a sword hung on the wall. The blade is wide with a normal looking handle made of metal and wood. The man swung the sword around a few times before separating the sword in half, the handle splitting down the middle to show the blade is also halved.
"My boy, you really do have the spirit of a hero."
And that us chapter 8 people! I originally planned on having Rengoku be Iroh's nephew but it being Zuko will make more sense later. Now that Izuku has mastered fire bending I can't wait to set my future plans in motion. Future chapters will have references to Demon Slayer along with more ATLA stuff. How is everyone enjoying the story so far? Thanks for reading everyone, have a good one!