Episode 3: Tanjiro kindles his flame!

Tanjiro opens his eyes to another day. He yawns and begins the day. He puts on his training clothes, he checks on Nezuko, and heads outside to begins his stretches.

"Today is gonna be the day!" Tanjiro yells out determined. It's been 3 months since he started his final training. Tanjiro has not been able to quite use the 9th form of flame breathing effectively but he's been getting good at the other forms and master said Tanjiro should be able to go to final selection sometime in the next 6 months.

Tanjiro takes a deep breath as starts up his concentration breathing. He can keep up for around 6 hours and master said soon he would start making sure Tanjiro is doing concentration breathing in his sleep too.

"Tanjiro." Calls out Kyojonro as he walks over. "Are you ready to practice?"

"Of course master!" Tanjiro replies with a smile.

"Good, because today," Kyojonro smirks and throws a real nichirin sword at Tanjiro's feet. "We will be doing real combat."

"Wait what?!" Tanjiro exclaims a little scared.

"You won't learn real sword combat without handling a real sword." Kyojonro says as he raises his sword.

"I mean yeah but-" Tanjiro begins before getting interrupted.

FLAME BREATHING, THIRD FORM. RISING SCORCHING SUN

Tanjiro yelps and barely dodges the attack.

Wait-" Tanjiro gets stopped by another slash.

Tanjiro takes a breath as he decides that he can't hesitate anymore.

FLAME BREATHING, 1ST FORM. UNKNOWING FIRE

Kyojonro ducks from the strike and moves in closer. He begins his assault on Tanjiro as the two partake in a dance of danger and blades.

Tanjiro is having trouble keeping up while also making sure to keep using concentration breathing but he's managing at least for now.

The spar continues on as Tanjiro tries looking for an opportunity to strike but he can't see an opening.

Kyojonro goes for an overhead attack but Tanjiro counters with a side strike. Kyojonro smirks as Tanjiro had fallen for his trick as Kyojonro uses the opportunity to sweep Tanjiro's legs and causing him to fall to the ground.

"Hey I thought this was sword combat!" Tanjiro yells out angrily.

"No, I said we were doing "real combat", and in real combat you use every opportunity you have to win." Kyojonro says with a cocky tone of voice.

"Cheater." Tanjiro mutters. That was a big mistake.

"Oh really? Well if you have time to mouth off I'm sure you have the time to practice the 9th form for the next few hours." Kyojonro says with a glare.

"Yes master!" Tanjiro exclaims knowing anything below enthusiasm will get more pain.

Kyojonro walks off as Tanjiro begins swinging his sword. Tanjiro breathes in deep as he tries to use the 9th form of flame breathing, he knew it would be tough to use but he didn't think It would take him 3 months just to get the stance perfect.

Tanjiro breathes in deep as he tries to summon the strength and yet it just doesn't work. For some reason the 9th form had just always slipped by him.

Tanjiro tried for hours on end to use the 9th form. He doesn't even understand why it's so hard in the first place anyway. It's not much different from stuff like the first 3 forms. Just take a stance, raise your blade, and rush forward to slice off your opponents head. Why is it so hard!?

Eventually Kyojonro came back out and tried to give me advice but he's basically told me everything he could at this point.

"I don't know what else to tell you Tanjiro, the 9th form is difficult but nobody from my family has ever had this much trouble. I can only assume it's because your not an Rengoku." Kyojonro says with crossed arms.

"Why would my blood and last name have anything to do with a breathing style?" Tanjiro asks panting.

"Before Rengoku children are born, their mothers stare into a fire for 2 hours everyday until the child is born. Perhaps doing that is why we have such bright hair and we're good at flame breathing." Kyojonro theorizes.

"So because my mom didn't stare into fire enough I won't be able to master a sword technique?" Tanjiro asks rhetorically.

Kyojonro sighs. "Your getting tired, I need some more food anyway. How about you head into the village for a while?"

"Yeah that'd be nice." Tanjiro says with a sigh and he sheathed his sword.

"I'll see you at dinner, right?" Kyojonro asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course master." Tanjiro says with a smile.

"You better." Kyojonro retorts

At the village

Tanjiro walks through the little village of Futosho with a smile. With his training being exhausted and the ever growing frustration of him not being able to master the 9th form. Sometimes it's nice to come to the village and see people, such as-

"Tanjiro!" Haru's voice rings out as he runs to him.

Tanjiro smiles seeing the little boy. "Good morning Haru, how's your day?"

"Good enough! How's your training with Mr. Rengoku-San?" Haru asks innocently.

Tanjiro's face falls. "I can't seem to get a grip on the 9th form. All the other forms I'm doing fine in and I should be able to master concentration breathing constant before I go to the final selection. I just can't seem to get the 9th form though."

"Hmmmm, well what are you doing wrong exactly?" Haru asks.

"I don't even know! My stance is perfect and Kyojonro says I certainly have the strength to perform the move. I just can't bring it out though." Tanjiro replies sadly.

"Huh, maybe you just can't do it?" Haru says bluntly.

"Maybe...But I won't give up! Remember, I promised to complete your dream along with mine!" Tanjiro says determined. 'And maybe master's dream as well if I can.'

"Okay! Now play with me!" Haru says with passion.

"What?" Tanjiro says.

"You heard me! None of the other kids want to play today so I want you too!" Haru says with a pout.

"Well I mean-" Tanjiro starts.

"Please!" Haru begs with puppy eyes.

"...okay." Tanjiro sighs.

"Yay!" Haru proclaims happily as he starts dragging Tanjiro.

After 2 hours worth of play that made Tanjiro realize how rusty he was as an older brother, Haru finally grew bored and let Tanjiro to do his own things.

Tanjiro walked into his favorite shop and was Greeted by the owner, Mr. Yoiga. Mr. Yoiga was an older man, with balding hair and a gray mustache. Apparently he and master were good friends although you couldn't tell by the way the two described each other.

"Oh good morning Tanjiro! Did that old man force you to get his food again?" Mr. Yoiga asked with a small smirk.

"Master isn't that old, he's only 32." Tanjiro says with a smile.

"Could have fooled me with his moaning and groaning." Mr Yoiga says with a laugh. "So what's on his list today?"

"Oh here." Tanjiro passes the small paper.

"Hmmmm, alright I'll get it for you." Mr. Yoiga says as he strokes his mustache.

"Can I at least help? I don't want you to work just for me." Tanjiro says determined.

"Sure, just don't tell the old man I let you have special privileges." Mr. Yoiga says with a smirk as he let's Tanjiro into the back.

The two men worked together and got all the supplies Kyojonro had asked for when Tanjiro thought of a question. "Hey Mr. Yoiga?"

"Yes Tanjiro?" He responds

"How did you meet Master?" Tanjiro asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh well you see I was a demon slayer myself back in the day." Mr. Yoiga says nonchalantly.

"What!? Why didn't you tell me this before?!" Tanjiro exclaims.

"You never asked before." Mr. Yoiga says with a tone of teasing.

"What breathing style did you use?" Tanjiro asks with slight wonder in his voice.

"I used stone breathing, pretty useful if you ask me." Mr. Yoiga says.

"Wow, how good were you?" Tanjiro asks.

"Well I was never gonna be able to reach hashria level or anything, but I survived long enough to retire so I consider it a win." Mr. Yoiga says with a slight chuckle.

"Wow, say did you ever meet a kizuki?" Tanjiro asks curiously.

"Once, lower moon 4. Me and Kyojonro along with a few rookie slayers had to fight the bastard. It's the only time I've ever had my life flash before my eyes." Mr. Yoiga says as he finishes up with packing Tanjiro's bag.

"What was that like?" Tanjiro asks

"Interesting, it's like every memory passes like a blur." Mr. Yoiga says.

"I heard that the reason that happens is because it's our minds way of trying to cling onto life." Tanjiro says confidently.

"Hmmm, I have a different theory myself." Mr. Yoiga says.

"What?" Tanjiro asks.

"I believe it's our minds way of reminding us to fight. Showing us every reason why we've made it this far and why we have to keep going. Every promise and deal we have to fulfill. You get what I mean?" Mr. Yoiga says.

"Wow...you got any other advice for me?" Tanjiro asks with wide eyes.

"Don't die, it's probably painful." Mr. Yoiga says with a smirk.

"Yeah yeah okay." Tanjiro laughs it off but then realizes something. The time.

"Oh shoot! I gotta go!" Tanjiro grabs the bag and quickly and starts running back to Kyojonro's house.

Mr. Yoiga laughs it off before he returns to his own duties.

A while later

Tanjiro was sitting on his bed, brushing Nezuko's hair. She was still asleep even after 21 months, but Tanjiro made sure she was clean. Kyojonro said it was a waste of time but Tanjiro also found it soothing, as if he was truly being an older brother and not just some pretender.

"And then Nezuko, Mr. Yoiga told me something crazy, apparently he used to be a demon slayer." Tanjiro tells the sleeping Nezuko gently.

"He also told me about his fight against a kizuki and even a time where his life flashed before his eyes...Did your life flash before your eyes before you got turned into a demon?" Tanjiro asks rhetorically of course as Nezuko still wouldn't wake.

Tanjiro continues telling Nezuko about his day. His playing with Haru, his failures of using the 9th form, even him losing track of time as he had to rush up the mountain to a not so happy Kyojonro Rengoku.

"Will I ever be able to become strong enough to complete so many dreams if I can't master all the forms of flame breathing?" Tanjiro mutters to himself.

At dinner

At the dinner table Kyojonro and Tanjiro had made some tasty vegetables and udon

Tanjiro eats his food with a little disappointment, after all. How can he be excited about food when he's still failed to master the 9th form.

"Tanjiro, what is the flame inside your heart?" Kyojonro asks suddenly.

"W-what do you mean?" Tanjiro replies a little startled.

Kyojonro eats another bite before he continues. "The flame inside your heart, the motivation that keeps you going."

"My will to save Nezuko?" Tanjiro says nervously.

Kyojonro sighs. "So that's why you've been struggling to get the 9th form."

"What so you mean?" Tanjiro asks with a wide eyes.

"You haven't fully discovered the flame inside your heart. The 9th form is based on the users will, if you haven't fully found your will that you won't be able to use it." Kyojonro explains.

"...WHY DIDN'T YOU MENTION THIS EARLIER?!" Tanjro exclaims.

"I didn't think that your will was the problem, it's so simple so it's easy to forget." Kyojonro says with a glare.

"Fine fine, so how do we find my "will"?" Tanjiro asks curiously.

"After dinner, for now eat your food." Kyojonro says as he uses his chopstick to poke Tanjiro on the head.

Tanjiro grumbles a bit but ends up eating faster then before.

Later

"So what are we at this tree for?" Tanjiro asks with a raised eyebrow as he stares at the large tree. It has ropes tied around it and several ribbons.

"This tree is how we mark when a Rengoku is ready to become a demon slayer. You won't be leaving this area until you use the 9th form." Kyojonro says bluntly.

"Wait what?! How am I supposed to do that?" Tanjiro asks really confused.

"Find the flame of your heart." Kyojonro says like it's the easiest thing in the world. "I'll bring you food and water when you'll need it, start meditating. It'll help you focus."

Tanjiro sighs before he takes a mediation pose and starts breathing. Kyojonro walks off to leave Tanjiro alone with his thoughts.

'It's so quiet, wait I hear a bird. I wonder what's it's doing- No! Stay focused!' Tanjiro thinks to himself as he tries to concentrate.

The fire of his heart, what even is that!? Kyojonro said it was like his will but he knows his will, to turn Nezuko back into a human. What else is there?

The images of his dead family appear before him. Their bloody, cold bodies. The smiles he'll never see again.

My hatred, for the demons and the innocence they took from me...

The image of Haru appears in his mind

My promise, to kill every last demon so he won't have too...

The image of Kyojonro appears

My hope, that I will be able to fulfill the wishes of my master

The image of Nezuko appears before him

My wish, to save my sister and turn her back into a human.

His entire life flashes before his eyes. Every moment, every memory.

My will, to not fail. I will not fail ever again. His dead family Tanjiro unsheathes his sword. Haru's dream Tanjiro takes a breath. The Rengoku family curse Tanjiro grips his sword. Nezuko, as a human, smiling and dancing in the sun My will, to never fail ever again!

FLAME BREATHING, 9TH FORM. RENGOKU

Tanjiro unleashes the powerful slash. He feels the power behind it, he did it.

"I was gone 10 minutes." Kyojonro says with a sigh as he walks into the clearing.

"Oh sorry, er, or rather not sorry?" Tanjiro says nervously as he grips his blade.

"Well at least you did it. I guess it means your ready." Kyojonro says.

"Wait, really?" Tanjiro says with excitement brimming.

"Yes, the soonest final selection is in 3 months. Congratulations Tanjiro Kamado, your ready..."

Taisho Era Secret!

Tanjiro: Hello! It's time for our usual Taisho Era secret!

Kyojonro: Yes it appears it is.

Tanjiro: Very well! Did you know that the average amount of time it takes for a demon slayer to master their breathing style is two years?

Kyojonro: Yes, obviously.

Tanjiro: And it can sometimes take even longer for someone to master concentration breathing constant depending on their lungs and heart. Anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 years!

Kyojonro: Well if your done-

Tanjiro: Also! The fastest a person has ever mastered a breathing style was 4 months!

Kyojonro: Enough already! Just tell them a next episode.

Tanjiro: Very well! Next episode: "Wisteria mountain, final selection."

(Author's notes)

Hello again. I know this chaper was pretty short but I couldn't really think of anything to make it longer. Also you may have noticed how I've changed Tanjiro's motivation just a bit, he still wants to turn Nezuko human again but he also just doesn't want to be a failure ever again. I thought this could add to Tanjiro's character and make him feel more fleshed out. Otherwise I don't really have anything else to say. Just be ready for some characters to be a bit different. For you manga readers you probably already know Inosuke is gonna be completely different. I'll probably get the next chapter out sometime next week as I'll be trying to do all of final selection in one chapter and I have some ideas. See you guys soon, bye!