"Total-Concentration Constant is something all Hashira should master. As the name suggests, it's the practice of performing Total-Concentration Breathing all the time. Let's try it, shall we?" Shinobu asked. Tanjiro managed to keep it up for a grand total of 5 minutes, before his heart felt like it was about to beat itself out of his chest. Tanjiro collapsed to his knees, "you-you do this a-all the time, M- S-Shinobu?" he gasped.
"Yes, all of us do. It's vital if you want to be able to go up against the stronger Demons," she explained cheerfully, before checking a Stopwatch in her hand, "you managed it for 5 minutes straight. That's a good start. However, I suggest working on strengthening your lungs more until you can increase the length of time you can keep Total-Concentration Constant going. Alright? I'll loan you this Stopwatch for your training," Shinobu said, handing Tanjiro the item as he stood up. "You carry my Older Sister's dream. So you can't fail Tanjiro" she said softly.
Tanjiro tilted his head to the side in confusion, smelling the sadness in the teenager's scent, but not wanting to be rude by asking about something that was none of his business. Instead, he decided to head back to the Love Estate.
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Tanjiro sat and worked on his breathing, using the Stopwatch he'd been given to time how long he could keep it up. However, he could still only get 10 minutes, before collapsing. "Urgh. No, I can't do it. my lungs aren't strong enough yet." Tanjiro panted, trembling, "okay then. Back to the basics. Work on your lung capacity" Tanjiro told himself, shakily pushing himself back upright. 'I have to get stronger. No matter what!' he thought.
Flashes of his family nearly dead on the floor of their house, with Muzan's arm pinning his baby Sister to the wall through her chest flashed through his mind. 'Mother, Takeo, Hanako, Shigeru, Nezuko, Rokuta. I will turn you all back into humans! And kill Muzan Kibutuji!' he thought to himself.
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A while later Tanjiro was heading back inside to rest. *sigh* That was a good training session. I'm still having a bit of trouble with Total-Concentration Constant though. But I can keep it up a bit longer now. My lungs are getting stronger" he spoke to himself. When he got to his family's bedroom, he found nothing had changed.
He frowned in worry. He hoped his Mother and Nezuko would wake up soon. He set about brushing his Mother's and Sister's hair, Hanako squealing excitedly. Tanjiro smiled, at least he could do this for them. Once he was done, his youngest Sister flopped into his lap. Tanjiro chuckled, hugging her. "We'll probably be very busy soon everyone. But that's good. More Mission's mean's more blood samples to send to Miss Tamayo. I'll make you all human again really soon" he said.
There was a tapping at the window. He looked at his family, who quickly hid themselves from any sunlight that would come in through the window. When Tanjiro opened it, he found his Kasugai Crow with a letter tied to his leg. Tanjiro took it and thanked his Crow, before closing and covering the window again. His family came out as he lit a candle to read by. Tanjiro opened his letter, to see it was from the Master. As he read it, his eyes practically bugged out of his head.
'Dear Tanjiro Kamado. As our newest Hashira, I would like to buy you your own Estate, like the other Hashira have. Also, please don't hesitate to ask for anything you need to make yourself and your family more comfortable in your new home. Sincerely, Kagaya Ubuyashiki' "h-he's giving my own Estate?! And is willing to buy us anything we need?!" Tanjiro stuttered in shock. Then he noticed the second note that had been hidden under the first. He took it warily and opened it to read it. When he had, Tanjiro nearly had an aneurysm from shock.
'Additionally, your salary as a Hashira is negotiable. You may request any sum of money you wish for completing your Missions' Tanjiro felt his head spinning. An Estate of his own? Buy him anything he wanted? All expenses paid? Any sum of money for his Salery?! This was all too much for him to process. "Tanjiro?" Mitsuri called, knocking on his door, "are you alright? I heard crashing noises in here?" she asked in concern. "C-come in" Tanjiro replied. When the Love Hashira opened the door, she found the teen Hashira looking like his Soul had left his body. "Oh no! What's wrong?!" Mitsuri asked worriedly.
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After explaining the situation, Mitsuri smiled, "ah! So that's it. Yes, the Master has always been generous like that" she replied fondly. "This is more than generosity! Our family has always been poor Charcoal sellers, and our house was practically tiny compared to all the buildings here! I don't know how to process all of this!" Tanjiro replied dizzily. "Well at least you can save up money for your family after all of them are human again" Mitsuri replied with a smile. Tanjiro thought about that. Thought about all the things he wished he could have bought his family.
How he always wished he made at least a bit more money to buy more than the bare essentials. New clothes for his Siblings and Mother. More food, toys for the younger kids to play with. Even as Demon's, his family could still use most of those things. Not to mention he could save up his earnings to buy everyone more of them when they became human again. He decided to accept the kindness, but he still wasn't sure how much money he should take for payment for his Missions. 'As much as you want' didn't help him here.
Tanjiro was a selfless person by nature, and accepting lot's of money wasn't. Then again- he was the one risking his life by fighting powerful Demons who wanted him, and probably his family, dead. He wished he could ask his Mother about this. While she was able to form a few words now, Kie couldn't talk fully yet, and Tanjiro was also unsure how much she understood about what was going on around her. He decided that for the moment, he would accept the money. It couldn't hurt after all.
"Oh, Tanjiro?" Mitsuri asked, as he moved to leave. Tanjiro paused, "yes?" he asked. I have something to give you! Let me just go get it!" the other Hashira said brightly, running off excitedly. When she came back, it was with a new Haori. It was a black one with dots of gold, like glowing embers. "This is for you! I know I wasn't your teacher or anything, but I saw this Haori in the market and I couldn't resist!" Mitsuri explained. "Wow! Thank you! It's so soft and warm!" Tanjiro said gratefully, pulling it on over his new Uniform shirt. "Make sure you take care of your family. You're all so lucky to have each other" the Love Hashira said.
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A few weeks later, Tanjiro was officially introduced as the Fire God Hashira. Many of the others seemed interested, but the Wind and Serpent Hashira left as soon as the meeting was over. Later that day, Giyu caught up with the teen to talk privately, "um, congratulations. I never thought you'd become a Hashira so soon Tanjiro" he said. "Heh, neither did I. But at least I can keep my Mother and Siblings safe now" Tanjiro replied, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "How, are your family? I heard that your Mother and Sister's were asleep again" the Water Hashira asked awkwardly.
Tanjiro frowned, "you don't have to force yourself to talk to me if you're uncomfortable Giyu. I understand that you aren't good at talking" he said kindly. The black-haired young man stared at him for a moment, "you don't think- that I'm better than you because I distance myself?" he asked slowly. "What? Of course not! I don't know everything about you, but I can tell that you look down on yourself all the time by your scent. I want you to know that no matter what, I won't judge you. You helped my family fight against Muzan, and you spared their lives!
I don't know why you think you're not good enough, but you did save us. I want us to become friends, but I won't force you to talk to me. Just, know that I'll listen, okay?" Tanjiro asked gently, such a kind look in his eyes that Giyu had to look away. The Water Hashira took a deep breath, before turning to walk away. "I'll see you later, okay Giyu?" Tanjiro called, waving to the man. Then he turned to head home.
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Tanjiro's new Sword had just arrived, and as he slid it out of it's sheath, he saw that it had the Kanji for "Destroyer of Demon's" on both sides of the blade. "I can't believe that you already became a Hashira kid. It's crazy" Haganezuka said, as Tanjiro examined his new Sword. "Oh! I wasn't sure what to do with my old Sword. Do you want it back?" the new Hashira asked.
"Keep it. It's always better to have spare ones. That being said," the masked Swordsmith leaned in close, "if you break this Sword, don't think I'll forgive you just because you're a Hashira now! If you're that strong, you shouldn't break your blade, understand?!" Haganezka demanded. "Y-yes Sir" Tanjiro replied. "Hmph!" Haganezuka huffed, before he left. Mitsuri looked at the black blade in interest, "you know, my old teacher Kyojuro, the current Flame Hahira said he'd never known someone with a black blade to become a Hashira. Well, now you have!" she said happily.
"Yeah, I guess I have. My own teacher told me that black blades were said to be wielded by Swordsman who'd never go far. I should write him a letter about this! I'm sure he'll be excited!" Tanjiro decided, sheathing his new Sword and leaving to get his writing materials.
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After sending off his letter, Tanjiro went to spend some time with his family. He read to his younger Siblings and drew pictures with them. Of course they weren't that good at hand-eye coordination when it came to things other than fighting anymore. But Tanjiro still enjoyed it. Rokuta ended up falling asleep in his arms, while his other Siblings played together. As he watched them, Tanjiro worked on his breathing. He was getting a little better everyday.
If he didn't do anything strenuous, he could even keep it up all the time now. But Tanjiro wasn't sure how he'd do with keeping up Total-Concentration Constant during a fight. The months passed slowly. Mitsuri was sent on a Mission, and before Tanjiro knew it, his own Crow had turned up. "You're next Mission is here! Casualties on the Mugen Train are on the rise. Hashira Tanjiro Kamado, you are to join the Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku on site! Head West at once! Head West at once!" the Crow demanded.
Tanjiro nodded seriously. This would be his first Mission since becoming a Hashira. He stood up, "okay everyone! It's time to go. I don't know if I'll be able to bring everyone this time, so we need to figure out who is coming with me on my Mission" he announced. Nezuko stepped up, and so did Rokuta and Takeo. "Okay, let's get ready then" Tanjiro decided. His three Siblings got into their boxes, while Tanjiro pulled on his new Haori.
He then grabbed his new Sword and pulled the boxes onto his back. Kie moved over to him, mumbling something that sounded like: "be safe". Tanjiro nodded, "of course we will be. Take care of the others, okay Mom?" he asked, as he pat Hanako and Shigeru on the head, before leaving the room, "I'll be back soon!" he said with a smile and a wave.
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As he headed to the Train Station while guided by his Crow, Tanjiro swore he'd kill whatever Demon had caused all those people to go missing.