"Ha... ha... ha..."
As the demon's remains spiraled away in the wind, a crushing exhaustion swept through Tatsuya's limbs. He propped himself up with his sword, gasping for air as the freezing atmosphere stung his burning lungs.
"That was a magnificent battle! Truly astonishing swordsmanship!"
The booming, familiar voice made Tatsuya snap his head up. Shinjuro Rengoku was standing on the snow nearby, his eyes burning with intensity.
"Mr. Rengoku?!" Tatsuya gasped, his voice raspy. "You... how long have you been there?"
Shinjuro strode forward, a wide smile of approval on his face. "I have been here since the moment you drew your blade with the resolve to face that demon alone! It molted again to escape through a narrow serpent-path, and I had to hack through those annoying tunnels to track it here, haha!"
Tatsuya blinked. "Then why... why didn't you step in? You could have ended that fight in a single strike."
"Why?" Shinjuro's voice was firm, filled with absolute trust. "The moment I saw your stance and the fire in your eyes, the necessity for my intervention vanished! Nothing brings me more joy than seeing a fledgling hawk take flight by its own strength and conquer a powerful foe!"
"Ah... I see. Hehe!" Tatsuya rubbed his head, his fatigue feeling a little lighter under such blunt, fiery praise.
Shinjuro's gaze sharpened, taking in Tatsuya's grip and breathing pattern. "Young Tatsuya! I have a question. Have you ever studied Flame Breathing? You use the power of Thunder, yet in that final 'Godspeed' strike, I clearly saw the explosive rhythm and energy flow unique to the Flame!"
Tatsuya shook his head, his expression earnest. "No, sir. Before tonight, everything I knew about Flame Breathing was just hearsay. But it was strange... when I watched you fight at the estate, my own Breathing Style seemed to ignite. It began to run on its own, resonating with yours."
"Even just now, I felt like I was unconsciously merging that 'burning' sensation into my strikes. It made me faster and stronger. It's a mystery to me."
"OH?!" Shinjuro's eyes glowed with excitement. He slammed a hand onto Tatsuya's shoulder—a move Tatsuya was becoming accustomed to. "That means you have an incredible affinity for Flame Breathing! To resonate just by watching, and to apply its essence unconsciously in battle... HAHAHA! This is fantastic!"
At the Hashira's invitation, the two began walking toward the cave to regroup with Obanai.
"Mr. Rengoku, you're overpraising me," Tatsuya said with a self-deprecating chuckle. "Honestly, since the Final Selection, my two real missions have been a struggle. I nearly died against 'Shima,' and if you hadn't weakened this Snake Demon first, I'd be a snack right now. No wonder Master Kuwajima always calls me a rookie."
Shinjuro's eyes crinkled with nostalgia. "Mm! Kuwajima-san is a strict senior indeed. His lessons leave deep marks." He then looked at Tatsuya with renewed intensity. "However, young man, before I chose you for this mission, I examined your records at Headquarters quite thoroughly."
"Records? There are records of my missions?"
"Of course! Hahaha!" Shinjuro laughed. "How else would we assign missions or evaluate ranks? This is the basic foundation of the Corps! Listen to me, boy: based on the records and what I have seen with my own eyes..."
"That 'Shima' demon you faced—its Blood Demon Art and domain were a death trap for any new Slayer. If you hadn't worked perfectly with Slayer Takeshi, you would have been dead ten times over. As for this Snake Demon... before I wounded it, its strength was nearing the level of a Lower Rank. Even weakened, its speed and regeneration are not things a 'Kanoe' rank should be able to handle, let alone kill!"
Shinjuro's voice boomed with conviction. "Do you understand, Tatsuya? After these two missions, do you still naively believe you are 'weak'?"
Tatsuya blinked, a surge of pride and validation swelling in his chest. "So... I'm actually kind of good?"
"HM!" Shinjuro nodded vigorously. "I would say you are quite formidable! Now, young Tatsuya! I, Shinjuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, have a formal question for you!" He stood straight, his aura turning solemn and majestic. "Will you become my Tsuguko?"
"Tsuguko?" Tatsuya pointed to himself in shock. "Me?"
A Tsuguko is a direct apprentice handpicked and trained by a Hashira—the elite of the elite. It is the highest recognition of talent. They receive the most intense training and are the first in line to inherit the Hashira's position and will.
"Indeed!" Shinjuro confirmed. "I make this offer because I see massive potential in you. I can feel your deep-seated desire for the power of Flame, and the Flame has already begun to answer you!"
Tatsuya's heart raced. Direct guidance from a Hashira was the fastest road to the top. But then, Master Kuwajima's stern face flashed in his mind.
"But... Mr. Rengoku, I have no intention of abandoning Thunder Breathing! If Master Kuwajima finds out, he might hang me from a waterfall and turn me into a sieve with stones!"
"HAHAHA!" Shinjuro roared with laughter. "I am not asking you to abandon Thunder! Why not have both? I've seen them coexist in you already. To cut one away is to weaken your own potential! We will guide both powers so they promote each other, achieving a strength beyond a single style. That is your path!"
He stepped forward, his hand steady on Tatsuya's shoulder. "I see your heart and your will. You can become a master. Flame Breathing has been passed through the Rengoku line for generations, but that doesn't mean it's locked away from outsiders. My family's pride should not be a barrier to strength!"
Tatsuya felt the heat in his chest bloom into resolve. He nodded firmly. "I understand, Mr. Rengoku!"
He immediately raised his arm. "Shiun-sai!"
The crow landed, and Tatsuya dictated a message: "Shiun-sai, fly to Mount Momoyama immediately! Tell Master Kuwajima: 'Your disciple Tatsuya has been scouted by the Flame Hashira to be a Tsuguko. I will never abandon Thunder Breathing, but I humbly ask for permission to study under the Flame Hashira as well! I wait for your reply!'"
The crow let out a sharp cry and shot into the night like black lightning. Shinjuro watched it go, nodding in approval. "HM! Well done! Asking for your master's blessing is the proper way. Now, let's return and wait for his word."
They reached the cave soon after. The fire was bright, and Obanai was resting on a felt-covered stone. He had just finished a check-up with a Kakushi. Seeing the two return safe and relatively unharmed, Obanai's body finally slumped in relief. He knew the monster that had haunted his life was finally gone.