So it seems the problem student you took in isn't the only one, huh?
Suzuki Makoto blinked, ultimately giving up on warning the other party about Kaigaku's personality. It seemed Jigoro Kuwajima wasn't some completely clueless old man; he clearly hoped his two disciples would complement each other, both in combat and in personality.
After that, Suzuki Makoto's conversation with the old man was limited to a discussion of Thunder Breathing. This talent once again astonished Jigoro Kuwajima, who even asked if he was willing to inherit the title of Thunder Hashira. It wasn't until Suzuki Makoto politely declined that he gave up, a look of pity on his face.
"There's nothing more I can teach you. When it comes to understanding Thunder Breathing, Makoto, you've probably already surpassed me."
The old man was filled with emotion. Although the other party was unwilling to learn only Thunder Breathing, it was fortunate enough for the Demon Slayer Corps to have such a formidable general.
"No, this is all thanks to the experience of you and the previous Thunder Hashira. I am merely standing on the shoulders of giants."
Suzuki Makoto downed the long-cold tea in one gulp.
"Well then, I shall take my leave."
"Wait, I remember you mentioning earlier, Makoto, that you wanted to visit the former Flame Hashira next, right?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
The old man sighed. He had heard about the former Flame Hashira's affairs, even though he had retired much earlier.
"The former Flame Hashira isn't like me, or that fellow Urokodaki, who retired because our bodies deteriorated with age. Even today, he is still in his prime. He just fell into despair after his wife's death and gave up the position of Flame Hashira, not even properly teaching his own children. Despite that, the boy, Kyojuro Rengoku, still managed to become the new Flame Hashira on his own."
"So I suggest you go directly to the current Flame Hashira to learn Flame Breathing. If you go looking for him at his family home, you might not get what you want."
This was the first time Suzuki Makoto had heard this news. He recalled the Flame Hashira from the Hashira Meeting—it was hard to imagine that such a radiant person would have a father who had sunk so low as to abandon his responsibilities.
"Thank you for the warning. I'll keep it in mind."
After bidding farewell to Jigoro Kuwajima, Suzuki Makoto left immediately. He had no desire to see that shameless Kaigaku again.
Riding on his horse, Suzuki Makoto shook the birdcage in his hand.
"Swain, are you awake?"
"Caw—"
The Kasugai Crow gave a feeble cry.
"Could you please deliver a message back to the Ubuyashiki Estate for me? Ask when the current Flame Hashira will be back; I wish to pay him a visit. Stay there in the meantime, and come back to me once you have a definite time."
Swain immediately perked up. This wasn't a difficult task, and he could even go home for a rest. He nodded happily and soared into the sky.
Suzuki Makoto wouldn't just wait in place for news. He continued on the road towards the Rengoku Residence. After all, the Hashira were very busy; there were too many demons on this land for them to slay, too many people for them to save.
The demons he had slain along the way weren't all from messages delivered by his Kasugai Crow. As a mobile man-eating demon radar, Suzuki Makoto made a point of passing through densely populated areas as much as possible while traveling, hunting down any potential stragglers.
Several days later, Swain brought back a piece of expected news—the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, was hunting a demon and couldn't confirm a return time to his estate for now.
It seemed his decision to travel proactively was the right one.
Suzuki Makoto looked up at the wooden gate before him, sighed, and walked up to knock.
"May I ask who you are—"
A young boy who was clearly related to Kyojuro Rengoku by the look of him opened the gate, looking quizzically at the stranger before him.
"Are you Kyojuro Rengoku's younger brother? I am here to visit the former Flame Hashira. Here is my letter of recommendation."
Reciting his standard line once more, Suzuki Makoto handed over his quest item.
"A friend of my brother's? I understand. My name is Senjuro Rengoku. I will take you to see my father now."
The boy took the letter with some excitement, not even opening it. After bowing to Suzuki Makoto, he opened the gate and invited him in.
The Rengoku Residence was large, and the dojo had clearly been renovated. However, although it wasn't dusty, it had a sense of age, and a faint smell of alcohol hung in the air.
The further the two walked inside, the stronger the scent of alcohol became. When they reached the main hall, the source of the smell was obvious.
A middle-aged version of Kyojuro Rengoku, with a scruffy beard, was fast asleep.
"Father, Father!"
Senjuro Rengoku walked over awkwardly and shook his father.
"What is it!"
The man, eyes still closed, swung his arm out in annoyance. Just as it was about to hit Senjuro, another hand caught it.
Although he had been decadent for a long time, upon feeling this movement, the man's eyes shot open, and he swung a punch with his other hand without hesitation.
Suzuki Makoto calmly caught the incoming fist, applied a slight bit of pressure that made the man's face turn pale, and then let go.
"Are you the former Flame Hashira, Lord Shinjuro Rengoku?"
"I am. Who are you?"
"My name is Suzuki Makoto. I have come to learn Flame Breathing. Here is the letter of introduction."
Senjuro quickly handed over the letter. The man was about to snatch it and tear it up, but after seeing the pattern on it, he slowed his movement slightly.
Shinjuro Rengoku fell silent for a moment. Without opening the letter, he pushed it back.
"There is no Flame Breathing anymore, and I'm no Flame Hashira. Please leave."
"Why?"
"There is no why! Flame Breathing ends with me! Isn't there a new Flame Hashira? If you want to learn, go learn from him!"
The man's anger was baseless, yet it was so real and intense.
"Is it because of your wife?"
"You bastard!"
Suzuki Makoto's words had clearly struck a nerve with Shinjuro Rengoku. He roared in fury and threw a wine jug at him.
Suzuki Makoto's response was simple—relentlessly poke at the sore spot.
"Was it because you failed to protect her? No wonder you say Flame Breathing ends with you. It seems you've recognized your own incompetence."
"Shut up!"
"Your own son became the new Flame Hashira. Why didn't he fall into despair over his mother's death? Was it because he saw your incompetence? So he learned Flame Breathing because he wanted to protect the people you were unable to protect?"
"Shut up! Shut up!"
A Nichirin Blade was thrown at him, and the enraged Shinjuro Rengoku caught it subconsciously as muscle memory began to surface with his anger.
It's fine if he's unwilling to teach. Getting him to be willing to slash at me works too.
_____
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