Takanashi Haruto arrived at Mt. Sagiri as the sun was setting.
Earlier, he had dispatched Sora—the parrot who loved blue skies—to deliver the news of his impending visit to Mt. Sagiri to Godou River.
Godou River's reply was: Your Swordsmith, Haganezuka Hotaru, is waiting for you in Swordsmith Village to discuss the forging of your nichirin blade.
Haruto: =͟͟͞͞(꒪⌓꒪*)
Is it true that what you fear most is what happens?
No wonder Ubuyashiki had laughed so happily when Haruto told him not to use Haganezuka Hotaru.
Hmm, when I go back, I'll bring some Mitarashi Dango for Mr. Haganezuka; I hope he won't get angry that I'm a few days late.
At the wooden house at the foot of the mountain, Haruto saw Sakonji Urokodaki, the current Water Pillar, with his white hair and a large Tengu mask identical to Sabito's, looking both mysterious and steady.
Beside him stood a slender, short girl in a short kimono with a plum blossom pattern and long dark green hair, looking very pure and lovely.
She tilted her head slightly and smiled shyly at the white-haired boy.
The three first greeted Sakonji, Haruto presented the visiting gift he had bought from the village down the mountain, then turned to Makomo and pulled out a beautifully wrapped gift from his backpack.
"A visiting gift."
Makomo's emerald green eyes widened suddenly, revealing a hint of bewilderment and surprise: "Is it for me?"
"Yes, I heard they had a younger sister at home, so I picked it out on the way. It's not an expensive gift, please accept it."
Haruto nodded as if it were obvious; it was perfectly normal to bring a gift for family or acquaintances when visiting someone's house or even just returning from a long trip.
It would be strange if these two boys came back empty-handed, wouldn't it?
The two fox boys: When did you buy that!
Sabito's face flushed, and he spread his hands at Makomo: "You know I'm broke."
Giyuu nodded: "I have money, but I forgot."
...He might as well not have said that.
Makomo thanked him and went back into the house with the gift.
Urokodaki's house wasn't large, but it was just right for the four of them, Master and disciples, making it feel very warm.
Sakonji was indeed a very easygoing person, especially when he saw Giyuu, though expressionless, actively communicating with Haruto.
The room was small, so they set up a stove outside.
Sakonji Urokodaki prepared extra large portions of meat and vegetables, which made Sabito secretly sigh in relief.
"Did Master take out all the food from the cellar?"
He asked quietly.
"No." Sakonji was silent for a moment before replying: "I heard the name Takanashi Haruto from a Swordsmith."
He remembered Haganezuka Hotaru gesticulating wildly in front of him: How could a 10-year-old child eat an entire pig?!
"Eh? Master also seems very familiar with Haruto."
"After all, he's a child who grew up in Swordsmith Village, so he had many more opportunities to meet Master and Pillar-level Swordsmen."
As dusk fell, Haruto sat by the fire, skillfully skewering marinated fish onto iron rods and sticking them into the soil near the flames.
"If there's a lotus pond nearby, you can wrap the marinated fish in lotus leaves, then coat it with a layer of pond mud and throw it into the fire.
Once the pond mud cracks open, the fish inside will be incredibly tender and juicy.
This is a Chinese cooking technique..."
Makomo and Giyuu both sat by the fire listening to him, nimbly adding ingredients to the cast-iron pot hanging over the coals.
Makomo's eyes were sparkling; she was truly adorable.
Giyuu's expression was blank; who knew what he was listening for... Once everyone had eaten their fill, Haruto turned to Sakonji Urokodaki and stated the purpose of his visit.
"Your swordsmanship is good, but its fusion with the Breathing Technique is too poor, isn't it?"
Sakonji mused, then said to Haruto: "Have you mastered all the forms of Flame Breathing?"
Haruto shook his head: "I've only mastered five so far."
"Show me."
So the boy put down his chopsticks, picked up his nichirin blade, and stood in the center of the open space.
Demonstrating Flame Breathing in front of a group of Water Breathing Swordsmen was unexpectedly nerve-wracking and embarrassing.
Haruto adjusted his breathing, entering a state of total concentration: "Flame Breathing, First Form..."
Sakonji Urokodaki watched closely with his hands behind his back, the firelight from the blade illuminating his fiery red mask.
The Flame Tiger trembled as it surged from the blade, and Haruto panted heavily, exhausted, soreness seeping from every joint.
He looked at Sakonji, and the white-haired old man paused before speaking: "No offense, but I think you should give up Flame Breathing."
Huh?
Haruto was a bit at a loss.
Sakonji walked over to Haruto and took his arm out of his sleeve.
"You've met Rengoku Shinjuro, haven't you? What kind of person do you think he is?"
Haruto pondered before replying: "Shinjuro is a very enthusiastic person. Even though I always bother him about my training, he never shows any impatience."
"Rengoku Shinjuro became an excellent Flame Breathing Swordsman not just because of his family lineage, but most importantly, because of his personality.
Practicing Flame Breathing requires enthusiasm, cheerfulness, and a conviction like a blazing flame, but unfortunately, I haven't seen those two qualities in you."
While saying "no offense," Sakonji Urokodaki's words were merciless: "You've chosen the wrong path forward; this path is destined not to lead you to success."
"Chosen the wrong... path?"
Haruto raised his hand to touch his chest; his heart was beating there, but it lacked the fiery passion of Shinjuro.
"Your swordsmanship is very advanced, comparable to a Pillar-level Swordsman, but its fusion with the Breathing Technique is too poor."
Sakonji shook his head; the fusion of swordsmanship and Breathing Technique was a matter of talent, and a lack of talent was a difficult problem to solve, even for a trainer.
"Find a belief that ignites your passion," Sakonji said. "Or... join the Kakushi; there isn't much danger there."
Haruto was a bit disappointed, but he still sincerely thanked Sakonji.
After this, he would have to participate in various demon-hunting missions. Was he destined to stumble forward like this forever?
"Don't be discouraged, I believe there will be a solution." Sabito patted his shoulder, a gentle smile in his silver eyes.
"What did Haruto give you?" This was Giyuu asking Makomo.
"Giyuu—"
"I'm just a little curious."
"None of your business~"
On the sword stand inside the house, Makomo's nichirin blade was displayed.
A new wisteria-patterned sword tassel was tied to the round tsuba.
Even the cloth bag it came in was neatly folded and placed in a drawer.