"This is something your esteemed father entrusted to me during my previous visit to your residence. He instructed me to make sure it reached your hands."
Suzuki Makoto took the booklet containing the complete forms of the Flame Breathing style from his clothes and handed it to Kyojuro Rengoku.
"This is... all the forms of Flame Breathing?!"
Kyojuro's already wide-open eyes grew even wider. He never imagined his father would write down such a booklet, let alone have Suzuki Makoto deliver it to him.
"Mr. Suzuki, did my father really ask you to give this to me?"
"Of course. Mr. Shinjuro Rengoku should have quit drinking by now and is slowly regaining his lost strength."
"Is that so... Thank you so very much! Lord Suzuki Makoto!"
Kyojuro Rengoku clenched the booklet in his hand and gave Suzuki Makoto a very solemn bow.
He was well aware of his father's condition and understood the immense effort required to awaken him from that state. For that reason, his gratitude towards Suzuki Makoto was almost beyond words.
"Mr. Shinjuro actually wants to see you and talk to you, but he's too thin-skinned. He couldn't bring himself to say it to me. Mr. Rengoku, why don't you take this opportunity to go back and visit your father? I believe you two have a lot to talk about."
"Yes! I was thinking the same thing. And I also want to return to the estate to practice Flame Breathing—however, I am currently tracking a demon active on the railway line. I'll have to make my father wait a little longer."
A demon being tracked by the Flame Hashira? It must be one of the Twelve Kizuki!
Suzuki Makoto's 'K-head' radar instantly started beeping. He immediately retracted his steps to leave and stared intently at Kyojuro Rengoku.
"If you don't mind, Mr. Rengoku, how about I take over handling this demon?"
"Eh? Wouldn't that be a bother for you, Lord Suzuki?"
Kyojuro was a bit surprised. He didn't feel the slightest discomfort of having his credit stolen; he was just apologetic for potentially troubling Suzuki Makoto.
"Not at all. I heard from Senjuro that you learned your Flame Breathing all on your own through intuition, so this booklet must be very important to you, right? Besides, after you practice, your skills will surely jump to a whole new level. That being the case, achieving a leap in your strength is more important than tracking a single demon."
Suzuki Makoto said with a wave of his hand, full of righteous bravado.
"As Lord Ubuyashiki said before, Tanjiro Kamado has seen Muzan Kibutsuji. This means the final battle may not be far off. At a time like this, the stronger the strong become, the greater the advantage we'll have in the fight to subjugate Muzan Kibutsuji!"
Kyojuro Rengoku nodded heavily. Although they had never officially sparred, he knew Suzuki Makoto's strength was definitely greater than his own. Since the other party was willing to take over this mission, he naturally wasn't worried.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Lord Suzuki—after I've mastered all of Flame Breathing, I will definitely come to assist at the earliest opportunity!"
Done.
After seeing off the enthusiastic Kyojuro Rengoku, Suzuki Makoto headed towards the Demon Slayer Corps' Butterfly Mansion. He had heard that Tanjiro was sent there, and he still had many things he wanted to ask the young man.
Tanjiro Kamado sat on the bed, the curtains all drawn. He looked at his younger sister, the tenderness in his eyes overflowing.
Master Urokodaki, Mr. Tomioka, Mr. Suzuki... they were all willing to vouch for me and my sister. That master was also willing to spare our lives—I absolutely cannot let them down.
I must become stronger!
Knock, knock, knock.
"Tanjiro, it's me, Suzuki Makoto. Are you resting?"
"Mr. Suzuki! Please, come in."
Tanjiro Kamado quickly got up and opened the door.
"Thank you for your help earlier, Mr. Suzuki. I'm truly grateful!"
"It's nothing. Mr. Urokodaki and Mr. Tomioka did more than I did. They are the ones who deserve this gratitude more."
Comparatively, those two didn't have Suzuki Makoto's level of strength, which allowed him to dissent within the Demon Slayer Corps with ease. Their willingness to stake their lives to vouch for Nezuko was no empty promise.
"No, I'm already endlessly grateful for your help. I will go and thank them both in person as well."
"Alright, let's put that aside for now. I came here because there's something I want to ask you."
"Is it... about Muzan Kibutsuji?"
"No—it's about the earrings you're wearing."
Suzuki Makoto took out the small booklet about Sun Breathing, which he had also obtained from the Rengoku residence, and handed it to Tanjiro.
"According to the records in here, the first person to master Sun Breathing during the Sengoku period wore these same earrings. Furthermore, on Mount Natagumo, the final blow you dealt to that demon wasn't a Water Breathing technique. So what I need to ask you is—Tanjiro Kamado, are you a successor of Sun Breathing?"
"Sun Breathing? I've never heard of it."
The young man looked through the booklet in confusion.
"These earrings are a Kamado family heirloom, passed down to me by my father. As for Sun Breathing, I know even less. I've never heard of it. The technique I used that day is a dance passed down in my family to honor the Fire God, called the [Hinokami Kagura]."
Suzuki Makoto frowned slightly. The boy's words didn't have the scent of a lie. This meant that Tanjiro's father might have known more, but what Tanjiro knew was limited to this.
"Then, how much of that dance called the [Hinokami Kagura] do you remember?"
"I remember all of it."
"Good. Once your body has recovered, can you perform the entire [Hinokami Kagura] for me?"
"Of course, no problem! It would be great if I could help you, Mr. Suzuki!"
The young man nodded and agreed very seriously.
"Thank you, Tanjiro. For now, get some rest."
"Eh? Mr. Suzuki, about Muzan Kibutsuji—"
"Tanjiro, according to ancient texts, Muzan Kibutsuji is a formless demon who constantly changes his appearance and stature. Therefore, a single sighting is not enough to track him down."
The young man was stunned at first, then couldn't help but feel disappointed. Seeing his dejection, Suzuki Makoto decided to offer some guidance to the overly responsible child.
"However, I imagine you've memorized his scent, haven't you?"
"Yes! I'll never forget it!"
Seeing the reinvigorated Tanjiro, Suzuki Makoto gave his shoulder a serious pat.
"That's enough, then. When that day comes, you must point that demon out to me!"
"I will, Mr. Suzuki! I definitely will!"
_____
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