"Father, you really didn't teach them anything, did you?" Senjuro muttered with a mix of guilt and helplessness. He didn't even look at the "Flame Breathing Explanation" in his hands — instead, he just watched the two people struggling in front of him.
Itsuki blinked. "Huh? Why do I feel like I'm being pitied here?"
"Don't worry," Senjuro said, puffing up a little. "Now that I'm here, I'll help!"
He picked up the book like it was his life's purpose and started explaining each line the best he could. Itsuki stopped overthinking for a bit and listened, occasionally asking questions that made Senjuro freeze.
"Hey, when it talks about heating the heart… does it mean the left or right ventricle?"
"Uhh… my dad didn't say anything like that…"
"And the pulse that drives the blood — is that through the aorta or the vena cava?"
"I… I don't even know what that means…"
Senjuro's confidence cracked a little, but he still did his best to explain. It wasn't perfect, but Itsuki finally got the general idea of how to start practicing.
Later that day, the three of them headed to the backyard.
"Ah-woo… mmph!"
Itsuki gave his best shot at the breathing technique.
Kanao stood next to him, copying. "Ow-woo… pfft!" She accidentally spit out some saliva.
"…You just did Water Breathing by accident, you little dork," Itsuki said a small joke smiling a little.
Senjuro stood nearby, looking nervous. "No, no! You're supposed to focus your breath and apply heat to it — it's not just about breathing from your belly!"
Even though Senjuro hadn't learned Flame Breathing himself yet, he had watched his dad and brother practice it for years. He knew the rhythm and structure better than most.
"So… if we need heat, maybe we should breathe next to a fire?"
"Actually, that might? work. I'll go light some charcoal inside."
"Wait, let's do it out here instead."
"Why? It's freezing."
"I don't want us all dying from carbon monoxide poisoning."
"Carbo… what? Is that a demon?"
"…Never mind."
So, the three of them dragged the brazier into the yard and sat around it, trying to breathe "with heat" while freezing their butts off.
Day after day went by like that. Senjuro kept coming over to answer questions. Kanao looked confused more often than not, and Itsuki asked questions that made Senjuro regret ever picking up the book.
By the fourth day, Senjuro gave up and just joined them.
"Ha-woo… huff!"
"Ugh-woo… wheeze-wheeze!"
"Mm-woo… huh?!"
It didn't look like training — more like three weirdos making wolf noises while huddled around a fire. But somehow, it kind of worked. The energy was good.
From a distance, Rengoku Shinjuro sipped his sake and watched. "Bunch of idiots," he muttered before walking off, slightly drunk.
By day six…
"Fireball Jutsu!" Itsuki yelled as he blew hard on the coals while making weird hand signs.
Senjuro clapped. "Whoa! So warm!"
"You're amazing, Itsuki!" Kanao smiling chimed in, scooting closer to the fire.
Itsuki looked at the two of them cheering over something so dumb and suddenly felt like maybe he'd lost his mind, too.
"…Have we actually learned anything in these six days?" he asked.
Kanao blinked. Senjuro looked down.
"…We've just been sitting by a fire the whole time, haven't we?"
The wind blew right then, cold and sharp. All three of them shivered.
Far off, Shinjuro watched and let out a deep sigh. "…They just figured that out?"
"I thought they had some talent," he muttered, taking another long drink. "Maybe not."
Itsuki looked at his two partners and decided someone had to take the lead. "Let's just… go inside and roast by the fire."
Shinjuro spat out his drink. "You've gotta be kidding me…"
"Wait!" Kanao pointed. "Did anyone else hear that noise?"
The three turned. From behind the trees, a flash of red and yellow caught their eyes.
"ahh, I saw hair like mine!" Senjuro gasped. "That has to be my father!"
"Oh crap — that's Shinjuro-san?!"
"Great, now's our chance!"
"Master Rengoku!" Itsuki yelled. "We've been trying to figure this out for days!"
Hearing them shout, Shinjuro stopped. He couldn't let regular people see the mess they made.
"…Fine," he grumbled. "Stupid I'll talk. Just stop yelling."
Senjuro ran up first. "Father, I'm really sorry! I should've taught them better—"
"You shouldn't have taught anything!" Shinjuro barked. "What a joke. You idiots have been roasting yourselves all week."
"But I brought fine wine," Itsuki said casually. "A peace offering. Can I ask about the breathing now?"
Shinjuro paused. "…You brought wine?"
He sniffed.
"…Fine. Follow me."
He led them to a temporary house nearby. Once everyone sat down, he looked at the three of them seriously.
"Itsuki — don't call me Master unless you actually master the damn technique. I'll only show this once."
He stood tall and took the perfect Flame Breathing stance — just like in the diagrams. His posture was solid, and his breathing deep and smooth.
"All your forms are okay," he said. "But your breathing rhythm? Total garbage. Watch closely."
His chest rose and fell in a slow, powerful wave. Itsuki and the others copied him immediately, doing their best to match the flow.
And for the first time… it kind of worked.
A slow warmth spread through Itsuki's chest. It wasn't just heat — it felt alive.
It was working.
Shinjuro watched with narrowed eyes. "Hmph… Maybe they're not totally hopeless after all. Guess roasting like idiots built some type of foundation."
And for the first time in days, Itsuki actually felt like they were getting somewhere.