When Tomioka Giyu named his newly created Water Breathing Twelfth Form "Raging Surge," Tomioka Tō was crouched in the yard, drawing sword marks on the ground with a twig.
"Raging Surge?"
Tō looked up, eyes bright. "Like a flood-type attack?"
"Yeah."
Giyu nodded, his fingertips still tingling slightly from performing the technique earlier. "It requires controlling both Water and Wind Breathing rhythms at the same time, then using Sun Breathing to neutralize their clash before it can stabilize."
That was the conclusion he had reached after repeated tests.
When combining the break of Wind Breathing with the flow of Water Breathing alone, the breath streams would collide inside the body—at best disrupting breathing, at worst damaging the organs.
Only the pure power of Sun Breathing could act as a bond between those opposing styles—retaining the continuity of water while fusing the sharpness of wind.
"Then can I learn it later?"
Tō stood up, gripping the wooden sword tightly.
"When you can master Water Breathing first, then the basic forms of Wind Breathing, maybe you can try."
Giyu didn't shut down the idea completely.
"Raging Surge" demanded extreme control over breathing flow, something far beyond Tō's current level.
Tō nodded firmly and turned back to practice his swings.
Watching the boy's back, Giyu suddenly remembered Kocho Shinobu's letter—she had written that Kanao finally dared to draw her sword. Her hands still trembled, but at least she no longer hid behind her sister.
His fingers unconsciously brushed the bamboo tube at his waist, still holding the hemostatic medicine Shinobu had sent last time.
Giyu looked down at his hand and thought maybe he should write her a reply—tell her about Tō's progress and ask about her poison research.
"Sensei, you look happy."
Tō's voice suddenly broke his thoughts.
"I'm not."
Giyu frowned. He was sure his expression hadn't changed, his breathing steady—how could the boy notice?
Tō ran over and pointed at Giyu's chest. "You are! I can see the 'thread of happiness' around you—it's much brighter than usual."
Giyu froze.
He knew Tō's senses were sharper than most, but he hadn't realized they were that sharp.
He didn't argue further, simply turned to pick up his haori. "The Hashira meeting is about to start. We're leaving."
Tō's eyes lit up. "Sensei, are we going to see Shinobu-san?"
Giyu's steps faltered for half a second before he sped up without answering.
The Hashira meeting was still held in the headquarters courtyard.
When Giyu arrived, several Corps members were already standing guard at the gate. They saluted respectfully as he passed.
Just as he entered the yard, he saw a familiar silver-white silhouette.
Kocho Shinobu was standing under the veranda, holding a medicine box, apparently just finishing treating someone's wounds.
Sunlight fell softly on her, smoothing the sharp edges of her profile. When she spotted Giyu, her eyes brightened slightly, and she walked over quickly.
"Tomioka-san, you're here."
Her voice was clearer than in her letters, carrying a faint, barely noticeable smile.
"Tō came too?"
"Yes."
Giyu nodded and stepped aside for Tō to greet her.
Tō bowed politely. "Hello, Shinobu-san!"
"Hello."
Shinobu smiled, her eyes landing on the wooden sword in his hands. "Looks like you've been training seriously lately."
"Because Sensei teaches well!"
Tō said immediately, his tone full of admiration.
Watching them talk, Giyu felt that "thread of happiness" inside him shine even brighter.
He was just about to ask Shinobu about her poison research when a gentle voice sounded from behind them.
"My, Shinobu, who are you talking with? You look so cheerful."
Kocho Kanae approached, wearing her butterfly-patterned haori and a soft smile on her face.
Her gaze flicked between Giyu and Shinobu, a teasing glint in her eyes.
"Neesan!"
Shinobu's cheeks turned red instantly, and she quickly looked away. "It's nothing, I was just greeting Tomioka-san."
"Really?"
Kanae smiled, patting her sister's shoulder. "I think I heard you complimenting Tō's training? Seems like you're quite interested in Giyu's student."
"Neesan!"
Shinobu's face flushed even redder, like a ripe apple. She grabbed her medicine box and blurted, "I still have work to do! I'm heading back to Butterfly Mansion!"
With that, she nearly ran off in a flustered hurry.
Kanae watched her retreating back, her smile growing softer. Then she turned to Giyu. "Forgive her, she's always been shy."
"It's fine."
Giyu shook his head, though for some reason, the image of Shinobu's blushing face lingered vividly in his mind—livelier than usual.
"Come on," Kanae said with a warm laugh. "Everyone's waiting inside."
She led the way toward the main hall.
As Giyu followed, he spotted three familiar figures the moment they entered the courtyard.
Shinazugawa Sanemi leaned against a pillar, twirling his Nichirin Sword in his hand. He gave Giyu an irritated look but, unlike before, didn't start mocking him immediately.
Himejima Gyomei sat on the steps with his hands clasped, eyes closed, as unmoving and solid as stone.
Uzui Tengen stood in the center of the courtyard, his purple haori shining brightly as he gave orders to a few Corps members. When he noticed them entering, he turned with a grin.
"Oh? The Water Hashira and the Flower Hashira have arrived!"
Uzui's voice carried his usual flamboyant tone as his gaze landed squarely on Giyu.
"I heard you came up with something new again? Water Breathing Twelfth Form—and even a new breathing style?"
Just as Giyu was about to answer, Sanemi snorted first. "You just got lucky. Don't think you're that amazing."
"Sanemi, don't say that," Kanae said with a gentle smile, lightly patting his arm. "It's impressive that Giyu managed to create a new form."
Sanemi's expression softened slightly. He didn't argue further, just turned his head away.
Giyu was a little surprised—he hadn't expected Kanae to get along that well with the Wind Hashira.
"The technique isn't my own creation," Giyu said honestly, glancing toward Uzui Tengen. "It's a Sun Breathing style taught by a senior, not something I invented."
"Sun Breathing? What kind of breathing is that?" Uzui widened his eyes.
"Yes," Giyu replied simply. "Water Breathing Twelfth Form does exist. It's called 'Raging Surge.' It requires the principles of Wind Breathing to perform properly."
"Tch, so it's just mixed with Wind Breathing?" Sanemi scoffed. "Once I master Wind Breathing completely, I'll create a form of my own—way stronger than your so-called 'Raging Surge.'"
"Sanemi, respect your comrade's achievement," Gyomei said, finally opening his eyes, his voice deep and steady. "Giyu managed to develop a new form in such a short time and even grasped Sun Breathing. That's praiseworthy."
Sanemi clicked his tongue but didn't argue again.
Just then, light footsteps came from the end of the corridor.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya was being pushed forward in his wheelchair by a maid. His face was still pale, but he carried a gentle smile, his gaze sweeping across everyone present.
"You're all here."
His voice was soft, but it reached every ear clearly. "You've all worked hard lately."
Everyone bowed deeply. "Oyakata-sama."
Kagaya raised his hand lightly. "Please, sit."
The maid pushed the wheelchair to the step. Kagaya looked at them and spoke slowly. "Recently, demon sightings have decreased, especially among the Lower Moons. Three have already been slain. This is thanks to everyone's efforts."
His eyes landed on Giyu. "Giyu, the multi-armed demon you defeated had strength close to the top two of the Lower Moons. You did well. I've also heard about your Water Breathing Twelfth Form—it's remarkable."
"Yes," Giyu replied quietly.
"However, we must not grow careless," Kagaya continued, his tone turning firm. "The Upper Moons still hide in the shadows, and Kibutsuji Muzan remains unaccounted for. Our battle is far from over."
The courtyard fell silent, a heavy stillness spreading as everyone's expressions turned grave.
"But I believe," Kagaya's tone softened again, "that with all of you—the brilliant Hashira—and the countless swordsmen who fight to protect others, our generation will surely eradicate the demons completely and free humanity from fear."
His voice carried warmth and hope, like light piercing through darkness, reaching deep into every heart.
"Continue your efforts, all of you—for those whose lives were taken by demons, and for those still waiting for peace."
Everyone spoke together. "Yes, Oyakata-sama!"
Standing among them, Giyu looked at Kagaya's calm face and suddenly felt strength surge in his chest.
Less than half a year remained before Kanae's tragedy.
He was ready this time.
A new sword form, Sun Breathing, Sanemi's assistance, and the steadily growing Tō—this time, he would change the ending.
When the meeting ended, the group dispersed one by one.
As Giyu walked along the veranda, he saw Kocho Shinobu standing a short distance away, seemingly waiting for Kanae.
When she noticed him, she hesitated briefly, then walked over.
"Tomioka-san," she said, handing him a small paper pouch. "This is a new type of poison powder. Apply it to your blade—it can paralyze a demon for a short moment. You might find it useful during missions."
When Giyu accepted it, his fingertips brushed hers. Both froze for an instant, then quickly pulled back.
"Thank you," he said, his voice slightly rough.
"No need to thank me. It's what I should do."
Her cheeks flushed faintly as she turned away. "I'll go back with Neesan now. See you."
"See you."
Watching Shinobu and Kanae walk away side by side, Giyu tightened his grip on the paper pouch.
The sunlight was warm, and a soft breeze carried the faint scent of flowers.
He knew the days ahead would be difficult, but he was no longer as alone as before.
Now, he had people he wanted to protect—and comrades he could trust.
Taking a deep breath, Giyu turned and walked toward Tō, who was chatting with a few Corps members in the courtyard.
"Sensei! When are we heading back?" Tō ran to him at once.
"After I talk to Sanemi," Giyu said, glancing toward the Wind Hashira in the distance. "Then we'll go."
There was still one thing he needed to confirm—details about Wind Breathing. He had to ask Sanemi for guidance, both for Tō's training and to refine "Raging Surge" further.
His steps were firm, his gaze steady.
Tomioka Giyu knew—his battle was far from over.