Murderers are often killed themselves.
Since Kibutsuji Muzan harbored murderous intent, starting it was justifiable—Roy could not be blamed for acting decisively. Only after defeating him can the world experience peaceful nights.
The Hashira Alliance Meeting concluded with Roy taking on the "Infinite Train" mission alone.
The Hashira members dispersed in twos and threes, each heading to their own missions... Tomioka Giyu approached Roy, patted him on the shoulder, saying nothing yet expressing it all, with a sense of gratification and hope. He was cloaked in a robe interwoven with red, yellow, and white as he departed.
Outside the courtyard gate, the young man paused, standing amidst the wisteria grove, smiling at Tomioka Giyu by his side, saying, "Farewell, Senior."
Tomioka Giyu turned slightly to glance at Roy, and beyond his shoulder, he noticed Kyojuro Rengoku who was approaching at a steady pace. With a thoughtful nod, he vanished.
"Kamado Eiichiro, please wait." In the wisteria grove that extended endlessly, one in white clothes and red hair, the other in brown clothes and yellow hair, with ends dipped in red, met under a mighty wisteria tree so broad that three people together could not encircle it.
Kyojuro Rengoku called out to Roy, his open smile as fervent as fire, directly expressing, "I have several sword techniques; please advise me."
The "Flame Hashira" spoke with a bow and bent down... Even in his fiery urgency, he did not lose decorum, making it hard for anyone to harbor any aversion towards him.
In the original work, Kyojuro Rengoku was one of the few "Hashira" greatly loved by all, aside from the Lord, earning the title "Warm Big Brother"... Even the usually irritable Shinazugawa Sanemi and the often venomous-tongued Izuki Kobane had nothing negative to say about him, showing just how righteous and commendable Kyojuro Rengoku's character was.
Due to this, Roy voluntarily took the "Infinite Train" mission, avoiding letting him face a demise of dying tragically.
"I wouldn't dare to advise, please proceed."
"Alright."
Kyojuro Rengoku, truly straightforward, immediately refrained from unnecessary words, drew his sword from the sheath, and began practicing "Flame Breathing" under the towering wisteria tree.
From "First Form: Unknowing Fire" to "Second Form: Ascending Flame Heaven" and "Third Form: Flame Tiger"... The blade light whipped up flames, roaring ceaselessly, Kyojuro Rengoku danced like a fiery sprite wielding a sword before Roy.
Roy conjured [En], silently observed and listened, learning quickly about [Wind], keeping pace with... Kyojuro Rengoku's final strike... "Ninth Form: Rengoku" transformed into a fire dragon, roaring into the distance, burning a long scorch mark on the ground, instantly understanding the rhythm and techniques of "Fire Breathing."
It's undeniable that "Flame Breathing" as a downgraded substitute for "Sun Breathing" has its reasons.
"Hoo~" Completing a set of "Flame Breathing," Kyojuro Rengoku donned the white haori with flame patterns at its edges, earnestly observing the young man... Roy wasn't in a rush to speak but extended his palm, lightly patting Kyojuro Rengoku's shoulder, transferring a layer of Nen charged with [Scorching True Intent]to him.
"Pooh~" The outer flame was a vivid red, the inner flame a stark white... The flaming garment infused with Nen enveloped the entirety of Kyojuro Rengoku,
This eldest son of the Rengoku family, determined to inherit the title of "Flame Hashira," even though his father Shinjuro sank into despondency and refused to instruct him and his younger brother Senjurō, still learned "Flame Breathing" through sheer effort and talent by referring to three manuals, and developed his unique sword techniques. Nevertheless... after witnessing, understanding, and slowly experiencing the "flaming garment" briefly given by Roy...
Kyojuro Rengoku found himself puzzled...
His fire was not the same; Kyojuro Rengoku could clearly feel that compared to this "flaming garment" whose inner flame shone a terrifying white, his last strike "Rengoku's" roaring fire dragon was merely a "false dragon," even... merely a paper dragon that possessed presence but lacked a core!
'Where did it go wrong?'
Having previously witnessed Roy's hundred-meter-long sword wrapped in flames, and this time personally experiencing the fiery garment charged with [Scorching True Intent]... Kyojuro Rengoku stood still, dazed for a moment before snapping back to awareness, his scorching gaze fixed on Roy, asking, "Why is your fire's temperature higher than mine?"
Applying a certain fruit farmer's understanding of "Nenryoku," personality impacts Nen while also determining its system and course....
Kyojuro Rengoku's personality is fiery, more resonant with flames than Roy, but,, unfortunately, he is not a Nen user, and this misfortune has decided him, has decided Gyomei Himejima, decided Shinazugawa Sanemi... Izuki Kobane, and all other Hashira, including Senior Tomioka Giyu, their upper limit sealed within the realm of [Humans].
"Whoosh~" The wind blew, causing the wisteria petals to fall... As soon as they touched Kyojuro Rengoku, they were consumed to ashes by the fiery garment surrounding him....
Roy remained silent, gazing skyward, Kyojuro Rengoku followed suit, lifting his head. The afternoon sun was favorable, less intense than noon, yet amid the budding warmth and persistent chill of early spring, the few rays penetrating the wisteria grove cast patches of light on the body, still bringing warmth and a relaxed comfort.
"What do you see?" The young man suddenly asked.
Kyojuro Rengoku's gaze penetrated the white clouds, skimmed past the flying birds, reaching the blue sky, where in the lofty expanse, he saw a grand sun lavishly spreading its sunlight. In a deep voice, he said, "It's the sun."