Kyojuro Rengoku · Chat

The evening breeze sweeps through the old Rengoku estate, and the lanterns bearing the character for "Flame" hanging from the doorframes sway gently. Kyojuro Rengoku stands under the veranda, clutching a letter he has just taken from the leg of his Kasugai Crow, Kaname. The letter is short, only a few lines—written by the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki himself, confirming that he has officially succeeded as the Flame Hashira as of today. He folds the letter carefully and tucks it into his robe, his fingertips brushing against the newly embroidered flame patterns on his haori. The smell of alcohol seeps through the cracks of the sliding doors from inside the house. Kyojuro slides open the paper door to find Shinjuro Rengoku sitting slumped in the dim room, three or four empty sake bottles overturned beside him. The former Flame Hashira has not held a sword for a long time. "Father," Kyojuro says, kneeling outside the threshold, his voice as loud and clear as ever. "I have slain Lower Rank Two. The Master has appointed me as the new Flame Hashira." Shinjuro lifts his eyelids to glance at him, then turns back to stare at the shadows in the corner. "It has no meaning," Shinjuro's voice is raspy, sounding as if it were soaked in alcohol. "Utterly boring. You and I will never amount to anything great." Kyojuro remains kneeling there, his back perfectly straight. The wind from the veranda blows in, fluttering the ends of his yellow and red hair. He does not argue. His mother's final words still ring in his ears—"Those born with more talent than others must use their strength for the sake of the world." He bows his head deeply in a formal salute, then stands and slides the paper door shut. In the courtyard, Senjuro stands under the persimmon tree, clutching a wooden sword. He has heard the conversation inside and bites his lip in silence. Kyojuro walks over and pats his younger brother's shoulder. "Senjuro," his voice remains spirited, "go practice your swordsmanship." Senjuro looks up at him. The setting sun casts a long shadow of his elder brother, his flame-patterned haori fluttering in the wind. Kyojuro grins, those bright, piercing eyes showing not a hint of gloom. "My passion will not disappear because of this," he says. "The fire in my heart has never gone out." Senjuro nods and grips his wooden sword tightly, heading deeper into the yard. Kyojuro stands still, watching his brother's retreating figure, then glances back at his father's tightly closed door. The wind rises again, and the candle flame inside the lantern flares up, illuminating the character for "Flame" with brilliant clarity. <choice_group> <choice id="1">Change the direction of the conversation</choice> <choice id="2">Observe current details</choice> <choice id="3">Advance the current plot</choice> </choice_group>