Tie Him Up

Wisteria flowers bloomed and fell. Time flew by, and a year passed quietly.

Over that year, Tendo Hiruma returned to Peach Mountain several times to visit the old man. He spent all his remaining time studying the five fundamental Breathing Styles.

Thankfully, his efforts paid off. He learned them all, though he was still far from mastering them completely.

His original plan had been to work backward from the five fundamental Breathing Styles and deduce Sun Breathing, but during the process, he discovered that it was nearly impossible.

After giving it some thought, he changed his strategy: he would temper the five Breathing Styles to their very limits.

If working backward would not work, then he would create a Breathing Style of his own.

Different Breathing Styles had different breathing rhythms. Recklessly switching between them during use would damage the lungs. At best, it would hurt so badly that one could not breathe; at worst, the alveoli would rupture.

The twelve forms of Sun Breathing, linked together, became the thirteenth form meant to defeat Muzan. Hiruma wanted to link different Breathing Styles together instead.

At the foot of a rocky cliff outside headquarters lay a wide, open stretch of land. This was the special training ground Hiruma had found.

At that moment, crimson-gold arcs of lightning coiled around his blade. He aimed at the massive boulder in the clearing and activated Thunder Breath: First Form.

Hiruma turned into a bolt of lightning and shot forward. Just as he neared the boulder, he changed his Breathing Style, shifting from Thunder Breath to Flame Breathing.

In an instant, faint flames ignited around the crimson-gold lightning.

Before he could swing his sword, he suddenly coughed up blood. It drew a horrifying arc through the air before splattering across the boulder.

At the same time, unbearable pain spread from his lungs, as though countless sharp needles had pierced them.

His alveoli had ruptured again. He had already lost count of how many times this had happened that year.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Air painfully squeezed into Hiruma's nostrils. Clutching his chest, he dropped to his knees in agony.

Ruptured alveoli did not feel good. Even if his absurd recovery ability could heal them, it did not lessen the pain in the slightest.

Day after day, he put himself through hellish training.

For no other reason than the conviction in his heart.

A year ago, Ubuyashiki Kagaya had seen straight through Hiruma.

Protect. He wanted to protect those around him. No matter how painful the process was, as long as it made him stronger, it was enough.

Tendo Hiruma possessed talent and a physique far beyond ordinary people. Though he was usually lazy and carefree, he had always been working hard in secret.

Still not working?

He staggered to his feet, looking as if even a gust of wind could blow him over.

After catching his breath for a moment, he muttered to himself and laughed carelessly.

"Only a few alveoli ruptured. I can still train. Hahaha!"

What Hiruma did not notice was that four people were hiding in the distant bushes.

"Big sis, stop holding me back! What Hiruma is doing is self-harm! He's coughing up blood!" Kanae grabbed her younger sister's hand while Shinobu struggled and glared angrily into the distance.

"Who trains like that? Just because he has a special constitution doesn't mean he can risk his life!"

"I'm furious! He never tells anyone anything!"

Shinobu's cheeks puffed up. Her mouth was relentless, but her hands were trembling.

"Shinobu, don't disturb Hiruma yet." Seeing that she was about to lose hold of her sister, Kanae hurriedly gave Iguro Obanai and Kyojuro a look.

Obanai shook his head. He wished Shinobu would rush out and drag that idiot back.

What was the point of risking his life alone? Did he even consider them friends?

If they were going to risk their lives, they should do it together!

"Let me handle this. If you're injured, you need to rest." Kyojuro's gaze was firm. He knew talking would not persuade Hiruma, so he pulled a rope from behind his back.

Since persuasion would not work, they might as well tie him up, then let Mother step in.

He looked at Obanai, frowned seriously, and asked, "Shall we tie him up?"

"Exactly what I was thinking!" Obanai nodded in agreement as Kaburamaru flicked out his tongue.

Kanae, the only calm person there, looked utterly helpless. What kind of teammates were these?

"Ugh!"

She rubbed her forehead helplessly. The moment she was not paying attention, Shinobu bolted off like an unbridled horse.

As it happened, Hiruma coughed up blood again. Another alveolus had ruptured.

"Hiruma, stop right now!" Shinobu was blazing with anger. Her worry had thrown her into disarray.

"Shinobu?" Hiruma endured the pain and forced out a smile despite his confusion.

"Hiruma, you..." Seeing Hiruma in such a wretched state, every word caught in her throat. Shinobu's heart ached.

She stepped forward, unusually gentle as she spoke through tears. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Ah!"

"It's just training. Everyone trains. There's nothing to talk about!"

"Shinobu, have some candy. Smile a little, okay?" Hiruma seemingly pulled a fruit candy out of thin air.

"You idiot!"

"Idiot!"

"Big idiot!"

Shinobu finally could not hold it in any longer and burst into tears.

Compared to when they first met, Shinobu had changed greatly. She was no longer so quick to anger, and her straightforward nature had gained a touch of gentleness.

Hiruma froze. His resolute heart fell into panic, and the usually eloquent him found himself at a loss for words.

"No... Shinobu... I... listen to me explain."

"You made her cry!"

"Yeah, yeah! Mother said you can't bully girls!"

Obanai and Kyojuro stood on either side of Shinobu. One mocked him while the other toyed with the rope.

"You two are here too?"

"Not just them. I'm here too!" Kanae poked her head out, her expression stern. The usually gentle her rarely looked like this.

Everyone knew Hiruma's secret, but that did not mean he could act recklessly.

"Megumi!"

Hiruma lowered his head guiltily. Had he really pushed himself too hard?

He could not help asking himself. He had only kept silent because he did not want others to worry.

"Tie him up!" Kanae had originally planned to reason with Hiruma, but Shinobu was crying, and this brat still had not realized what he had done wrong.

"Be gentle. Tie his hands and feet securely, then carry him to the medical department!" Kanae reminded the eager Obanai and Kyojuro.

Hiruma could train. He could make everyone worry. But he could not keep it from them.

"Fine!"

"I'll go, okay?"

"Can you not use force?"

"Damn it, why are you starting already, Obanai?!"

"You bastard, you just want to mess with me!"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

"Hiruma, be careful!" Shinobu wiped away her tears and said worriedly.

"Big brother, this doesn't sound like you!"

"Ahahaha, I was the one who proposed this plan, young man!" Kyojuro declared proudly.

Hiruma: ㄟ( ▔, ▔ )ㄏ

And so, Obanai and Kyojuro tied Hiruma's hands and feet, then carefully carried him toward the medical department.

"Hiruma, you can train, but from now on, we can do it together!" Kanae suggested with a smile.

"Okay..."

"No!"

"Idiot!"

Before Hiruma could finish, Shinobu pinched his cheeks and physically cut him off.

"Shinobu, you're so violent. You'll never get married like this!"

"None of your business!"

Under the setting sun, four small figures gathered around Hiruma as he let out screams like a slaughtered pig.

PS: To respond to everyone's enthusiasm, I'm adding another chapter right away. Even a production-team donkey wouldn't dare work this hard, right? Feeling a little guilty.

Thank you all for your support. I'm dropping to my knees and sliding in a full three-hundred-and-sixty-degree spin to thank you!

—Lingyou's ramblings, mwah!