"Yes, Father!" Senjuro immediately rose and ran out.
Rokuya looked at Shinjuro, a flicker of appreciation in his eyes. "Aren't you going to ask why I want to borrow Flame Breathing? As far as I know, everyone's constitution is different. Forcing yourself to practice an unsuitable Breathing Style will only cause your training to go disastrously wrong."
"You are no ordinary swordsman, Lord Takanashi." Shinjuro fixed Rokuya with a piercing gaze. "When you suppressed Kyojuro with that inconceivable silver-blue power in the dojo a year and a half ago, I knew you were walking a path beyond the understanding of ordinary people like us. If the theory behind Flame Breathing can help you, if it can give you a greater chance of victory in this world of demon slaying, that would be an honor for our Rengoku Family."
Before long, Senjuro ran back carrying an antique rosewood box.
Shinjuro opened the box, took out three scrolls carefully wrapped in parchment, and presented them to Rokuya with both hands.
"These are the originals passed down through generations of Flame Hashira. They contain not only detailed illustrations of the First through Ninth Forms, but also notes on how to give fighting spirit physical form as flames," Shinjuro explained.
"Thank you." Rokuya accepted the scrolls. Rather than opening them immediately, he solemnly tucked them inside his robe. "Besides Flame Breathing, I have another presumptuous request."
"Please, go ahead."
"I'd like to understand the core mechanics of generating force in Wind Breathing." Rokuya looked at Shinjuro. "Wind Breathing has tremendous cutting power, but I've never been able to figure out how it keeps that power from dissipating during wide-ranging movement. As the former Flame Hashira, you should have a deep understanding of Wind Breathing."
Shinjuro rubbed the stubble on his chin, sinking into recollection.