Flare Breathing

The **Flare Breathing** (発炎筒 (はつえんとう) の呼 (こ) 吸 (きゅう) , *Hatsuentō no kokyū*?) is a Breathing Style derived from the Flame Breathing utilized by the Flare Hashira, Marie Hoshigami. This breathing style uses flashing lights and heat energy in its forms, resembling flares. The user utilizes attacks that include running in and running out and quick but undetectable attacks similar to a flash flare. Because of this, the user needs to learn how to move in, attack, and escape quickly. The swordsman also is required to wield a sword with a conducting blade to perform most of the forms of Flare Breathing.

## Techniques

1. **First Form: Flash Flare** (Ichi no kata: Sēnko Fureā) - The swordsman dashes towards the enemy, slashes the enemy, and skips back in less than a second.
2. **Second Form: Blazing Score** (Ni no kata: Moéru Kiru) - The swordsman performs 6 consecutive slashes on the area of skin covering the enemy's ribs, which allows for a weak point as the battle continues.
3. **Third Form: Blinding Light** (San no kata: Mekakushi Raito) - The swordsman replicates the first move's two steps, with the blade strike reflecting light which creates a blinding flash but instead of skipping back, the swordsman goes around and strikes the enemy at the back since the enemy is blinded and cannot react fast enough. This move is overall more efficient, but counterattacks and loss of control are much bigger problems with this form, forcing the swordsman to keep full control of the blade, this move will not work properly when facing already blind enemies or enemies with really good reflexes or senses, making this a much riskier form.
4. **Fourth Form: Scintillating Blade, Mirror of Life** (Shi no kata: Kirāmeku Ken, Jinsei no Kagami) - The swordsman jumps in the air, which makes the sword heat up with through either sunlight or passion, then dives towards the enemy and diagonally blitzes the enemy with a heated blade, making this move an excellent finishing move.
5. **Fifth Form: Blazing Ripple Flare** (Go no kata: Moéru Setsudan no Fureā) - The swordsman generates 4 heat-seeking flares from the stored heat energy within the blade that seek out and burn the enemy. This move though powerful, can be easily redirected by a larger source of heat such as torches or rice straw embers.
6. **Sixth Form: Expanding Embers** (Roku no kata: Kakudai suru Nokoribi) - The swordsman performs 2 long-ranged arc slashes that strike the opponent from afar.
7. **Seventh Form: Altering Flare** (Shichi no kata: Furea no Henkō) - The swordsman makes one's blood flow and muscle strength flow into both arms while the swordsman strikes and redirects almost any attack towards/away from the enemy. This move is used to disarm opponents or redirect their own slashes towards them. The swordsman must recharge and relax one's blood flow after this form is done.
8. **Eighth Form: Blade Rocket** (Hachi no kata: Ken Hōka) - The swordsman rushes towards the opponent and performs 7 slashes in quick succession which heat up the blade while pushing the enemy forward and ends with an upwards or sidewards spinning slash. This form heats up the enemy's body to the point where some of the opponent's blood evaporates, making them feel light-headed.
9. **Ninth Form: Flare Serpent, Flashing Soul** (Ku no kata: Furea Hebi, Tenmetsu suru Tamashī) - The swordsman performs multiple strikes that resemble a serpent, with each radiating a bright light that may permanently blind the opponent. Then the swordsman rolls towards the enemy and striking them with a heated blade in the legs, then hopping up, which amputates their hands and then lands and beheads the opponent. The swordsman may perform an act of mercy which merely leaves the enemy to die instead of beheading them. This form is a very stamina-consuming move and may overheat the swordsman's body.