Flame Breathing

The **Flame Breathing** *(Hono no Kokyu)* is one of the main branches of the Sun Breathing.

## **Overview:**

Flame Breathing is a Breathing Style that mimics flames and replicates it with the user's movements, techniques and abilities. Most, if not all, known techniques and forms involve extremely powerful singular strikes which 'burn' their opponents, with most attacks being initiated from a high stance. Users of Flame Breathing also create and manipulate aural fire when unleashing its techniques, meaning that while they don't use actual flames, it appears to others as such.

This Breathing Style was created by Tojuro Rengoku during the Sengoku period, who was the head of the Rengoku family. Due to an incompatibility with the Sun Breathing, the Flame Breathing was developed.

From then onwards, the Breathing Style has been passed down for generations and the Flame Pillar position was always fulfilled by someone from his lineage. Kyojuro Rengoku carried the tradition forward in the footsteps of his father and former Flame Pillar, Shinjuro Rengoku, and now, Kanjuro Rengoku is poised to eventually take the mantle himself.

The Flame Breathing turns whatever Nichirin item belonging to the user red (Not to be confused with Bright Red Blade). The Flame Breathing can be used with a standard Katana, and a Sword-Whip.

## **Known Techniques:**

The Flame Breathing possesses sixteen traditional Katana techniques, but also seven Sword-Whip techniques developed and used solely by Tsukuro Kanroji.

### **Katana Forms:**

* **First Form: Unknowing Fire** *(Ichi no Kata: Shiranui)* - The user charges towards their target at high speeds and unleashes a singular slash that aims to decapitate them.

* **Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun** *(Ni no Kata: Nobori En Ten)* - The user releases an arching sword slash upwards.

* **Third Form: Blazing Universe** *(San no Kata: Kien Bansho)* - The user swings their blade downwards in an arc.

* **Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Ondulation** *(Shi no Kata: Sei En no Uneri)* - The user swings their blade in a circular motion that is used to defend from incoming attacks or slash multiple targets in one swoop.

* **Fifth Form: Flame Tiger** *(Go no Kata: Enko)* - The user performs a series of powerful sword slashes that seemingly take the form of a flaming tiger.

* **Sixth Form: Wave of Flames** *(Roku no Kata: Hono no Nami)* - The user will slash strongly in a single, long-ranged attack that can clear multiple enemies or projectiles at once.

* **Seventh Form: Dying Sun** *(Shichi no Kata: Hinshi no Taiyo)* - The user will strike downwards with all their weight. This attack can be used while falling to break the user’s fall, and will leave burn marks on the ground

* **Eighth Form: Fire of Soul** *(Hachi no Kata: Tamashinohi)* - The user will slowly retreat, one step at a time, biding until the opponent makes an opening. From which, they will slash upward diagonally on the weak point, crossing the heart of the enemy

* **Ninth Form: Purgatory, Embers** *(Ku no Kata: Rengoku - Yojin)* - The user takes a high stance with their sword before dashing forward at high speeds. The technique is powerful enough to carve out the ground in its wake completely. Originally an esoteric art of the Rengoku family, it was considered official later.

* **Tenth Form: Flame Typhoon** *(Ju no Kata: Hono no Taifu)* - The user will advance strongly, jumping and back flipping behind their target, slashing the opponent all over their back. It feels to the opponent as if the user is surrounding them with flames.

* **Eleventh Form: Ignited Whirlpool** *(Ju Ichi no Kata: Hakka Nejire Uzu)* - The user will dash while using diagonal ground and spinning their whole body in circles, this devastating attack can hit multiple enemies at once

* **Twelfth Form: Lance of Fire** *(Ju Ni no Kata: Hi no Yari)* - The user will charge with all their strength, hitting multiple targets at once, and piercing through them in one powerful jab.

* **Thirteenth Form: Fire God** *(Ju San no Kata: Hi no Kami)* - The user will surround their opponent in quick and coiling movements, slowly closing the spiral and diminishing movements.

* **Fourteenth Form: Purgatory’s Punishment** *(Ju Shi no Kata: Rengoku Batsu)* - The user will perform a technique similar to the Ninth Form, though they will do so repeatedly, striking Muzan’s organs.

* **Fifteenth Form: Bright Embers** *(Ju Go no Kata: Akarui Nokoribi)* - The user blocks any incoming attacks with swift but still fairly slow attacks. Because of the confusing tempo of this move, enemies find it hard to predict what the user will do next.

* **Sixteenth Form: Infernal Flames** *(Ju Roku no Kata: Jigoku no Hono)* - The user lowers their stance, dashing strongly against the opponent, forcing them off their ground, and aiming to not just decapitate, but completely destabilize the opponent

### **Sword-Whip Forms:**

* **First Form: Flaming Serpentine** *(Ichi no Kata: Enjo Hebi)* - The user lunges, unloading their whip into the opponent's neck, and passing through them, slicing their head off with the attack as they finish their lunge behind the intended opponent. Should the decapitation fail, the user will throw the opponent away along with them.

* **Second Form: Wall of Fire** *(Ni no Kata: Hi no Kabe)* - Manipulating their whip into a defensive position, the user blocks all incoming damage from a singular direction, being capable of blocking anything in a large area due to the whip's size.

* **Third Form: Whirlpool of Flames** *(San no Kata: Hono no Uzu)* - The user surrounds the opponent or themselves with their whip, being able to block off the outside completely, as a defensive or offensive maneuver that can easily overpower any opponent.

* **Fourth Form: Stinging Burns** *(Shi no Kata: Sasu Yakedo)* - The user quickly unloads and reloads their whip onto the opponent, pushing them back with the momentum and gaining space. This attack hampers the opponent's regeneration due to the constant attacks.

* **Fifth Form: Devastated Land** *(Go no Kata: Kohaishita Tochi)* - The user slides their whip across the ground, tearing the scenery from below. This omnidirectional attack does not differentiate between friend or foe and is incredibly difficult to counter or even block.

* **Sixth Form: Claws of the Devil** *(Roku no Kata: Akuma no Tsume)* - The user performs five downward slashes with the whip. The side of each attack is incredible, and the amount of time between each attack is minimal, but can be purposefully slowed to throw off the opponent's tempo.

* **Seventh Form: Grand Finale** *(Shichi no Kata: Gurandofinare)* - The user will powerfully spin their whip around, unloading it with incredible momentum. The amount of heat generated in the metallic blade can burn opponents with actual, real fire. This attack is omnidirectional like the Fifth Form, but has a larger range and more power.

## **Trivia:**

* Differently from Mitsuri's Sword-Whip Forms, which are based on gymnastic movements, Tsukuro's own are closer based on the movements of actual whips, even though there is still the showmanship of them being vaguely based on circus atractions
* Ninth Form: Purgatory, prior to the Core Reformation, used to be shoved to the final spot every time a new Form was added to the Flame Breathing. The reason for that is probably nepotism.