Flame Breathing

The **Flame Breathing** (炎 (ほのお) の呼 (こ) 吸 (きゅう) , *Honō no Kokyū*?) is one of the five main Breathing Styles directly derived from the Sun Breathing.

The Flame Breathing combat and breathing style mimics flames, specifically their powerful heat and scorch, and replicates it with the user's movements, techniques and abilities. Most, if not all, known techniques and forms involve extremely powerful singular strikes and movements that are so intense, it 'burns' the opponents. When utilized properly, the user visualizes themselves manipulating and generating fire in a deep shade of orange and red, causing flames to seemingly emanate from their weapon, surroundings or themselves. (Though, the flames are JUST visual effects, but it actually burnt the opponent because it creates a heat in the sword.)

The Flame Breathing was developed by Hajime Oda, brother of Shinji Oda the creator of the Water Breathing. Hajime was a student of Yoriichi Tsugikuni. He attempted to master the Sun Breathing but he altered it and created the **Flame Breathing**. Hajime after removing his son from the line of succession the continuity of Flame Breathing was given to his major students: Arata Rengoku, Junichiro Shirogane and Ryoma Natsume.

## Forms

There are 9 forms known to everyone (excluding the tenth that no one managed to use), Yamimaru invented 7 original forms that only he managed to use in the year following his exile:

* **First Form: Unknowing Fire** (壱 (いち) ノ型 (かた)  不知火 (しらぬい) , *Ichi no kata: Shiranui*?) - The user dashes towards the target at tremendous speeds, before unleashing a singular horizontal slash directed at the targets neck for a decapitation.
* **Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun** (弐 (に) ノ型 (かた)  昇 (のぼ) り焱 (えん) 天 (てん) , *Ni no Kata: Nobori En Ten*?) - The user unleashes an arcing vertical slash in an upwards motion, often brought up from a tail guard.
* **Third Form: Blazing Universe** (參 (さん) ノ型 (かた)  氣 (き) 炎 (えん) 万 (ばん) 象 (しょう) , *San no Kata: Kien Banshō*?) - he user performs an arcing downwards vertical slash, often brought down from a high guard.
* **Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation** (肆 (し) ノ型 (かた)  盛 (せい) 焱 (えん) のうねり, *Shi no Kata: Sei En no Uneri*?) - The user performs a singular slash or multiple if needed, in a fluid circular motion to defend from incoming attacks and decapitate multiple targets.
* **Fifth Form: Flame Tiger** (伍 (ご) ノ型 (かた)  炎 (えん) 虎 (こ) , *Go no kata: Enko*?) - The user dashes forth, bringing their blade into a high guard before performing a series of sword slashes which take the form of a flaming tiger enveloping the user.
* **Sixth Form: Flame Explosion** (陸 (ろく) ノ型 (かた)  炎 (ほのお) の爆 (ばく) 発 (はつ) , *Roku no kata: Honō no Bakuhatsu*?) - The swordsman bends down slightly and jumps, turning his sword in an upward motion he performs a devastating upward attack that can reach the sky.
* **Seventh Kata: Blaze Release** (禅 (ぜん)  炎 (ほのお) , *Shichi no kata: Zen Honō*?) **- The swordsman is enveloped in flames, takes off and advances on the opponent, then delivers a side blow that discharges those flames on it, charring it.**
* **Eighth Kata: Wrath of Fire** (捌 (はち) ノ型 (かた) 火 (か) の怒 (いか) り, *Hachi no Kata: Hi no Ikari*?) - The user creates several barriers of strikes that can slice anything to pieces.
* **Ninth Form: Ryūsei/Rengoku** (玖 (く) ノ型 (かた)  煉 (れん) 獄 (ごく) , *Ku no kata: Ryūsei/Rengoku*?) - A devastating dashing slash initiated from a high stance. The technique carves a deep impression in the ground when used to compile one's limits, ignoring and efficiently decapitating any weak targets infront of them. The real name given by Hajime was "Ryūsei" (meteorite), after his death, however, Arata Rengoku changed its name to Rengoku, while Ryoma Natsume kept the original name.
* **Tenth Form: Jigoku** (拾 (じゅう) ノ型 (かた)  地 (じ) 獄 (ごく) , *Jū no Kata: Jigoku*?) - This form was lost because only Hajime Oda and Yamimaru was able to execute it, Kyojuro Rengoku learned about it because he learned the Flame Breathing on his own, according to the head of the Natsume dojo he almost learned it but he died against Akaza before learning it completely.

## Users

The names are arranged in chronological order:

* Hajime Oda (Creator)
* Yamimaru
* Arata Rengoku (Heir)
* Junichiro Shirogane
* Ryoma Natsume (Heir and Hashira)
* Yuji Miyataru
* Homujūrō Rengoku
* Kenjirō Rengoku
* Yahiko Rengoku
* Shinjurō Rengoku
* Kyōjurō Rengoku