Kotetsu

The boy saw Tanjiro sulking and said, "Well, maybe it's a memory that was passed on? It's a common saying in my village. Appearances aren't the only things that are inherited."

Hiroto nodded and said, "He might be right. I actually never told you before since I thought it was just my dream making things up, but I also recognized him from a dream. I'm guessing you also had."

Tanjiro looked towards his brother and said, "Is such a thing possible?"

The boy then spoke up, "Of course. Living things pass on their memories too. For example, someone having memories of seeing the same scene when they first forge a sword. Or knowing how to do something they've never done before. We call those inherited memories. So the dream you two saw must have been your ancestor's memory."

"Ridiculous! Riiiidiculouuuus!" The crow shouted on Hiroto's shoulder.

Tanjiro had a tear run down his eye and said, "Thanks, you're so sweet. My name's Tanjiro. What's yours?"

"I'm Kotetsu. You don't have to listen to this bully of a crow." Kotetsu said.

Hiroto interrupted and then said, "Ah, an opening…"

*swish* *clack* Kotetsu and Tanjiro turned towards the sound and saw Muichiro exploit an opening, driving his sword forward and cutting apart the piece of armor on the mechanical doll's shoulder.

"I-It's armor…" Tanjiro stuttered, seeing how Muichiro was able to get past the doll's 6 arms.

Kotetsu was shaking in his position, then turned and ran away with his head hung low.

"Kotetsu!" Tanjiro ran after him, leaving Hiroto to watch the rest of Muichiro's fight.

Hiroto studied Muchiro's movements and techniques closely. He saw how each movement wasn't wasted, and each action had a deeper meaning that it would.

'Now that I think back to it, didn't Uzui say something about Muichiro becoming a Hashira after joining the Demon Slayers for only 2 months? He's probably a genius swordsman or something.' Hiroto thought.

*clang* *thwack* Muichiro and the doll fought for a while longer, however, Muichiro was able to get in gradual cuts and slashes whenever he could exploit them.

*swish* *thump* An arm from the doll was severed, and a glancing blow landed on the side of the doll's head. This was the final hit that caused it to fall over to the ground, twitching.

"Hmm, finally done, Tokita?" Hiroto said.

"Oi! Speak with some more respect!" The crow on his shoulder yelled, but Hiroto ignored it.

"Yes, it was good training." Muichiro's plain voice came. He went over and picked up a severed arm that gripped onto a sword.

"Although… compared to an Upper Moon, it feels weaker…" Muichiro said, turning to Hiroto. "I remembered… you fought against 2 Upper Moons so far. You also saw the doll here fight. How would you compare the two?"

Hiroto thought, 'He actually sounds sincere here.' He then said, "Compared to the Upper Moon Six, weaker. Against the Upper Moon Three… not even worth mentioning."

"...Is that so… Thank you." Muichiro thanked Hiroto and walked away, with the crow following him, giving Hiroto and last glance as it harrumphed.

'... I should get Inosuke to eat it.' Hiroto thought.

Hiroto walked over to the doll and crouched over it. Looking at the half disfigured face, he quietly said, "Just who are you? Kotetsu called you Yorichi. Why did I see you in my dream? Breath of the Sun user…"

*tap tap tap* As Hiroto was talking to himself, the sky above him started to darken, as black clouds covered the sky and poured down with rain. He could hear the uneven and anxious footsteps of a boy running up to the doll behind him.

Hiroto didn't say anything as Kotetsu just stared back at the collapsed doll, the rain trickling down his hyottoko mask. Tanjiro watched him from behind and walked up to him.

"Kotetsu. Let's just make sure. It might still be able to move." Tanjiro said.

"Hah," Kotetsu responded, quickly grabbing onto the doll with Tanjiro's help. Hiroto didn't intend to help them. Since technically, he was still considered to be injured. Also, he was too lazy.

*clatter* *clunk* A cacophony of metallic sounds came from the doll, as it's gears and joints creaked and clattered when being moved around. Hoisting it up to its feet, the doll managed to stand on its own.

"... Not moving… so I guess it's…" Before Kotetsu could finish his sentence, the gears inside of the doll started to move. Lowering its posture, it's arms spread out and assumed a battle-ready position.

"Yes!! It's moving, Kotetsu!! Good for…" Tanjiro cried out but stopped when he didn't see Kotetsu share the same enthusiasm as he did.

"...Tanjiro's older brother… Hiroto. How strong are you?" Kotetsu said.

Hiroto tilted his head in confusion. Tanjiro spoke up for him instead, "My brother is really strong! He even killed an Upper Moon Demon!"

Kotetsu turned and said, "...Then, please. Help m-"

"Nope." Hiroto raised his hand to stop Kotetsu.

"But-." Kotetsu tried to finish his sentence but was interrupted again.

"No can do. This has nothing to do with me." Hiroto said.

"Then… Tanjiro… I can only turn to you." Kotetsu said with determination.

"Eh?" Tanjiro looked confused.

"Please. Become stronger than that shitty indifferent jerk!! I'll help you with all I've got!" Kotetsu shouted, with veins bulging behind his hyottoko mask.

"What? Right now? No Hesitation?" Tanjiro said, looking between his brother and Kotetsu.

"Tanjiro, please. I was going to ask your brother, but I can only ask you now. Please become stronger. And say this to him. 'That all you got, you piece of crap? Your hair's too long. Cut it, kelphead. Runt. Clumsy peglegs. Slice your belly open shameless punk." Kotetsu began rambling on, as he got angry and had a determined expression on his mask.

Tanjiro panicked and said, "Uhh! Kotetsu, that's a little too-"

"Is it better to slice his head off and hang it from the prison gate?" Kotetsu said nonchalantly.

"No, it's not! I can't say that!!" Tanjiro exclaimed.

"Say it." Kotetsu pestered.

"No!!" Tanjiro reaffirmed.

Hiroto walked up to hand and patted Tanjiro's shoulder. "You should take this opportunity to train and become stronger. Look at Tokita. He's younger and smaller than you, but he's already a Hashira."

"...You aren't a Hashira as well." Tanjiro said, dealing critical damage to Hiroto.

"*cough* That doesn't matter. Besides, if you get stronger, won't you be able to help me in the future when we face more Demons?" Hiroto said.

Tanjiro paused and thought about his brother's words. Kotetsu clung onto Tanjiro's back and pulled on his cheek, saying, "Say it, please."

"Ok. I'll do it!" Tanjiro nodded, affirming his decision.

"Good! Now, I'll leave you two to it then! Goodluck Tanjiro!" Hiroto said, before walking off.

"Ah! You aren't going to stay and help, brother?" Tanjiro said anxiously.

"I can't help you. You need to grow on your own. Don't worry, I believe in you." Hiroto smiled and walked off.

"Brother…" Tanjiro watched his brother walk away, as the rain stopped and the sun descended onto him, showering Hiroto with its warm touch. Clenching his fists, Tanjiro said to Kotetsu, "Kotetsu, help me to become stronger!"

As Hiroto walked away, he thought, 'Sorry Tanjiro, but the truth is… it sounds too boring!' And so, Hiroto walked out of the forest and took a detour. He observed the surroundings and focused his breath.

'Amethyst Eye' Hiroto's eye's started to shine an amethyst hue, as he looked at his surroundings. Seeing a faint trail of broken twigs and scuffled dirt, he followed it.

Walking further in, he heard the sound of a man shouting and grunting.

"Ah! Just you wait! I will make the best sword that these lands have ever seen! Then! I'll make you eat your words, Atsuhiko!" The man shouted, and he lifted rocks and tied them all around his body while also doing pushups.

"So, after hiding from Tanjiro you decided to train yourself? Haganezuka? Or should I say… Hotaru?" Hiroto's voice came from within the thickets, as his body emerged.

"Ah!" Haganezuka was caught by surprise and fell onto the ground as the rocks pinned him to the ground.

"Don't call me that!" Haganezuka shouted, his hoarse voice came from the rocks crushing his back.

*sigh* "Just what do you think you're doing?" Hiroto said, walking over and easily picking the rocks off of his back.

"Don't you have eyes? Oh, wait, just the one eye. But still, can't you see I'm training!" Haganezuka said, pointing to the rocks around him.

"What I meant was, why are you training? Do you plan on becoming a wrestler? A fighter?" Hiroto said, tilting his head and adjusting his monocle.

"It's for creating the perfect sword! Although that damn bastard keeps breaking and chipping my swords, I still have to admit that some of the faults are with me." Haganezuka said.

"After hearing what you and your brother said about swordsmen, I have decided! I will create the perfect sword! One so good that even Atsuhiko, that bastard, will have to prostrate himself and beg just to be able to see it's sheath. Only then will I consider letting him see the actual blade!" Haganezuka had a proud and arrogant look as he declared his intentions.

"Ehhh… Well, do whatever you want. I won't tell Tanjiro since you were intending on keeping this a secret. Although, you will have to act fast, or someone else might forge a sword for him. Someone one… Atsuhiko." Hiroto said, trying to provoke Haganezuka's fighting spirit.

*snap* "Ah! Just you wait Atsuhiko! I'm going to make a sword so great you will dream of it each night!" Haganezuka said, before running deeper into the forest and up to the mountain.

Hiroto crossed his arms as he watched him run off. He then said, "So, what do you think?"

The bushes behind him shuffled, and Kanamori walked out. "Well, he probably just wants to train himself so he can make a stronger sword for your brother. I think he's quite happy though since Tanjiro keeps asking him to make blades for him."

Kanamori then added, "But… every other swordsman hates him, and he's lost a lot of clients because of his attitude. Now, he probably won't even make a sword until he's satisfied with his training. Well, I'm pretty sure the village chief won't be too angry when he finds out."

Hiroto then said, "You swordsmiths are quite… peculiar. Besides, how can you deal with Inosuke smashing his swords up to make it look like it does now?"

*snap* "Don't remind me! That bastard! He has no respect for the swords I make for him! The gall of him. Taking some rocks and chipping the swords on purpose!" Kanamori grumbled and walked away towards the direction of the village.

"Eh, I probably shouldn't have mentioned Inosuke, right Nezuko?" Hiroto said.

*tap* "Mgnhh." Nezuko responded from inside her box.

"Only you understand me best," Hiroto said, tapping the box behind his back and walking off. "Let's head back to the village then."