"Actually, I came here today because of Shinjuro-san. Master that guy loves good wine and sake, so I wanted to do something nice for him as his student."
"Oh? So that's what this is about." Marume Kurando nodded. "No problem. I've got a rare bottle stored away. I guarantee that the Hashira-sama will like it."
He slapped his chest proudly. For someone with talent like Itsuki, this was a small price to pay.
"Thanks… but actually, one bottle isn't really gonna...um...cut it."
"…"
Okay, this kid was getting on his nerves.
"I was wondering, do you have a connection or something? Like, ca... can you help me buy good wine in bulk? Like a few hundred bottles, maybe with a discount?" Itsuki said while gazing at the window like the there was something interesting there.
"…"
Marume Kurando stared at him like he'd grown another head.
"I swear, I'll pay for it from my earnings. It won't cost you anything."
"You little punk! You trying to drown Shinjuro in booze?!"
After a bit of back and forth, Marume finally understood: if there was wine and sake, Shinjuro would teach. No wine no sake no training. It left him speechless, but he agreed to help Itsuki find a bulk deal.
Such a promising kid—too bad his mentor was.... that guy.
But Itsuki didn't really care. He was practical. Between trying to max out his skills with good food or learning Flame Breathing properly from Shinjuro, he figured the latter would pay off more in the long run. Plus, with a good discount on the sake, he could still eat well every day.
Itsuki thought, if booze is what you want, I'll get it. Just teach me properly
Compared to other Breathing trainers like Urokodaki or Kuwajima the one who taught Zenitsu and that one other kid who later became a demon, Shinjuro was just... hard to respect. But fine. If this was a business deal, he'd treat it like one. As long as Shinjuro answered questions, Itsuki wouldn't shortchange him.
Four days later, Itsuki finally started to feel that burning heartbeat sensation—but only barely. Luckily, the wine shipment had arrived.
He got a few of his Dojo brothers to help haul two hundred bottles to his place. After treating them to a good meal as thanks for helping him, he brought ten bottles over to Shinjuro's place.
Honestly hopefully this guy can accept I bought so much sake if he doesn't teach me anything ill just keep the rest and age it then sells it for more, thank God he bought koshu sake instead of the others that can't be aged good. well maybe I won't depend's on my mood.
He wasn't dumb. Give the old man all the sake at once, and it'd be gone in a week. Then what? No booze, no answers. So, he was going to ration it.
Knock knock knock.
"You already mastered the First Form?" Shinjuro asked from inside.
"...No."
"Then why are you here—?"
"I brought sake."
Squeak sound of sliding the door "…!"
Well, that shut him up.
but damn this guy looks worse than before, does depression really go that far? his hair is all over the place and it looks like he hasn't gotten a cut in months all over the place.
been 1 hour in, in the courtyard.
"Man, you're slow. Fine, I'll let you feel it one more time."
Shinjuro started his breath technique and pressed his palm on Itsuki's chest. That scorching pressure surged through him again and—
Bang!
Yup. He hit the wall again.
"You hit the damn wall again? I've never seen such a clumsy disciple in my entire life!"
But Itsuki didn't care. He opened his system panel—and there it was: Flame Breathing (Uninitiated). His eyes lit up.
Finally. He'd been expecting this to take way longer. Now, things were getting real.
He nearly shouted, "SYSTEM, ADD THE POINTS!" on the spot.
"Hehe… sorry, I was just excited. Shinjuro-san, want a drink?"
He handed over a bottle of the good stuff. Shinjuro grabbed it right away.
Gulp, gulp…
Damn, that was smooth. Still, something felt off. Wasn't the student supposed to stop their teacher from drinking?
"Shinjuro-san, can I ask—what exactly is going on with that heart-burning thing?" Itsuki asked slightly while looking around
"Oh, I see. You came here fishing for answers."
"Get out, get out! I don't have time to teach you right now."
If he taught him everything at once, the fine sake would run out.
Itsuki slumped, he was actually pretty disappointed. "Really? Okay then… but take care of yourself, Shinjuro-san. Too much drinking is bad for your health."
Huh? Now he's trying to get me to stop drinking?.
"Go on, quit the fake concern."
"Then I'll bring you tonics next time instead of sake. Hope you don't mind."
Tonics?! This punk was threatening him now?.
"You don't need to come back. Scram!"
Fine. Itsuki got the message.
This guy was impossible. He hadn't even done anything that bad. It's not like he killed his wife or something he literally asked a question, but this guy was kicking him out, damn it why is he so hard to deal with.
Whatever. Time to go to Plan B.
"Alright. I'll let Marume know I won't bother you anymore."
No more sake? Cool. He'd just spend the money on amazing food instead. Heck, it's time to flip some of that sake he bought at a markup and come out ahead.
He'd planned for this. When he'd asked Marume to buy Sake, he had backup plans ready. If Shinjuro turned out to be decent and taught properly, fine—he'd treat him like a real master. But if not? He'd grind the Breathing skills with his system and get there anyway.
Now that Shinjuro had kicked him out, he had no more reason to hold back. Once he mastered Flame Breathing, he'd leave with Kanao—and what would Shinjuro say then?
Probably nothing. He was too proud.
Itsuki head out, feeling a weird mix of relief and petty satisfaction.
He'd explain everything to Marume, then find someone to help resell the leftover Sake, hell just sell it instead of aging it now, he'll definitely add some stuff to it and make a cocktail of it so I can up the price and make it taste better, make sure to sell it to those nobles and rich families, this is the taisho period stuff like this wasn't crazy popular so he can definitely make good money with it. Meanwhile, he'd double up on food and training.
Back inside, Shinjuro watched him leave, snorted, and took another drink.
"Tch. Kid's just too calculative."
Later that day…
"I see," said Marume Kurando, after hearing the full story.
Itsuki had played it smooth, blaming himself for everything, but Marume Kurando wasn't dumb. He could read between the lines.
To master the First Form in just over ten days, and still be tossed aside?
And all because… he would bring more sake after each time?
What a joke.
his wife's death really got to him hard didn't it