Episode 3: The First Kill

Episode 3: The First Kill

Four years have passed since Renji and Hana began their grueling training under Ryusei, the Water Hashira. The siblings have grown stronger, their bodies hardened through relentless practice. Every day, they wake before sunrise, training until their muscles burn and their lungs beg for rest.

Renji, now a teenager, swings his blade with force, but something still feels off. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot unleash Water Breathing. Hana, on the other hand, moves with grace, her form nearly perfect.

One night, as they sit outside under the cold moonlight, Renji clenches his fists, frustration clear on his face.

“Damn it,” he mutters. “Why the hell can’t I use Water Breathing? I’ve trained every single day, just like you, Hana.”

His sister, now 12, looks at him with soft eyes. “Maybe you’re trying too hard,” she suggests. “Ryusei always says breathing should feel natural, like a flowing river.”

Renji scoffs. “Easy for you to say. You make it look effortless.”

Hana sighs. “You’ll get it, Renji. I know you will.”

A Demon Strikes

That night, as the siblings sleep, a chilling wind rushes through the house. The scent of rotting flesh fills the air, followed by the sound of footsteps approaching their room.

Renji’s eyes snap open. He hears the floor creak, and his heartbeat quickens. He slowly reaches for his wooden sword.

Then—BANG!

The door explodes into splinters as a demon lunges toward them, its blood-red eyes gleaming in the darkness. Its claws slash forward, aiming for Hana’s throat.

Renji acts on instinct, shoving his sister behind him as he swings his sword. But the demon easily blocks the attack, grinning with sharp, jagged teeth.

Ryusei appears in the doorway, but he does not move. His arms remain crossed, his face unreadable.

"Fight," he commands. "Show me what you’ve learned."

Renji’s hands tighten around his blade. This is it. This is the moment he’s been training for. He takes a deep breath, preparing to unleash Water Breathing—

Nothing happens.

His body remains stiff. His lungs feel heavy. The technique won’t activate.

“Shit! Why the hell can’t I use Water Breathing?!” he shouts, sweat dripping down his face.

The demon lunges again, and Renji barely dodges. His movements are too slow, too forced. He knows he’s going to lose.

Then—a flash of blue.

Out of nowhere, Hana moves forward, her blade shimmering under the moonlight. She takes a deep breath, her posture perfect. The world around her slows as she focuses.

“Water Breathing, First Form—Water Surface Slash!”

Her sword cuts cleanly through the demon’s neck. For a brief moment, time seems frozen. The demon’s head flies through the air, landing with a dull thud. Its body collapses right after, turning to ash before their eyes.

Renji watches in stunned silence, his wooden sword still clenched in his hands. He turns to his sister, who is breathing heavily, her hands shaking.

She did it.

She just killed a demon.

Aftermath

Ryusei steps forward, nodding in approval. “Four years,” he mutters. “And tonight, Hana has slain her first demon.”

Hana looks down at her hands, still trembling. “I… I did it?”

Ryusei places a hand on her shoulder. “Yes. And you did well.”

Renji, however, remains silent, his emotions tangled between pride and frustration. He trained just as hard—maybe even harder—but when it mattered, he failed.

Hana sees the look on his face. “Renji…”

He forces a smile. “You were amazing, Hana.”

But deep down, his frustration burns.

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