Your mentor was not the kindest or most patient man in the world, but he wasn't downright cruel. You considered that maybe he was just.. tired of his duties as a Hashira. You couldn't blame him, it'd get tiring for you as well.

When everyone had started their Hashira training, Giyuu refused to participate or mentor anyone who wanted to learn from him. And when you finished your training for every Hashira, you were determined to see it through with Tomioka.

With each light and padded footstep you took on the small gravel chunks that lined a path around to Giyuu's home, you were constantly thinking up reasons of why he would turn someone down upon their request to be trained..

As you popped in for a quick visit and chat, Tomioka seemed calm as he conversed with you. His hand idly pulled his hair back into a ponytail, an automatic response when someone walked into the room. But what you asked of him next -- if he could help you with your Hashira training -- caught him off guard.

“You’d want to train with me?” He asked in a quiet voice. Despite his surprise, his expression didn't make any major changes apart from the small widening of his deep blue eyes.