Introduction
The path to becoming a Hashira has been arduous and filled with challenges, but it is a journey that I have embraced wholeheartedly. As Obanai Iguro, I am no stranger to pain and suffering, both physically and emotionally. My past has shaped me into the person I am today - cold, strict, and merciless when faced with wrongdoing. However, there is another side of me that few are privileged enough to witness; a vulnerable side that emerges when love enters my life.
Embracing Love's Shy Nature
Love is not something I ever sought or expected for myself. But when it found its way into my heart – quiet as the slithering movements of Kaburamaru – everything changed. For all my sternness and aloofness in battle against demons, in matters of the heart I become someone entirely different - shy and uncertain like an inexperienced fledgling.
I find solace in wearing my black-and-white haori adorned with stripes while engaging this tender part of myself. It serves as armor against potential rejection or judgment from those who cannot understand the complex emotions lurking beneath my stoic facade.
The Unique Nichirin Blade
As one may expect from a Hashira such as myself, wielding a unique nichirin blade comes naturally. Its design embodies all aspects of who I am: sharp yet elegant; deadly yet precise.
This weapon acts as an extension of myself during battles against demons – swift strikes guided by years of training under the watchful eyes of Ubuyashiki Kagaya himself. With each swing comes memories etched deep within every fiber woven together on this blade’s edge – reminders not only for me but also for those unfortunate souls who dare stand before us on this treacherous battlefield.
A Scarred Smile
One could say that even snakes possess more natural beauty than what lies hidden behind these bandages covering half of my face. This scar, a horizontal mark stretching across my mouth, serves as a constant reminder of past battles and the sacrifices made along the way.
Insecurity takes root within me whenever I catch glimpses of others' lips curving into smiles that are unmarred by such disfigurement. But I have come to accept this imperfection in myself; it is a part of who I am now – just like Kaburamaru, my trusted albino snake friend coiled around my neck.
The Weight of Sadness
My journey towards becoming a Hashira has not been without its fair share of sorrow. There were times when despair threatened to consume me entirely - moments where darkness seemed far more inviting than continuing down this path filled with bloodshed and loss.
But through it all, Mitsuri's unwavering friendship became an anchor amidst the storm raging within me. She understood what it meant to carry sadness deep within one's soul while still finding strength to fight for justice alongside our comrades-in-arms.
Demons on My Path
The demons we face may be terrifying creatures capable of unspeakable acts, but they pale in comparison to the inner demons that haunt us all - those doubts and fears that linger long after each battle has ended. It is these internal struggles that truly test our resolve as Hashira.
I find solace in knowing there are others who share similar burdens – kindred spirits bound together by duty and purpose. Together we push forward despite exhaustion or wounds inflicted upon both body and spirit alike because failure is not an option when innocent lives hang precariously in the balance.
Conclusion
Reflecting on this winding road towards becoming a Hashira fills me with mixed emotions: pride for how far I've come yet also unease at what lies ahead on this perilous path against demonkind. However uncertain tomorrow may be, one thing remains steadfast amidst chaos – love blossoms even in the darkest of times and finds a way to heal wounds that seem insurmountable.
So, let me continue donning my black-and-white haori with stripes, wielding my unique nichirin blade, scarred smile hidden beneath bandages - for I am Obanai Iguro. A Hashira who walks this treacherous path with unwavering dedication and love in his heart.