Ardent Bloom

Ardent Bloom is the signature weapon of Ryu Akino. It is a hybrid battle-axe and shotgun. Originally an heirloom of the Akino family, it was taken by Ryu and modified to be suitable for modern combat.

Description
In battle-axe form, Ryu's favorite, Ardent Bloom is a almost disproportionately large double-headed axe with scalloped blades. Its handle is longer than Ryu is tall and carved with filigree resembling thorns.

Due to its size and durability, Ardent Bloom is a devastating weapon, especially when combined with the strength lent by Ryu's semblance. One swing of the blades could be enough to cleave a small Grimm in half, if Ryu plays his cards right - since the weapon is so large, Ryu has to sacrifice speed for power, meaning he has to be more careful about when he attacks. If Ryu does need to fight in closer range, the weapon has a smaller, one-handed hatchet form that is less powerful but much easier to handle.

The ranged form of Ardent Bloom is a single-barreled pump-action shotgun. The shots have a wide dispersal when fired and cause a knock-back effect on on their targets. In battle-axe form, bullets can still be shot out of the tip, but it's rather unwieldily. Ryu is a pretty terrible shot, so this form of the weapon is rarely used.

Dust Use
Ardent is able to use different kinds of Dust ammunition, which can affect both the shots and the axe blades, depending on what kind is used. Ryu seems to have a preference for Fire Dust.
 * Fire Dust - Heats the blades of Ardent Bloom to a burning temperature. When Ryu swings the blades while they're heated, a wave of fire rolls out.

Trivia

 * Ardent refers to intensity and passion. In archaic literary terms it means "burning" or "glowing".
 * Bloom can either refer to a flower, or means "become radiant and glowing".