A raven had come early in the morning, a letter attached to its one leg. In a rush, the messenger boy had made his departure from the post, and into town. With a quick tap on the Samurai's back, he turned and recieved the letter. In return, he gave the boy 10 Ryo. Benkei opened the letter, and ran through it with his stern looking expression, and followed with an approving nod.
His training request had been accepted. With his companion Free Spirit, he met up at the designated area. Seemingly an open plain field, grassy, and with a stream running nearby in the outskirts that was covered in the woods. At the entrance to said 'grove' a training sign was plugged into the ground. Taking a firm stance, he closed his eyes and awaited his teacher to show up. It was as if he was in an meditative state of mind.
Appearing in a blind flash in front of Benkei, sword unsheathed and pointed to the shinobi's throat, Kakuzu proceeds to question him about his knowledge on Kenjutsu.
He who does not respect the sword is not fit to wield one. He who does not fear the sword is not fit to use one. That is my motto. What do you know of Kenjutsu, young samurai ?
Despite being caught off-guard, perhaps even quite startled - Benkei lacked the physical reaction. Opening an eye, he glanced upon his teacher. Sliding one foot back, followed by the other the samurai made distance in between the two. Both eyes opened ''I'm glad you percieve it the way, it should be looked upon.'' Taking another step back, Benkei nods and unsheathes Free Spirit. A long finely crafted Odachi. Fullers running down the blade which is quite unusual for samurai swords, however the wielder had his reasons for why. The hilt, very plain looking however, but fullfilled the critera of a hilt should.
''Ah yes, Kenjutsu, Sword Techniques, Sword Art or what else we have came to call it. The way of the Sword have came to be an extension of our body in war times, or conflicts. To pierce, to cut, or shred depending on the blade. I, being a samurai have grown up with a sword in hand, unlike the Shinobi-kin, that prefer to resort to chakra - Where I prefer the simplistic yet very effective way, following another belief entirely. Kenjutsu is like Taijutsu, but while wielding a blade in hand, much quicker than most chakra-based techniques in close-quarter. I've witnesses samurais infusing their blades with chakra, giving them entirely different shapes, or extending their reach in combat, to overcome their foes.''
While speaking, he does perform several cuts through the air, followed by a sudden halt displaying his control of Free Spirit.
Ah, a samurai. Its always a pleasure to teach one of you. Honourable, simplistic and trustworthy. However, the world of shinobi is a cruel one, full of deceit and corruption. Trust no ninja, not even me. During this process I'm your teacher, outside of here we'll likely become enemies due to village ties and obligations. Also, you must reduce your dependence on the sword somehow. I could disarm you from a distance and you'd be helpless against me. You don't have to work it out, however one you day you will.
Your explanation was on point and I expected nothing less, now onto the techniques.
(Ken Rendan no Jutsu) - Sword Barrage Technique
Rank: C
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 10
Damage points: 25
Description: With this technique, the user will make a sequence of slashes with their sword and finishes with a powerful final slash dealing liberal damage to their enemy.
For your first technique, I want you to hit me with a sequence of slashes using your blade, before ending the frenzy with a final slash to my neck. Fear not, I'm going to keep my skin hardened throughout the usage of your technique, so I won't feel a thing. To give some realism, I'm going to feign pain and pretend that each of your hits have an effect on me.
Key Points: Despite the simplicity of my explanation, you must fill in the blanks so to say. Specify which hand you wield the blade with, the direction of the slashes (don't have to specify for random slashes and frenzies) and so on.
(Ikari Nomikomu no Jutsu) - Fury Swallow Technique
Rank: C
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 10
Damage points: 25
Description: The user punches the opponent a few times and finishes them with two final slashes with their blade or sword.
In quick succession, you will then punch me a few times before finishing with two final slashes with your sword, aiming them to deal fatal damage. As with before, be specific in the way you punch e.g. is it a frontal punch or not ? What location are the punches aimed towards and what effect do you seek to achieve with them ? Where are the final two slashes aimed towards ? Yeah, you get the idea.
Ah, a samurai. Its always a pleasure to teach one of you. Honourable, simplistic and trustworthy. However, the world of shinobi is a cruel one, full of deceit and corruption. Trust no ninja, not even me. During this process I'm your teacher, outside of here we'll likely become enemies due to village ties and obligations. Also, you must reduce your dependence on the sword somehow. I could disarm you from a distance and you'd be helpless against me. You don't have to work it out, however one you day you will.
Your explanation was on point and I expected nothing less, now onto the techniques.
(Ken Rendan no Jutsu) - Sword Barrage Technique
Rank: C
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 10
Damage points: 25
Description: With this technique, the user will make a sequence of slashes with their sword and finishes with a powerful final slash dealing liberal damage to their enemy.
For your first technique, I want you to hit me with a sequence of slashes using your blade, before ending the frenzy with a final slash to my neck. Fear not, I'm going to keep my skin hardened throughout the usage of your technique, so I won't feel a thing. To give some realism, I'm going to feign pain and pretend that each of your hits have an effect on me.
Key Points: Despite the simplicity of my explanation, you must fill in the blanks so to say. Specify which hand you wield the blade with, the direction of the slashes (don't have to specify for random slashes and frenzies) and so on.
(Ikari Nomikomu no Jutsu) - Fury Swallow Technique
Rank: C
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 10
Damage points: 25
Description: The user punches the opponent a few times and finishes them with two final slashes with their blade or sword.
In quick succession, you will then punch me a few times before finishing with two final slashes with your sword, aiming them to deal fatal damage. As with before, be specific in the way you punch e.g. is it a frontal punch or not ? What location are the punches aimed towards and what effect do you seek to achieve with them ? Where are the final two slashes aimed towards ? Yeah, you get the idea.
''Intriuging ability you possess, I must say then. I've witness such power before - We however called it Combat Ki. I wonder if it's the same... Anywho..''
Benkei, sheath Free Spirit for moment. He bent slightly in his knees, standing two meters from his teacher, he slid his right foot slightly behind the other. Controlled breathing. Combining his breathing with his movements, he stepped infront of the left with the right. Simualtaneously he unsheathed and slung the Odachi in a wide arc, with his right hand. Sliding off the chest without any fatal damage, Benkei felt at ease.
With a 100 degree upward flick, he retreated the blade downwards from left(Kakuzu's) shoulder to waist, where both his hands connected in union onto the hilt(Only been using the right.). While doing the act, his body bent slightly backwards and down, as he shifted the weight of his body. Another flick was executed turning the blade horizontal in a swing from left to right with both hands, while shifting his weight.
Following up, and putting an end to his combo, or frenzy as his teacher had described it. However a Samurai would never allow himself to enter such a state, but despite anything - Using the mometum from the last executed act, Benkei proceeded to spin going into a low-stance, pivoting on his feet - Allowing the blade to slide across the ground as he spun. The moment his back was turned, he raised his stance as if delivering an uppercut after a spin, the blade was swung up from the ground with both hands, onto the neck-part succesfully, if not for the hardened skin, giving a somewhat diagonal decapation.
By samurai customs, he released the two-handed grip and swayed it to the side. Benkei did a flick to clean it, as if it was drenched in blood, and proceeded to sheath it.
''You acting is quite...''
Benkei listened intensely, and proceeded to take on his stance. It was not firm as one may did expect, infact it was quite loosely. His arms somewhat hang at the lower part of his abdomen, left slightly infront and above the right which was at waist height.
His left leg infront of the right. ''I seem to have come to the first bump on the road, Kakuzu.. My style of combat appears to be quite different from what you try and teach me. I hope you wouldn't mind to elaborate on my next course of actions, uhm...?'' He spoke, with a serious tone. Perhaps it could be seen, he wasn't quite sure. But he didn't feel comfortable about asking such, as if inferior, which he did not like to think himself as. ''How would you like me to incoraporate my blade?''
Ah, I sometimes forget you're a samurai. My apologies. To accommodate your style of fighting, substitute the punches and kicks with strikes dealt using the hilt of your sword. Mimic the movements of punches and kicks respectively, using solely the handle of your sword. Is that preferable ?
Ah, I sometimes forget you're a samurai. My apologies. To accommodate your style of fighting, substitute the punches and kicks with strikes dealt using the hilt of your sword. Mimic the movements of punches and kicks respectively, using solely the handle of your sword. Is that preferable ?
Benkei, pleased to hear how he could do instead, responded eagerly. ''Ah, excellent.''
His yet loose stance, became more firm, if so to speak. His grip around his Odachi tighten as he slid his right foot front of the left, while swinging his waist-located right sword-wielding hand up in an uppercut. The blade pointed sideways to his own right, and Kakuzu's left. Using the bare bottom of hilt, it would impact upon his foe's chin and throw his head back. Free Spirit would adjust 190% degrees up, from the mometum given upon impact.
Halting his striking arm, Benkei made it descend - The pommel would strike down against the 'pushed' out torso area of Kakuzu. A natural thing, when the head is thrown back, the chest would be slightly more 'pumped' forth. The strike would eventually cause Kakuzu to bent forward and down again. Simualtaneously as making the descend Benkei prepared his left hand.
Making impact, finishing the descend the left hand would make it's way to the hilt, and by the combined forces of the downward momentum and both hands, a slight adjust by the left hand, made the hit proceed into a right swung downward cut across the chest of Kakuzu.
Finishing the slash, Benkei would adjust his hands - flipping the Odachi upside down while swaying both hands upwards, dealing an upward strike across Kakzu's left shoulder cutting several nerves if unprotected making his arm useless.
Once passed the body of Kakuzu, Benkei set off his right foot making a short dash back entering his earlier loose stance with his blade by his right, flicking it once more, per tradition. He studied Kakuzu.
Rank: C
Type: Attack
Range: Short
Chakra cost: N/A
Damage points: 25
Description: The user spins with his tantō, hitting the target several times.
Now, I'd like you to spin in the clockwise motion on the spot, striking me with his tanto with each successive revolution, making sure to target a new location with every spin. You will do this a total of five times. You have freedom of choice to choose the locations you strike, but the fifth and final strike must be aimed towards underneath my chin, sending me up into the air and setting up for your next technique usage.
( Rakkasui ) - Falling Water
Rank: C
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: N/A
Damage points: 25
Description: The user will drop down upon the opponent from mid air pointing their sword downwards and drilling it down into the opponent.
While I'm airborne, you will jump up and pursue me, quickly overtaking my position before unsheathing your blade once more. Point your blade down towards me, before striking me with it and drilling me back towards the ground, spinning as you do this to mimic the exact motion of a "drill". Normally, your rotary motion would cause the opponent's body to spin also (since your sword would be lodged in their body) causing them to become disorientated even before they collide with the rock hard ground.
Rank: C
Type: Attack
Range: Short
Chakra cost: N/A
Damage points: 25
Description: The user spins with his tantō, hitting the target several times.
Now, I'd like you to spin in the clockwise motion on the spot, striking me with his tanto with each successive revolution, making sure to target a new location with every spin. You will do this a total of five times. You have freedom of choice to choose the locations you strike, but the fifth and final strike must be aimed towards underneath my chin, sending me up into the air and setting up for your next technique usage.
( Rakkasui ) - Falling Water
Rank: C
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: N/A
Damage points: 25
Description: The user will drop down upon the opponent from mid air pointing their sword downwards and drilling it down into the opponent.
While I'm airborne, you will jump up and pursue me, quickly overtaking my position before unsheathing your blade once more. Point your blade down towards me, before striking me with it and drilling me back towards the ground, spinning as you do this to mimic the exact motion of a "drill". Normally, your rotary motion would cause the opponent's body to spin also (since your sword would be lodged in their body) causing them to become disorientated even before they collide with the rock hard ground.
With an approving nod, Benkei caught the tanto with his left. Sheathing Free Spirit, he flicked the tanto to his right, and flipped it upside down. Taking to steps forth in a 'charge' Benkei halted on his left, and set off with the right making the beginning of a continous and rapid spin.
Spinning Benkei would lung out his right equipped hand, allowing the hilt pass by Kakuzu, followed with the blade chiming against the rock steady armour.
Proceeding his spin, the tanto would hit against the the torso, arm, shoulder, and a low-ducked spin aimed at his tigh. Going from the low-positioned spin, rising in the spinning motion would further add to the incoming attack. Ending the spin with an upward swayed right equipped hand, the hilt would smash against Kakuzu's neck/chin, launching him skywards.
Throwing the Tanto aside, Benkei smirked as he jumped after his airborne pray. Simualtaneously as unsheathing Free Spirit, he was above Kakuzu. Flicking the sword just as he had the tanto - He pummeled it down the stomach of Kakuzu with a drilling motion as it would strike against the steel propertied skin.
The momentum causing them both to more or less rotate, Kakuzu was sent drillingly into the ground. Finishing off his prey, Benkei jumped back to his earlier stance, loosely - Flicking his sword.
Just to clarify, I'm going to refer to myself as the "opponent" or "enemy". You will still be performing this jutsus on me.
(Bakuchi Tori Kuzu Oujou) – Gambling Bird Arrowroot Death
Rank: B
Type: Attack
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 20
Damage points: 40
Description: The user bolts in front of the enemy who they then strike with their sword handle before delivering several kicks that sends the enemy into the air. The user then bolts across to the far off location of the enemy who they then punch violently into an obstacle.
Alright, this Kenjutsu will not involve the use of your blade, substituting its usage with hits dealt with the handle. I want you to utilize your chakra to bolt in front of the enemy, before striking them with the hilt of your sword. After doing so, deal several upward kicks to your opponent, sending them high into the air but also horizontally backwards. Whilst they're airborne, dash directly forwards (to the location they're about to land) and intercept them as they fall, punching them violently into a nearby obstacle or part of the terrain e.g. a boulder or tree.
Key Points: None.
(Rensei Shinkuken) – Drilling Crimson Blade
Rank: B
Type: Attack
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 20
Damage points: 40
Description: The user takes out their blade and channels chakra into it. They then run towards the opponent, slashing them upwards into the air and then appear above him/her, and deliver a sharp, drilling slash down upon them, impelling them into the ground.
For this next technique, I want you to focus chakra into your blade before dashing towards the opponent and dealing an upward slash to their chest region, using the force behind the slash to send them into the air. After doing so, "appear" above and behind them, using your blade to deal a deadly drilling-type slash into their back, impaling and knocking them back towards the ground.
Just to clarify, I'm going to refer to myself as the "opponent" or "enemy". You will still be performing this jutsus on me.
(Bakuchi Tori Kuzu Oujou) – Gambling Bird Arrowroot Death
Rank: B
Type: Attack
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 20
Damage points: 40
Description: The user bolts in front of the enemy who they then strike with their sword handle before delivering several kicks that sends the enemy into the air. The user then bolts across to the far off location of the enemy who they then punch violently into an obstacle.
Alright, this Kenjutsu will not involve the use of your blade, substituting its usage with hits dealt with the handle. I want you to utilize your chakra to bolt in front of the enemy, before striking them with the hilt of your sword. After doing so, deal several upward kicks to your opponent, sending them high into the air but also horizontally backwards. Whilst they're airborne, dash directly forwards (to the location they're about to land) and intercept them as they fall, punching them violently into a nearby obstacle or part of the terrain e.g. a boulder or tree.
Key Points: None.
(Rensei Shinkuken) – Drilling Crimson Blade
Rank: B
Type: Attack
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 20
Damage points: 40
Description: The user takes out their blade and channels chakra into it. They then run towards the opponent, slashing them upwards into the air and then appear above him/her, and deliver a sharp, drilling slash down upon them, impelling them into the ground.
For this next technique, I want you to focus chakra into your blade before dashing towards the opponent and dealing an upward slash to their chest region, using the force behind the slash to send them into the air. After doing so, "appear" above and behind them, using your blade to deal a deadly drilling-type slash into their back, impaling and knocking them back towards the ground.
Tightening his grib, Benkei dashed forward. Halting before his opponent, left leg front - A right uppercut with the sword handle was dealt against his chin, throwing his head backwards. Following the motion of the uppercut, Benkei extended his right leg out as well, performing almost a spin. The leg would impact the chest diagonally upwards, throwing him into the air, somewhat.
to top it, once he lands onto his right leg after the spin, he bends somewhat in his knee, and stretches out as he finishes the incomplete spin, whilst extending his left leg, impacting the already slightly airborne opponent, with his heel. The given damage an momentum would sent him flying diagonally backwards.
Landing onto his left once more, now both feet planted to the ground he would set off in an amazing speeds, appearing where his opponent desginated falling location would be, delivering an elbow thrust in his back supported by the other arm, launching him into a nearby tree.
Channeling chakra into his blade, Benkei proceeded his assault on his combatant who would be a lying corpse almost, against the tree. Approaching, halting before his opponent, he would deal an upwards diagonally swing, left waist till right shoulder. As if gribbing the target, the blade slung him airborne along with the slash. And to finish off, like his earlier lesson - Bending his knees, he set off jumping up above drilling his sword down into the chest of his target, launching him back into the ground.
Rank: B
Type: Offensive
Range: Mid
Chakra cost: 20
Damage points: 40
Description: The user does a simple cresent-shaped slash at the opponent, expelling a red chakra wave.
Unlike the previous techniques, these two will be focused around manifesting a lumnious coating of raw chakra over your sword to either fire off as a projectile or augment your sword slashes. Now, tighten your grip over the hilt of your sword and begin focusing your chakra into it, before slashing the air in a crescent-like shape to release the built chakra as a red wave of pure chakra in my direction.
Key Points: I'm unsure if this red chakra wave can be stopped with elemental techniques, so stick to avoiding it for now. I'll try to find out for you.
(Chakura Bōsekiken) - Chakra Spinning Blade
Rank: B
Type: Offensive
Range: Short - Mid
Chakra cost: 20
Damage points: 40
Description: The user will channel chakra into their sword making it glow blue and then jumping into the air they spin at a rapid rate creating a spinning circle and cutting through the enemy target.
Similar to the previous technique, I want you to focus your chakra into your sword, this time causing it to glow blue instead of a luminous scarlet. After stabilizing the coating of chakra, jump into the air and begin spinning at a rapid rate in a circular motion, whilst outstretching your sword to maximize its radial reach. Slash me as many times as possible in the interval of 10 seconds. This will depend on the speed of your spinning, the faster you spin, the more potential hits you can get in with your sword.
Adjusting his grip on Free Spirit, he lies his other hand onto the hilt as well. With a two handed grip he leans his torso slightly forward, and his legs stationery beneath, left front - Good footing kept. Focusing his internal willpower onto the sword, he imagines a coat of blood, a coat of crimson leaves falling from the great oak in the autumn. Suddenly, sprouted forth the shroud of scarlet - Immediately leaning backwards again, Benkei would swing Free Spirit as if a baseball bat(Or Tennis bat, doesn't matter), letting go with one hand as it proceeds in the left completeling the entire swing.
From it, the crimson half moon flew through the air, zooming onto it's target, dissapating upon it's hardened torso.
Retreating into his original posture, Benkei now tried the same technique as before. Focusing his internal willpower onto Free Spirit. The colour of deep ocean floor, the peace, and it's actual bruteness. Illumnating from the sword, would a light blue colour from he palm isles waters. Dashing at his combatant, Benkei would keep somewhat a distance as his sword had greater reach than I normal. Halting, he spun, rapidly and continously, and with every spin dealing another strike across another limb.
Yes, that will do. For these final two techniques, we will be dealing with electrical currents. One with allow you to imbue your sword with lightning chakra, the other will allow you to divert unfocused currents of electricity into the ground. You can skip the performance of the first one if you wish.
(Kusanagi no Tsurugi: Chidorigatana) - Grass Cutter Sword: One Thousand Birds Katana
Rank: B
Type: Supplementary
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 20
Damage points: 40
Description: The user flows Chidori current through a katana in manner similar to flying swallow technique. The Radiating and chirping blade can easily cut through steel. Furthermore, the body of the person cut by the sword goes numb, taking away their freedom of movement.
For this first technique, I want you to grip the hilt of your sword tightly to prepare yourself for this jutsu. Lightning is wild and unpredictable element, which is why it must be used with great caution. Envision the nature of lightning, the sporadic nature of its movements, its ability to numb/paralyze on contact and the way it conducts along metals. Focus your raiton chakra into your blade, attempting to stabilize a steady current of lightning which produces the distinct sound of chirping birds. Instead of performing this jutsu on me, I'd like you to have a sword fight with my clone. When you feel the time is right, initiate this technique without any warning to cut through his steel blade, allowing you to land a fatal blow.
Key Points: This isn't considered an elemental technique, however it does have a elemental counterpart.
( Kenjutsu: Hirashin ) - Sword Technique: Lightning Rod
Rank: A
Type: Supplementary
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 30
Damage points: N/A
Description: The user by use of a sword can use it as a rod to attract lightning currents that are channeled into the user from opponents attacks and by pointing the tip of the blade into the ground the user is then able to dispel the lightning charge nullifing the effects of paralysis. However this only works on free flowing lightning based techniques such as the Chidori current and not on focused lightning based techniques
Noticing his blade being broken, as a last resort, my clone will release a unfocused current of electricity from his body, attempting to paralyze you with it so to stop your sword strike. In response to this, cease the flow of lightning to your blade and instead, point it towards the floor and stab the tip into the ground (to ensure conduction). Use your chakra to calmly divert the unfocused current of lightning through your body and straight into the ground, stopping any and all harm from coming to yourself.
Key Points: By far my most favourite/most used Kenjutsu techniques. I don't enter short range without my sword sheathed. Close combat is a dying art, so this jutsu is a useful tool for anyone who likes Taijutsu/Kenjutsu.
Unsheating Free Spirit, Benkei stepped two meters apart from the clone of his Kenjutsu teacher. Gripping the hilt of Free Spirit with both hands, firmly, he held it out before himself in angle position of 45 degrees. The tip pointing diagonally upwards. He closed his eyes, and focused. Wrinkles made their mark on his forehead, along with a sweatdrop. His entire body shakening, tensed, concentrated.
What happened in his mind, unknown. After a while, the wrinkles made a dissappearing act, and his forehead was smooth as before. His shakening was gone, and his body muscles loosed up once more. His eyes opened slowly, as the sweatdrop ran down his cheek, falling off his chin. Within the instance, a chirping noise occured followed by the crackling sound of wild lightning, donned as garments for the blade of Free Spirit itself.
Lifting the blade, Benkei swung it down elegantly and with ease severing the opposed blade in two, aimed towards his target. With an outburst of Lightning, Benkei took a step back, having Free Spirit come out of reach, allowing the tip to sway down past your clone's body and into the ground. All this while the lightning sprouting around it, as if it was being siphoned, attached itself to the blade.
Quickly after the tip made its mark in the ground, the lightning along with his own dispersed throughout the ground, spreading as small dying snakes only to vanish into nothingness immediately after.
