( Hagakure Kikigaki ) - Hidden Leaves
Type: Weapon
Rank: S
Range: Short - Long
Chakra: 40
Damage: N/A
Description: Deep within the Dark Tower lies many secrets of Oisha and his former master Asano, secrets the pupil wished to take to the grave with him. Prior to acquiring the first of the Zōka Sanshin, Oisha learned the secrets of Hagakure and expanded upon these before ultimately passing his knowledge onto his most skilled and trusted samurai, Ishijo of the Riverlands. However, following Oisha’s betrayal and the ensuing battle that occurred between him and the Ronin, the blade was lost and never recovered by Ishijo.
The Hagakure has three unique skills attributed to it, allowing for it’s varied and powerful usages. The first of the three abilities is a passive ability known as Gunki Monogatari. Gunki Monogatari refers to the state of the blade and it’s dual natured composition. Hagakure is both a physical blade as well as a spiritual one, coexisting at the same time, appearing as a blackened blade with wispy air-like wisps emanating from it. This dual existence grants the blade the ability to deal both physical and spiritual damage at one time, splitting the damage done to target’s spiritual health as well as body as evenly as possible, dealing both physical and spiritual damage. These techniques will combat techniques as normal though. This ability is passive in nature and enhances all non elemental Kenjutsu as well as non-Yin or non-Yang based Kenjutsu.
The first active ability is a special attack called Kashoki. The user releases several crescent blades of energy, designed to combat intangible techniques as well as injure the target. These crescents are capable of interacting with spiritual techniques that are normally intangible as well as other techniques that are intangible. These blades also deal a double effect on targets; should an attack land, then the target’s overall health points lower by 10. This 10 health reduces the damage from the technique originally used, dealing 10 less damage as an S ranked attack to living targets. What this means is should the S ranked technique land, 70 damage will be dealt while their max health drops by 10 as well. Against other Jutsu, full damage will apply. The user can make these crescents to combat other techniques once every 2 turns.
The last and perhaps most notable ability of the Hagakure is known as Bushi Katagi, or Warrior Spirit. Activating this spirit, this warrior spirit is reflected in the form of a faint blue hue over the user’s body, enhancing his blade’s spiritual abilities. This aura extends some of the Hagakure’s mystical abilities to it’s wielder, allowing them to be able to enhance their forms to mitigate the effects of damage, spending spiritual health to block physical damage. Being able to spend up to 100 health, the user is able to negate up to the same amount of damage. Anything higher than this and the user will take full damage as well as force the Health System drawbacks to trigger which, through usage of Bushi Katagi, normally do not trigger. This aura also augments the user’s Kashoki ability and allows him to target spiritual entities regardless of state, form, or realm. Should the user be capable of detecting a spiritual target, this blade will allow him to target them with Kashoki. Bushi Katagi allows Kashoki to not only target spiritual entities but also suppress them into the sword, augmenting his next Kashoki attack with the effects of the previously targeted spiritual entity.
Note: Gunki Monogatari is a passive ability always in effect, augmenting their effects. These effects cannot be mitigated unless by Yin or Yang based abilities.
Note: Should Bushi Katagi be used, then the cooldown rate for Kashoki is reduced to once per turn. However after Bushi Katagi ends, this can only be used once every 3 turns for the remainder of the battle. Should a second use of Bushi Katagi occur and end, Kashoki will only be usable once every 4 turns.
Note: Bushi Katagi requires the user to have at least 50 health before he can trigger it. It can only be used twice a battle, lasting 3 turns each use. Should the user’s sacrificed health leave him with less than 25, then this technique will automatically end regardless of how much has been blocked. The user is capable of using this as a blue barrier that blocks the same amount of damage for multiple allies, covering up to 6 meters. This can only be done with allies and not solo fights. Barrier use prevents further use of Bushi Katagi and lasts a single turn.
Note: Health spent to defend cannot be regenerated nor restored by the user or his Creation/Summonings or Tools. Another Ninja must heal the user in order for the health to return. However, he will not experience Fatigue or Health System drawbacks until his health is lowered by outside methods.
Note: Counts as the user’s CW. Cannot be paired with other CW.
(Iaidō: Zen no Idō) - Art of Quick Draw and Re-sheathing the Sword: Moving Zen
Rank: N/A
Type: Supplementary
Range: Short
Chakra: N/A (-10 for each iaijutsu performed)
Damage: N/A
Description: Over the years, Samurai had often practiced Iaidō based on the understanding that it is an almost ritualistic form of combat, born from practices that strive to impart the morals of a classical warrior such as building a spiritually harmonious being possessed of high intellect, sensitivity, and resolute will. While this is correct, the root teachings of the art were lost over time; in truth, the purpose of Iai is founded on the principle of being in the psychological state of the present and responding to an attack before striking with speed. Thus, Zen no Idō reintroduces this concept into modern day Iaidoka. This is a skill that is taught to masters of the art who have completed all forms of Iai training and who have maximized their reflexes in regards to drawing and re-sheathing the sword. In essence, after training to increase their proficiency in applying rapid and sudden movements while performing iaijutsu, it allows the Iaidoka to inherently evade incoming techniques within reason while simultaneously executing any Iaidō techniques they use. By fueling more chakra into their movements during the ritual of Iaidō, they can move in any direction at a slightly increased speed (x2, equal to that of Leg Weight speed) prior to or during the use of Iaidō. The limitations are that they may only use this speed to travel in any direction within five meters of their original position, and once the Iaidō technique is complete or stopped, Zen no Idō immediately ceases.
Restrictions:
Note: Must be posted in the samurai's biography.
Note: No other techniques besides those revolving around Iai can be used while Zen no Idō is active.
Note: This is a passive trait that automatically activates prior to or during the execution of any Iaidō based technique; reserved only for those who hold true mastery over the art (must state Iaidō as a specialization in one's biography), once learned, Zen no Idō comes naturally and without thought, in a manner akin to the Shinobi's Water Walking skill.
