Dance of the Silver Moon

[Inoryu]

SPOILER: Click to show

Learning 0/5 TP

Hyouuryuu Yuki (Drifting Snow)
Rank: E
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: The user assumes the main stance of the Hyouuryuu Yuki no You.
Special: --
Drawback: --
Description: The user spreads their legs to shoulder width, their main-foot facing forward and their off-foot facing at a right angle to the main-foot. The torso faces the diagonal inbetween the two feet. The knees are bent to allow quick motion with short steps in either direction. The user holds their main-hand forward, with the elbow bent and the knuckles facing forward. The off-hand comes close to the chest, with the elbow bent and knuckles facing forward. The user’s head faces the direction of the main-foot. This stance allows for quick motions back and forth.
Limit: Must learn from a Gintsuki no Seikou Mai Master.

     Inoryu stood center stage facing the taijutsu practitioners. There were men, women, children of all ages focusing intently on the graceful movements of the martial art. Inoryu glanced over the many diverse people sparring and practicing, and glanced over at the master of the dojo while taking a deep breath, "Everyone, may I have your attention?" The grandmaster was polite but her question was rhetorical; everyone immediately dropped their practice to face her, "We have here our newest Gakyuu. Please, introduce yourself," she said to Inoryu.
    "Right...ugh..." Inoryu couldn't help but feel a little anxious but he couldn't put off practicing taijutsu anymore, "My...my name is Inoryu Yamanaka. I am a genin of Kusagakure and have come to develop my taijutsu," Inoryu bowed deeply and humbly, "Thank you for having me." This gesture was received with warm responses from everybody in the dojo and his gesture was returned by everyone, including the grandmaster. Others then grinned and nodded adding to the warmth of acceptance.
    "Welcome Inoryu," the grandmaster said, "For now pair with Rutaro Goemon, he is another Gakyuu, only one week your senior. He can teach you the basics."
    "Welcome to the dojo, Inoryu. My name is...well you heard my name from the Grandmaster, Rutaro Goemon, but you can just call me Rutaro. So, for now, just copy what I do." He raised his arms with his elbows bent and his knuckles facing Inoryu. His legs were at a right angle, with his left arm and foot forward, and his right arm and foot second. He bent his knees in a relaxed position, "This is Hyouuryuu Yuki or Drifting Snow. This is the main stance." 
    Inoryu spread his feet shoulder length apart and faced his left foot and arm forward. His chest faced diagonally between the right angle of his feet and he bent his knees in a relaxed posture, "Hyouuryuu Yuki, or Drifting Snow."
    "Good!"

[Inoryu]

SPOILER: Click to show

Learning 0/10 TP

Tentou (To Invert)
Rank: D
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: The user inverts their stance, gently dodging a straight thrust or strike.
Special: --
Drawback: Cannot evade wide-radius attacks.
Description: The user steps forward with their off-foot, twisting it to face forward. As they do so, they turn their main foot perpendicular and away, creating a mirrored version of the normal stance. As they do this, the user rocks their body backwards slightly, allowing any attacks coming from the front to simply ghost past them. Learning the Tentou teaches one to be equally skilled with their main-side and off-side.
Limit: Must learn from a Gintsuki no Seikou Mai Master. Must know Hyouuryuu Yuki (Drifting Snow).

    "In this martial art," Rutaro began, "you must master both sides. Your offhand must be as skilled as your main hand and vice versa. Most everybody, when they begin, must practice using the Drifting Snow stance as well as the Drifting Snow Inverted," Rutaro inverted his stance so that his lead hand and foot were now the off hand and foot, and his chest was facing the opposite direction. Inoryu mimicked this movement.
    "Good, now make sure you are as comfortable in this stance as you are in Drifting Snow. That is important. And you could invert your stance and this simple movement allows you to avoid a straight punch, kick, or thrust. All you have to do is step forward with your off foot and turn your main foot perpendicular so they switch roles. Now you can rock your body backwards slightly to avoid any oncoming attacks. Keep in mind when your rock your body, it's not a big movement. You're not afraid of the blow, you must learn that it only takes a tiny increment of space to avoid a blow. Now let's practice inverting your stance to avoid a straight thrust." 
    Inoryu nodded and relaxed into Drifting Snow. From the Drifting Snow stance, Rutaro stepped forward and threw a straight punch at 50% strength. Inoryu stepped forward with his off foot, inverted his main foot, inverted his stance and rocked backwards slightly and Rutaro's fist flew past him. Rutaro inverted his stance and threw another punch at 50%. Inoryu inverted his stance and naturally the fist blew past him again. They did this one more time when Rotaro smiled, "You're a quick study!"  
 

[Inoryu]

    Rutaro continued to practice his straight punches and Inoryu practiced inverting his stance to avoid them. When Rutaro picked up the tempo, Inoryu noted how uncomfortable he felt and Ryutaro landed a hit. Inoryu felt a slight pain coming from his solar plexus.
     "Hmm?" Rutaro slipped into a natural stance, "Lucky I was throwing my punches at fifty percent or else that could've really hurt. Did you feel a sharp pain?"
    "Yeah, but it wasn't too bad, and it was only for a second," Inoryu replied.
    "That's good, this is only practice after all. In order to improve, you need to not think of this technique so mechanically. It is not a one-two step process. It is a rhythm, and a flow, as are all of the techniques in this martial art. You need to feel not think. Instead of focusing on the motion so much, try focusing on the philosophy. You control whether you are hit or not."
    Inoryu nodded and returned to the Inverted Drifting Snow stance. Rutaro threw a straight punch and Inoryu inverted his stance and avoided the punch completely. Rutaro threw another straight punch and Inoryu effortlessly dodged by inverted stance. Rutaro did his straight punch repetitively, not too quickly, just fast enough for Inoryu to dodge the punch and get used to the movement. This went on for a few minutes. 
    "Good, now you've got the hang of it," Rutaro said. 

[Madame Loki]

You can't go on to a new technique until you have learned the other. I'll let it go this time.

Both learned.

[Inoryu]

SPOILER: Click to show

learning 0/10

Bouseki Yuki (Spinning Snow)
Rank: D
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: The user delivers a surprise kick with their off foot.
Special: --
Drawback: --
Description: The user steps forward with their off-foot and points it forward, as though performing the Tentou. Rather than shifting their main-foot backwards, however, the user lifts their main-foot off the ground and spins gracefully to deliver a powerful heel kick to the opponent. They then resume the stance.
Limit: Must learn from a Gintsuki no Seikou Mai Master. Must know Tentou (To Invert).

    "Now for the next lesson. Step back and watch carefully," Rutaro said. When Inoryu was out of range of the attack, Rutaro stepped forward with his off foot and turned gracefully while whipping out his main foot for a surprise heel kick before returning to Drifting Snow stance. Then Rutaro demonstrated the technique inverted, "This move is called Bouseki Yuki or Spinning Snow. But before you attempt this technique, you should do some stretching. Flexibility and timing is key here. Just do what I do." Facing each other, they sat on their buttocks and spread their legs as wide as they could, "Now grab my hand and pull back so that I get a good stretch." 
    Inoryu grabbed Rutaro's hand and noticed a kanji tattoo on the back of his hand near his thumb and pulled so Rutaro got a deep stretch. He held it there for about twenty seconds, "Now your turn," Rutaro pulled and Inoryu could feel his groin stretch as far as it could. This was an uncomfortable stretch but after a few seconds Inoryu felt it was okay to go a little deeper. 
    "More," Inoryu said and surprised Rutaro pulled in so Inoryu could get a deeper stretch. They did this two more times and Rutaro shifted his position from the horizontal stretch to a vertical stretch with the right foot forward. They stretched as far as they could, then they switched sides and continued stretching. 

[Inoryu]

SPOILER: Click to show

learning 

Bouseki Yuki (Spinning Snow)
Rank: D
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: The user delivers a surprise kick with their off foot.
Special: --
Drawback: --
Description: The user steps forward with their off-foot and points it forward, as though performing the Tentou. Rather than shifting their main-foot backwards, however, the user lifts their main-foot off the ground and spins gracefully to deliver a powerful heel kick to the opponent. They then resume the stance.
Limit: Must learn from a Gintsuki no Seikou Mai Master. Must know Tentou (To Invert).

    "Now watch again carefully, I will go slowly," Rutaro began. He stood in the drifting snow stance, stepped forward with his off foot, and raised his main foot while spinning to demonstrate the heel kick, "Now the other side. Remember, it's vital to master the stance and inverted stance as well." He inverted his stance and demonstrated the spinning snow again slowly on the other side, "Now you try."
    "Okay," Inoryu replied as he relaxed his posture into Drifting Snow. He stepped forward with his off foot and spun while lifting his main foot and demonstrated Spinning Snow. He then inverted his stance and performed it from the other side.
    "Not bad. Your right foot needs some work but you get it. You just need practice. Why don't you practice on your own for a while? You don't need me for this one."
    "Thank you Rutaro for your lesson."
    "You're welcome, I'll check back on ya in a few minutes," he said and turned away to conduct his own solo training. Inoryu turned around and noticed all of the other students deep in their own training. Some were unarmed, some had wooden practice knives in their stances, some pointed down in their off hand, others facing upward, others in their main hand with the tip facing the ground and other in their main hand with the tip facing up. He watched as they practiced their strikes on sparring partners, and the sparring partners swiftly dodge the knives with very little movement at all completely in control of the distance. 
    He returned to his own training and gave himself enough space to execute the technique. He would drop into Drifting Snow, his feet shoulder length apart, left foot facing forward, right foot facing 90 degrees, his knees bent slightly, his left arm out with his elbow bent and knuckles facing forward, his off hand close to the chest with his knuckles facing forward. He stepped forward with his off foot but rather than dropping his main foot back, he lifted it up and spun to deliver a spinning kick with his heel. His stance inverted and he did the same on the other side. He kept this up for a few minutes when the Grandmaster, Alyss, came with a small, red strike pad. She held it out in front of her as a target for Inoryu to hit with Spinning Snow. He focused on the target and stepped forward, while raising his main foot and spinning, he struck his heel out to hit the target. 
    Inoryu's stance was inverted and the target remained. He then stepped forward with his off foot, raised his main foot, spun, and struck his heel on the target pad. The grandmaster nodded in approval and held her position for Inoryu to continue his practice. This went on for a few more minutes. 

    

[Madame Loki]

learned

[Inoryu]

  

SPOILER: Click to show

Learning 0/10

Kibikikaze (Brisk Wind)
Rank: D
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: The user delivers a short, direct punch with their main hand.
Special: --
Drawback: --
Description: The user leans forward slightly, throwing a strong, straight-forward punch with their main-hand, aiming for the head or solar plexus. They then resume the stance.
Limit: Must learn from a Gintsuki no Seikou Mai Master. Must know Tentou (To Invert).

    "Last thing I have to teach you," Rotaro began, "is called Kibikikaze or Brisk Wind." Rotaro stood in the drifting snow stance and demonstrated the straight-forward punch with his main hand. He then inverted his stance and executed with his main hand, "Now you try."
    Inoryu stood in Drifting Snow and executed Brisk Wind. He then inverted his stance and executed it again. Rutaro watched intently.
    "Good. When you execute Brisk Wind, you have two potential targets. You can aim for the opponent's head, or you could aim for their solar plexus. Practice using Brisk Wind on both sides, and switch your target between the opponent's head and solar plexus."

[Inoryu]

SPOILER: Click to show

Learning


Kibikikaze (Brisk Wind)
Rank: D
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: The user delivers a short, direct punch with their main hand.
Special: --
Drawback: --
Description: The user leans forward slightly, throwing a strong, straight-forward punch with their main-hand, aiming for the head or solar plexus. They then resume the stance.
Limit: Must learn from a Gintsuki no Seikou Mai Master. Must know Tentou (To Invert).

    Inoryu practiced Brisk Wind against Rutaro who deftly avoided his strikes by inverting his stance and sidestepping. This went on for a short moment when Rutora spoke up, "Faster, stronger." Rutaro stepped to the side to avoid another Brisk Wind. 
    Inoryu increased his tempo while keeping an intelligent distance. He was just out of reach of Rutaro's range, and when he stepped forward for Brisk Wind he was in range to land a strike. This went on for a moment until Rutaro struck back with his own Brisk Wind and landed a hit with 50% strength, "Be the running water that moves around the stone, do not let my actions dictate you."
    This round Inoryu and Rutaro traded blows, attacking and defending simultaneously. They were both intelligent in their execution and seemingly on equal standing. Their sparring took on a flow of striking and avoiding, and neither partner could gain the edge over the other. Due to their concentration, they lost track of time. They had sparred for ten minutes before Rutaro nodded respectfully, calling an end to the match. He bowed deeply, "That is all I have to teach you, and now we must pair with students with more knowledge and experience of Gintsuki no Seiko Mai. If you ever want a sparring partner let me know and I am happy to oblige, Brother."
    Inoryu bowed humbly in return, "Thank you for your teachings."
    The grandmaster came over, "You have done well, both of you. When you are ready, Rutaro, you pair with Okito, and Inoryu you pair with Shen."
    "Yes Grandmaster," Rutaro and Inoryu replied, and bowed. 

[Exit after learning]
     

[Madame Loki]

Learned

[Inoryu]

    In order to show his commitment to learning the art, Inoryu came in the dojo to receive the tattoo required for all those learning Gentsuki no Seiko Mai. People were sparring with each other throughout the space; some unarmed and some armed with wooden knives. Inoryu approached Grandmaster Rika with his request, and she nodded with approval. 

    He followed her to the corner of the dojo where she pulled out tools from a hidden compartment. They consisted of a hammer, a wooden spike and ink. She held out her hand and Inoryu offered his. She took it and placed it on a wooden stand and began to tattoo the Kanji symbol for "Moon" on the back of his main hand near the thumb. 

    The pain was tolerable, it was more of the symbolism of his resolve that was potent. With this tattoo he proclaims his dedication to learning the art and would have to live up to it. When he was finished, he couldn't have been more proud of himself. 

{Exit}

[Inoryu]

   

SPOILER: Click to show

Learning 0/5

Nameru (To Taste)
Rank: E, D, C, B, A, S
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: The user, through the sharpening of their five senses and an instinctual knowledge of flow, becomes aware of their surroundings and capable of defending against attacks.
Special: --
Drawback: Can only be learned up to your current Character Rank.
Description: The user strives to expand their senses, taking in data from all five senses and treating each of them as equally important.Through a combination of peripheral vision, hearing, and measurement of air pressure changes,  the user becomes capable of perceiving threats around them and reacting accordingly. At E rank, the user can only perceive such threats as traps or projectiles. However, at the following levels, the user becomes capable of perceiving strikes from a foe of an equal level to the rank they have learned. Therefore, a B rank ninja could strike a C rank user of this technique and the user would not be able to perceive them via this technique and lose the majority of the benefits, though their dodging would benefit from the heightened awareness nonetheless. The user may only learn this technique up to their character’s rank. Thus, a C rank character could only learn up to the C rank version of Nameru. Nameru is limited to threats within twenty meters of the foe, as anything that doesn’t enter that radius is beyond the senses of a human to perceive. However, threats are perceivable once they enter that range.
Limit: Must learn from a Gintsuki no Seikou Mai Master. Must know Hyouuryuu Yuki (Drifting Snow).

    Having eaten a big meal and allowing his food to digest for about half an hour, Inoryu was primed to begin training taijutsu. He entered the dojo and quickly approached Grandmaster Alyss of the Yasashii Kusa Dojo, bowing at her respectively. "Today you are with Shen," she began, "I feel you might find today's training particularly interesting." ...Hearing that alone was enough to peak Inoryu's interest, "Follow me." 

    She paced through the dojo until she found a boy wearing a white shirt and pants with a bold symbol on the back of the torso, blonde hair in a bowl cut, freckles on his nose and eyes that resembled the color of moss, "Shen, you're with Inoryu today, our newest gakkyuu. Inoryu, Shen is a Bengonin so follow your senior's instructions carefully."

    "Yes, Sensei," Inoryu said and shook hands with Shen. The grandmaster nodded in approval and went on her way. The two were left facing each other. 

    "One of the most important aspects of Gintsuki no Seiko Mai, is Nameru. It is a complete, and absolute focus of your five senses. Through a combination of peripheral vision, hearing, and measurement of air pressure changes you can perceive the threats around you," Shen explained.

    "In order to develop this skill, you need to develop your senses. I want you to expand your consciousness through all of your senses and use the expansion to perceive all that is happening around you. Each sense is equally important, never favor one over the other, and never give one sense more value and another less. Trust, what ALL of your senses are telling you." 

    

[Spectre of the Falls(Kuroki)]

Learned

[Inoryu]

SPOILER: Click to show

Learning 0/10

Nameru (To Taste)
Rank: E, D, C, B, A, S
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: The user, through the sharpening of their five senses and an instinctual knowledge of flow, becomes aware of their surroundings and capable of defending against attacks.
Special: --
Drawback: Can only be learned up to your current Character Rank.
Description: The user strives to expand their senses, taking in data from all five senses and treating each of them as equally important.Through a combination of peripheral vision, hearing, and measurement of air pressure changes, the user becomes capable of perceiving threats around them and reacting accordingly. At E rank, the user can only perceive such threats as traps or projectiles. However, at the following levels, the user becomes capable of perceiving strikes from a foe of an equal level to the rank they have learned. Therefore, a B rank ninja could strike a C rank user of this technique and the user would not be able to perceive them via this technique and lose the majority of the benefits, though their dodging would benefit from the heightened awareness nonetheless. The user may only learn this technique up to their character’s rank. Thus, a C rank character could only learn up to the C rank version of Nameru. Nameru is limited to threats within twenty meters of the foe, as anything that doesn’t enter that radius is beyond the senses of a human to perceive. However, threats are perceivable once they enter that range.
Limit: Must learn from a Gintsuki no Seikou Mai Master. Must know Hyouuryuu Yuki (Drifting Snow).

   

   
    Instinctively, he took in a deep breath and focused on his awareness as he usually did when he meditated. He could hear the grunts of physical effort from people hitting pads and sparring one another. He could see several people sparring ahead of him in stances he was not yet familiar with. He could smell the musk of physical exercise and hard work, and he could taste nothing but the semblance of the smell.
    
    "When you combine your senses together, you can better comprehend the whole picture," Alyss said having snuck up behind Inoryu, "Don't let doubt cloud your judgment. Focus your senses. Be one with everything."

    "Be one with everything," the Yamanaka repeated.

    "And you will begin to see the 'flow' that shapes all things in the universe," she added. 

    Lastly, Inoryu focused on his sense of touch and opened an awareness of self. He could sense the location of his entire body, feel the pressure of his weight against his feet and became aware of his posture. This self awareness would transcend to what can be perceived around him. Each sense worked harmoniously with another to grasp his surroundings on a whole new level. 

    The sights, sounds, and smells he had perceived before somehow became more substantial. Not only was he hearing the grunting and blows connecting to the pads, he was listening to the distance they were from him through the sound alone: a woman striking pads fifteen meters, 7:30. Not only could he see the two men sparring, but he was reading the rhythm or perhaps the 'flow' as the sensei put it, of the fight. The more aggressive man trading blows with a more reserved fighter who was graceful as he reacted to each attack accordingly. The smell he remembered now was different; physical exertion but also the smells of the pads being used and perhaps, iron and steel. 
 

[Skulking Shinzu]

Learned.

[Inoryu]

SPOILER: Click to show

Learning 0/10

Nameru (To Taste)
Rank: E, D, C, B, A, S
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: The user, through the sharpening of their five senses and an instinctual knowledge of flow, becomes aware of their surroundings and capable of defending against attacks.
Special: --
Drawback: Can only be learned up to your current Character Rank.
Description: The user strives to expand their senses, taking in data from all five senses and treating each of them as equally important.Through a combination of peripheral vision, hearing, and measurement of air pressure changes, the user becomes capable of perceiving threats around them and reacting accordingly. At E rank, the user can only perceive such threats as traps or projectiles. However, at the following levels, the user becomes capable of perceiving strikes from a foe of an equal level to the rank they have learned. Therefore, a B rank ninja could strike a C rank user of this technique and the user would not be able to perceive them via this technique and lose the majority of the benefits, though their dodging would benefit from the heightened awareness nonetheless. The user may only learn this technique up to their character’s rank. Thus, a C rank character could only learn up to the C rank version of Nameru. Nameru is limited to threats within twenty meters of the foe, as anything that doesn’t enter that radius is beyond the senses of a human to perceive. However, threats are perceivable once they enter that range.
Limit: Must learn from a Gintsuki no Seikou Mai Master. Must know Hyouuryuu Yuki (Drifting Snow).

    "Now I want you and Shen to take a walk around the village once while practicing Nameru," the grandmaster ordered. 

    As Inoryu and Shen stepped out of the Kusashii Kusa Dojo, it was mid afternoon and the sun blared down on the hidden village. Within just a few minutes of walking, Inoryu had an idea, "Why don't we stop and get some water on the way?" 

    "Good idea." The two walked East to the closest wall of high grass surrounding the village and would follow the grass until they found a wooden building to purchase a drink. They entered, and within a short moment, they exited with a water bottle in their hands and continued on. 

    "So, how did you get those bruises?" Shen asked. 

    "Bruises?" it took him a second to realize what he meant, "I was sparring my former academy teacher. 

    "Your academy teacher seemed to have a grasp of taijutsu. What is his name?" Shen asked. He knew the history of the village and how it was developed by the very martial art they were training. He probably knew the academy teacher and had trained with him. 

    "Densho Kirigaki," Inoryu answered.

    "Ah, Densho huh? And how is he doing nowadays?" 

    Inoryu shrugged, "Well, I suppose." Inoryu could sense there was a familiarity between Shen and his former teacher. He began to wonder if the taijutsu he fought against was a more developed version of Gintsuki no Seiko Mai. 

    The day was better with a cold bottle of water in his hands, and they walked in silence on the outer trails. He wasn't expecting anything when suddenly Shen turned around and stood in Drifting Snow stance. Inoryu turned to find someone standing in Drifting Snow as well, opposite of Shen and just a few meters away. They began to fight. 

    Inoryu didn't know what to do at this point but observe. All that he knew was that the man was using Drifting Snow to fight throwing Brisk Winds and more moves he couldn't recognize. "He could've come from the gym," he thought. 

    The genin had an option. The man who tried to ambush Shen was completely leaving himself open to Inoryu if he took advantage of the opportunity. That would free Shen of his aggressor and Inoryu could possibly get some free shots in, but that wasn't what he was told to do. He was told to practice Nameru. So he focused on his surroundings through all five of his senses. 

    He was standing on an outer trail of Kusagakure, on a wooden path. To his left was part of the village that he could see; homes built from wood, jungle trees scattered through the space, a trail heading one way deeper into the village, the trail ahead of him beside the extraordinarily high grass that conceals the village. More of the same grass to his right. 

    Suddenly, he picked up a sound. There was a creature in the grass, dangerously close. Inoryu could hear it shifting through the plant blades. Sensing danger, Inoryu weaved through a short series of hand seals and listened closely. A sudden shift, the creature was on the move and was quickly heading straight for him. He braced himself as a man leaped out of the grass and tackled Inoryu down to the ground. 

    "You were supposed to be practicing Nameru, punk!" the man shouted at Inoryu, only, to the man's surprise, all that had been Inoryu revealed itself to be just a large chunk of the extraordinary high grass, Inoryu's size, tied in a bundle.  

    Inoryu stood on the roof of the thatched building, looking down on the man who attempted to ambush him. "Are you from the Yasashii Kusa Dojo?" He asked the man mounted on the bundle of grass. 

    "What the-?" The man looked down at what he thought had been Inoryu and realized he was duped. He stood up from the substitute, "So you were practicing Nameru, good job. Grandmaster Alyss will be pleased. Come on Jiro," he waved at the other man who was fighting Shen and the man stopped throwing blows, reverted back to a natural stance, and walked off. 

    Shen still held the Drifting Snow stance until his senses acknowledged there was no more danger. He dropped the Drifting Snow stance, looked over at Inoryu on the thatched roof and shrugged. They continued their walk around the village and the rest of the way was uneventful. Eventually, they returned to the dojo where they were approached by the grandmaster.

    "Very good! The flow harmonizes with all things," Alyss said. 

    Inoryu nodded, "Harmonizes...with all things..."  

    Grandmaster Alyss nodded and he was waved back in to the dojo.  

[Madame Loki]

Learned

[Inoryu]

SPOILER: Click to show

Learning 0/10

Kitakaze (North Wind)
Rank: C
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: The user, following a sucessful Kibikibikaze, leans back to avoid a counter-attack and strikes in a wide kick with their off-foot.
Special: --
Drawback: --
Description: After completing a Kibikibikaze, the user then rolls their torso backwards, leaning backwards and to the side gracefully to avoid a counter-attack and let it pass above them. While doing so, they deliver a wide, roundhouse kick with their off-foot. They then resume the stance.
Limit: Must learn from a Gintsuki no Seikou Mai Master. Must know Kibikikaze (Brisk Wind).

    "So, you previously trained with Rutaro? How about we pick up where you left off. The next technique you need to learn is called Kitakaze or North Wind," Shen explained as he lead Inoryu to a vacant area of the dojo, "Let me demonstrate." Shen dropped into the Drifting Snow stance; his legs spread shoulder length apart, his main foot pointed forward and his off foot at a right angle, his torso facing diagonally between them. His main hand was held forward, elbow bent, his off hand held close to his chest, knuckles facing forward. His knees where slightly bent to allow quick movement in any direction. 

    He threw a Brisk Wind; a short, direct punch with his main hand and gracefully leaned back and to the side and swung his off foot in an arcing kick before completing the spin and reverting back to Drifting Snow. He then inverted his stance to switch his main hand and foot to off his off hand and foot in order to execute the movements on the other side. After the Brisk Wind thrown with the opposite hand, he leaned back and to the side, and threw out his off foot in an arcing kick before reverting back to Drifting Snow. North Wind was executed just as graceful as the first. He returned to his natural stance and said, "Go ahead and give it a shot. In doing so, try to understand the movement. Understand the flow." 

    Inoryu nodded and dropped into Drifting Snow, his left hand his main hand. He delivered a short direct punch with his main hand and leaned backwards to the side and threw out his off foot in a wide, arcing kick. His motion completed, he inverted his stance and threw a Brisk wind with his main hand, leaned backwards and to the side, and threw out his off foot in a wide arcing kick. He returned back to Drifting Snow and waited for instructions, or criticism. 

    "That was..." Shen paused, "actually really good. I'm not sure if anyone has told you this, but you may have a knack for martial arts."

    Inoryu couldn't help but grin. He considered the technique and analyzed it, "North Wind allows you to avoid an attack aimed at your head or chest and counter attack with a kick." The genin could feel his confidence grow in taijutsu thanks to Shen and his instruction. 

[Deleted]

learned

[Inoryu]

SPOILER: Click to show

Learning 0/10

Nenten Retsu (Twisting Cold)
Rank: C
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: The user performs two rapid Tentou movements, striking each time while evading.
Special: --
Drawback:
Description: The user performs the Tentou, stepping forward and inverting their stance, striking with their off-hand in a straight punch as it becomes the main-hand, all the while avoiding head-on strikes with their gentle motion. The user then throws a straight-punch with their new off-hand as they invert their stance again, assuming the original stance.
Limit: Must learn from a Gintsuki no Seikou Mai Master. Must know Kibikikaze (Brisk Wind).

    "The next technique you must learn is called Nenten Retsu, or Twisting Cold. If you understand Brisk Wind and Tentou, then learning this technique shouldn't be too difficult. It's to my understanding that Rutaro has taught you both of those techniques?" 

    Inoryu nodded in response. He acknowledged the techniques not by his mind but by his body. Even though he had analyzed the techniques, his body more so remembered how it feels to execute those techniques. 

    "Well," Shen continued, "Twisting Cold is inverting your stance with Brisk Wind together, and then following up the same way again. Let me demonstrate. First it starts with Drifting Snow."

    He stood with his knees bent, shoulder length apart with his right hand his main hand, elbow slightly bent, knuckles facing forward. His chest faced diagonally between his main foot and off foot, and his off hand was held close to his chest with knuckles facing forward. In a swift motion, he stepped forward and inverted his stance while throwing a Brisk Wind with his off hand as it became the main hand. Then, following the motion, he stepped forward and inverted his stance again while throwing a Brisk Wind with his off hand as it became his main hand. At this point, he stood in the Drifting Snow stance he started with. He inverted his stance and started the process all over again, "The stone doesn't stop the river's flow, the river flows around the rock. Be the river."

    As Shen returned to a natural stance, Inoryu dropped into Drifting Snow with his right hand the main hand. With a step forward he inverted his stance and threw a Brisk Wind with his off hand as it became the main hand, and he followed up by stepping forward, inverting his stance while striking out with his off hand as it became his main hand, and stood in his initial Drifting Snow stance. Doing well to keep up the practice on both sides, he inverted his stance so that his left hand was the main hand and executed Twisting Cold on the other side, ending in the Drifting Snow stance with his left hand as the main hand. 

    "Pretty good Inoryu," Shen complimented, "You're catching on pretty fast."