Tanzaku Dojo (T) (Private, PM for Invite)

[Infinite Swordsman Trace]

A small boxing gym, capitalizing upon the sudden popularity of this new sport, the proprietor, Coach Fugimari opened this gym to each the next generation of boxers. It is fully decked out in all the needed equipment including a regulation sized boxing ring within the middle of the actual gym.


The building itself was built underground to maintain cool temperature at all times, the door to the underground building is within Coach Fugimari's bar, in which a boxing ring is set up in the middle of the establishment for exhibition fights with a sign advertising said fights.

[Infinite Swordsman Trace]

Upright Stance
Rank: "E"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A Basic upright stance used in boxing.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Picture To adopt an Upright Stance, you should stand with your legs roughly shoulder-width apart. Your back foot should be about half a step behind your front foot. If your dominant boxing hand is your right hand, your left foot will lead. Lift your right heel off the ground by about 3 inches and point both feet inward (although do not exaggerate this movement). If you lift your heel too far off the ground, or turn your feet too far inward, you will become unbalanced. As a test, imagine someone pushing you from any direction. In a properly balanced stance, you should be able to maintain an upright position and not fall to the ground or sway from side to side. To increase the stability of your stance, keep your knees and hips slightly bent but make sure your back is straight. Your lead fist (which will be your left fist if your dominant boxing hand is your right hand) should be positioned vertically at eye level, approximately six inches away from your face. Your right fist should be positioned next to your chin, with your elbow held against your ribcage. This is good defensive positioning and will effectively protect your body. Whilst watching televised boxing matches, you may have noticed the boxers tapping their cheeks with their hands. This repetitive action acts as a reminder to keep fists up at all times and is especially important as the match progresses and energy levels drop. To further protect yourself from blows from your opponent, keep your chin pressed against your chest. Punches to the jaw often cause knock-outs, so it is essential to keep this stance throughout the boxing match.
Limit: Must learn in a gym that teaches Bokushingu (Boxing)

Gizamaru aimlessly walked through Tanzaku town, after many attempts of not learning where the location of the gym was from locals, he was rather depressed. Walking with a slight slump as he took strides through the ally he was in, he saw a target Graffitied on a wall. Deciding to take out all of his aggression on the spray painted graffiti, he wound up and launched a punch at the wall. The wall impacted pretty far inward, shattering small pieces of the concrete off around the impact site. With a Huff Gizamaru walked on, leaving a few on-looking small children impressed and terrified simultaneously as the Shark-man walked on.

Gizamaru exited the allyway as he noticed a bar. "I 'ould use a drink 'bout now." He said as he headed towards it, not even noticing the sign about a boxing match being held as he pushed open the double Saloon style doors. What awaited him inside was a Boxing ring smack dab in the middle of the bar, surrounded by tables with ashtrays and the usual bar fair. Gizamaru walked inside of the establishment and looked around. It was a regular grimy bar, like anyplace else. Suddenly, he could hear footsteps coming up stairs echoing through the bar.

Walking up to the counter, he could hear the step intensify until a trap door opened behind the bar and several men came out of the hatch like clowns coming out of a small wagon at a circus. Each of the men looked completely and utterly whipped, swollen jaws, black eyes, bloody noses and bloody knuckles. they gave Gizamaru absolutely no attention as the exited the bar the same way he came in. "Pussies! Every one of them!" An old man's croaking voice could be heard as he came up the steps last.

A small old man came out of the door and shut it, his skin resembled leather, he wore thick glasses and had white hair sparsely around his chin and upper lip. His hair was thick, white and styled neatly. He looked at Gizamaru and quickly ran to behind the counter. "What can I get for ya mac?" he said, pulling out twin shotglasses from under the bar. Gizamaru didn't answer immediately, quickly he croaked out "Rum" The man turned around and pulled a bottle off the shelf behind him, turned around and sloppily poured a shot each, capping the bottle he put on the counter and pushed a glass towards the Hoshigake. Gizamaru looked at the shot a moment while the man quickly drank it in one felled gulp.

"So, what brings ya here... Mr. Gray skin?" the old man spoke as Gizamaru gingerly picked up the shot and brought it to his lips. He quickly opened his mouth, showing his massive teeth sheathed within his dark gray lips as he gulped the liquor down. " 'ell, I'm 'ere in dis town ta' find a gym... 'fo 'oxing." He said as the man began to laugh, almost manically. "This here's the only gym in Tanzaku town kid! You're above it!" He choked out as he picked up the bottle of rum and took a mighty chug of it. "First... before you do anything in my gym... You see that punching bag over there?" the geriatric gentleman said, pointing to a ratty bag in the corner. Gizamaru nodded. "Punch it... with all you've got. The old man smiled, hoping to get the Sharkman out of his gym and an easy day.

Gizamaru turned around and looked at the bag and smiled. He walked over to it, it's stuffing was hanging out slightly. "Consider this a tip kid... take up this pose." The old man took up a pose, his legs spread slightly. His hands at the ready to fend off his imaginary attackers. Gizamaru adopted the stance, his legs spread slightly, his hands up to his chest and pushed outwards with his right hand being dominate. His fists up at face level now, as if protecting his face unknowingly. His muscles tightened in his legs as he swayed ever so slightly. His arms burned slightly from taking up such a foreign pose, he was used to archery, not this odd poses. His feet began to cramp slightly at the beginning, but slowly became used to the unusual stance. His fists raised high, they seemed like floating balloons attached to the thick strings that were his arms.

Lifting his left foot's heel slightly up, he pushed his feet inward, pointing towards each other. Suddenly, he wound up his fist and, as if the fist had rockets attached to it, flew towards the decrepit punching bag, breaking the rusting chain right off the top where it was held up. The bag was hit with the power of a Taijutsu master, flying forward and hitting the ground with a thunderous smash. "dat good enough for chu? Gizamaru smiled as he kept his stance, as it was easier to hit this way now than previously. The old man's mouth was open, his jaw nearly hitting the counter. "You my boy... you have talent! Get your sharky ass down there... I'm training you!" The old man's hoarse voice rattled as Gizamaru walked over to the trapdoor, opened it and quickly ran down the stairs into the gym below.

[Elgar]

Learned

[Infinite Swordsman Trace]

The Jab
Rank: "D"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A quick, straight punch thrown with the lead hand from the guard position.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Picture Stand with your feet hip distance apart. Step your right foot back 18-24 inches with the weight of your right leg on the ball of your foot (right heel is somewhat elevated and the knees are slightly bent). Bring your right fist close to your right cheek bone and your left fist slightly in front of it about jaw height. Pull your elbows in towards your ribs so that they line up somewhat below your fists. Push off of the ball of the right foot, bend the left knee slightly and start to extend the left hand in a pushing type motion (there should be a subtle rotation as your left hand goes forward your right shoulder moves back). You may also rotate the fist so that when it reaches the desired destination your left palm will be facing down. Retract the left hand as fast as you extended it and return to the original position. Remember before punching relax the hand, snap it forward and clinch before making contact. Do your best to strike with the first two knuckles and keep your wrist in neutral position upon impact. Aim six to eight inches beyond your target. Extend the arm only about 90-95 percent. Keep your chin tucked down toward your chest--this protects your jaw from exposure to being hit. Bring your hand back as fast as you throw it. Move your head on an angle as you throw the punch.
Limit: Must learn in a gym that teaches Bokushingu (Boxing), Must know Upright Stance or Semi-Crouch

{0/10}


Gizamaru walked down the steps with authority as he looked forward. After what seemed to be thousands of steps, he had hit the last few steps and then solid concrete. What lied ahead was a veritable pantheon of gym equipment. Every conceivable piece of training equipment a trainer could want. From punching bags, to another full sized ring downstairs... in worse condition that the one upstairs in the bar, but still nice. Gizamaru walked forward as the old man traversed the last few steps while speaking. "Now that you know how to stand... we'll start with the basics."

Gizamaru made it to the ring and removed some things from his bag. Handwraps, headgear and his cup. In a few minutes he had everything correctly set up. Turning to his coach he showed himself off. Coach Fugimari nodded knowingly as he slid into the ring himself picked up a pair of focus mitts as he spoke to Gizamaru. "The first we're going ta teach ya is The Jab. Keep your arms up, step back, keep your chin tucked in relax before the punch hits and for god sake don't kill me." He said as he strapped the mitts on his hands/arms.

Gizamaru looked at the mitts, then his clenched fists at either side of his body. He assumed the stance immediately, becoming second nature to him. His hands raised, he remembered what the old man had told him. His hands were raised due to the very nature of the stance, the wraps were tight around his arms and hands, protecting them from serious damage and injury. He began the regiment of this certain punch. His jaw was first tucked in, his legs were positioned correctly, his right foot placed back about a foot and a half from it's regular position.

The ball of his right foot, now stepped backward bore the weight of his entire right leg as he reached in with his right hand, his power hand and launched his fist into the mitt, held at face level. As his fist flew through the air, everything seemed to freeze, The muscles in his left arm were contracted as he felt his fingers tense slightly as it was halfway to the practice mitts, his fingers dug into the palm of his gray colored hand nearly drawing blood from the tips.

The fist continued to fly forward at normal speed, but to Gizamaru it felt like forever and a half. His fist was now centimeters from the left training mitt, just as it began to make full contact, his hand relaxed slightly. Before he knew it, Gizamaru was doing it again. And again for a total of twenty times in a flurry of gray, smooth flesh every time he reached forward and struck the old, degrading mitt held by the old man who was holding his own against Gizamaru's strikes, only being knocked backward slightly. Gizamaru of course was only striking with 3/4th of his full potential. But around the 19th jab in a row, his fill strength began to funnel outward. with the twentieth jab in the flurry, he let the mitts have it, his full strength blasting the mitts with unprecedented strength, launching Coach Fugimari backwards and into the ropes. The old man caught himself and laughed. "I suppose those jabs have more power than some people's strongest punches... good job kid.

[Kinz]

10

[Infinite Swordsman Trace]

The Cross/The Straight
Rank: "D"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A powerful, straight punch thrown with the rear hand.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Picture Determine which hand is your strong hand. Although you can throw a straight hand punch with either your left or right hand, it will be most effective if you use your strongest hand. Most right-handed fighters have a stronger right hand, while left-handed fighters have stronger left hands. Get into a basic boxing stance. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart with your knees slightly bent. If you are right-handed, your left shoulder should be pointed toward the other fighter and your right shoulder should be back. The opposite is true if you are left-handed. Keep both hands up. They should hover just under the chin, with your forearms in front of your body. This will protect you from the opponent's punches. Begin the straight hand punch from the foot. Push off your back foot and pivot toward your opponent, twisting your foot, leg, torso and shoulders. Concentrate on bringing power up from your leg, hips, trunk and shoulders and channeling it into your fist as you twist your body. If you don't pivot your body, your punch will be much weaker than if you use the correct form. Aim for the other fighter's face. Punch out in a straight line and extend the arm out all the way. At the point of impact, your feet and body should be facing the other fighter. Snap your hand back to your chin as you twist your body back to the beginning position. Remember to keep your left hand up throughout the punch so you have a guard up to protect you from a counterpunch.
Limit: Must learn in a gym that teaches Bokushingu (Boxing), Must know Upright Stance or Semi-Crouch

{0/10}


Gizamaru seemed winded from his barrage of jabs on the coach's practice mitts. He breathed heavily through his dagger-like teeth as his chest expanded in large heaves. The coach looked at Gizamaru and spoke. "So... your jabbing hand will be your south paw. That means you're Right handed... and definitely a right striker. Lets move on to The straight punch. Watch me." he said as he took up the basic boxing stance he had taught Gizamaru. His legs spread slightly with his feet firmly planted on the mat, his left shoulder pointed at an imaginary opponent to the left of Gizamaru. Then, his entire body pivoted with his big right hand as he knocked out the invisible rival he was aiming at.

He then picked up the mitts once again and placed them over his hands and arms taking up the same stance for Gizamaru to practice on. Gizamaru looked at his arms and formed a fist with his right hand and brought his other hand up by his face to fend off any counterattacks. His left shoulder was pointed towards coach Fugimari, his legs were spread not too wide, but just wide enough as he entered the boxing stance he was taught. His right shoulder was pointed in the opposite direction as his right hand was his stronger punching hand.

His body was now once again in slow motion as he went through the perfect preparations for the cross punch. His entire right side of his body twisted back. His arm, his waist, his shoulder, his leg stepped back a bit as he twisted them back far enough, he launched the thunderous right hand at the pad like a heat seeking missile. His left hand was protecting his face and jaw as it should be, his hand flew towards the mitt, still in slowed time for him. It seemed like forever as it launched towards the target until it hit the mitt like a bolt of lightning.

Suddenly, everything was back in regular speed, his fist tightened has it hit the mitt, he felt the power disperse into the soft material that was protecting his coach from his horrifying Hoshigake strength. The nerves fired through his body as he felt the punch connect, quickly, he snapped his arm back to it's regular position to guard from imaginary attackers once again, high up on his body. Fugimari's voice could be heard croaking out an order. "AGAIN!" he commanded as Gizamaru's left should pointed to him and his right pushed the opposite way as his body twisted towards the mitt holding man once again with the fist at the top flying at the mitt and like a car crash, it hit the mitt with authority, making a large amount of thudding noise as it connected.

[roko]

+10

Yay for training~

[Infinite Swordsman Trace]

The Hook
Rank: "D"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A semi-circular punch thrown with the lead hand or rear hand to the side of the opponent's head.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Picture Shift your weight subtly forward by slightly bending your front leg while elevating your lead elbow to about shoulder height. Push off your front leg to shift your weight more towards the back leg while rotating your torso in the same direction with your lead hand heading towards a specific target. For the purpose of this intro we'll aim face high. That rotation and shifting motion should be accompanied by a whipping or thrusting of the hips. If you have your left leg forward and are throwing a lead hand hook (left hand hook) your hips should thrust from left to right while executing this punch. The punch should reach its mark with tremendous force. This will happen by throwing it fast and aiming to land your fist 6 to 8 inches beyond your target. Your fist can either be positioned to have your palm facing you or the ground. Return to your original stance. Do your best to hit your target with your first two knuckles.
Limit: Must learn in a gym that teaches Bokushingu (Boxing), Must know Upright Stance or Semi-Crouch

{0/10}


Gizamaru was beginning to get the hang of these different types of punches and how they were to be used correctly in a fight or better yet, a full out battle with an enemy. "Ok... you have a grasp of the jab and the straight punch... next is the hook. This is one of da easiest Boxing punches kid. Now do what I say." The grizzled boxer spoke as his yellowed teeth were visible through his lips. Gizamaru nodded and maintained his boxing stance. The old man continued once he saw that Gizamaru was in position. Through the pads protecting him from the Hoshigake's blows, he spoke. "Dis is just like tha other punches son, only your arm hooks around to the side, bend forward a bit and launch a sideways punch that winds back straight. This gets da opponent off guard."

Gizamaru clenched his fists and placed them guarding his face as he followed his new coach's instructions. His fists pointed towards the mitts, he tried to emulate this style of punch from words alone. His body was in the basic boxing stance still, slowly he shifted his weight forward as be wound up the hook punch. Pulling backwards with his right arm, which was about shoulder level now his muscles tightened slightly as the arm pulled back as far as he could comfortably go as he stepped forward with his right as his hips slowly pivoted from right to left as his arm picked up momentum extremely quickly.

His fist's 'seam' was pointed down, where his fingers tucked under and buckled into his palm to form the offensive juggernaut known as Gizamaru's fist. His palm was facing the ground as it flew through the air, such as good form for the hook punch. The fist slammed into the mitt, rippling the foam inside and pushing back Fugimari's body slightly as it connected. Quickly Gizamaru followed through with another hook with the same form as the previous punch. From pulling it back and letting it slither slightly from his body in a V shape as his hips rotated and the fist punched the mitt once again.

"Ok kid, I'm getting tired, here... try punching this for a while." The old man said as he removed a remote control from his pocket and pressed a small green button on it. Instantly, from the ceiling, a Heavy Bag dropped on a heavy wire to Gizamaru's level in the ring. Gizamaru, not having talked much during training did just that, He practiced the new strike upon the bag, his muscles beginning to sting from the lactic acid building up in them from all these unusual strikes and stances that his body wasn't used to yet. His arm curled around one last time as he pivoted his waist and launched the bullet that was his fist, his wrappings straining to stay wrapped around his arm and hand as it connected with the bag, making it fly out about three feet and launch back and promptly knock Gizamaru straight on his ass. "Can... we... take... a... Break... Coach?" Gizamaru panted as his arm muscles stung only slightly now, but it was a constant pain.

[I C H I R O™]

+6

[Infinite Swordsman Trace]

{6/10}

Fugimari looked at Gizamaru and squinted his eyes "Break? Kid, you gotta break your boundaries! You're going to understand how to throw that damn punch if it kills ya!" He shouted as he got out of the ring and started pulling a Slam-man ringside for future use. Gizamaru looked at the heavy bag suspended in front of him. He got to his feet as he stared at it, The only thing he saw as he stared at it's red exterior was another barrier to be broken now, not a simple ratty punching back with dozens of small cuts in it.

Raising his fists, he assumed the stance of an upright boxer once again. Stepping forward slightly with his left foot, his leg bent slightly as his right arm pulled around his body as his muscles slightly relaxed as it snaked around his body to about his shoulder level. His palm facing the left side of his body as his body twisted to the right and then it unwound. Gizamaru's fist was launch with lightning fast speed and accuracy, picturing a jaw-line he was aiming for. As his fist flew through the air, only Gizamaru seemed to move, nothing else. His muscles tensed as his hand was now halfway through the punch, a few inches from the bag. The pictured face's jaw-line was in the cross hairs of Gizamaru's sights.

Feeling the air around his bandaged hands, the fist hammered the bag. Quickly, perspective kicked in and the bag flew backwards with all his strength transferring energy into the bag and launching it backwards, hitting a ring rope and launching it back. Quickly, Gizamaru thought of a simple way, quickly, he Shunshin'd to the side of the bag it wasn't going to fly towards as it flew back towards where he was, it was momentarily in a straight line, Gizamaru took advantage of this and readied another Hook punch to meet it. As the bag flew back to where he was, He twisted his body, brought his fist up to level with his shoulder and let loose. Hammering the heavy bag in the moment that it pendulumed back into the opposite direction that he hit it in. Moving out of the way so that the bag wouldn't once again clobber him, he rested in a turnbuckle with his arms over the sides, panting and out of breath.

[▐Shibu]

+4 -- Learned