Isshin-ryū
Silent binding death
Description:
Born from the red mist of Kirigakure the Isshin-ryū style specializes in incapacitating and eliminating opponents before they realize what is happening. The style uses the Kusarigama, a sickle with a long chain attached to it with another sickle or small heavy ball attached to the other end of the chain.The style is unwieldy at first the practitioner not being used to having chains flying around them. Once the practitioner masters the chains and sickles they can be considered a force with endless possibilities to their combination attacks.
The usage of the Kusarigama has two main stances Omote and Ura, meaning front and back. Omote is front facing attacks which are easily detected by the opponent who may or may not be able to deal with the attack. Meanwhile, Ura stance deals with the deception of curving the blade mid flight or not so easily seen attacks and pivots while using the weapon. At higher stages of this style the user may opt out of using a sickle to switch the sickle with another weapon of choice which makes this very versatile and a good style to combine with other styles.
Notes:
• Isshin-ryū gives a slight increase to flexibility and reflex per stage learned. This is due to their flexibility to dodge their own techniques as well as have the reactions to do so.
• Isshin-ryū contains various techniques labeled "Training" once these techniques are learned they become passive benefits for the practitioner.
• "Training" techniques are learned as if simple techniques of the same rank.
___S t a g e O n e [1]
Deflect:
Training :: E-Rank
The user just getting used to using the Kusarigama will practice deflecting incoming projectiles, once training is done the user will be able to deflect senbon and other smaller projectiles.
One with the chain
Training :: E-Rank
Becoming familiar with the chain and sickle the user becomes more accustomed to the movements of the chain while swinging the sickle around avoiding becoming tangled in their own chains.
Wrap
Simple :: E-Rank
The basic entanglement of the chain over a target, this can be used to catch something to pull yourself to a higher ledge or to entangle an opponent making a wide swing with the weapon. Unless the opponent possesses superior strength they will be constricted for one [1] post.
Throw
Simple :: E-Rank
The user spins the sickle by the chain creating a small amount of momentum before throwing one of the sickles (If using a dual sickle Kusarigama) at the opponent. Alternatively if using a single sickle the user can choose between throwing the ball end of the chain to entangle or stun the opponent for one [1] post.
___S t a g e T w o [2]
Sew
Simple :: D-Rank
The user after throwing the sickle pulls hard on the chain causing the sickle to violently change directions. can only cause the sickle to "Return" toward the user.
Parry
Simple :: D-Rank
Using the sickle the user will swing the sickle violently upward or downward deflecting away an attack, any attacker who does not have a strong grip on their weapon will lose the grip on their weapon and become disarmed.
Ball and Chain
Simple :: Rank D
The practitioner throws the ball end or one of their sickles at the opponent leaving plenty of slack only to allow the ball or sickle to wrap around their opponent binding them, if using a sickle the sickle will dig into an opponent causing D-ranked damage.
Minor Control
Training :: Rank D
Utilizing the sickle and chain is no easy matter! The practitioner must practice shallow curving of the sickle as well as sharp turns with environmental assistance.
• Trained as if complex of the same rank.
• Does not receive reductions.
• Must complete this training before learning higher ranking control training.
• Using control while using a simple technique will make the technique complex of the same rank.
Burrowing Sickle
Complex :: Rank D
The practitioner will spin the sickle at a high rate of speed channeling chakra into the blade through the chain before releasing it directly at the ground. At the high rate of speed the chain will burrow a few meters below the ground effectively becoming an anchor. Once MASTERY is learned the user can curve the sickle below ground to attack an opponent from directly below.
___S t a g e T h r e e [3]
Pivot
Training :: Rank C
Pivoting allows the practitioner to take the chain and to attack with the sickle after it has wrapped itself around a turning point. The typical pivot is swinging the weapon around an arm, leg, support post, tree limb, or something else, making part of the chain very tight. The more pivots, the faster a weapon can become as its chain shortens.
• Can only affect one activation per post.
• Trained as though a complex technique of the same rank.
• Receives no post reductions.
Flip!
Simple :: Rank C
The user using his foot as a pivot will perform a front flip while holding the chain to his or her foot. As the come out of the flip the lagging sickle will whip violently forward with impressive speed and power.
Slice and smash
Simple :: Rank C
Gripping the sickle in one hand and the chain in the other. The practitioner starts spinning the chain at their side while taking a balanced step toward their opponent, using the sickle making a side-wards slash. The slash is an attempt to cause them to dodge which is where the weighted chain comes in. The Practitioner will then release the chain with a bit of spinning momentum towards the opponent with crushing force, Used to catch opponents mid evasion.
Smash
Simple :: Rank C
The practitioner throws one end of the kusarigama at the opponent. Depending on which end the user throws will cause different effects, if a sickle is thrown it will attempt to wrap around and lodge itself in the opponent, if a ball end is thrown the ball will simply attempt to smash into the opponents face stunning him temporarily.
Grappling hook
Simple :: Rank C
The practitioner will throw the sickle in the air attempting to get it lodged into a solid object such as a tree or building, then using the chain as a rope will pull him or herself up to whatever the kusarigami has lodged itself into. Optionally the user can choose to pull the chain tight and run along the length of the chain to the destination that sickle has embedded itself. Doing so will cause the technique to become complex at the same level as the technique.
Hey! Over there!
Complex :: Rank C
The practitioner will throw one sickle (or weighted end) high into the air while channeling chakra throughout the entire weapon. As the opponent looks up even if momentarily the practitioner will slice with the off-handed weapon. If the strike doesn't connect while the opponent is distracted the practitioner can use an additional C ranked amount of chakra to curve the thrown weapon back down at the opponent.
___S t a g e F o u r [4]
Quick step
Training :: Rank B
The practitioner becoming accustomed to the movements of his chain has gained the ability to predict its erratic movements but is far from mastering the agility and speed required.
• Must be trained before learning Stage Four or higher techniques.
• Trained as if complex technique of the same rank.
• Receives no reductions.
• Practitioner's speed and agility slightly increased.
Major Control
Training :: Rank B
The second step on the way to mastering maneuverability of the practitioners whom use Kusarigama. Mastering this training allows the user to freely manipulate the kusarigama mid flight without use of environment to change direction of the kusarigama. Movement however, is still limited to slight angles while the weapon is in flight.
• Trained as if complex technique of the same rank.
• Receives no reductions.
• Using control while using a simple technique will make the technique complex of the same rank.
Illusionary Shackles
Complex :: Rank B
Swinging the chain on one side of the body and quickly switching it to the other going from side to side while infusing some chakra into the stance begins generating multiple chains being spun on both sides of the user. Once the opponent has lost all track of what was real and what might not have been, the user uses the gained momentum of all of the kusarigamas and launches them simultaneously at the opponent. They can all come from the same direction or launched from different directions in attempts to entangle.
___S t a g e F i v e [5]
Whirlwind
Complex :: Rank A
The user will hold out both Sickles, or hold the chain if a single sickle and channel chakra to their feet beginning to spin at a very high speed creating a tornado of steel as they spin toward their enemy. Adversely if used defensively can negate or deflect up to B-Ranked Ninjutsu or large projectiles sending them spinning away erratically.
Violent Slice
Complex :: Rank A
Infusing chakra into the handle of the weapon the practitioner will violently swing the weapon downward creating a crescent of pure chakra that is strong enough to slice through boulders.
Twin windmills
Complex :: Rank A
The practitioner spins both ends of the Kusarigama creating a twin windmill effect. Bringing both sides in front of himself the practioner is able to deflect most B ranking and lower ninjutsu away from himself as well as medium sized projectiles.
___S t a g e S i x [6]
Mastery
Training :: Rank S
The user, having mastered most nearly all of the style discovers that they can change the sickle's course of flight while spinning toward its opponent. Anything from a sharp angles mid flight (90 Degree changes maximum without use of sew) to being able to manipulate two thrown sickles. The practitioner has truely mastered the art of Isshin-ryū.
• Must be learned prior to learning Stage six techniques.
• Receives no reductions.
• Is trained as if a complex technique of the same rank.
• Using control while using a simple technique will make the technique complex of the same rank.
Recycle
Training :: Null Rank
The practitioner, after mastering all six [6] stages of the style, has the option to begin training anew with a non-sickle weapon attached at the point where the sickle once was. Any kusarigamajutsu that does not reflect pure chain usage must be retrained to reflect its new usage. Prior training will not be forgotten. Is compatible with other known tai/bukijutsu.
• Receives no reductions.
• Each retrain is as if a complex technique of the same rank.
Reap
Complex :: Rank S
The user spins the sickle by holding a portion of the chain infusing chakra into the chain greatly increasing the speed as the user lets go sending the sickle spinning and hurdling toward the enemy. Can slice through ninjutsu of the same rank or lower. Requires one post of channeling chakra into the chain. Only usable twice per battle.
