Name of Taijutsu Style:Sai Ikuko [再生子 “playing child”]
Intended weapon:Normally it defaults to bare fists and feet, but weapons of similar classification may be used with this style as well.
Description:Legend has it that this style was born from the story of a man who fought off a thousand demons in the desert. They say that witnesses saw him slay the demons with his bare hands, all in the blink of an eye by unleashing a barrage of fists upon them at godlike speeds. However, that tale is as authentic as a flying pink penguin.
The truth is that this fighting style was created when a martial arts master saw his son playing with his pet dog. The child was playfully poking the beast with a stick, the dog would retaliate by attempting to bite the stick, but the child’s hand was much too fast. This continued on for several hours, with the child barely putting a fraction of his strength in his strike, while the beast put every ounce of bite force in his counter-attacks. Eventually the dog became tired and the child danced around triumphantly, not knowing that he had indirectly gave birth to a new fighting style.
Stage 1: Yori [より “twist”][Academy Student]
Description:- Like any exercise, one must first stretch their limbs so as to avoid complications during the activity. This stage, however, takes it one step further by focusing on near complete muscle control.
Training Method:One must possess flexibility and control. Thus, the ideal training method is to spend several hours stretching the body repetitively. Though this sounds relatively easy, the body will start to suffer from fatigue after three or five hours of arms stretches and jump-and-jacks.
Techniques:Kibarashi [気晴らし “distraction”]
- After hours of focused stretching, the body is now more flexible and the muscles are far easier to control. This allows one to perform feats such as wiggling one’s ears independently, twitching one’s nose, or even going so far as being able to lick one’s elbow.
Stage 2: Fu [歩 “step”][Genin]
Description:- Quite obviously, when one is struck, they will retaliate. Thus, the most basic skill of this fighting style is to be able to hit and dodge, stepping on the ground as fast as possible to allow quick changes in location and direction.
Training Method:One must possess agility and reflexes. Thus, the ideal training method is to skip through a terrain bare-footed, the harsher the terrain, the better. This will hones your feet’s senses to keep the connection with the ground as minimal as possible.
Techniques:Suberu [滑る “slide”]
- Through training, one can now move through the battlefield as if they were sliding, allowing for much quicker evasive maneuvers, and counter-attacks.
Hazumu [弾む “bounce”]
- Due to training one’s feet in harsh conditions, one can now set foot upon even the most unlikely of places, such as an enemy’s head.
Stage 3: Mai [舞 “dance”][Chuunin]
Description:- Now that one is able to dodge counter-attacks, they are now ready to learn the art of counter-attacking a counter-attack. Basically, one strikes, dodges the counter-attack and performs a counter-attack of his own. The first one is as light and quick as possible, thus, most of the impact lies in the second strike.
Training Method:One must possess coordination. Thus, the ideal training method is repeated punches and kicks, performed simultaneously after the other. This will create a mental connection between your arms and feet, every time one dodges.
Techniques:Meguru [廻る “spin”]
- Like a spinning top, one spins along with the opponent’s attack, avoiding it completely before retaliating with an unexpected counter-attack on the opponent’s backside, in the same direction as their attack.
Ichi Ni [一 二 “one two”]
- A simple, but effective two step technique. Before an attack connects, a quick Suberu allows one to slide back, completely avoiding the attack. Then, seizing the opportunity, another Suberu slides one back towards the opponent, before a quick and unexpected counter-attack impact upon the opponent.
Stage 4: Yayuu [揶揄う “tease”][Special Jounin/Jounin]
Description:- Sometimes, the opponent requires a bit more agitation that a simply attack. Thus, the ability to strike, not only quickly, but in quick succession, was created. At this stage, one is able to strike the opponent more than once, sacrificing strength for sheer speed. Though the attacks are now weakened, they can now be performed in pairs, or even in groups, effectively annoying the opponent into a fury.
Training Method:One must enhance one’s speed. Thus, the ideal training method is to strike a harsh surface with one’s fist or feet, the harsher the surface, the better. This will create a near automatic response from the limbs that will cause them to push and pull as quickly as possible.
Techniques:Kōryō [香料 “spice”]
- A short burst of straight punches aimed to weaken an opponent’s defenses, or just provoke him into recklessly attacking.
Satō [砂糖 “sugar”]
- Similar to Kouryou, only now the method for attack is a series of sweeping kicks. Though they are not performed as rapidly as Kouryou, they are more powerful than the former.
Stage 5: Wazurawasu [煩わす “annoy”][ANBU]
Description:- At this stage, the opponent requires no further provocation to attack. However, the ability to overwhelm them with speed and agility still exists, and has been enhanced at this stage. Now, one is capable of unleashing a barrage of attacks towards the opponent, overwhelming them not by sheer power, but by sheer speed. Though, of course, the attacks are still weakened, but given the sheer number of them, that setback has been long compensated for.
Training Method:One must further enhance one’s speed. Thus, the ideal training method is to add weights to one’s limbs while performing the training method for Yayuu. This will cause one’s limbs to gain a god-like striking speed.
Techniques:Surō koishi [スロー小石 “thrown pebbles”]
- An awe-inspiring display of overwhelming speed. A barrage of straight punches performed simultaneously in such rapid succession that they form a wall of fists. Though not all of the fists are real, the sight of this technique is still enough to disorient even the most experienced opponents.
Totsuzen no Ame [突然の雨 “sudden rain”]
- Jumping well above the opponent, a series of straight kicks aimed downwards is performed with such speed that they appear like a rain of feet threatening to crush the opponent under heel, quite literally. Though not all of the feet are real, the sheer number and direction is enough to cause panic and distress.
Stage 6: Tsuku [突く “poke”][Sannin/Kage]
Description:- Though the ability to unleash a barrage of attacks is impressive, it is for nothing if the attacks miss. Thus, in the final stage of Sai Ikuko, one is trained in the art of seeking out even the most concealed weak spots of an opponent, even during the heat of battle. This, combined with one’s sheer speed and agility, makes one a fearsome opponent to fight with, one that mustn’t be played around with.
Training Method:One must enhance one’s agility, speed, reflexes and coordination. Thus, the ideal training method is for a pole, possessing one hole on its surface, to be spun rapidly. Then, while it is spinning, one must accurately strike the single hole, taking care not to harm oneself during the process. This will create a connection between one’s speed, agility, reflexes and coordination.
Techniques:Kowasu [壊す “break”]
- Out of pinpoint precision, one’s fist can temporarily create a weakness where there should be none. This can range from causing a brief muscle spasm, to loosening armor straps, to outright breaking an object if the weak point is fragile enough.
Yabun [夜分 “nighttime”]
- Combining speed and precision into one decisive strike, one can end a battle in the blink of an eye. Waiting for the opponent to strike first, one waits until the last moment before the attack connects to execute a Suberu towards the opponent. Then, during the Suberu, one strikes the opponent’s weak point as quickly as possible. If executed correctly, the opponent will fall and the battle is finished.
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