The Way of the Silent Blade [Yaiba no Mokumoku]
Official Mist Hunter Nin Style
This is a ancient style, focusing on speed and accuracy. A good assassin kills in a single blow, and it forced into a confrontation, will seek to end it as quickly as possible. To this end certain weapons are cut out for assassins, but most are not. The most common weapons an assassin uses are short swords of various types, Kunai, shurikans, ect... Oddly enough, even larger swords, such as the Zambatou have found uses among the assassin ranks. The ultimate close range weapon of the Assassin is the Assassins blades. These allow him to make maximum usage of his speed, with blades that are located on all primary striking locations on the body.
Their training in agility is for obvious reasons; accuracy is trained upon so that an Assassin may strike vital locations with ease, furthering their ability to strike down their opponents. Critics of the style argue that because of the lack of training in areas such as Strength and Endurance, if cornered an assassin is at a disadvantage. This, while true, does not hinder the typical assassin, as the shadows are their allies, and most pride themselves on their ability to remain hidden.
Unlike most Taijutsu styles, assassins do not shun other forms of fighting; rather many assassins make use of Genjutsus, as this gives them a much needed edge is hostile territory to bring their opponents down.
Stage 1
Academy
Ichi Taira
This stage primarily teaches a practitioner how to move. Speed is an assassin’s best friend, and the ability to stay out of reach of their opponent saves many an Assassins life. Once they have shown progress in speed, they then begin to learn vital spots on the human body, allowing them to strike with greater accuracy and precision. They also have some basic training in throwing weapons such as Kunai.
Stage 2
Genin
Ni Taira
This stage is focused on helping an Assassins kill. It is an intricate training of accuracy, forcing the assassin in training to learn to hit targets from great distances. It also teaches the assassin where to hit to slow the opponent, as well as instant kill and paralyzing locations. In this stage, the hunter is heavily taught in the study of biology. If the human body is not known inside and out, then the hunter's training ends here.
Techniques:
Oshi-Ten Dageki (Pressure Point Strike): The hunter-nin can no longer look at an opponents body regularly. To their eyes, the opponent's body is riddled with the pin point bullseye's of the pressure point targets used in this stage of training. This technique can run from the chuunin level at twenty strikes, to the satsubatsu level of one-hundred and twenty strikes. The strikes begin at the lower parts of the body. Always. This is to ensure that the hunter works his way quickly up the opponents body, striking pressure points in order to not only paralyze limbs (10 Posts), but to rupture blood vessels, and redirect blood flow to different areas of the body to cause massive heart trauma. The pinacle of this technique is the five point heart strike. Initiated around the heart in a pentagram, this causes an individual's heart to literally cease pumping blood and drown itself with it, causing it to literally burst within five minutes (5 posts).
Stage 3
Chuunin
San Taira
This stage is known as the weapons focus stage. The trainee picks from among his used weapons and chooses to specialize in one, taking time to train with it, and it specifically. The other weapons become mere secondary. The assassin applies this weapon, never letting it away from him. For the rest of his life he never puts it down, always seeking to become the perfect wielder of it, a goal that is almost certain to always be just out of their grasp, always propelling them onwards.
Stage 4
Chuunin
Shi Taira
This stage goes back to the good old theory of survival. However, an Assassin who has survived this long has come to realize that sometimes speed and maneuverability will fail you, and sometimes you can’t help but take a few hits. So during this phase of the training, the assassin will not only train his Agility, but also run for long periods of time, pushing his endurance to its limits as well. In addition to this, the hunter-nin undergoes "rice paper training." The hunter is made to train during this stage strictly on rice paper to improve agility, as well as the ability to move silently. The training is effective, and often yields greats results.
Techniques:
Seishuku Hokousha (Silent Walker): At this stage in the hunter-nin training, a hunter-nin holds the capability of moving for extended periods of time (ten posts) unheard. No matter what surface they may walk on, their steps are unheard due to strict training.
Stage 5
Jounin
Go Taira
This stage is often known as the Weapon mastery stage. The user has become so in tune with his weapon that it has become a part of him. Every motion is fluid, as if the weapon itself was a part of him. This stage requires no particular training on its own; rather it comes from major experience with the weapon in question. Because of this, few Assassins reach this level of expertise.
Techniques:
Hitoshirenu Yaiba Jutsu (Art of the Hidden Blade): This is when the hunter-nin in question is granted the true blades of an assassin. The weapons are hidden and connected under the wrists with a lock spring fro quick and silent release. Is it said that in one fluid motion a true hunter-nin can reveal and kill with his blade in less than a fraction of a second.
Hitoshirenu Yaiba Odori (Hidden Blade Dance): Created strictly for multiple enemies, this dance is one of the most beautiful blade waltzes in all of Kirigakure, and would be recognized as such across the land if those who saw it lived to tell about it. The dance consists of combining open palmed strikes with the use of the hidden blade by simultaneously bringing out, and putting it back in its fixed position. The arms are left extended during palm strikes, and are brought in when in close enough range for a blade strike. This combination allows for the hunter to keep multiple enemies at bay while attacking one or two simultaneously with the intent to kill.
Stage 6
Anbu Jounin
Roku Taira
Back to the basics, the Assassin realizes that the original training is just as important today as it was back then. Focusing on furthering their speed, they also practice their aim, sharpening their skills to a point beyond most people. Dummies are designed to mimic a human body, so that the assassin can further learn to nail vital organs, or specific points in the spine.
Techniques:
Junsei Seishuku Hokousha (Perfect Silent Walker): This is no longer a "technique," so much as apart of the hunter-nin in question. His steps are silent constantly, whether or not in combat. He holds such control over this ability that he can literally cause his steps to be heard in one stride, and not heard in the next in order to confuse the enemy. Few are the shinobi who can even fathom hearing this shinobi's foot steps before deaths silent embrace.
Stage 7
Kage
Shichi Taira
The ultimate level of achievement for an assassin, his ability to land killing blows undetected is beyond normal understanding. Almost ethereal, tales of Ghosts sticking down great leaders are often attributing to the more unbelievable victories of assassins. Their abilities to avoid obstacles and traps are famous amongst the higher ups of their respective villages, often earning them great praise. Every movement is precise, and most targets don’t even have a chance.
Techniques:
Junsei Kage Hokousha (Perfect Shadow Walker): Being viewed as a literal ghost, it is no wonder this shinobi is granted literal and complere invisibility in the shadows. This hunter can walk through a building, and literally disappear before your eyes the moment his body is immersed in a shadow cast by any object, or jutsu for that matter, making those who use shadow jutsu a threat to themselves in reality.
Official Mist Hunter Nin Style
This is a ancient style, focusing on speed and accuracy. A good assassin kills in a single blow, and it forced into a confrontation, will seek to end it as quickly as possible. To this end certain weapons are cut out for assassins, but most are not. The most common weapons an assassin uses are short swords of various types, Kunai, shurikans, ect... Oddly enough, even larger swords, such as the Zambatou have found uses among the assassin ranks. The ultimate close range weapon of the Assassin is the Assassins blades. These allow him to make maximum usage of his speed, with blades that are located on all primary striking locations on the body.
Their training in agility is for obvious reasons; accuracy is trained upon so that an Assassin may strike vital locations with ease, furthering their ability to strike down their opponents. Critics of the style argue that because of the lack of training in areas such as Strength and Endurance, if cornered an assassin is at a disadvantage. This, while true, does not hinder the typical assassin, as the shadows are their allies, and most pride themselves on their ability to remain hidden.
Unlike most Taijutsu styles, assassins do not shun other forms of fighting; rather many assassins make use of Genjutsus, as this gives them a much needed edge is hostile territory to bring their opponents down.
Stage 1
Academy
Ichi Taira
This stage primarily teaches a practitioner how to move. Speed is an assassin’s best friend, and the ability to stay out of reach of their opponent saves many an Assassins life. Once they have shown progress in speed, they then begin to learn vital spots on the human body, allowing them to strike with greater accuracy and precision. They also have some basic training in throwing weapons such as Kunai.
Stage 2
Genin
Ni Taira
This stage is focused on helping an Assassins kill. It is an intricate training of accuracy, forcing the assassin in training to learn to hit targets from great distances. It also teaches the assassin where to hit to slow the opponent, as well as instant kill and paralyzing locations. In this stage, the hunter is heavily taught in the study of biology. If the human body is not known inside and out, then the hunter's training ends here.
Techniques:
Oshi-Ten Dageki (Pressure Point Strike): The hunter-nin can no longer look at an opponents body regularly. To their eyes, the opponent's body is riddled with the pin point bullseye's of the pressure point targets used in this stage of training. This technique can run from the chuunin level at twenty strikes, to the satsubatsu level of one-hundred and twenty strikes. The strikes begin at the lower parts of the body. Always. This is to ensure that the hunter works his way quickly up the opponents body, striking pressure points in order to not only paralyze limbs (10 Posts), but to rupture blood vessels, and redirect blood flow to different areas of the body to cause massive heart trauma. The pinacle of this technique is the five point heart strike. Initiated around the heart in a pentagram, this causes an individual's heart to literally cease pumping blood and drown itself with it, causing it to literally burst within five minutes (5 posts).
Stage 3
Chuunin
San Taira
This stage is known as the weapons focus stage. The trainee picks from among his used weapons and chooses to specialize in one, taking time to train with it, and it specifically. The other weapons become mere secondary. The assassin applies this weapon, never letting it away from him. For the rest of his life he never puts it down, always seeking to become the perfect wielder of it, a goal that is almost certain to always be just out of their grasp, always propelling them onwards.
Stage 4
Chuunin
Shi Taira
This stage goes back to the good old theory of survival. However, an Assassin who has survived this long has come to realize that sometimes speed and maneuverability will fail you, and sometimes you can’t help but take a few hits. So during this phase of the training, the assassin will not only train his Agility, but also run for long periods of time, pushing his endurance to its limits as well. In addition to this, the hunter-nin undergoes "rice paper training." The hunter is made to train during this stage strictly on rice paper to improve agility, as well as the ability to move silently. The training is effective, and often yields greats results.
Techniques:
Seishuku Hokousha (Silent Walker): At this stage in the hunter-nin training, a hunter-nin holds the capability of moving for extended periods of time (ten posts) unheard. No matter what surface they may walk on, their steps are unheard due to strict training.
Stage 5
Jounin
Go Taira
This stage is often known as the Weapon mastery stage. The user has become so in tune with his weapon that it has become a part of him. Every motion is fluid, as if the weapon itself was a part of him. This stage requires no particular training on its own; rather it comes from major experience with the weapon in question. Because of this, few Assassins reach this level of expertise.
Techniques:
Hitoshirenu Yaiba Jutsu (Art of the Hidden Blade): This is when the hunter-nin in question is granted the true blades of an assassin. The weapons are hidden and connected under the wrists with a lock spring fro quick and silent release. Is it said that in one fluid motion a true hunter-nin can reveal and kill with his blade in less than a fraction of a second.
Hitoshirenu Yaiba Odori (Hidden Blade Dance): Created strictly for multiple enemies, this dance is one of the most beautiful blade waltzes in all of Kirigakure, and would be recognized as such across the land if those who saw it lived to tell about it. The dance consists of combining open palmed strikes with the use of the hidden blade by simultaneously bringing out, and putting it back in its fixed position. The arms are left extended during palm strikes, and are brought in when in close enough range for a blade strike. This combination allows for the hunter to keep multiple enemies at bay while attacking one or two simultaneously with the intent to kill.
Stage 6
Anbu Jounin
Roku Taira
Back to the basics, the Assassin realizes that the original training is just as important today as it was back then. Focusing on furthering their speed, they also practice their aim, sharpening their skills to a point beyond most people. Dummies are designed to mimic a human body, so that the assassin can further learn to nail vital organs, or specific points in the spine.
Techniques:
Junsei Seishuku Hokousha (Perfect Silent Walker): This is no longer a "technique," so much as apart of the hunter-nin in question. His steps are silent constantly, whether or not in combat. He holds such control over this ability that he can literally cause his steps to be heard in one stride, and not heard in the next in order to confuse the enemy. Few are the shinobi who can even fathom hearing this shinobi's foot steps before deaths silent embrace.
Stage 7
Kage
Shichi Taira
The ultimate level of achievement for an assassin, his ability to land killing blows undetected is beyond normal understanding. Almost ethereal, tales of Ghosts sticking down great leaders are often attributing to the more unbelievable victories of assassins. Their abilities to avoid obstacles and traps are famous amongst the higher ups of their respective villages, often earning them great praise. Every movement is precise, and most targets don’t even have a chance.
Techniques:
Junsei Kage Hokousha (Perfect Shadow Walker): Being viewed as a literal ghost, it is no wonder this shinobi is granted literal and complere invisibility in the shadows. This hunter can walk through a building, and literally disappear before your eyes the moment his body is immersed in a shadow cast by any object, or jutsu for that matter, making those who use shadow jutsu a threat to themselves in reality.
