Butoukai Sono Raijin [Dance of the Thunder God]Fast, Effecient, Fluid

Weapon type: typically a katana, but any weapon could potentially be used with the style
This swordstyle, named for it's quick and fluid movements, is said to to be the fastest swordstyle in the world. Legend tells of masters striking with such speed that they rivaled lightning bolts. This is of course legend, but it is true that masters of the style are some of the fastest beings on the planet.
The style originated in the land of lightning where it is said that the first practitioner sof the Dance of the Thunder God was born. some say he was the progeny of the Thunder God himself, and his name was Raiku Momuji. He was born into a family of samurai, but at an early age he showed such an aptitude for sword-fighting that he began creating his own style. After decades spent alone honing his body and mind, Raiku finally finished the style that would come to be known as the Dance of the Thunder God.
Stage 1(Academy Student)
The first stage of this style teaches the very basic concepts of the style, namely the fluidity of motion. Training does not even involve a weapon at this stage to the style, instead students of the style practice moving from the various stances, drilling into them how to move fluidly through changes of stance and simple movement.
Stage 2(Genin)
The second stage focuses on speed, training students to move in the most effecient way possible so that they minimize energy use when traveling at faster speeds. From this point onward all students of the style will wear training weights, as the practitioners of this style become stronger the weights they wear will grow progressivel heavier. Genin start off wearing weights that weigh a total of 50 lbs. These weights can be taken off when in combat to dramatically increase speed.
Stage 3(Genin)
At this stage of training students learn to utilize their speed and fluidity of motion in combat, learning how reach their target in the quickest most effecient way. They also learn how to dodge more effectively by utilizing that fluidity of motion, learning to move so that even when dodging they are positioning themselves effectively to strike at their opponents. By this stage the practitioner can use what he has learned to effectively fight without a weapon, though he still won't be as effective as taijutsu specialists. The weight of the practitioners training weights will be increased to 75 lbs.
Techniques:
Path of the Thunder God- At this stage students are taught to move quickly and effeciently, teaching them how to find the quickest path to their targets. Students will naturally move faster than other ninja (though not as fast as a speed ninja), even learning how to move through crowds and debris more effeciently than others. (This is a passive ability)
Thoughtful Dodge(I couldn't think of a better name)- The practitioner has learned to dodge much more effeciently. Hitting a practitionrer of the style with any kind of direct assault is very difficult, unless they are fighting someone much faster than themselves. In addition they have learned how to dodge in such a way that they are put in optimum position to counter immediately.
Stage 4(Chunin)
At this stage students are finally given their first sword. Because of their repetition of the the stances without the sword, it is fairly easy to integrate the sword into what they already know. The most important part of this stage is learning how to maintain the fluidity of motion and effeciency of motion while wielding a blade. Once the student has learned to effectively integrate his blade into the style his potential greatly increases, making him much more deadly. Though they move quickly, their stikes are not overly powerful, but the effeciency with which they strike makes each strike a threat. Training weights will now weigh 100 lbs.
Techniques:
Flurry of the Thunder God: The user has learned to strike so quickly that they can strike twice as fast as shinobi of equal rank, able to strike three or four times in rapid succession while still maintaining a good defense.
Stage 5(Chunin)
The practitioner has now spent enough time wearing training weights that when he is takes them off his speed is unrivaled, and even when wearing the weights they move as fast as speed ninja of equal rank. Practitioners skill with the blade also increases as they become even more comfortable with the feel of it. Their stiking effeciency increases yet again, their blade seeming to find its way into even the smallest of openings. The training weights now weigh 150 lbs.
Stage 6(Jounin)
The practitioner has reached legendary speeds, appearing as a blur to most other ninja. Only doujutsu possessors with high level movement tracking skills have any chance of keeping up with the user with any real hope of success. The practitioner still doesn't have a huge amount of strength behind their attacks, but the momentum of their strikes makes each strike very difficult to stop. This level of speed cannot be maintained forever, and in fact most masters must wear weights in order to keep from moving too fast for fear of tearing muscles. The weights usually weigh anything from 200-300 lbs, depending on the user.
Stage 7(Kage/Saanin)
Once this stage is reached the practitioner has attained true mastery of the style. Practitioners must learn to move effectively without any of their weights, a task that is much harder than it might sound. Because of the great speed at which the user moves their muscles are under constant strain of over-exstending, simply because their mind cannot fully keep up with the movement in order to stop it. The practitioner learns to utilize this momentum by moving their blade in wide sweeping arcs, and quick thrusts.
Other movements are certainly possible, but the concentration required to move most effectively can only be maintained for short periods of time. Anyone that reaches this stage must constantly wear training weights which they must constantly replace with heavier and heavier weights, or else they risk tearing muscles accidently with even the smallest of movements. Some masters must wear at least some weight even when utilizing the 7th stage, because they have simply become so fast that their mind cannot possibly keep up with their bodies. Legends say that the first master, Raiku Momuji, had to wear 1000 pounds of weight even when using the styles 7th stage.
Techniques:
Embodiment of the Thunder God: The user has reached the final stage of the Dance of the Thunder God, and have become true embodiments of the Thunder God, able to strike with the speed and force of a lightning bolt. However this power does not come without risk. This speed can only be maintained for 2 posts without risking tearing all the muscles in their body, however even then their muscles are so strained that the user will move at roughly half their normal speed for 4 posts. If the user wishes they can maintain the speed and power for 4 posts, but afterwords every muscle in their body will tear to shreds and they must spend at least 3 real days under close supervision before they can even move. After the three days their speed will be equivalent to roughly 2/3 their regular speed. After an additional four days after they are partially recovered the user will be completely recovered and they could potentially use the technique again if they had to.