Kirgakure Taijustu; III, Jaws of Death Sword Dance Style

- Koketsu Kenbu; Jaws of Death Sword Dance Style.


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- Style History:
-- Disciples of Koketsu Kenbu like to claim that it is the oldest specialized kenjutsu in Water Country. Its approximate age is unknown, though it is estimated to be close to 1200 years old – researchers have found scrolls containing instructions for training in early versions of the style in sites close to Wanisametoshi, a most fitting conclusion as both the name of the settlement and the techniques of this sword dance pay respects to the mighty shark, lord predator of the sea.

-- Today, there are only two official schools that teach Koketsu Kenbu. One is in Wanisametoshi itself and open to the general public, though it does not teach the ninjutsu aspects (restricted by the Water Lord to shinobi only). The other lies in Hidden Mist Village, run by a retired elite Jounin, Iwata Hariyo.


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- Style Description:
-- Koketsu Kenbu places emphasis on strength and speed: strength to execute the various techniques, and speed to do it fast enough to catch the enemy off guard. The style generally teaches slashes that involve a flicking of the wrist, a quick and simple but effective motion that, when learned properly, can give a swordsman that useful surprise momentum in the split second of an attack. Its disciples do not bother with looking graceful. Their purpose in combat is to defeat the enemy with superior skills, nothing more.

-- The special techniques are meant to be performed on water, and a Koketsu fighter is just as adept at fighting on the sea as he is on land, if not better.


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- Style Basis: Weapon/Ninjutsu.


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*Notes: Users of this style are encouraged to learn Water-Walking. It is not a requirement for taking the list, but be forewarned that the special techniques from stages four and up are performed in or on top of bodies of water.

*Notes: Non-shinobi may take Koketsu Kenbu, but cannot learn the special techniques.

*Notes: The style requires a bladed weapon that is larger than a wakizashi. It cannot be a hidden blade.


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[ STAGE: ONE. ]

- Stances: None.
- Regular Techniques: None.

- Special Techniques: None.





[ STAGE: TWO. ]

- Stances: None.
- Regular Techniques: None.

- Special Techniques:
- Same Geigeki; Shark Ambush Attack Technique.
- Description:
-- The user concentrates his chakra into the sword and slashes down, hitting the ground and stirring up particles of dust, grass, and dirt. It rises up in a murky cloud shaped like the head of a shark, jaws open and flying towards the enemy. The shinobi hides behind this cloud and uses it to confuse his opponent or make him hesitate. Once close enough, the swordsman is able to execute an attack that has a much higher chance of success. If done on top of water, a cloud of mist is formed instead.





[ STAGE: THREE. ]

- Stances: None.
- Regular Techniques: None.

- Special Techniques:
- Sameha no Batsu; Sharktoothed Strike Technique.
- Description:
-- Using chakra, water is gathered on the edge of the blade in small triangular shapes so that the cutting edge now resembles a row of teeth. When attacking, the user is able to dish out sawing damage, not just slicing damage, and if he scores a direct hit, the water teeth will actually break off and remain in the enemy’s body for one more post before dripping away. New water teeth automatically replace the gaps after each slash.





[ STAGE: FOUR. ]

- Stances: None.
- Regular Techniques: None.

- Special Techniques:
- Fuicahire; Shark Fin Technique.
- Description:
-- A two-part technique, performed on top of water. When the user swings, the tip of the blade pierces the top of the water. Using chakra as a magnet, droplets of water follow and attach to the non-cutting side of the blade, forming a thin film of water with sharp edges that fan out in a triangle. It looks as though a watery shark fin is sitting on the sword’s back. When the user swings again, the fin can be launched at the opponent like a big shuriken.

- Samehade; Sharkskin Technique.
- Description:
-- Performed on top of water. When attacking, the user swings his sword from the surface of the water up, sending a spray of droplets into the air. At the same time, a blade of water rises and flies towards the target, skimming the surface. When the blade connects, it explodes and releases embedded chakra shards, lightly shredding the injured area as if the victim had his clothing/skin rubbed across sharkskin the wrong way.





[ STAGE: FIVE. ]

- Stances: None.
- Regular Techniques: None.

- Special Techniques:
- Karifuica; Hunting Shark Technique.
- Description:
-- Employed only when the shinobi is fighting underwater. This technique allows him to move his attacking arm and swung his sword through water as if the water offered as much resistance as air. In other words, he can fight at normal speed when attacking with his blade.

- Same Nami; Shark Wave Technique.
- Description:
-- Performed on top of water. The user releases chakra from the sword as he swings down in a diagonal cut, then again in a cut perpendicular to the first slash. As the “X” flies towards the target, the chakra picks up water, resulting in what looks like a shark’s head. Deals both cutting and blunt damage.





[ STAGE: SIX. ]

- Stances: None.
- Regular Techniques: None.

- Special Techniques:
- Shumokuzame Kyuushuu; Hammerhead Shark Assault Technique.
- Description:
-- Similar to Same Nami, except that the “X” takes the form of a hammerhead shark’s head, flat horizontally. As the attack travels towards the opponent, the shinobi hides behind it and then, just as the head connects with the enemy for blunt damage, the user slashes through the rest of the water from the back of the head for a surprise attack.

- Sesshoku Same; Feeding Shark Technique.
- Description:
-- Performed from underwater, and usually employed during an ambush. The user swings his sword twice to create an “X”, aiming the attack towards the surface of the water. As the attack travels, it takes on the shape of a shark’s full body, and upon connecting with the target, explodes, knocking the opponent away.





[ STAGE: SEVEN. ]

- Stances: None.
- Regular Techniques: None.

- Special Techniques:
- Koketsu no Same; Shark Jaws of Death Technique.
- Description:
-- The technique from which the sword style’s name is derived, performed from underwater. The user begins to spin quickly in the water, then slices upwards in an arc, releasing chakra. The chakra gathers water around it in the shape of an enormous shark head as it approaches the target. This time, the shark’s jaws open, and when it breaks the surface of the water, the victim is in the center of the open mouth, and the teeth snap shut. So strong is the force of this technique that it has been known to crunch a man in half.