Stone Breathing

The **Stone Breathing** *(Iwa no Kokyu)* is one of the main Breathing Styles branching from the Sun Breathing. It is also the most different one out of all others that directly come from the Sun Breathing.

## **Overview:**

Stone Breathing is a Breathing Style that mimics earth and stone and replicates it with the user's movements, techniques and abilities. Most, if not all, known techniques and forms utilize the ground beneath the user and the vast surroundings to generate powerful and sturdy attacks that specialize in both offense and defense.

The Stone Breathing was originally created by Jishin Chuseki, one of Yoriichi Tsugikuni's students who attempted to learn Sun Breathing, but, due him not being suited for the Sun Breathing, he developed another, far more unorthodox Style in the form of the Stone Breathing.

The Stone Breathing can be used with a Kusarigama, a Flail/Axe combo, and uncommonly, a regular Katana. Note that the Katana variant is relatively new. Whatever Nichirin item a Stone Breathing user has will turn a dull dark gray.

## **Known Techniques:**

The Stone Breathing originally only had five techniques since its conception, being generally unchanged throughout time due to its small amount of users. Gyomei Himejima proceeded to develop six new techniques, and Iwajima Takeyama developed two others.

* **First Form: Serpentinite Bipolar** *(Ichi no Kata: Jamongan - Sokyoku)* - The user throws both the flail and axe towards their intended target and manipulates the chain by rotating it, thus causing the axe and flail to also rotate in order to drill and grind right through his target.

* **Second Form: Upper Smash** *(Ni no Kata: Tenmen Kudaki)* - The user throws both his axe and spiked flail for a pincer move before smashing down on the chain to cause the flail to rebound and smash his target from afar.

* **Third Form: Stone Skin** *(San no Kata: Ganku no Hadae)* - The user unleashes a series of slashes with his axe deflecting nearby attacks. This Form can also be used to destroy a target at very close range. It can also be used with the chains to increase the amount of damage blocked

* **Fourth Form: Volcanic Rock, Rapid Conquest** *(Shi no Kata: Ryumongan - Sokusei)* - The user manipulates both the flail and axe weapons at both ends of the chain by swinging the chain on both sides in order to strike his opponents using a two-pronged wide ranged attack.

* **Fifth Form: Arcs of Justice** *(Go no Kata: Garin Gyobu)* - The user utilizes a powerful barrage with his flail and axe, doing a great amount of damage. The axe is destined to hit first with the trajectory of the flail following from the opposite side and slamming into the opponent.

* **Sixth Form: Rock Slide** *(Roku no Kata: Iwana Dare)* - The user will use the flail and axe completely defensively, surrounding themselves before bashing the flail on the ground. This attack can be done sideways, as the Form is fairly versatile.

* **Seventh Form: Crushing Bipolar** *(Shichi no Kata: Funsai Sokyoku)* - The user throws both the flail and the axe against the opponent, forcing them to bash together by strongly tugging the chain. This attack is devastating and even if it doesn’t decapitate, causes immense damage

* **Eighth Form: Meteor Strike** *(Hachi no Kata: Ryusei Kogeki)* - Launching himself up, the user throws the flail high up in the air, pulling it downwards with immense strength using the chains. The attack is so powerful it can crush an enemy instantly.

* **Ninth Form: Destructive Landslide** *(Ku no Kata: Hakai Jisuberi)* - The user spins their chains around themselves, using the axe to block direct attacks, while the chains and the flail block incoming projectiles. This attack can be done on any surface and while the user moves, also destroying their surroundings

* **Tenth Form: Sprawling Disaster** *(Ju no Kata: Kodaina Sagai)* - The user manipulates both ends of the weapon while they advance, making a pincer attack with both ends, and then advancing themselves to strike, or reuse one of the ends to strike again in a quicker move

* **Eleventh Form: Stone Statue** *(Ju Ichi no Kata: Ishi no Zo)* - The user manipulates their weapon in order to surround the opponent with the chains. Once the target is locked on, the user will pull on the weapon, ensnaring them still for either capturing a foe, or to hold them down for an ally

* **Twelfth Form: Glorious Conquest** *(Ju Ni no Kata: Kagayakashi Seifuku)* - The user manipulates their weapons into forming a pincer move with a confusing tempo. The attack is hit thrice in a row, first axe, then flail, then the user’s own fists, and then all three at once.

* **Unnamed Thirteenth Form** *(Ju San no Kata)* - The user pulls the weapon's chains close to their body, tying them around their forearms, and manipulating the ends of the weapon from a proximity. Using the axe/flail combination weapon, the user will hold the axe in their hand, while spinning the flail with the other. This is a Form mostly designed to fight opponents from up close, avoiding the Stone Breathing's general weakness for close range fights. It is hard to master, however, as aside from being effectively dual wielding with different weapons, it also requires enough strength for the user to effectively move around while lugging around the heavy metal weapon.

## **Trivia:**

* The Stone Breathing is incredibly hard to learn, and therefore, the Stone Sect is by far the smallest Sect out of the five main Sects, and one of the smallest as a whole.