Manten Zetsuin-ryū

## **User(s)**

Takamimusubi (Progenitor)
Izanagi Mikoto
Izanami Mikoto
Susano'o Mikoto
Takemikazuchi no Mikoto
Iyō Mikoto
Ishana Mikoto
Shira Mikoto
Takuya Mikoto
Takami Mikoto
Yoichi Mikoto

The **Manten Zetsuin-ryū** (万天絶印流, *"Myriad Heaven Termination Sealing Style," or "Myriad Heaven Absolute Sealing Style,"*) is a sacred martial arts style passed down among the warrior class of the Mikoto Clan. The style had originally been created for swordsmen and spearmen, but it can be done with bare-handed combat as well. While empty-handed, the practitioner mimics the fundamentals of Nukite with their hands and feet. It is the rival sword style of the Meidō Satsui-ryū, while also being the signature sword style of Takami Mikoto that led people to call him **Onigari Mukuro** (鬼狩躯, *"Demon Hunter Mukuro."*)

## Overview

This sword style is divided into two branches, Yang houses supreme offensive capabilities and Yin has supreme defensive capabilities. There are many subsidiary abilities that must be learned before the style can truly be practiced such as Senpo among many others. As a style taught by the Kami, it embodies god-like speed (神速 *Shinsoku*), strength (神強, *Jinkyo*) and reflex (反映, *Han'ei*). The style is given such a name because of how the practitioner strikes the person in numerous spots within the blink of an eye and infuses their ki within the inflicted wounds to prevent the person from being able to channel internal energies. Akin to the nature of Blood Magic, the sealing cannot be undone by anyone other than the caster, even if that individual were the strongest person alive. As the highest form of Ansatsuken Techniques (暗殺剣, *Assassinating Sword*) in the world, it is a style feared by everyone.

The style was created by Takamimusubi, one of the Zoka-sanshin (造化三神, *"Three Great Creation Gods,"*) who were responsible for the creation of the Shinto Pantheon. The art was used by the great gods to preserve life in Takamagahara, banishing evil gods and youkai to the lower worlds where humans would dwell so that the kami could live in peace undisturbed by negative forces. Following the concept of *Ichinen Muryō Ken* (一念無料剣 *"The Sword of Liberated Thoughts,"*) disciples under this style focus on a usage of speed, strength and agility while focusing on the Yang Path while simultaneously investing in defense, ki harmonization and reflex with the Yin Path. Achieving immaculate clairvoyance through the use of ki, they are able to anticipate the next movement of their opponent. Since their current state is supposed to be completely free of thought, the user in question will often make use of effective defensive or offensive tactics while exercising minimal movement, so that they can conserve their stamina while engaging in long, drawn-out battles.

From the moment the disciple begins to learn the style, they are taught to hone their senses and be able to recognize movement and emotion to be able to respond to any sudden attacks from an opponent that would normally be unnoticed by the average swordsman. While in an exchange, the usage of ki makes it easy for the practitioner to flow like a moving stream throughout the battle while turning their opponent's own energy and pace against them.

### Weaknesses

The Manten Zetsuin-ryū is a style that requires the display of strength, speed and toughness of multiple men from a single person. It is an art that could an ordinary man into a god of amongst men and since it stands at the top of the kenjutsu world, it leaves others with no way of dealing with them no matter how many years they dedicate themselves to different arts. Spending too much time learning one variant over the other makes it harder if not impossible to grasp the techniques of another branch.

An individual who is still learning how to master their specific branch or training may find themselves experiencing tremendous pains as a result of meridian damage while utilizing the techniques of the Inryū or Yoryū styles. The techniques channel ki or life energy throughout the meridians and if the person is not in a state of mind-body duality, they could cause an imbalance which may result in broken bones or exploding organs while trying to use one of the Manten School techniques. These dangers do lessen the further one goes in their training.

### Schooling

The school follows the standard Japanese traditions of martial arts structure and rankings, particularly Meikyo practices. The Ko-budō (古武道, "Traditional Schooling") ranks are listed below:

* **Nyumon** (入門, "Assigned Pupil.") - An initiate is selected by the clan elders and assigned to one of the members who have already completed the practice.
* **Keppan** (血判, "Blood Oath.") - Used by outsiders of the clan, wishing to learn their techniques.
* **Mokuroku** (目録, "Certificate.") - Received upon completion of a lesson.
	+ **Hatsu-Mokuroku** (初目録, "1st Certificate.") - The practitioner has completed the first lesson.
	+ **Kajō-Mokuroku** (箇条目録, "2nd Certificate.") - The practitioner has completed the second lesson.
	+ **Chū-Mokuroku** (中目録, "3rd Certificate.") - The practitioner has completed the third lesson.
	+ **Dai-Mokuroku** (大目録, "4th Certificate.") - The practitioner has completed the fourth lesson.
* **Okuiri** (送入, "Entry Level.") - The practitioner has completed all of their lessons and are able to go further in the practice.

The following ranks achieved through practice are:

* **Shoden Menkyo** (初伝免許, "Beginning Transmission.") - The student has learned the basics of swordsmanship, knowing that leadership, martial arts and training are the equivalent to building a home. This is the very start of the development, training and preparing one's body for the style that they will make their own.
* **Chuden Menkyo** (中伝免許, "Middle Transmission.") - The student has learned the fundamentals and principles of the style, knowing both it's shortcomings and strengths. This stage is reached after dedication to the style for more than one year. By then, the picture becomes more clear of what they are trying to achieve.
* **Okuden Menkyo** (奥伝免許, "Inner Transmission.") - Because of constant exposure to battle, the student knows the precise timing for certain attacks and movements. This stage is usually achieved after two or more years of training in the same style, day in and day out. The practitioner has seen and participated in many duels, all of which were eye-opening and motivated them to continue their pursuit of the pinnacle of martial arts.
* **Gokui/Hiden Menkyo** (極意免許/秘伝免許, "Secret Transmission.") - This rank is unique because it is used to describe individuals who have learned the style in secrecy and honed the techniques without proper guidance from a master or mentor. In short, the apprentice is a prodigy and already has a knack for swordsmanship at the higher level. These geniuses can pick apart other styles with ease, figuring out the way that a person fights and the weapon they use from a single glance.
* **Menkyo Kaiden** (免許皆伝, "Full Transmission.") - A disciple who has complete mastery over the particular style and now has the full authority to teach an entire class if they so wish. They not only understand swordsmanship, but the philosophies of Zen, thoughts on consciousness as well as the correct state of mind to have in battle. In most cases, people who achieve this status become the heir of their specific school. However, because the Manten School is overseen by the Kotoamatsukami, it is not something that can be inherited.

### Kikei Style

The **Kikei Style** (木形, *"Tree Formation,"*) is the first stage of the Yang School practices.

### Enkei Style

The **Enkei Style** (炎形, *"Flame Formation,"*) is the second stage of the Yang School practices. It is learned before directly taking on lessons of the Yōryū style.

### Yōryū Style

The **Yōryū Style** (陽流, *"Yang Style"*) is primarily focused on offensive capabilities, utilizing ki to enhance every strike to the maximum level a person can output. They can generate vibrations that allow them to smash through any incoming attacks with the utmost force but their style requires a lot of precision as a failure to respond to an enemy strike could lead them to taking significant damage since their energy is mostly focused on offense rather than protecting themselves. This flaw can be circumvented with Ars Magna however, specifically teritary magick or barriers crafted with transmutation. Yang Style is more effective at crowd control, bypassing the defenses of armored foes, breaking shields and attacking enemies of a larger build. A single strike has the power to shatter barriers made with magic and shred apart an aura in the same stroke. Since it prioritizes being able to completely cripple or kill an enemy in one attack, it is considered a lethal art by itself, even while not accompanied by Yin.

#### Yang Style Techniques

* **Rei no Kata: Gojoku Akuse** (五濁惡世, *"Five Impurities Fiendish Realm."*) - The Zeroth Form.
* **Ichi no Kata: Ryōkai Mandara** (両界曼荼羅, *"Dual-Realm Mandala.")* - The First Form.
* **Ni no Kata: Ungai Sōten** (雲外蒼天, *"Cloud Beyond Azure Heavens."*) - The Second Form.
* **San no Kata: Shunka Kenki** (瞬花剣刻, *"Swift Bloom Sword Carving.")* - The Third Form.
* **Shi no Kata: Hika Rakuyō** (飛花落葉, *"Flying Blossom, Falling Leaf.")* - The Fourth Form.
* **Go no Kata: Daiōjō Issen** (大往生一線, *"Instance of Painless Death.")* - The Fifth Form.
* **Roku no Kata: Rokudō Rinne** (六道輪廻, *"Six Paths Transmigration.")* - The Sixth Form.
* **Shichi no Kata: Shinra Banshō** (森羅万象, *"Infinite Universe.")* - The Seventh Form.
* **Hachi no Kata: Ōhō Kaibunji** (応報灰分寺, *"Divine Retribution: Ashen Temple."*) - The Eighth Form.
* **Kyu no Kata: Meikyō Shisui** (明鏡止水, *"Clear Mirror, Still Water."*) - The Ninth Form.
* **Jyu no Kata: Shizan Ketsuga** (屍山血河, *"Corpse Mountain Blood River."*) - The Tenth Form.

### Tetsukei Style

The **Tetsukei Style** (鉄形, *"Iron Formation,"*) is the first stage of the Yin School practices. In this stage, the element of Yin becomes brand new and is unaltered by external factors.

### Suikei Style

The **Suikei Style** (水形, *"Water Formation,"*) is the second stage of the Yin School practices. Training this style is the final step to prepare disciples for direct use of the Inryū Style.

### Inryū Style

The **Inryū Style** (陰流, *"Yin Style"*) focuses heavily on limiting the actions of the opponent. By making good use of ki, it can repel any forms of intrusion whether it be Ars Magna or energy in general. Though the range of it's defense is fairly limited, it can neutralize any incoming attacks essentially causing the potential or kinetic energy to return back towards the state it was in before it existed. Yin Style excels at one on one confrontations, as it can be used to completely inverse the flow of an opponent's energy with each deflection, contact block or parry. While countering, it makes use of *hakkei* (発勁, *"Force Exertion"*) to flood the opponent's energy or energy system with their own to cause rupturing with irreversible damage. As long as the remnants of their ki remain in the body or object in question, it cannot be removed or tampered with. Unlike Yang Style, it does not rely on raw power to unleash tremendous damage but rather internal energy transmission to end the life of an opponent. Most Yin practitioners focus on ending a battle as quickly as possible but are not the kind of fighters who would risk being injured in the process. The moment an opening reveals itself, they take advantage of the Senpo technique to cut their enemy at imperceptible speeds.

#### Yin Style Techniques

* **Rei no Kata:** **Ittō Ryōdan** (一刀両断, *"One Sword Cutting In Half."*) - The Zeroth Form.
* **Ichi no Kata:** **Tsubame Gaeshi** (燕返し, *"Swallow Reversal."*) - The First Form.
	+ **Ichi no Kata:** **Nijū Tsubame Gaeshi** (二重燕返し, *"Double Swallow Reversal."*) - A modified version of the First Form.
* **Ni no Kata:** **Hien Kenbuzan** (飛燕剣舞斬, *"Flying Swallow Sword Dance Beheading."*) - The Second Form.
* **San no Kata:** **Mumyō Sandanzuki** (無明三段突き, *"Avidya, Three-Stage Thrust."*) - The Third Form.
* **Shi no Kata:** **Kenzen Ichinyo** (剣禅一如, *"Sword and Zen as One."*) - The Fourth Form.
* **Go no Kata:** **Mujōku Sanbōin** (無常苦三法印, *"Impermanent Suffering of Three Existential Markings."*) -The Fifth Form.
* **Roku no Kata:** **Ranshi Shigetsu** (鸞詩刺月, *"Suzaku Poem: Piercing Moon."*) - The Sixth Form.
* **Shichi no Kata:** **Rekka Gurensō** (劣化紅蓮葬, *"Deteriorating Crimson Lotus Funeral."*) - The Seventh Form.
* **Hachi no Kata:** **Mugai Jikkōzan** (無害実行斬, *"Harmless Realization Beheading."*) - The Eighth Form.
	+ **Hachi no Kata:** **Manzen Satsui** (漫然殺意, *"Indiscriminate Manslaughtering."*) - The Eighth Form, an exclusive version used by Takami and Takamimusubi.
* **Kyu no Kata:** **Hado Jinraizan** (覇道迅雷斬, *"Military Rule: Thunderclap Slash."*) - The Ninth Form.
* **Jyu no Kata:** **Tenketsu Bakuzan** (点穴縛斬, *"Pressure Point Binding Slash."*) - The Tenth Form.
	+ **Jyu no Kata:** **Danma Metsumei** (断魔滅冥, *"Demon Hunter Dark Eradication."*) - A custom variant of the Tenth Form, exclusive to Takami.

### Manten Sōtsui-ryū

**Manten Sōtsui-ryū** (万天双対流, *"Myriad Heaven Duality Style,"*) becomes accessible to those who have reached Menkyo Kaiden or the Final Transmission stage. It embodies both characteristics of Yin and Yang Style simultaneously, effectively eliminating any weaknesses that the styles had on their own. While moving, the practitioner produces an RGB-like aura along with speed echoes.

### Unarmed Techniques

* **Shitenjin** (瞬天陣, *"Blinking Heaven Formation."*) - An attack that imitates the speed of lightning with a single straight punch aimed at the solar plexus. The ki infused strike heavily damages all of the surrounding meridians for a quick knockout.
* **Genryū** (幻流, *"Phantom Flow."*) - A technique that uses ki to cast an illusion the moment an opponents attack gets close, causing them to enter a blind spot where their reality and the illusion becomes hard to differentiate between.
	+ **Genryū Zanka** (幻流残火, *"Phantom Flow: Embers."*) - A powerful strike towards the neck that completely twists the bones of the spinal cord after executing Genryū.

### Other Techniques

Many users of the style have practiced traditional ki applications such as:

* **Senpo** (閃歩, *"Flash Cadence,") -* A sudden high-speed dash that allows someone to achieve psuedo-teleportation, moving from one location to another without the need for acceleration over time.
* **Senkō** (閃光, *"Flash Luster,"*) - An ultra-high speed dash that makes use of shock absorption to store the energy of each powerful step then transfer it throughout the body into an attack, effectively multiplying the damage dealt.
* **Senbu** (閃舞, *"Flash Dance,"*) - An attack performed during Senko or Senpo that allows one to strike the meridians of an enemy in the same moment. The ki of the practitioner produces a vibrational refraction to cause hallucinations, after the enemy succumbs to it, the dash and strike are executed.

## Trivia

* The **Yin Style** techniques take names from the earthly practices of swordsmanship, since Yin is associated with Earth, while the **Yang Style** takes names from Buddhist concepts since Yang is associated with Heaven.

* The Yin Techniques "***Tsubame Gaeshi***" and "***Mumyo Sandanzuki***" are taken from **Sasaki Kojiro** and **Okita Souji** respectively. Because they are prolific samurai who have grown famous among mortals for their skill in swordsmanship, their techniques became the foundation for **Yin Style**.
* The **Yin Style** incorporates Chinese and Japanese sword fighting movements, bearing a resemblance to *Watōjutsu* used by Enishi Yukishiro from the Rurouni Kenshin series.