Ink Breathing

The **Ink Breathing** *(Sumi no Kokyu)* is a branch of the Water Breathing, and the esoteric Breathing Style of the Tansei Family.

## **Overview:**

The Ink Breathing is a Style that went through harsh changes, but in both versions, most of its techniques either mimic, or at least inspire themselves on Japanese caligraphy, having a wide range of techniques that the user can perform. Users seemingly create and manipulate aural ink, which moves and behaves nearly exactly like the Water Breathing's own aura, albeit it moves a little less fluidly, and at the end of harsh attacks, it seemingly splashes.

The Ink Breathing was created by the matriarch of the Tansei Family, and it was subsenquently passed on to only the women of the Clan, in a reversal of the Rengoku Family's own tradition. Aya Tansei, however, wants to break the tradition, and teach the Ink Breathing not only to men, but also people outside of the Tansei Family.

An Ink Breathing user will have their Nichirin items turn into an incredibly dark blue color, and this Style is best used with a Katana.

## **Known Techniques:**

Originally, the Ink Breathing had ten Forms, all based on Hiragana characters. However, Aya Tansei found the ancient techniques to not be sufficient any longer, and developed six new Forms of her own to replace the older ones.

### **Modern:**

* **First Form: Splatter of Paint** *(Ichi no Kata: Penki no Tobichiri)* - The user performs a single high-powered slash, in any direction they want. The attack may also weave into itself, should the singular slash prove to be insufficient

* **Second Form: Black Wheel** *(Ni no Kata: Kuroi Sharin)* - The user performs a single, high power, 360 degree slash all around themselves in a horizontal line. They may, on occasion, perform this attack while moving, as to cover a larger area, albeit at a slower pace.

* **Third Form: Straight Line** *(San no Kata: Chokusen)* - The user dashes from a low stance, slicing their enemy in the way. This attack is mostly done as a reaction to others, however.

* **Fourth Form: Ink Blot** *(Shi no Kata: Shimi no Sumi)* - The user performs a single slash that weaves all around them, blocking incoming attacks, and dealing with all threats surrounding them

* **Fifth Form: Spiralling Darkness** *(Go no Kata: Rasen Kurayami)* - The user slashes in front of themselves in a singular, spiral slash that can be done multiple times to defend from countless attacks.

* **Sixth Form: Flowing Painting** *(Roku no Kata: Nagare Tansei)* - The user continuously slashes a single target, as if moving in a serpentine way. This Form can also strike multiple enemies if needed, and each slash increases the user's momentum. This attack is visualised as a massive, black, inky dragon reminiscent of the Water Breathing's Tenth Form.

### **Traditional:**

* **First Form: Splatter of Paint** *(Ichi no Kata: Penki no Tobichiri)* - The user slashes downward, proceeding to perform a single, interweaving slash aiming to tear the opponent while not wasting movements

* **Second Form: Obsolescence** *(Ni no Kata: Wa)* - The user slashes once downward, followed up by a diagonally upwards short slash, which ties into a horizontal slice that weaves into itself

* **Third Form: Pluralize** *(San no Kata: Ra)* - The user dashes, performing a diagonally downward slash, followed up immediately by a downward slash that twists into itself

* **Fourth Form: Line Connector** *(Shi no Kata: Ya)* - The user slashes horizontally, twisting the blade along its original movement. Said attack is immediately followed up by a short vertical slash, and then, on the opposite side of the opponent's body, a longer vertical slash, both downward.

* **Fifth Form: Negative Space** *(Go no Kata: Ma)* - The user slashes twice horizontally, a slash above, then one below, and finishes off with a downward slash that twists and curves in and of itself

* **Sixth Form: Condition** *(Roku no Kata: Ha)* - The user slashes once downward, following up with a horizontal slash at the opponent's neck, and another downward slash with a twisting end.

* **Seventh Form: Edged Blade** *(Shichi no Kata: Na)* - The user performs an onslaught of attacks. horizontal, downward vertical, diagonally downward horizontal, and finally, downward vertical with a twist at the end.

* **Eighth Form: Completion** *(Hachi no Kata: Ta)* - The user repeatedly slashes against the opponent, aiming for an opening to unleash a barrage of attacks, with a horizontal slash, then a downward vertical one, then two horizontal ones, one above and lastly one below

* **Ninth Form: Assertion Completion** *(Ku no Kata: Sa)* - While following the same steps as the Eighth Form to identify an opening, the user will more often than not create an opening themselves, then unleashing two slashes, one horizontal, followed up by a vertical one that weaves into itself

* **Tenth Form: Question** *(Ju no Kata: Ka)* - While feigning calm and tranquility, the user will await the opponent's attack. Once the opponent is in range, the user will slash three times (horizontal curved, vertical downward and diagonally downward) with speeds imperceptible.

## **Trivia:**

* The Ink Breathing is the only Breathing Style to have been reworked from the ground up in-canon.
* The Traditional Forms' names (save for the First Form) are direct references to what the respective Hiragana symbol means. Each Form is a Hiragana symbol, and what they roughly mean, or at least can be correlated to, translate into the Forms' names.