The Stages of Zanshin

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## Zanshin

The **Stages of Zanshin** are a series of mental stages that enable the Battotai to surpass their physical limits when battling Oni and other opponents, having been used in conflicts since the Heian era of early Japanese history. Introduced to the world by the creator god **Izanagi** and refined by later Buddhist-Shinto kami before being taught to the first people of Japan, the stages have become a fundamental component to being an effective demon hunter in modern times. Without Zanshin, swordsmen of any background - whether it be sports kendo or a demon hunter - are doomed to fail. By elevating their minds to a state of emptiness and intensive focus, warriors are able to command their bodies to break their natural limitations and bolster their speed, strength, and reaction times to supernatural limits. In addition, Zanshin allows swordsmen to maximize the potential of their combat techniques and Tengoku abilities.

Despite this, the cultivation of Zanshin does not come without a price as it requires distinct levels of Japanese blood from Yamato ancestry before it can be used: a byproduct of Izanagi's creation. According to the journals of the Shodai, despite there being four official stages, one could potentially reach a **fifth** stage that somehow surpasses the extreme level of mental fortitude that the first four stages already demand. However, the method for obtaining the fourth (and legendary fifth) stages of Zanshin has been kept a secret.

## Shoshin

***Shoshin*** (初心) is a term from Zen Buddhism that means "the Beginner's Mind". It refers to an early stage of the Zanshin process where users have an authentic aptitude for open-mindedness and eagerness. Despite this, Shoshin also refers to the first stage of Zanshin. It can be achieved with relative ease compared to the later three stages: prodigious students may obtain it within the first few minutes, or it can take days and weeks for the most troublesome of students. However, many expert Battotai mentors believe that it is not a lack of skill or potential that restricts students from obtaining Shoshin — instead, trauma or persistent, internal distress can disrupt one's progress towards Shoshin.

When in Shoshin, users experience an intense, self-induced rush of adrenaline that flows through their mind and body. Practitioners often hear the distant sound of a bell's ring, the breath of a fish, and the sounds of a falling leaf. The user's body is elevated in strength, speed, and reaction time, allowing them to bypass ordinary physical limits to their own body. Perception, agility, and thoughts are generally enhanced in speed as well, allowing trained swordsmen to easily bypass peak Olympic athletes in all categories of physical stature.

### Specific Effects

Practitioners of Shoshin are able to run a minimum of 30 MPH without hindrance, enabling them to outrun the fastest of ordinary peak humans for long durations of time. Infrequently but potentially, strength is bolstered to support more powerful blows, but such strength development requires a consistent regimen of training and a healthy diet to sustain. In addition, reaction time is enhanced to supernatural levels, allowing users to see arrows mid-flight and to process actions far quicker than professional athletes. Precision, agility, and perceptive abilities are also enhanced beyond the peak human capability. Inexperienced users are often burned out after exiting the stage of Shoshin, inferring that excessive use without proper development can result in extensive physical harm to one's body.

* **Physical Enhancements** (Speed, Agility, Strength)
* **Mental Enhancements** (Perception, Reaction, Processing)

## Kenshō

***Kenshō*** (見性) is a term from Zen Buddhism that means "Seeing Nature; Seeing Essence". It refers to the second stage of the Zanshin process where users are able to perceive an inconceivable amount of information and execute previously impossible movements without detriment. Generally, Kenshō is also interpreted by Zen Buddhists to be an "initial" or "early" awakening in one's mental training, demonstrating that despite the significant physical and mental enhancements from Kenshō, it is but a step on one's journey for enlightenment. Generally, Kenshō demands a **true**, sustained in-depth mastery of Shoshin before practitioners can hope to unlock Kenshō. For the most talented of users, Kenshō can take **six months to a year** before it is achieved, and years before it can be properly mastered. Many Battotai mentors have described the experience as one of "immense self-awareness" and a powerful mastery of one's body and limits before it can be obtained.

When in Kenshō, users experience an extraordinary amount of self-induced adrenaline that cannot be replicated by any drug or foreign concoction. Instead, it is a physiological response to the spiritual awakening of Kenshō within one's soul that allows the user to further surpass their physical limitations. Practitioners are said to hear the breath of the earth, silence the howls of the wind, and perceive a vacuum in space. The user's body is greatly enhanced in strength, speed, and reaction time, allowing them to bypass even supernatural physical limits to their own body. Perception, agility, and mental processing are all greatly amplified and honed to an extremely precise level, allowing trained users to easily bypass limits such as the sound barrier with their techniques in short bursts. The difference between Kenshō and Shoshin are said to be exponential, demonstrating the steep learning curve that it takes for members to learn Kenshō - and even further when attempting to master it. Skilled Jito are often trainees in this stage; Shugo are expected to be regular users, if not masters, before their succession.

### Specific Effects

Practitioners of Kenshō are able to run speeds excess of a hundred miles per hour without hindrance, enabling them to outrun the fastest of Shoshin users with great ease for moderate periods of time. Infrequently but potentially, strength is bolstered to a supernatural extent which can support significantly powerful blows, requiring a specific regimen of harsh training and a well-founded diet to sustain. The user's ability to react is significantly enhanced to supernaturally absurd levels, allowing users to easily see arrows mid-flight and to process actions far more swiftly than even a well-practiced Shoshin user. Precision, agility, and perceptive abilities are enhanced beyond even the extent of Shoshin's peak capabilities. Inexperienced users are often burned out and can sustain permanent injuries, both mentally and physically, without proper support or development. Death is quite common for practitioners who lack proper guidance when attempting to obtain this stage.

* **Stamina costs are reduced** (25-50%)\* (subject to change at any time). Universal techniques are free.
* **Amplified Technique Effectiveness** (Range, Power, Effects)
* **Accelerated Emote Preparation** (2-3 Emote+ Cast Techniques are reduced by 1-2 emotes)
* **Significant Physical Enhancements** (Speed, Agility, Strength)
* **Significant Mental Enhancements** (Perception, Reaction, Processing)