Kenjutsu

**Definition:** Kenjutsu is the term given to any jutsu and combat style that includes swords. This is a very versatile path that can be used in combination of taijutsu, genjutsu and ninjutsu, skipping the necessary hand seals to perform them and replacing them with slashes the user needs to perform to eventually cast the technique at will.

The Kenjutsu path is not divided into individual techniques, instead the spells you unlock in game will unlock different aspects of the path, centered on the different combat styles and kinds of custom techniques, allowing for a large amount of creativity and diversity in the path whilst keeping it balanced and following a recognisable and logical progression.

# **How does Kenjutsu work in Dattebayo?**

Kenjutsu can be divided in 3 segments:

* **Swordsmanship:** The ability of the user in the martial arts that involve swords.

* **Combined techniques:** Techniques that use the attacks and their defensive parries as hand seals or synchronize with the attacks to be casted simultaneously.

* **Kenjutsu techniques:** Techniques that combine the usage of chakra and swordsmanship exclusively.

# **Kenjutsu spells and path mastery**

## **D-Rank Jutsu Unlocked = Basic Kenjutsu**

***(Requires Movement Speed, Melee Speed, Tai-Jutsu Damage of 2 to Perform)***

The user is getting used to wielding swords, it’s very likely they even perform mediocrely with real swords. An user of this level performs and improves their skills better with wooden training swords, not only they prevent injuries at this stage of training but also works as a basic body in which they can practice to infuse their chakra to perform basic Kenjutsu.

**Categories:**

* ***Swordsmanship*** - The user will perform below average vs experienced kenjutsu users, specially if wielding heavier and balanced swords. It’s recommended they use wooden swords at this stage which besides improving their performance, it will help them adapt to the weight and movement of a real sword. They can perform only one attack per attempt.

* ***Combined techniques*** -  Only after 4 attacks (swings, parries, strikes) the user will be able to perform their most basic jutsu (D ranks), however, it will be of the minimal power or intensity as well.

* ***Kenjutsu techniques*** - The user can weaponize chakra with ranged blasts, at this level blunt and their range short, good for repulsion of upcoming projectiles or strikes if timed well.

**General overview:**

* The user in swordsmanship can only fight one enemy at a time, they will succumb to pressure due to their inexperience, they can perform a combo of 2 continuous attacks after 4 attacks have been attempted, but **combos won’t count as necessary attacks for combined techniques.**
* The chakra blast techniques are short and can only have one target, they’re capable of shattering wood and causing muscular injuries.
* The parrying capabilities of the user are weak at this level, and won't hold much against more experienced Goken or Kenjutsu users.

## **C-Rank Jutsu Unlocked = intermediate Kenjutsu**

***(Requires Movement Speed, Melee Speed, Tai-Jutsu Damage of 4 to Perform)***

The user has more experience in the usage of swords and can use true blades, though the usage of wooden swords for practicing and sparring is recommended. Their manipulation of chakra in regards to this martial art improves, which grants them more variety and firepower in their combined and Kenjutsu techniques.

**Categories:**

* ***Swordsmanship*** - The user performs in combat with more confidence, now able to fight more targets at a time and combo their regular strikes more often. The user can now deflect ninja tools manually, however this would be harder without the help of chakra blasts or techniques and mistakes are common while trying this. The power of the strikes is considerable now, but not enough to cut through limbs or logs.

* ***Combined techniques*** -  Only after 3 attacks (swings, parries, strikes) the user will be able to perform their general jutsu (C ranks), however, it will carry a below their normal average power.

* ***Kenjutsu techniques*** -  Ranged blasts power has increased and the technique can be sharp causing wounds or cutting through fabric and wood with ease, the range remains short but the user can now cover a wider range like a wall or a wave and hit several targets or deflect several projectiles at once.

The user can create a boost in their attack’s speed and power with the chakra overload move, which will make the user engage immediately from medium to short distances and create shockwaves if parried that can disarm or repulse enemies.

**General overview:**

* The user in swordsmanship can fight 2 enemies at once but this will prove difficult as they will have to choose which flank to defend and which flank to push, they can perform a combo of 3 continuous attacks after 4 successful attacks (parry or hit)  have been attempted, but **combos won’t count as necessary attacks for combined techniques.**
* The chakra blast techniques can have a wider range at an added chakra cost, they’re capable of cutting through woods and damaging light armors.
* The parrying capabilities of the user are better at this level but can still be prey to be disarmed by Kenjutsu techniques.

## **B-Rank**

***(Requires Movement Speed, Melee Speed, Tai-Jutsu Damage of 5 to Perform)***

The user now has a decent swordsmanship and knowledge of this art, pairing the average soldier’s skills. The user is now capable to outperform the D-rank levels in strength and even agility, performing more gracious flurries of slashes and having a strong knowledge of parrying and defense, let alone the ninjutsu knowledge of the synergies this path has, which are now improved to a more natural and coordinated way.

**B- Rank Jutsu Unlocked  = Military grade Kenjutsu**

**Categories:**

* ***Swordsmanship*** - The user’s techniques in swordsmanship are decent and they will perform better in open and longer battles, their swings are precise and strong but still not in the same level of those considered “artists” or “masters” of this art.
* ***Combined techniques*** -  After 2 attacks (swings, parries, strikes) the user will be able to perform their Advanced jutsu (B ranks), however, it will carry their average power from this point on.

* ***Kenjutsu techniques*** -  Ranged blasts range to reach a medium one,  which can now be separated to be sent in at least 2 different directions or angles.

The user can create a boost in their attack’s speed and power with the chakra overload move, which will make the user engage immediately from medium to short distances and create shockwaves if parried that can disarm or repulse enemies.

The user can coat their blade with a glowing coat of chakra to specially cut through materials made from ninjutsu (elements, puppet strings, etc) Mokuton and Hyoton are resistant to this and won’t break on the first attempts if the host user of these techniques are of the same rank or above.

**General overview:**

* The user can perform a combo of 4 continuous attacks after 4 successful attacks (parry or hit)  have been attempted, but **combos won’t count as necessary attacks for combined techniques.**
* The parrying capabilities of the user are better at this level but can still be prey to be disarmed by Kenjutsu techniques.
* Chakra overload makes the blade glow, which can be useful in dark environments with low visibility

## **A-Rank**

***(Requires Movement Speed, Melee Speed, Tai-Jutsu Damage of 6 to Perform)***

The user is an artist of Kenjutsu, their moves are gracious and coordinated and their synergies are even better when combining their path with kenjutsu. Their abilities pair the ones of a veteran soldier. Users can deflect high speed projectiles like tools and arrows with more accuracy now without the assistance of chakra.

**A- Rank Jutsu Unlocked  = Kenjutsu Artist**

**Categories:**

* ***Swordsmanship*** - The user’s knowledge in martial arts involving swords are the ones of a veteran, they can perform for longer times and against several enemies, parrying and counter attacking fiercely but with grace. The user has the power to cut through materials harder than wood with the help of heavy swords or swords of good quality, without the help of chakra with a heavy slower strike.
* ***Combined techniques*** -  The user can release techniques after any attack, but if they do this without any cooldown time, they will waste more chakra than what that average technique costs.
* ***Kenjutsu techniques*** -  Ranged blasts can be combined with chakra overloads to create projectiles that affect ninjutsu or chakra bodies/structures at a higher cost.

**General overview:**

The user’s ranged Kenjutsu attacks can now be shot through a radial angle, which will be able to block projectiles, cut or push enemies away or block or disrupt ninjutsu chakra threats if combined with a blade overload. The user also can shoot projectiles at totally different directions and add curvature and change their trajectory into a convergence point or totally different landing points.

Chakra overload can now be made and used instantly without the need to wait for the blade to be fully coated, however, at previous ranks the user can use this technique prematurely diminishing its effectiveness to a half or less if it’s urgent.

## **S-Rank**

***(Requires Movement Speed, Melee Speed, Tai-Jutsu Damage of 8 to Perform)***

The user performs as a master of this art, they’re a force to be reckoned with and their potential is at maximum in regards to their synergies with other paths. The difference between this rank and D-C is notable and perhaps even an overkill when both of them meet in combat, though the odds might favor the weak in some rare instances so overconfidence is never good.

**S- Rank Jutsu Unlocked  = Kenjutsu Master**

**Categories:**

* ***Swordsmanship*** - The user’s knowledge in martial arts involving swords are the ones of a master, they can disarm and even break lower quality swords with the power of their heavy blows and be very quick in their sequence of strikes.
* ***Combined techniques*** -  The user can release techniques after any attack, no penalty will be made on the chakra cost of these, however, S-rank techniques will need at least two emotes of distance to perform fully.
* ***Kenjutsu techniques*** -  Kenjutsu Dash : The user performs a slash that shoots a powerful blast of chakra backwards, travelling through their tenketsu to amplify the power, they will travel at a higher speed towards their target and perform a single slash that can bring down large enemies or threats, the user will be covered by a repulsive force until they meet their target, deflecting projectiles or foes wanting to intercept with the exception of ninjutsu powered projectiles or enemies (nintaijutsu), Goken is also a possibility of intercepting this technique, but from B rank levels of martial artists.

**General overview:**

* In swordmanship the user can combine taijutsu with it with more ease and fluidity than in other ranks, even with staffs.
* The user can delay the release of the kenjutsu techniques just like when they regularly would do while performing that technique manually.

# **Casting/Releasing**

***Casting:*** The parries, strikes and slashes can release ninjutsu techniques from the blade where the chakra of the user is infused, note that vs users of the same rank doing manual techniques, both will take the same time to release, the commodity of kenjutsu being the defensive and offensive capabilities of it being released through a weapon.

# **Kenjutsu and others paths**

**Natures and kenjutsu:**

Besides the release of all conventional nature techniques through kenjutsu the user can create tracks or strings of the element that take seconds to disappear, and can be sharp or blunt and cut anything trying to get through them, it’s a good defensive and offensive method but it can become chakra costly.

**Kenjutsu and Genjutsu:**

The synergy with both is massive and very dangerous, one example is disguising one incoming blast as a swordsman copy of the user, making both actual physical threats but hiding the user behind the illusion of him attempting a dash attack instead of a projectile one. The deception opportunities in this path makes it one if not the best to combine with Kenjutsu.

**Fuinjutsu And Kenjutsu:**

Very good synergy, the user can engrave seals on the blade, to release upon infusing chakra on their blade to release contents of seals in combination with their slashes or to surprise release them when parrying or when it's most unexpected. Swords can be easily put in seals engraved in gloves to be easily equipped when needed.

#### **Notes:**

1. Your sword does not have to be the starting place for a jutsu you cast with kenjutsu, the sword swings substitute your handseals.
2. It is possible to make a chakra sword out of your chakra natures that you can then use with kenjutsu abilities.