Ryuusenkenryuu

The **Ryūsenkenryuu** (龍閃剣流) is a legendary sword style that faded into obscurity due to the rigorous and harsh training conditions required to master the style.

## Information

Although the *Ryūsenkenryuu* does not belong to any specific family as its practitioners and heirs are chosen through compatibility as well as strength of will. Thus far, there has only been a total of eleven **Complete Masters** (完全師匠, *Kanzen Shishō*) of the style who have fully mastered the style and only ten of these have attained the title of **Divine Blade** (剣聖, *Kensei*) by adding their own technique onto the Eight Sword. Despite this, the style has existed for over one thousand years, dating back to the feudal periods of Japan.

The style was created during a time when lawlessness ran rampant and Japan had still not become unified, leading to many people being caught up in wars that they would rather not have been a part of. Due to this, the style was based on the principles of survival and efficiency, creating a sword that would kill in a single strike. However, because of the brittleness in the quality of the blades, many swords broke after the use of one or two techniques, meaning that a compromise would have to be created. However, the founder of the style did not wish to weaken his techniques because of a mere setback created by low-quality weapons. Thus, he had opted to instead carry eight swords, each one suited for a different set of techniques.

Although the style was primarily created for usage with swords, since Japan was in a war torn state at the time, it was necessary to include several other common weapons of war within the style, allowing for more flexibility on the battlefield should one find themselves without a weapon and forced to use one from a fallen foe or ally. However, the style shines far more during single combat than on the battlefield.

Furthermore, the style stresses both external and internal power developments, leading to the teachings of **Zen** (禅, *Zen*) and **Ki** (気, *Ki*) cultivation being an integral part of the style. Practitioners are taught to utilize the flow of air and life within themselves and the external world around them to strengthen their attacks, defense, and perception. It was said that those who reached the level of Divine Blade had elevated themselves to a new, profound level of enlightenment.

## Users

* Unnamed Founder
* Unnamed Second Kensei
* Unnamed Third Kensei
* Unnamed Fourth Kensei
* Unnamed Fifth Kensei
* Unnamed Sixth Kensei
* Unnamed Seventh Kensei
* Unnamed Eighth Kensei
* Unnamed Ninth Kensei
* Hibana Ryūchi - Current Head of the Style
* Hibana Yuri - Current Heir of the Style

## Techniques

The primary weapon of the style is the Katana or Tachi. There are eight forms or "Swords" that comprises the style.

### The First Sword: Psychotic Claw (第一の剣: 狂爪, *Dai Ichi no Ken: Kyōsō)*

Ironically, the First Sword was the last form to be created by the founder as it is the most profound and advanced form, yet the most simple. Designed for duels, the First Sword's strongest technique guaranteed a victory against any opponent regardless of their skill.

### The Second Sword: Towering Flame (第二の剣: 楼焔, *Dai Ni no Ken: Rōen*)

The Second Sword is primarily focused on utilizing Ki as well as learning to exploit the attacks of one's opponent for one's own gain. It was originally developed for one of its techniques which was capable of isolating the user and their opponent, turning any situation into a duel.

### The Third Sword: Megalith (第三の剣: 礫巌, *Dai San no Ken:* *Rekigan*)

The Third Sword was created due to a lack of options for defense, especially in the middle of a battlefield. Although practitioners of the style usually did not have an issue with defense or counterattacks during a duel, the same could not be said on the battlefield where one might be surrounded by artillery fire or arrow rains, hence the creation of this form.

### The Fourth Sword: Assault Fang (第四の剣: 襲牙, *Dai Shi no Ken: Shūga*)

The Fourth Sword was formed on the basis of creating attacks that could be smoothly interwoven at a rapid rate without having to changed stance or shift one's center of gravity, creating a maximum killzone with maximum efficiency. Its final move is the very essence of this philosophy, delivering certain death to the user's opponent in a single move.

### The Fifth Sword: Twin Steps (第五の剣: 双脚, *Dai Go no Ken: Sōkyaku*)

Essentially a collection of footwork techniques created to reach the level of **Shukuchi** (縮地) yet falling short of it by a very slim margin. These techniques are essential to the style as it allows the user to reposition and move around in either a duel or the battlefield.

### The Sixth Sword: Calamity (第六の剣: 惨禍, *Dai Roku no Ken: Zanka*)

A dual-sword style created due to the mismatch of the eight sword types that a practitioner of the style had to carry. Instead of requiring the user to carry an additional sword, a solution was created by instead making each of the scabbards out of a heavy metal, allowing them to be used as a blunt weapon.

### The Seventh Sword: Suppressing Palm (第七の剣: 絶掌, *Dai Shichi no Ken: Zesshō*)

Utilizing a thick and blunt sword, the Seventh Sword was created for subduing targets in a non-lethal way. It was initially made due to the need to capture some targets alive; however, it later proved pivotal in calming conflicts instigated to create internal strife within the founder's own state.

### The Eighth Sword: Flashing Blade (最後の剣: 閃刃, *Saigo no Ken: Senjin*)

Originally created to be a single move that would end any duel regardless of the situation that the user was in, it eventually developed into a form which would allow the style to grow endlessly with each Kensei adding their own personal technique and legacy onto the style. Thus, the founder created a technique which would allow his successors the ability to always hold on strong to their sword and their convictions.

## Effects

The powerful techniques and skills that come through the practice of the *Ryūsenkenryuu* are not without a price or a benefit outside of the immense combat capabilities that one gains. Firstly, those that practice the style will be granted "eternal youth", their youthful appearances preserved even after their death. This is caused by the harmonization of their inner Ki which allows them to maintain a youthful disposition throughout their lives; however, this does not mean that they can live forever. Although their lifespans are indubitably extended, practitioners of the style will still die and return to the cycle of rebirth when their time has expired. Despite this, the style is extremely physically demanding and requires for a strong physique. Those without an overtly powerful physique will suffer when using the more powerful techniques of the style, harming their own body and perhaps even permanently damaging their motor functions.