Chapter 25 - Rokushiki

A/N: Sorry I've been a little slow lately, work has picked up heavily after the New Year and I needed to do a lot of thinking to write this chapter. It's on the longer side though, so enjoy!

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After Terumi followed Zephyr to training field three on the west side of the compound, he arrived in a wide grassy field in the middle of a running track.

Zephyr folded his arms and stopped under a tree, next to a training dummy.

"Okay Terumi, the first Rokushiki I'll be instructing in you is called Soru. It is a high-speed movement technique, useful for dodging attacks or repositioning yourself in order to attack. This is the most basic and easy technique to understand, so we'll start here first, got it?"

Terumi nodded in understanding.

'I've thought about trying to learn this myself, but could never get it quite right. After that, I focused more on my sword skills and breathing techniques since I have a firm grasp of those. Now that I have this opportunity, I have to try to memorize the training method and try to master all six before my field training.'

"Now, before I continue on, I want to give you a brief overview of all six of the techniques are their purposes. Watch carefully."

Zephyr unfolded his arms and then walked over to an empty spot on the field.

Terumi watched carefully, hoping to sear the following demonstration into his mind.

"The first technique, Soru. By kicking off the ground at least ten times instantly, this technique lets you move at extremely high speeds.

Terumi focused all of this energy into his vision, Zephyr's movements were carefully captured in his eyes as if Zephyr was moving in slow motion.

Zephyr lightly bent his knees, and then as soon as Terumi saw the first step, Zephyr disappeared from Terumi's vision.

Surprised, Terumi then focused on his senses and found Zephyr behind him, turning his head at the same time he felt a tap on his shoulder.

Zephyr smiled upon seeing Terumi react to him.

"Good senses, I was planning on giving you a small scare. As you know, any small advantage you can get in battle is crucial. Your opponent suddenly disappearing in front of you would give anyone pause, and that could be the advantage you need to seal the battle. With this technique, you can sneak up on an opponent even in plain sight. The more proficient you become at it, the more times you'll be able to kick off the ground and enhance your speed."

"Understood, sensei."

Zephyr nodded and then moved back to in front of Terumi.

"The second technique is Geppo. By kicking the air with high force, you can generate an air current forcing yourself upwards, allowing you to move freely in the air."

Zephyr then jumped and started kicking the air, an amazing sight as his large body can be seen moving around as if he was flying.

Terumi marveled at the sight.

'Just how many times I could have easily avoided attacks if I could use this. My biggest weakness for sure right now is my maneuverability mid-air.'

Zephyr landed on the ground after a short while and proceeded to his next demonstration.

"The third technique is Shigan, but we'll get to that later. While we're here I'll move on to the fourth technique Tekkai, a defensive maneuver. By finely hardening all of your muscles, connecting all of their energy using your core, you can greatly increase your defense in exchange for mobility. For this demonstration, I want you to try to punch me as hard as you can."

Terumi nodded without hesitation, he knew what this technique was and there was no way he could damage Zephyr's trained body and Tekkai with just a punch, though he did wonder if he could. Terumi moved directly of Zephyr and readied himself.

"Are you ready, sensei?"

"Give me your best shot kid."

Zephyr took a stance and hardened his body, ready for Terumi's attack.

Terumi pumped his arm with increased blood flow, causing his arm muscles to bulge, he then sent a straight punch straight at Zephyr's stomach.

Ding.

Like hitting a solid steel plate, Terumi's punch bounced off of Zephyr's abs following a high-pitched pinging sound.

Zephyr smirked, seeing the dissatisfied look on Terumi's face. He then laughed and took a step to the side.

"Haha, don't be too down, kid. It's not the worst form I've seen, but you can do better. You're a swordsman, use your strengths. Your arm is the blade, and your shoulder is the grip. Just do a forward stab."

Terumi nodded slowly and thought about what Zephyr said.

'My arm is the blade, and my shoulder the grip. Of course, no-sword style. If I want to cut, I will cut. If I don't have a sword, then I am the sword. Then, for a forward punch, the seventh form should do.'

Enlightened, Terumi then focused his mind and took relaxed his body before taking up an attack stance.

Hisss

'Breath of Water, Seventh Form, Kai'

"Shizuku Hamon Ken! (Drop Ripple Punch)"

Terumi arched his arm backward and punched forward with swift speed and accuracy, creating several water ripples in the water.

Zephyr carefully examined the attack, squinting his eyes.

"Hmm, a forward punch that spreads its force over a wide area at the point of impact. A very useful technique you got there, kid."

Terumi smiled, happy his new move worked.

"It was thanks to you, Zephyr-sensei. Now I should be able to defend myself even if I don't use a sword."

Terumi then straightened his arm and raised it, his hand straight with his arm. Using a knifehand strike, he swung down.

Zephyr's eyes widened as he witnessed what happened next, generated from Terumi's swing, was a small flying slashing that flew for several meters, leaving a small cut in the ground.

"Heh, I guess it won't be very hard for me to explain Rankyaku to you."

Terumi then looked back to Zephyr with an inquisitive expression.

"That was Rankyaku?"

Zephyr nodded his head slightly.

"Indeed, it needs work but you have the principles down."

Zephyr then jumped high in the air. Arching his leg back, he kicked forward in a flowing motion, rotating his body in mid-air. From that motion, came a large flying slashing, making a large and deep cut in the ground.

"The key to this technique is precision, as a swordsman who can perform flying slashes, you have the basics down. The rest is just about training. Training so you can utilize more of your power in the precise move."

"I see..."

As a swordsman, Terumi did notice that his attack was slightly off from his regular flying slashes from his sword. Without the added range of his sword, he found it difficult to fully perform the move using only his body.

While Terumi was in his thoughts, Zephyr moved over to the tree he was stopped by earlier.

"Come, for the next demonstration, I'm going to show it to you using this dummy."

Zephyr then beckoned Terumi over to the tree. There, Zephyr stood in front of the previous training dummy.

"Rankyaku was the fifth technique, and as I mentioned earlier, the third technique is Shigan. By focusing all of your upper body into a single point on your finger, you can deliver a devasting stab to your target. Watch closely."

Zephyr raised his finger and then stabbed it forward at high speed, cleanly piercing the dummy, leaving behind a small hole on its steel exterior.

Terumi captured the motion in his eyes.

'It doesn't seem that special. Although, I guess all of the techniques in principle are pretty basic, as they are meant to be the foundation for the user to develop on top of.'

Seeing that Terumi had no questions, Zephyr moved on to his final demonstration.

"We already talked about Rankyaku, so we'll on to the last technique, Kami-e. There's not much to explain about this technique, like the other five, it's simple in concept but hard in execution. Kami-e is a technique that involves extreme flexibility in order to dodge incoming attacks no matter what position you are in and where you're attacked from."

Zephyr then started moving his body, and like as if all of the bones in his body disappeared, he started bending in strange and various ways, swaying with the wind.

Terumi stared in amazement, wondering how Zephyr's movements were possible.

Zephyr then cooled down after the exercise and sat down next to the tree.

"Whew, been a while since I had to show all six at once. Come sit kid."

Terumi nodded and went to sit in a seiza in front of Zephyr.

"As you may have noticed, all six moves are simple in nature but complex in execution. These six moves have been refined and passed down for ages among the Marines."

Terumi nodded, confirming his past knowledge.

"These six techniques, they are meant to train the body, right Zephyr-sensei?"

Zephyr smiled, nodding in agreement.

"Correct, good eye. The reason why these six techniques are basic is that they serve as the foundation of your body. The simplicity of the techniques is meant to encourage you to expand them as you develop your own style. Each technique focuses on one key element in order for you to have a wide repertoire of abilities to handle any given situation. From there, you choose where you want to go."

Terumi nodded once more, and Zephyr continued.

"Soru is meant to train your lower body, kicking off the ground multiple times in an instant requires immense leg strength and control. Geppo trains your core. In the mid-air, you don't have the stability of the ground to allow you to generate force with, so you must use your own core muscles as the stabilizing element, and from there comes the strength required to do a kick strong enough to step on the air itself."

"I see...and if my guess is right, Shigan, the third technique, is meant to train the upper body, is that right?"

Zephyr nodded with a smile.

"Correct again. You might be the fastest one so far to pick up on these principles. The first three techniques are meant to train the body, and the next three are meant to train your ability to utilize your body."

"Tekkai's focus is on strength, mastering it means mastering the use of every strand of muscle in your body."

As Zephyr spoke, he perform Tekkai once more even while sitting, allowing Terumi to see the extent of his control.

"Rankyaku is about precision as you know, the more precise your sword swings, the cleaner and stronger your flying slash will be. In order to achieve the same effect without the added benefit of the leverage of a sword, you must master the coordination of your entire body, pulling force from the top of your head all the way down to the tip of your toe, and perform one fluid motion without any error or sway."

"I see, that's why my version was so weak. I was using drawing mostly only from my core and arm because I wasn't used to the difference without my sword. When I mastered the flying slash, I was able to put my whole body into it like my regular strikes."

"Yes, you are without a doubt a great swordsman, your previous teachers did well in imparting you the proper forms. But that does not mean there isn't room for improvement. Even as much as you've trained, it's hard to put one hundred percent of your body into every attack, but that is what's required if you want to master Rankyaku."

Terumi smiled and nodded in agreement. He then thought back to all of his training with Koushirou, his mom, and Kozaburo.

'Thank you guys, truly.'

"Now, the last technique, and arguably the hardest one, is Kami-e. There is no trick to it. It is pure flexibility and control. I have already adjusted your training regimen for you to get started on working towards it. Once you master it, your body will bend to your will, as you maneuver your own bones to move how you want them to move."

Terumi smiled wryly. Flexibility exercise has always been the toughest one for him, but since his mother was the one previously in charge of it, he didn't dare complain.

"That concludes my lecture on the overview of the Rokushiki techniques. In your journey to master them, you not only add much-needed versatility to your combat, but you will also greatly improve your physique. Your training starts tonight with Shuzo, he will teach you in Soru, Geppo, Shigan, and Tekkai every evening while I train your other classmates. You already understand Rankyaku so you can do that on your own. Lastly, for Kami-e, I will personally supervise it every afternoon."

"Yes, sir."

Terumi didn't dare disagree and simply nodded.

'So it's Shuzo after all. I guess I can't complain, he displayed a high level of mastery over the Rokushiki in the anime.'

Seeing that Terumi didn't have any outward complaints, Zephyr then stood up and took out a couple of stacks of paper from his chest pocket.

"Okay, that's all for today. Here's your training schedule. This training ground is free for you to use at any time. You can find the weights in that shed over there."

Zephyr then pointed at a small shed at the edge of the training ground.

"Let me know if you have any questions."

"Got it, Sensei."

Terumi accepted the stacks of paper and started reading it as Zephyr walked away. A nervous sweat drop began to form on his forehead as he read its contents.

'Oh you've got to be kidding me. Just what did I get myself into?'

"One thousand back squats. One thousand front squats. Five hundred power cleans. Five hundred deadlifts. Split squats, forward lunges, and the list just goes on. All with two hundred tons or more of weighted clothing and custom weights, no Haki allowed?"

Then Terumi read the title of the page.

"And that's just warm-up training for Soru?"

Deciding not to read the stack of other papers in his hand, Terumi sighed and resigned himself to his training.

"No use backing out now, I asked for this, so let's do it!"

Terumi made his way towards the shed at the edge of the field, ready to start feeling the burn.