Legendary 108 Techniques

Out of the nine that were shown, and some very interesting new ones dad showed, I chose to learn six of the originals, mainly because as dad said, he has to leave soon. The timeline is confusing since the Eternal Sunset happened way later, but I think in a couple of years, the beginnings of Ryōzanpaku as I remember it will start, and so will the training of Kai Midō and the original strongest disciple Ogata.

I need to hurry.

The techniques I chose were, Shockwave of Forgetfulness, a technique dad learned from Silkwat Jenazad, however dad heavily modified it, unlike the original, like it was used un Miu, that erases all memories, this version allows the user to chose whether a person loses various degrees in memory, stemming from certain recent subjects to complete amnesia.

Not really useful in a fight, since a slight mistake may kill your opponent, or fry their brain, but the more, mundane, or stealth applications are endless.

The last support skill, Split self, a technique meant to split the body in half, each half able to perform a completely different task, useful against weaker opponents, and incredibly useful in weapon combat, to my own stupidity, I seem to have forgotten I also chose talent in kendo, in a couple of years, I will get a chance to learn from the best, thanks, mom.

Next came the actual combat techniques, Kazoe Nukite, the technique dad taught Kai Midō and Ogata, dad said it was able to break through any technique with an incrementally decreasing number of fingers in the form of knife-hands. Next, Korui Nuki, a vertical kick aimed at the target's weak spot.

This one was more complex, having steps needed to learn the said move, first, mastering balance, check, second, power and center of gravity, check. The first two steps I had already mastered thanks to training with mom. The last step was harder, awareness, needing to instantly identify the blind spots of your opponent as well as the weakest link in their defense. Korui Nuki I actually fully learned while still training with dad, as well as Kazoe Nukite, although the latter still is quite weak, that is my fault.

The best for last, this was in my opinion, the most useful techniques, Seikūken, it involves controlling the entire radius within one's arm length, creating a spherical shield around oneself. It can be used for offense and defense, and if using a weapon one can extend the range with the additional length of their weapon. Perfect when dealing with opponents around your level.

This technique I also mastered, while I am stuck in its more advanced form, Ryūsui Seikūken, it has three levels, first level: read the opponent's flow, second level: combining the opponent's movements with your own and last the third Level: overpower the opponent by anticipating his moves and use his flow against him before he even thinks of it.

I´ve completely mastered the first two levels, it is simple actually, only a masterful application of Sei ki, the third level eludes me, for the moment.

Quick recap, I`ve completely learned Seikūken, Kazoe Nukite, and Korui Nuki. I´m two-thirds done for Ryūsui Seikūken, Split self around 50%, and Shockwave of Forgetfulness 30%.

._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.

A year passed, while I was training and mastering my chosen techniques. I´m fourteen and dad has just left, the asshole didn´t even say goodbye, so had to call mom to come to pick me up.

As stupid as I was, forgetting that I also chose talent in kendo, halfway through my training I called mom and asked her if she could get me a sword, one of the best if possible.

She was angry, but I managed to bullshit my way through convincing her, saying that I´m already an expert class, and I had a growing interest in sword fighting.

After she picked me up and we arrived at our house, mom showed me my sword, it was a beautiful Ōdachi, with a black sheath and the hilt the same color with shades of red and blue in it.

Mom told an acquittance from her war days, was a blacksmith, one if not the best in the world, and that this Ōdachi was one of his best works, its name, Tenken.

I grabbed the weapon, it was heavy, but it felt perfect in my hands, a little larger than what I could use, but in time I would grow. Mom berated me on who would I learn to use a weapon from, she didn´t know she will be the reason I find a master, but it will take a couple of years. For now, the weapon in my hands might as well be a stick.

._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.

After a month.

I was eating dinner, peacefully, until mom came to the kitchen, with a forlorn look.

"Leave." She said.

To say I was shocked was an understatement, leave where? What is happening?

I simply answered. "Leave where?" Her look resolute, steeling herself. "Out, you´ll never grow if you stay with me or your dad, it's time to go, or you´ll never reach master class, lets not talk about being a grandmaster." Taking a deep breath she continued, "Azuma, your talent is simply monstrous, even by my or Hayato´s standards, you´ll become complacent if you stayed here, and with your talent, I wouldn´t be surprised if you reach grandmaster by 20, but only if you leave. "

I was shocked, I mean I get that I would have to leave eventually, but I´m fourteen, who the fuck lets their fourteen-year-old son go out into the wild, to fight, nonetheless.

Before I could argue, mom ordered, "You leave tomorrow, where? That is for you to decide, I will finance your travels until you are twenty or reach grandmaster class, then you will need to pay for yourself. Go make your suitcase."

The tone in her voice said this was not a question, but an order, seems my journey here will start sooner than I realized I was not mentally prepared for this, but I guess is for the best. Let's go pack.

.

.

.

After doing my suitcase I was lying on my bed thinking. The news was unexpected, to say the least, I need to make a quick plan on where will I go, or mom will simply drop me god knows where, while I aimlessly walk like a headless chicken. What are my options? I could stay in Japan, or I could travel the world, but where would I go? Hmmm, what do I lack, besides the obvious? A plan starts forming in my mind. I quickly get out of bed and run to find mom, good thing she was still awake.

"Mom!" I shout.

"Yes, Azuma?" She says, her voice coming from the living room.

As I get in front of her I ask, "Could you book me a plane ticket to Korea?" My smile widening, the nervousness I was feeling, dissipates, replaced by excitement for the future.

I have a plan.

________________________________________________________

A/N: I will try to address the only actual review I have. While I will not change anything, useful reviews help give writers direction. The main issue with the reader's point of view was that Azuma was weak and that I extended the length of the story.

My thoughts on the matter are as follows.

I HATE overpowered children, they´ve never made sense from me, and besides, Azuma is 14 years old as of this chapter and is an expert class, one class away from being a master.

As for me extending the story, I am 12 chapters in and they are short, at least by what I know some of the chapters in the site are, lengthwise.

Last but not least, please comment your thoughts on the matter, if the reader´s view is simply a matter of taste there is nothing I can do, but if it is an issue with my writing or pacing, that I can change.

Thanks for reading.