[Day 7 - LE] The Divine Blade

[Nanzi]

Nanzni finished reading an excerpt of the Divine Blade to the gathered people, while Jongwun demonstrated the stance and the strike. She had been practicing and it showed in how smooth and effortless her draw was.

Nanzi continued, “The duel is central to many tribes, or perhaps the challenge but such martial conflict can lead to injury or simply foster more violence. This is not the same, this is an honorable pursuit that is work with the system of judgment to allow a samurai to call upon the Favor of Heaven just as Emperor Shiba the Grand Phoenix, first of his name… and divine Son did on that fateful day.”

"Long may he reign," he added.

“Heaven’s judgment and favor was clear to all as the Sun did not set and stayed in the sky so she could bathe the world in her divine love and favor. This allows us to emulate that moment, and Nanzi will gladly teach any that wish to learn.”

[Hantei Kinsen]

Kinsen gets nearby, peeking here and there as a curious cat and noticing how people reacted to that thing. Dueling was indeed intrinsic within the roots of the former Noriaki, and also to those faithful to Bishamon. It was also what the Kami used to define who would lead all the Clans.

After hearing Nanzi's full speech, she bows to him, asking permission to talk.

[Nanzi]

"Kinsen-ue," he said with a bow, "and this goes for all, please feel free to speak, Nanzi will answer."

[Hantei Kinsen]

"Togashi-kami-sama, in his duel, chose his fists. Why only the blade?" She asks with genuine interest.

[Nanzi]

"Togashi-kami-sama, in his duel, chose his fists. Why only the blade?" She asks with genuine interest.

“It is true, he chose to fight with his fists but when he faced Shiba-dono, blessed by the Sun, the brothers took their blades. Inscrutable Togashi, the silent Dragon obliged and the two engaged in the duel that would decide the first divine child and Emperor. That moment was of such importance that it fell to the Divine Blade and the favor of the Heavens to decide,” he said calmly.

[Hantei Kinsen]

That could bring an argument that perhaps Togashi didn't have Tengoku's blessings against the previous fights he won. Yet, that's not how a Hantei would see it. Kinsen bows, accepting the sacred method.

Jujutsu would still have its glory in the future Empire, she's sure of it.

[Nanzi]

“As Shiba-dono stated this is a most thoughtful method and it honor’s Tengoku’s choice,” he said proudly.

“Does Kinsen-san wish to try it?”

[Hantei Kinsen]

"Ahm... shouldn't it only be used to settle important matters? " She asks with a shrug.

[Nanzi]

"Ahm... shouldn't it only be used to settle important matters? " She asks with a shrug.

"Indeed but we are also here to educate and train others in the art of the duel, we can at least show you the stance and the way to draw the blade," he replied warmly.

"The Crane gladly share their knowledge."

[Hantei Kinsen]

Kinsen nods. "I believe dear husband would appreciate if I learned more about the Arts of Tengoku the Kami brought to us."

[Nanzi]

“Jongwun-san, show her the proper stance,” Nanzi said as he observed.


Jongwun said sharply, “Hai, Nanzi-sensei.” She then turned to Kinen and presented her with a training weapon and showed her how to place feet and then ready her hands in preparation of the draw. She added, “Hantei-ue, one must remain both fluid like water and firm like the Earth, like a reed firm but able to bend.”

[Hantei Kinsen]

Kinsen takes the practice weapon in hand, swings it for a moment to check its balance and then starts to get into the stance Jongwun instructed. "What about the wind or the flame?"

Not sure why she asked that.

[Nanzi]

Kinsen takes the practice weapon in hand, swings it for a moment to check its balance and then starts to get into the stance Jongwun instructed. "What about the wind or the flame?"

Not sure why she asked that.

“The flame come from within, it grows and stirs and bursts forth after the Strike is made. The wind guides the hand, it provides speed as one draws the blade,” Jongwun replied respectfully.

[Hantei Kinsen]

Kinsen nods, more to show she's willing to understand than actually understanding. "What about the thunder and the... ahm... metal?"

[Nanzi]

"These are interesting questions, the metal is the blade... the Thunder, what do you think it should be?" she asked.

[Hantei Kinsen]

"My battle shout!" She nods, gritting teeth and very anxious to get that damn training blade hitting something.

[Nanzi]

Nanzi agreed and said after Jongwun gave her room, "Then strike with Thunder."

[Hantei Kinsen]

"Raaaaaaaaawr!" She shouts with a fierce battlecry that would make Bishamon proud. The blade flies off her belt like a lighting bolt, escaping her fingernails, and disappearing into the jungle.

[Nanzi]

Jongwun went jogging after the weapon.

Nanzi chuckled and said, "Fierce and thunderous strike, the weapon so impressed dismissed itself."

[Hantei Kinsen]

Kinsen scratches her head with an apologetically flat smile to Nanzi, and bows to them. "I guess maybe someone else that knows more than I do could start up, and I learn watching a bit, first. Would that do, Nanzi-sama?"