Points: 0/0
Prestige Perks: 0/0
Stat Trainings: (0/50)
Shihoen, Kaen
-
Only a cold day in hell should be troubling my blade. You can confirm that there are no cold days when I send you there.
General Information Age: 26
Gender: M
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 180
Physical Features:
- Face/head: Long brown hair, dark green eyes, usually dark circles under the eyes that implies a lack of sleep. His face is narrow with a prominent jaw, no notable scars and his fair complexion is easily burned. He has no natural smile on his face, it seems blank and tired most of the time with little doing anything to change this.
- Body: Built for power, he looks very built and toned for his height and like someone wouldn't expect him to move very fast. His body is sculpted from three years of punishment that allowed him to learn the way of the sword in great detail. The only part of his body that retains any scars is his back, sporting a large X shaped scar that extends from shoulder to hip and encompasses his entire back with a deep rut where it crosses his spine.
- Notable Features:----
He also has gloves that protect the palms, back of his hands and the forearm. These are made of metal and are black in color.
Picture:
Personality:
- General: When he isn't fighting he is rather peaceful, quiet and non-confrontational. He keeps to himself and likes to travel, walking long hours into the night and sleeping well into the late morning whenever he can. He finds drinking to be enjoyable and eating in fancy places when he can afford to. He isn't opposed to living a simple lifestyle either though and will find work wherever he can. Often this work comes in the form of tutoring a noble, helping to train small groups of samurai or even acting as a body guard. There are seldom times when he will accept formal duels for money.
He dislikes shinobi as a general rule until they prove themselves to be competent. Their techniques revolve around misdirection, illusions, stealth and overwhelming opponents with numbers when the chance is presented. He seems these as valid tactics for those that consider themselves to be weak. The path of a true warrior is show by a man that walks his path openly, with no need for deception and with enough pride to fight an opponent without the use of tricks. - Hopes/Dreams: To transcend all others by use of his custom sword style techniques. He believes that he can acquire enough experience to start a tradition, a style that can be passed down to train only the most honorable samurai with. In order to do this he knows that he has to show that his sword style is not only competent but superior to other ways of fighting, even when compared with the shinobi fighting styles.
- Fears: Dying without living to the fullest. Kaen feels that he must fight with no restraint, live with no regret and guide his sword with absolute certainty. He believes that mental state and swordsmanship are interconnected on a spiritual level. To not push his limits to the maximum or to have something prevent him from gaining power is a dark fear that looms in his mind. To receive a disabling injury or dying early would prevent him from achieving his dreams and is a reality that he tries to avoid through tighter combat skills.
- Combat Mentality: Cut down the enemy, spare only the innocent. Destroy them: weapon, body and soul.
Strike, hard, strike fast and never hold back. It doesn't matter if it is a sparring match, if it is a duel for honor or to the death. The fighter that wields his sword with any sense of holding themselves back is a disgrace to the art. The fighter must be in tune with all aspects of their body, mind and blade to use it to the best of their ability. A fight is not only a test of strength but of the soul to him and he refuses to give up or to lose once a fight has started. Once a fight has been accepted either out of principle or necessity it must conclude with a victor. If a fight is to be avoided then it must be decided before the sword is drawn.
Battle Information Village: Land of Tea
Rank: C-Rank Minor Country
Taijutsu Specialist
- Ninjutsu: 1
- Taijutsu: 25
- Genjutsu: 1
- Stamina: 10
- Control: 1
- Strength: 15
- Speed: 15
- Instinct: 12
Two swords - 4 Points
SpoilerShow
Katana (刀, "sword"): A general term for the traditional sword with a curved blade longer than 60 cm (there is no upper length limit but generally they are shorter than 80 cm, mine is 70 cm), worn with the edge upwards in the sash. Developed from the uchigatana and the sword of the samurai class of the Edo period (1600s to late 19th century).
Wakizashi (脇差 "companion sword"): A general term for a sword between one and two shaku long (30 cm and 60 cm in modern measurement, mine is 50 cm), predominantly made after 1600. Generally it is the short blade that accompanies a katana in the traditional samurai daisho pairing of swords, but may be worn by classes other than the samurai as a single blade, also worn edge up as the katana.
Wakizashi (脇差 "companion sword"): A general term for a sword between one and two shaku long (30 cm and 60 cm in modern measurement, mine is 50 cm), predominantly made after 1600. Generally it is the short blade that accompanies a katana in the traditional samurai daisho pairing of swords, but may be worn by classes other than the samurai as a single blade, also worn edge up as the katana.
SpoilerShow
Traditional bamboo armor as produced in Japan in all eras where Samurai are common. Made out of the most mundane and easily found materials this armor was produced to allow a Samurai to shrug off slashes but was particularly weak to fire attacks. Samurai armor was made to compliment their agility and ability to turn a direct blow into a glancing blow by maneuvering. Under normal conditions the armor can stand up to any conventional attack with a strength of 5 or less, piercing attacks and fire attacks will break through the armor with a strength of 3. Of course armor has little to no effect on kinetic force and provides little to no protection against bludgeoning attacks.
The traditional, individual pieces of armor are:
Dou or dō, a chest armour made up of bamboo and or leather plates of various sizes and shapes with bamboo and hardened leather pendents.
Kusazuri - the bamboo was cut into staves and steamed to work and shape them. This made the armor light compared with European armor and allowed samurai to perform their legendary fighting skills (which would have been impossible under the weight of iron or steel armour) made from bamboo staves (in a layer-upon-layer fashion, overlapping over the ribcage) and boiled leather plates or simply boiled hard leather overlapping hanging plates hanging from the front and back of the dou (dō) to protect the lower body and upper leg.
Sode, large rectangular shoulder protection made from bamboo staves and or leather plates.
Han Kote (kote gauntlets) which covered the forearms. Kote were made from cloth covered with lacquered bamboo plates of various size and shape, connected by chain armour (kusari).
Suneate, shin guards made from bamboo stave splints connected together by chain armour (kusari), sewn to cloth and tied around the calf.
The traditional, individual pieces of armor are:
Dou or dō, a chest armour made up of bamboo and or leather plates of various sizes and shapes with bamboo and hardened leather pendents.
Kusazuri - the bamboo was cut into staves and steamed to work and shape them. This made the armor light compared with European armor and allowed samurai to perform their legendary fighting skills (which would have been impossible under the weight of iron or steel armour) made from bamboo staves (in a layer-upon-layer fashion, overlapping over the ribcage) and boiled leather plates or simply boiled hard leather overlapping hanging plates hanging from the front and back of the dou (dō) to protect the lower body and upper leg.
Sode, large rectangular shoulder protection made from bamboo staves and or leather plates.
Han Kote (kote gauntlets) which covered the forearms. Kote were made from cloth covered with lacquered bamboo plates of various size and shape, connected by chain armour (kusari).
Suneate, shin guards made from bamboo stave splints connected together by chain armour (kusari), sewn to cloth and tied around the calf.
Affinity: Suiton
Abilities and Concentrations
| Abilities | |
|---|---|
| First Ability | This still forces him to rely on his Ninjutsu stat for 'seal speed' and 'ninjutsu ability.' This ability is yet to be unlocked, it requires a Ninjutsu of 5 to use. This cannot be used to willfully attack but if an opponent gets in the way they are sword movements, the same as any other. The sword making contact with a person will interrupt any ninjutsu that is being prepared just like making contact with hand seals would. |
| Second Ability | --------- |
| Third Ability | ------------- |
| Concentrations | |
|---|---|
| Ninjutsu | [Place them here] |
| Taijutsu |
Sword Weapons: Perception: Rigid Structure: Deft Hands: Lower Body: Upper Body: |
| Genjutsu | [Place them here] |
Jutsu
NinjutsuShow
none
TaijutsuShow
Iaido StyleShow
Iaido Kenjutsu:*[Iaido • Swift Draw]Iaido Kenjutsu is a sword style originating from the Land of Tea that focuses on the fact that when first drawn, the linear motion and force of pulling a katana from its sheath are able to generate unusually fast slashes. Iaido capitalizes on this, it's samurai equally skilled in close range hand-to-hand fighting and then being able to switch to single fast slashes and stabs before returning to previous combat, making them unpredictable fighters.
Requires [Sword], [Perception], and [Upper Body] Concentrations
Making custom jutsu requires [Taijutsu Specialist]
D-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 5 Taijutsu, 8 Speed
With the most widely recognized attack of Iaido style, the user draws their katana at a very quick speed, making a powerful slash in tangent with the draw. This technique is dependent on the user's overall reaction speed as it is usually only used when an opening presents itself or when the user needs to draw their sword quickly.
*[Iaido • Block]
D-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 8 Speed
A technique developed out of need to protect himself from other weapon users, Block is simple in its use, but highly effective when used right. By partially drawing their sword, the user of this technique is able to use the back of their blade to block incoming weapon attacks should they time it correctly. The user must be careful when using this technique, should the attacker have a high enough strength, this technique could very well shatter the user's weapon.
*[Iaido • Hilt Strike]
D-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 8 Speed
A simple technique, Hilt Strike is designed for moments when the target is to close for the user to fully draw their sword. Gripping their hilt in a downward dagger position, the user will quickly draw their blade out as far as they can, and use the butt of the hilt to strike their target in an attempt to push them back and set them up for their other attacks.
*[Iaido • Cutting The Eyes]
D-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 8 Speed
A simple, yet very effective technique, Cutting The Eyes is a Line Draw aimed at the target's eyes. The user attempts to horizontally slash the target's eyes in order to remove their eyesight.
*[Iaido • Line Draw]
D-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 8 Speed
The technique is recognized by its signature stance of one hand just below the opening of the katana sheath and the other firmly on the sword. Drawing the sword in one swift motion, the user creates a horizontal or vertical slash in front of themselves before sheathing the sword, often chaining these strikes together for greater effect.
*[Iaido • Beheading Draw]
C-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 15 Speed
The user draws their katana with one hand and slams their palm into the back of their blade to increase the force behind the swing made in any direction. This works with blunted side of a sword, but it can also draw out their strength and the blade's cutting power in full to quickly slash apart obstacles. Re-sheathing after this technique may take a bit longer; the placement of the hands following this technqiue make it difficult to resheath properly.
*[Iaido • Clash Draw]
C-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 15 Speed, 10 Instinct
In this technique, the user assumes a firm stance and then draws their weapon in an upward arc. This sort of draw makes it easy to bat away projectiles moving at a Speed equal to or lower than the user's Speed and Instinct stats. This also enables the user to cut through advancing techniques or to clash with an opponent's weapon. This movement, however, may leave the user without the ability to sheath his weapon for some time, limiting the effectiveness of their techniques until they can
*[Iaido • Reverse Line Draw]
C-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 8 Speed, 15 Taijutsu
A modified version of the original Line Draw, Reverse Line Draw is designed for use when one only has the use of one hand. Rather than drawing the blade in the typical fashion, the user will grip the hilt as they would when holding a sword so that the blade is pointing down. While the technique is the same as the original, the modified drawing requires an increase in skill to use. The user still draws their blade in one swift motion, creating a vertical, or, horizontal slash in front of themselves. The user often waits to sheath their sword until they regain the use of their other hand.
*[Iaido • Double Back Draw]
C-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 15 Speed
The technique realizes the concept of a draw's momentum increasing attack speed rather than the technique of drawing itself. With this concept, the user draws their weapon and then makes an upwards slash followed by a second downward slash, and then an immediate re-sheath. This causes two deep diagonal cuts in the direction of the draw and re-sheath that happen near instantaneously.
*[Iaido • Snap Draw]
C-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 15 Taijutsu, 15 Speed
With a honed body capable of producing torque within the user's muscles, the user is capable of achieving a 'Blurred Sword' effect in an attack. The user draws their sword with such speed and power that the strike itself is incredibly difficult to notice without a high amount of instinct.
Shinden StyleShow
Shinden Kenjutsu:*Shinden • Stream SplittingShinden Kenjutsu is a style originating in Marsh Country that emphasizes heavy and damaging slashes from positions that allow flexibility and focus. Typically the user will draw their sword and then lift it over their shoulder or head, in a downward slashing angle to allow for gravity to act as an enhancer for the blow and because of this, heavier swords such as nodachi or odachi are typical fare for the style but the moves can be done with a katana. This style also emphasizes firm and powerful body movements to deal with the lack of blade defense afforded by the stance assumed.
Requires: [Upper], [Rigid Structure], [Sword or Hafted] Concentrations
Making custom jutsu requires [Taijutsu Specialist]
D-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 10 Strength
Lifting their sword above their head the user of this technique drives it down in one fluid motion with their blade aimed to slash through or into whatever they are attacking. The force of this technique is amplified by the fact that their stance is aimed to enhance muscle tension and torque, allowing them to make the single slash a very powerful one.
*Shinden • Branch Cleaver
D-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 10 Strength
While the basic techniques of Shinden revolve around heavy slashes from standing positions this technique is about harnessing the same destructive potential while moving. Rushing at a foe quickly, the user slashes in a downward motion in order to maintain momentum. The sword is typically swung from right to left or from left to right instead of straight down, the attack usually stopping at waist level to keep from potentially stumbling. While less destructive than some Shinden techniques, it still retains utility in battles of movement.
*Shinden • Fake Out
D-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 10 Strength
A technique designed to interrupt foes; the user pulls their hands up on their sword to expose more of the hilt while in typical Shinden stance. Once an opponent comes within range, the user yanks the hilt down in a smashing manner against the foe or a similar target. Afterwards, the user follows with a less damaging downward slash at a foe, making this effective for surprise purposes.
*Shinden • Grass Cutter
D-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 10 Strength
With a stance shift, the user quickly draws their weapon to their waist with the blade facing away from their body. The user then delivers a quick and brutal horizontal thrust forward, followed by a slice, inspiring its name by cutting down unwary opponents. The technique is defensive in nature, allowing the user to guard with the intent to counter.
*[Shinden • Sword Shield]
D-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 10 Strength
As most Shinden users wield rather large blades, The user of this technique has trained themself to use the width of their blade as a sort of shield, using it to deflect most small weaponry and block blows reliably. Users should be very liberal with the use of this technique, as too strong a blow could damage their weapon and render it useless, while too thin a weapon makes the use of this technique more difficult than one with a wider blade.
*Shinden • Form Improvement
C-Rank Taijutsu Stance
Prerequisite: 15 Strength
The user assumes a somewhat curved stance by drawing one elbow down and bending it back so that the sword points straight up above the user with the left hand at cheek level and the right hand at eye level. This shifts the sword into pointing straight up instead of curved in any direction, allowing for firm and quick slashes and thrusts. This stance also allows the user to recover from an attack at a greater speed, preserving the user's defensive position without sacrificing the power behind their attacks.
*Shinden • Grounding Blade
C-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 15 Strength
The user he blade of their sword into the ground and then slashes sideways creating a fairly deep deep crater, around five inches, in the ground in front of them, kicking up a splash of rocks and dust to blind and harry foes. The user then lunges into their foe with an attempt to knock them over or slash at their legs. Foes with at least equal Strength to the user can avoid being knocked over and can maintain ground, preventing the follow-up slash.
*Shinden • Aerial Saw
C-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 15 Strength
Leaping up off the ground in any Shinden stance, the user draws their blade down and creates a powerful overhead slash which doubles as a defensive movement, the user capable of moving the sword to displace weight and momentum to change direction if needed. With this technique, the user can also form heavy slashes on uneven or unstable terrain without dependancy on solid ground.
*Shinden • Uproot
C-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 15 Strength
Bringing their blade down and pointing the tip towards their enemy, the user will thrust the length of their blade into his opponent in an attempt to jam their sword through the opponent's torso. To finish the technique the user will lift their target off of their feet by lifting the blade before throwing them as far as they can, swinging the blade to fling them off the tip.
*Shinden • Shield of Swings
C-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
Prerequisite: 15 Strength, 15 Taijutsu
The user will swing their blade in a seemingly wild fashion without truly aiming to connect with a target, at least not with any real accuracy. While it seems to be totally uncalculated to the untrained eye, the user is in fact swinging their weapon in such a way to protect themselves from other attacks while making their approach. By swinging the blade in large circles around their body, they create a whirlwind of strikes that not only serve to bat away blows of lesser strength, but can easily tear apart an opponent on a direct hit.
Hiten Mitsurugi-ryūShow
Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū (飛天御剣流, Flying Heaven Govern Sword-Style) is a sword style completely unique to Kaen. It is of his own design, originating in the Land of Tea but reaching maturity in the various lands that he travels through. The style is characterized by utilizing the sword in one hand for standard fighting so that a second blade can be used to fight against multiple opponents. It is often seen as a duelist style and focuses on a balance of speed and power that is characterized by killing blows that surpass the defense of the opponent. The initial style requires the concentrations of Sword Weapons, Perception, Deft Hands, Rigid Stance, Upper Body and Lower Body. Techniques past C rank and certain other techniques will indicate if additional concentrations are needed to learn the movement. Above all else Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū strives to be a complete style that is all encompassing but useless to those that do not know the basics of the Iaido and Shinden traditions from which the style was built.
Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū • Lightning Stance
D-Rank Taijutsu Stance
Prerequisite: 10 Speed; 10 Instinct
With a stance shift, the user quickly draws their weapon to chin height as seen in the Te Ura Gasumi position. Their legs are wide and they are rigid in the position of their lower body. This stance can be entered into by using an upward slash of the blade or any drawing technique but requires that both hands be free. Once in this position the use is able to make rapid stabbing motions, any stabbing technique that they user from this stance will gain an additional 3 speed. Any other technique used from this stance will only incur a benefit of 1 additional speed.
Drawback: -3 Instinct when using the boost.
Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū • Earth Stance
D-Rank Taijutsu Stance
Prerequisite: 10 Strength; 10 Instinct
With a stance shift, the user quickly draws their weapon to waist height as seen in the Sha No Kamae position. Their legs are wide and they are rigid in the position of their lower body. This stance can be entered into by using a downward slash of the blade or any drawing technique but requires that both hands be free. Once in this position the user is able to make strong slashing motions, any slashing technique that they use from this stance will gain an additional 3 strength. Any other technique used from this stance will only incur a benefit of 1 additional strength.
Drawback: -3 Instinct when using the boost.
Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū • Fire Stance
D-Rank Taijutsu Stance
Prerequisite: 10 Strength; 10 Instinct
With a stance shift, the user quickly draws their weapon to waist height as seen in the Hidari Gedan No Kamae position. Their legs are shoulder width apart and the knees are bent for easy movement. This stance can be entered into by using a downward slash of the blade or while the blade is still sheathed but requires that both hands be free. Once in this position the user is able to make deadly close range movements. The user is hard to knock off balance in this stance because they take slower steps but their strikes gain power as long as they don't have to reach full extension (ie, within 70cm of the user).
Any close range techniques or taijutsu using the body instead of the blade will gain an additional 2 strength. Any force that would try to knock the user over will require an additional 2 strength more than normal.
Drawback: -2 Instinct when using the boost.
Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū • Wind Stance
D-Rank Taijutsu Stance
Prerequisite: 10 Speed; 10 Instinct
With a stance shift, the user quickly draws their weapon to chin height as seen in the In No Kamae position. Their legs are close together and the knees are bent for easy movement. This stance can be entered into by using an upward slash of the blade. Once in this position the user is able to make rapid movements. The user is hard to harder to hit in this stance because they take quicker steps but their strikes are lighter.
Any movement or taijutsu done while in this stance will gain an additional 2 speed. Any force that would try to knock the user over will require 2 less strength than normal because the user is not as balanced in this stance.
Drawback: -2 Instinct when using the boost.
Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū • Water Stance
D-Rank Taijutsu Stance
Prerequisite: 10 Strength; 10 Speed; 10 Instinct
With a stance shift, the user quickly draws their weapon above their head as seen in the Jodan No Kamae position. Their legs are wide but the knees are bent easy movement. This stance can be entered into while the sword is sheathed. Once in this position the user is able to make fluid transitions between known stances and make explosive movements, if the user moves from this position they will gain momentum and gain an addition 2 speed for their next taijutsu technique.
Users that shift into this stance are able to retain the bonuses of one stance other than Water Stance until they move out of Water Stance.
Drawback: -2 Instinct when using the boost.
GenjutsuShow
none
History
Historical AccountsShow
Kaen's parents used to belong to a ninja village, which one he cannot be certain of but he knows that he is descended from competent shinobi that went on to become Jounin and lived full careers of service to their nations. However, that is a heritage that he has no interest in pursuing because he feels the way of the shinobi is inferior to the path of the true warrior.
He grew up in the Land of Tea, in the countryside where his childhood was filled with days of hard work on the farm with his parents and many siblings. Kaen learned the humility of working daily, of only having just enough to get by and the happiness that hard work could impart to a soul. He spent long days of tilling the grounds, driving off animals that would eat their crops, he even had run ins with bandits that would steal what they worked so hard to create. He fought against morning frosts in early autumn and droughts that plagued unfortunate summers, each day was a test that the land provided to those that would try to tame it and bend it to their will as a farm. Through these ordeals he came to have a natural interest in meditation, seeking after the inner flame that burned within all creatures though he barely knew the word for chakra. It wasn't until he had grown to an adolescent that he found an interest that would pull him away from the farm bit by bit, the path of the samurai.
From the stories he had been told all his life there were warriors of great reknown past the borders of his peaceful farm. Illusive ninja and powerful samurai, some kept the peace and other created chaos. The stories of shinobi bored him immensely, they always seemed to rely on underhanded tricks and magic to gain victory over their opponents. It was quite rare to hear a story of a famous ninja that fought plainly and without fear like the samurai did. The samurai were warriors of great renown, wielding blades that they had trained many years to master. They saw no need to hide in the shadows or hide their face, as proud warriors they stood against lawlessness and lived virtuous lived. Kaen saw that as something he wanted to do, live a life worth living and to become something that others would tell stories about someday.
When he was old enough he left the farm, at the age of 15. His siblings were grown enough by that time to carry on the work and run things enough without needing him there. Kaen set off with nothing to travel the countryside and find a Samurai that he could apprentice himself to or a school that would accept him as a student. Along his path he was particularly fond of picking up branches to practice imagined skills, he often broke them after a swing or two and continued on his way. Kaen traveled far, skirting the borders of the country and seeing the cities that the Land of Tea had to offer. It was after a long pilgrimage that he was able to find someone willing to impart their skill and vision onto him as a young student, it was a type of man that Kaen had not met before.
The Samurai was old, well past his time but he lived in an elaborate mansion on the outskirts of a large city. There were no servants, just an old man in a house full of war relics, swords and memories. Kaen found himself on the doorstep, begging to be made into a student. He was met with rejection, the Samurai announced that he was too far advanced in his age to take a student as all the disciples from his youth had failed him in one way or another. What followed was nearly a month of Kaen coming to the gates of the grand mansion every day, he would sit, meditate and wait for the old man to come out. Each day they would talk, on rather friendly terms too but each day the old man would refuse to take a disciple. Kaen committed himself to the task, something in his spirit told him that this would be the Samurai to impart greatness to him. He stayed true to the feeling that he had and visited the man daily, heard stories of his family, of the choices he had made in life and even the occasional story of great Samurai that he had met.
Eventually he began practicing on those days. He would meditate and practice drawing techniques, slashes, stances and honing his mindset. All while listening to the stories of the old man that refused to do anything but talk each day. Kaen did this over the course of six months, growing stronger physically and developing a sharper mind by training himself and listening to the stories of a lonely old man. He did this until the old man just didn't come out one day, Kaen soon learned that he had passed away and he was grief stricken. Kaen attended the funeral of the old Samurai and watched as people from far and wide came to mourn his passing, friends and family seemed like they sprung out of the woodwork. It was so paradoxical, no one had come to see the old man for months, over half a year but then these people all showed up and claimed such close relation with him. In fact, Kaen knew the names and lives of most of the people that came, from the stories. In the will that the old man left behind he commended the virtue of the young man that had extended his life, preventing him from an earlier death that year by giving him the company that he so desired but could not ask for from anyone that he knew.
The old man left him a great number of scrolls detailing his life's work, the sword styles that he had perfected during his life time. Two swords, perfect for someone to begin their journey as a Samurai... and the basis of a style that was unfinished, the philosophy of something that could be made if someone committed themselves to it.
He grew up in the Land of Tea, in the countryside where his childhood was filled with days of hard work on the farm with his parents and many siblings. Kaen learned the humility of working daily, of only having just enough to get by and the happiness that hard work could impart to a soul. He spent long days of tilling the grounds, driving off animals that would eat their crops, he even had run ins with bandits that would steal what they worked so hard to create. He fought against morning frosts in early autumn and droughts that plagued unfortunate summers, each day was a test that the land provided to those that would try to tame it and bend it to their will as a farm. Through these ordeals he came to have a natural interest in meditation, seeking after the inner flame that burned within all creatures though he barely knew the word for chakra. It wasn't until he had grown to an adolescent that he found an interest that would pull him away from the farm bit by bit, the path of the samurai.
From the stories he had been told all his life there were warriors of great reknown past the borders of his peaceful farm. Illusive ninja and powerful samurai, some kept the peace and other created chaos. The stories of shinobi bored him immensely, they always seemed to rely on underhanded tricks and magic to gain victory over their opponents. It was quite rare to hear a story of a famous ninja that fought plainly and without fear like the samurai did. The samurai were warriors of great renown, wielding blades that they had trained many years to master. They saw no need to hide in the shadows or hide their face, as proud warriors they stood against lawlessness and lived virtuous lived. Kaen saw that as something he wanted to do, live a life worth living and to become something that others would tell stories about someday.
When he was old enough he left the farm, at the age of 15. His siblings were grown enough by that time to carry on the work and run things enough without needing him there. Kaen set off with nothing to travel the countryside and find a Samurai that he could apprentice himself to or a school that would accept him as a student. Along his path he was particularly fond of picking up branches to practice imagined skills, he often broke them after a swing or two and continued on his way. Kaen traveled far, skirting the borders of the country and seeing the cities that the Land of Tea had to offer. It was after a long pilgrimage that he was able to find someone willing to impart their skill and vision onto him as a young student, it was a type of man that Kaen had not met before.
The Samurai was old, well past his time but he lived in an elaborate mansion on the outskirts of a large city. There were no servants, just an old man in a house full of war relics, swords and memories. Kaen found himself on the doorstep, begging to be made into a student. He was met with rejection, the Samurai announced that he was too far advanced in his age to take a student as all the disciples from his youth had failed him in one way or another. What followed was nearly a month of Kaen coming to the gates of the grand mansion every day, he would sit, meditate and wait for the old man to come out. Each day they would talk, on rather friendly terms too but each day the old man would refuse to take a disciple. Kaen committed himself to the task, something in his spirit told him that this would be the Samurai to impart greatness to him. He stayed true to the feeling that he had and visited the man daily, heard stories of his family, of the choices he had made in life and even the occasional story of great Samurai that he had met.
Eventually he began practicing on those days. He would meditate and practice drawing techniques, slashes, stances and honing his mindset. All while listening to the stories of the old man that refused to do anything but talk each day. Kaen did this over the course of six months, growing stronger physically and developing a sharper mind by training himself and listening to the stories of a lonely old man. He did this until the old man just didn't come out one day, Kaen soon learned that he had passed away and he was grief stricken. Kaen attended the funeral of the old Samurai and watched as people from far and wide came to mourn his passing, friends and family seemed like they sprung out of the woodwork. It was so paradoxical, no one had come to see the old man for months, over half a year but then these people all showed up and claimed such close relation with him. In fact, Kaen knew the names and lives of most of the people that came, from the stories. In the will that the old man left behind he commended the virtue of the young man that had extended his life, preventing him from an earlier death that year by giving him the company that he so desired but could not ask for from anyone that he knew.
The old man left him a great number of scrolls detailing his life's work, the sword styles that he had perfected during his life time. Two swords, perfect for someone to begin their journey as a Samurai... and the basis of a style that was unfinished, the philosophy of something that could be made if someone committed themselves to it.