11735/The Greatest Weapon

The Greatest Weapon
Date of Scene:	07 July 2020
Location:	Foot Operations, East Warehouse
Synopsis:	Tyler learns of the weapons of shinobi.
Cast of Characters:	Shredder, Twitch

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Shredder has posed:
     The dojo is filled with the clanging of blades, exhultations of energy as the Foot practice, honing their skills. Some of them are working on vaulting. Others spar, and still others are balancing, holding water jars or poses as per their sifu's instructions.
    The Shredder, however, has taken a particular interest in Tyler's training. Karai, the lovely yet calculating chuunin has done a good part of the training until now, teaching basics and form, but today, the master himself has called for Tyler to be trained personally. He doesn't sit on his throne now, but wears his intimidating armor. The spikes have been replaced, though, and in their place are metal bracers, and the pauldrons have been recused as well. His face remains covered, though it seems to be optional whether most training choose to wear their fukumen.

Twitch has posed:
As it is now time to train Tyler enters the dojo and looks around for a moment before spotting Master Shredder. He's hard to miss, even if his attire is not as sharp today as he usually is. The young man approaches the ninja master and bows deeply to him, "Master Shredder." Having been training with Karai a lot lately it's almost odd to be working with Saki again, but Tyler is doing his best to be as good a student as he can be and to follow any orders he's given to the letter. Life is easier for him that way.

Standing still in front of the armored ninja, Tyler waits for instruction, his head twitching ever so slightly to the side.

Shredder has posed:
    The Shredder indicates the weapon rack along the wall. It's filled with traditionally expected weapons such as sais, nunchaku, katanas, and many strange weapons. Kusari-gama, komos, urumi, rope darts, and others. "Gakusei," Shredder says, the word for student being used. "You may have witnessed that ninja use a variety of weapons. Many find a favorite in which they desire to specialize. Today you will tell me which of these is the greatest weapon."

Twitch has posed:
"Yes Master," Tyler tells his instructor after taking a moment to study the weapons on the wall. He'd seen them all before, of course, but this is a test and it's one he'd much rather pass than fail. "I'm looking forward to becoming more knowledgeable and improving my capabilities as much as I can."

Shredder has posed:
    The Shredder goes through a rather patient explanation of each of the weapons, from the Tessen, often dipicted as a subversive woman's weapon, to the distracting shuriken. Each has strengths and advantages. "Gakusei, a ninja must choose his weapon carefully. What is the greatest of weapons that a ninja can possess...after his mind and body?" It's no secret that Shredder uses a variant of tekko-kagi claws and sword catching gauntlets, and by eliminating the traditional expected 'self and mind' answer, he sidesteps the philosophical element to a more pragmatic one.

Twitch has posed:
The question leaves Tyler considering things for some time, wanting to make sure he gets the answer correct. He looks over the weapons once more and finally, after another twitch, nods his head, "I believe that it would be something you could use to surprise your enemy. If he doesn't know you're a ninja and that you're armed you can get the drop on him and take him out before he realizes you're a threat." There's another momentary pause, "The knife or sai, because they can be concealed and brought to bear quickly."

Shredder has posed:
    "A correct line of thinking," the Shredder answers, "But ultimately, the correct answer is your enemy. They are your greatest weapon. The world around you, spirit and form, are all a weapon. Your body and mind are your most powerful weapons, and the instrument you choose before conflict has weight in combat. But your enemy will determine the effectiveness of that weapon."

    The Shredder picks takes a kunai from the rack, and without warning flings it at Tyler. Of course, with his superior reflexes, not to mention training, it should not be too difficult to catch out of the air to prevent its strike.

Twitch has posed:
Snatching the kunai out of the air, Tyler immediately looks around the dojo to see if anything else is coming his way before focusing on Saki again, "Yes, Master Shredder." Then he looks at the weapon in his hand, thoughtfully, testing its balance a bit. His lips press tightly together in thought. It looks as though it's a weapon he can very much appreciate. "I feel like I should choose the weapon I'm most proficient with, but also the one that will give me the greatest advantage against what my opponent brings to bear."

Shredder has posed:
    "That kunai was an inneffective weapon against you," Shredder advises. "It did not use your capabilities against you. It played to your strengths. When you faced me in the office. I was able to witness quickly your superior speed and reflexes. I was also able to see your inexperience and reliance on speed over precision. You believed you struck a victorious blow against me at one point, when I was merely giving your frustration a momentary relief. By striking me, it created a momentary lack of focus, which was easily redirected. Your lack of focus was my weapon. Your joy was my blade that I used to strike you down, even though you have an evolutionary advantage over me. A weapon should always do this." He takes the tessen from the rack. "Defend yourself." He strikes again, this time with what many people would consider a 'girly weapon'. the fan opens, a fast slicing action, flicks of the wrist making it difficult, but not impossible to block.
    But blocking is a trap, the block causes the blade to fold, flip around and in a more compact batonlike form, slaps the inside of the bicep. A few more similar illustrations come, making it clear that the only defense is to retreat from striking distance. They are hardly mortal blows, but they quite likely will leave bruises.

    "You can play to your strengths, or compensate your weaknesses," Shredder says. "Most ninja carry a variety of weapons, regardless of their preferred choice."

Twitch has posed:
After being smacked a bit by his master's tessen Tyler steps back and bows, rubbing gently where he's been hit a few times before straightening up fully and giving further consideration to Saki's words. "It seems like there are so many weapons to choose from. I'd like to learn them all, but I should probably choose one or two to focus on above the others. Right now I think my greatest weakness is my inexperience, especially once weapons come into play."

Shredder has posed:
    The Shredder takes a pair of hook swords. "This is known as fu tao hu tou gou. Hook sword in English. They boast a great diversity." He takes the mat, and begins a demonstration. Some moves start out simple, moving to more complex, using the crecent blade edge, and even hooking them together to turn them into a much longer range weapon. "They can be used in a variety of ways," he illustrates before unhooking them and returning to a ready stance. He tosses them to Tyler. "I would recommend them to maximize your effectiveness, and in an urban setting, they provide an excellent way to utilize the city to your advantage."

Twitch has posed:
Catching the weapons out of the air, Tyler holds them up to examine them closely. A little smile appears on his face as he hefts them in his hands. "I think that these will suit me well, Master." The youth moves into the same ready stance that Shredder had just demonstrated, holding the matched weapons steady. While his head twitches slightly on his neck his smile remains in place. "These swords seem extremely versatile. I'm sure I'll be able to put them to effective use."

Shredder has posed:
    Shredder barks something in Japanese, and in response a strong, tall Russian man rushes to his side. "This is Sifu Yuri. He is one of the foremost experts in the New York branch regarding the Fu tao." The man bows.
    "Yuri, you will teach Gakusei Tyler to use the fu tao."

Twitch has posed:
As Yuri bows, Tyler does so as well, "Sifu Yuri." Always pays to be polite, especially when life and death are on the line. "I look forward to learning from you." There's a twitch. "I will strive to master your teachings."