Shinkage-ryu originated in the Heian period and is a force that cannot be ignored in the Jujutsu World of the island nation.
As early as the Nara period, over thirteen hundred years ago, Tengen had already set up multiple barriers across the island nation to protect its territory.
This also led to a continuous increase in Cursed Energy incidents in the island nation.
This also led to the emergence of the Heian period, the golden age of Jujutsu.
Due to population and other reasons, the number of Jujutsu Sorcerers and Cursed Spirits in the Heian period was far less than in modern times.
However, the Curse Users and Cursed Spirits of that era were far more vicious and malicious than those of today.
For example, cult sacrifices and human sacrifices to create Cursed Spirits, which are rare now, were commonplace in the Heian period.
Moreover, the King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna, an absolute powerhouse who could dominate an entire era, also appeared in the Heian period.
In such a dark and cruel golden age of Jujutsu, a Genius Jujutsu Sorcerer named Ashiya Sadatsuna racked his brain to protect his Disciples from malevolent Curse Users or Cursed Spirits.
He eventually drew inspiration from the Hollow Wicker Basket, a countermeasure for Domains, and designed and improved the New Shadow Style · Simple Domain.
The New Shadow Style · Simple Domain has many advantages.
Firstly, it has a low barrier to entry.
Even a Grade 3 Jujutsu Sorcerer can master it, making it a true Domain for the weak.
Secondly, the New Shadow Style · Simple Domain has a very high ceiling.
Even when facing Ryomen Sukuna, this Move can be used effectively.
Finally, this Move is a very basic technique, and everyone can modify it according to their needs.
Even without modifications, it can be used in diverse ways.
For example, Kokichi Muta loaded it as a projectile into Mechamaru, making it a weapon against Immortal Master.
Kusakabe Atsuya, the representative figure of Shinkage-ryu in modern society, also strengthened and modified this Move.
He not only expanded the range of the Simple Domain but also developed a Move that can automatically intercept all objects invading the Domain.
It is also thanks to this easy-to-learn, high-ceiling Move that Shinkage-ryu has not declined after a thousand years of Legacy.
Today, Eichi came to the Shinkage-ryu headquarters with curiosity and the intention of recruitment.
'What a hassle, why do I have to fight...'
In the Shinkage-ryu headquarters' dojo, Kusakabe Atsuya, the representative figure of this generation of Shinkage-ryu, was looking helplessly at Sasaki Kojiro opposite him.
'A Special Grade imaginary heroic spirit, the legendary Sword Saint Sasaki Kojiro?'
Yesterday, he suddenly received a notification from the Sect Leader, asking him to return to the headquarters today.
At the time, Kusakabe Atsuya thought it was to meet a newly initiated Junior Sister, so he didn't take it too seriously.
However, this morning he was suddenly informed that an important guest would visit shortly, and he, as a Shinkage-ryu licensed successor, was to represent them in battle.
It's like the Ranks in Taekwondo, like black belt Dan Ranks.
The Shinkage-ryu, which has been passed down for a thousand years, divides its Disciples into 10 stages, from the lowest 'Omote' to the highest 'Menkyo Kaiden' (licensed successor).
Among them, Menkyo Kaiden is the highest Rank.
It means that this person has mastered all the skills of this school and has passed all aspects of the school's tests.
Kusakabe Atsuya even received the Menkyo Kaiden rating from Ashiya Ayaka, this generation's Shinkage-ryu Sect Leader.
Menkyo is a permit, a license in the island nation that allows an individual to perform an act that is usually prohibited or restricted.
Menkyo Kaiden is usually achieved only by the most outstanding Disciples in a school.
Moreover, those who achieve this accomplishment are usually not young.
This shows Kusakabe Atsuya's Genius.
"Then, Shinkage-ryu, Kusakabe Atsuya, pleased to meet you."
Kusakabe Atsuya sighed inwardly, then bowed to Sasaki Kojiro.
"Ganryu, Sasaki Kojiro."
After speaking, the two stood opposite each other, adopting fighting stances.
Although Kusakabe Atsuya might seem a bit timid and afraid of trouble, he is actually a serious, responsible, and very dependable person.
Just as in Shibuya, Kusakabe Atsuya actively appeared to help his Junior Sister Miwa Kasumi bear Kenjaku's Limitless Cursed Technique: Uzumaki.
Just as in the battle with Sukuna, Kusakabe Atsuya desperately covered Hiromi Higuruma.
And finally, when he was the only one left on the battlefield, despite constantly denying the choice of "I'll fight Sukuna" internally, he still stood before Sukuna.
Compared to Kusakabe Atsuya, who had adopted an Iai stance with a serious expression, Sasaki Kojiro's expression was quite calm.
His five-foot-long clothes-drying pole was casually slung over his shoulder.
'Is this the Sword Saint?'
Kusakabe Atsuya focused all his attention on Sasaki Kojiro.
However, the more he looked, the more shocked he became.
Sasaki Kojiro was just standing there normally, yet one couldn't find any flaws in him.
Kusakabe Atsuya began to simulate in his mind.
First attack: I rush forward with an Iai slash aimed at Sasaki Kojiro's waist.
Sasaki Kojiro's long katana, slung over his shoulder, suddenly slashes out, cutting off half of my head at an even faster speed.
Second attack: I block Sasaki Kojiro's first katana, but the second katana parries my weapon, leaving my guard wide open, and finally, my heart is pierced.
Third attack... 'Damn it, he's just standing there so casually, why do I feel like no matter what angle I attack from, I'll be counter-killed!'
A drop of cold sweat ran down Kusakabe Atsuya's forehead.
But he couldn't retreat.
Because this was the Shinkage-ryu headquarters, and this generation's Sect Leader had shown him kindness.
Ashiya Ayaka, who had taught him all the techniques of Shinkage-ryu, was watching him from behind with the Disciples of Shinkage-ryu.
Although a large reason for him becoming the representative figure of this generation of Shinkage-ryu was that the Ashiya family of this generation had not produced a boy with Jujutsu Sorcerer talent, Ashiya Ayaka was genuinely kind to him.
'I have no choice but to go for it.'
Kusakabe Atsuya made up his mind, and Cursed Energy began to flow through his katana.
"How rude."
However, just as Kusakabe Atsuya was about to make a Move, Sasaki Kojiro spoke first.
"I heard that the current Shinkage-ryu is a school focused on defensive counterattacks, yet I was waiting for you to initiate the attack. As a guest, that is indeed somewhat rude."
After speaking, Sasaki Kojiro lowered the long katana from his shoulder, its tip pointing diagonally at the ground, and then advanced step by step towards Kusakabe Atsuya's position.
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, then."
Kusakabe Atsuya forced a smile.
However, this development was indeed what he hoped for.
In Kusakabe Atsuya's perception, Sasaki Kojiro was like a divine weapon whose blade would strike him no matter how he tried to defend.
If Sasaki Kojiro was willing to step into his Domain and activate the automatic interception of New Shadow Style · Simple Domain, he would undoubtedly have a much easier fight.
He had confidence in his meticulously refined Shinkage-ryu; even if the opponent was the legendary Sword Saint, he could still fight him in his own specialized Domain.
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