Divine Sword Style

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Divine Sword Style is an article written by TheRedFang06.

Divine Sword Style

Aeolian Dance

Totsuka

Divine Sword Style
Statistics
Japanese Name:	神剣流
Romanized Name:	Shinken-Ryu
Official English Name:	Divine Blade Style
First Appearance:	A New World
Fighting Style Focus:	Tobu Zangeki, Speed

Divine Sword Style is Selkirk Geryon's signature style of swordplay. Emphasizing the usage of Flying Slashes in addition to normal ones, usage of this fighting style allows the user to fight at various ranges despite being a Swordsman - and thus naturally a close-ranged fighter. However, aside from a swordsmanship style, Divine Sword Style also embodies a series of tenets for its users to follow, collectively referred to as The Way of the Divine Blade (神剣の道, Shinken no Michi^?). This fighting style was developed by Geryon's late mother, Selkirk Nadya, during her early career as a pirate, and taught to her son from an early age.

Overview

Divine Blade Style is a school of Gentle Blade 柔剣 (Jūken, 柔剣^?) Swordsmanship, and thus favors speed and precision over raw power. In close quarters combat, it allows the user to barrage the opponent with relentless storms of swift strikes aimed at preventing the opponent from going on the offensive. However, that's not all this Style entails, far from it: Divine Sword Style also emphasizes and refines the usage of Flying Slashes 飛ぶ斬撃 (Tobu Zangeki, 飛ぶ斬撃^?): The blades of cutting wind created by a swordsman's swings, which masters of this combat technique can refine to perfection. With a variety of different techniques under their belt, each fit for different situations, distances, and enemies, users of this style are always active threats on the battlefield, and not just at close range.

Users

Divine Sword Style
Selkirk Nadya * †	Selkirk Geryon	Osman

The Way of the Divine Blade

Divine Blade Style also carries with it a series of norms, grouped together in what is called "The Way of the Divine Blade". This philosophy can be best summarized by the Three Tenets that compose it:

First Tenet

There is no true swordsman that does not fear the blade they wield, and its innate ability to destroy and kill. This ideal is embodied by Divine Sword Style's first Tenet: Always fear the blade. Whatever blades they may wield, be them kitchen knives or Supreme Rank swords, a swordsman needs to be careful and firm with them, as one single mistake could lead to the death and maiming of the target, a bystander, or even the swordsman themselves. Wielding one's sword thoughtlessly is the worst possible mistake a swordsman could make in battle.

Second Tenet

A Swordsman that doesn't care about their weapon will have it turn its back on them in the midst of battle - something that is described by the Style's second Tenet: Treat the blade as your own flesh. These simple words embody the need for all swordsmen to tend to their blade and keep it sharp and resistant, either personally (If they have the skills to do so) or through third parties such as blacksmiths. If possible, a swordsman should also improve their blade alongside their skill, allowing the weapon and its user to grow together as a single entity.

Third Tenet

There is no greater display of power than having it, yet deciding not to use it, even if given the chance, as stated by the third Tenet: Keep the blade sheathed if it isn't needed. All swordsmen worthy of that title must acknowledge a blade's ability to kill, and its unchangeable purpose as a weapon, yet must not succumb to their (or their weapon's) bloodlust, only drawing it if absolutely necessary. One's ability to restrain themselves and only use the blade if all other options fail is the mark of someone who truly understands the weapon they wield.

Techniques

The style's techniques are named after mythical weapons from various cultures or mythologies. Enhanced versions thereof are preceded by the name of the hero that wielded the weapon in question.

Geryon's Techniques

• Tyrfing (ターフィング, Tāfingu^?): What Geryon calls "The Sword of Foundation" (基礎の剣, Kiso no Tsurugi^?), it's a simple Flying Slash used to strike from a distance, and the basic technique upon which the entirety of the Style's repertoire is built. It was first seen when Geryon attempted to scare Rajin, showing that the slash has enough power to cut down a tree, but the technique itself was not named until Geryon used it to save Rajin from the Mafia's goons. When using the technique without holding back, Geryon showed the ability to cut through a large amount of stone with just two slashes, even if he collapsed from exhaustion afterwards. Tyrfing was a legendary sword in Norse mythology, known for its extremely high quality and the horrendous curse that was placed upon it.
• Isten Kardja (イステン・カルジャ, Isuten Karuja^?): Called "The Sword of War" (戦争の剣, Sensō no Tsurugi^?) by Geryon, this technique is heralded by him leaping in the air and starting to spin horizontally, before sending a large, buzzsaw-like Flying Slash towards his opponent with a swing of both blades, empowered by the the centrifugal force of his spinning. It was strong enough to neutralize Zakari's air bullets.. This Technique was first shown during Geryon's duel against Zakari. Isten Kardja, also known as "Sword of Mars" or "Sword of God", was the legendary blade wielded by Attila the Hun, that allegedly granted its wielder "supremacy in all wars".
• Gungnir (グングニル, Gunguniru^?): This technique, which is dubbed "The Spear of Shattering" (粉砕のヤリ, Funsai no Yari^?) by Geryon, is executed by assuming a stance in which the sword is held with a single hand, parallel to the ground. Afterwards, by thrusting the blade forward, Geryon produces a piercing air bullet with his sword, capable of going through multiple people at once. This technique was first shown during the Godwind Pirates' fight against the Mafia alongside their allies. Gungnir was the legendary spear of Odin, crafted from a branch of the World Tree and able to strike any target, no matter how inexperienced or weak its wielder was.
• Zulfiqar (ズルフィカール, Zurufikāru^?): In order to use what is also known as "The Sword of Destruction" (破壊の剣, Hakai no Tsurugi^?), Geryon spins his body while slashing with one of his swords, creating a 360° Flying Slash that hits all around himself. This simple but effective technique was first used to defeat a group of slave traders, accomplishing this goal with ease. Zulfiqar is a legendary sword from the Islamic Religion, bestowed upon Ali by Muhammad, who in turn received it from God.
• Excalibur (エクスカリバー, Ekusukaribā^?): Defined as "The Sword of Judgement" (裁きの剣, Sabaki no Tsurugi^?), Geryon executes this technique by raising both of his swords over his head and slashing downward with the two weapons simultaneously, creating a much more powerful, X-shaped Flying Slash. This technique was first displayed during Geryon's confrontation with Bernd, where it proved strong enough to cut through the colossus' hardened muscles and make him bleed. Excalibur is arguably the most well known mythological weapon, and is the legendary sword of King Arthur, usually associated with rightful sovereignty and kingly power.
• Marmyadose (マルミアドス, Marumiadosu^?): Also called "The Sword of Valor" (勇敢の剣, Yūkan no Tsurugi^?), this Technique is based upon the principles of Iai (居合) and the only technique of Divine Sword Style revealed so far which doesn't appear to use Flying Slashes. Geryon sheaths his sword and runs towards his enemy; then, in the blink of an eye, he unsheathes it and delivers a quick and powerful slash to the opponent's body. This technique was also unveiled during Geryon and Kylo's battle against Bernd. However, its power is unknown, as Stanford intervened before it could hit the colossus. Marmyadose is a legendary sword from Arthurian Myth: originally wielded by Hercules, this weapon's quality was known to be even greater than Excalibur's.
  • Heracles Marmyadose (ヘラクレス・マルミアドス, Herakuresu Marumiadosu^?): A massively empowered version of Marmyadose, known as "The Sword of Everlasting Valor" (永久勇敢の剣, Eikyū Yūkan no Tsurugi^?). Geryon darts towards his foe at tremendous speeds, usually achieved by combining Soru, Geppo and Busoshoku Emission, and delivers a single, blindingly fast and overwhelmingly powerful slash to their body, creating both a devastating Flying Slash that can leave a mark on the seas for a noticeable distance, and a gale of slicing winds in his wake. If need be, he can employ Busoshoku Emission on the blade itself to dramatically increase its cutting power. By using this technique, Geryon created a gaping wound on Yoann D. Kytaro's chest and flung him a far distance away.
• Crocea Mors (クローチェア・もルス, Kurocheā Morusu^?): This technique, also called "The Sword of Perseverance" (粘りの剣, Nebari no Tsurugi^?), is meant to trick an opponent and strike their blind spot. Geryon uses a Flying Slash with a boomerang-like shape, that is meant to completely miss the opponent before curving and striking them from the back, dealing great damage. Geryon first used it during his fight with Stanford. Crocea Mors, literally meaning "Yellow Death", was a legendary sword wielded by Julius Caesar, according to the words of Geoffrey of Monmouth.
• Juuchi Yosamu (十千夜寒, Juuchi Yosamu^?, Literally meaning "Ten Thousand Cold Nights"): One of Geryon's strongest standalone technique, called "The Sword of Whispers" (囁くの剣, Sasayaku no Tsurugi^?). First, he uses his enhanced thinking speed and eyesight to visualize the locations, current or future, of multiple targets, entering a state of focus so profound it seems as if time has slowed down from his perspective. Then, he uses Soru at maximum speed to move to each location and deliver a devastating slash with both of his swords, before immediately moving again to the next and repeating the process until every target has been reached. However, after performing the technique, Geryon is left winded and needs to take time to catch his breath. He first used this technique to defend his comrades' against Mengele's strikes. Juuchi Yosamu is the name given to the sword forged by Muramasa in his contest against Masamune: it was an evil and extremely sharp blade, who cut through everything in its wake with no discrimination.
• Lævateinn (レーヴァテイン, Rēvatein^?):
• Mjolnir (ミョルニル, Myoruniru^?):

Combination Techniques

• Kusanagi (草薙, Kusanagi^?, Literally meaning "Grass-Cutter"): One of Divine Sword Style's most powerful and threatening techniques, it is executed by Geryon in combination with Milos Kylo and called "The Thunderous Sword of Punishment" (懲罰の万雷剣, Chōbatsu no Banrai Tsurugi^?). First, Geryon quickly spins in place with his two blades outstretched, creating a small tornado around himself. This vortex is large enough for other people to fit in the eye of the storm aside from Geryon, allowing them to be protected from outside harm. Then, with the raging storm surrounding them, Kylo uses his Bioelectricity to electrify it, creating a tornado of slicing winds and lightning that cuts and shocks anyone nearby, preventing them from getting close. This, however, is not where the technique ends, as it is merely the setup for the actual attack: By using all of the kinetic energy accumulated due to his spinning paired with all of his physical might, Geryon then delivers a slash with his two swords, producing an extremely powerful pair of Flying Slashes infused with lightning thanks to Kylo's electricity, that deal grievous damage to anyone or anything they hit. Even if the technique is somehow blocked, the electric shock will still seep into the enemy's body and damage them, making this technique extremely difficult to block through most ordinary means. The pirate duo displayed Kusanagi during their clash against Stanford, where it not only proved to be strong enough to completely negate the combined attack from the Iron Cane and his partner, but also garnered them his respect. In terms of raw power, the technique - absorbed by Stanford through an Impact Dial and later released - proved powerful enough to grievously injure Kylo himself and knock him out on the spot. The Kusanagi no Tsurugi is one of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan, representing the virtue of valor, and is often associated with the semi-mythological figure of Yamato Takeru.

Trivia

• Each of Divine Sword Style's variants, alongside the style itself, complement each other:
  • Divine Sword Style proper is a Gentle Blade, purely offensive sword style, which Geryon inherited from his mother;
  • Aeolian Dance is a Strong Blade Style that balanced offense and defense, which Geryon created by himself;
  • Totsuka is a Balanced Blade Style that focuses on defense, which Geryon created based on teachings from his father.