Graceful Strike

The Graceful Strike style is both an internal and soft style martial art. It is a reactionary style that focuses on the utilization of the momentum of an attack for the practitioner's own attack. When attacked by an opponent, in true style, the practitioner either redirects the force of the attack or takes the hit in a controlled manner. When taking a hit, the practitioner becomes limp so although they may lose ground the damage done is significantly minimized. Though, whether redirecting or taking an attack, the practitioner utilizes the energy from the attack to strike back at the opponent so in physical terms, the greater the damage taken the greater the damage inflicted. There are many similarities that exist between the Graceful Strike style and the Gentle Fist style but a key difference lies in their utilization of chakra. Skilled masters of this style are capable of absorbing the energy of the chakra emitted by the opponent and using it for themselves. This can allow the practitioner to use very little of their own chakra and instead use their opponent's chakra for their attacks. Traditionally this style relies on the endurance of the practitioner out lasting the opponent but in recent times many chose to combine this style with specialized tijutsu or ninjutsu techniques when striking in order to do more damage as the momentum obtained from an opponent is only a fraction of that exuded.

It is imperative that a practitioner of Graceful Strike maintains a calm and clear mind so as to reduce the tension in the body and be able to react as quickly as possible.

This taijutsu style comes from an unknown clan in the Land of Spring.