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This article, Bakeneko Clan, is property of Kasumi12346. |
| Bakeneko Clan | |||
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| (化け猫一族, Bakeneko Ichizoku, Literally meaning: Changed Cat Clan) | |||
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| Appears in | Anime, Manga, Game, Movie | ||
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The Bakeneko Clan is a family of shinobi in Kumogakure possibly best known for their Nekobake Technique. They are well known for their expertise in Senjutsu and their intense rivalry with the Inuzuka Clan.
Background[]
Overview[]
The striking appearance of a Bakeneko Clan member
The members of the family are given a cat companion at a very young age. Much like Inuzuka clan members with their dogs members of the Bakeneko clan are inseparable with their cats. Often times in more ways than one. Members of the family are taught the clan's Nekobake Technique at the age of five at which point they are allowed to be seen by the public. Developed by studying jinchūriki, this hiden technique allows the shinobi to allow their cat to seal itself in their body. This does more than just give the family member the cat ears and tail the family is known for. The cat once they have sealed themselves, begins constantly drawing in natural energy for the host to allow them to enter a pseudo-Sage Mode. This is how members are able to use Senjutsu without remaining still, which gives the clan the opportunity to nurture their natural talent for Senjutsu.
Family members are able to undo the technique at any time granting the cat far more freedom than a tailed beast. How regularly a shinobi stays in this state varies from one duo to the next. Some cats prefer to be sealed inside their owners so the family member stays in their fused state 99% of the time. Only letting their cats out to feed them. In contrast some cats prefer to be sealed in their owner for as little time as possible so the family member only enters their Nekobake state during missions. Some others don't care and let their partner choose how long they are sealed inside. How long a cat is sealed is entirely up to the cat for they are the one's being sealed. Owners have no say in it except in the last case. In general whether the cat prefers to be sealed or not tends to rely on if the cat is an introvert or extrovert.
The Nekobake technique is the source of the rivalry between the Bakeneko clan and Inuzuka clan. The Bakeneko clan is very proud of the technique and claim that the effort they put into its development proves they love their cats more than the Inuzuka clan love their dogs. While the Inuzuka clan fight with their dogs in a way that might possibly risk the dog getting hurt the Bakeneko clan does so in a way that keeps the cat completely safe. If an owner dies the cat is simply forced out of the body to give the cat a chance to escape.
When the family member becomes a genin they are taught the Cat Kata and are henceforth considered true members of the family. While family members are taught the very basics of Senjutsu the moment they learn the Nekobake Technique a family member's true training doesn't happen until after they are taught the Cat Kata.
In some cases a five year old will be given the option to be taught the inverse of the Nekobake Technique called the Kaibyō Technique, which allows the owner to seal themselves in their cat. This grants the cat to talk, stand on their hind legs, and the ability to use their owner's techniques. Many family members view this hiden technique as distasteful. The sole reason for the Nekobake Technique's existence was to have a way to fight with their beloved companions without putting the cat in harms way. The only reason for its existence was to give shinobi and cat duos the option in case a cat hates to be sealed inside so much they are unwilling to do so even during missions. This is very rare because of the type of temperament the Bakeneko Clan looks for in cats.
Just how distasteful the majority of the family find the Kaibyō Technique can be seen in what technique they chose for their coming of age rite. Prior to the development of the Nekobake Technique members of the family weren't considered true members until they learned the Cat Genjutsu. However, once they discovered the Nekobake Technique the family changed it to the Cat Kata in order to ostracize family members who use Kaibyō over Nekobake. Without Nekobake Technique learning the Cat Kata becomes impossible and without the Cat Kata a family member will never be recognized. This is another reason why the need to learn the inverse is so rare. Many cat companions are willing to set their hatred aside for the sake of their friend in order to prevent them from being ostracized. When this doesn't happen it is a common belief among the family that it is the family member's fault even though it is the cat's decision. The family member is blamed for not fostering a close enough bond with their cat that their companion is willing to put up with it for their sake. Learning the inverse of Nekobake would require a cat to loathe the Nekobake Technique despite how the family breeds their cats. In addition to this, the cat would have to ignore any attempts their closest friend tries at compromising.
Jinchūriki[]
Once in a blue moon a family member is chosen to be the host of Matatabi because of the family's specialty with cats. In such case the chosen individual won't get a cat of their own and Matatabi will be sealed inside the host using a special variant Nekobake Technique. This special variant of the technique grants Matatabi the natural energy control that the cats the family normally uses possess to allow Matatabi to serve as their cat companion. This allows the jinchūriki to take advantage of the usual benefits that come with being a jinchūriki as well the Senjutsu benefits afforded by the Nekobake Technique. Such members are given the alias of Maneki-neko (招き猫, lit. "lucky cat") because of how much of an honor that person views it as. A member with Matatabi sealed inside can be easily picked out by how they have two tails instead of just one like other family members. For Matatabi's part, they prefer to be sealed inside a member of the family. This is possibly because of how a member of the Bakeneko clan is far more willing to let Matatabi out for a bit albeit in a shrunken and weakened state. Not just in combat, but in normal life just because they feel like it.
Trivia[]
- Bakeneko are a type of cat yōkai who are possibly best known for their abilities to turn into a human.
