KIRIGAKURE, the kurogane clan

[attr="class","nintales-title"]「 黒鉄 」the kurogane clan,

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Known for their mastery over Earth, Fire, Lightning, and Yin Release that allows them to transform their bodies into living steel, the Kurogane Clan primarily traces its lineage back to ancient times, when their ancestors were said to have been master blacksmiths who discovered the secret of Steel Release in the heart of a roaring forge. Their traditions are long-standing, and live on to this day.

[attr="class","nintales-subtitle"]CLAN MEMBER CHARACTERISTICS,

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Members of the Kurogane Clan are distinguishable by several physical characteristics. Most members have very dark, black, or multi-toned hair, one tone of which is always black or exceptionally dark in color— reminiscent of the colour of their steel. Dark hair color is a source of pride for the clan, as it is said to be a reflection of their steel-infused chakra. Some members even take to darkening their hair even further, for it is believed that the darkness of one's hair is a reflection of the strength of their will.
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Kurogane Clan members have wildly varying eye colors— yet one consistent trait is the manner by which these colors seem to ‘harden’ or ‘darken’ like cold steel when experiencing emotional turmoil or focusing deeply in battle.
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Physically, Kurogane Clan members often possess less muscle than expected. A majority have lithe frames but sturdy bones, reinforced by taut muscle stretched along their otherwise wiry limbs. Despite some of their members tending to look downright sickly, their bodies are incredibly resilient, able to withstand blows that would normally incapacitate or kill ordinary shinobi.
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The clan’s teachings emphasize the need to be stoic and unfeeling, strong as steel in the face of all adversity, for it is in the hottest flames that the strongest blades are forged.[break][break]

The nature of the Kurogane Clan's kekkei genkai and its associated techniques basically forces each clan member to follow a diet consisting of extremely high iron content. Most members are voracious meat eaters, and their majority meat meals are supplemented by piles upon piles of spinach, tofu, and eggs.

[attr="class","nintales-subtitle"]THE KUROGANE CLAN IN MODERN DAY,

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Today, the Kurogane Clan continue a proud and guarded blacksmithing tradition, using droplets of their own blood to craft weapons of unparalleled durability and the keenest of edges. Their weapons can often be found sold in Kirigakure's black markets. Due to the time it takes to craft even one Kurogane masterwork, these weapons cost a small fortune to obtain, and collectors from far and wide visit for a chance to win one at an auction.
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The Kurogane art of shaping steel and creating weapons of unparalleled beauty and quality utilise fine Earth, Lightning, and Fire Release techniques passed down through generations. They are strict and secretive, harsh and unwelcoming— they take great pride in their heritage and traditions, and are never eager to share their history or culture with outsiders.

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Granted the ability to turn their very bodies into steel, each member of the Kurogane Clan is trained in taijutsu and bukijutsu from a young age, aiming to become as strong and resilient as the very weapons they were born to forge. Kurogane tradition dictates that a clan member’s crafted steel is only as strong as their own will, spirit, and body— so every man, woman, and child is subjected to harsh training and taught blacksmithing from the moment they can withstand the heat of a Kurogane forge.
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Every member of the Kurogane Clan is expected to master and understand every facet of a single weapon by the time they reach their teenage years. The clan's members have a propensity towards large weapons, such as odachi and naginata, but few have taken to smaller, more unconventional weapons in modern times.
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Kurogane elders consider appointment into the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to be among the highest honors a member of their clan can obtain.

[attr="class","nintales-subtitle"]KUROGANE CLAN ABILITIES,

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Created by combining Fire, Lightning, and Earth natures, Steel Release is a kekkei genkai that allows users to turn parts (or the entirety) of their bodies into jet-black steel possessing hardness more akin to diamond; this steel is the core of all Kurogane Clan techniques, utilizing the iron from Kurogane blood, it is nigh invulnerable to fire and can easily withstand extreme temperatures. They are able to extend their control to summon this steel external to their bodies, although most members of the Kurogane Clan simply use this ability to supplement their taijutsu techniques.[break][break]


By the age of eighteen, members of the Kurogane Clan are expected to have mastered at least one weapon to both make up for the clan's lack of emphasis on the practice of conventional ninjutsu and to improve one's knowledge of weaponry to better forge them. [break][break]


The nature of Steel Release renders its efficacy in battle reliant on the user’s natural taijutsu ability. It is for this reason that Kurogane Clan members are trained extensively in taijutsu and made to undergo extreme body conditioning from a very young age, and this training never ceases. The clan’s oldest members have a solid grasp of nintaijutsu as a result of this constant practice.[break][break]


The reinforced chakra coursing through Kurogane veins grant them superior durability against physical attacks, as well as a natural resistance against Lightning and Fire Release ninjutsu. While it is a common misconception that Steel Release users cover themselves in a "layer" of steel, they in fact transform their bodies into steel, and are thus immune to piercing techniques (especially those involving lightning release chakra, which they can easily redirect like lightning rods) and extremely resistant to techniques designed to target their tenketsu. They are able to withstand extreme temperatures, pressure, and force, but are susceptible to becoming brittle if exposed to extreme changes in temperature in a short span of time.

[attr="class","nintales-subtitle"]HIDEN NINJUTSU,

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(A-RANK // RANGE: SHORT // DURATION: 3 // CD: 2) This technique turns a part or the entirety of the user’s body into jet-black steel more durable than conventional weaponry, granting them supernatural levels of durability and drastically increasing the power of their physical attacks. The user becomes immune to blades as well as other regular tools and weaponry while this ability is in use; most shuriken and swords snap clean in half or shatter on impact. Lacking a weakness to Lightning Release ninjutsu, which they can simply redirect like a lightning rod, this technique is considered superior to Earth Release: Earth Spear.[break][break]


(B-RANK // RANGE: SHORT // DURATION: 2 // CD: 4) The steel in Kurogane blood consumes all others. The user becomes capable of 'eating' steel for a short period of time. With the exception of uniquely forged weapons, they are able to grab, shatter, and even swallow metals such as kunai, shuriken, and regular blades without repercussion. The steel they consume proportionately restores their chakra reserves, but does not heal any physical wounds suffered.

[attr="class","nintales-subtitle"]CURRENT CLAN MEMBERS,

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This is a custom clan created by TATARIGAMI. Contact them on Discord or on-site (via DM or plotter) if you intend to create a member of the clan before applying.[break][break]

▶ CURRENT HEAD: Kurogane Genzaburō (NPC)[break]
▶ CHOSEN SUCCESSOR: Open[break][break]

▶ MEMBER: Kurogane Kouki[break]
▶ MEMBER: Open[break]
▶ MEMBER: Open