“Midarezakura” Odachi Skill
A torrent of consecutive attack techniques that unleash hundreds of slashes in mere dozens of seconds.
The slashes were too fast to be caught by the eye, and the technique was named after an anecdote that described its appearance as something like scattering cherry blossoms.
Its unbelievably sharp sword strokes would not even let the opponent realize they had been cut.
Those who received this technique would only know they were injured the moment the attack ended.
This was a skill description posted on the official website before the release of “Nekoneko.”
Naturally, at this point, the disappointing nature of “Nekoneko” was not yet apparent, and gamers who read this description had high hopes for this skill, their hearts filled with excitement.
The developers likely understood the high level of attention this technique was receiving.
The first trailer for “Nekoneko” also featured this skill in action.
At a time when it was still advertised as a massively multiplayer online game, I wasn’t expecting much from “Nekoneko.” However, watching the footage of this skill made me think, “I kinda want this game.”
That’s how cool the video was.
The footage of “Midarezakura,” shown at the very end of the skill introduction, was a simple sequence lasting about three seconds.
It began with a samurai-like man unleashing countless slashes towards a giant dragon, depicting the skill “Midarezakura” in use.
Then, as onlookers gasped at the intensity of the barrage and the beautiful effects, the attack abruptly stopped, and the man dramatically swung his sword as if to shake off blood.
Following this, a coolly lettered description, “Odachi Skill: ‘Midarezakura’,” appeared against the background, and immediately after, the dragon was defeated; it was a short but impactful video.
Well, no matter how hard I tried, the slashes never looked like cherry blossoms, but
“Amazing! It’s just, amazing!”
I remember excitedly exclaiming alone after watching the video.
Later, when the game was actually released, its shoddy quality and poor support caused “Nekoneko’s” expectations to plummet. Most of the people who had been excited by the video had given up on “Nekoneko.”
However, a minority of players, including myself, remained captivated by the beautiful visuals of “Midarezakura” and continued to dream of one day using the skill.
But it took a long time for that dream to come true.
“Midarezakura” was an Odachi skill, but Odachis themselves were incredibly difficult to obtain.
Even after finally acquiring an Odachi, the weapon proficiency with it would be zero.
Few players would abandon their familiar weapons to switch to Odachis, and furthermore, Odachis were large and heavy, making it difficult to increase proficiency.
Moreover, simply becoming an Odachi user wouldn’t be enough to unlock “Midarezakura.”
The weapon proficiency required to learn it was abnormally high, an amount that could never be earned through normal gameplay.
Without the monotonous grind of weapon proficiency or resorting to glitches like Torch Sisyo, it would have been impossible to learn.
Then came the problem: after all that effort to learn the skill, it inexplicably couldn’t be used.
It was initially thought to be another bug, but this time, it was different.
The skill consumed stamina equal to double the initial maximum.
Stamina does not increase with leveling up, so unless one used equipment or magic that boosted stamina, it was impossible to even use the skill. For me, who could equip more accessories than in the game, it was one thing, but raising stamina to 200% in the game was no easy feat.
Thus, only those who overcame these numerous hurdles could reach “Midarezakura.”
Those who cleared all obstacles and witnessed “Midarezakura” were amazed and moved by its beautiful effects, which matched, or even surpassed, those in the trailer.
And then—
“—Secret Technique, ‘Setsuna Samidare’!!”
As I spoke, it was perhaps to be expected that Asahi Hisame, the dojo master of Hisame Dojo and Mitsuki’s father, was the first to react.
“Move back!”
He shouted with a voice that seemed to shake the very air of the dojo, and immediately after, all the disciples present leaped backward.
This judgment was truly exceptional.
Whether they could see the distortion in the air like Mitsuki, or read some mysterious “killing intent,” I don’t know. However, just a moment after Asahi’s command, all the disciples jumped back, and a rain of slashes swept past their noses.
“What!”
“Th-this is…!”
Some of the disciples, who had remained expressionless until now, couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
The remaining disciples, who managed to suppress their voices, had their faces contorted with surprise and fear.
Because Odachis were rare weapons, their skills rarely caught the public eye, let alone “Midarezakura,” which was almost never used by anyone other than players. The consecutive attacks from the long reach of an Odachi were undoubtedly threatening to those who witnessed them for the first time.
“A technique… like this…”
“How can we break through…?”
“If it weren’t for Lord Asahi’s words…”
Having undergone rigorous training, they could understand the sheer absurdity of this skill. Weak words of doubt began to leak from the mouths of the disciples, who should have been training their martial arts and not showing much outward agitation. But it was understandable.
Slashing lines ran towards the front from all possible human angles—up, down, left, right, diagonal. Each one was sharp and fast. The opponent was given the illusion of being attacked from various angles simultaneously within an instant, making it impossible to track a single blow with the eye.
It was less an attack of lines and more an attack of surfaces. Or, since it was released forward from my center, perhaps it formed a hemispherical attack.
It was like a barrier of swords. A hemispherical, absolutely impenetrable domain created by terrifyingly fast sword slashes. Or so it appeared, at first glance.
However,
“Hmph. A useless distraction.”
Asahi, Mitsuki’s father, said so casually and stepped without hesitation into the incessant rain of slashes.
“Lord Asahi!”
“N-no way…!”
The disciples behind him stared blankly at Asahi, who stood calmly amidst the torrent of slashes. Seeing their bewildered faces, unable to comprehend what had happened, I was reminded of the time “Midarezakura” was first released.
The same thing happened then. Those who witnessed “Midarezakura” were amazed and moved by its beautiful effects, which matched, or even surpassed, those in the trailer. But the moment they actually used the technique on an enemy, everything reversed.
—Yes, at that very moment, a poignant sadness danced throughout the world of “Nekoneko.”
As previously mentioned, the description for “Midarezakura” read:
Its unbelievably sharp sword strokes would not even let the opponent realize they had been cut. Those who received this technique would only know they were injured the moment the attack ended.
In the past, this was just a cool description to me. But now, accustomed to “Nekoneko,” I could translate it differently.
This skill cannot deal damage until all attacks are completed.
In other words, this technique is completely ineffective unless it’s unleashed fully.
Well, I can only say this now, but I can understand the desire to create an effect where the enemy falls only after the attack, with nothing happening during the cuts. I was certainly excited by such visuals, and I do think it’s cool. However, I wish they had considered the consequences of *actually implementing it in a game*.
In fact, the players who eagerly used “Midarezakura” were stunned. The fact that damage was only dealt at the end meant that the user was completely defenseless during the consecutive attacks. The nearly 18-second barrage of slashes might look like an impenetrable ultimate technique, but in reality, it meant standing still, exposing oneself defenselessly without the ability to evade or defend.
Monsters generally attack regardless of the slashes being unleashed. Players who used “Midarezakura” were easily approached by the monsters in front of them and attacked.
Furthermore, this skill only inflicted damage *when the skill was properly concluded*. A proper conclusion meant either completing the entire animation or ending with a cancel. Any other way of ending, such as the skill being interrupted by an enemy attack, would cause the skill’s effect to disappear.
It would have been great if one could cancel mid-slash, but the first cancel point was before commencing the slashes, and the next was immediately after initiating them. While canceling at the second point reduced the opening, it only removed the final blood-wiping motion, effectively reducing the 19-second gap to 18 seconds. Upon learning this, “Nekoneko” players despaired.
“Midarezakura” was cool and powerful. Its range was wide, and when used against stationary enemies, it delivered unparalleled power compared to other skills. However, it was unusable against strong enemies. During the 18-second slashing animation, one would be attacked, and being hit by a strong enemy while defenseless would naturally interrupt the skill. Moreover, due to the high stamina consumption, one couldn’t use skills properly for a while afterward.
It would be one thing if it were a useless skill, but the fact that it required so much effort to learn, and that its power itself was undeniable, led to a frustrating and unresolved feeling! It wasn’t sadness or irritation, but a sort of poignant, frustrating feeling!
—Thus, “Midarezakura” acquired its alternate name, “Setsuna Samidare.”
“Is it alright? To step in so carelessly?”
However, my prediction was that even such a poignantly exploding ultimate technique would serve as a deterrent against humans.
I mean, wouldn’t it? One wouldn’t normally think that being struck by a sword swing would result in nothing. I could think this way because I knew this world was a game and that skills dealt damage not because weapons hit, but because a hit judgment existed there.
I took this gamble based on that reasoning, but my assumption backfired.
“Don’t underestimate me too much, Soma-kun. I felt a terrifying killing intent just before the attack began, but that’s all. I feel no pressure from your sword now. It’s likely some kind of illusion technique, but it won’t work on me.”
Asahi declared coolly amidst the storm of swords, and cold sweat trickled down my forehead. To be seen through to that extent, truly the master of Hisame Dojo.
(Reading killing intent? Is this fantasy? Well, it is fantasy, but still.)
As he thought, these slashes had no damaging effect. If I were approached and attacked now, I would have no means of counteracting. In fact, I might be killed instantly. I was in a completely desperate situation. However, even at this point, Asahi did not let his guard down.
“Four of you, come.”
Asahi called out, and four of the nine disciples who were closer to him stepped into the rain of slashes, while the rest remained on standby. The decision to leave five behind was likely a contingency in case the slashes had an effect.
Without being told, the four moved to Asahi’s flanks and drew their swords, forming a circle around me. A situation that already had no escape turned into one of complete encirclement.
“It seems this is the end. Well, you can rest assured.”
With those words, the five who surrounded me simultaneously reversed the blades of their reversed swords. The curved spine faced upward, and the straight blade faced downward.
And then,
“We are only doing a blunt strike.”
The five men simultaneously raised their reversed swords.
(This is the end…)
I whispered to myself in my heart. There was no escape. The technique prevented me from moving until it was over. I didn’t even have enough stamina to cancel the skill. So, I watched the raised blades, swallowed nervously—
