

In a panic, I see my little shinobi get fried and stabbed to death within minutes. I deal him one Deathblow and soon afterward the second.

The dance continues and my opponent is on his last ropes. They are predictable and I have learned how to counter them effectively. Though insanely powerful and intimidating at first, I have come to love them. I have learned his patterns and I know how to goad him to attack when I want him to. Blows and parries are traded back and forth but I am putting pressure on my opponent and he is visibly being pushed back. I have figured you out, I think as I run towards my opponent. Swords are drawn as we move towards each other. I am once again facing the boss I have been throwing myself at for the past couple of hours. Once I land on the torn tatami mats, it’s on.

I swing up to the top of the pagoda, the highest point in Ashina Castle.
