“The first slice is Kiri-Oroshi. The Kiri-Oroshi is a vertical downward cut,” Genghis Quack said as he made Sabito stand back as he performed the slice.

            “This is what Kiri-Oroshi looks like. Understand?” Genghis Quack looked over at Sabito.

            Sabito stepped up to the tree as Genghis Quack stood back.

           Sabito took a deep breath in and out before performing the Kiri-Oroshi.

           Sabito unsheathed his katana and performed the Kiri-Oroshi on the giant tree.

          Genghis Quack stepped up to the tree. “Alright, Sabito, now it’s time for the next technique,” he said.

           “The next move is Kesagiri. Kesagiri is a diagonal cut, from the shoulder to the hip of your enemy,” Genghis Quack explained.

           “Now watch this,” Genghis Quack said as he performed the slice on the tree.

           Genghis Quack glanced over at Sabito.

           “Okay, Young Rabbit, it’s your turn,” Genghis Quack said as he stepped back.

            Sabito stepped up to the tree.

            Sabito clenched his katana and took another deep breath in and out.

           Sabito performed the kesagiri slice on the tree.

           Genghis Quack smirked. “Good work,” he said. 

           “Thank you, Master Genghis Quack,” Sabito bowed respectfully.

          “There’s another technique that I must teach you,” Genghis Quack said.

          “This next slice is called The Yoko-Giri. The Yoko-Giri is a horizontal style side cut that moves parallel to the ground,” Genghis Quack explained.

           Genghis Quack performed the yoko-giri on the large tree.

           “Just like that,” Genghis Quack said.

             Sabito nodded and performed the yoko-giri on the tree underneath the slash mark that Genghis Quack made.

            Sabito turned around and bowed.

            “Good,” Genghis Quack said.

            “Do all those slices one more time,” Genghis Quack said.

           “This time blinded,” Genghis Quack tied the blindfold to Sabito. 

            Sabito was puzzled. “How will I be able to strike the tree?” he asked.

            “A warrior can’t just rely on his eyes; he must also rely on his senses,” Genghis Quack said.

             After hours of failure, Sabito finally performed the three slices blindfolded.

            Genghis Quack folded his arms and smirked.

            Sabito removed the blindfold.

           “I was able to do it,” Sabito said.

           Genghis Quack nodded.

           Genghis Quack walked over to the tree and marked it.

            “This top part is the head. Below the head is the torso. To the side here is the wrist,” Genghis Quack said.

            “Let’s see how fast you can strike all three,” Genghis Quack added.

           Genghis Quack set the timer for three seconds.

          Sabito got ready in the Chudan no kamae stance. 

         Genghis Quack began the timer.

         Sabito started slicing the marked areas.

          “Done!” Sabito said as Genghis Quack stopped the timer.

          “With one second to spare, hmph, not bad,” Genghis Quack said.

          “Okay, we have now made it to the point where I must teach you the three different sword styles,” Genghis Quack said. 

           “Laido is the first. Laido focuses on the smooth and controlled draw, much like what I had you do earlier. It’s what you see in those old samurai movies a lot,” Genghis Quack explained.

          “Laido also helps with timing and precision,” Genghis Quack added. 

          Sabito got into his stance.

          Genghis Quack threw his katana at a tree branch and made it fall.

         “Sabito, perform the laido style,” Genghis Quack said.

         “Right!” Sabito closed his eyes and had his left hand on the saya, beginning to unsheath the katana.

          The word timing began to echo in his mind. 

           Sabito’s eyes opened as he unsheathed his katana and struck the branch with one quick slice.

           Genghis Quack clapped. “Perfect,” he said. 

          “Kendo will be next. This causes us to spar, but I have protective gear and kendo sticks for us,” Genghis Quack said.

           Genghis Quack reached into a bag he had.

           Genghis Quack gave Sabito the kendo stick and protective gear.

           “Suit up,” Genghis Quack said.  

             Sabito nodded and suited up, and picked up the kendo stick.

             Genghis Quack was wearing the protective gear while holding the kendo stick.

             “Now we will spar. The goal is to land one hit on me and try to block each of my attacks as fast as you can,” Genghis Quack said. 

             Sabito nodded.

             “BEGIN!” Genghis Quack shouted.

             Sabito glared as Genghis Quack quickly moved toward Sabito.

           Sabito tried to block, but Genghis Quack’s kendo knocked him back.

             Sabito stumbled back. “WHOA!” he shouted.

             Genghis Quack continued to move quickly.

             Sabito tried to block.

             Sabito gritted his teeth because it was so grueling.

             “Remember, you must never be afraid to attack,” Genghis Quack said.

             Genghis Quack continued to attack Sabito.

             Sabito fell back.

             “Stand up! Sabito Lagomorph! Your people did NOT die, so you can just give up and fall on the floor like a spineless rabbit,” Genghis Quack said with authority.

              “Throughout these days you’ve been showing me that you’re more than just a kid…You’re a warrior!” Genghis Quack said.

              Sabito glared and stood up after the pep talk.

             Sabito clenched the kendo stick in his hands and quickly attacked Genghis Quack.

              Genghis Quack looked surprised as the attack hit him.

              Genghis Quack looked proud as he hit the ground. “That’s my student,” he said.

              After an hour of rest, Genghis Quack looked at Sabito.

              “Our last training is kenjutsu,” Genghis Quack said.

             “Kenjutsu combines strikes, blocking, and movement like footwork, like side-stepping and lunges, which is something I know you’re used to doing due to you being a rabbit,” Genghis Quack explained.

             “This is where you and I battle,” Genghis Quack said.

             “Just like when I tested you the first time, now we’ll see how far you’ve come,” Genghis Quack added.

            Sabito got into his stance.

            Genghis Quack got into a similar stance.

           Sabito began running at Genghis Quack.

           “A bit reckless, aren’t we?” Genghis Quack asked.

           Sabito unsheathed his katana and performed the laido technique.

            Genghis Quack quickly jumped up and landed on a tree branch.

           Genghis Quack clenched his katana as Sabito lunged up to the tree branch.

            Genghis Quack blocked the attack.

             Sabito gritted his teeth.

             Sabito did a flip and jumped back down.

            Genghis Quack looked down at Sabito. “Impressive, but now it’s my turn to attack,” he said as he lunged forward.

            “YAZI STYLE! KIRI-OROSHI DUCK BLITZ!” Genghis Quack shouted as he lunged at full speed, getting to swing his katana.

             Sabito quickly blocked the attack.

             Sabito pushed Genghis Quack back.

              It surprised him as Genghis Quack got ready to move, but Sabito had his katana near Genghis Quack’s neck.

              Genghis Quack was speechless.

             Sabito sheaths his katana.

             Sabito and Genghis Quack bowed respectfully to each other. 

             “Good work, my student,” Genghis Quack said.

            “Thank you, Master Genghis Quack,” Sabito said. 

           Out near the big tree, Lord Magnus smirked, standing at the edge. 

           “Demon Hawks, it is time to strike by morning. We'll wipe out that entire town and feed upon that foolish rabbit,” Lord Magnus said.

            “Let’s go,” Lord Magnus said as other demon hawks followed him.

            “YES! LORD MAGNUS!” the demon hawks said as they followed Lord Magnus.