[center][b][h1]Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune[/h1][/b][/center]

[h2]In Combat With Assassin[/h2]

Oh, certainly, the shinobi was quick. Skilled, too, for few could switch between weapons so easily and quickly and still fight effectively. It spoke of years of experience, of long-honed skill borne from the shedding of blood, sweat, and tears.

But the fact remained that Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune was the greatest samurai of her age, and this Assassin, and it was an Assassin for what else could a shinobi be, was not. The assassin was undoubtedly a master of her weapons, but her forte was ninjutsu. Of stealth, of poison, of ambush. Not close combat, for that was the samurai’s domain.

Yoshitsune had been taught how to use every weapon of the samurai and more by the greatest of Mount Kurama. She had mastered each and every one, and knew their use inside and out, their stances and forms and the very ideas behind them. The spear could not wound her. 

And, so, when summoned in the Saber class, how could an Assassin outside of her domain even hope to touch her with a blade, no matter how close she was?

Like rain the swordstrokes came, but all the approach did was keep the shinobi closer to Yoshitsune. And that, well, had its own consequences. Every mistake, ruthlessly punished. Every flaw, torn open. Every opening, exploited into the ground.

The best defense is an excellent offense is a saying commonly known. And thus, when faced a veritable shower of attacks, the only solution that Yoshitsune needed was simply [i]accelerate[/i].

Two. Four. Six. Eight. More and more and more and more and more, until the Assassin was walking backwards.

Yoshitsune did not smile. [i]She bared her teeth.[/i]

“It’s all I’ll ever need for the likes of you.”

Wind buffeting and cutting her opponent, the endgame was near. Her opponent had failed her initial objective, and staying in melee combat as an Assassin was an awful idea. So, goodbyes would be soon.

And she would be more than happy to give a parting present.

Amidst the duel of blades, openings revealed themselves.

Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune blurred once more, and she [i]cut[/i].

[@1Charak2] [@GreenGoat]