"I believe that is why I have been asked to assist. I will teach the fundamentals of the tetsubo, as well as how to fight our enemy. You however know more of fighting the Shadows then you believe Matsu-san. The armies of the Lost make up much of what we are likely to face on this side of the Kiau wall. These are mostly former samurai, bushi and shugenja who better than a Lion to teach us how to defeat these foes."

Yosh, there is much truth in that, Hochkie-san. Kiku-san, our first battle will be there. Yagimaki turns and points his tetsubo at the village of Oni Mura. This village is named Oni Mura for a reason. There is likely a demon living in there. He turns back to the assemble warriors, Individual weapon training will be secondary. Working as a unit against an Oni is what our training will be for a few days. Looks Fuji and Saotome in the eyes with deep sincerity We must scout that village, determine the enemy's disposition turning and looking at Kiku continues develop a plan giving Hockie a stern look then execute the plan and the Oni.

Saotome pauses in his kata to nod to Yagimaki and then continues.

"The truth of it is that I doubt there is really need for weapon training, Hida-san." One of her eyes closed as she glanced back. "We were not given those wet behind the ears. If the Lost fall the same way that anyone else does, then they're all formidable enough already to hold their own. The hard lesson to offer is that running to give warning isn't an act of cowardice."

Yosh, Kiku-san, we must get trained as a unit and in various formations. I want the recon party to have Fuji and Saotome as scouts. You select 5 of other warriors as primary fighters turning to Hochkie Hochkie-san, you and Kuni Manabu will demonstrate and train the 5 fighters that Kikusan selects in tetsubo techniques and tell them everything you know about fighting oni.

As the Hida approach, his good eye flickers over to them, one eyebrow raised slightly, as he leans on his tetsubo. At the corners, his lips tilt upwards into a faint smile, the scars stretching his faint grin into a painful caricature of one.

Slung over his shoulder, is a quiver of arrows, along with a Tsuruchi longbow. He simply watches the practice unfolding, his gaze moving along, from person to person.

"Hai sensei, will you be commanding this expedition?"

Manabu nods some as he listens, thoughts going through his mind. He nods his head to Yagimaki when his name is mentioned. He waits for the sensei to cease speaking before jumping in, "Well, I'll do what I can to teach them to use a tetsubo, especially in how to weild it effectively in close quarters. As to how to fight oni, that will be tricky. There are larges amounts of oni, and even more ways to kill them. If I'm to teach them how to defeat this particular oni, I'll need to know more about it. Do you suppose the villagers would have any accurate legends about it, something I can work off of? Of course, if the scouting party can give me a description, that'll be a little more reliable."

It is difficult to determine who will command a recon in force. As each part of the force has different tasks and those tasks can lead to the need for independent action, it is difficult to say who is best until we have practiced together on the formations and techniques needed. After I have witnessed the training for a few days I will select the mission Leader. Matsu Kiku-san and Yasuki Hockie-san will be in charge of the training. Looking at all of the veteran faces, Yagimaki is pleased. He continues. Many of you have seen combat, faced death, but the dark and its' monsters can chill your spirit, render you senseless. Training to tactics that are proven to work must be intense, so when you meet the enemy, you are one with action, automatic, indeed so fear has no time to slow you. You must be action itself, strength itself, turn the fear into rage and destroy the enemy. That is the way of the Crab and it works! Each of you must adopt and adapt these lessons to be successful. The Matsu have for centuries at the right hand of the Emperor had to combat many enemies and know the way of adaption. Your combat experience will help you learn quickly and adapt your style to be successful. Stopping to breathe, Yagimaki realizes he is getting all wrapped up in the mission of the Jade Hand. Any questions?

Fuji drags her attention off of the scantily clad Dragon monk.

"Where can I get a no-dachi?" she asked.


Fuji

Fuji-san, go aboard the Amoro's Pride and ask for the Master of Arms, he may have one. I would like to speak to you and Saotome tomorrow about our upcoming mission.

Exit/stage left

"Mmm, none of import. Simply orders." The tallish, hideously scarred figure watches the scene with a veneer of supreme indifference, almost insouciant, were it not for the intensity of his single, good eye.

One of Kiku's eyes closed again as if the sun bothered her, but not quite. She looked up at the sky for a moment, glancing at the wispy clouds as though they held a message for her.

The sword leaning against her shoulder bounced a little.

Did Yagimaki imply that she would have to take off the kid gloves with training? She could teach them to not feel, but was that really conducive to fulfilling this kind of mission, or was it counterproductive? This batch had too many veterans. Small slips with sparring wouldn't have small results at all.

Observing the scene for a moment, the old Tsuruchi shrugs, unlimbering his longbow, and stringing it in the same motion. For a moment, he regards the sea, his good eye sighting on several pieces of driftwood. Then, with a smile that causes his features to grimace with scars, arrows begin to leap from his bow, the practice arrows thunking into pieces of driftwood a fair reach away.

He allows himself to pursue this particular course of action for a time, before unstringing his bow and returning it to his shoulder. With a shake of his head, he goes to retrieve his arrows.