Seven Ashina Spears - Shume Masaji Oniwa

## Description

**Seven Ashina Spears - Shume Masaji Oniwa** (葦名七本槍 鬼庭主馬雅次, Seven Spears of Ashina Oniwa Shume Masaji) is an optional Mini-Boss with two Deathblow Counters.

As the Tenth Prayer Necklace states, the Seven Ashina Spears are Isshin's most loyal samurai who helped his rise to power.

## Location

* Ashina Reservoir: during the final invasion of Ashina Castle by the Central Forces, just past the Sculptor's Idol, accompanied by an Ashina Samurai.

## Behaviour and Tactics

* **Perilous Charge**: readies his spear then charges forward. If countered with Mikiri Counter, he may choose one of the following:
	+ Retreats a short distance.
	+ Drags the spear back then does a quick upward hook. If deflected it will topple his balance.
	+ Spins the spear out of suppression then does a downward cleave. If deflected it will topple his balance.
* **Perilous Frenzy**: readies his spear and stabs forward rapidly several times.
* **Perilous Sweep**: sweeps the spear around in a wide angle. He may follow up with this move after being deflected.
* **Crouching Tiger**: enacts in a low stance, creeping forth then quickly cleaves upward. He follows up with *Leaping Smash* right after.
* **Double Swipe**: slashes with the spear forward, then follows up with a horizontal slice.
* **Horizontal Slashes**: slashes horizontally in a wide angle twice.
* **Leaping Slash**: leaps up in the air, coming down with a powerful slash.
* **Shove**: shoves his attacker with the shaft of the spear to create space for an attack.
* **Spin and Slash**: spins the spear above his head then slashes sideway, then follows up with a *Perilous Charge.*

Despite Gachiin's Sugar makes it easier to sneak behind either enemies, it's also possible to land a stealth Deathblow by simply taking the right from the Sculptor's Idol and running behind one of the two before either becomes alerted. If the chosen target is the general, the Puppeteer Ninjutsu can be used to turn him against the Mini-Boss. Furthermore the nearby shell-shocked Ashina Rifleman does not stand up, but can be used as a source of health recovery through Breath of Life or as an opening to land a backstab Deathblow using the Bloodsmoke Ninjutsu.

Like against Lone Shadow Vilehand, It's also possible to exploit quitting the game after killing the General, as upon reloading the Mini-Boss, now alone, will be vulnerable to a stealth deathblow that will take away his first Vitality bar.

It's important to note that if the Mini-Boss is baited to throw himself down the nearby chasm, it won't count as a kill and it will reappear in his original spot once the area is reloaded.

The fight is identical to that of the other Seven Ashina Spear.

Ungo's Sugar is particularly recommended to mitigate the high damage output of this Mini-Boss.

Firecrackers can stun this Mini-Boss for a short while and Flame Vent, especially when Shume is covered in Oil, can also damage his Vitality greatly and prevent his Posture from regenerating with Burn. Since this Mini-Boss is completely defenseless from the back, the Loaded Axe can deal massive damage to his Posture and even break him out of his *Spin and Slash* attack, which is impossible to do otherwise with mere katana swings.

Since most of his moves are thrust attacks, the main strategies are either to deflect them with a Mikiri Counter or to dodge to the left to get behind him, instead of dodging backward, which will be punished by the long range of his attacks, or jumping, which will be countered by the high vertical tracking of his moves. It's important to note that this Mini-Boss may combo attacks even after suffering a Mikiri Counter, so it's vital to be ready to deflect the next move to make him lose his balance, which creates a major opening not only for attacks and Prosthetic Tools, but also for healing.

Since some of his attacks can also knock Wolf backward, it's important to not keep fighting on the edge of the ravine or near the burning gate

If kept under constant pressure, he'll mostly use either his *Spin and Slash* attack or his *Shove* attack that, if deflected, will be followed up with the *Spin and Slash* move.

**Ashina Samurai**: I did...
**Shume Masaji Oniwa**: Good... We will begin when Lord Genichiro returns. ... We will revive Ashina together with the Dragon's Blood.
**Ashina Samurai**: Yes...

## Trivia

* If Oniwa (鬼庭) is a clan's name and not a title, this means that this Mini-Boss might be a relative of Gyoubu.
* This Mini-Boss shares his behaviour and model with Seven Ashina Spears - Shikibu Toshikatsu Yamauchi.

Gallery
Concept Art