Seven Ashina Spears - Shikibu Toshikatsu Yamauchi

## Description

**Seven Ashina Spears - Shikibu Toshikatsu Yamauchi** (葦名七本槍　山内式部利勝, Seven Spears of Ashina Yamauchi Shikibu Toshikatsu) 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 second visit, in front of the Moon-View Tower, where The Divine Heir was once being held at in the prologue.

## 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 the fact that the surrounding enemies won't interfere with the fight, if it's approached with stealth, it's safer to clear the area before this Mini-Boss anyway, since it also offers more space to maneuver the battle.

Following the steps suggested in the prologue to reach the Moon-view Tower, it's possible to starts the fight with a deathblow that will take away the first Vitality bar of this Mini-Boss. Since he'll always stop at the top of the stairs to the tower, there's also plenty of time to use any desired item before attacking.

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 Yamauchi 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.

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.

## Notes

* As the final invasion of Ashina Castle and Outskirt by the Central Forces is triggered, this Mini-Boss will disappear for the rest of the playthrough. However, the Prayer Bead that he would have dropped will still be available in the offering box next to Hanbei for 2200 2200.

## Trivia

* The Yamauchi clan (山内) appears to be notorious in Ashina, as all the members met in the game hold important positions in the army, such as that of samurai, general and even one of the seven Ashina spears.

* This Mini-Boss shares the same model with Seven Ashina Spears - Shume Masaji Oniwa.

Gallery
DeathblowConcept Art