Inner Genichiro

## Description

**Inner Genichiro** (心中の弦一郎, Gen'ichirō of the Inmost Thoughts) is an optional Boss with three Deathblow Counters.

He can only be fought in the Gauntlet of Strength and Reflection of Strength.

In memory, after countless bouts with his mortal enemy, Genichiro at last attained the height of the technique he used to admire in his mentor Tomoe's movements.

## Location

* Final boss of the Gauntlet of Strength: Divine Heir.

## Moveset

### Phase 1 & 2

* **Perilous Attack Follow Up**:: delivers an overhead smash while airborne and connects with a Perilous Thrust upon landing.
* **Perilous Grab**:: initiates a sideway jumping slash to the left then uses his elbow to deliver a quick jab, if connected he punches Wolf in the stomach. Striking him during this attack will topple his balance, even with a visible block at the end of the move.
* **Perilous Thrust**:: thrusts with his katana.
* **Perilous Sweep**:: sweeps the floor. Only used as a mix-up of *Floating Passage*.
* **Advance**: two horizontal slashes while stepping forth. Always follows it up with *Floating Passage* unless Wolf is behind him.
* **Chasing Slice**: shoots and arrow and performs a foward-dashing sword slice. If he shoots two arrows, he'll follow up the slice with *Sakura Dance*.
* **Closing Tide**: slides and shoots an arrow or two, then roll forward and deliver an overhead slash.
* **Floating Passage**: a deadly combo of seven hits starting with him sliding to the left with the last guard-breaking strike. May cancel it after the fourth swing into a *Perilous Sweep*. If Wolf runs too far away, Genichiro will just stop the combo and fire an arrow.
* **Guard Breaking Shot**: notches an arrow with incredible force which is capable of breaking guard upon releasing. Always reacts with this move when Wolf drinks from a Gourd.
* **Hawk Shot**: stays airborne and shoots rapidly four times.
* **Iaijutsu**: a quick drawn strike with short closing distance.
* **Sakura Dance**: leaps and perform a triple mid air slash, slightly delaying the last hit. Most common opening move and used often after one of his combos is deflected.
* **Two-hit Combo**: spins his body, slashing and kicks right after. If the kick is deflected, he'll probably follow it up with *Sakura Dance*, but if it connects he may use the **Guard Breaking Shot** instead.

### Phase 3

* **Death's Thrust**:: lunges forward thrusting for a long distance. Always reacts with this move when Wolf drinks from a Gourd.
* **Perilous Thrust**:: if the last swing of *Floating Passage* is deflected succesfully, Genichiro will always follow it up with a thrust attack.
* **Perilous Attack Follow Up**:: delivers an overhead smash while airborne and connects with one of the following, based on his action:
	+ Crouches down -> *Perilous Thrust*.
	+ Turns his body clockwise -> *Perilous Sweep*.
	+ Turns his body anti-clockwise -> quick upward cut that, if deflected, is followed by a delayed *Perilous Thrust*.
* **Perilous Grab**:: after Wolf is hit by *Death's Thrust*, Genichiro runs toward him attempting to grab him. If it connects, he throws Wolf on the ground before stabbing him in the chest.
* **Lightning of Tomoe Shot**:: jumps up and imbues his arrow with lightning, then shoots out an electrifying arrow afflicting Shock abnormality instantly. If reversed, he'll catch it up again and will throw it back at Wolf, but if he reverses it correctly again it'll Genichiro won't be able to counter-attack.
* **Lightning of Tomoe Slash**:: raises the katana to his right with both hands and imbues it with lightning, leaps up then slashes forwards in a long horizontal arc. If reversed, he'll catch it up again and will throw it back at Wolf, but if he reverses it correctly again Genichiro won't be able to counter-attack.
* **Lightning of Tomoe Smash**:: raises the katana to his left and imbues it with lightning, leaps up then smashing straight down. If reversed, he'll catch it up again and will throw it back at Wolf, but if he reverses it correctly again it'll Genichiro won't be able to counter-attack.

## Suggested Equipment

* Loaded Umbrella: any version that can spin will make it easier to deflect the entire *Floating Passage* and with Projected Force it will also deal a lot of damage. Also useful for countering *Hawk Shot*.
* Mist Raven: can be used to reverse Genichiro's lightning attack without giving him the chance to send them back to Wolf.

## Tactics

### Phase 1 & 2

There's just enough time to use a Sugar at the start of the fight, before Genichiro will perform his *Sakura Dance*, but after deflecting the first two slashes, it's also possible to dodge foward to avoid the third and find an opening to use some item or heal. Since this combo deals damage through the regular guard and has a slight delay on the final hit, it's recommended to counter it with a spinning Loaded Umbrella and follow it up with Projected Force.

Another combo that's best deflected with the Umbrella is *Floating Passage*: after parrying the first two swings, open the Umbrella and spin it twice to deflect the rest and use Projecting Force to prevent Genichiro from followin it up with *Sakura Dance*. If one deflects it regularly, it's best to be prepared to Jump-Kick backward after the fourth attack, as Genichiro will most likely cancel the combo into his *Perilous Sweep*.

At distance he'll generally use *Chasing Slice* to cover up the distance and will follow it up with *Sakura Dance*, unless one dodges behind Genichiro as he performs his slice.

As soon as any Gourd is used, Genichiro will use his *Guard Breaking Shot*. The spinning Umbrella can counter this attack and *Hawk Shoot* for massive damage with Projecting Force.

Unlike with regular Genichiro atop Ashina Castle, this one will never use a *Perilous Sweep* after his *Perilous Attack Follow Up*, so one should always be ready to mikiri the *Perilous Thrust*.

## Phase 3

This phase always starts with *Death's Thrust* and Genichiro will always use this move everytime a Gourd is used, so it's best to heal when far away from him or right after performing a mikiri on this attack, which will create an opportunity for another mikiri counter.

Since Genichiro too can reverse lightnings in this version, it's recommended to use the Mist Raven to reverse those attacks, as Genichiro will not be able to retaliate against it.