Sacred Arts

29. Weapon Specialist Training

Lee placed targets all around the training field, even in blind spots, behind trees and huge rocks. "First we are going to practice hitting the normal targets all around us, before we hit the ones in our blind spots," Lee informed Amon. Lee took out a kunai knife and threw it at the target, hitting it dead in the red center. Lee threw several kunai knives in quick succession, all hitting the same target in the red center. "That's amazing," Amon said out loud.

"I want to give it a try," Amon said to Lee. "Go ahead," Lee instructed. Amon threw several kunai knives at the target, hitting it in the red center just as Lee had done. "There's no way this kid nailed all three attempts that fast, that easy," Lee thought surprised. Lee looked at Amon with an astonished look on his face.

"Have you done this before kid?" Lee asked. "No, but I'm really enjoying this," Amon replied. "Well, I guess we can skip the beginner techniques and see how you do with some advanced techniques," Lee told Amon. Lee stood in the center of the training field with six kunai knives in his hand and leaped high into the air. Lee threw the kunai knives in all directions, making some of them hit another to change their trajectory.

"He used the kunai knives themselves in order to hit the targets in his blind spots," Amon thought, observing Lee. "That's impressive," he whispered to himself. "How do you anticipate when and how to throw certain kunai knives in order to make them hit another one to change its trajectory?" Amon asked Lee. "To be honest, it's all about predicting and calculating extremely well," Lee answered. "This is one of the most advanced techniques that I know," Lee continued.

"It'll take you some time, but we will continue practicing so you'll get it before you know it," he added. Hours had passed and Amon continued to practice throwing his kunai knives at the targets. "Alright, that's enough for today, let's head back to the barracks for some rest," Lee suggested. "Ok," Amon said stretching and walking away with Lee. A few more hours passed and everyone was fast asleep.

Amon snuck out the barracks and went to the training field to train some more. "I will master this," Amon thought to himself. "If I want to avenge my master and my fellow disciples, I have to get stronger," Amon whispered to himself. Days passed and Amon continued to train during the day and sneak out at night to further his training. It was the middle of the second week of Amon's weapon specialist training and Amon stood in the middle of the training field waiting for Lee to arrive.

"Looks like someone is all set and ready to go," Lee said, walking towards Amon. "Show me what you got," Lee instructed as he sat and observed Amon. Just as Lee had done a week earlier, Amon leaped into the sky with six kunai knives in his hands and threw them in all directions. "I'm going to take it a step further," Amon thought as he quickly took out four extra kunai knives, preparing to throw them. Amon threw the four kunai knives and changed the trajectory of four of the kunai knives he had already thrown.

In seconds, all ten kunai knives had hit their targets directly in the red center. "This is unbelievable!" Lee exclaimed. "In less than two weeks this boy was able to take the technique I taught him and advance it further to nail even harder targets," Lee thought proudly. "Just where did this kid come from," Lee wondered. "It takes years of practice to develop the speed and aim to accomplish what this kid has in weeks," he muttered.

"Outstanding job, Amon," Lee said as Amon landed back on the ground. "I guess now we can work on throwing stars," Lee told him. "To be honest, I had already practiced that beforehand," Amon informed Lee. "What do you mean?" Lee asked. "How?" He said curiously. "I'll just show you," Amon said confidently. Amon threw his throwing stars and, just like with the kunai, he was able to use the stars to change the trajectory of another star.

Amon even managed to curve a throwing star more than normal in order to hit the target. "I can't believe this, this practically taught himself how to use another weapon based off how he used a different one," Lee thought, amazed. "OK well, then all that is left is to teach you how to wield the short straight sword, and you will be efficient in our basic weapons," Lee told Amon. Lee pulled out his short straight sword and Amon mirrored him. "Follow my lead," Lee said as he began practicing the forms and strikes with Amon.

Hours passed and Amon had committed all the forms and strikes to memory. "This is pretty simple," Amon thought to himself. "This short straight sword allows its wielder to make quick and accurate attacks at a moment's notice," Amon whispered to himself. "This is the perfect weapon for assassination and even hunting," Amon thought with a grin on his face. "If he keeps this up, he will be going on missions by the end of next month," Lee thought to himself.

A few more days passed and Amon had continued to improve with all three weapons Lee had trained him with. After almost three full weeks, Lee stood on the training field with Amon, preparing for an all-out spar. "Now we are going to test and see how well you really know the weapons you have been working with this entire time," Lee told Amon. "Let's do it," Amon responded eagerly, barely able to contain his excitement. Jake and Dustin walked onto the field and observed from the sidelines.

"This kid is definitely partially mastering our village skills extraordinarily fast," Jake told Dustin.  "What's mind-blowing is that it took us years upon years, and it took this kid mere weeks," Dustin replied. "Yeah, after when it comes time for me to evaluate him, the elder will come to watch," Jake said. "I don't even think the elder will believe me when I tell him this guy is ready for an evaluation so soon," Jake continued. Lee lunged at Amon with his short straight sword in his hand, aiming a vertical downward slash at Amon.

Amon quickly sidestepped to evade the slash and leaped back to put some distance between himself and Lee. Amon charged back at Lee, preparing to slash at him horizontally. Lee jumped into the air and flipped backwards to evade the slash. Amon and Lee lunged at one another again, this time meeting each other head on in the center of the training field. They were locked in constant attack and defending positions, and neither were able to gain the advantage over the other.

"He's not bad," Lee thought, smiling. "He is actually holding his own, despite it being his first battle with these weapons," he continued happily. "No need to drag this out any further," Amon thought to himself. Amon took out a bunch of kunai and throwing stars. As he charged at Lee, he began to throw them in all directions in an attempt to corner Lee.

"Why would he try to hit me with these kunai right now?" "I guess he doesn't realize that they are meant for sneak attacks, not direct attacks," Lee thought. Lee began to dodge the kunai and throwing stars, but Amon had already anticipated this and was waiting in his blind spot to attack. The moment he saw an opening, Amin charged at Lee with no hesitation. Lee was more focused on dodging and defending against the kunai knives, and he hadn't kept a close eye on Amon.

"I win," Amon said, grinning, holding the tip of the short straight sword directly at Lee's throat. "You got me," Lee said, sighing, with a grin on his face and hands in the air. Jake and Dustin walked toward Amon and Lee clapping their hands, applauding the sparring match. "Nice work little man," Jake said, smiling. "Well, I suppose that means starting tomorrow you will be training directly with me," Jake informed Amon.

"After our training, you will be qualified to join us on missions," he added. "Let's call it a day guys," Jake suggested. Everyone agreed and headed back to the barracks to rest. Amon rested and waited patiently for the next step in his training. Hours passed, and the sun began to rise. Amon headed to the training field and Jake was already there awaiting his arrival.