“You’re not going to teach me anything,” Ben gritted his teeth. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold.

“I taught your old man a thing or two last night. He was pathetic–”

“It wasn’t a fair fight!” Ben shouted, taking his focus away from his sword.

Hattori pushed forward, and Ben stumbled back, losing his footing for a moment. Hattori advanced, and Ben felt his kick connect with his stomach. He was knocked back into the bamboo, and crumpled to the ground. He couldn’t catch his breath, couldn’t breathe. He struggled to push himself up between the tall stalks of bamboo. His katana fell from his hands.

“Enough of this,” Hattori spat. He grabbed Ben by the hair, lifti...

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