China wasn't the only land with exotic martial arts styles. There was also India (with their Rajput Warriors and Kalaripayattu practitioners), Japan (with their Samurai and Ninjas), as well as the rest of southeast Asia. Because of this, the Summer Animalia Martial Arts Showcase (or SAMAS, for short) was looking to be rather big and exciting. Fortunately, there were several "safety valves" to prevent serious injury.
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"We teach our up-and-coming doctors how to suture, and how to basically operate using pig carcasses." said Joshua to the Five Elements, "However, the TV show Deadliest Warrior took it one step further by not only testing their weapons on fabricated ballistic gel torsos, but also on pig carcasses and sides of beef."
"Sisters, stop drooling." said Shuixing, noting the drool on Muxing, Tuxing and Jinxing's lips.
"Sorry," said Jinxing, as everyone wiped their lips, "It's almost time for lunch."
"That's okay," said Joshua, "I was just getting to that. Anyway, you using your skills on pigs (which has similar tissue consistency, and same rough gross anatomy) and sides of beef (which can prove that you can break human bones, if you can break beef bones), will help 'prepare' for carnivore meals later.
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Meanwhile, another organizer for SAMAS was talking with the Shikamatsu family.
"I already know that you donated your family armor to Golden Mountain Dojo, but do you still have your family's samurai swords?" he asked.
"We do, why?" asked Mrs. Shikamatsu.
"We would like you to showcase your kenjustu skills at SAMAS." answered the organizer.
"How would we do that?" asked Mr. Shikamatsu.
"First you'll be demonstrating the speed of the legendary samurai quick draw on three rolled mats. Then you will showcase the sharpness of your family blades on the most basic target, fruits such as cantaloupe. Then you'll test it on a stack of four pig carcasses."
"First off," said Mrs. Shikamatsu, "Unsheathing the katana with lightning speed is its own martial art, called Iaijutsu. Second, testing it on pigs is similar to using the katana on condemned criminals in feudal Japan."
"That's the idea." said the organizer, "We'll find out how many 'bodies' your family sword can cut through."
"There's no problem with that," said Mrs. Shikamatsu, "But would you mind for a demonstration of Japanese Zen Archery during the showcase?"
"Sure, why not?" answered the organizer.
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Another thing that happened was when Anne and Janice, Shyra and Jessica, and the GGAC turtles met with another organizer for SAMAS.
"Just so you all know, the organizers for the TV show starring the GGAC turtles will be showing up to talk about ideas for their show. I came across one thing that I'd think you'd all like to know about. What is traditional in Japanese culture is 'rival schools' of ninjas with different techniques. Apparently Anne and Shyra has inspired two different 'rival schools' with different techniques, not only in fighting, but also in information gathering. For example, the 'Skunk School' of information gathering takes advantage of the stereotype perpetrated by Anne by being domestic maids for nobles, and helping themselves information (and valuables) from noble houses and leaving them at drop points. While the 'Rabbit School' of information uses guile and charm (not to mention alcohol spiked with a secret 'clan mixture') to win information they would not otherwise be able to get. I'm saying this now because, while the setting is 'cyberpunk', it is heavily influenced by both feudal Japan and Ming Dynasty China, similar to the more recent Lego Ninjago sets."
After that, there was a bit of silence as everyone digested this information.
"Why didn't I think of that?" said Anne, which was the first thing that was said about it.
"Mozer!" replied Janice indignantly, but secretly wishing that she had.
"You can bounce ideas off of the visitors when they come for SAMAS." said the organizer.