Way of the Samurai 3

There are multiple ways to learn skills. I will cover three of the easiest. Fighting, Scrolls and a Partner. Normally, the only way to get skills, is to use certain techniques with the weapon enough that you form new attacks in the combo. Scrolls will teach you one of the few skills available in the tree, depending on what scroll you buy. Momiji is a partner that is easily obtainable, and she will randomly teach you new techniques with the weapon currently equipped. Now for explanations

Normally, the learning of techniques is a long and enduring process. You must use the sword in question a lot, using the combos you wish to learn, and leveling it up to learn new ones. This requires a lot of fighting. Not randomly killing townspeople, but fighting other people, with weapons.

The scrolls isn't hard, just somewhat time consuming, and expensive. Each scroll has a set skill level, and buying a basic learns the first attack in a combo you have yet to learn. Intermediate skill scrolls learn more advanced techniques, but nothing epic. Just the filler moves. The final scrolls, or Master scrolls, will teach the hardest moves. Those only obtainable by either high level, or lots of practice. Each scroll is rather expensive, and only teaches one skill.

Momiji is the easiest way to learn attacks. She will appear outside the moat just south of the eastern gate in Castle Amana. She will only show up on the 3rd day and after, so you will have to wait a bit. When she shows up, approach her and begin conversation. She'll blame you for her father's death, calling you 'Father's Foe' and such, then after a bit, she will attack you. As tempting as it might be to cut this little girl down, don't do it. Just hit the ground in shame and apologize. Stay the, until she sheathes her sword. The approach her again, talk to her, and make sure when the conversation choice appears, pick, 'You have reason to kill me.' After a bit of confusion on her part, she decides that she couldn't become a samurai, that its to confusing. Ask her to be your partner, and she'll slowly tag along with you. Avoid conflict, don't go home to go to sleep, and just keep her around. She doesn't run as fast as you, so you will have to give her time to catch up once in a while. As long as she stays full health, she will Teach you a new technique on the currently equipped weapon, or stance, aside from Bare Hands.(Not sure, haven't tested it yet) And if you haven't got her trust up enough to live with you, she will go home when you go to sleep, so avoid that.

That the best I can come up with, and if there any hiccups in this, feel free to comment or leave your own version. This can also be applied to 'First Time', 'Skill Collector', 'Weapon Specialist', Master of Skills', and any of the 'Stance Mastery' Chivos as well.

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There is a merchant in the center of town whom sells scrolls. Easiest way to master all techniques is to save up some money, buy all the scrolls your can, then kill him, get your yen back, leave town and save, then restart. Scrolls saved, cash saved, new attacks saved. Rinse and reapeat for all attacks. Start buying some of the specialty scrolls as needed. Easy peezy, lemon squeezy. Thanx to Maniac Thanatos for making me come back to add this solution. I had forgotten.