There were many knife throwing techniques, but Hide focuses on no-spin techniques. Because this technique could be applied with a knife that had a balance point at the end, in the middle, or at the base. Also, if the thrower's feeling was ingrained to the deepest level, the no-spin technique could even be used with scissors or other tools.

Every morning, after warming up and stretching Hide would hone his knife skills in the garage, be it knife silent killing or knife throwing.

While his sweat was dripping to the floor, Hide placed the center of his right palm against the base of a combat knife, then clamped the handle using his thumb, middle finger, and index finger on three sides.

Then, he swung his arms up as if he was swinging a whip. Just before his hand pointed at the target, Hide released his grip and used his index finger to make a small upward thrust so that the combat knife wouldn't spin.

While his hand stopped with the palm facing up, the combat knife thrust straight away to the target.

Takkk!!

The combat knife perfectly pierced the wooden target six meters in front of Hide. After taking a deep breath, Hide then grabbed five steel nails as big as chopsticks and threw them using the no-spin technique.

Takkk!!

Takkk!!

Clank!!

Takkk!!

Clank!!

"Well, four out of six," Hide muttered softly.

After glancing at his watch, Hide closed his eyes in preparation before practicing knife silent killing.

---

Hakka Plateau, Nikko Army's Sniper Specialization Training Center.

The gentle evening sun shone on a row of bivouacs on the edge of a small stream. Each bivouac was no more than 40 cm high and was well camouflaged among the high grasses.

Not far from the row of bivouacs, stood an instructor in green olive tactical pants and a sand brown T-shirt. While holding a stuffed weed scarecrow, the instructor looked at the six cadets kneeling before him.

The six cadets' bodies were thin. Their cheeks were sunken like deer. Their faces were covered with beard and sideburns, while their hair reached their napes and ears. Their combat dress was also worn out. Yet their gazes were as sharp as an eagle's.

After smiling cheerfully, the instructor said, "Congratulations, of 47 cadets, 14 have managed to complete the Marksman Phase, but only you were selected to proceed to the Stalking Phase."

"""Sir,""" answered the cadets calmly and in unison.

"Do you know what you're going to do for the next six weeks?"

One of the cadets appointed by the instructor replied, "Infiltrate into various objectives guarded by a Ranger Airborne's company specializing in counter special forces or snipers, executed 300-600 meter perfect shots without being caught, minimum got five success attempts from eight available opportunities."

"Right, shooting from 800-1000 meters will be too easy for you. So you have to work a little bit more." The instructor then paused for a moment before asking again, "But, what if you have to kill targets silently at close range, at night, behind enemy lines."

Another cadet replied, "No matter how good the sound and flash suppressor is, the flash from the sidearm still has the potential to open positions. So silent killing must be done using a combat knife."

"Correct, therefore, for the next six weeks, I and the other 16 instructors will be teaching you how to kill silently using a combat knife, ax, steel wire, poison, dart, or other toys."

After looking at each cadet one by one, the instructor added, "The result of the silent killing lesson will not affect the graduation of the Stalking Phase qualification. But believe me, master the skill until you are worthy of being called a sentry slayer, and one day you will be grateful for it when the opportunity to use it comes."

"""Sir,"""

"For today, I will teach you the knife silent killing," the instructor then showed a black chromed combat knife as he explained, "Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife or Britiss Commando Knife, based on the old bayonet model from the Hoa Republic. The flat part is slightly triangular, while the edges are not very sharp. It is by their nature for tearing and not for cutting large muscles, veins, or blood vessels.

Very effective at draining the victim's blood. Very easy to insert between the ribs to give a touch to the heart or lungs. A knife made specifically for killing."

"""Sir."""

The instructor then pointed at several locations on his scarecrow. "The seven major veins, unless you intend to take a medical course, you don't need to remember their names. Just remember their location and how to destroy them.

If the grip, movement, and angle of the knife are correct, the victim will be unconscious in four seconds, enter a coma in six seconds, and arrive in the afterlife in 8-10 seconds."

"""Sir,"""

"Now, make your scarecrow so we can start practicing right away."

"""Sir."""

A few minutes later, the practice of butchering scarecrows began.

---

Slowly Hide opened his eyes. While the memory of knife silent killing practice was still fresh in his mind, he grabbed his training partner. A doll from a 1.8 m long wooden block, wrapped tightly using an old blanket and towel.

For seven targets in knife silent killing, 76 techniques could be used. Most were techniques that were executed from behind in a standing position. But there were also techniques that demand to be performed from the front, from a kneeling position, or even from a prone position.

Of course, Hide couldn't practice all the techniques. But at the very least, he could restore the sensation and familiarity to some of the techniques he was most likely to use.

"Hello Teddy my old friend, we meet again."

After a warm greeting, Hide then stabbed Teddy by using his Fairbairn Sykes, in various angles and positions. Sometimes, after a stab, he would push or pull the Fairbairn Sykes handle sideways. Other times, he'll just turn it around like a drill.

Within half an hour, Hide managed to make hundreds of stabs without the slightest pause. If Teddy was a living being, then his blood would have been drained and pooled on the floor with Hide's sweat.

"Phewww..."

After checking his watch, Hide then mumbled softly, "Ten minutes before Aizawa comes down. Today I also promised to take her shopping after school."

After gulping down a glass of warm water, Hide then rushed to the side yard and started Hanna's exercise program.

*****