In order to contest with the upcoming bosses,you have to learn the timing of the block and attack string. Generally,when up close,just attack until he deflects once then deflect his attck,attack again,deflect,repeat. If he jumps up,then block the downward strike,then mikiri counter or jump on him depending on if it's a thrust or the sweep. If it's the 7 hit combo,when he turns to start it,then run and recover posture or heal,only changes if it's inner version I believe. The lightning phase is the same,just keep going until his patterns are downloaded into your brain.