Orca

Orca is a character in. He is the elderly man who lives on Outset Island along with his older brother, Sturgeon, and his great-niece, Sue-Belle, who live upstairs. Orca is an accomplished swordsman, and will teach Link the way of the sword. Orca will also give Link the Hero's Sword, his first weapon of the game.

Biography
Although they live in the same home, Orca and Sturgeon hardly get along and have almost nothing in common. Much unlike his brother, Orca has a very calm disposition: whereas Sturgeon prefers to spend the day expanding his knowledge, Orca prefers to study the art of fighting. As such, Orca is often called a "hooligan" by his brother.

In his youth, Orca set out with his brother on an arduous quest to collect ten Knight's Crests, which would allow them to learn a powerful new sword technique. However, even after many long years and adventures beyond count, they were unable to even approach finding ten crests, and they grew old before their ambitions could come to fruition.

Secret Technique
Before Link returns to Outset, he receives a Letter from Orca telling him that if he wants to become a true swordsman, he must collect some Knight's Crests and bring them to him. If Link brings presents 10 Knight Crests to Orca, he will teach Link the technique that he and Sturgeon was never able to master: The Hurricane Spin. Once Link masters it, Orca will drop his spear and cry out of joy, saying Link has made their long-held dream come true. Orca will then say that there is no longer anything left for him to teach Link. He expresses his certainty that Link will be successful in his quest to save Aryll and bring her home to Outset Island.

Training Minigame
Upon his return to Outset Island, if Link visits Orca, he will tell him that Link has changed since he left. Orca will ask Link to show him how much his skills have improved. If Link accepts, a mini-game will begin in which Link must strike Orca as many times as he can before Orca strikes him three times. At the beginning of the battle, Orca will taunt Link, saying that his skills with the sword are still at the level of a mere page. If Link hits him 100 times, he will rise to the rank of "knight," and Orca will reward him with a purple Rupee. 300 hits makes Link a swordsman, and an orange Rupee is the reward, and if he hits Orca 500 times before he hits him three times, Link will receive a Piece of Heart. If the young hero manages to hit Orca 999 times, he will say that Link has surpassed him, and from that point he calls him Master Link. Link will also receive a silver Rupee.

Trivia

 * After Link strikes Orca 1000 times he will say that he has lost count, since the counter only goes to 999, and that his arm has gone numb. He then asks: "Is your left index finger not numb, as well?" referring to the prolonged use of L-Target during the battle, even though it is possible to avoid this by simply changing the targeting mode to "switch" instead of "hold."
 * If Link attacks Orca enough times (not while Orca's tutoring Link), he will knock Link to the ground, screaming at him to desist his attacks.
 * When Orca has dropped his weapon (such as when Link first shows him a Knights Crest but there is not enough to learn the hurricane spin), if Link tries to attack him, Orca will defend himself using his hands.

Nomenclature
Orca is named after the predatory whale also known as the Killer whale. His brother, Sturgeon, is also named after an aquatic animal.