Yeah, the only reason Yatori didn't kill that chick was because she is going to be part of the coming plot. I really hate stuff like that. Even if it was possible for the soldiers to stand down with the chick's order, killing her would've been just as beneficial. Just lop off her head and then show it off while announcing her death. That'd confuse the enemies, allowing the army to wipe them out with superior numbers. Taking them prisoner is a negative at this point. These are desperate warriors. You don't keep them around unless you have no other choice.

The Yatori fight looked good, but it didn't make sense. You can't just change horizontal force to vertical force just because you "intended" to. Yatori dodging a bullet just by knowing there's some sort of trick is also nonsense. The author is clearly more adept at politics, intrigue, and basic strategy than fighting choreography.