I do believe you can skip the #-1s by not using the Limit Breaks and getting the #-2s. Im sure by using it eight times, you'll get Cross-Slash, even though you passed it. To my knowledge, it isn't a set path for #-1 and #-2. You could probally get 1-2, 2-2, and 3-2 even before you get 2-1.
But yeah, I don't see why not. Just bust some stuff up with a Limit Break.