Match of the Millennium

Description: Facing down at Osaka, Bob and Yoshimitsu face off in a Neo League battle. The winner buys Ramen!

[YOSHIMITSU]
If you haven't been to Dotonbori, you haven't really been to Osaka, Japan. While Osaka Castle is certainly the most memorable and enduring symbol of the town, anyone under the age of forty is likely to have far more memories of the Dotonbori Canal, lit extensively by neon billboards and heavily populated at practically all hours of the night. New arrivals appear regularly from the subway entrance to the south at street level, but those looking for a quieter, more romantic time will be likely to take the stairways down to the walkways at the waters' edge.

In the shadow of the garishly-colored ad for the Glico confectionery depicting a runner crossing a finishing line is the wide footbridge named Ebisubashi, more commonly known as "Nampabashi" or the "catcaller's bridge" due to its proliferation of young men in pinstriped suits and ladies wearing much less. If there was ever any doubt as to whether capitalism is alive and well, just come to Ebisubashi on a Saturday night and you will be bombarded with come-ons and protestations to visit any of the bars or massage parlors lining the world-famous canal.

If flirting and people-watching aren't your thing, Dotonbori also hosts some of the finest restaurants throughout Japan's culinary capital -- it will take several weeks and a small fortune to sample all of the exotic restaurants along the wide street along the south side of the canal. The word "kuidaore" means "to ruin oneself by extravagance in food", and nowhere in the world does it hold greater meaning than along Dotonbori: cuisine of all kinds can be found here, including the local style of okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kitsune udon. Numbering among the most famous restaurants here are Kinryu Ramen, notable for its 24-hour operation, sculptured golden dragon billboards and its outdoor tatami-mat seating, as well as one of the world's most famous crab restaurants, the Kani Doraku with its animated crab billboard. If you go hungry in Dotonbori, either you don't know the language, or you're just flat broke.

For a league fight, it was a return of the single strange ninja, the mysterious robotic creation that had first faced Zach Glenn. He was no longer bound in tentacles, and his samurai shell was much more traditional. Yoshimitsu wears a brown turtleneck along with a gray skin-tight armor which it reaches through his arms with a matching shoulder pads. He wears light green pants with a red sash and a traditional brown, gray and red boots. He also wears a brown, gray and red ninja gloves and his brown headgear appears similar to a large bowl with two light blue round ornaments and purple ribbons in each sides. His mask appears as a skull-like demonic mask with sharp teeth. And what else would be doing but...

... Eating?

"Namu!~" He states with a harsh staccato, as he sits by a ramen cart, clutching a bowl of the noodles. The noodles were being aggressively slurped through the opening of the mask. But -only- the noodles. At his side was his katana, which was burning with green soul energy. Before him, there were already a half a dozen empty bowls, stacked by three on each side of the ninja. His appetite was profuse, and yet, unsatiated. After all.

He needed his strength for his next opponent!

[BOB]
EARLIER

"Hey, weren't you Tony Stark in that fight in Australia?"

"Oh, it is him! Can I have an autograph?"

"*incoherent screaming*!"

Bob is used to this by now. While he would never turn a chance to pay his bills or to get his name out there for bigger matchups, this has started to get ridiculous. The rotund fighter, currently dressed in an orange shirt, blue pants, suspenders, and black shoes and gloves, rubs the back of his head and signs another autograph.

"No really, ladies, I'm not really that big of a deal." There's another excited shriek, causing Bob to wince.

"...I hope I don't this guy waiting too long..."

NOW

Bob turns sideways to step off of a bus, then works his way toward the ramen cart. He tucks his shirt tail back into his pants on one side and wipes a smudge of lipstick off the side of his face. "Geez...some of these women are crazy..."

But as Bob looks up, he spots an unusual character (even for Dotonbori) who must be the man of the hour.

"Hey there..." Bob says, straightening his suspenders, "are you Yoshimitsu, by chance?"

[YOSHIMITSU]
Yoshimitsu spins in his chair, at the call of his name..

"Oh ho ho!" The mechanized ninja states, his expression under the mask... though his bright tone and glowing green eyes reveal... something. "Then you must be Robert Richards, the Sexy Avenger! For countless minutes, I have been in repose, waiting for your arrival! The bowls of ramen, deftly devoured with gluttonous effort, are nearly cleared!" Yoshimitsu spins back around. Throwing the bowl up to the maw of his mask, he hasily sucks it all down, noodles and water and all. Patting himself on the stomach, he nods firmly. "Ah ha! Now then!" Gripping his sword tightly, he launches himself high into the air, escaping from the cart to vault backwards into a flip.

"It is I!" The ninja cries out, landing on both feet on the opposite side of Bob.

"Yoshimitsu!"

COMBATSYS: Yoshimitsu has started a fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Yoshimitsu       0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Bob has joined the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Yoshimitsu       0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0              Bob

[BOB]
Bob's eyes follow Yoshimitsu as he speaks in his eccentric, even mysterious ways. "Huh, ramen?" Bob looks over at the stack of bowls---at least, until Yoshimitsu makes it even more clear with the last bowl. Eating before a fight seems like risky business, but Bob isn't the type to judge.

"Well then--" Bob says, raising both fists. He slides his feet apart, positioning the front forward and up on the heel while his weight rests on the back.

"If introductions are out of the way then, let's get started!"

[YOSHIMITSU]
"Namu~"

The tone is given a dark shade, as he empowers with soul energy. Cascading with emerald light across his body, he sweeps his blade around dramatically, letting the energy flow. "Perhaps we should have a wager on this victory, yes? If I win, then you shall pay for my bowls of ramen! If I lose... well, then I entrust you can put away seven sacred bowls with equal gusto, paid by a Manji Clan Leader!?!" And what if it is a DKO? Well, Yoshimitsu doesn't explain.

He just pounces.

Front flipping forward, the psionic energy boils over his limbs and blade. He would attempt to make a front slash at Bob, before transitioning into an empowered stomp upon Bob's head. Should the ninja execute it to the end? He would immediately chain with a backflip away, a second slice of his sword coming with the reversal. A deft, teasing assault, surging with incredible speed... and weight, with the metallic armor the ninja had.

Or perhaps it was all the ramen?

COMBATSYS: Bob just-defends Yoshimitsu's Poison Wind ES!

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Yoshimitsu       0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0              Bob

[BOB]
Bob narrows his eyes at the sinister proclamation. Namu indeed. Even without it, the build of energy is certainly enough to instill dread in a man. Dread...or anticipation. It's met with a confident smile.

"Sounds like a good wager to me...but..." Bob pauses for a moment. "...are the Manji Clan ninja? Not to be rude, but--"

Before Bob can continue, Yoshimitsu is on the assault. The front slash comes for Bob, but the big fighter is on the move. His feet spread further apart as he puts his weight on his knees, then raises his hands over his head to catch the blade between his gloved palms. He holds it for just a moment as then Yoshimitsu is above him, forcing Bob to catch the stomp with his crossed hands as well, acting like a springboard. The reversal cut is met with a sidestep, the blade cutting through the air as Bob leans away from it.

"Such agility--you DEFINITELY seem like a ninja," Bob notes, sweeping his hair back with confidence. "But I've got some speed of my own!"

And then the karateka is on the move, kicking out of his low stance with a forward lunge. His fist snaps out low, aimed at Yoshimitsu's stomach, but it's a swift one-two into a second punch toward the ninja's mask. As Bob tries to put him on the defensive, he steps into the lunge to throw a follow-up knee to the waist, then transition out of the knee strike into an overhead spin kick. The whole combination, if it goes uninterrupted, looks almost like a dance. A bit bouncy, with Bob's physique, but graceful nonetheless.

COMBATSYS: Yoshimitsu blocks Bob's Combination Bitter.

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Yoshimitsu       0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0              Bob

[YOSHIMITSU]
"You ask about the legacy of the Manji Clan?!"

Yoshimitsu immediately falls into the lotus position on landing, cross legged as he stands fast. In the midsts of Bob's sexy sexy jiggle dance, Yoshimitsu turns the flat of the blade against the handsome man, deflecting the blows with the fighter's rhythm. Never rising from his stand, though by the time the knee comes, he is forced to use his hands to catch the blow, refusing to escape his stance.

All while he explains his legacy.

"The Manji Clan, or the Manjitou, was formed as we know it today in the days of the reunification of Japan! Oda Nobunaga, the daimyo of Owari, sought the power of the Manji clan. He invited its chief to Azuichi castle. But due to his advanced age, the clan's chief sent the strongest warrior, Yoshimitsu, of the clan on behalf of him. As expected, Nobunaga requested the allegiance of the Manji clan, but the Manji clan preferred to remain hidden. After a few days' stay at the castle, the fighter politely denied Nobunaga's request and returned to his village."

"Upon his return, Yoshimitsu found his beloved village in ruins. Nobunaga had prepared an army in anticipation of the clan's refusal to serve him. On that day, the Manji Clan had lost it's home, and denied it's honor! And it had become the band of honorable bandits, resisting the injustice of tyrants to this day!" Yoshimitsu flattens his sword in his palm, as it surges with an emerald light. "Perhaps you notice something in my tale, that draws further questions, yes?"

And bows his head lower, to Bob, exposing his neck.

COMBATSYS: Yoshimitsu gathers his will.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Yoshimitsu       0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0              Bob

[BOB]
Bob stands on one-leg as he finishes the final spin-kick---or rather, as he stops short, the knee strike blocked and Yoshimitsu recounting the noble tale of the Manji Clan. Not rude enough to interrupt, Bob stands precariously there as the ninja narrates. At least, it would seem to be precarious for most fighters, especially one the size of Bob. Even so, Bob seems unbothered. Instead, he shifts his balance with a mighty "hup" and turns out of the kick to land on both feet. He transitions smoothly back into his bouncy heel-rocking stance.

"What a tragedy!" Bob says, clearly indignant about the portrayal. "So the Manji Clan are like..." A pause. "Heroic ninja, fighting against tyranny. I can certainly respect that!"

"But tell me this," Bob says, scratching his chin between his thumb and index finger. "Are you named for that Yoshimitsu, or is it some kind of title...?"

COMBATSYS: Bob focuses on his next action.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Yoshimitsu       0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0              Bob

[YOSHIMITSU]
"Ah, you do listen!"

Even though they are in battle, the ninja is happy to explain the nature of his clan. "Yoshimitsu is the title given to the leaders of the clan. When the time for the leader passes, a ritual takes place, to transfer his soul energy within the ceramonial blade, and then, the new leader is dubbed as Yoshimitsu. This is what it has been for 400 years! Even I was once a mere member of the clan, uplifted into my role as the leader of the Manji Clan!" Wait, soul energy? Does that mean...

And yes, Yoshimitsu seems to understand the implications.

"The ritual is.. distasteful to Westerns like yourself. But the spiritual essence of our entire clan is carried through this very blade." He raises up the sword... and raises up with it. Surging with overwhelming energy, he flashes up into a bound. Flaring with psionic power, the souls of the blade floods over the tip as he attempts to -slam- the full force of the blade not once, but TWICE into Bob, nearly smashing himself into the ground in the process. Yoshimitsu's candence does not change, the sage-like tone bearing heavily upon Bob.

"The blade, of course, is also named Yoshimitsu."

COMBATSYS: Bob endures Yoshimitsu's Indian Stance Storm.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Yoshimitsu       0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1              Bob

[BOB]
"Of course!"

Bob seems almost offended by the accusation that he wouldn't, but he handles it well. "Mmm--so it carries the souls of your ancestors? I'd think that'd be a big burden to bear." This statement is made bluntly, but not without some softness to it. Bob seems to mean what he says, unironically.

And when the sword lifts into the air alongside Yoshimitsu, Bob's steps back defensively. The supernatural power flowing through the blade looks dangerous, poignant. Even were it not a dangerous relic katana, Bob couldn't take it slightly. Worse, the strikes come quickly, Yoshimitsu lashing out with two dramatic smashes from the blade.

The first slams into Bob's shoulder, cutting through the cloth and dense muscle, but mostly dumping that massive power through him. Even so, Bob stands firm, taking the second blade even as he's driven to his knees and forced to catch himself with his open palm.

"Hrrgh," Bob groans, his muscles tightening. "That's some power. It seems like the Manji Clan has given you plenty to complete your mission with--!"

But Bob rises, turning his feet and moving up into a spin toward Yoshimitsu, gaining momentum as he goes. There's a rapid gathering of power with each turn, until Bob is fully standing---and then jumping--into an overhead backwards-spinning kick.

"But don't count me out yet!"

COMBATSYS: Yoshimitsu blocks Bob's Grater Langouste.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Yoshimitsu       0/-------/=======|-------\-------\0              Bob

[YOSHIMITSU]
The ninja was almost fighting unfair, with a lethal blade.

And yet, as he recovers from the double strike, he seemed barely able to rise up, the surge of power cutting deep within him. "The power of the Manji clan is only in it's members, and in turn, the members power are in the Manji clan!" The circular reasoning is not very substantial, of course, so he is quick to add. "But sacrifices must be made, the absolute lesson! The channeling of four centuries of leaders within it's blade only serves to empower the next generation, as well as invite their wisdom." Wisdom? That much Yoshimitsu does not add to, for the eccentric ninja was already lifting his arm up as Bob. It begins to spin, whirlling around and around, as he begins to lift up. Crossing his legs, he is forces to catch the overhead kick hard, seizing the fist between his tabi-clad feet as he is sent whipping around. It is not enough to knock him out of the sky, however.

And Yoshimitsu takes flight.

Hovering over Bob, the ninja looks down, clapping his injured, sparking feet. "Ah ha ha! Your speed is incredible! But what am I to judge on appearances, lo? You are an exquisite fighter! But On Swift Wings, The Falcon Does Strike!" He states high up, his sword spinning like a propellor, keeping him aloft over Bob. He rises up for just a moment more, before breaking out of the flight in a deft, psionically charged aerial flip, landing with a staggering shockwave stomp aiming for the top of Bob's head. Should he hit that? He would flip away again, the ninja using his agile tricks.

As well as another emphasis of speed and weight.

COMBATSYS: Bob blocks Yoshimitsu's Acrobatic Bliss.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Yoshimitsu       1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0              Bob

[BOB]
Lingering psychic power continues to bleed from the deep cut in Bob's shoulder, where his shirt has started to peel away. Bob narrows his eyes. Hmm, maybe that kind of power is one that's paid for in advance--? Bob swings around with the helicoptering Yoshimitsu, the two clashing for what seems like forever before they separate once more.

But then Bob has to look up to keep following Yoshimitsu as the ninja continues to stay in mid-air---by the power of his sword? How strange.

"To be able to fly like that despite such heavy armor--" Bob muses to himself. "Huh. There really are some unusual fighters out there..."

The karateka snaps up both arms for a cross block, bending his knees on impact despite the shuddering shockwave that explodes outward as the Manji Clan leader stomps against his guard. Even so, Bob manages to maintain his footing, standing firm against the overwhelming force.

And his counter attack is swift! He reaches up, aiming to grab hold of one of Yoshimitsu's legs and swing him around toward a nearby lamppost!

COMBATSYS: Yoshimitsu counters Medium Throw from Bob with Yomi Kakenuki.

[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////                  ]
Yoshimitsu       1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1              Bob

[YOSHIMITSU]
Eccentric, yes.

Ineffective?

Goodness no.

As the ninja makes the stomp, he launches off Bob's guard. But the opening is narrow. The moment Bob touches his foot, the ninja seemed to rotate in midair. Defying physical laws, he was looking back down on Bob, twisting at the grip. And now, he was -surging- straight down. No flying, no flight. In a flash, he is past Bob.

The ninja deftly counters the counter attack.

Passing through Bob, it almost seems like the ninja had cut right through. It's not true, of course: he merely cut around him, where even now the wound glows with green, soul power. But Yoshimitsu holds there, dramatically posing between the food carts, as he gives a mechanized growl.

"Namu~"

[BOB]
In one moment, Bob's eyes widen, Yoshimitsu suddenly having shifted positions for the counterattack. In the next moment, Bob releases a wordless heave of pain as the ninja is behind him, having cut straight through in a single swoop. The big fighter takes several weary steps forward, soul power pouring out of the cut as Bob staggers forward. He almost goes down again, stumbling onto one knee and struggling to stay in that position.

"Ugh...not bad at all. To think that someone out there would be this strong..." Bob forces a smile. "...really gets my blood pumping. All right!" Bob rises back up, running his hands along the cut. He takes several deep breaths, then raises his first again before bursting into a dash, fast and low, toward Yoshimitsu.

The end of the dash ends abruptly, Bob shifting his weight to his knees and then powering forward with a double-handed palm strike. As he does, he shouts a mighty kiai, his karate roots surfacing again.

"HIII-YAH!"

COMBATSYS: Bob successfully hits Yoshimitsu with Granchi Cannon.

[            \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////                   ]
Yoshimitsu       1/---====/=======|=======\==-----\1              Bob

[YOSHIMITSU]
For the moment, Yoshimitsu holds there.

Even as Bob staggers back up, and speaks, he doesn't even turn around. He just holds there, sword out, not recovered from the slice. As Bob begins his footsteps, the ninja recovers on his blade, straighening his back up. Bringing his sword up before him, green energy crackles over him. Dramatically, in fact, TOO dramatically, he begins to spin away, not even looking back as he attempts to spin, spin, spin out of the path of Bob. It was certainly another unexpected trick.

And Bob catches him.

The upper cut nubs him, just hitting a glancing blow on it. But that allows the finishing palm strike to come true, tracking the trickery. Yoshimitsu is knocked stumbling out of his evasion, his soul energy crackling over him. Turning away from Bob, he actually laughs at it. "Ha! Then let your blood pump! You are fighting very well. But it is time for my next technique." Balling his hand in a fist, he suddenly turns back at Bob. It is a snap, anda crack, as he attempts to -slam- his backfist straight into Bob's jaw. Should it connect? HE would continue the chain, spinning backwards five more times with a rioting charge... before ultimately collapsing, dizzied on the ground.

COMBATSYS: Bob fails to interrupt Manji Backfist from Yoshimitsu with Giga Jacker.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Yoshimitsu       0/-------/--=====|

COMBATSYS: Bob blitzes into action and acts again!

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Yoshimitsu       0/-------/--=====|

COMBATSYS: Bob can no longer fight.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Yoshimitsu       0/-------/--=====|

[BOB]
Bob steels himself, feet firmly planted. He leans backwards onto the back foot, waiting for Yoshimitsu to draw closer, for the perfect moment to strike. The Manji Clan leader may have taken the last blow, but he's far from out. No, his unorthodox fighting style certainly has its merits---beyond that, it's quite formidable, even by Bob's standards.

So much so that Bob doesn't let Yoshimitsu's exposed back lure him into a trap. No, Bob readies his counterattack, preparing to strike as soon as he sees an opening. Perhaps it catches Yoshimitsu mid-turn, he tells himself. Or maybe the secret is waiting until the backfist is over...?

Bob crashes forward when he thinks he sees his chance, surging forward Yoshimitsu with a body-tackle. It is not enough, however. The backfist catches Bob with such force it staggers him, pulling him into a whirlwind of blows as the ninja continues to spin and spin again, pummeling the karateka with strikes until he knocks him over keeps spinning.

It takes several moments before Bob speaks up.

"Ugh...yeah," he says weakly. "You definitely got me. Looks like I'm paying for that ramen..."

[YOSHIMITSU]
For a moment, both fighters lay upon the ground.
Yoshimitsu is quiet. Stoic. And then, sitting up almost robotically, he focuses ahead. Drawing his sword up before his eyes, he turns towards Bob. And when Bob surrenders, admitting defeat? Yoshimitsu shakes his head with zeal.

"No."

The ninja says, with a solemn air, as he rises to a stand. "It would not be right for you to pay for my ramen! You have shown respect for my clan, and above all, to me! You have fought fiecely, and honorably. The path of the Manji demands that you are a good ninja above all else, and never let your words or your promise surrender away your honor!" Extending a gauntleted hand out, he reaches for Bob, to help him up. "Come! Accompany me!"

"Allow me to pay for your meal, and I will tell you the full story of the Manji Clan!"

COMBATSYS: Yoshimitsu has ended the fight here.

Log created on 11:36:37 05/26/2018 by Yoshimitsu, and last modified on 18:56:05 05/26/2018.