Description: Saishu shows Ryu the power of the Kusanagi flames. (Winner: Ryu)
Howard Arena is completely filled this Saturday. Racks of huge spotlights send light streaming into every corner, and everywhere one can see spectators of all ages lining up for today's fight. In fact, perhaps what is most noticable about this crowd *is* the variance of their ages. There are fathers and mothers with their sons and daughters, yes, and many of the young boys and girls have souvenir Ryu Headbands and Kusanagi Gloves, but there has been a surprising turnout of Grandpas and Grandmas. Many of the old men have nostalgic smiles on their faces, lost to the world for now, thinking about past fights they've seen.
Someone, retired long ago, has emerged straight out of their memories to fight again.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" shouts the announcer into the microphone, and there is a roar of response as the audience stands (or struggles to their feet; poor Grandpa) and cheers, waving flags or banners or their babies. The announcer stands in the center of the ring with a wide grin plastered on his face; for now, the lights are centered on him, and the solemnity of all the stone is forgotten in the midst of the palpable excitement. "Tonight, a battle of titans! Right here, at Howard Arena, two of the greatest fighters humanity has had the honor of bringing into existence!" The crowd again cheers in response, which unfortunately only encourages him, and the announcer points to one end of the arena. "Our first contestant is none other than the paragon of Ansatsuken, one of the most famous fighters in the world, the dragon that rises to victory again and again: RYU!" The old men clap heartily but mostly politely compared to the young boys, who go completely nuts, waving flags and shouting 'Ryu, I'll be just like you someday!' and such. With a sweeping gesture, the announcer points to the other end of the arena. "And our second contestant, coming out of retirement to fight for the first time in... how long has it been? The Original Kusanagi, father of the immortal Kyo Kusanagi and famed fighter of a generation past: SAISHU KUSANAGI!" At this, the older crowd shouts their approval, and the younger kids whisper curious questions to their parents. 'Kyo had a father who was a fighter too?'
The fighters emerge and begin to walk up the stone steps leading up to the center arena, and the crowd goes wild.
As the ever-overzealous announcer comes out with his name, and the needless honorifics that go along with it, the man called Ryu strides evenly down to the stonework stairway that leads to the apex of the faux mountaintop that serves as stage in the center of Howard Arena. The World Warrior ascends to the arena with that same calmly rhythmic step, moving with a fluid grace and singular focus. This is a fight he takes seriously. Well, that's more or less true of /every/ battle the young champion engages in, but tonight's is particularly special...
Ryu is well acquainted with the power of Kyo Kusanagi, and despite his dramatic perspective disagreements with the younger scion, there's a definite respect there for the skill, and raw talent, the Kusanagi heir applies. So it is that Ryu is all too glad to accomodate the fight card cast for this Saturday Night Fight, the lights, cameras, even the screaming fans little more than a backdrop to the nomad. For all he cares, they don't even need to be there. This is a matter between himself and Saishu, and it's there that Ryu's attention rests, dark eyes turned across the stoney stage towards the arrival of his opponent for the evening, the analytical respect and thoughtful consideration clear in that gaze, in the quiet manner of the wanderer's bearing.
Powerful hands lift behind his head, grasping corresponding tails of his bright red, ever-present headband, the accenting strip of cloth tightened about his brow as bare feet pad silently forward, taking up a position a short span towards the center of the arena, while still staying safely on his side... For the moment, at least. The announcer can drone on as long as he likes, but Ryu's really only listening for one word. The word that matters at times like this. Several brief stretches of his arms further loosen the Ansatsuken master's impressive musculature as he patiently waits, clearing his mind, and preparing his body... Everything else is all but tuned out. Saishu deserves nothing less.
Dignity. Honor. Wisdom. These are some of the key pillars that hold the Way of the Warrior aloft, that keep it free from corruption by alternate focii. To truly become one with the fight, to truly understand that the fight is all, one must stand at the top of all these pillars. Strong, yet gentle. Confident, yet self-aware. One with everyone, yet one with nothing. Then one will be a true warrior; but the foundations must be laid. One must have a warrior's qualities. Dignity. Honor. Wisdom.
As soon as Saishu walks in, these are nowhere to be found.
Scratching his armpit vigorously, Saishu saunters in with his trademark semi-squat rolling gait, looking around with a stern, cold expression. He stops, and analyzes the crowd with the air of an expert. He pauses, and the cheering throngs near him seem to quiet slightly. Then suddenly a huge grin blossoms from nothing and he bursts into cackling, and the crowd goes wild all over again. The old men all have those nostalgic smiles again, and they're brighter than ever. It's the same old Saishu.
Yay?
"Ha ha ha!" Saishu trudges his way up the steps, pausing to pop his back and wince dramatically, and then wink at the crowd and continue. He walks up to his side of the ring and looks Ryu straight in the eye, that huge grin never fading in the slightest. Letting the hand that was stratching settle in the crook of his elbow, he scratches his short pointed beard with his other hand. "So you're that famous Ansatsuken fellow!" he says jovially. "Ken, wasn't it? Well, I hope I can entertain you for a while. I'm an old man now, but I do like to stay in shape. Give me a workout, won't you? Ha ha ha!" He raises his chin and continues scratching his beard, looking down his nose slightly. "Maybe we can go out for a drink afterward! I could tell you about my fishing trip. I caught one that was--"
The announcer interrupts by raising his arms. Saishu never stops grinning, but he does stop talking. His posture doesn't really seem to change either. He just stands there, unconcerned. "Are you ready!?" the announcer shouts. The crowd roars in approval, and Saishu, looking Ryu right in the eye, winks once, slowly. "Then..."
"FIGHT!!"
COMBATSYS: Saishu has started a fight here.
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Saishu 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Ryu has joined the fight here.
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Saishu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Ryu
Ha. Well, it's not hard to see where Kyo gets his attitudes from, now is it? Ryu studies the elder Kusanagi's entrance while holding to a fairly neutral air, not half the showman that Saishu appears to be... The nomad's a man who prefers to let his actions speak for him, and a firm believer in those principles of honourable combat, and warrior's spirit. Even so, one doesn't have to look any further than the Ansatsuken master's choice in friends and comrades to know that he's not going to discount someone for lack of propreity... Most of the people he gets along with /best/ aren't exactly proper company.
... Then again, one would be hard-pressed to label Ryu as anything but a fringer, himself... Even if he tends to execute it rather differently from some of his more overt brethren. Despite his serious focus, the older man's smile is nearly infectious, drawing a similar, if far subtler grin from his opponent. It lasts only a moment, and most would be hard-pressed to say whether it was ever there to begin with, but the sentiment of it lingers in the wanderer's eyes, adding considerably to what was already a fair measure of anticipation, and approval of this matchup. So he's got a soft spot for aged masters with remarkable spirit.. Is anyone really surprised?
For his part, Ryu stands more or less steady in place, shifting lightly from foot to foot as he centers his considerable chi, all but tangible to anyone nearby attuned to such signatures. Saishu's wink is answered with a slow, singular nod, the gradual inclination of Ryu's head failing to remove his eyes from the elder Kusanagi... A gesture of respect, a warrior's acknowledgement, "Ryu." He answers simply, deep voice resonating clearly projected to Saishu... But there's no offense there. He suspects his opponent tonight knows who he is all too well... After all, Saishu /does/ owe Gouken $8, with /lots of interest/, based on Ryu's accomplishments!
Either way, there's not much in a name... But the Ansatsuken master would just assume Kusanagi know who he's fighting against. After all, the wanderer intends to make this one to remember. The announcer's final wind-down sees Ryu shifting into his own ready stance, left hand leading while the right hangs back near his neck, tightly clenched fists guarding high and low, their tension belied by the relaxed grace with which the rest of the World Warrior's form moves... And moves forward, in the blink of an eye, as the announcer begins the battle in his traditional fashion. Several sprinting strides build a considerable amount of momentum as Ryu darts towards Kusanagi, his path suddenly heading skyward with a powerful heave from both legs, bending to propell him in a quick, dramatic high arc in at his opponent, the final moments of descent culminating with a blurring, singular twist that sees the World Warrior's entire form spinning three-hundred sixty degrees to bring his right foot snapping out for Saishu's skull in an efficient greeting. Ryu has no hesitation about seeing this man's skills
... Up close.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Saishu with Senpuu Kyaku.
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Saishu 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Ryu
Saishu doesn't stop grinning for a moment as Ryu charges him, and his gaze travels over Ryu's form, analyzing the technique. Finally done scratching his beard, Saishu, rather than move, just sets himself firmly as the World Warrior leaps into the air... and kicks him in the head. Unfortunately, Saishu doesn't endure as well as he seemed to have expected, and he stumbles back a bit, shaking his head vigorously as Ryu completes his technique. Yet he recovers fairly quickly. "Say, you ARE good!" he says, sounding genuinely impressed, his eyebrows raised. "I need to keep myself in better shape. Ha ha--" Then he's suddenly attacking, reaching out in an attempt to grab Ryu, toss him down, and punch him straight in the stomach.
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Saishu's Hikiri Tsuchi.
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Saishu 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
Ryu lands at point-blank range, easily snared by Saishu's grabby hands, and slammed to the rather unforgiving stoney ground. His teeth grit slightly with the impact, but... He seems to have moved /with/ the momentum as much as anything, using his accelerated descent and the harsh hit to twist to the side, bringing a forearm up and around in a quick defense against Kusanagi's slam at his stomach, the older man's potent fist turned aside with little more than a stinging impact to the World Warrior's hardened guard, deflecting the strike to the side even as he reverses his ground-bound twist, snapping his right hand right straight in for the front of Saishu's kimono, attempting to clinch a quick grip there as his right leg snaps up at the elder scion's midsection. On his back isn't exactly the way that Ryu wants to fight this battle, so he attempts to rectify the situation, and quickly... Should he find that grip, and should his rising foot find Kusanagi's ribs, well... The elder fighter will find himself hurled up and back, at an angle that could mean a far less pleasant reunion with the arena than Ryu just enjoyed, the force of the potent through focused with a fierce, "KYaaaaaaah!!!" The flattery passes right over him... It can wait. His respect for Saishu comes by way of quick reaction.
COMBATSYS: Saishu blocks Ryu's Tomoe Nage.
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Saishu 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Ryu
Saishu fails to drive his fist into Ryu's stomach, and his grin seems to fade a little; not in disappointment, but in increased concentration. His features remain generally jovial, even when Ryu grabs him and tosses him back, and slams into the ground and rolls neatly with the impact, rising gracefully and naturally back into his squat stance. It's funny; he's not physically grinning, but it just seems like he is, now. Like his chi is grinning or something. "Hurry, hurry, get off the ground!" he shouts, sounding quite entertained already. "Hya!" And with a step forward and a follow-through underhand pitch, a wave of burning chi hurtles toward Ryu with explosive speed and potential.
COMBATSYS: Ryu overcomes Yami Barai from Saishu with Hadouken.
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Saishu 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Ryu
There's little change to Ryu's demeanor in the first exchanges... Though the fire within his deep brown eyes does burn just a bit brighter as the battle is joined more fervently, as he's kept on his toes, and doing his damndest to hold his momentum against the skilled master of Kusanagi-ryuu Kobujutsu. Get off the ground? You better believe it! As soon as Saishu is released from his grip, the World Warrior rolls with the momentum, planting a hand to his side and coming up in a crouch.... Face-to-face with an incoming wave of familiar, fiery chi. Grinning or not, that blast looks painful, and Ryu answers it with one of his own, his arms sweeping forward from his side, still in the crouch, as a sudden tumult of blue-white chi bursts forth from both his palms, surging rapidly as the heels of his hands come together before him, the charge of energy swirling into a densely packed, wildly flaring mass of bluish luminescence, its force directed forward, into the incoming fires. In a dramatic shockwave of brilliant reds and vibrant blues, the two blasts of chi meet and conflict, Saishu's offering swept aside by a considerably weakened Hadouken, which nonetheless hurtles its flaming path in at the elder Kusanagi's knees, echoed by the forcefully intoned, trademark call of, "Hadooouken!!!"
COMBATSYS: Saishu blocks Ryu's Hadouken.
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Saishu 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Ryu
Saishu can't deny it. He's surprised. Ryu's Hadouken has shattered his Yami Barai and is now hurtling toward him. Or at least his knees. Still, the elder Kusanagi is too good to actually let his surprise get the better of him, so instead of freezing, he just says "Well!" and stops the Hadouken cold with a low combined hand-and-shin block. Instead of responding immediately, though, he just starts scratching his beard again. He's taking his fight seriously... right? "I can't get away with underestimating you, can I! He's good, isn't he?" This last one is addressed to the crowd, who either laugh or shout their agreement, depending on who they're rooting for. The older men seem to be laughing especially hard. Perhaps this is not the first time Saishu has acted like this. Saishu nods approvingly, still scratching his beard. "I have to get back in the zone," he says, and spreads his stance out a little bit. "Let's give the crowd something to see! Haaaaahhh---!" Then, from nothing, swirls of chi burst into existence around Saishu's arms and shoulders and ripple around, as his energy suddenly surges. His eyes seem to change, too; his crowd-pleasing demeanor is still there, but he seems yet more focused. It's been a while since the last time, but once again, he's finding the rhythm of the battle. And clearly, he's getting ready to play his own tune.
COMBATSYS: Saishu gathers his will.
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Saishu 1/------=/=======|====---\-------\0 Ryu
Whatever appearances to the contrary... Ryu's well aware that Saishu's actions are not dismissive of the challenge of the fight at hand. That the elder Kusanagi perhaps underestimates him a bit, well.. That's not a surprise, but it's certainly an attitude that the World Warrior has been doing his damndest to unseat to this point. If he's succeeded, all the better... The challenge is half of the ide in these situations, after all. The nomad pushes back to his feet as the Hadouken hurtles into Kusanagi's waiting guard, a second, more abbreviated nod offered to the elder scion. Respectful, yes... Likely offered in that singular recognition, though it could just as easily be confirming the man's words. No, Saishu's not walking away with a victory through underestimation... and while Ryu is hardly one to stroke his own ego with boasts, or to indulge in flattery, the World Warrior is still well aware that he's skilled. He worked rather hard to hone his natural talent into what it is today, and nearly as hard to maintain it, after all. As Kusanagi gathers more of that impressive bloodline energy about him, Ryu apparently decides to offer him a little more... His arms drop back to his side, again following through with the forward sweep, though this time, the raging cascade of chi that follows his palms is a fierce, multifaceted wave of vibrantly red flame, the heels of his hands meeting as the swirling conflaguration takes shape. In an instant, a blast a fair measure more powerful than the last rockets free of the nomad's palms, the superheated, literal fireball sizzling its potent path across the arena, straight in at Saishu with a firmly intoned, "Hadoooooouken!!!!!" Yes. The World Warrior shoots flame too!
COMBATSYS: Saishu blocks Ryu's Shakunetsu Hadouken.
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Saishu 1/-----==/=======|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
As Saishu continues to build up his power, his body shaking slightly with the force of the bloodline energy being awakened, he sees Ryu's burning Hadouken coming right for him -- and, energy still building around him, Saishu simply thrusts out one chi-enveloped palm and tears the chi projectile to pieces with his force. "You call that fire!?" His voice suddenly seems to project even better than before. All the audience can hear him easily. "Let me show you the power of the Kusanagi flames!" And, so light on his feet that he barely makes any sound through the air, he charges Ryu. Saishu's enhanced chi seems to make his image blur slightly, the power radiating off him slightly now as he becomes yet more absorbed in the fight, and that grin comes back as he charges, as if he's thinking, 'It's been too long'. Then, just as he's about to reach Ryu, he twists on his heel and throws up one arm, a wave of fire shooting up right in the nomad's face, and continuing with this spin, he flings up the *other* arm as well, emitting a second and equally powerful gout of flame.
COMBATSYS: Ryu dodges Saishu's Homura Gasane.
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Saishu 1/-----==/=======|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
Ryu faces down the challenging words evenly, dark eyes holding steady to Saishu. Yes, he calls that fire... and more often than not, he applies it to dramatic effect. He's learned of the power inherent in those bloodline flames, however, and Kyo has certainly made no mystery of the fact that Ryu's own elementally-fueled chi isn't quite the same thing. It's not a surprise, therefore, that the elder Kusanagi deals with it far better than most. That's not the concern, nearly so much as the forceful follow-up that the man levels on him, Ryu's eyes narrowing as Saishu's form blurs with power and speed. Despite the disorienting maneuver, and the sheer power of the waves, the World Warrior manages to instinctually track his opponent, and react with impressive alacrity, hopping back and away from the first blast. The short, backwards jump brings him down on steady feet, and he backsteps and leans away from the second wave of searing bloodline-flame, letting it pass harmlessly /so very close/ to his face... The heat is more than tangible, a potent reminder to the nomad of the strength in that unique chi, but there's no intimidation or hesitation as Ryu launches himself right back in at the elder Kusanagi, slamming his left fist up and under at Saishu's ribcage as he closes the final spans...
And then, there's an upsurge in chi more remarkable than any of the others thus far, though it's focused inward, rather than upwards. Reversing his twist, Ryu's right side comes around as he drops into a fluid crouch, closing the distance with Kusanagi with lightning-quick grace, the centered power within him lashing out by way of a previously flexed right fist, the force behind that strike veritably rocketing him skyward, threatening to plant his fist on the underside of Saishu's chin as his entire form rises, launched by rising uppercut and powerful legs as he throws his entire strength behind the strike. A famous, or perhaps infamous technique, focused with the crowd-pleasing, echoing shout of, "Shoooooryuuuuuuuuken!!!!!!"
COMBATSYS: Saishu dodges Ryu's Shin Shoryuken.
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Saishu 1/-----==/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
So you know that part in the Matrix where that one guy fires all those shots and the other guy just bends back, in slow motion, and all those ripples go through the air and-- well, yeah. Of course you do. So maybe people have parodied that, haven't they? Well, now Saishu has too.
Ryu's sudden explosion of chi surprises everyone but Saishu. The older fighter is into the fight, now, and his instincts scream at him, and he knows to trust them. Even before Ryu begins to rise, the Kusanagi is shifting out of his spinning attack and is planting his foot to regain his center of gravity again, and when Ryu's fist explodes with energy, Saishu leans back and lets the attack pass just a hair's-breadth away from his face, missing him completely. Going with his own momentum, Saishu spins on his foot so as to plant himself down yet again, and as Ryu begins to drop from the air, the older fighter lunges forward and leaps long-jump style, and with a shout of "Orrryah!" punches out with a burning fist of vengeance.
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Saishu's Kamu Kakari.
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Saishu 1/----===/=======|===----\-------\0 Ryu
This is far from the first time someone's bested Ryu's Shoryuken all Matrix-style, though the total negation of the big brother of the Rising Dragon Punch is certainly a remarkable feat... It's still an eventuality that the nomad is prepared for. A single twist turns Ryu about at the apex of the ascent, and there's a hushed moment where it looks like he is indeed dropping helpless into the suddenly leaping Saishu's flaming fist... It's never wise to count the World Warrior's defenses out, however, and with a midair turn, he brings crossed forearms in line with the elder scion's forward momentum, catching the stinging, searing fist once more against a resilient guard, the force pushing him back slightly, his descent continuing....
For just that one more split-second, and then Ryu seeks to use Saishu's impressive momentum decidedly /against/ the Kusanagi-ryuu master, his entire form again twisting in midair, though this time, there's substantially more force behind it... His right leg shoots out before him, parallel with the ground, as his aerial course suddenly, gravity-defyingly shifts, the fall turned into fearsome forward momentum. It's not unlike the first strike that caught Saishu in the skull... Though this one hardly stops at one rotation. Again and again Ryu's rotorblade-force right leg sweeps around, twirling his way /forward/ and into Kusanagi, hopefully before he can land or correct momentum, the wanderer's intent to drive Saishu back, back, back before him... With potent kick after potent kick, deep voice releasing a resounding, "Tatsumaki Senpuuuuu Kyaku!!!!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Saishu with Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku.
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Saishu 1/=======/=======|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
Saishu might have been able to see the attack coming, or maybe it really did catch him by surprise; but whichever the case, there's very little he can do about it at this point. With his Kamu Kakari lunge blocked, he can't check his own momentum, and Ryu's kick is a perfect strike for the situation. Saishu attempts to block, but can neither brace himself on anything nor pull his arms out of their strike position in time, and the attack hits him fully, battering him multiple times before sending him to the ground powerfully. It's an impressive set of maneuevers, but Saishu still rises quickly, though he's clearly taken quite a beating. And... he's still grinning. Not a mocking grin. Never a mocking grin. Just a happy grin. The grin of one who knows there are still young people who can give him a serious run for his money, and the world actually isn't, against all other indications, going downhill. His chi seems to brighten even more with this knowledge; and then he's moving forward again already, and chi-flames erupt from everywhere as he finally unleashes his full power, proving both his respect for his opponent and his own desire to fight to the fullest. The elderly men and women in the crowd that haven't already gotten to their feet do so as Saishu reveals his ultimate technique, lunging forward with one hand and just punching, every ounce of his chi embodied in that single move.
COMBATSYS: Saishu successfully hits Ryu with Orochinagi.
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Saishu 0/-------/----===|=======\==-----\1 Ryu
Oh, Ryu knows /that/ technique. He can feel the tremendous surge coming, even as Saishu rises and charges right back in. The nomad holds his ground stubbornly, and some would say, utterly foolishly... Some would be right, in this instance, as despite his best attempts at weathering the blast to stay nearer to the skilled master, this gout of flame burns even more intensely than the blasts he's taken from Kyo, the searing burst /blasting/ the World Warrior away in an uncontrolled tumble, flailing limb over limb as he crashes about himself along the stone, a pained groan and loss of breath accompanying the involuntary roll, which does at least put out the lingering flames about his now-charred and further tattered gi. That /hurt/. In fact, it's seldom Ryu has felt anything more powerful, and it certainly demonstrates in no small fashion that the leader of the Kusanagi clan deserves the respect and focus with which the Ansatsuken master approached this battle. Much as Saishu refuses to stay down, however, the World Warrior pushes back to his feet in the wake of that tremendous singular blast, face stern with intense concentration rather than any sort of consternation... Kusanagi stepped it up, and Ryu returns the favor. A bright flash of light all but fills the stage, centering between the World Warrior's cradled hands...
"Shiiiiinkuuuuuuuuu......" Ryu incants, and in the wake of that single, brilliant flash, there swirls a tremendous charge of bluish chi, its coruscating mass touched by dark tendrils of midnight cerulean, the rampant vortex drawing /inward/ rather than gusting outward like the previous charges of energy, the World Warrior's muscles tensing powerfully as he pours more and more power behind the ultimate Hadouken, its power growing in a rapid, epic upsurge that sees the wrathful, densely-packed sphere shoved forward at Kusanagi, its violently swirling mass sweeping across the arena, Ryu's headband and tatters of his gi seeking to follow the air-consuming blast as it threatens to envelope Saishu in much the same way, echoed by a fervent, finalizing, "Hadooooooouken!!!!!!"
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Saishu with Shinkuu Hadouken.
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Saishu 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
This fight is getting to be epic indeed. Just as Saishu finishes putting his all into his ultimate attack, Ryu responds with *his* ultimate attack, and Saishu gets no time to recover. He's hit full-force with the attack and it sends him spiralling back toward the edge of the arena, sprawling across the ground and rolling more out of sheer momentum than out of any attempt to recover quickly. In fact, for once, he takes his time getting up, slowly rising and breathing heavily. That grin, though, that grin is still there. It reveals his exhaustion, but it's still as cheerful as ever. With only a short moment more of recovery Saishu is standing straight, for it seems the old man is not nearly finished yet, and at this point, everyone is cheering. He's just looking Ryu in the eye, now, watching. Saishu's body may be weakened, but his aura is as strong as ever, and still, despite everything, despite all the focus he's put into this battle, he still has that nonchalant, devil-may-care sort of demeanor. Is he trying to say something? Chi begins to gather around him again, as he focuses his will, but this time he continues to meet Ryu's eye with that grin. What is he trying to say? The crowd is cheering wildly, no matter who they were rooting for before. With the ultra-powerful attacks going back and forth, with both fighters giving their all, no matter who's your favorite, what's not to like?
COMBATSYS: Saishu gathers his will.
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Saishu 1/---====/=======|==-----\-------\0 Ryu
An exhaustive fight, indeed. Like Saishu, Ryu is nowhere near finished, despite giving it his all since the announcer's call first went up. He's still got a bit more to throw into the ring, after all. The elder Kusanagi is certainly an impressive fighter, to the nomad, from several different angles... Not the least of which is the sheer joy the older fighter seems to take from combat. It's a sentiment that Ryu echoes, even if he's not nearly so overt about it. These challenges are as enjoyable as they are fierce, and the art of combat is certainly something Ryu pursues for more reason than necessity. It's just.... in his blood! Even if his doesn't come with the unique chi-fire that Saishu once more demonstrates. The World Warrior meets the elder Kusanagi's gaze steadily, and as Saishu keeps his distance, and summons up still more power, the World Warrior steps a single stride towards the older warrior, his hands alight a second time with the fiercely luminescent blue-white of his chi, Ryu conjuring forth an impressive charge of energy almost instantaneously, the swirling blast rushing together before him as it gusts its rocketing path forth, sweeping across the arena in at his weakened opponent, intent on overloading that gathered power to potent result, the World Warrior's voice projecting a crisp, determined, "Hadooouken!!!" Behind the gleaming sphere.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Saishu with Hadouken.
- Power hit! -
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Saishu 1/=======/=======|===----\-------\0 Ryu
Behind the glare of the orb of chi energy, Ryu can see Saishu's smiling eyes glint in the light. As energy ripples around the tired old fighter's body, he reaches up with a single palm to try and block this projectile like he did the last one, but halfway through the motion, even he realizes he's not going to be able to contain it, and his hand drops slightly. The blast strikes him full on the chest -- but he doesn't fall back. The ground beneath him shudders with the impact as Saishu transfers all the force of the attack into the ground, and for a moment, the crowd falls almost completely silent, impressed by the sudden power of Ryu's specialty. In the hush, the old man steps forward. And begins to walk. Surely and calmly, he walks toward Ryu, maintaining eye contact the whole time. Then he stops before his opponent. Nods. Grins even wider than ever before. And, with a blurring motion, reaches up to smack Ryu lightly, teasingly, on the nose.
COMBATSYS: Saishu has reached second wind!
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Saishu 1/=======/=======|===----\-------\0 Ryu
COMBATSYS: Saishu successfully hits Ryu with Jab Punch.
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Saishu 1/=======/=======|====---\-------\0 Ryu
Even in the wake of the last onslaught, Saishu's remaining speed and strength are enough to catch up with Ryu... He tries to weave aside from the sudden strike that closes the last bits of distance between himself and the older fighter, but the relatively minor, if stinging smack connects cleanly with his cheek, bringing a quick dose of added pain to the dwindling moments of the fight. Ryu doesn't waste any time, however, he's well aware of the strength still present in the elder Kusanagi's beacon of an aura, and he steps in on his right foot, snapping his fist up from waist level in a triphammer uppercut, aiming to slam his fist with skull-jarring force into Saishu's jar, a follow-through of a rising elbow offering that much more hurt, the attack accompanied by an impact-focusing, "Hyaaaah!!" as it launches in, the World Warrior seeking to send Saishu right back the way he came, the reaction coming with reflexive grace despite the surprising resilience of the master fighter. Both of them are going to need a drink after this.
COMBATSYS: Ryu successfully hits Saishu with Fierce Punch.
- Power hit! -
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Saishu 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=====--\-------\0 Ryu
Saishu manages a little laugh as he smacks Ryu lightly, but then winces tiredly as he sees the young fighter draw back into a powerful punch. The older fighter is sent sprawling back yet again, Ryu's spirit obviously not fighting him as the punch is even more powerful than expected, just like the Hadouken. As Saishu rises to his feet, though, he's still grinning. "You're extremely good!" he says, the words resounding off the walls of the arena. "I commend you! This was worth it! But I can't lose this fight--" And he begins to rush forward again, a huge amount of chi energy erupting from his body yet again (where did all that *come* from?) as he charges. "--before giving it my all!" And he explodes into motion, power burning in his fist as he wields his ultimate technique for the second time that night.
COMBATSYS: Saishu can no longer fight.
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Ryu 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Ryu blocks Saishu's Orochinagi.
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Ryu 0/-------/=======|
"That goes for you, as well." Ryu offers back, eyes still intent on Saishu's motions. He knows this isn't over, not /quite/... But he still takes a moment to let out words, to verbally express his respect for the capable flame-wielding master he's up against tonight. The following words, however, set Ryu into a defensive stance, eyes narrowing at that telltale burn of intensifying chi, the incoming blast weathered a bit more conservatively this time. Ryu crosses his arms in front of his face and his chest, dropping back as the tumult of fire blasts around him, his own centered chi and ready guard doing what they can to nullify the still-searing impact, the World Warrior only daring to lower his guard once the burning sensation dies down around him, Ryu pushing slightly shakily back to his feet. He holds to some modicum of defensive readiness, even if he's not got much left to continue this fight with... and so he's just as glad to see he doesn't have to. There's a slight relaxation visible across the warrior's form, the now black-and-white gi brushed momentarily by one crimson-gloved hand as he approaches on Saishu. There's no hostility this time, however... The elder Kusanagi will be offered a hand up, or a handshake, if he's somehow managed to right himself (or stay mostly righted after being counted out) despite the last few impacts.
COMBATSYS: Ryu has ended the fight here.
Saishu stumbles back a few paces from the recoil of his own attack being deflected, and his head tilts back to look up at the ceiling. For a moment, he is blinded by the spotlights. "It's a good feeling," he says quietly, and can barely hear himself due to the roaring in his ears. The lights get brighter, brighter, much too bright, until he realizes it's not the lights, and he's simply whiting out; an oddly comforting thought. From the audience's perspective, it just looks like Saishu is leaning back a bit, then a bit more, and then finally he's just leaned back too far, and he falls backward and collapses on the ground, arms and legs splayed out. His eyes close. As Ryu approaches, it seems clear that the elder Kusanagi has fallen unconscious.
And just as the count finishes, and Ryu is declared the victor to the sounds of the cheering throngs, Saishu's eyes suddenly open, blink once, and crinkle up as he grins again. He accepts the helping hand and rises with Ryu's help, but after just a few seconds it seems as though he's already capable of at least standing on his own. He cracks his back once, just as he did at the beginning of the fight, and his eyes brighten as the crowd continues to cheer. "So, Ryu, as I was saying, the fish was huge!" He reaches up and places his hand on Ryu's back, patting the nomad heartily, and dramatically sweeps out with his other hand. "Must've been five feet long! And we fought back and fought on the line, and pulled and tug, and after about twenty minutes, why, I just jumped right in there, and my Kamu Kakari--"
The rest of what the Kusanagi is saying is lost amidst the sound of the crowd as he starts walking with the younger fighter, gesturing ever more dramatically, that grin never leaving his weathered face.
Log created by Ryu, and last modified on 19:32:03 04/30/2005.