Description: In an attempt to find out how Todoh breaks into Howard Arena, Eiji takes out all stops including hiring Robert Garcia to help him out. Will any plans work out!? (Winner: Eiji ....and Robert?)
Once again it is time for the big match of Saturday Night Fights this week. One might say this is a bit of an odd setup to be honest. Here you have Todoh, a man who's ability to show up where he wants without security catching him isn't exactly the usual main event material. In fact the last time he was involved in one it involved him being abused by Kain. Eiji Kisiragi also isn't really someone that one might consider a main eventer. While he was one of the final eight fighters for World Warrior and he has proven many a times to be a crafty fighter, he hasn't appeared in Saturday Night Fights for well over a year.
Still there is more to it than the card. Geese had wanted answers and the price Eiji could get for acquiring those answers is quite high. Not that he really needs the money. This is more about information gathering on the father of someone he has been training. Kasumi in her own right is a somewhat competent fighter, but so far he can't find where she got it from. Todoh seems sloppy most of the time and well, not in the right mind.
And what is the best way to draw out the terminally insane? Traps that are as equally insane one would think. At least that is the logic that Eiji would be using tonight. Fans would see all sorts of distractions that were meant to draw out Todoh. There were cardboard standups of Takuma and Ryo standing about at places just asking to be deflied since they had black markers next to them. Near the entrances to the fighting area have boxes marked 'For Todoh' on it that are propped up by sticks. under each box is half a ham sandwich, a Playboy magazine, and a unopened beer.
Of course the greatest ploy has yet to be revealed just yet. The ninja decides to use his ace in the hole only after he is introduced to the crowd for the main event. The ninja pays the crowd no mind as he idly gazes about wondering where the crazy old man may come from. Once the intro for him is given out he raises a hand to motion for someone else to come out from the entrance he had used. Someone who best start earning the five thousand dollars he was given.
Gucci, Armani, Donna Karen. None of these fashion names have any way of even touching the fashion king as he walks out of his special entrance, pulling on his oh so savvy leather gloves and grins, looking around the crowd and waving about to the gathered folks. The letter of interest was cryptic at best, but he'd gotten the message. Robert Garcia was here.
Or...was he? The man in the skin-tight leather vest with the fashionable pants and yes even fashion concious shoes sure did look the part. He had the same general face, the same long pony-tail yearning to swing free, and the same sense of style. But is he the real deal? No one could say for certain. In any case, back to the here and now. 'Robert Garcia' walks into the center of the venue, standing in the middle of Howard Arena and grinning. The easiest money the aficionado of haute-couteur has ever made.
Do it, Robert.
Ryuhaku Todoh is a man of mystery. A man of many faces, a man of many questions... and a man of many strange appearances throughout the world. This, for the last month or so, has been the top mystery - who is this man, and how, or why, is he able to insert himself just about anywhere in Howard Arena without security ever catching him until he, by all appearances, wants to be seen? Maybe tonight, Eiji Kisaragi, one of the foremost security experts in the world, will finally unravel one of the greatest mysteries that is Ryuhaku Todoh.
Very mysteriously, he appears to be late to his own match. But maybe this is all playing into Eiji's plots. Did he decide against showing up in fear of what Eiji will do to finally expose his methods once and for all? Or did that crazy old man oversleep? He is getting up there in his years. Those old people sure do need their beauty rest.
The silence doesn't last for long. Well, relative silence. Main events are never silent. Merely 'disappointing.'
"YMH HMM HMM HMMM!"
A terrible echo fills the arena. But how can it be heard above the crowds murmurs and the announcers on edge?! Even the camera crews aren't sure where it's coming from, at first, until that terrible voice speaks again.
"ISH THAT IT?!" It sounds like someone's talking with their mouth full. "THISH ISH DELISHOUSH!" This doesn't sound like it's coming from the ground floor. That guy must have a hell of a pair of lungs to be heard above pretty much everything else.
Then, all of a sudden, Takuma falls from the curiously dark depths of the ceiling. A very poor impersionation of him screaming (especially poor given it's coming from someone who has food in their mouth) falls down towards the arena before it is clear that it is merely a cardboard cut-out and not the real thing. The undetailed back end bears a bright red sharpie picture drawn very hastily, but the detail would be easy to make out by those who would approach and inspect it - it's Todoh himself pulling down the skin below one eye and sticking out his finger.
This man very clearly cheats.
Is that all? Perhaps it is. Perhaps Eiji is truely just not caring enough to put forth his best effort. Then again it is hard to tell if he is angered since he usually looks rather pissed off most of the time anyways. He does make a few motions and some people among the audience start to shift about and move away from where they sit and eventually start to make their way towards the ceiling.
Eiji himself looks to Dan for a brief moment andhmms lightly before nodding to the man. "I suppose you should be careful, he might attack you first." With that being said he starts to move well away from 'Robert' in case he does speak the truth and instead let the man earn his money.
There is a light tch as some dirt is kicked at the cardboard cutout that lands and the ninja stands near it with arms folded and waiting patiently for his opponent to finally show. "Is that all? I was almost hoping for a better display from all the things I was being told about you. No wonder why your daughter is so embarassed to talk about you to me." he speaks up while he gazes about the place ready to attack at a moment's notice.
COMBATSYS: Eiji has started a fight here.
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Eiji 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Eiji focuses on his next action.
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Eiji 0/-------/-------|
'Robert' raises his eyebrow high on his forehead and then looks at the cardboard cutout of Takuma, looking shocked and appalled by the whole ordeal. What the heck did he sign on for here anyways? Ah well, it's true that he might just get attacked. He nods once and gives Eiji a thumbs-up.
Then he just stands there looking at the fingers of his gloves and grinning still. It seems like he's not really all that interested in sliding into a defensive stance or anything like that. He'd much rather marvel over how fashionable he looks. The fashion man of Sakazaki School, standing there. Looking like an idiot, and an easy target. An easy idiot target. Todoh, you know what must be done.
COMBATSYS: Dan has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Dan 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Eiji
COMBATSYS: Dan has left the fight here.
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Eiji 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Dan has joined the fight here.
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Eiji 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Dan
One of the overhead lights turn on after some discussion between Arena officials and technicians as they feel they have discovered the presumed hiding place of Ryuhaku Todoh (...this time). It flashes on, adding to the incredible brightness and warmth of the arena. They find out that he is not there. Maybe he just moved in the nick of time. He's likely about as wily as he is perceived insane. They turn on several more at random in hopes of catching him red-handed. Or red-footed, as the case may be. Seriously, those things run pretty hot.
The Howard Arena reaches a nearly unprecedented level of brightness. There should be no hiding spaces anywhere at all within Howard Arena at this point - no dark corners on the ceiling, extremely few shaded areas, absolutely nothing. The crowd wants to know where's Ryuhaku Todoh. The people who make those Where's Waldo books are thinking about licensing his likeness. Seriously, nowhere to hide. And that's enough of that.
"PAH!" So who that is presumably Todoh exclaims. Eiji's finely-honed senses and expertise could easily detect a stirring somewhere close to ground level, as defined by the battleground itself. Somewhere. A very specific stirring, separate from the stirring of all the other patrons that have actually paid for a ticket. Something that Ryuhaku Todoh has probably never done in his life when he wanted to spectate something. He is the ultimate spectator, the very ideal. But there is no mistake. He is very near, somewhere.
"Embarrassed? Do you know what EMBARRASSED is like?!" At least he is not with food in his mouth now. Strike a score up for Miss Manners as, all of a sudden, it appears one of the covers of the tall walls flies off, as though he were hiding behind it. A repeat of the last time he was at Howard Arena? Not exactly.
Somehow the crazy old man went from the top to the bottom with such speed and grace that nobody in the audience pointed him out, a free hand drawing a fan as he tosses a very thick blanket patterned after the wall design of Howard Arena itself. It even captures the right side of a printed ad in that very location, too, as it threatens to smother Eiji in its flight! With a hearty giggle that is probably not best attributed to the male gender, he fans himself with a determined grin on his face.
"Hey, rich dweeb! Watch, and see that you've wasted your cash and talent on that punk orange buddy of yours!" So Todoh challenges as he brings it on the only way he can - by stealing the spotlight.
COMBATSYS: Todoh has joined the fight here.
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Dan 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Todoh
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Eiji 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Eiji dodges Todoh's Thrown Object.
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Dan 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Todoh
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Eiji 0/-------/-------|
So it is finally time for the other fighter to reveal himself. And what a display of bravado is made in that entrance. Many other fighters would either be in awe or baffled by all of this. For the most part thought he ninja does not seem amused by the antics the elder fighter displays. He is more paying attention to what sort of plan of attack the crazy bastard is attempting.
Even as it starts to seem that somehow Todoh's attack was about to work he finds the printed ad smacking into and starting to wrap around the ninja. That is until the figure being wrapped up just seems to collapse in on itself for the giant ad capturing nothing at all. Afterall the old man isn't the only one well versed in trickery.
The lighting readjusts itself soon and the crowd starts to cheer as things go on their way, but then starts to die down when Eiji takes a rather long time to show himself. Had this become a fight between the Robert actor and Todoh perhaps? That question gets answered pretty soon though as a plume of smoke erupts upwards from the ground and Eiji springs out of it with his hand thrusting forward to cut across Todoh's backside with a lightning quick strike of reddish chi that cuts as well as any blade. "I hope you fight as well as you hide, old man. I at least promise not to send you back to your daughter in a bodybag."
COMBATSYS: Todoh endures Eiji's Bone Cutter!
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Dan 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Todoh
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Eiji 0/-------/-----==|
'Robert' walks over to the cardboard cutout of Takuma and squats in front of it, poking it experimentally with a finger while Todoh and Eiji begin their epic battle, "Yeah yeah, orange jerk. Gotcha gramps. Hey how'd you draw this so cleanly from all the way up there, you got some skills, fella."
"Yeh hah hah!" Ryuhaku Todoh laughs at the apparent display of Eiji getting smothered(?). He is, apparently, quite sure of himself today, even after the bag collapses as if nobody was there. While 'Robert' pokes at the cardboard cut out, Todoh is more than apt to boast.
"You ain't seen nothing yet!" This is the key moment where Eiji appears with his serious threats. He promises not to send him to his daughter in a body-bag, but even as the slice lands clean across his back - clean and powerfully enough to fell a lesser man in one, decisive blow - a tiny spray of blood, and everything, as Todoh still remains half-knelt and fans himself without a care for the world.
"And I, Ryuhaku Todoh, the master of the Todoh way, will promise to dazzle you with the mysteries and wonders of my invincible technique!" Yeah, say that after Kain and the Pacific Resistance. Yeah, he went there.
With a flourish that turns him around about faster than any man should be able to, his arms are raised into the sky. The blinding overhead lights, at full glare, cannot begin to compare to the energy that is summoned at his very fingertips! Forming a blocky link of three segments, his arms guide them downward with such force that many would give pause for this cherished and amazing technique (...in his own mind)!
"HEEYAH!" Goeseth the Todoh, as spirit goeth before a fall of thy Kasane Ate, and an 'F' for an assignment on Ye Olde English.
COMBATSYS: Todoh successfully hits Eiji with Kasane Ate.
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Dan 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Todoh
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Eiji 0/-------/---====|
For now 'Robert' is forgotten. As long as he doesn't get in Eiji's way all things will be fine. The man had earned his money and he has no real use as of right now. Instead the ninja's full attention is the old man he just blindsided with that slash and the ninja is quick to spin about to leave his back opened for any sort of counter attack that the other fighter might attempt.
"I have seen enough of your style old man. Enough to realize you really can't help me and your daughter in our plans. A shame since the hatred for the Sakazaki clan runs deep in your veins as well." But enough talk. Battles aren't won with an exchange of words and speaking to this man for an extended amount of time might just end in a headache.
Instead he dashes forward at a rather blinding speed straight for Todoh. He starts to waver as he intends to move out of the way of that epic slicing of chi that is thrown his way. Instead he just crashes right through it and continues his forward path right towards Todoh as he shoves a fist forward to slam right into the jaw of the older fighter.
COMBATSYS: Todoh blocks Eiji's Strong Punch.
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Dan 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Todoh
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Eiji 0/-------/---====|
Todoh watches with a certain smug satisfaction as Eiji falls for the mighty technique of legend that always excites a crowd when it is deployed... maybe in his own private little universe. But there has to be at least /something/ to his boasts.
Of course, Eiji proves he isn't going to stand there and take it for long when he rushes at him with the aforementioned blinding speed, helped by blinding overhead lights on the 'blinding' aspect, and sinks his fist into Todoh's ready arms that are crossed for an effective block. He would have easily turned this assault around were it not for one little thing on Eiji's behalf.
"What, plans?!" Ryuhaku Todoh seems legitimately surprised, if those mile-wide eyes are any indication as he skids back a small distance from the force of Eiji's fast fist o' fury. He's going to be feeling that on his left forearm for a few days, no doubt. "She's already taken her first steps towards taking down the Sakazakis once and for all?!"
Tears well up in his eyes. She is clearly starting to walk her own steps towards the future, where his family style reigns supreme. A father's pride and an oft-outclassed man's mad insanity join together in hearty, manly tears.
"I'm... I'm so proud of her!" And just before it looks like Eiji might get another clean hit in, and he may very well still in Todoh's blubbering, he thrusts his other arm upwards in an advancing uppercut with a very clean, vertical uppercut. His tone changes oh-so-mercurially. "SO WHAT'S YOUR BIG IDEA, GNEIUS?!"
COMBATSYS: Todoh successfully hits Eiji with Hakuzan Tou.
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Dan 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Todoh
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Eiji 0/-------/-======|
This is exactly what Eiji didn't want to get into. Senseless blabber when fighting should be occurring. The frustration shows in the fact he isn't even able to avoid such a wild swing such as the one Todoh just makes. It slams into him and causes him to stagger back a step before chuckling lightly. "And I should tell you?" he asks while his lips curl into a bit of a smirk under his mask.
"There are more enemies to that clan than you might think. Let us just say it was luck that me and your daughter met. The ball is in motion and if I have any say in it I will kill all of those Sakazakis even though I told her I wouldn't." Of course he doesn't care to tell that deranged old man. Would Kasumi actually believe him? She will probably just chalk it up to the heat of battle making him hear things. Of course if she does believe Todoh this might put a small hamper in Eiji's plans.
He reaches back with a hand and that smirk grows under the mask. "But for the plan itself, I'll just show you." Of course he has no intentions of showing a true plan. Instead his hand just flashes forward as the ninja fades away just as quickly. A orangish orb is left behind that soon explodes into several chi like needles intent on stabbing Todoh all over.
COMBATSYS: Eiji successfully hits Todoh with Spirit Blast.
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Dan 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Todoh
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Eiji 0/-------/=======|
The idea of the Sakazakis having other enemies isn't anything new. He was around way back in the day when he was a pit fighter for the Syndicate's underground fighting rings. All he was told was to 'stop that kid in the orange gi.' And... well, let's not get into any further detail than that. Everyone knows how that ended.
"Kill?!" Todoh's voice doesn't go quite as high as the choice of punctuation marks may suggest. Care for their lives, maybe not so much. (Okay, he'd probably do a traditional dance on Takuma's grave if given the opportunity, no doubts there.) "Not while I'm trying to milk their stupid rich friend for all he's worth!!" That means you, 'Robert.'
He clears his throat. "My fine, would-be business partner that is simply misguided and -" he is interrupted when the orange ball explodes and covers Todoh in chi bees. Chi bee stingers. As a metaphor. He doesn't get his arms up in time as they embed themselves in various places throughout his upper torso. Some fall out as he leans backwards with a grunt, as though struck by a powerful concussive force besides.
"Grrr BAH!" Bah, Todoh says, as he focuses the rest of the more stubborn chi needles to dissipate. He loses sight of Eiji in that moment. Where'd he go? After all, it's glaringly bright down there. There should be nowhere to hide or escape to.
He claps his hands together briefly and bows his head to center himself while Eiji gets himself a chance to show who the true ninja is around here. He hopes 'Robert' is paying attention! Big money in investing in his dojo! Big, big money!
Does Todoh know more about Eiji's move than he lets on by just standing there and looking vulnerable. Who knows. It'd probably be the first time he actually looked like he was in control of any given situation.
COMBATSYS: Todoh focuses on his next action.
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Dan 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Todoh
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Eiji 0/-------/=======|
It is interesting how the ninja can find a place to stay out of sight at least for some extended period of time. Todoh of all people should understand how hard of a feat that is to accomplish. Well maybe he doesn't. It could just be alot of dumb luck on his part for all Eiji knows. The world may never know.
If anything at least Todoh gets a small rest and pitch his deal to 'Robert'. That just may be a bad idea though given who he is dealing with. For now the ninja waits and plans. It seems that dealing with this man from a distance might be the best idea. With that being said there is a flickering as Eiji soon fades back into existance with his eyes narrowed.
His arms quickly move in two cutting motions as he spins about, giant swathes of chi being created and growing larger as they travel about towards the elder fighter. If Todoh doesn't manage to get out of the way he has two nice chiblades to have tea with.
"Robert" finally looks up from the cardboard cut out, "Huh? Oh hey sorry old man I was dazzled by this penmanship. You must have practiced really hard, I mean, jeeze you got your face right and everything. It's a hideous monster, you know?"
Yeah, he may just be being Dan there, taunting people, but it is probably something a fierce Kyokugen warrior would say to his rival dojo's leader? Right? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight?
In any event. Words can hurt too, Danbert. Words can hurt too.
COMBATSYS: Todoh overcomes Steel Wave Slasher from Eiji with Cho Kasane Ate.
- Power hit! -
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Dan 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Todoh
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Eiji 0/-------/-----==|
"A... a hideous monster?!" Ryuhaku Todoh's blood pressure grew three classifications higher that moment. "A hideous monster!! Do you want to see a hideous monster?!" He shakes an angry, angry fist. A perfect opportunity for Eiji to take advantage of the follies of his opponent.
He feels a tingling in the back of his neck. Rather, despite the brightness, he catches a glint, among many, of that chi color that Eiji utilizes. Having worked quite extensively with chi, Ryuhaku Todoh starts to show that little hint of mastery, or at least many years of practice and sheer /effort/, by making a half-turn in Eiji's direction with arms raised. He seems to hesitate, but this is all intentional - he lets the chi-blades come within arm's length before he swings his arms downward. Where's the chi from above?
Nowhere to be seen. Instead, great, large blades of chi are thrust forward in segments, fanning out forwards that push aside and dissipate the Steel Wave Slasher right when they'd begin to weaken. They disappear into them as Todoh's loud, angry, focused kiai fills the entire stadium.
Eiji now has a new little problem to deal with.
COMBATSYS: Todoh successfully hits Eiji with Cho Kasane Ate.
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Dan 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Todoh
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Eiji 0/-------/---====|
With a loud tch the ninja's attack isn't on the ball like he had expected. He hadn't expected Todoh to be as good as his daughter. He figured Kasumi's training was more her actually doing things on her own and she hadn't actually learned anything from the old man beyond that Kasane Ate. Even so here he is standing toe to toe with the head of Strolheim's security team.
The ninja leaps backwards while putting his arms up to keep himself from being hit full on by the mighty Kasane Ate thrown his way. He lands in a roll and ends up behind 'Robert' and he slaps the Dan in disguise on the back. "Ten thousand more to you if you can wipe that smug look off his face." He may not like the Saikyo style as well, but Dan does at least seem easy to control. Afterall he needs cash by the look of his dojo.
COMBATSYS: Eiji takes no action.
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Dan 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Todoh
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Eiji 0/-------/---====|
So what's it going to be Dan. Attack a man in the middle of a fight for money, or do the honorable thing of justice and refuse the offer. Todoh, you have to understand, the tatami mats are kind of worn down in Saikyo Dojo, and and...and.. They keep breaking his coffee mugs. Also, he's in disguise so it's not actually him doing it right? This is all a clever stage play.
Jumping into the air, RobDan GarBiki glides gracefully towards Todoh, shrieking like a banshee While bringing his knee down from above, like guaranteed death and smugness removal. A service only offered for a limited time by Saikyo incorporated. Our pink is our pride.
Y'SHAA!
COMBATSYS: Todoh dodges Dan's Heavy Kick.
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Dan 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Todoh
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Eiji 0/-------/---====|
Nobody is sure where Ryuhaku Todoh, exactly has any real fighting talent outside of his very many years of practice and trying so very, very hard. It is a long and tear-jerking story about a father and his only son, against a father and their only son, and that fateful fight that kicked off this generation's occasionally nonsensical blood feud, fought on increasingly stranger fronts. Such as the monopolization of yakisoba noodles. Ryuhaku Todoh has spent a significant amount of time and energy to ensure Takuma would never be able to cook his favorite dish to shove down his family's throats ever again. (So far he is having mixed successes.)
Todoh's eyes narrow. Not exactly from the offense to his person so much as the brightness. Do you know how hot it is in this arena, now, with all the lights on full glare? Eiji goes and hides behind his Kyokugen(?) compatriot with a great offer of money for wiping the smirk off his face.
"You still choose poorly... dweebenheimer." And that is Ryo's favorite insult, jacked by yours truly! Dan leaps at him with a powerful leaping knee. Ryuhaku Todoh has demonstrated, at least briefly, that there's at least something to his antics. He leans back as the knee just narrowly misses striking him. But this suits him fine.
He starts to lose it as he grabs for the throat of 'Robert' with one hand while the other balls up into a fist. "YOU CRAZY FUNSTER! YOU KYOKUGEN KOOK!!" And here he was, hoping to woo Robert to the Todoh side for the cash. Because, hell, doesn't Takuma try and milk him for all he's worth?
This is exactly where all pretensions of professional and masterful conduct disappear and sheer /anger/ and rage take over... unless 'Robert' can do something to prevent himself from accumulating ten thousand dollars in hospital bills!
COMBATSYS: Dan interrupts Strangling FACEPUNCH from Todoh with Kyuukyoku Tenchi Gadou Zuki.
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Dan 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Todoh
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Eiji 0/-------/---====|
So it begins. If anything this works very well in Eiji's favor. Who cares if he really wins this fairly? This isn't what he was paid to do anyways. He was to produce results of how Todoh breaks into this place. Has he found such results? Well I guess one might only find out once they read the report when it is turned in.
For now he holds back and decides to just let the fight unfold. For now Dan is on his side and that should buy the ninja some time. to debate if this is even worth finishing up. His arms fold over his chest once again and that cold gaze remains fixed on 'Robert' and Todoh. "Earn your money. Your dojo will look better each hit you land."
COMBATSYS: Eiji gains composure.
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Dan 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Todoh
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Eiji 0/-------/-----==|
Dan looks confused for a second when his kick doesn't find it's mark. However, that confusion turns to quick thinking and ingenuity as Todoh reaches out to snap him like a slim jim.
"Whoa, whoa whoa. Old man, look here you can't get me that easily! You know who I am, right? Right! So!"
He cocks his arm back and his jaw opens wide, as he screams out a loud kiyahh that reverberates through the arena and continues for several seconds as he thrusts his palm out with such blinding speed that it looks like a blur of fancy gloves and silk sleeves.
Earn his money indeed, oh he'll earn that money. Then he'll spend it on Saikyo. The way of the warrior!
Ryuhaku Todoh will wring that head off of the neck of 'Robert,' believe it! Just as he prepares to start the 'beating' aspects of it, 'Robert' hits him square in the chest with a powerful, fancy punch in a silk sleeve that elicits a loud grunt as Ryuhaku is taken off his feet and well across the pavement.
As far as Eiji may be able to tell, it's hard to say how Todoh got in this time. There's no obvious signs of entry up above, and from the sound of Todoh hitting the ground, if he listens closely, he doesn't seem to be carrying very much. A small object, maybe, but it's almost definitely a fan or something of that size. How does a man like him climb up so high without any tools, then run back down without significant injury or anybody seeing him? Your grade this semester depends on your discovery, Eiji. Never mind that nobody saw him grab the ham sandwich or the cardboard cutout!
Todoh gets back up with a loud exhale. The overhead lights are probably, finally, beginning to get at him. He dropped a fan earlier on, and his second might've fallen out of him too. (Indeed, now there's one at the feet of 'Robert.') So much for fanning himself off.
"Do I know who you are?!" Ryuhaku Todoh asks. "I do! You're a dirty little Kyokugen fool! That's what!" He huffs again as he hikes up his trousers to run across the battlefield that 'Robert' knocked him silly across just to get back into fighting range.
It's a little harder to grasp at the underlying energies of the world with this heat, haze, and sweat, but that's never stopped him before. "And for some ninja kook that wants you dead! Yeh hah hah!" He finds it genuinely enjoyable that 'Robert' is this stupid as those bright, thick chi segments start to take form in ways mankind would give pause to to witness, if they could even see it very clearly.
They could see the shadow it casts underneath, sure, and that ol' 'Robert' is underneath the shadow of the very third segment of a very distant Kasane Ate - one whose segments are barely even connected due to the distance between them. "HEEYAH!"
The verge of exhaustion never held Ryuhaku Todoh back before.
COMBATSYS: Todoh successfully hits Dan with Fierce Kasane Ate.
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Dan 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Todoh
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Eiji 0/-------/-----==|
And that is what Dan was paid for. To take one to the kisser just like that. He has taken his time to watch Todoh carefully and he decides that this man is a one trick pony. Sadly that trick has worked rather well so far on both the ninja and the Robert clone. Can Eiji finally figure out a weakness to this old fart? He has certainly had time to watch and plan.
Finally the ninja unfolds his arm and while Todoh is distracted the ninja has decided to go on the move again as he starts to shimmer back away and move at that blinding speed again. Hopefully he can finally find the old man being distracted by the other fighter now so Eiji can leap off into the air and slam the heel of his foot into the back of Todoh's head.
'Robert' is suddenly caught in a clutch crisis situation. Should he stand there and look like an idiot about to get hit by a Kasane Ate, or should he try to avoid it like an idiot and get hit with a Kasane Ate. The choice is clear.
He spins his body about in an attempt to get around the curved death that comes for him in the night. The curved death that slashes through his silk enshrouded shoulder and reveals underneath it a vague sliver of pink material.
You can't really be serious can you? What the hell. Is Dan actually wearing his Gi underneath all that leather and silk. Jeeze. It must be a million degrees in here with all those lights. Does he have no sense of heat? How is he not sweating and panting like a sperm whale climbing stairs.
Those questions can never be answered, but what he does next is clear to anyone. Another Kyokugen rip off. Ryo's triple kick in the air. It's a good thing he knows all these moves or his disguise would really suck.
"KYO"
"KUGEN"
"KICK!"
The money is really secondary, painting the Kyokugen in a bad light is perfect revenge for Yuri standing him up on that lemonade date. It's a double team! OH BOY!
COMBATSYS: Dan successfully hits Todoh with Dankuu Kyaku.
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Dan 1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1 Todoh
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Eiji 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Todoh dodges Eiji's Heavy Kick.
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Dan 1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1 Todoh
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Eiji 0/-------/-----==|
Ryuhaku Todoh may very well be a one-trick pony, but a hell of a trick it appears to be in the company of one that appears to be able to stand an even toe-to-toe with him. The next exchange seems to go without frills, almost impeccably /normal/, when Eiji leaps at him with a leaping kick that Todoh expertly dodges with a single crouch. Expertly? Luckily? Same difference. "So, it takes both of you to take me on, eh?!"
It's 'Robert' who ends up blindsiding him as all three kicks... count 'em at home, kids, they're going to put this in the next wave of fighter-based edutainment titles - as he gets KYO! KUGEN! KICK!'ed upside the head three times, with a louder grunt each time before he's sent face-down into the stone floor. The crowds don't know how this'll end, folks!
The man visibly struggles to get back up. It is so very, extremely visibly that they're almost ready to count him out when he pushes up. Not in surrender - by pure, utter resolve to get back up and show the world what the Todoh style is made of. He breathes in and out somewhat heavily in the process. Hot lights, fatigue, and two utter fools in his way!
But he is nothing, if not determined and spirited as he sucks in his breath. "HOW ABOUT ANOTHER?!" He calls out as his fingers slip around in the air a bit before another glint of three, blocky segments of chi form at his beck and call. His teeth grit. He does ten thousand of these a day for training! He'll do ten thousand more if he has to.
The Todoh way, clearly, is to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result every time, in varying degrees of 'own' to 'pwn' and anywhere in between. As he hurls down the mighty weapon, it seems to fan out conically towards Eiji's direction. Is this the result of weakening focus? Or is there something else about this quality?
COMBATSYS: Eiji fails to reflect Kasane Ate from Todoh with Shadow Slicer.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Dan 1/------=/=======|=======\===----\1 Todoh
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Eiji 0/-------/--=====|
The ninja misses his mark, but he easily turns about in the air to land on the ground in a crouch as he skids back across the floor before coming to a stop in a crouch. "What an annoying old man. I guess some of you did really rub off on the girl." he says and his eyes narrow quite a bit. Needless to say he is not too happy at all at this point. His plans haven't been really worked well enough.
At least if anything Todoh has started to slow down abit. Just not near enough for him to take advantage of it. Even as that Kasane Ate comes his way, Eiji prepared to rid himself of that oncoming bit of energy by bouncing it right back towards the old man. A miscalculation is what happens, though and another annoyed grunt comes from the ninja as he is knocked back a few steps. "Damn him..."
'Robert' looks at Eiji and says, "Damn man. That looked like it hurt. Why don't you just sit down and let me handle grandpa eh? I mean, jeeze. He wrecked you up but good there, buddy. You might want to leave this to the professionals if you catch my drift."
"And you man. You better be prepared for this. Because I am about to rock you in the same way a hurricane rocks a port. Real hard. Yeah."
They'll never tell it's Dan with weak burns like that, right? Anyway. He hops toward Todoh, and tries to GRIP RIGHT UP ON HIM. Lay his hands on the man! Get involved in a grapple. Why a grapple? Because without grappling, you can't throw people. And without throwing people, you can't perform the classic 'Over the shoulder' throw that almost every martial artist knows from birth up until their death. Cradle to the Grave, my babies!
COMBATSYS: Todoh blocks Dan's Seoi Nage.
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Dan 1/------=/=======|=======\====---\1 Todoh
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Eiji 0/-------/--=====|
"She's my daughter! What did you expect?!" Todoh exclaims between deep breaths as sweat runs down his brow, face, and especially prominent moustache. He maintains his posture well enough, despite continued knocking around and physical exertion. But what powers him on? Dreams of a world where the Todoh style reigns supreme, with Takuma and the Sakazakis groveling at his feet, a whole fighting empire led by his daughter and her children! This is what powers him through the haze of heat and sweat. Along with that ever-thick, damn near impossible aura of denial. Denial is very powerful.
But, somehow, the visage of 'Robert' attacking him seems to snap him a little closer to reality. "Ehhh?" Todoh asks tiredly, as imagination begins to eat away at his focus in this horrible heat. 'Robert' grabs at his arms, and before Todoh knows it, he's sent off his feet and flying through the air!
"Of course it'd..." Todoh mumbles as he, miraculously, lands a lot more softly against the ground than may have been intended, as he tucks into a roll and comes to a standing stop before a reeling Eiji. He doesn't look any less determined than he did when the two first entered the battle by whatever means they did. Hurt, bruised, battered, tired, sweating, yes. But those are the only differences between Ryuhaku Todoh when he came in, and Ryuhaku Todoh when he gets out of here, the victor or otherwise.
He generally accepts only one of these results to be acceptable as he raises up his arms again. "THAT'S PROFESSIONAL?! THIS IS WHAT A MASTER DOES!!" And what does a master do? A strangely-colored chi forms in the air near Ryuhaku Todoh's fingertips as he focuses to prime one more. One more, one perfect, one absolutely infallible technique. The crowds stand on end as they try to catch the split second in which this... thing forms. None have ever seen this technique before, Ryuhaku Todoh would boast.
Moments later, decisive moments later, they form into clear, thick segments as he swings them downward with the power of a good match's worth of sweat, the many years of effort, and the generations of grossly overblown might as Eiji, 'Robert,' and the crowd watch to see the truest might of Ryuhaku Todoh in action.
It is a fine line between disappointment and awe as the world watches the descent of another Kasane Ate. But this one... this one is a different color. What gives?!
COMBATSYS: Eiji dodges Todoh's Meiou Ken.
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Dan 1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0 Todoh
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Eiji 0/-------/--=====|
Even if he can probably take a few more hits the ninja rather avoid having to deal with that again if he can help it. Even more so that the changes in colors of his chi might make for that one to possibly be more painful. Then again maybe the old man is just bluffing and can adjust the color of his chi. Either way that isn't something Eiji wants to be hit with and finally the ninja shows his speed and he shimmers before fading out right before the impact of the wave of energy.
He fades back in standing behind Danbert and his hands grasp the man by the back. "Make yourself useful." he says sounding quite annoyed as he lifts the fake Italian up and tosses him straight at Todoh before dashing forward as well right behind the other fighter to use him as a shield. This ends soon when he dives to slide up under Dan and then he comes off the floor with feet aimed at Todoh's chin as he starts to kick at the old man repeatedly in hopes of putting him down.
Danbert sails through the air. What will happen next, "HEYYYYYYY THIS WASN'T PART OF THE PLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!"
COMBATSYS: Todoh dodges Dan's Large Thrown Object.
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Dan 1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0 Todoh
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Eiji 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Eiji successfully hits Todoh with Stallion Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > / ]
Dan 1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0 Todoh
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Eiji 0/-------/--=====|
The strangely colored Kasane Ate hits the ground without much additional fanfare. It is what it is, folks, and it is truly Real Ultimate Power. (Pay no mind to the skillful ninja dodge of Eiji Kisaragi.) He leans forwards after the swing, almost gasping for air but no less determined for it as Eiji makes a hasty retreat behind 'Robert.' He'll hide behind him again, won't he?!
He leaps up off the stone battlefield when 'Robert' comes flying at him, not with a flourish but with enough air and remaining leg strength to propel himself out of the way of the true inspiration of Kyokugen might. But Eiji, being that tricksy little ninja he is, kicks up right at the correct arc to catch him in the chin multiple times. Each one suspends him in his place in midair until that last one finally lets him fly off to meet his apparent fate for this fight.
The cry of pain echoes loudly. His flight seems to go much more slowly than any falling, losing man should before he hits the ground on his back, seemingly unconscious from the combined dealings of pain from 'Robert' and Eiji alike.
Eiji may hear that 'thud' of something Ryuhaku must be carrying. Is this how he got around to where he did? It rolls out of his sleeve and reveals...
A sharpie marker. One of the ones he tried to bait his appearance with. That doesn't answer any questions at all, does it?!
Especially not when the hand suddenly grabs it and Todoh sits up, grabbing for Eiji's shirt to try pull him down closer in a fit of one great, last gasp. "Like Kyokugen enough to fix your matches, do you?!" His thumb pops off the top as he then tries to apply it, very liberally, where Eiji's face is exposed to scribble something in very artsy, flowery kanji. The likes of which young people don't use or even taught.
It would go something along the lines of 'I love Kyokugen,' give or take some sloppiness as consciousness fades despite this one last rush of adrenaline and sheer /rage/. And let's just say that the sharpie would be pressed hard enough to constitute stabbing, if Eiji somehow allows this all to happen!
COMBATSYS: Todoh can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Eiji 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Dan
COMBATSYS: Eiji dodges Todoh's Random Weapon.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Eiji 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Dan
The marker doesn't explain a god damn thing. It is enough ot a distraction that he almost falls for Todoh's little trick there. He reaches outwards for the ninja and soon he leaps back out of the way of that grasp while landing once again in a crouch while narrowing his eyes toward the elder Todoh. "Fiesty, but in the end not good enough." he murmurs before straightening up fully.
He turns about to look towards 'Robert' one last time before reaching into his gi to produce a large wad of money. "Our paths won't ever cross again and if they do we will not be on the same side." He tosses the money towards Robert's feet and he turns about to start walking out of the arena. Now it is time to analyze tapes and find out if there is anything he can report. Not that if he did find out he would give that answer to someone other than Geese. As for what Howard would get? A simple report with three words on it. 'Act of God'.
COMBATSYS: Eiji has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Dan 1/------=/=======|
AND WHAT OF ROBERT HIBIKI, NOW FULL OF MONEY? Well he's pretty dazed from being thrown by that jerk ninja so he kind of silently pockets the money and slinks off. Take that Yuri you lemonade welcher.
COMBATSYS: Dan has ended the fight here.
Ryuhaku Todoh, meanwhile, seems to lie prone and defeated by the continued beatings of both his foes. The focus, however, seems to lie very squarely on the exchange that takes place between Eiji and 'Robert.' Could it be?! Can it be?! That Kyokugen has fallen to such depths to accept bribes to help opponents fix matches?
Ryuhaku Todoh is not surprised! But, somehow, all it takes is for none of the spectators, not even the camera crew, to watch him for that single moment. Even the camera operators screwed over in that bet by Todoh's actions in the Kain vs. Todoh family battle can pass up the sheer /idea/ of capturing a scandal from all possible angles. It takes one security operator to yell at the entire camera team to keep a watch on Todoh to find that he's not on the battlefield any more.
Where the hell did that old coot go now?!
Their only hint is in a couple of customer complaints about discarded, half-eaten ham sandwiches all over the place.
Log created on 16:23:54 08/05/2007 by Eiji, and last modified on 19:23:23 08/07/2007.