"My name is Akuma; The Supreme Master of the Fist"
Akuma, Once humanly known as Gouki, and in certain regions, still recognized by that name, but has long since transcended the needs for such formalities. The only essence left is that of the Satsui no Hado, and it is a very violent and murderous one. It is the true form, and he thinks his foolish brother Gouken wastes his time diluting his art and eliminating the murderous intent from his teachings. Akuma has lost to Gouken once before, which was after he had defeated their Master Goutetsu and he thought there was no farther he could go. He was wrong
The pup, Ryu, has it deep inside, and ever since he accidentally was held by it's enticing embrace, he has since shunned and spurned it, hanging on to his teachings of humility and self-improvement. Ryu knows how inviting it can be and the power it can grant and exchange for control of one's self, yet still runs from it. Akuma has seen this cowardice at least twice now, once on Gokuentou Island after showing Ryu a taste of the power the Satsui no Hado and destroying the island when faced with rejection. The second and last time began and ended on the volcanic rim where Akuma sensed the Satsui no Hado still present, but dwindling. Ryu then told Akuma he had thrown away his humanity instead of transcending it.
In that moment, memories of Goutetsu mentoring him and his brother, the rush and love he felt for the martial art, the nativity of chasing and wanting to realize untapped potential and… memories of her… However, these are now nothing more than fleeting memories and these moments are long since in the past. The only thing left for Akuma now is the thrill of the fight, and the fact that true battle when both opponents are strong and that only one will walk away from it