Disclaimer: I do not own anime, movies, or form videogames.
Kure Raian had seen and heard a lot things majority of those he categorized as an 'Entertainment' but the news of the Kengan Annihilation Tournament and being told that he was hired by the Under Mount, Inc. as their affiliated fighter he was ecstatic.
There was no way that he was going to miss this especially when the chance of HIM showing up.
He may have not known his name but Raian was sure he was going to find him one way or another and this tournament was his chance.
He was already suspecting that the one fighting under Suoh Steelworks was the person he was looking for.
He could still remember the first fight they had.
FLASHBACK
Raian had thrown his first blow but the brat had dodged it at the last moment before grabbing his stretched arm and pulled him in while delivering an elbow uppercut.
However this blow wasn't enough as he immediately grabs his opponent's clothing and slammed him onto a car.
Seeing him in pain, he repeated the act twice before throwing him away. He expected him to play dead but instead he was surprised when the enemy stood back up and sprinted into his abdomen and delivered a powerful jab.
The blow this time made him grunt in pain before he felt his nuts being kicked. However due to his training he wasn't affected much, grabbing the offending leg he then slams his opponent to the ground before slamming him to a wall but was unable to do it as he was kicked right at his face.
The two were evenly matched as Raian outclassed his opponent in strength while his enemy outclassed him in techniques. They kept on exchanging blows before his enemy had a sudden burst of speed enough to appear beside him and punched his right temple.
"I see... All... right..." Raian thought before using Removal. His body then began to change color as he roared. His opponent had a horrified expression, something he took in great pleasure.
Without wasting a second he began to attack, his opponent doing the best he could to survive. The kid would occasionally get a lucky shot on him and was slowly but surely adapting, his blows were more faster and stronger, each strike was more precise than the last.
Grabbing his hair, Raian then slams his face on to a wall repeatedly, each slam producing more cracks.
Unsatisfied from the brutal attack he then proceeded to launch a barrage of punches to his opponent before grabbing him by the throat and throwing him to the side of the road.
A lot people had taken a good distance from the fight to watch safely while some had ran for their lives.
"C'mon don't just lay there, entertain me!" Raian yelled in joy. Most of his fights ended instantly whenever he used this power, everything ended in a blink yet this kid around his age not only manage to hurt him but was able to keep up.
Russell's Pov
His body was in so much pain, that he wanted nothing more than to lay on the ground and die but he refused, he wasn't going to die here not on the ground.
Ultra-instinct (lv.3/3) Evolving to Ultra-instinct Omen (lv. 1/3)
Skill learned Removal. Warning due to your lack of stats, your body will be under lot of stress. Caution is advised.
Great, he could hear Raian ordering him to get up. He was just too strong, there was no way he could beat him even if his opponent hadn't mastered Removal. How was he going to beat him?
The only reason why Ohma won was because of Advance which played a huge role even if it was barely helpful. Also Raian was way too arrogant.
Then he saw a mirage of an adult Ohma and Raian. How ironic, for him to end up in this position when it was supposed to be his friend.
He could here Niko telling him to use his inner tactics but that's what he had been doing this whole time. Each blow was planned and calculated so what was he doing wrong?
"Your too linear, all your attacks may have been planned and calculated but it's useless if your opponent knows what's coming. Be unpredictable, be smart, some things are better executed on the fly." Niko's voice echoed.
Be unpredictable... All right. He could do that, getting up while groaning, Russell readied himself once more.
Raian P.O.V
Raian grinned before rushing towards his opponent when he got up.
His arm was ready to deliver another blow, more devastating than the last.
However there was one thing that bothered him. Why was he hearing a boss music?
KENGAN ASURA BATTLE OST
Just as he threw his punch he felt pain. Despite with his Removal active he felt pain, then he noticed it, a bent pipe in the hands of his enemy.
Then without hesitation his enemy rushes towards him and brought the pipe down in a vertical motion but he dodged it.
He was surprised when he felt his left leg being pulled forcing him to do a split. Looking down he found the reason why, his enemy had used the bent area of the pipe as a makeshift hook. Then he felt his chin being punched.
Russell's P.O.V
Russell was tempted to use Removal but decided that his body was not ready on it. Seeing Raian on the offensive, he wasted no time on using Adamantine Kata while doing an uppercut on Raian after using the pipe to make an opening. Many would ask why didn't he just use his sword, gun, ring or drag Raian to the dungeon, he would answer because he didn't want to be in the Kure Clan's target list. Also he didn't want attention with a lot of people and pulling a weapon out of nowhere was one of them.
When Raian used left arm to punch him, Russell switched to Redirection Kata then to Water Kata. Just as he was about to break his arm, he was then flung across the road. At least he dislocated it... never mind bastard just put it back. Oh wait his Removal just wore off good timing.
Raian's P.O.V
Bastard nearly broke his arm, if he was second too late he would have lost it. Then he felt his body starting to get tired, releasing his Removal his enemy then rushes in with a determined look. So he noticed, this kid was the BEST!
Just as he was close, Raian throws a punch but Russell countered it with his own by punching his throat.
Then he felt something around his neck, choking him, realizing that his enemy was behind him with his back on his enemy as leverage.
With a growl, he then hurls him once more. For a moment he looked at what was choking him,it was a belt, he growled for a moment before he grinned and rushed to his opponent and delivered a punch but again his opponent countered his attack by punching his nuts then his throat.
Undeterred he tried again but this time, for a fraction of a second he passed out before realizing he was on the ground while his enemy was on top. That was the last thing he saw, finally succumbing to the barrage of punches to the face.
FLASHBACK END
Raian was dragged out of his thoughts when he heard a young woman calling to him.
Turning to the source it was Kure Karura. "Ne can you tell me about that GUY again?" She asked.
Raian knew that Karura never liked him and was only talking to him because she liked the knowledge that someone managed to beat him while he was using Removal.
With a grin he then began to recount his first defeat while Karura was grinning.
Somewhere around the globe, the strongest creature, the ogre just recently killed a polar bear.
Yujiro Hanma was grinning, satisfied of his kill. However the setting reminded him of the time he met his son. Russell Hanma or as he claimed Redgrave.
FLASHBACK
Yujiro was taking a late night stroll while planning on who he was going to pick as prey. Just then his nose picked a scent, his favorite aroma, the scent of a strong fighter.
Finding the source was easy, he gad just arrived when a young man, around 19 years old just finished off his opponent.
The teen then turned towards him and looked surprised and quickly went on guard.
After he had told the teen that he wanted see his martial art, the teen had started attacking. The execution of each was perfect but to Yujiro it was nothing.
He already saw many of those martial arts and had bested them all. However the kid had combined these arts and created something new but Yujiro could see the art itself was missing a huge piece of the puzzle and the brat was doing it intentionally.
Just as the kid was about to deliver an uppercut blow Yujiro countered it by punching his gut, sending the kid through a wall.
"Get up brat, I know that wasn't enough to kill you." Yujiro said. The brat groaned before getting up. He had no bruises but Yujiro already figured out that he was using defensive Shaori.
RUSSELL'S P.O.V.
He really wanted to just to run away but he knew that Yujiro would be pissed if he did it. He could use his weapon but that was useless against Yujiro since the man was a lot faster. His Ultra-instinct Omen was the only thing keeping alive... barely.
That last punch almost crushed his ribs. If he hadn't used Defensive Shaori at that moment he would have lost his ribs.
"Okay, let's try this again..." He muttered. Yujiro wasn't going to approach him so he had to improvise. Rushing out of the rubble, he quickly punched the ogre's head before kicking his nuts.
He heard Yujiro grunt but he didn't stop. He then grabs his head and hits him with his knee before delivering a right cross.
Russell then began to a series of punches and kicks. All of it was pointless as Yujiro counters him by grabbing his arm and hurls into another wall.
Yujiro then quickly follows it up with a punch but he saw that coming and counters it by kicking the man.
He kept exchanging blows with his enemy until he saw him jump back.
Yujiro get's into a familiar stance as he spreads his arm, his clothes shredded by his muscles.
"Oh shit..." Russell muttered knowing what it was.
Yujiro grinned before revealing his Demon back to him while grinning and turned back to his face him.
"Boy, you're a courageous fool. You are one of the many few who have managed to have seen this form. Now let me show you how I killed lion with my bare hands." Yujiro said before rushing towards him.
What started as a fight became a slaughter. Russell was forced to dodge and parry whatever attacks Yujiro made but even if he had Ultra-instinct Omen Yujiro would still hit him. Whenever he manages to get a hit Yujiro would shrug it off.
Suddenly he felt pain in his abdomen, chest and face. Soon he could only block and endure the attack.
Finally Yujiro delivers his strongest blow knocking him out for a brief second. By the time he realized it, he was already too late to do anything as he is smashed into the ground. The last thing he saw was Yujiro walking away.
Demon's back skill learned.
Yujiro P.O.V
Yujiro was disappointed that the brat still refused to show him his real skill but was impressed that he still managed to keep up.
Just as he was about to leave, the sudden surge of murderous intent filled the area. Turning around, he saw that the brat was up again but something was different.
Then in a blink Yujiro was surprised that the brat was already close to him before being punched and was soon feeling a barrage of it.
"His strength and speed increased, this bloodlust... it's as if this brat is a... Hanma." Yujiro thought before delivering a punch. The blow connected forcing the brat to back off.
Yujiro then spotted a broken mirro reflecting the back of his opponent. He laughed at what he saw, The brat's back had the face of a demon.
To think that he would find one of his spawns here and this one already was making leaps of progress compared to his other son Baki. However the young man seemed to be acting on instinct.
Just as his prey was about to attack, he quickly strikes. The brat was then embedded to another wall.
"Child, I admit your the first of my spawns to ever make me bleed. In exchange of your life. I expect you will show me your real self and to have pride in it." Yujiro said before leaving. While Yujiro wouldn't spare his enemies, this boy was his son with great potential killing him now would be a waste. He would spare him this time.
He grinned thinking of his future fight with this son of his. Unaware that the young man was still awake. Barely.
Flashback End
Yujiro smiled and wondered if that boy still remembered him. If he didn't it was no concern.
"Excuse me Mr. Hanma but have you ever heard of the Kengan Match?" A CEO asked.
Yujiro rose an eyebrow before leaning to the table. "Tell me more." Yujiro ordered.
Suoh Steelworks
Mihono had received news that Kengan Annihilation Tournament has started and this was her chance to finally get enough cash to pay her debt in one swing but if she loses then there was a good chance that her company would crumble.
Russell on the other hand was worried. He had feeling something bad was going to happen but he couldn't place a finger on it.
Focussing on other matters, he was excited to see Ohma again but shuddered when he realized that he would see Raian again.
Hopefully he won't have to fight him. "Russell what do you think?" Suoh asked.
"Well I would like to say I want a shot on this but if you don't want to, then I won't force you." Russell answered.
Suoh looked at her fighter, before thinking about it once more before finally coming into decision.
"Were joining in." She said while noticing Russell's excited look. "But I want you to promise me one thing. If your enemy is out of your league then promise me you'll surrender." She said. Russell had been a great friend to her and she couldn't bare to see him pushing himself in a losing battle.
Russell blinked before sighing. He knew this was coming. "Sorry but I can't do that. If I forfeit then all of this would be for nothing, your company will collapse." He said. He understood Suoh was looking out for his well being but to sacrifice her company was something he wouldn't accept.
"I can promise this, I won't die." He said.
Suoh could feel his conviction in that promise. While it wasn't better, she knew this was the best she would get from him.
"But first let's get some cash." He said getting up before stretching his body. Suoh giggled while watching him, she was really glad and proud that she was his employer.
Now she just needs to find a way to get into his heart.
After a few days of waiting they finally received a letter. After heading to where Kengan S. docked, Russell and Suoh were now letting the guards see their pass before waiting on boarding the ship.
Russell was checking his watch when he spotted someone. "Ohma is that you?" He said.
When the person turned, he couldn't help but smile. "It is you!" Russell said while smiling.
Ohma in turn smiled.
The Asura could see that Russell had gotten stronger and was excited to see his friend's progress in improving his Niko style.
"It's been awhile Russell." Ohma said with grin. "I see you've gotten stronger. You better not lose in this tournament Russell." He said.
Russell laughed. "I could say the same thing to you buddy. speaking of which, is he your employer?" Russell asked while looking at Yamashita Kazuo.
The elderly seemed surprised that he was noticed before Ohma introduced him.
"Yeah, this is Yamashita Kazuo." Ohma said before Kazuo bowed.
"Pleasure to meet you!" He said. If he was Ohma's friend, then the young man in front of him must be strong.
"Yo Russell Redgrave at your service." Russell said with a smile. "And this lovely woman is..."
"Mihono Suoh, a pleasure to meet you." Suoh said with a serene smile while raising her hand.
Kazuo blinked before shaking her hand. "No... The pleasure is mine." He said.
The group then started to talk as if they were friends and not competitors in the case of Suoh and Kazuo.
Suddenly the announcer began his statement. "To those who have received the invitation card please step this way." The announcer said while gesturing towards the boat.
He heard Kazuo saying something about not receiving any before the man gestured to a rundown ship.
Looking at his employer he suddenly noticed that something wasn't right. "Mihono- san is there something wrong?" He asked.
"I didn't get an invitation..." Suoh said. Suddenly alarm bells began to ring inside Russell's head. Was reality trying to correct itself or was something else at work.
Suoh kept looking on her purse but sure enough there was no invitation.
With a sigh, he quickly placed his hand on her head. "It's fine don't worry about it." He said while heading towards the rundown ship.
Suoh was worried if someone was trying to sabotage her when she noticed that Russell was heading the rundown ship she quickly followed.
ZETSUMEI
After being ordered that the fighters were heading below the deck while the employers were to remain Russell began to scan potential targets and do some damage control.
Looking up he could see that Suoh was beside Kazuo along with some blond woman, Kaede if he remembered.
When he saw Kaede taking a bottle of water yo Ohma, he knew the battle royal was about to start.
"Here you go Russell-san." Suoh said handing a bottle. "Oh thanks." Russell said before drinking all of it's contents. Suddenly he quickly soits out whatever was left.
"Mihono-san!? What are you doing here?" He yelled in horror.
"Well I saw how you were looking at your friend and I thought you werre thirsty so I brought some water." Suoh said.
Russell groaned. " Mihono-san as much as I appreciate you thinking for my well being, you should have not come here." He said while Suoh looked confused and hurt.
"What do you mean?" She asked. While she was hurt by what Russell said, she knew something bad was going to happen whenever his expression became worried.
Suddenly the door closes, Kaede pounds the door. Suoh catches on and looks worried before turning to her fighter.
"Get ready Mihono- san cause your about to see a battle royale." He said.
Suoh gulped in horror before taking a serious look. "Then as your employer it is your duty to protect me." She said.
"What am I a security guard?" Russell grumbled before receiving a light chop on his head. "It's your fault in the first place." She said.
"How is it my fault?" He asked. "You could have warned me about this." She said. Russell blinked, she was right he could have told her but would she... yeah she would.
"Okay fine." He said earning a victory smile from the young woman.
Soon the captain starts to explain what was happening and the Preliminary Kengan Annihilation Tournament begins.
Only five fighters will be allowed to participate the Kengan Annihilation Tournament but who will the five be.
