Chapter 6: True

The woman Willow was facing called herself a "yakuza", and strangely enough, she had heard this word once before. She had heard it from…..

That person…

….

….

…

"INCREDIBLE, WITH NO PROBLEM, THIS TALENT OF THE NEW ERA HAS WON AGAIN IN ONE MOVE!"

…..

That day was very special for Willow.

Since Luz was a human that already lived in the Demon realm, and since she had dedicated countless days to studying this place, the United Nations recognized her as a very important ambassador between both worlds. "Let us not sever the very important connections we already have", those were the words used to describe Luz's new position in the world. She was nervous about it, but decided to take the responsibility and do what was needed for a peaceful coexistence to take place.

Because of that, Luz was given a very special access very few others were given: free pass between worlds. She and a selected entourage were given complete freedom to move between the human and demon realm as they pleased, which was deemed indispensable for Luz's job as mediator.

One time, Luz took her friends and family from the demon realm on a lengthy trip to visit the human world. She called it "the first cross-dimensional tourist trip". And they were treated as VIP guests everywhere they went.

They went to many places and visited may countries, and while Willow enjoyed each and every one, there was one instance she could remember so clearly, she could picture it happening in front of her as clear as day anytime she wanted.

It was on a trip to Japan. They visited many places and enjoyed many foods. And at the end of the trip, the Japanese prime minister took them to witness a special event. It was an event called "Sumo".

And ages old tradition in Japan, originated in the Tokugawa period by none other than the true hero and true great unifier of Japan, Ieasu Tokugawa. The match was fought in a very small circle marked by rolled up Tatami boards called a "Dohyo", by massive fighters with very round frames and truly powerful muscles. These were called "Rikkishi", or Sumo wrestlers for the uneducated English speakers. These rikkishi were powerful and fierce, and they competed to either toss each other out of the very small ring or completely subdue each other.

Apparently, Tokugawa used these competitions during an era stained by the horrors of civil war to end the violence. As the new emperor of the newly unified Nippon (Japan for the outsiders), he declared that these bouts of Sumo would be used to settle any arguments between prefectures. And it had worked, the Tokugawa period is regarded as a true beginning of peace, and even as the true birth of modern-day Japan.

Willow was going to witness these historical fights with her own eyes, from a front row seat. She was excited. As the first of the competitors entered the arena, the audience exploded with praise and joy.

The man entering the arena was called Hakuhō Shō, he was the current Dai-Yokozuna, meaning he was considered the number one of all of sumo. He held a historical record of 45 top division championship victories, a number no other yokozuna in recorded history ever even came close to. At 192 cm tall and 158 kg in weight, he was a true sight to behold.

His opponent was not one, but several. As today, as a special event for the tourists from another world, Hakuhō decided to do the unthinkable and allow challengers to come forth towards him and take his title of Dai-yokozuna from him. While normally this would not be allowed, since the title of yokozuna, and even more so the title of Dai-yokozuna, were to be obtained by history and continued victories. To allow such an honor to be taken by force was unthinkable.

But the political forces of Japan wanted to sway the residents of the demon realm to their favour with spectacle and entertainment, and to do so, they dismissed the treasured traditions of Japan and allowed such a mockery of sumo to take place.

Challenger after challenger came forth to Hakuhō, both rookies and yokozuna alike stepped forth to take his title from him. But all that came forth were easily dispatched. Thrown off the Dohyo before they even had a chance to attack, Hakuhō's mighty forward palm strike, his mighty "Teppo" was simply too much for all that came forth.

As the matches kept going on, Willow's excitement was…..

Dying….

Down….

For some reason, this wonderful show did not have the impact she thought it would have.

For some reason, it felt….

Light? Tame? Restrained? She didn't know what word to use. But the point was, she was starting to get bored with it all.

Then, it happened. THAT man stepped up.

"INCREDIBLE, WITH NO PROBLEM, THIS TALENT OF THE NEW ERA HAS WON AGAIN IN ONE MOVE! NO ONE CAN STAND IN FRONT OF THIS MAN AND COME OUT VICTORIOUS! IS THERE ANYONE WHO COULD EVEN CHALLENGE HIS MIGHT ANYMORE?!"

"I would like to try."

Everyone turned to the person that talked, and they were immediately awestruck.

This new challenger was taller than Hakuhō, well over 2 meters tall. And much heavier as well, well over 200 kg. His muscles were massive, and his back was so wide it practically erased his neck from view. But the most striking part was his face. It was a face that was kind and gentle. His eyes were almost cute, like the loving gaze of a mother. His smile was small, almost timid. His demeanor has elegant and polite. And he stood tall and dignified, more so than anyone present had ever seen in their lives.

"… Well I see no problem with this, unknown stranger. Say what is your name, fellow Rikkishi?"

"… I'm sorry, but you are not a Rikkishi."

His face turned somber and serious, and Hakuhō was shocked.

"I'm sorry? What did you say?"

"I apologize if I sound rude, but I must speak the truth. You are not a Rikkishi. I cannot, in good conscience, look at you and say that you are."

Hakuhō was starting to get angry. This unknown stepped out of nowhere and said that the Dai-yokozuna was not a true rikkishi. Such an insult could not be forgiven. He would teach this arrogant boy a lesson in the ring. He would not ask why he said such a thing, the reason for the insult did not matter.

" . .boy?"

"… I am called Nomi no Sukune."

"…. Be ready, Sukune-san."

Without another word, the two took their place on each side of the dohyo.

Willow had no words.

This man… Nomi no Sukune…. Felt… different.

He felt…. Truly powerful… truly masterful… truly glorious. In ways Hakuhō simply did not stand up to.

Willow recalls the moment she saw this match as the moment she became enthralled by martial arts.

As Hakuhō unleashed his fearsome Teppo, Sukune did not move.

As Hakuhō pulled with a Hikkake, Sukune did not budge.

As Hakuhō tried to take him in an Ipponzeoi, Sukune was unfazed.

One after another, Hakuhō tried each and every single one of the Kimarite, the techniques commonly used in sumo. Each and every time, he failed. Each and every time, he grew more desperate. Sukune was like a mountain: immovable.

And then, Sukune lifted his left leg in the air. Anyone who knew anything about sumo knew what this was: a simple Shiko. And yet, it could not be called "a simple shiko". The form was so perfect, the image so mesmerizing, even Hakuhō stopped to admire Sukune.

And then the foot came down.

Sukune did a Shikoashi.

And the very earth trembled.

Hakuhō stayed still, motionless.

"…. I… surrender."

Hakuhō fell to his knees, and the victory was given to the one and only Nomi no Sukune, the new Dai-Yokozuna.

As Sukune was leaving the stadium, he heard footsteps coming after him, as he turned around he saw a small child with dark blue hair and pointed ears. She was panting from running after him, and seemed eager to ask him something.

But no words came out, her mind was swirling, she could barely form the mess of excited thoughts she had into words. And yet, Sukune somehow understood what she wanted to ask. With his gentle smile, he started to talk:

"… You want to know what I meant when I said Hakuhō "wasn't a Rikkishi", right?"

Willow nodded.

"Well….. I do not mean to insult his efforts, but…. He was just not a true rikkishi… that is to say, the sumo he practices, with a ring and complex rules and strict judges, that is not true sumo. It just isn't. The sumo of the ancient times did not have a ring, it did not have rules, it did not have arbiters…. It was just…. Ummm… dear heavens, how do I even explain this?"

Sukune seemed to struggle in finding an explanation to what he meant, then he said it like this:

"Alright, let me put it this way: if you ever get to see a Yakuza fight, THAT is the true image of a Rikkishi! Trust me, you will understand when you see it."

Willow was still confused, but she supposed the "image of a true Rikkishi" could only be truly understood by experience.

She then said something without realizing that she did:

"…..Wow….. I wonder… if I could become a Rikkishi as well."

Willow then became embarrassed for saying it. She had been told that sumo was a Japanese tradition that was only allowed to be carried out by men, and that women were not allowed to compete in any way. She disagreed with her whole heart with this idea, but she had no choice but to respect it.

She was embarrassed that she had even brought the idea to a real Rikkishi, she was sure he would be insulted by her words and leave.

But Nomi no Sukune simply stood there, thinking. After a couple of minutes thinking, he said something that took Willow by surprise:

"… Show me your Shiko."

"Wha-what?"

"You wish to be a Rikkishi like me, correct? Well, the most fundamental stance in sumo is the shiko. The shiko is not just the tradition with which we start a match, it is a sacred ritual that wards off evil spirits from sacred grounds, and it is the most basic of training methods that there is for us. If you truly wish to be a rikkishi, the first thing you need is the shiko. If I could see your shiko, I could help guide you in your path."

"So go ahead, show me your Shiko"

….

…..

The earth shook, but not by force. It was almost as if it had chosen to shake by its own will…

…..

…

"That…. Was…. Amazing….."

…

….

"Your shiko….."

…

"It carries with it the true force of the earth"

…

….

….

….

Willow felt ready, more so than ever before in her life. The person Sukune had talked about was standing in front of her: a yakuza. She was finally going to experience the image of a "true Rikkishi".

She was excited, and ready to begin. And to start, she did what was obviously needed to be done. What she had spent countless hours practicing since the day that changed her life.

She lowered herself, and put the tips of her toes right under her center, with her hands on her knees. She readied herself, and leapt one leg upwards in a flawless motion. Her toe pointed to the heavens, as she held herself sideways, with her legs making a perfect split in a straight line, like they were connecting the earth with the sky. She kept this position for a moment.

Miyuki did not move, she understood what this meant, and chose to respect it.

As willow built up her spirit, her ki rose. For what seemed like hours, she focused and prepared to start this fight.

And then, it was time for the shikoashi.

Miyuki stood prepared, as she noticed this shikoashi would be the first attack.

As once again, the earth shook with tremendous force, almost as if it had a will of its own. And massive spikes of wood rose from the ground everywhere around Willow as her foot came down. Miyuki leaped into the air as she heard the very spirit of Willow screaming its might into this first attack:

"YOI-SHO!"