Disclaimer: I don't own any anime, movies, music, or games.
The second match of the semi-finals was short as the Ogre toyed with the current champion of Kengan. The fang of Metsudo was helpless as Yujiro humiliated the fighter at every turn. A man pretending to be a beast against a beast in human skin. Kanoh lost in such a humiliating way that some fighters pitied the former king of Kengan.
Baki sighed, Kanoh Agito would have won if he fought any fighter, but his opponent was not just another king. He IS the King of fighters. His thoughts then drift into the one person who most of his friends claimed as his half-brother.
Russell Redgrave. They praised the guy as a natural genius in a fight. At first, Baki thought they were overestimating the so-called half-brother of his, but after reviewing all the previous matches and what he just saw proved that Russell can back it up.
How the heck did he came up with those techniques? Still, Baki remembered Retsu's words in describing what kind of fighter he was.
"Russell is the type that dismantles any techniques he has seen and combines two concepts and creates a powerful version with both strengths and none of its weaknesses. If he can't use it the way he wants, then he'll use those techniques in ways no one would dare think of using. If he doesn't like it he discards it makes his own."
The little devil's thoughts got interrupted when Katsumi called him. "Baki, is there something wrong?" Katsumi asked.
Baki looked at his friend and looked back to his father. "Do you think he can win?" He asked. Hearing those words made the surrounding masters to pause. Baki was right, Russell was strong, but can he take on the Ogre?
The son of the Ogre was looking at the four before sighing. "Sorry. I was just being realistic here." He said while rubbing his head.
"No, your right Baki. His opponent is Yujiro, but I have faith in my student." Katsumi said.
"Yujiro is strong but Russell's unpredictability gives him an edge." Doppo said. "The kid comes up with crazy ideas one after another. Though I think this time Russell will have a hard time."
"I watched Russell trained harder than anyone, though I have some disagreements with him in regards with martial arts. I can say for certain he will not go down without a fight." Retsu said.
Shibukawa laughed. "The kid has even the guts to ask me for a proper fight just to see how he can apply my techniques into his style." He said while reminiscing about the days with his former pupil. No matter how many times he had broken the kid's body, the boy kept going. Who knew having your bones dislocated let's you use Benda more efficiently.
Hearing their words, it amazed Baki that the four had so much faith they had on the guy. Don't get him wrong, he knew Russell was strong, but the thought of Yujiro losing was a foreign concept to him.
With a sigh, he left and went to look for the so-called Beast.
Infirmary.
Russell was closing his eyes and was using Observe on his body, as the doctor places needles all over his body. While he was observing each place, the doctor had placed the needle on his Observe.
With Lingshu Chi Na, he might unlock his other restricted potential power or reserves. The Eight Gates in Naruto, he could replicate it, but he would be careful not to kill himself. Now why was his waist heavy?
As soon as he opened them, he saw Karla straddling his waist. His eyes widened as his libido raises with it. Damn it Karla, stop trying to send me into jail! Also holy crap, that pose is seductive.
"Are you feeling better now?" She asked.
Suoh frowned before marching toward Karla and again surprising everyone in the room by pulling Karla off him. "Hold your horses! He's still getting treatment." She said while looking at Karla.
It impressed the rest of the Kure that a normal person pulled Karla off with ease, but chalked it up with Karla just going easy on her friend.
Blaire sat beside him while looking at each needle. "How are you feeling?" She asked in concern. "Peachy. I feel light as a feather or I'm just high with adrenaline." He said.
Erioh scoffs. "Off course. The Kure clan techniques can take or give life. We're treating you with our clan's secret therapy. I honestly do not understand how you stayed in one piece after displaying those techniques. Neither the Kure clan nor the Mikazuchi clan has ever come close to breaking the sound barrier. You should be in pieces days ago. "
A depressing aura erupted as Kure Erioh sulks while his grandchildren try to cheer him up.
"But I can't just abandon him, Karla has already chosen her husband, and he just might end up becoming her betroth..."
Karla immediately escapes Suoh's hold as she appears at the opposite side of Blaire and looks at Russell in a smile. "Russell did you hear that? Grandfather has given us his blessings."
Russell laughed. "Your really not going to change your mind, huh?" He joked while Karla smiled. They heard a knock before the door opened, revealing one of Katahara's guards.
"Excuse me, but Mr. Redgrave, it's time for your next match."
Russell sits up, giving the guard a 'Are you serious?' look. Sighing, he quickly gets up before the doctor removes the needles. "Thanks for healing me. I'll pay you guys back." He said as the Kure members minus Karla left.
Looking at Suoh. "Well, this is it. The last boss fight. After this it's up to you future Chairman of Kengan." He said with a grin. "I already have enough on my plate already..." She grumbled. "I'll just nominate someone."
"If that's what you want, then okay." He said before leaving. Suoh smiles before praying for Russell's victory.
As Russell heads to the arena, a familiar character stops him. Baki Hanma was standing in front of him. "Well, if it isn't the champion Baki Hanma." He said. "Is there something you need?" The little Hanma was silent as he walks towards him.
"Nah, I'm just here to see you up close." Baki said while looking at the fighter. "His guard is down, is he underestimating me or is he trying to bait me?" He thought.
Russell was on guard. Everybody knew that Baki was polite about anything unless related to Yujiro. Like Doppo, before he fought Yujiro, Baki kicked his nuts to see if he could react. No way was he letting that happen.
There was silence until Baki attacks only for him to get countered by Russell's Jetstream Kata. "So do I pass? I still have a match, you know." He said while looking at Baki who he had on a choke hold. When he was sure Baki would not attack him again, he released him.
"You know who you're up against, right?"
"A guy with a colossal ego and has a talent in breaking people's bones." Russell said, taking Baki in surprise on how he described Yujiro. "Relax kid, I know who and what he can do, that's why I won't die here. Just sit back and enjoy." He said leaving Baki before stopping. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot."
Baki rose an eyebrow as Russell turns his head. "Do you want to fight too?" Russell asked, confusing him. While Russell wasn't a full-battle maniac, he couldn't help but ask the protagonist of Baki series. He wanted to have some experience in fighting Baki himself.
Baki smiles before placing his hands in his pocket. "As champion, it's a job to accept all challenges." He said. "Yes, let's fight."
The beast grins. "I'll hold you to that." He said before resuming his walk.
Arena
The crowd was loud as cheers and debates on who would win the last match erupted. As Sayaka comments on this, she quickly notes how most of the fighter was behind her. Some spectators were getting impatient, demanding to start the match already.
The first to enter the arena was Yujiro casually walking to the arena. "And the King is here!" Jerry yelled.
"The first to enter the ring for the 31st tournament and last match of the tournament; The strongest creature in the world, Hanma YUJIRO!" Sayaka said before the familiar aura weeks ago appeared once more.
The aura that caused many to panic, the aura that made all fighters wary minus Yujiro.
The ogre grins before looking towards his opponent's hallway. "Ho... He's fangs are already this sharp." He said grinning as Russell shows up. He noted the boy's eyes look distant. Was he distracted? or trying to think of strategy?
Russell was multi-tasking between getting mastery over Ki Manipulation and picking some new skills. There's one teeny tiny problem. He couldn't pick one.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!?" He thought. "Their all good and all, but I don't want another mistake." He said. All of them were so good that even the description made him want to buy them all, but the problem was that they were expensive or the skill would require him to relinquish his Absolute Zero.
Now any normal greedy gamer or noob would do it in a flash just to attain a better power, but Russell wasn't willing. The skill might be useless at a first glance, but it might have hidden functions.
His rotten luck had stopped when he took this skill, or it could be one of his weapons. Another was that it was useful for pulling a Kamijou Touma punch. Oh sure, there might be better skills, but only 'true' Gamers can turn what might be the most useless skill into the ultimate skill.
Plus, he already has a way to make up with his lack of defensive skills. So far his only way to use magic was with his weapons, if he ever loses them, well, no more {offense} magic for him. "God damn it... there's so many choices to choose." He muttered. "You know what fuck it." He said before choosing Magus.
What? Don't look at him like that. He was a big fan of Magic until watching dragon ball and Naruto... and Bleach.
Magus
Description: Walk the path with death, ugh that was cringe AF, who heck wrote that line? By manipulating mana around the world, you can conjure spells and miracle buying grimoires in the shop will boost your arcane knowledge. Now excuse me while I Gandr the idiot who wrote this.
Warning: Because of Absolute Zero being active, all {offensive} spells are unusable.
Russell was laughing at the description. Also, unusable? Who decided that? He'll just improvise and work his way around it. Still paying 100, 000, 000 gold for unlocking the {offense} seemed like cop out but oh well.
After that, he Ascends his skills.
GPI/ Grand Priest Instinct
Description: DOOOOODGE! You have mastered what master Piccolo lesson. Your attacks have the greatest maximum impact and will not lose power. As skill grows, so does the damage. Techniques will be used automatically provided the user does not interfere with it's function.
Prowler
Description: Sneaking, sneaking, Sneaking~ Cameras, Espers and Magicians are oblivious of you. Warning Higher beings can still sense your presence, they just can't pinpoint your location.
Pandora
Description: Beware, beware, for the thief is near, that means you, Goldie. You can now steal an unlimited number of weapons, vaults and riches. You can steal three skills from other Gamers until the skill reaches a higher level.
Okay, he may be broke for now, but at least it was worth it. Checking his stats and skill set. He quickly scrolls down and double checks in case. Stealing three authorities from other gamers? Hell yeah!
Username: Russell Redgrave/ Kaioh Redgrave
Stats:
Str: 730
Int: 550
Wis: 500
Dex: 720
End: 720
STMN: 730
Gold: 489, 990
Skill Sets:
Emotion Suppression.
Observe/ Observe Thousand Imagery
GPI (lv.3/3)
Prowler (lv.3/3)
Star (lv.2/3)
Pandora (Lv.3/3)
Anomaly (lv. MAX)
Golden Rule (lv.2/3)
Tricks (lv. MAX)
Absolute Zero (lv.2/3)
Eternal Arms (lv. MAX)
KI Manipulation (lv.2/3)
Niko style (lv. MAX)
Renew (Lv. 3/3)
Magus (Lv.1/3)
Willing the screen away, he glances at the arena. His heart raced in excitement and fear. As he appears into the arena, the crowd's cheer went louder, but even then he ignored it. Right, his enemy was in front of him. Using Observe Thousand Imagery, the results once more showed that he can only win when he had a weapon or using some Skills.
Reigning back his Ki so that the normal and average fighters can breathe. He looks around and saw Suoh and Blaire on the front seat.
"And following his entrance, the 'Beast' is here!" Sayaka yelled. "This is a fight many have been waiting for!" Jerry said in excitement. "Both fighters have beaten the odds and defeated many magnificent fighters."
Russell glances at Yujiro and grins. "Hey~ How's it going, Yujiro?" He asked while giving a cheeky look. "This brings back memories." He muttered.
Yujiro gave a demonic grin. The referee was sweating bullets as he could feel the pressure between the two.
"Both of you to your corners!" The referee said. "Before we begin, I just want to say something. We referees have minor roles to play. The most we do is call in the match or out." He glances at the two fighters.
"So as the representative of all witnesses, I will do my very best to see this match up close!" He then raises his hand. "Take your stance!"
Yujiro's hair began to flair up while Russell takes his fighting stance. Suoh was holding her hands together, but even then it wouldn't stop shaking. Blaire was looking at Yujiro, and her instincts told her to be somewhere else than to be in the man's presence.
Raian was looking at the arena, revelling at the bloodlust the two were emitting. Ohma who was in the recovery room was looking at his friend. Kazuo was praying for the young man's safety.
On the other side of the arena, Katsumi and Doppo were looking at the fight in the century while Retsu looks at his junior. "You better go all out, Russell." He muttered.
Shibukawa hums in thought. "He's in a pickle, his moves require prep time. If he stalls long enough, he can use much more devastating attacks."
Baki however was wondering how long this fight would last, however the one thing he picked up was that... "He's up to something." He thought, whatever it was, his senses as a fighter told him that if he was there facing his half brother, he would lose.
"Hajime!"
When he heard those words Russell felt his body moving on its own. Moving faster than he thought he could do without his skill, Blitz or Tricks. For anyone else, Russell teleported in front of Yujiro, who's eyes were wide.
Again his body moved on its own accord, sending a barrage of punches on the Ogre before ending it with a kick. He sent the Ogre skidding across the arena before rushing in once more and punches which the Ogre dodged and delivers his own punch.
Russell dodges it and delivers a knee attack, but Yujiro intercepts it and sends him flying back. As soon as he landed Yujiro was then onto him, his legs tensed before dodging the blow and throws a spear hand strike.
The two exchanged with punches and kicks a few more times before stopping as Russell narrowly dodges a punch from his enemy. Yujiro looks at the young man with a smile. No, this smile was not demonic, no this was someone smiling out of genuine joy. So why was he smiling?
Yujiro had a scratch on his face. No, it wasn't just that; he had bruises and scratches, his shirt had tears in it. Russell, too, had bruises on his arms and legs.
"Shit, that was fast!"
"Did you see that!"
While the audience wondered what was going on. The fighters who saw how it happened were in awe of the two. Baki's eyes were widening in shock. For years he thought the man known as Yujiro Hanma was the strongest, yet here he was, his father for the very first time. He saw him bleed.
"Kid... who taught you how to fight like that?" Yujiro asked. "Many talented martial artists and sportsmen have done rigorous training to achieve what you've done just now." He said before looking at him. "Yet none of them has reached such fluidity such as yours. From the constant switching of attacks to the evasion of my fists. Absolute relaxation and tensing during an attack and defense."
The Ogre then walks forward and smiles wider. "Whoever taught you how to fight like that... they taught you well." He said. "Well, that enough talk. For starters..."
He then appears close to Russell, his slowly reaching the Beast. "Try this one." He said. Russell narrowly dodges it and counters with a palm strike to the chest. The attack gets stopped by Yujiro's left hand.
"Not bad..." The ogre once more attacks with even more ferocity. Again Russell dodges or parries them but he could tell each blow were faster than the last.
"Yujiro isn't letting up!" Jerry yelled. "He's throwing combos and gathering speed."
With the last punch, the Ogre grins and delivers a kick. Baki looks at the fight and frowns. There was no way of dodging the kick. If Russell dodged, he would be wide open for a grapple. If he defends, he would sacrifice one of his arm.
However, Russell instead sends his own kick. As the two smashed, the audience covered their ears from the loud explosion before looking back at the fight. The two were uninjured, but all fighters could see it. The Ogre and the Beast were enjoying this, they weren't even fighting at all, this was a spar than a fight.
"He cancelled out the Ogre's attack..." Kaneda said. "But to pull that off, he had to deliver the same amount of force the Ogre used." Himuro said.
"What the hell are those two?" Akiyama muttered in dismay and awe. "And to think Yamashita's fighter was friends with that kind of monster..." Nogi said.
The two dropped their legs slowly, but the Ogre's smile was spreading wider each second. Finally, there was an adversary that could last, a battle where he can reveal his full might. This was the best toy he had ever have.
"What are they doing?"
"Are they having a staring contest?"
"Are you stupid? You think their having stare down at a time like this?"
Blaire hummed before planting her knuckle on her palm when she grasped what was going on. "It's a quick draw!" She said.
"What?" Suoh asked.
"Their having a contest on whose faster in drawing their fist." Blair explained. "Like in those wild west movies."
The CEO of steel works quickly glances back to her fighter. "Do you suspect he can't pull this off?" Karla asked as she sits beside Suoh. The young woman shook her head. "No, I know he can do this. I'm just wondering on how he will overcome this."
Slowly, Russell raises three fingers. The action confused everybody until he said. "Three seconds. Within three seconds, I'll deliver my favorite technique. The Magical punch."
Understanding those words stunned them all. None more so than Baki and Yujiro, bewildered that the young man was giving Yujiro a chance to read his technique. Completely ignoring the technique's name except Blaire, who was a giggling mess and Retsu who was face palming.
Erioh realized why he was acting like this. "That insane buffoon is setting a show." He yelled. "Both of their reaction and speed are equal right now. By doing this, he changed the entire game."
Jozaemon and Byo stared at the patriarch and returned to the arena. As assassins, the element of surprise was the root in everything, by handing out his opponent an idea how the attack was coming, you can disrupt their focus. However, he was dealing with Yujiro, tricks won't give him an edge.
Yujiro chuckles. "Cheeky little shit." He said. "Your on."
"Okay... Everyone outside are you ready!?" Russell asked out loud earning cheers from the audience. "Everyone inside are you ready!?" He asked once more and again the crowd cheers louder.
"Let's start the showdown." As soon as those words escaped his mouth, the surrounding air changed. Reality seemed to warp as their aura's clashed.
3
Their eyes were on the match, never blinking, excitement etched into their very being as they saw the middle finger bent. All fighters gulped as they gazed upon the two fighters. Three seconds was a brief time, it would pressure even a professional.
2
Yujiro's eyes seemed to glow as his aura grew larger and Russell responded. The building creaked as if the two auras can bring the stadium down. Russell was grinning as the ring finger bends.
1
Yujiro immediately delivers his attack, fast as every fighter thought, and Russell had no time to dodge or counter it. Hell, he didn't have time to even throw a punch.
The referee covered his eyes as the dust cloud enveloped him and the two fighters. All audience swallowed as they waited for the cloud to settle and soon they saw a shadow. Suoh, Blaire, and Karla were leaning onto the rails.
Kazuo was sweating bullets while Ohma was looking at the fight and chuckles. Shaking his head in disbelief. "Your so childish moron." He muttered.
Raian was chuckling, amused as he saw who won. "Magical Punch, he says, what a crock." He said.
Katsumi noticing his friend trying to shield his face. "Hey Retsu are you all right?" He asked. Retsu looks at him and Katsumi swore he caught Retsu looking embarrassed. "I'm fine, it's just I'm not fond of that technique." He said.
Goki and Doppo remained silent, patiently waiting for the revelation. When the dust cleared, every jaw fell to the ground.
"HOW!?" Everybody yelled, but the loudest was Baki as he looks like he had seen something impossible.
Russell was fine while Yujiro was laying to the ground, knocked out only for him to stand up immediately.
"'Magical Punch' my ass, that was normal kick!" Yujiro yelled. "And that's what makes it ✨magical✨." Russell said with a wink.
Blaire was laughing out loud as she held her stomach. Suoh and Karla were gaping at how Russell had the balls to troll the Ogre.
Baki's jaw dropped as he watched his half-brother deceived their father and joked around. Doppo and Goki were laughing inside their heads. Katsumi blinked in disbelief before glancing at Retsu, who refused to look him in the eye.
However, all audience can agree on was that they all felt cheated. Seriously, the name sounded childish and mysterious and how he sounded so serious about it that can't help but believe it was some kind of powerful technique.
Veins appeared around Yujiro as rage bottled up inside before appearing in front of his opponent and decks him in the face. Russell grunts from the punch before being sent to a wall only to rebound like a ball.
Yujiro grunts as he Russell slams his back onto him. "What the hell?" Jerry said. "Did he just used my Chinese kenpo?" Sayaka blinked before shaking her head.
Yujiro unfazed by these kicks him at the head, the GPI activated, and he dodged it. However, Yujiro delivers three blows to the body sending him to another wall but again Russell bounces off and delivers a lariat.
"What was that?" Baki said. "That was Shaori your brother is using it as propulsion to strengthen his momentum and cutting down the damage." Retsu said. "Your brother is the first to use Shaori unusually to all previous masters. Even the current master has never done or used Shaori in such a manner."
"Are you suggesting that my old man's attacks aren't working on him!?" Baki said. Retsu remained silent until hearing Baki saying Yujiro wasn't using full force. Calmly pointing to the walls where Russell had already crashed, Retsu looks at Baki.
Baki was silent as he glances at each crack. He was even more scared when his father dodged the last attack as Russell crashes into a wall. The audience screamed as he obliterates it to dust.
"That was Offensive Shaori. In exchange of losing mass, it gives you extraordinary relaxation."
"In short, Shaori is relaxing the body until the impact." Baki watched as his father went flying as he block a punch. "Its why all superior athletes have softer muscles." Retsu said.
"Yes, the more relaxed is, the better." Retsu said as he watches Russell walks towards the Ogre.
"His extreme shifting between relaxing and tension is the key." Baki said, watching as the Ogre went flying from a punch.
Yujiro blocks another punch, but Russell quickly flips him in the air. This mesmerized Baki as he looks at his half brother dominating the fight. "He's strong. I didn't know someone this powerful existed."
Strydum who had spent his entire life around Yujiro was having a hard time believing his eyes.
"Okay what are you smiling about?" He asked while placing his hand on his hip.
Yujiro hearing Retsu and Baki's conversation laughs. "Your something else, kid. You even had Baki believing your little tricks." Yujiro said as Russell frowns before his opponent walks towards him. "Your in a lot of trouble now, brat."
In flash Russell throws a jab which Yujiro deflects before delivering punch, but the way he moved surprised all masters. Russell quickly uses Vibranium and steps back as he recognizes the attack. "That's Demonsbane." He whispered.
"Impossible..." Katsumi said in horror.
"Hanma Yujiro is using Niko style!" Sayaka yelled. "His using Russell's Niko style against him!"
It shocked everyone that the Ogre had copied his opponent's fighting style. Suoh was covering her mouth in horror. Why? Why now? Just when he was winning, his opponent quickly turned the tide.
Yujiro grins before taking a fighting stance and punches Russell with Adamantium Kata. The young man grunts as he skids back from the force.
"Did he copy it!?" Retsu yelled.
"Copy, or did he already knew about it?" Baki asked.
"Hm~ I like this style." Yujiro said as he flexes a couple of times, using each Kata to his own leisure. "It's a lot better than the last one I fought with." He said.
Russell was frowning, something that the Ogre took delight in it. To see him losing his confidence was a treat.
" What's wrong? Don't like it when someone copies your moves?"
"Not really, its very hypocritical if I get mad. I'm a copycat, and there's no denying that. It's just I'm happy that the strongest creature is using the strength of the weak." Russell said. "But that's not your fighting style. Yujiro Hanma doesn't need Niko style."
His answer made the Ogre smile as he looks at his 'son' and grins."Oh? And what's my fighting style?" The Ogre asked.
"You tell me. Rather... show it to all of us, Yujiro Hanma's fighting style."
Yujiro grins before raising his arm as it bulges with veins. Completely mesmerized, the audience couldn't find a way to perfectly described it. Yujiro then smashes his fist into the ground as the stadium shook before cracks appeared.
All those witnessed it screamed in terror until the tremor stopped. Yujiro's shirt torn from the sheer force of his power. "This is Yujiro Hanma." Baki muttered.
Russell's screen erupted with warning messages regarding an invader and infection. Before feeling a sickening presence coming from Yujiro, no rather it was as if something was behind Yujiro.
Boss Battle: Defeat Shin Yujiro
Description: Yujiro has been buffed by the Demons back. Defeat him before he overpowers you.
Win Rewards
Defeat Yujiro before countdown:
666,666,660XP, 2 New Weapon, 3 skill points, 50,000,000 Gold
Survive until the countdown:
500,000 XP, 3 skill points, 20,000, 000 Gold, Yujiro dead
Loss: Death and Soul Obliteration.
"OH CMON!" He yelled before using Observe. "Isn't that a bit much!?"
The young man grins. "If I had no self control, I would have peed." He said before looking at Yujiro a familiar mist erupted around him as veins appeared across his chest. "My Turn." A burst of energy erupts as the cloud of dust forms around him while the island shook.
"Now for the theatrics." Russell muttered as he punches the ground, shaking the entire stadium.
Ki Enhancement + Reinforcement + Limitless + Demon back.
Within the dust cloud, Russell panted as he flexes his fingers. "Thank you, Yujiro, if I hadn't met you I wouldn't have learned this." He said but the rest he sounded demonic as he reveals himself.
Suoh couldn't take her eyes off her fighter's transformation. While Blaire hoped that Russell had not become a Kishin. Karla was busy taking pictures of her future-husband while Elena was shaking in fear.
Unlike his previous transformation, this form had a unique look. His hair had become jet black and shoulder-length, two horns protruding on his skull. His arms and legs were littered with Demonic markings. His pupils had become yellow with black Scleria and his lower canines elongated to form sharp tusks.
(Just picture a fusion of Kage and Oni from Street fighters.)
Ohma frowned, wondering if his friend was holding back or unable to use the transformation consecutively. Kazuo gulped and wondered just how many monsters were out there.
"Now let's start. The fight between Demons starts here." He said as his purple Ki envelops him as he gets into a fighting stance.