Two days later, Mitchel reached the very dojo where her good friend and old sparring partner Karen waited.

In the very same outfight he wore during the tournament, with the addition of white loafers, he went right into the dojo to see Karen in her same blazer... while feasting on a pepperoni pizza.

"So… you decided to stick around here and order delivery while waiting for me? That's… dedication, I guess." Mitchel remarked.

"I wouldn't knock the pizza if I were you, this is pretty good stuff. Besides, I had to pay extra because we happen to be way out in the country. It would be a big pain to most people, but you know it's no problem for me... considering I'm loaded and all." Karen answered.

"Yeah, please don't rub that in my face again." The black-haired warrior sighed.

"Right." Karen gulped.

The nicely-dressed lady then turned her head away form her dear friend with a nervous expression on her face.

"Anyway, I know right now why you're wondering why I suddenly called this reunion in Japan, and why I made it sound all urgent and everything. I really wanted to say this was all fun and games, a happy-go-lucky party time, but you see…"

"Say, uh… where's Master Woody? I figured at least ol' Shishou would be hanging around, considering this is home after all. Kinda strange for him to be out since his two great pupils have decided to come over." Mitchel interrupted.

"Funny that you mention him." Karen answered. "You see… Shishou has been dead for awhile now…"

Mitchel looked uneasy upon hearing the bad news.

"Really? I would've figured… well, he was a really healthy guy, our Mater. But to think he would die so suddenly… it's hard to think. Did… did the old man's age finally catch up to him?" the curious warrior asked.

"No… he was… murdered… in combat… by some guy named Gotz." Karen answered while clenching her death.

"Gotz? Really? But… I overheard Shishou tell me had a brother named Gotz. Could it be the same man?" Mitchel asked.

"WHAT?!" Karen shouted. "You mean that rat…. HE KILLED HIS OWN BROTHER?!"

"There's a good chance… Gotz isn't exactly a common name, y'know. Besides, I heard the guy was a violent brute who lost to Shishou before. I guess he got… stronger… more violent… maybe too strong and violent for our Master to overcome." Mitchel speculated.

"Well, you know what?! Screw his violence and strength! I'm taking out that lowly bastard who killed our Mater like this!" Karen cried.

"H-hey… calm down. I'm upset about the news you gave me, too… it's just… since we're finally both here, maybe we can finally give our old Master a proper funeral?" Mitchel suggested. "Unless his body is rotting to the point of unbearable stench, then that might be difficult."

"No. I buried him out back just the other day. We can pay our respects now." Karen explained.

"Oh… well that's convenient. Let's say our last words then!" Mitchel cheered as he head out towards the back.

"Phew… I was worried I'd have to go look a stinky corpse for a moment! I don't think my stomach could handle something smelly & scary… curse my fear of dead bodies…" Mitchel thought to himself.

Karen twitched at her old friend's unusual cheer.

"What's with him?" Karen thought.

Later on, the two training partners found themselves kneeling by their Master's grave. For a long time, both remained silent as they reflected on their childhoods with each other, and with their beloved Master Woody as they all trained in the art of Ansatsuken. Eventually, young Mitchel found his words.

"Master Woody, I thank you… for so much. You've been a great father to me for these past 17 years. I 'm still at a loss as to the lives of my birth parents, but I feel honored to have been raised by you. You've always looked for me whenever you could, and you always tried to improve me in both martial arts as well as caliber. You've even allowed me to meet a great friend and sister in my training partner, Karen. I promise I'll carry on the beliefs you've hold dear, and I shall show my worth as a successor to Ansatsuken." Mitchel announced.

"Well, unfortunately, my buddy Mitch kinda stole half of my speech right now, but yeah…. Thanks for everything, Shishou. Too be honest, I thought at first a traditional stiff like you wouldn't even bother training a chick like me when Dad came to you about my… "discipline issue", but you saw potential in me you wanted to cultivate, and I appreciate it. And hey, the whole having a new training partner thing isn't one-sided. I agree, Mitch here has been a very good friend and brother to me, and I learned a whole lot about fighting and martial arts I wouldn't have gained doing it alone. Sure, we kept kicking each other's asses like there was no tomorrow, but that was in a good in way. Seeing as how I already have a Dad, I'm afraid that spot has been taken, but if it's any consolation… you were like a Grandfather to me… and… I love you… I'm sorry I never said it to your face, but I really did. Even after every punishment at your hand, I…"

At that point, Karen started bursting out into tears. Mitchel took quick notice of this and held her in comfort with tears dripping down from his own eyes.

"It's okay… I'm sure Shishou heard you. And even if you didn't, I already confirmed to him before he passed away. The old man felt really guilty and was beginning to think you hated him, so I felt like speaking up about it." Mitchel explained.

"…Th…Thank you…" Karen replied in deep gratitude.

After a period of crying came yet another long period of deep silence. And after that, Ansatsuken Brother and Sister touched fists right by Master Woody's grave.

"To Master Woody, the True Master of the Fist!" Mitchel cried.

"To Shishou, the Greatest Teacher in the World!" Karen proclaimed.

After their final words, Mitchel and Karen head back inside to fill their stomachs with the remaining delivery pizza. Suffice to say, it was quite tasty.

With dinner done, the two made quick preparations before leaving to find the whereabouts of their Master's Murderer.

"So… did you get any hint as to where this Gotz guy might be? You seem unusually confident that we'll find him soon enough." Mitchel asked.

"Yeah. Luckily, our Master told us about a guy who might be able to help us. He said his name is Dan, and I heard from around here that the one we're looking for is hanging around the bars in Shinjuku. It should be easy to find him." Karen explained.

"Dan, huh? I'm not sure why, but I have a really odd feeling about this guy…" Mitchel gulped.

"Odd? As in the "Bad" kind of odd?" Karen asked.

"I don't know. Define "Bad" for me." Mitchel answered.

"Alright, then I'll stop prying." Karen said back. "Anyway, Shishou said he would be a great help in our training in some way. Maybe he could teach us a few new moves… or, if he isn't so hot, maybe we could get a good warm-up exercise before beating down Gotz."

"Sounds like a plan." Mitchel agreed.

And so, with traveling bags in tow, the two Disciples of Ansatsuken finally left their old dojo in search of the brutal Warrior, Gotz…

…With Karen "conveniently" leaving out the part about Master Woody warning the two of them to avoid pursuing vengeance…

Somewhere in a harbor of Japan, a squinty-eyed old man stared solemnly in the sky. He had two tufts of white hair at the side, along with a full white beard that nearly enveloped his mouth. He wore a violet Chinese outfit that allowed for easy maneuverability.

"Is it true? Has the great Mater Woody been murdered?" the old man uttered aloud.

"…Indeed. It is as true as the violence in my blood." A deep voice uttered from out of nowhere.

The old man stroke his beard curiously.

"…That murderous aura… so my suspicions were correct, after all. It seems that Woody's brother has given himself to the Murderous Intent to become the Grand Master of Ansatsuken. Am I not mistaken, Gotz?" the old man uttered.

A demonic chuckle filled the air, then out of nowhere, the Martial Arts demon appeared right before the old man's very eyes.

"How good of you to come, Master Saibara. I was afraid that I would have to seek you out in China, but here you are, ready to become another trophy in my quest to prove my Mastery. They say your art of assassination is second to none, but I'm here to prove otherwise. Yes, true warriors face a noble end in death…." Gotz grinned.

Saibara laughed back. "You, Mater of the Assassin's fist? Your fists are nothing but those of a brute's. But since you insist, I will gladly show you true Mastery of the Assassin's fist." He smirked.

Immediately, the two fighters got into respective stances as the skies began to cloud…