Chapter 2: Duel of Champions

" Where am I?"

The man in the white gi woke up to find himself lying on a bed in a makeshift hut. He looked around, disoriented and confused. He felt the presence of a bandaged wrapped around his chest and arm.

" You're awake, at last." a voice exclaimed

Ryu immediately turned to his side to come face to face with an elderly old man in a purple robe. The old man was sitting there with a warm smile and a glint of joy in his eyes.

" My name is Ougi, elder and healer of the Yellow Village." the old man exclaimed.

" I am Ryu." replied the man in the white gi, " This is the Yellow Village?"

" Yes." replied Ougi, " The Yellow Village, the village where the sun shines brightly onto us."

" How did I get here?" asked Ryu, as he sat upright on the bed.

" A man brought you here." answered Ougi, handing Ryu a cup of water ," He said you needed food and water. Here drink."

Ryu took the cup and drank quickly from it.

" I'm sorry but can I have another?" requested Ryu.

Ougi smiled and called the guard who was outside the makeshift hut.

" Bring this gentleman another glass of water." ordered Ougi, " It is clear he has not had water for several days."

" Yes, elder." the guard obliged and made his way out of the hut.

" Tell me, Elder Ougi." Ryu started, " What was the name of the man who brought me here?"

" Why, it was Kenshiro, Saviour of the End of the Century." replied Ougi

Ryu eyes flashed when he heard the reply. His heart started beating excitedly.

" You mean Kenshiro, the 64th successor of Hokuto Shinken?" asked Ryu, his voice trying to hide his excitement.

" The same." beamed Ougi.

Suddenly, Ryu stood up from his bed and clenched tightly on Ougi's robe, which caught Ougi by surprise.

" Where is he now?!" demanded Ryu, " WHERE?!"

" He...He is on his way to next village." Ougi replied, with surprise and shock clearly on his face, " He just left a half an hour ago."

Hearing his reply, Ryu immediately dashed towards the exit, knocking the guard that was taking his glass of water, thus spilling his drink. He dashed towards the enormous village gates which were slowly closing.

" Wait!" Ryu yelled to the guards manning the village gates " Let me pass!"

The guards, seeing him run frantically towards the gates kept a small opening for him, just enough for him to squeeze through. He ran for what seemd to be like an hour before he saw a figure in front of him.

" KENSHIRO!" yelled Ryu

Kenshiro, hearing Ryu's call turned to face him. Ryu stopped, panting.

" You are the Kenshiro aka The Man with the Seven Scars?" asked Ryu.

" Yes." replied Kenshiro, " That would be me."

Ryu let out a huge sigh of relief.

" It is an honour to finally meet you in person." said Ryu.

" I see." exclaimed Kenshiro, " Well, I best be going."

Kenshiro proceeded to walk away but felt Ryu's hand on his shoulder.

" If I could kindly ask a favour." started Ryu, " I wish to test out my martial arts skill with you."

Kenshiro looked at Ryu, puzzled.

" You wish to spar with me?" asked Kenshiro.

" Yes." exclaimed Ryu, bowing and putting his left palm on his right fist.

Kenshiro stared at Ryu, who was still bowing.

" No." replied Kenshiro as he walked away.

Ryu looked up startled.

" But I just want to test myself out." retorted Ryu, " To further improve myself as a fighter!"

Ryu's last statement made Kenshiro stop. Kenshiro turned and looked at Ryu's face.

" This man." thought Kenshiro, " His body looks like that of a formidable fighter yet his eyes are the eyes of a compassionate man."

There was a moment of silence, both fighters stood motionless.

" Alright." Kenshiro said, cracking his knuckles, " I will spar with you."

Ryu beamed with excitement.

" Thank you, Kenshiro" he exclaimed.

Both fighters took their stance. The air around them became distorted as both unleashed their battle ki. For a while, both fighters stood still. Suddenly, Ryu rushed forward unleashing a combinations of kicks. Kenshiro dodged them with ease and counter-attacked with a straight jab which narrowly missed Ryu face. Ryu leapt back and responded with a back roundhouse kick which Kenshiro blocked with his arm. Pushing Ryu's leg away, Ken attacked with side kick to Ryu back.

" Arrgh!' grunted Ryu as he stumbled forward from the force of Kenshiro's side kick.

As Kenshiro returned to his stance, Ryu swung back and unleashed his hurricane kick towards Kenshiro.

" TATSUMAKI SENPUU-KYAKU!" yelled Ryu.

Kenshiro was finding it difficult to dodge Ryu hurricane kick. Seeing an opening, Kenshiro attacked with a roundhouse kick. Both Kenshiro's and Ryu's leg collided, stopping Ryu from continuing his hurricane kick. Both fighters returned to their stance before Kenshiro unleashed a barrage of kicks towards Ryu. Ryu crossed his arms across his body, protecting himself from the full brunt of Kenshiro's kicks. As Ryu protected himself, Kenshiro stopped kicking and threw a powerful punch towards Ryu's arms, sending Ryu back a great distance away from Kenshiro. Kenshiro seeing an opportunity, rushed forward towards Ryu. Ryu, anticipating Kenshiro's actions, proceeded to form a ball of blue energy between the palm of his hands. As Kenshiro drew nearer, the energy ball in Ryu's hands began to grow brighter and larger.

" HADOUKEN!" yelled Ryu as he launched the energy ball towards Kenshiro.

Kenshiro jumped into the air, avoiding the energy ball. He realized too late that he had fallen into Ryu's trap. Ryu readied himself and unleashed a powerful uppercut.

" SHORYUKEN!" Ryu yelled as his uppercut flew towards Kenshiro.

Kenshiro crossed his arms to block Ryu's attack but the force of Ryu's uppercut sent Kenshiro flying higher in the air, leaving him open to another assault. As Ryu landed, he proceed to form another energy ball. However, this energy ball was growing brighter and larger at a faster rate. Kenshiro readied himself for the decisive moment. Suddenly Ryu's eyes flashed.

" SHINKU HADOKEN!" Ryu yelled as he launched the giant energy ball towards the airborne Kenshiro. As the giant energy ball got closer, Kenshiro pushed his arms towards the energy ball.

" TENSHO HONRETSU!" he yelled and a blast of energy came out from Kenshiro's fingers towards the giant energy ball.

The giant energy ball and the energy blast crashed into each other, brightening up the already bright sky. This temporarily blinded Ryu and he had to cover his eyes. This proved a fatal mistake as Ryu suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest. As the sky returned to it's normal brightness, Ryu was surprised to see Kenshiro standing in front of him. However, he was even more surprised to find a large cut on his chest.

" Hokuto Hiei Ken." exclaimed Kenshiro, " I was able to use the flying kick as a method to land on the ground safely and also to attack you."

" I see." Ryu exclaimed, " But it will take more than just a cut to disable me."

Ryu launched himself towards Kenshiro, performing a combination of kicks and punches towards Kenshiro. Kenshiro parried each blow before counter-attacking by pulling Ryu towards himself and unleashing a flurry of punches. Without enough time to defend himself, Ryu was forced to bear the brunt of Kenshiro's punches. Each punch caused Ryu to spit out blood. Kenshiro finished his attack with an uppercut, sending Ryu flying and landing on his stomach.

" HOKUTO HYAKURETSU KEN!" Kenshiro yelled.

Ryu's body remained motionless. Kenshiro, feeling something was off, walked towards Ryu.

" Ryu, I deliberately missed your pressure points," Kenshiro explained, " You are not dead yet."

Ryu was still motionless. Kenshiro kneeled towards Ryu, shaking him in an attempt to wake Ryu up.

" Ryu, are you alrigh..."

Kenshiro's sentence was cut short as suddenly he was hit by one of Ryu's uppercut. As he recovered, he was hit by another uppercut which sent him into the air and landing him a few feet from Ryu. As Kenshiro sat up, he could not believe his eyes. Ryu was standing up yet his expression was that of murderous intent and his eyes were glowing red. Kenshiro could feel dark ki swirling around Ryu.

" This feeling" thought Kenshiro, " It is almost similar to when I fought Kaioh!"

Kenshiro stood up and took his stance. Ryu smirked and took his stance.

" What do you think of my Metsu Shoryuken?!" Ryu asked harshly, " No matter, for I have awakened!"

Ryu took a small step forward, his dark ki burning the ground and leaving a mark.

" Come Kenshiro!" yelled Ryu, " Your grave awaits!"