Matchup: Fuehrer Bradley vs Zabuza Momochi
Character Analysis: Zabuza Momochi
Zabuza is a shinobi from the Naruto universe and is one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. He is originally from the Hidden Mist Village, though he became a rouge ninja and abandoned his village. He is a skilled shinobi, able to pose a threat to Kakashi Hatake in both the original series and it's sequel, Naruto Shippuden.
Zabuza is a skilled assassin, able to sneak up on virtually anyone without being detected and land a killing blow. To further enhance his assassin skills, he uses a technique called Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu to completely shroud the battlefield with an impenetrable mist, which he uses to blind his opponents. While using this technique, Zabuza himself does not rely on his sense of sight, but merely on sounds from his opponent. He often uses this technique in conjunction with Silent Killing (an assassination technique that is exactly as it's name implies: a method of silently killing the opponent) for greater effectiveness. It has been noted that even the slightest eye movement can alert Zabuza of his opponent's location when he uses this technique. It should be noted that Hidden Mist Jutsu renders special abilities like the Sharingan and Rinnegan useless, as it is comprised completely of the user's Chakra.
Zabuza possesses immense physical strength, able to wield his signature weapon, the Kubikiribocho with only one hand for extended periods with no signs of fatigue. The sword's great weight doesn't slow Zabuza down, as he is still able to run at full speed while the blade is on his person. Zabuza has also shown the ability to jump over a fuma shuriken at neck level while holding up Kakashi Hatake and a second fuma shuriken and the Kubikiribocho strapped to his back. He has also shown great endurance and stamina, taking a full attack from a high-level Water Style jutsu from Kakashi Hatake, being slammed into a sturdy tree by said attack, and still able to move relatively normally afterward. He also killed several dozen specially hired shinobi using only a kunai he held in his mouth (both his arms having been injured beyond use) while also taking many strikes from their swords.
It should also be noted that the Kubikiribocho is able to mend itself if it is ever broken using its special ability to absorb the iron in the blood of all that it pierces to mend itself.
Zabuza has also shown great skill in Water Style techniques. However, he is unable to use these Jutsu if there is no nearby water source. He is able to use the Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu, Water Style: Giant Vortex Jutsu, and Water Prison Jutsu. The Giant Vortex Jutsu creates a torrent of swirling water that rushes and impacts the enemy, forcing them back with the strength of a waterfall. Water Prison Jutsu is a Jutsu used to restrict an opponent by trapping them in a sphere made of water.
Character Analysis: Fuehrer Bradley
Fuehrer Bradley is one of seven homunculi in the Full Metal Alchemist series. He is unique in the fact that he was once a human before being injected with a Philosopher's Stone. In the manga and the Brotherhood series, he is the homunculus named Wrath, being named otherwise in the 2003 version of the anime. He is also unique as he doesn't, unlike the other homunculi, possess regeneration abilities, as he contains only one soul while the other homunculi contain several.
He has shown inhuman skill in swordsmanship, able to wield up to five blades at once and strike with blinding speeds. He can also move at incredible speeds, comparing to men whom are still in their prime, despite being well advanced in years. He has also shown incredible stamina, being able to fight effectively even after being severely wounded. He claims these abilities are his own, obtaining them simply through years of training.
Bradley also possess one power, named the Ultimate Eye. This eye is very similar to the Sharingan of the Naruto series in the sense that it can grant the user the ability to read an opponent's movements before they are even made, allowing the user to counter an opponent's attack with little or no effort. The eye also greatly increases his eyesight far beyond that of an ordinary human's.
Fight!
"And now ladies and gentlemen, it's time for our second match! Entering first is our first competitor, Zabuza Momochi!" The MC's thundering voice said. The crowd began to roar in excitement as the gate at one end of the stadium was raised. Out stepped a tall man whom had short, spiky black hair, and brown eyes. He wore a black shirt and matching pants, as well as striped wrist-warmers that extended up to his elbows and matching leg-warmers. He also had a massive sword strapped to his back.
He stepped forward and took a look around the stadium. "What the hell am I doing here?" He asked no one in particular. He watched as the crowd continued to cheer, confused as to why they were so excited. He closed his eyes and tilted his head toward the ground, grinning slightly. "I must be fighting somebody." He said with a tone that sounded both excited and annoyed. "Well whoever they are, they better be worth my time."
"And now, give it up for our second competitor, Fuehrer Bradley!" The MC's voice boomed. The crowd roared once again in excitement as they gate at the opposite end of the stadium was raised. Out stepped an older looking man, appearing to be in his sixties. He had a full head of black hair and a thick mustache to adorn his chiseled face. He wore a blue outfit that Zabuza assumed to be a military outfit and black dress shoes, as well as an eye patch over his right eye. You've got to be kidding me; this is my opponent? Zabuza thought somewhat annoyed. The man stepped forward and looked at his opponent. He smirked. Seems I've got something to pass the time. He thought.
"Let the fight begin in three!" The MC's voice sounded. The crowd finished the countdown, holding up the appropriate number of fingers. When the countdown hit zero both men drew their weapons. "That's an impressive blade you have there young man." Bradley said. Zabuza smirked. "Yeah, and it's gonna rip right through you." He said. Bradley chuckled. "I'd like to see that happen." He said. Zabuza rushed his opponent at surprising speeds, but Bradley remained where he was. Zabuza yelled a battle cry as he swung the blade toward Bradley's head, aiming to decapitate him. Bradley raised his sword and turned his body, blocking the blade. Zabuza's eyes widened in surprise. "Come on, is that the best you can do?" Bradley asked.
Zabuza jumped away from Bradley, landing a short distance away. "How'd you do that?" He asked in frustration. "Well I simply blocked your strike. It didn't take much." Bradley replied smiling. Zabuza scowled. "Why you!" He said charging him once more. Once again Zabuza swung his blade, attempting to cut right through Bradley. Bradley once again blocked the attack, this time with greater difficulty. "Hm. Seems you've got some strength. Well, I think it's time I finished doing nothing." He said.
Bradley pushed the Kubikiribocho away (much to the surprise of Zabuza) and was behind Zabuza in an instant. Zabuza turned his body to avoid Bradley's sword and kicked the old man in the stomach, sending him backward. Bradley slid on his feet for a short distance before coming to a stop. He stared at his opponent. "You are quite the quick one, aren't you? Well, I have something for that." He said smirking. Zabuza watched as he reached for his eye patch. The last time someone was hiding one of their eyes from me, it was Kakashi's Sharingan. He thought. His eyes widened as he came to a realization. Whoever this guy is, he must have a Sharingan too! He thought as he began to charge to stop Bradley. He swung his blade with both hands, aiming for Bradley's vital organs, but was blocked by Bradley's sword once more. Bradley reached up and removed the eye patch, revealing the Ultimate Eye.
Bradley looked at his attacker menacingly with both eyes. Zabuza jumped back just before Bradley could impale him. He had hardly landed before Bradley appeared right in front of him, about to swing his sword. Zabuza brought his blade in front of his body to block the attack, following up with a roundhouse kick that Bradley avoided. Bradley jumped back a little ways, examining Zabuza. Zabuza stabbed his sword into the ground. "That's it, enough of this!" He said raising two fingers above his head and two fingers in front of his chest. He removed the bandages around his mouth and released a very thick mist. The mist filled the entire arena, effectively rendering everyone in the stadium blind. He replaced the bandages over his mouth and removed his sword from the ground. Heh, this fight is mine! He thought smugly.
Hmm, seems he's filled the arena with mist. How does he expect to fight me blind? He thought in confusion. He smirked. No matter. I can still sense him. He glanced to his left and blocked the strike. "You're still no match for me, even in this mist." He said. He grabbed the blade with his free hand and pulled, bringing Zabuza with it. He whipped Zabuza around and attacked his mid-section, cutting him in half. "Heh, that was easier than I thought it would be." He said. Just then body turned to water and fell to the floor. "What?!" He asked in shock. "Gotcha!" Zabuza said lunging at Bradley and swinging his blade with one hand. Bradley barely had time to avoid the attack, dodging underneath the blade. He was then met with a powerful kick to the face, sending flying backward.
He landed on the ground painfully, sliding some distance before coming to a halt. He sat up, rubbing his head. How did he-? He thought in confusion. Just then he saw a dark figure amongst the mist and dodged to the right just as Zabuza's blade crushed the spot where had been just seconds before. The figure emerged right in front of Bradley and Bradley leapt and struck the figure in the chest with his sword. The figure once again turned to water and fell to the floor. Another one?! He thought looking around. He heard something and caught the shuriken just as it was about to hit his face. He's over there. He thought gazing in the direction the shuriken had come from. He drew his arm back and threw the shuriken with enough force to send it flying at blinding speeds. He heard the shuriken impact the wall. Guess not. He thought looking around.
Suddenly five more figures leapt through the mist toward Bradley. He avoided each of their attacks simultaneously and slashed them to death, each time striking a vital spot, each time them turning to water. At this point the water began to pool on the arena floor. One of them is bound to be the real one. He's just waiting until I've run out of stamina. He thought glancing around. I'm going to end this quickly. There should be enough water now. Zabuza thought. He began to weave hand signs. Bradley looked around, still no sight of his enemy. Suddenly he felt something move at his feet. He looked down and saw his enemy shape right in front of him from the water. It happened so quickly he hardly had time to react. Zabuza placed his hand out in front of him, palm facing Bradley. "Water Prison Jutsu!" He said. Quicker than Bradley could move, a sphere of water imprisoned his body, and he couldn't move. "What is this?" He asked, trying in vain to move. "Don't bother, you can't move while you're in there." Zabuza said.
"Now, I'm ending this." Zabuza said reaching into his tool pouch. "What are you doing?" Bradley asked in frustration. Zabuza remained silent while pulling out a kunai equipped with an explosive tag. "Ending this." He replied. Bradley's eyes widened as the tag ignited and the fuse began to burn. A few seconds later the explosive tag exploded, disbanding the mist around the explosion and replacing it with a cloud of fire and smoke. Zabuza released the Hidden Mist Jutsu. "Heh, looks like I won." He said.
Zabuza turned and began walking away when he heard something that made his eyes widen in shock. He heard coughing. He turned to look at the source, staring in disbelief. Sitting the ground was none other than Bradley. "Impossible! How did you survive that?!" Zabuza asked in anger. Bradley grinned, blood dripping from his mouth. His left arm was severely injured, bleeding heavily. He also had burns on some of his exposed skin. He managed to stand, his sword in his right hand. "It seems your little prison protected me somewhat from the blast." He said. "Damn it!" Zabuza swore in frustration.
Bradley ran toward Zabuza, considerably slower now. He pulled his arm back and swung his sword as hard as he could, putting as much force into the attack as possible. Zabuza raised his blade between the two of them, shielding himself from the attack. Bradley swung and their blades clashed, a massive force erupting from their collision. Then something unbelievable happened. Bradley's sword cut through the Kubikiribocho. It barely missed Zabuza as he jumped back, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. He cut through it?! He thought. Bradley grinned. "Seems like you're without a weapon." He said. "No. I can still win with this. My Kubikiribocho never cuts twice." Zabuza retorted.
The situation wasn't looking good for either of them. Bradley had a blade, but his stamina was running out. Zabuza had a broken Kubikiribocho and his stamina was running low as well. His Chakra levels weren't favorable either. Zabuza looked on the ground; there was just enough water left to perform the Water Dragon Jutsu. I have just enough Chakra. He thought. He sheathed the broken Kubikiribocho and began to weave hand signs. What's he doing now? Bradley thought. He shrugged, he couldn't let him finish either way.
Bradley began to run at Zabuza, whom was about halfway done with the hand signs for the Water a Dragon Jutsu. He's not going to be able to stop me; I'll dodge and weave hand signs at the same time. Zabuza thought. Bradley swung his blade, Zabuza dodging while weaving hand signs. Bradley kept swinging, each time failing to hit Zabuza. He swung horizontally with great force, but Zabuza jumped and landed on the flat of his blade, standing there and weaving hand signs. He stared at Bradley menacingly as he did this. Finally, he finished the hand signs. He smirked. "Heh, it's over! Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" He said. The ground rumbled as all of the water in the aren collected together and the Water Dragon took form, spiraling upwards and coming to a halt, staring directly at Bradley. Zabuza jumped away from Bradley as the dragon flew at him. Bradley turned around paralyzed with fear. The dragon caught Bradley in it's mouth and forced him into the wall with great force; enough so to crack the concrete wall.
Bradley screamed with pain as the water pounded his body. Eventually the attack stopped and the water dragon dissipated. Bradley stood against the wall, wincing with pain. His legs where shaking, barely holding him up until he slid down the wall. Both men were panting heavily. Zabuza had used up most of his Chakra, not daring to use any more so as to not end his own life. "I have to admit, for an old man you sure are stubborn." Zabuza said. Bradley said nothing, but continued to pant. Zabuza drew his Kubikiribocho. "It's time to end it." He said. He began to walk toward Bradley, holding the broken blade with both hands. When Zabuza was close enough, Bradley drew up the last of his strength and leapt at him, thrusting his sword forward. Zabuza quickly turned his body, making the sword miss its initial mark and instead impale his left shoulder. "Shit!" Zabuza swore in pain. He looked with hatred at the fool that had injured him. He kicked Bradley in the stomach, forcing Bradley to remove the blade painfully from Zabuza's shoulder. Zabuza then jumped and landed behind Bradley and impaled him with the broken Kubikiribocho. The blade wasn't long enough to rupture any vital organs. "Ha! You're pathetic, that blade won't be able to-" Bradley was interrupted as he felt a sharp pain in his mid-section. He slowly looked down to see a full blade sticking out of his stomach. "What the-?" He asked in confusion and shock. "This sword can mend itself using the iron in the blood of its victims. I told you, my Kubikiribocho never cuts twice."
Bradley felt the pain stemming from his stomach as the blade completely impaled him, rupturing several vital organs. His hand shook and his sword fell to the ground, unable to keep a grip on it. Zabuza twisted the blade and removed it from. Bradley, letting the man fall lifeless to the ground. He laughed. "It's about time you died." He said.
Winner: Zabuza Momochi!
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Tid: Well, that was certainly fun to watch! Both men were expert Swordsmen, but ultimately Zabuza's resourcefulness and quick thinking enabled him to snatch victory from Bradley. Who will be next? Stay tuned to find out!