Today, we celebrate! It's the day after my big win, so Master and I decided to treat ourselves to some of the local English cuisine before we leave the country. I've never had fish and chips before, but I really like it! In fact, the American food we tried was great too! As much as I love the fighting, traveling to these new places has been almost just as fun. All this new scenery is so different from the small and familiar life I live back in Japan. This has been such a refreshing change of pace!

On top of that, my newfound love for traveling gives me one more reason to bring out my fighting A-game – The more fights I win, the longer I get to compete in the tournament, and the more traveling I get to do! My long list of motivations keeps on expanding... Oh, right! Master Hibiki won his match too!... Well, actually… To say he "won" isn't exactly true… In between bites of his meal, Master gives me the details.

"Wait, you're serious, Mr. Hibiki? You advanced without doing anything?"

"Yep! It's too bad, really… All of my devoted fans in the U.K. will be devastated to hear that I won't have the chance to display my limitless talent here, but them's the breaks! It's not so strange when you sit back and think about it, though. Going to war against the master of Saikyo himself? Whoever they are, they must have turned tail and ran once they understood the sheer magnitude of the ass-beating that was headed their way!"

"Are you sure they made the decision to quit on their own? Maybe they got caught cheating and were disqualified or something."

"Nah, it says so right here in the email. Check it… 'To entrant #43 (Dan Hibiki); we, the organizers of the official World Warrior Tournament, send this message to inform you that your scheduled opponent for Round 2 of the tournament bracket, entrant #14 (Eagle), has dropped out of the competition due to personal reasons. You will automatically advance to Round 3 and will receive the details of your next match within the next twelve hours.' See? It says 'personal reasons' but we all know what that means. They got scared and gave up!"

"The organizers don't tell you who you're fighting beforehand, though, only where to meet. Why would they get scared and quit when your identity was a secret?"

"Ehhh, details, kid! I bet word of my arrival in the country traveled quick, and they realized that our clash was inevitable. I am an extremely iconic celebrity I'll have you know. When I walk the streets, the common people take notice!"

*sigh* "Sure, Mr. Hibiki… Hey, that's weird, though. In that e-mail, they gave you your opponent's name… 'Eagle'… Maybe there's no point in keeping it a secret if that person's already disqualified?"

"Whoever they are, they made the right call. I have a whole week's worth of unbridled fury resting inside me, thanks to Ken Masters cheating me out a win last round, and that power is only growing… I feel sorry for the poor sap who faces me next!"

"Maybe I can look him up… Eagle, huh?... Oh, look! Here, I found him! He's a bodyguard for a noble family, and he fights using Bōjutsu. Wow, that's pretty cool!"

"Psh! So he whacks people with sticks? Yeah, this guy woulda been child's play. Two wooden sticks are nothing compared to my Saikyo-Style."

Just as I'm about to try and convince him that he's full of it, my phone goes off… Oh, and Master's phone just got an alert too… I check my notifications, and… Yes!

"Ah! It's here, Mr. Hibiki! The info for my next fight!"

"Well, look at that! I just got my e-mail too! 'Bout time!"

I frantically scan the message for details…

'To entrant #29 (Sakura Kasugano); Your Round 3 match has been scheduled. It will be held in Aoharu City, Japan on August, 24th.' (Woah! They're letting me fight back home?!) 'You will receive a follow-up message with an exact time and location within the next two days. Best of luck, warrior!'

"Oh my gosh! I get to go back home for this one! It's in Aoharu City, Master! What are the chances?"

"Nah, it's nothin' special. This tournament is known not only for showcasing the different countries and cultures of the world, but for doing so in the homelands of the fighters participating. Seeing as we traveled to America and England to fight on the home turfs of our enemies, it was only a matter of time before we got the same treatment."

"Ah, that makes sense. Y'know, as much as I've loved experiencing these new places, there's no place like home, am I right? Oh, and I can invite everyone to my match! Mom and Dad, Tsukushi, Kei, Hinata, Natsu…"

"Huh… Looks like my match is in Aoharu, too, kid. I know they've been coordinating our fights to be held in the same countries, but you don't need me to chaperone you while you're at home, do you?... Ah, well. I can chill for a while in the comfort of my own dojo, I suppose!"

"What day is your match on? I'm definitely gonna be there to cheer you on this time."

"…It's on the… 24th."

"Oh… Darn… Mine's on that day too…"

"Huh? Really? Pretty rare for them to have two separate fights happening in the same city and on the same day…"

*gasp* "Master!... You don't think…"

"Wh-What?... Think what?!"

"Are we fighting against each other?"

"…"

There's an immediate wave of tension that falls over us. A chill goes down my spine and my heart drops like a boulder. Master looks stunned into silence… I can't find any words either…

"W-We don't know that for sure, okay, Sakura? Don't let your worries spiral out of control. The e-mail doesn't have the exact time and location, remember? Do we seriously know that to be the case? Beyond a shadow of a doubt? With one hundred percent certainty?... No!… So, there's no reason to freak out. There must be two different fights being held that day, that's all!"

I… find that hard to believe… I think I'm fighting Mr. Hibiki, and one of us will eliminate the other… I don't talk much for the rest of our night out. I don't talk much the next day either, or on the plane ride back to Japan. Mr. Hibiki tries his best to raise my spirits, but how can I pretend to be okay? Master is so passionate about winning, and I might be the one to crush his hopes… Aghhh… What if our friendship is never the same afterwards?... I just have to hope in that possibility, that we aren't going to fight. Whoever runs this thing knows we're student and teacher. They wouldn't do something so cruel, right?

Nah, we're totally fighting each other… It didn't take long for us to get another e-mail, and wouldn't you know it, both mine and Master's matches take place at the same time and at the same location - The Saikyo-Style Dojo. It's pretty cool that the organizers let us fight here, all things considered. Mr. Hibiki offered his dojo as a potential fighting location when he submitted his application, and now this will be the site of our historic battle. Teacher versus student in the very building where we both train. My family's here watching, and so are all my friends from school, as well as my sparring buddies from the other high schools in the area. They're all here to cheer me on! Could one ask for a more exciting fight?

But… But… Ugh! That's also what makes all of this so terrible! Why'd it have to end up like this? I don't want to knock Master out of the tournament! And, yeah… fighting each other was always a possibility. In hindsight, it's silly that I'd never considered this happening… but still, talk about a bad draw! I just… I have to put my feelings aside. I wish we could both move on, but that's not the reality. If one of us must lose, I'll do my best to make sure it isn't me!

"Mr. Hibiki… I'm sorry things turned out this way…"

In the middle of the dojo, surrounded by excited onlookers, my mentor and I have our final chance to talk before we clash.

"…Euuughhh…"

He lets out a groan and looks away. Master must be feeling terrible. He's being forced to fight his own student. It's no wonder why he's sweating so much… He's probably wrestling with the decision to either take it easy on me or to use his full power and defeat me with little effort.

"Hey… Master… I know this situation sucks, but I don't want any pity from you, okay? No letting me win. I need to earn it! You'll give me your best, won't you?"

"I… I'm afraid I can't do that, Sakura. I'm a martial arts legend! My best would simply be too much for you!"

"You don't know that!"

"Ah, but I do, kid! And just imagine how bad that scene would look… A kind and merciful warrior crushing the dreams of a poor child in front of millions? My reputation would tank!"

…Millions? There's probably fifty people here at most…

"So… what, then? Do you forfeit? I thought we agreed to give this match our best, Master."

"Sakura, if you want to see the true extent of my abilities, then you'll have to prove to me that you're ready!"

"Fine… Whatever… It doesn't really matter anyway. Whether you're holding back or going full-force, I'll be giving it my all. I want to win!"

"G-Good! That's the spirit, kid."

"Best of luck, Mr. Hibiki… May the better fighter win."

"…Ugh… Y-Yeah, same, kid."

We shake hands and then separate. The official steps between us, and, after a pause, lifts his arm to give the signal.

"FIGHT!"

Master doesn't waste any time. He rushes me. With a shout of "Dan!", he goes for a hopping knee strike. I block it, but the force of the attack pushes me back too far. I'm not close enough to try a counterattack. Man, his knee strikes are kinda powerful! I recognize that one as a part of his "Dankukyaku" technique. Even Master's knock-off versions are pretty strong, I guess. He launches a few more knees. They're spaced well enough that, again, I can't answer back. I think he's trying to wear me down… He tries once more, but this time I duck underneath his jumping knee and give him a strong kick to the back!

"Yowch!... N-Nicely done, student! You've strategized your way through one of my most practiced moves. As expected!"

"Oh, c'mon, Master… You kept using the same attack over and over. Of course I'm gonna figure out how to stop you eventually."

For a split second, Master has a worried look on his face, but he regains his composure and continues our fight before I have any time to question what I saw. This time he chooses simpler attacks – overhead chops, roundhouse kicks, and straightforward punches. Thing is… he doesn't hit that hard? I block most of his strikes, but a few hit successfully while I'm try to get my own licks in. Mr. Hibiki's a professional martial artist… so why are his attacks so weak? Instead of going for a counterattack, I gain some space by giving Master a two-handed push.

"Master! What are you doing?!"

"Huh? What am I… We're fightin', kid! C'mon, put your dukes up! This is no time for talk!"

Gosh! Does he think I'm stupid? I've been in a real fight before. I've won real fights before. I've taken punches from skilled fighters like Mr. Nash, so I can tell he's not trying.

"I asked you not to hold back. Do you really think so little of me? I'm so weak that, even in a tournament, you won't give me your all? When you told my parents about all that 'potential' I have… Was that all a lie? Musta been, because you wouldn't be treating me like this otherwise."

"Kid… I'm not holding ba- Uh, er… I-It's like I said, Sakura! You want my true power? Then give me no other way out! Push me to my limit and earn it!"

Grrr! You annoying, egotistical, ridiculous man! Guess there's no point in trying to get through to him. He's made his choice, so I'll just have to give him what he demands. You better watch out, Master…

"Hadoken!"

With this fury building up inside me, I decide it's time to let him feel it. I throw a Hadoken at my teacher. This one travels fast. All that anger must have an effect on my ki. No complaining from me, though! The faster my projectile moves, the less time my opponent has to react. Unfortunately, Mr. Hibiki manages to do so…

"Gadoken!"

Right before my fireball can reach its target, he responds with one of his own. Green energy clashes with blue, and the result is a small but bright explosion of color. The crowd lets out 'oohs' and 'ahhs', and normally I'd be right there with them marveling at the display, but I've gotta keep moving. Now that our projectiles have canceled each other out, I break into a run as I move closer.

"Gadoken!"

He throws another fireball as I try to approach. I skid to a halt and realize that I'll have to block this one. Problem is, I remember what Master told me – "Sure, the Hadoken flies further and is larger than my Gadoken, but mine hits wayyy harder!" If what he says is true, then this might've been a bad idea. Even so, it's too late now… I guard myself as best I can… and… hmm?

"Hey! Master, that projectile was super weak! You said your fireball makes up for poor distance with stronger force!"

"Huh? Y-Yeah, it does! Mine's definitely the strongest one out there!"

"Uh… no? I just blocked it with no problem. Either you're not trying at all, or you're just full of crap!"

"Tch! Fine… Just this once, I'll show you a glimpse of my vast ocean of strength…"

He brings his hand behind him and begins pulling his ki. His face is that of pure concentration. Y'know, he actually looks kinda cool right now… Still, what's he thinking? This isn't some exhibition to show off! Gathering ki right in front of me like this is a terrible idea!

"HATEN GADOKEN!"

By the time the ball of energy leaves his hand, I've already taken to the air. Looking down on it from above, I admit that this fireball looks a fair bit deadlier with its brighter shine and larger size. It's too bad for him, though, that he chose such a telegraphed attack. Once he sees that I've jumped over his attack and that there's no escape from my retaliation, his jaw drops, and his eyes bug out like a character from a goofy cartoon. I bonk him over the head with a powerful axe kick.

"Agh! D-Damn it!... What the hell, kid?! You talk trash about how weak the Gadoken is, but then, when I try to show you its most powerful form, you go and pull the rug out from under me! What gives?"

"W-What gives?... This is a fight, Master, just like you said. I'm not gonna sit there while you charge up a huge attack and then just take the brunt of it. Only an idiot would do that! It's not my fault that you got all riled up and left yourself open."

"For shame, young Sakura… As your master, I raised you better than that. Never blindside an opponent when they are showcasing one of their signature moves. Especially when your opponent happens to be me, the great Dan Hibiki. I've got fans who came out to see these techniques, after all!"

Ugh… Look at how embarrassing we are… We're supposed to be martial artists, but we're doing more yelling than fighting… Enough already. I'm making a decision here and now – no more words. I'm only focusing on winning this match, and I'll tell him that with my fists!

While Mr. Hibiki is still complaining, I get back to work. My first punch surprises him, but he manages to block it. Master looks like he's about to start chastising me again, (probably something like 'no attacking me while I'm lecturing you, student!) but he quickly closes his mouth. I think he senses that I'm getting serious now.

Finally, it seems like Mr. Hibiki is taking this match seriously as well. There's a look of resolve on his face that I've never seen from him before… We trade blows… His strikes are faster and stronger than before, it's true, but these aren't the attacks of a martial arts master… My fist connects with his gut and he grimaces… I'm only a novice, really. I've grown a lot, and I agree with everyone who's said that I show promise. Even so, when faced with a self-proclaimed 'master' of street fighting, I shouldn't have the edge in close-quarters combat like this… I hop over his heel sweep and deliver a kick to his head… I think that, for the first time, I'm seeing Dan Hibiki for who he truly is. The fire burning inside me begins to die out when I realize that the man I now see isn't who I believed him to be. It's… a depressing feeling…

"Koryuken!"

Just as my mind begins wander, I take a well-deserved uppercut to the chin. I'm sent soaring across the dojo, and my body lands with a thud. That's what I get for losing my focus in a fight… I scramble to my feet, anticipating my opponent's follow-up attack, but it never comes. Instead of pressing his advantage, Mr. Hibiki is standing with his back turned to me, still on the other side of the building. With a giant leap, he raises a fist into the air…

"Yahoo! I'm awesome! A piece of cake for the legendary Dan Hibiki!... Oh, would you like that signed, my adoring fan? Of course!"

Now he's engaging with the crowd, giving autographs, doing childish rolls, jumps, and poses. I honestly shouldn't be surprised, but I've always wanted to see the best in him… He lands one good hit on me, and he starts showboating like he won the whole thing? For a minute there I actually felt bad for the guy… The fighting spirit that left me has now returned with a vengeance.

"Master! Fight's not over, y'know!"

"Ah! You haven't given up yet, my pupil? As expected of one taught and trained by the master of the Saikyo Arts."

"You told me that you're a 'master of ki', right? That your ki technique is 'the strongest one out there'? Show me, then! Show the crowd what a master of Saikyo can really do!"

"…Heh… Trying to lure me into another mistake, are you, Sakura?"

Hmm… Oh well… I thought he might be dumb enough to fall for the same trick again, but-

"Well, you're lucky that I am so gracious! You ask for my strongest attack? You'll get it! I'm quite certain, though, that even with ample warning, you won't be able to avoid it… So, let this be a lesson, kid… Be careful what you wish for!"

Uh… Okay! Looks like he's taking the bait anyway! Mr. Hibiki spreads his arms out wide, slowly moving them in a wide arc… Could this be a two-handed ki attack?

"Haooooh…"

Gosh, he really is gathering a lot of power! Was he right? Can I really not handle this?

"GADOKEEEN!"

Yep. With both hands, Master launches an absolute beast of a fireball at me. It's the largest one I've ever seen. And he was right – There's no way I can jump over or sidestep this one like before. With no opportunity to counterattack, I'm forced to simply guard. The gigantic projectile crashes into my defensive stance, and the sheer volume of energy blasts me backward, and… Ehhh… It was pretty intimidating, but it didn't hurt all that much. That attack has a lot of force behind it but doesn't dish out much pain.

This is fine, though. It was a silly plan, anyway, expecting him to fall for the same trap twice. I'll just win the match through other means… Huh? Where'd Mr. Hibiki go? How'd I lose track of him? Is he hiding somewhere? As I'm scanning the dojo for my adversary, I notice that all of the spectators have their eyes focused in one direction. Then, I hear the tournament official speak up.

"Uh… Dan Hibiki? Are you able to continue?"

Wait, what? Master? Why is his head stuck in the wall? How… What the heck happened? What did I miss? Did someone else jump in and start beating up on him? I… don't know what's going on… The official pulls Mr. Hibiki out of the dojo wall with some help from the crowd.

"Well… He's unconscious, so… Sakura Kasugano, you are declared the winner!"

…Huh?...