Author's Note: The Shirai-Ryu featured in this battle comes from the first MK reboot era where Scorpion is returned to his human form and eventually manages to resurrect the order.
Just as it was with my "Italian Assassin vs. Lin Kuei battle, these are lower level members of both orders, meaning that no supernatural powers of any kind will be involved.
Before I get called out by any hardcore history buffs that may read this, I am fully aware that using the term "Byzantine" would have been an anachronism as it wasn't a term that wasn't largely used by historians until the 19th century. This was also noted by Ubisoft, something which they purposely did to reference the Greek-influenced Hellenized continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire that continued to live on after the Fall of Rome in 476 A.D. and lasted up until 1453, when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks.
XXXXXX
(A masked man in a black ninja outfit with yellow highlights and iron lamellar body armor over it launches a roped kunai at the screen.)
Shirai-Ryu Ninja: The silent killer of Japan who faced off against their hated rivals the Lin Kuei...
(A Shirai-Ryu ninja is shown swinging his sword into the gut of an attacking Lin Kuei.)
vs.
(A bearded man in a tanned white hooded robe with an orange chest plate and blue pants draws a sabre.)
Ottoman Assassin: The secretive slayer who prevented the return of the Byzantine Empire.
(An Ottoman Assassin is shown using his hook blade to disarm a Byzantine soldier before stabbing him with it.)
WHO IS DEADLIEST?!
To find out, we have gathered doctors, scientists and weapons experts to test the arsenals wielded by our combatants to determine who would win a fight when two fictional warriors go head to head.
No rules. No safety. No mercy. It's a duel to the death to decide who will be...THE FICTIONAL DEADLIEST WARRIOR!
Using 21st century science, we will see what happens when two fictional warriors clash in a simulated battle:
Shirai-Ryu Ninja
Appearing from: Mortal Kombat expanded universe
Height: 5' 6"
Weight: 140 lbs.
Home Territory: Japan
Armor: Iron Lamellar Vest, Bracers and Greaves
Ottoman Assassin
Appearing from: Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Height: 5' 9"
Weight: 175 lbs.
Home Territory: Ottoman Empire
Armor: Leather Belt, Bracers and Greaves
"It's ninja versus assassin in today's battle when the Shirai-Ryu Ninja battles the Ottoman Assassin," biomedical scientist Bradley Foster started.
"You have two warriors today who are trained to kill quick and efficiently, and without drawing attention. You know they are going to be quick and agile," trauma doctor Joseph Kaiser continued.
"We've seen similar combatants both these guys are very familiar with in terms of the Shirai-Ryu's rivals the Lin Kuei and the Ottoman's allies from the Italian Brotherhood, yet they bring arsenals that set them apart from their counterparts and I'm eager to see how that turns out," computer expert Eddie Cortez spoke.
"Then let's find out," Bradley concluded.
The camera focuses on an Asian man with long black hair and a matching goateee and mustache, wearing a black outfit with yellow highlights. He has a rope with a kunai attached to the end of it and is shown sharpening the blade.
Representing the Shirai-Ryu will be the famed ninja assassin Hanzo Hasashi, better known as "Scorpion."
Formerly a revenant who later regained his humanity, Hanzo has since rebuilt the Shirai-Ryu from the ground up and now serves as their grandmaster.
"These Ottoman Assassins have no idea of everything we have had to endure. We have literally been to Hell and back. These experiences have hardened us in a way the Assassins could only ever dream of," Scorpion spoke.
The camera then focused on a younger man with neck-length hair, also clad in a black and yellow uniform and with a matching headband. He had a ninjato in hand and was practicing a few slashes.
Also representing the Shirai-Ryu will be Takeda Takahashi.
Son of famed swordsman Kenshi Takahashi and current member of the Earthrealm Special Forces, he learned the ways of the Shirai-Ryu under the tutelage of Hanzo Hasashi, making up part of the first generation of a newly reconstituted order.
"The Shirai-Ryu managed to beat the Lin Kuei back. The Assassin can't even beat the Templars, what makes them think they would be of any threat to us?" Takeda asked nonchalantly.
The Shirai-Ryu had its beginnings when a renegade Lin Kuei named Takeda left the clan and returned to his native Japan. Sought after by the clan's assassins for his defection, he offered his services to the local lords and generals. His techniques would spread gradually throughout Japan and develop into the art of ninjutsu. He would then amass his own clan of followers that would become known as the Shirai-Ryu.
"He taught modified Lin Kuei tactics and revealed their deepest secrets. This infuriated the Lin Kuei and led to both clans becoming bitter rivals for generations. The rivalry continued until my people were massacred by the necromancer Quan Chi," Scorpion spoke, his tone darkening at the mention of the Netherrealm sorcerer's name.
Following the Netherrealm's invasion of Earthrealm, the revenant Hanzo Hasashi would be resurrected by the protector of Earthrealm, Raiden. He would then rebuild the Shirai-Ryu and they would peacefully resolve the animosity with their long-time rivals the Lin Kuei, becoming a force of good as they dedicated themselves to protecting Earthrealm and aiding those victimized by others.
"The last thing the Assassin would ever see is a kunai coming right at them. You can count on that," Takeda proclaimed.
The deadly ninjas came equipped with a simple, yet lethal arsenal that allowed them to quietly eliminate their foes:
Short Range: Kodachi
Mid Range: Ninjato
Long Range: Fukiya
Special: Roped Kunai
But how will the Shirai-Ryu fare when pitted against a new enemy that operated within the shadows of the mighty Ottoman Empire?
The camera focused on a man with long black hair and a matching mustache and goatee, wearing a yellow headband and the typical tanned robe of an Ottoman Assassin. He has a sabre out that he is in the process of cleaning with a cloth.
Up first to represent the Assassin will be the head of the Ottoman Brotherhood of Assassins, Yusuf Tazim.
The son of an Assassin, he joined the Order in his late teens and fought against the Byzantine Templars, helping thwart their plan to overthrow the Ottoman Empire.
"These Shirai-Ryu might think they are good, but we are more advanced and managed to wipe out our enemies unlike them," Yusuf nodded.
The camera then panned to another man, this one with dark hair cropped close to his head and matching stubble. He is shown with some throwing knives that he is tossing at random wooden targets.
Also representing the Ottomans will be Master Assassin, Dogan.
A trusted lieutenant in the Ottoman branch, Dogan brings knowledge of the weapons and tactics that set them apart from their Italian counterparts.
"The threat of Byzantium wasn't enough to beat our Order. A few ninjas would be nothing to us," Dogan added.
Descended from a branch of the Hidden Ones based in Constantinople, a new guild was founded in 1258 by the traveler brothers Niccolo and Maffeo Polo by orders of Levantine Mentor Altair Ibn-La'Ahad, seeking to expand the Brotherhood across the known world while also hiding the Keys of his secret library.
"The Byzantine Empire carried out an aggressive crackdown on the Assassins throughout the Empire. It dwindled our numbers, yet we persisted. It wasn't until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 that my mentor Ishak Pasha was able to establish a lasting peace between our guild and the emerging Ottoman Empire, thus ensuring our continued growth," Yusuf explained.
In the early 16th century, the Ottoman Brotherhood would find itself locked in its most famous confrontation with the Byzantine Rite of the Templar Order as they sought to restore the fallen Byzantine Empire. It would be the arrival of the Italian mentor Ezio Auditore da Firenze that would ultimately turn the tide in the Assassins' favor, leading to their overall victory and the end of the Templars' presence within the area.
"We prevented the return of the Byzantine Empire. If the Shirai-Ryu crossed our path, they would meet their ending just as the Templars did – with a blade in the back," Dogan concluded.
The Ottoman Assassins came equipped with their own lethal arsenal to take down those pursuing nefarious deeds:
Short Range: Yatagan
Mid Range: Kilij
Long Range: Throwing Knives
Special: Hook Blade
When both warriors took on their opponents at close range, they relied upon short swords to quietly dispatch their foes.
For the Shirai-Ryu, he used a blade popular among the Samurai during the Kamakura Period, the Kodachi.
(A Shirai-Ryu is shown thrusting his Kodachi into a Lin Kuei's stomach before slicing the man's throat open.)
Kodachi
Single-Edged
Length: 33 in.
Weight: 9.9 oz.
Material: Steel
"This was a common sidearm for the Samurai class, as well as the Shirai-Ryu when needed," Takeda said showing off his blade, "It's too short to be called a sword properly, yet also too long to be considered a dagger. Either way, it's still good for us."
"We want to see it in action and we have two targets for you to test it out on," Bradley said motioning to the two targets, "First, we have a pig carcass to test out your blade on one of the closest things we have to a human target. Next, we have a gel torso outfitted in the leather belt worn by an Assassin. You have 15 seconds to prove your point."
"Then stand back and let me show you how it's done," Takeda said looking towards the Assassin experts before taking his position.
"Alright Takeda, on 3...2...1, cut 'em up!"
Takeda lunged at the suspended pig carcass, slashing deep into its throat before following up with a stab to its chest, before he followed that up with another slash to its gut, leaving its intestines spilling out.
He then set his sights on the armored target and sliced into its unprotected neck before he stabbed into the leather belt, the blade penetrating the leather surface. He wasn't finished as he pulled the blade out and drove it in again and followed up with two more thrusts before Bradley called out "Time!"
Dr. Kaiser put on his gloves and went to check out the first target, "Your first strike is an instant kill, cutting right through his wind pipe and touching the spinal cord, followed by a strike that tore through its aorta, and ending with another blow that effectively disemboweled him. 3 strikes, 3 kills."
He then made his way over to the armored target and assessed the damage, "Again, you went for the easiest possible kill at first, slicing his throat open. After that, this leather belt did next to nothing to protect this guy. His intestines are mush by this point. You've got 2 kills."
"Not a bad showing, but I doubt you'd get that close to one of our guys to pull that off," Dogan spoke up.
"I'd like to see you try," Takeda scoffed.
To answer the challenge, the Assassin slices back with a popular Ottoman short sabre of their day, the Yatagan.
(An Ottoman Assassin is shown using his yatagan to cut down a Byzantine rifleman.)
Yatagan
Single-Edged
Length: 2 ft. 6 in.
Weight: 1.9 lbs.
Material: Steel
"This was one of our backup weapons when needed," Dogan said showing his blade to the panelists, "It is single-edged, yet it has a prominent forward curve that adds to its cutting power."
"It's the same test for you, Dogan. We have two targets, one unarmored and the other wearing the iron lamellar body armor of a Shirai-Ryu. You have 15 seconds to prove your point," Bradley explained.
"Very well," Dogan said taking his position.
"Alright Dogan, on 3...2...1, hack 'em up!"
Dagan launched himself at the suspended pig carcass and brought his blade down into its midsection, leaving a deep tear that went deeper than the Kodachi's slash. He went for another strike that cut even deeper and finally a third that cut the pig carcass in half.
He then set his sights on the armored target and swung hard into the torso, yet only managing to dent. He followed up with another swing that violently rocked the dummy on its stand before he followed up with a strike to the dummy's throat, leaving a deep tear that left a torrent of stage blood gushing out. He then followed up with a second strike that beheaded his target just as Bradley called out "Time!"
Dr. Kaiser made his way over to assess the damage done, again starting with the unarmored target.
"I'm impressed by the cutting ability of this blade," he said as he picked up the fallen lower half of the pig carcass, "You hit hard enough, your first strike could have resulted in a quick kill alone."
He then made his way over to the armored target, "Your blows failed to penetrate the iron lamellar, yet you seem to hit with enough force you could have broken a couple ribs on this guy. Again, the forward curve of your blade comes into play at the very end," he said reaching down and picking up the dummy's severed head.
"And here I thought you were trying to impress us," Takeda scoffed, "Good luck when you can't even get past our armor."
"We might not get through your armor right away, but we can still hurt you bad enough to find another opening," Dogan replied, furrowing his brow.
Both blades showed what they could do, but where do our panelists stand?
"The kodachi seemed more multi-faceted to me. You can thrust, you can slash, and you can penetrate the Assassin's armor. Edge Shirai-Ryu," Bradley started.
"But didn't you see the slashing power behind the yatagan? That forward curve really plays a big role in the end. It can even generate enough force to knock the wind out of someone wearing body armor. Edge Assassins," Eddie countered.
The tiebreaker would fall down to Dr. Kaiser.
"We're talking about the kodachi having the extra ability to thrust and on the other hand, the cutting power of the yatagan. If you ask me, I think those respective strengths put them on even footing," Dr. Kaiser concluded.
In short range weapons, our warriors are even.
Coming up, two vicious blades are put to the test as two secretive killers clash for the first time.
XXXXXX
The Shirai-Ryu and the Ottoman Assassin, two forces of justice operating in the shadows.
"Our order's roots go all the way back to the days of the Pharaohs. We've amassed the knowledge that turns the tide in our favor," Yusuf spoke.
"We have fought against enemies tougher than these Templars the Assassins speak of. They wouldn't stand a chance against the horrors of Outworld," Scorpion spoke.
Both warriors fought their enemies with their own trademark swords.
For the Assassin, his blade of choice was a feared slasher of front line Ottoman forces, the Kilij.
(An Ottoman Assassin is shown dodging a blow from a Varangian before slicing him with the kilij.)
Kilij
Single-Edged
Length: 3 ft.
Weight: 3 lbs.
Material: Steel
"This was a blade used by the front line forces in the Ottoman armies," Yusuf said showing off his blade for the panelists, "Its design was inspired by the Turko-Mongol sabres used by the Mongolian cavalry forces and later became one of the trademark weapons of the Ottoman Brotherhood. It can be used as both a cavalry weapon and for infantry. Its power comes from the weighted tip, letting it cut through pretty much anything."
"We've got a scenario set up where you are being attacked by multiple opponents at once, as represented by the four suspended cattle carcasses. At the end is the group's 'leader,' clad in the armor of a Shirai-Ryu ninja," Bradley said, motioning towards a ballistic gel torso clad in the aforementioned armor.
"I'm always up for a good workout," Yusuf said drawing his blade and taking his position.
"Alright Yusuf, on 3...2...1, hack 'em up!"
Yusuf ran towards the first target and brought his blade down with a mighty swing that cut deep into the beef. He repeated the process with the second slab, going even deeper than before. He continued his merciless assault on the beef, cutting deep into the last two slabs before it was time to confront the "leader."
Yusuf swung against the armored target, only to be met with a loud 'clang' and a large dent being left behind. With an unsatisfied grunt, he swung again at a diagonal angle, taking off a large chunk of the dummy's head.
"It's done!" the Assassin called out.
"You managed to get in pretty deep with this blade," Dr. Kaiser commented as he observed the damage done to the beef slabs, "With your first target, you managed to cut through five ribs alone. Your second goes through the spine and both sides of the rib cage. For your third target, its cutting through the femur, and your last strike goes deep enough to strike the spine, all either instant or eventual kills."
The trauma doctor then made his way over to assess the armored target, "Your strike to the chest generates enough force to break a couple ribs, but not a kill. He will be sore though and possibly open to more attacks after that," he said before kneeling down to pick up the chunk taken from the target's head, "Unfortunately, we aren't offering points for extra credit. Altogether, you are 5 for 5 kills."
"Pretty damn powerful," Eddie commented, "Probably one of the most dangerous blades we've ever had on here."
"The reason it became so popular in our empire," Yusuf nodded.
"It still seems a bit cumbersome and one-dimensional to me," Scorpion said crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes in skepticism, "Our blade is lighter and offers more options."
To answer the Assassin's challenge, the Shirai-Ryu respond with the preferred blade of Feudal Japan's shinobi, the Ninjato.
(A Shirai-Ryu is shown locked in a swordfight with a Lin Kuei, gracefully outmaneuvering him before slashing into his midsection.)
Ninjato
Single-Edged
Length: 34 in.
Weight: 2 lbs.
Material: Tempered Carbon Steel
"This is our most trusted blade," Scorpion said drawing a ninjato from the scabbard on his back and showing it to the panelists, "It is lighter and faster than a typical katana. I can thrust as well as I can slash when carrying this blade."
"It's the same test for you, Scorpion. You have 5 Assassins attacking you, including the leader at the end who is wearing the leather armor of an Assassin," Bradley said motioning towards new targets.
"Consider it done," Scorpion said readying his blade and taking his position.
"Then on 3...2...1, slice 'em up!"
Scorpion launched himself forth and slashed into the first cattle carcass, leaving a deep tear in its surface. He repeated the process with another deep slash, followed up by a thrust of his blade. He would follow up on the last two targets with deep slashes before it was time to confront the "leader."
Scorpion ignored the dummy's belted torso and instead swung high, cutting down through the dummy's shoulder before following up with another slash to the target's throat.
The ninja grandmaster said nothing and only turned to face the panelists while sheathing his blade.
Dr. Kaiser again made his way over to assess the damage done.
"Once again, you manage to cut deep, yet not as far as the Kilij. You managed to get three ribs on your first target and with your second, you went deep enough to hit the spine, but not as deep as the Kilij. Your other strikes again created deep cuts that would result in heavy blood loss and bleed outs within seconds," he reported.
He then made his way over to the armored target, "Your first strike cuts deep. You go six inches into the shoulder, lacerating the arm's blood vessels and lung, causing a bleed out within seconds. Your second strike then cuts through this guy's throat and right into the spinal cord, instant lights out," the good doctor concluded.
"Yet he ignored your instructions and went around the armor," Yusuf pointed out to the panelists.
"Why bother when the opening is already there?" Scorpion replied, "If a Shirai-Ryu is presented an opening, he takes it without question."
Both blades cut through everything placed before them, but where do our panelists stand?
"I'm with the Kilij. That cutting power just seals the deal for me. Sure, the Ninjato was able to cut deep, but the Kilij's weighted tip just added that extra dosage of whoop ass that was needed," Bradley started.
"Sure, the Ninjato offers an extra option with being able to thrust due to its straight blade and probably could stab through the Assassin's leather, that sheer power of the Kilij just does it for me. Edge Kilij," Dr. Kaiser seconded.
"You're not getting any disagreements from me on this one. Edge Kilij," Eddie concluded.
In mid range weapons, the Ottoman Assassin takes the edge with the Kilij.
When the battle moved to long range, both combatants relied upon quiet ways to drop their enemies from afar.
For the Shirai-Ryu, he relied upon a deceptive ninja tool that delivered a poisonous ending at a dart's tip, the Fukiya.
(A Shirai-Ryu pulls out a Fukiya and takes aim at a Lin Kuei stalking down a forest path, firing a dart into the assassin's neck.)
Fukiya
Length: 47 in.
Weight: 1.5 lbs.
Material: Bamboo
To counter the Shirai-Ryu's surprise, the Ottoman Assassin responds in turn with his own silent, yet deadly menace, the Throwing Knives.
(An Ottoman Assassin watches from the shadows as an Almogavar approaches and tosses a throwing knife into his exposed throat.)
Throwing Knives
Length: 6.18 in.
Weight: 2.29 oz.
Material: Steel
"We have already seen these kinds of weapons used in previous battles and against similar opponents. We reviewed our testing footage from the 'Dark Brotherhood Assassin vs. Demon Hunter' and 'Edward Kenway vs. Rikimaru' battles.
"That being said, my edge goes to the throwing knives. While the Fukiya might have the better range, the Assassin would be carrying multiple knives at once, plus they can be used as a distraction when needed, whereas the Fukiya relies more upon poison to get the job done," Bradley explained.
"I agree and not only that, if an Assassin manages to strike an unarmored spot on their enemy, they will have instant results with a throwing knife, whereas the Fukiya's poison can have a delayed effect if a dart connects. Edge Assassins," Dr. Kaiser seconded.
"I have to agree. The Assassins get multiple chances if they miss a shot and they get instant results if they connect. Edge Assassins," Eddie concluded.
In long range weapons, the Ottoman Assassin takes the edge with the Throwing Knives.
Coming up, the trademark weapons of both warriors are put to the test.
And then later, two deadly, secretive killers meet for the first time ever.
XXXXXX
The time has now come for both combatants to show off the trademark weapons that make them so dangerous to their respective enemies.
For the Ottoman Assassin, he quietly eliminated his targets with an enhanced take on his Italian cousin's famed Hidden Blade, the Hook Blade.
(An Ottoman Assassin is shown dropping from a zipline to eliminate a Byzantine foot soldier with a strike from his hook blade.)
Hook Blade
Length: 12 in.
Weight: 1 lb.
Material: Steel blade, leather bracer
Dogan stood before the panelists and with a flick of his wrist, the hook blade emerged from beneath his sleeve.
"This is modification of the Hidden Blade used by Assassins elsewhere in the world. It consists of both a curved hook and regular blade. It was designed to make travel quick and easy, specifically through the usage of ziplines. Its unique design also allows the wearer to hook an enemy, either to pull them in, throw them to the ground, or to flip over an enemy to avoid a fight," he explained.
"We've got targets set up for the hook blade to be tested on –" Bradley started.
"Wait a minute, where's Yusuf?" Eddie asked.
On cue, the Assassin leader dropped down from the rafters and onto the first target, bringing all his weight down upon it and then driving his blade into its throat. There was another target nearby wearing the iron lamellar of a Shirai-Ryu, which he then hooked onto and threw it to the ground before tossing a throwing knife into the back of its head. There was a third target also present, which he then hooked onto the hood it was wearing to twist its head at an awkward angle.
"Pardon me. Did I miss anything important?" Yusuf asked in a nonchalant manner.
"No...not at all," Bradley replied as the Assassin casually took his place next to his associate.
"This guy would have never seen you coming, nor would he have been able to do much else with you bringing all your weight down upon him like that," Dr. Kaiser said kneeling before the target, "And the with the design of that blade, you just tore him right open as opposed to the quick, clean strike I'd have expected from a regular hidden blade."
He then turned his attention to the other fallen targets, "As Dogan mentioned, you showed off the other ways this blade could be used for direct combat, in one way throwing this guy down to the ground and leaving him open for another attack," he said looking down to the second target and the knife sticking out of its head before kneeling again to feel the last target's head, "And this guy, you just snapped his neck. You are 3 for 3 my good man."
"Yet still, he needs to get up close in order to use his hook blade effectively," Takeda commented.
"Do you think you can do better?" Bradley asked.
"We bring something that can take an enemy down from farther away...by the time they saw it come, it would already be too late," Scorpion replied.
To answer the Assassin's challenge, the Shirai-Ryu responds with an improvised weapon made famous by their grandmaster, the Roped Kunai.
(A Shirai-Ryu is shown launching a roped kunai at a Lin Kuei, striking him in the chest and then yanking him forward.)
Roped Kunai
Length: 7.87 in. blade, 12 ft. rope
Weight: 2.5 lbs.
Material: Rope, steel blade
"This was originally an improvised weapon we modeled after the Chinese rope dart," Scorpion said showing off the rope with the kunai attached to the end, "We can use this to cut through an opponent, or even sink it deep enough into their flesh to yank them towards us. With all the ways this can come at you, we can always keep you guessing."
"Well now we've got 3 targets for you to test your roped kunai on. You get 3 tries for 3 targets. Make them count," Bradley said.
Scorpion only nodded and took his position.
"And GO!" Bradley shouted.
Scorpion shot his roped kunai towards the target at the left, the blade's tip tearing through the dummy's neck and spurting stage blood all over the floor. He yanked the kunai out of the first dummy and pulled it back to him, quickly winding it up before shooting it out into the second dummy's chest. He yanked the kunai out and another splash of blood followed as the grandmaster pulled the blade back to him.
"I think I know what's next," Takeda smirked to the panelists.
Taking aim at the final target, Scorpion shot his roped kunai into its chest before he yanked on the rope.
"GET OVER HERE!"
With that deep, booming command, he pulled the dummy towards him with all his might and it flew towards him, yet had no time to hit the ground as the ninja followed up with an uppercut that launched his target high into the air, finally striking the ground with a deafening thud.
"Damn..." Eddie and Bradley gasped in unison.
Dr. Kaiser made his way past Scorpion and went over to examine the targets, "With your first target, you struck him right in the jugular, picture perfect for a quick bleed out," he said before making his way over to the second target.
"Your kunai went deep enough to pierce his aorta, coupled with the additional trauma just from watching you trying to pull the blade out. Another quick bleed out for this guy," he said before going to examine the final fallen target.
"What is there to say? You basically scored a repeat with this guy – and nearly in the same exact spot as you hit the last guy. That's some scary damn accuracy there," the doctor concluded.
"Can't forget the grand production at the end with the big 'GET OVER HERE'" Eddie added, attempting to mimic Scorpion's booming voice, only to receive a blank stare from the grandmaster.
"Definitely would hasten the process," Dr. Kaiser nodded.
"This isn't anything the Assassins haven't seen before. We would see his little dart coming and know to move out of the way. After that, he would be at our mercy," Yusuf spoke.
Scorpion responded by narrowing his eyes at the Assassin.
"Such hasty assumptions will only lead to your downfall," he replied, the panelists looking on in apprehension.
Both special weapons showed off their killing potential, but where do our panelists stand?
"Without a doubt, both these weapons are great in terms of how they can kill, but I'm giving my edge to the roped kunai. The roped kunai can be good for taking an opponent by surprise and the user can keep using it with various techniques to keep their opponent guessing," Bradley started.
"While I do believe the hook blade has modifications that make it better for direct combat if needed, it is still at heart meant for stealth and that quiet kill you need. The roped kunai on the other hand, has more means of being implemented in a fight and allows the user to control the fight a lot more than through the use of the hook blade. Edge Shirai-Ryu," Dr. Kaiser seconded.
"I agree. The roped kunai enables the user to take down an enemy from further away and allows for direct combat if needed, whereas the hook blade is still largely meant for stealth in the end. Edge Shirai-Ryu," Eddie concluded.
In special weapons, the Shirai-Ryu takes the edge with the Roped Kunai.
For this battle, the armor of both warriors will be taken into consideration as well.
For the Shirai-Ryu Ninja, he came into battle clad in iron clad lamellar, along with matching bracers and greaves.
For the Ottoman Assassin, he came into battle wearing a leather belt, along with matching bracers and greaves.
"This is an easy pick. Iron is stronger than leather and the lamellar worn by the Ninja covers more of the wearers upper torso compared to the Assassin's leather belt," Dr. Kaiser commented.
For body armor, the Shirai-Ryu Ninja takes the edge.
As it is with all warriors, there is a critical X-factor that makes them who they are. For the Shirai-Ryu Ninja, it's his past successes against the Lin Kuei.
"Ever since our clan's founding, we've had to deal with the Lin Kuei, who were often times more powerful, more well equipped, and more connected than us. No matter the odds stacked against us, we managed to hold them off. It took the deception of the Netherrealm sorcerer Quan Chi to kill off the original clan, but even then...I remained," Scorpion spoke.
For the Ottoman Assassin, it was his role in forever ending the return of the Byzantine Empire.
"In the early 16th century, the Templars still enjoyed a large presence in Constantinople, having ties to the fallen Palaiologos dynasty and even within the Sultan's family. They sought to resurrect the fallen Byzantine Empire and likely would have succeeded if it hadn't been for us receiving help from the Italian Assassin's mentor Ezio Auditore. We eventually managed to wipe out the lingering presence, eliminating all the prominent members and destroying their businesses," Yusuf explained.
Coming up, two secretive killers clash to determine who is "The Fictional Deadliest Warrior!"
XXXXXX
With our testing complete and our X-factors evaluated, we are now one step closer to deciding the victor.
Our teams tested 4 weapons used by the Shirai-Ryu Ninja: the Kodachi, the Ninjato, the Fukiya and the Roped Kunai.
On the opposite side, 4 weapons used by the Ottoman Assassin were tested: the Yatagan, the Kilij, Throwing Knives and the Hook Blade.
In short range weapons, the Kodachi's versatility and the Yatagan's cutting power balanced each other out.
EDGE: Even
In mid range weapons, the Kilij's superior cutting power slashed through the Ninjato's offense.
EDGE: Ottoman Assassin
In long range weapons, the Throwing Knives outmaneuvered the Fukiya.
EDGE: Ottoman Assassin
For special weapons, the Roped Kunai's superior reach and versatility tore through the Hook Blade's assault.
EDGE: Shirai-Ryu
And lastly, in body armor, the Shirai-Ryu's iron armor offered more protection compared to the Assassin's leather.
EDGE: Shirai-Ryu
Our scientists and weapons experts have concluded their testing. The results are in and the time has come to decide who will emerge victorious. To ensure the battle won't be decided by a single, lucky blow, the battle will be simulated one thousand times in a duel to the death.
Who will prevail in a battle between two secretive warriors.
Ninja
(A Shirai-Ryu is shown running alongside a Lin Kuei, only to draw his Ninjato and slash through the man, splashing blood onto a nearby tree.)
vs. Assassin
(An Ottoman Assassin is shown leaping from a rooftop's ledge and landing on top of a Byzantine guard, running him through with his hook blade.)
Stealth Killing
(An Ottoman Assassin is shown sneaking up on a Templar agent in a crowded marketplace, quietly stabbing him in the back with his hook blade and then casually walking away afterward.)
vs. Martial Arts Mastery
(A Shirai-Ryu Ninja is shown matching a Lin Kuei blow for blow in a direct confrontation before driving his Kodachi through the man's midsection.)
Secret Defender
(A Shirai-Ryu is shown engaging a Tarkatan, shooting his roped kunai outward.)
vs. Secret Defender
(A group of Ottoman Assassins are shown perched along rooftops, ready to protect their den from an oncoming force of Templars.)
"Everything is ready to go. It's showtime!" Eddie said as he typed in the final commands.
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Twilight has fallen over the medieval city and from atop a church belfry a man in a tanned white hooded robe is perched, scouting the streets below for any threats.
The man is an Assassin from the Ottoman Brotherhood, dispatched to the district following reports of a shadowy group making its presence felt. He is ready for battle, armed with the trademark Kilij of his order, along with a Yatagan at his side, several throwing knives tucked into his belt, and a hook blade strapped to his wrist.
Utilizing his fine tuned vision and hearing, his attention is suddenly caught when he notices a shadowy figure leaping between nearby rooftops. Looking down to see a pile of hay, he performs a leap of faith.
Nearby, a hooded man in a black outfit with yellow highlights and wearing iron lamellar body armor leaps between the rooftops as he searches for any signs of the elusive killer who eliminated one of his superiors.
The man was a ninja from the Shirai-Ryu clan, who were attempting to establish a foothold in the city. He was armed for battle with a Ninjato strapped to his back, a Kodachi and Fukiya strapped to his sides, and a roped kunai looped around his belt.
The ninja peered over the ledge to see the marketplace below, where by now most shops were closing up and many of the patrons were heading home for the night. He looked for signs of anything suspicious, only for his ears to perk up as he heard a strange sound coming from behind him.
It was then he looked up to see the Assassin falling towards him from an overhead zipline with his hook blade extended.
The Shirai-Ryu swiftly dodged the attack, rolling backwards and drawing his ninjato, standing face to face with a mysterious hooded man, who drew his kilij and lunged towards him.
Both blades met in a loud clash of steel that knocked both men backward. They were quick to recover and the Assassin went for another swing, yet the ninja raised his blade to intercept the intended blow and then ducked low to perform a spinning sweep kick the Assassin leaped backward to avoid.
The Assassin landed a few feet away and reached into his belt to produce a throwing knife, chucking it at the Shirai-Ryu, who moved his head to the side and it bounced off the stone wall behind him. The Shirai-Ryu responded by shooting his roped kunai out at the Assassin, who barely dodged being struck in the chest, yet had the blade tear through his right arm. The Shirai-Ryu then yanked the blade out, causing the Assassin to cry out in pain.
Out of desperation, the Assassin suddenly charged his enemy and tackled him, sending both men falling over the ledge and crashing through the roof of a garment dealer's booth.
The thunderous crash caused panic among the remaining people in the marketplace and sent them fleeing for cover, while the Shirai-Ryu pushed himself back to his feet, struggling as waves of pain shot through his body. He managed to steady his footing and looked around, only to find the Assassin nowhere in sight. Not wanting to risk harming any innocents, he disappeared into a nearby alley.
Unknown to him, the Assassin had hidden himself in a nearby well and waited for the commotion to die down before pulling himself out and darting between the numerous booths and carts while trying to avoid the city guards that had now been alerted, also keeping his eyes open for any signs of his mysterious opponent.
The Shirai-Ryu had not strayed far and watched his opponent from the shadows. He pulled out his Fukiya and reached into his pouch for a dart, waiting patiently as the Assassin slipped out from behind one of the booths before he took aim.
The Assassin waited until he was confident the city guards had gone elsewhere before he moved out from behind a vegetable stand, only to be halted as a dart flew just inches past his face. He knew it had to be that ninja and he looked over to see a shadow darting off to the side, figuring it had to be his enemy. He had to think fast and scanned the area for any openings, when he spotted an open window and darted after it, scaling the wall with help from his hook blades.
The Assassin found himself inside a small residence and listened to make sure no one else was present as he crept through a living quarters and made his way into a narrow hallway before entering a small bedroom with an opened window that looked down into the alleyway.
It would be a suddenly crash that caught his attention as the doors of a wardrobe flew open and the Shirai-Ryu emerged with his Ninjato swinging for the Assassin's throat.
The Assassin barely rolled out of the way just in time and brought his Kilij up to parry another blow directed at him, before he leaped backwards to avoid another strike and reached into his belt, drawing another throwing knife and tossing it into the ninja's arm.
The sudden strike forced the Shirai-Ryu to drop his Ninjato and he was left scrambling for the Kodachi at his side, while the Assassin went for another swing of his Kilij. The ninja barely dodged the attack and swung his short sword outward, connecting with the Assassin's side. The blow knocked the wind out of the Ottoman, yet he was protected by his leather belt and dodged an attempted thrust. The Assassin swung his Kilij again and struck the Shirai-Ryu, yet the ninja was protected by his iron lamellar and gasped as the blow was still strong enough to crack one of his ribs.
The Shirai-Ryu grunted through the pain and barely managed to dodge another strike from the Assassin's sword before he executed a spinning heel kick that knocked the Kilij from the Assassin's grip. He attempted to follow up with a spinning roundhouse kick, but the Assassin ducked the attack and shot his hook blade out, catching it on the ninja's iron lamellar and using all his might to toss the man to the ground.
Given a fresh opening, the Assassin draws his Yatagan and keeps his distance as the Shirai-Ryu rolls to a knee and again shoots his roped kunai out, which he barely dodges this time before charging the ninja. The Shirai-Ryu gets his Kodachi up just in time to parry an attack from the Assassin before deflecting another attempted strike away and following up with an attempted thrust.
The Assassin proves to be the quicker of the two and shoots his hook blade out, again hooking onto the Shirai-Ryu's iron lamellar and this time flipping himself over his opponent, sinking to a knee and slicing into the ninja's hamstrings. The ninja howls in pain, yet his cries are silenced as the Assassin brings his Yatagan down onto the back of the ninja's skull.
The Assassin yanks his blade out of the Shirai-Ryu's skull and watches as the man falls forward, a pool of blood forming around his head.
Satisfied with another victory, the Ottoman Assassin sheathes his blade, turns and walks away.
XXXXXX
Winner: Ottoman Assassin
Ottoman Assassin:
Yatagan: 100
Kilij: 337
Throwing Knives: 20
Hook Blade: 81
Total: 538
Shirai-Ryu:
Kodachi: 122
Ninjato: 234
Fukiya: 5
Roped Kunai: 101
Total: 462
"Following a fairly close matchup, the Ottoman Assassin triumphed over an equally deadly opponent.
"In spite of the Shirai-Ryu having the better armor and an unusual weapon like the roped kunai at their disposal, the Ottoman's arsenal proved to be more useful with him having the better sword with his Kilij as well as a long ranged weapon that was more effective," Bradley concluded.
"That computer's gotta have a virus! There's no way this would happen after everything the Shirai-Ryu have been through," Takeda spat.
"I knew we would win in the end. There was no shame in the Shirai-Ryu falling to The Fictional Deadliest Warrior," Yusuf smirked.
(The Ottoman Assassin is shown sitting on a park bench between two civilians, waiting as a group of city guards run past in search of a murderer. Once they have passed, he gets up and disappears into the crowd.)
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Next time on "Fictional Deadliest Warrior," it's a clash of the bodyguards:
(A feminine figure with blonde hair and pointed ears, clad in a black and blue outfit, white bandana, face wrap, black boots and a white tunic with a large red eye design swings a sword at the camera.)
Sheikah: The secretive tribals chosen by Hylia to protect the Royal Family of Hyrule...
vs.
(A feminine figure in a black outfit with a red and white face mask swings a dao at the camera.)
Xing Bodyguard: The fierce Xingese warriors who protect the royal family at all costs.
Who will be...THE FICTIONAL DEADLIEST WARRIOR?!
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Author's Note: I consulted with gojiratoho25 for the outcome of this matchup and honestly, I was surprised at the end result, as I'm sure most readers will end up being also. But, I do feel he did a good job of presenting and defending the end result as he put it.
Overall, it seems I gave the Ottoman Assassins a better arsenal compared to the Italian's. The Italian Assassin's Hidden Blade seemed more suited strictly for assassinations compared to actual combat and his Hidden Gun took more time to reload.
In spite of them being a trademark of the Ottoman Assassin, I left their bombs out because the Shirai-Ryu had no kind of explosive to counter with, thus trying to keep things fair.
There also is likely a bit of an anachronism involved regarding the Yatagan as I read up on them and saw that they likely didn't come into service until at least the mid-16th century, which would have been years after the events of "Revelations." But then again, the AC games are known for taking artistic liberties.
Overall, it could be implied that while the Shirai-Ryu likely could have won against one faction of the Assassin Order (as they did in their battle against the Italian Assassin from gojiratoho25's fic), it's likely they wouldn't succeed against the entire group when they are pitted against different weapons and tactics.
The Shirai-Ryu and all "Mortal Kombat" references are owned by NetherRealm Studios. The Ottoman Assassin and all "Assassin's Creed" references are owned by Ubisoft.
With apologies to Mortal Kombat fans!
Until next time, read and review! This is Metal Harbinger saying KEEP IT FUCKING METAL!