An incredible fight...!

Niko stood watching, his arms crossed as he waited for it to start, always studying form and fighting style with his eyes.  He was, as a sniper, quite good at following targets to make sure that he could predict their movements and take them down in the line of duty.  Honestly, he wished it were him that was up there, right now, but he admired the girl's spirit.  Angela had as much a reason to win as he did, it seemed.  Maybe he'd get to hear it some time.  Maybe he'd get to even hear why Bakuto came to this tournament himself.  Who knows?  Niko found that he rather liked these poeple.  They were a real breath of fresh air.

Anyway, the final battle started, and Bakuto was taking no chances with Angela at all!  [color=92278f][i]'He must've been just as impressed by our battles as I was of him.'[/i][/color]  When they all had their decisive victories - Lee over Michael, Bakuto over Lee, himself over Rica, and Angela over him - these were clear indicators of how the battles were playing out, showing some real skill.  Angela must've managed to read him well, and it was small wonder, because [i]apparently[/i] the prize-fighter girl was exceptional at taking his and delivering back.  She was hit, but bouncing back, and she showed a technique to keep her defenses as strong as stone in the face of Bakuto, though he'd hurt her with his swift techniques.

They were pulling out all the stops, and Niko really saw why his speed counted for nothing.  Angela was a monolith, unmovable.  It was intense!  She took hit after hit, and Bakuto - though physically healthy - was wearing down.  Impressive!  [color=92278f][i]'If she'd joined the army, I think Athena would like her too.'[/i][/color]  Not that she would.  As the fighting continued, Niko joined in the chant, himself.  He wanted Angela to win.  She put her heart and soul into this.  Either one of them had what it took to become champion, but he was pretty sure that she could pull it off.  After the fight with him?  Oh yeah!

And then...she did it!

Bakuto was preparing to throw another punch, when...he suddenly fell back, having lost his balance!  He couldn't move, or was too weak to do so.  The man seemed to struggle to do so for a second, but conceded that he was patently unable to.  He was being a good sport about it, which Niko felt was at least proper enough.  Much the same way he didn't have any regret for his own fight for not holding back, Bakuto was prepared to acknowledge officially that he'd lost, and this honestly surprised Angela.  The audience cheered, Niko along with them, and here the two drained fighters appeared to be talking.  Niko smirked and leapt over some of the audience to the nearby tournament staff, before holding out his hand.

[color=92278f]"Gentlemen, if I may."[/color]

A second later, Senzu Beans in hand, Niko soon joined the three and gave them both the beans.  Bakuto kind of needed a direct deposit, which was not a problem.  He gave Angela a friendly smile now.

[color=92278f]"I'm not a career fighter, like you are, but I could definitely get to like this.  I'll be challenging you again, though I'm obviously gonna have to learn to duck."[/color]