[center][h2][color=BFBFBF]Zenkichi Hasegawa[/color][/h2]
Esaka, The Tiered City
Lvl 9 [color=BFBFBF]Zenkichi[/color] (59/90) -> Lvl 9 (62/90) 
Word count: 1,704 words[/center]


Azuma’s enthusiasm for recruitment belied his utter ignorance of the process, but Zenkichi shrugged that part off. If the InvestiGator hadn’t been involved in it before, why would he remember it now? The fact that they were open to new blood was a good sign in his book, and surely somebody at the dojo would have an idea.

The sort of philosophical discussion about the nature of sportsmanship and popularity was not on Zenkichi’s bingo card for the day, but it made sense. Nobody wanted to watch a bunch of talentless wackjobs beating each other senseless with no rhyme or reason. Or, worse, a fight over so quickly because there were no rules to prevent abusive behavior. Watching a guy just totally manhandle somebody who had no clue how to fight back wasn’t fun if you’d came to watch a serious match.

When the topic changed to the Heavenly Principles, Zenkichi paid a bit closer attention. This topic would shape their tournament fighting experience, quite literally it seemed. If the rules altered reality, they’d need to be sure to get as detailed a description as possible before they threw down in a match. That could wait until the whole group was gathered, or if they were lucky, the rules would be explained on sign up. 

What ‘worse’ than getting banned was, Zenkichi wasn’t sure he wanted to imagine. Death? Bit extreme. Torture? Outright banishment from Esaka? He could sit here guessing all day, or he could just not break the rules and never worry about it. That seemed like a good plan. 

When they did manage to reach the dojo, Zenkichi paused at the name. That…wasn’t too egregious a name, actually. He was idly wondering why Azuma’s dojo was so low-tier, when suddenly he saw the light. 

[i]Ah. They’re insane.[/i] Was all he could think when he saw Anna’s…fighting style. That was very much not human. Yes, the obvious green skin and lizard tongue also betrayed that, but the utterly insane speed at which her arms moved from her side to attack to her side…he’d never seen anything like it, even in the Metaverse. He couldn’t imagine each individual hit being terribly painful, at least not the pokes, but if she could hit you five times before you could even manage to launch an attack of your own? It didn’t matter. 

It wasn’t long before Kyanta was back up and approaching them with a greeting to Azuma, who quickly introduced him and his interest to join the dojo. He was, admittedly, second-guessing the wisdom of that plan, but it was too late; their attention was on him. Taking a short breath, he stepped forward and nodded. [color=BFBFBF]”Of course. Before I do, I just want to ask, what kind of ground rules should I be working with? Anything forbidden here?”[/color]

Kyanta shrugged in response, shaking their head. “Not really. Obviously it’s just a friendly spar, but fight however you like. We appreciate all styles here, as long as they’re effective at winning a fight.”

Yeah, that much was obvious. He’d seen Kyanta wielding a katana in their spar with the green-skinned woman.[color=BFBFBF]”Okay, just making sure.”[/color] He confirmed as he thought over his options. The woman Kyanta was fighting was right out. He didn’t feel like getting tossed around by what looked like a judo fighter, either, and the big pigman gave Zenkichi…a really bad vibe. 

[color=BFBFBF]Would you be up to go again so soon?”[/color] He asked Kyanta, then followed up with, [color=BFBFBF]”I use a sword, too, so I figured it’d be a good matchup, show what I can do to somebody who’d best appreciate it.”[/color] 

Kyanta nodded appreciatively, hand touching the handle of their katana. “Suppose that makes sense. And yes, I’m up to go another round or two. But be warned, I won’t go easy on you.” Yeah, he…didn’t think anybody here knew what that phrase meant. He nodded, stepping into the general area where Anna and Kyanta had been training, transforming into his Phantom Thief attire and summoning Ragnell. He was going to need everything he could get in this fight, he could tell. 

Kyanta moved to face him, both fighters watching the other while Anna watched on. “On three, you two. One, two, three!”

Once she spoke the final word, both fighters shot forward, though Kyanta did so by leaping forward, swinging her katana as they did. Zenkichi’s eyes widened, and he stomped the ground to halt his forward momentum, bringing Ragnell up to block. Kyanta’s blade crashed into the holy sword, and they landed directly in front of the Phantom Thief, lashing out with an incredibly quick jab that caught him in the gut. Zenkichi raised Ragnell to swing, but Kyanta backstepped while launching a projectile blade towards him, which easily caught him and flinched him. 

Kyanta launched forward in another aerial combo attack, though this time Zenkichi expected it and sidestepped, cutting horizontally with Ragnell and catching Kyana for his first hit in this fight. He stepped towards Kyanta to jab at them with Ragnell’s pommel, but they crouched beneath the hit and jabbed his feet with their sword, then stood and launched into a swinging uppercut slice that felt like it hit five times rather than once. Zenkichi was knocked back, but quickly recovered with a wheeze, swinging Ragnell and launching a projectile of his own. 

Kyanta blocked the energy beam, though the explosion did some chip damage, then jumped backwards, kicked off the wall of the dojo, and launched forward like a missile. Zenkichi couldn’t pull up a guard in time and was launched up, Kyanta jabbing him several times and juggling him in the air. [i]Ugh, this really is like a fighting game…[/i] Zenkichi thought as he slammed into the ground, staring up at the ceiling in defeat. Anna had called the match, with the detective feeling rather humiliated. 

“Hey, not too bad, but it’s gonna take more than that to get a win outta me.” Kyanta said, offering Zenkichi a hand up. He took it, shaking off the daze and standing. “Your swings are on the slower side, which makes them pretty easy to punish, especially for a faster fighter with about as much range, like me. You need to either find hits that are harder to punish, or switch it up a little or you’re never gonna get any wins as it is.”

Zenkichi took the constructive criticism with a nod. Truth be told, he had no formal swordsmanship training, especially not with European greatswords. [color=BFBFBF]”Yeah, that makes sense. Incorporate some other hits in there, mix it up a bit more. To be honest, you’re one of the only other swordfighters I’ve battled, so the advice is really appreciated.”[/color] Kyanta nodded, moving back to a starting position.

“Wanna give it one more try, then?” They asked, katana at the ready. “See if you can put any of that to good use.”

Zenkichi nodded, rolling his shoulders and stretching a little before taking a ready position. [color=BFBFBF]”Ready when you are.”[/color] The anthropomorphic pomeranian repeated their opening move and launched into the air, but Zenkichi was ready. He sidestepped the attack, bringing Ragnell up and into their gut. Kyanta groaned and retaliated with a sliding attack to trip him up, but he hopped over and spun around, dismissing Ragnell and firing a barrage of bullets their way with his new pistols. 

Kyanta grunted at the impacts, caught in a short stunlock loop, before Zenkichi changed tactics and summoned his large greatsword. The massive weapon was even slower than the holy blade, but it had a longer reach. Kyanta found themself without the reach to effectively target Zenkichi, so launched another spectral projectile, which Zenkichi blocked, the massive weapon planted in the ground like a T-post he hid behind. 

Kyanta used the temporary immobilization to close the gap, but Zenkichi caught them by surprise by shoving a revolver barrel in their face and firing, stunning them for a low kick which combo’d into a grab and throw. As Kyanta stood, Zenkichi had summoned Ragnell again and was holding it aloft, flames building on the weapon. They recognized a charged attack when they saw it and leapt forward, slashing at Zenkichi while in the air, comboing directly into a multi-hit uppercut slash once they landed. The blows didn’t manage to stun Zenkichi, however, as Eruption had more than enough superarmor to tank the flinch. Kyanta muttered a tiny curse under their breath as Ragnell was plunged into the floor at previously-unseen speeds, causing a great explosion of blue flames that launched them back and into the wall of the dojo, thoroughly beaten. 

After a few tense moments, Kyanta shook off the blow and stood up. “You’re a quick study, there. Azuma never did give me your name.” As the pomeranian approached, Zenkichi dismissed his weapons, returning to his streetwear. 

[color=BFBFBF]”Zenkichi Hasegawa. He never gave me yours, but I’m getting the feeling you might be Kyanta.”[color] He offered a shallow bow, which Kyanta politely returned, nodding.

“That’s me. Ultra Fight Da Kyanta is my dojo. As you seemed to have noticed, we tend to favor short, absolute victory combo attacks. Yours was…pretty unconventional, though that’s kind of a trend here as well.” Zenkichi gave a quick chuckle at that, silently agreeing. “Welcome to the dojo.” They offered with no fanfare, turning to Azuma. “You found a good one.” 

The Investigator in question gave a short nod. “Glad you think so.” 

Zenkichi turned to Kyanta, asking, [color=BFBFBF]”Thanks. Do we get, like, IDs or something indicating what dojos we’re with? So we can sign up for a tournament, that is.”[/color]

Kyanta shook their head, replying, “Nothing so formal. I’ll update our roster, and when you sign up, just put down that you’re with us. Everything will get checked after the fact. If somebody lies, they get found out pretty quick.” 

[i]Efficient.[/i] Zenkichi thought, then thanked Kyanta and addressed the dojo members as a group. [color=BFBFBF]”Sorry to join and run, but I’ve gotta meet back up with my group and sign up for a tournament. Busy day, but I’m sure I’ll see you guys later!”[/color] And with that, he jogged out of Ultra Fight Da Kyanta to a chorus of waves and ‘bye’s.