Chapter 6: Chapter 6 - Ryōzanpaku
----------------YANG'S PERSPECTIVE----------------
The dining experience turned out to be quite uncomfortable, especially from my perspective. Picture this - I found myself in a room surrounded by not one, not two, but six intimidating master martial artists. The first individual I encountered prior to the meal was none other than Shio Sakaki, acclaimed as the 100th Dan Street Fighter of Karate. Sakaki's imposing figure was hard to miss - a towering and muscular man with a tan complexion. His distinctive features included short eggplant-colored hair, with a single strand ominously falling over his face. Adding to his menacing aura was a long scar that cruelly slashed horizontally across the bridge of his nose.
My next encounter was with the esteemed Akisame Kōetsuji, renowned as a philosophical Jujitsu master. Unlike some of the other masters I've met, Akisame exuded an approachable aura that was intriguingly disarming. His average height and casual black hair did not detract from his unique charm. His preference for hakama attire subtly underscored an unexpected strength beneath his unassuming exterior. Despite his modest appearance, it was clear he held a high regard for his well-defined physique and compact muscles - a testament to his dedication to physical fitness. His carefully maintained mustache added an element of sophistication to his persona that he wore with pride. Yet, what truly set him apart were those striking white pupils; they radiated an intensity that was both captivating and slightly unnerving.
Following my memorable encounter with the esteemed Akisame, I had the utmost pleasure of being introduced to the legendary Kensei Ma, an incredibly esteemed master proficient in all forms of Chinese Kenpo. Kensei is truly a remarkable figure - a diminutive yet commanding presence, adorned with a striking long and pointed Chinese mustache that exudes wisdom and experience. His distinguished appearance includes thinning hair, elegantly dressed in traditional Chinese martial arts attire complete with a hat that adds to his air of mystique. As we exchanged greetings, I couldn't help but be fascinated by his unique persona as he was deeply engrossed in what seemed to be an unconventional magazine. Without a doubt, Kensei Ma is an individual of great intrigue and charisma!
After encountering the legendary Mr. Ma, our journey led us to cross paths with the formidable Apachai Hopachai, famously revered as the Death God of the Muay Thai Underworld. It was a moment I felt compelled to share with Umeda, as Apachai's towering presence at an impressive 201 cm left a lasting impact on us all. His bronzed skin complemented his striking appearance, accentuated by his stylish short spiky silver hair and distinctive attire consisting of a yellow tank top paired with red shorts. Adorned with a Mongkon adorning his head and meticulous bandages securing his hands and feet, Apachai emanated an aura of strength and prowess. Despite his imposing stature, Apachai's demeanor surprised me all with unparalleled warmth and amiability. His childlike innocence added a charming layer to his personality that I found truly captivating. However, Miu cautioned me against engaging in training sessions with him due to his unbridled power that even she had experienced firsthand - a testament to his unwavering dedication to honing his craft. Miu's cautionary tale served as a valuable reminder of Apachai's unmatched strength and zeal for Muay Thai, ensuring our safety remained paramount amidst our thrilling encounters in the world of martial arts.
I was truly fortunate to have the incredible opportunity to meet the esteemed final master, Shigure Kōsaka, at the Dojo. She is renowned for her unparalleled expertise in weaponry and was the sole female master at the Dojo. Shigure, an exquisite young woman with fair skin and striking eggplant-colored hair, possesses a unique charm with her bolt zigzag-shaped eyebrows that set her apart. Her long raven hair elegantly tied up in a high ponytail perfectly complements her peach skin and captivating light purple eyes. Not to mention, she accessorizes with a stylish purple choker adorned with numerous small pins that accentuate her impeccable sense of style. Despite her staccato manner of speech and intriguing quirks, I maintained utmost respect and admiration towards Shigure during our encounter. I couldn't help but compliment the exceptional sword she carried by her side, which further highlighted her remarkable skills and dedication to her craft. In response to my kind words, she thanked me before continuing on with grace and poise through the rest of her day. It was truly a memorable experience that left me in awe of such a remarkable individual like Shigure Kōsaka.
And lastly, the esteemed Master of the Dojo, Hayato Fūrinji, graciously extended me an invitation to join them for a delightful dinner. Renowned as the Invincible Superman, he holds a legendary status as the most formidable martial artist across the globe. Hayato possessed an awe-inspiring presence, standing tall with fair skin that glowed under his piercing blue eyes and cascading blond locks that gracefully reached his mid-back. His commanding appearance was further accentuated by a chest-length beard and a rugged macho mustache, with strands of hair elegantly falling in front of him like a majestic antenna. Remarkably defying his age of over ninety years, he exuded a youthful aura akin to someone in their vibrant forties, boasting a robust muscular physique adorned with scarce wrinkles and not a single strand of gray hair in sight.
And there I was, Yang Weimin, amidst a gathering of esteemed masters and individuals who are revered as gods among men. Gratefully, Miu's comforting presence by my side provided a sense of solace amid the awe-inspiring company. Even with her reassuring companionship, the situation remained undeniably daunting.
"So Yang, Miu told me that you are a practitioner of Martial arts. What discipline do you study if you don't mind me asking?" Hayato, with his inquisitive nature, posed a question to me as I glanced over at him, feeling a sense of appreciation for his curiosity. With a gentle gulp, I swallowed the delicious morsel of food that I was savoring. Taking a brief moment to ponder, I made the conscious decision to be transparent and sincere in my response to the esteemed master, recognizing the value of honesty and open communication in our interaction.
"Well Mr. Furinji, I am currently studying Karate, Jujitsu, Boxing, and Taekwondo." My response managed to catch Hayato slightly off guard, leading the other esteemed masters to momentarily pause their meal and direct their gaze towards me, filled mostly with genuine curiosity. It was certainly a moment that piqued their interest and added an unexpected twist to the conversation.
"You study multiple styles, that is good to hear. Not a lot of martial artists dedicate themselves to mastering more than one style, but it would seem the best masters do." Hayato made an insightful comment, and I genuinely and politely chuckled in response. As I glanced out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Akisame and Shio both looking at me with eager curiosity, their expressions reflecting a deep interest in either asking thought-provoking questions or engaging in a stimulating conversation.
"You practice Jujitsu, very interesting. Being able to defend oneself from a throw is just as important as throwing a punch, for if one is unable to land on their feet how can they hope to defend themselves." Akisame's insightful words have proven to be remarkably true and profound. It is fascinating to observe how many martial arts disciplines emphasize defense against throws, highlighting the exceptional power and effectiveness of Jujitsu as an art form. In the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Jujitsu stands out as the premier martial art, often being the initial discipline taught due to its unparalleled dominance and versatility in combat situations.
"You can defend from a throw just fine, Akisame. What I want to know is which style of Karate you are learning, kid?" Shio showed genuine interest and curiosity when I mentioned my endeavor of learning Karate, displaying a keen eagerness to learn more about this exciting journey of mine.
"Well Master Sakaki, my master believes in knowing everything about a discipline if one is to master it. So he is teaching me a variety of Karate styles. But the ones he particularly focuses on are Mutenkendoku-Style Karate and Shinchi Nengen-Style Karate. From what I understand they are rival styles yet my master believes that if I want to truly master Karate knowing both styles would be good for me." I kindly expressed to him, a gesture that piqued his interest with a subtle touch of curiosity instead of any trace of negativity.
"Ah, yeah I am a master of Mutenkendoku-Style Karate. But Shinchi Nengen-Style is definitely an interesting one. It consists mostly in knife hand techniques as you know. But your masters philosophy may not be a bad thing." Shio eloquently shared his thoughts as I attentively nodded my head in agreement and eagerly absorbed the wisdom flowing from his words.
The dinner gathering took a delightful turn as he found himself engrossed in engaging and enlightening conversations with the wonderful company of Akisame and Shio. His interaction with Shio, who exuded such vibrant energy, added an extra layer of liveliness to the evening. The atmosphere became truly captivating when Akisame playfully made a remark about Shio, sparking a spirited exchange between the two that injected even more excitement into the already delightful gathering.
"Well thank you guys for having me over for dinner. But I do have to get going, I have important business tomorrow." As I finished up my delicious dinner and cheerfully carried the dishes to the kitchen for a quick wash, I couldn't help but mention to those around me. However, just as he was about to leave, Miu sweetly called out to me, inquiring if I really had to depart so soon. How thoughtful and considerate!
"Unfortunately yes, tomorrow my friend and I plan on taking on a notorious Yakuza boss, though from what I hear he is low in the pecking order. He leads the black dragons and we caught them extorting a poor shop owner. So we want to take him down." My words to Miu seemed to have quite an impact, as she was taken aback, causing the masters to pause their conversation and shift their focus towards us with keen interest.
"What!!! That's horrible. Let me come, I can help you guys." Miu's sincere and noble expression of her desire to join the fight is truly heartwarming and commendable. However, I found myself contemplating the idea with a slightly less receptive stance at that moment.
"While I appreciate your support Miu, it's far too dangerous for you. You are barely nine years old." I calmly expressed my thoughts to her, which might have stirred a hint of frustration within her, prompting her to engage in a lively debate with me. Nevertheless, our spirited exchange was swiftly interrupted by the wise Elder, who kindly intervened with a gentle smile directed towards me.
"Yang, please take Miu with you. I am interested to see how you all fair against this Yakuza. It sounds like it would be a perfect test for Miu." As he gazed at them, a gentle sigh escaped his lips, showing his kind-hearted nature as he gracefully relented and welcomed Miu to the mission.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone