While Mokichi taunts you a thought occurs to you. The way he's fighting and the way he carries himself are completely different. This Bartitsu isn't as clean a style as you thought. That's just fine for you though.

Your sweet granny loved you dearly. That's why she spent so much time attacking you fiercly. Even though she was well beyond you in years, she imparted an important lesson. Ferocity is an important quality for a true martial artist. You'd been thinking that this was sparring. However, truthfully, this is a mock Kengan Match. That automatically makes it far more brutal than even a high-profile public match.

With light pressure you grasp his exposed pinky-toe between your forefinger and thumb.

His carefree face hardens to stone. Then it softens back into a smile. "Hey.. It's possible that I've spoken too soon. I could have ended the fight with that throw if I didn't let you break the fall. Let go and I won't have to break anything of yours in response."

The next few moments last forever for both of you. You're double guessing the idea that he might just be trying to talk you out of an advantageous position. Gently you release his toe and Mokichi steps off of you. At once you dash back and recover to a fighting stance.

Mokichi casually walks clockwise around you.

"We're one and one." he says as he takes a boxing stance and begins to step nimbly in place.

How do you want to fight from here? Mokichi has shown himself to be a capable All-Rounder type fighter. You are more of a Striker. You note the swelling on the side of his forehead. It was possible for you to make contact with him using your fastest blows. However he's capable of absorbing a strike to transition into a throw, hold, or lock.

>A. He caught you off guard when he used Boxing before. This time you're ready. Use your world-class reflexes and try again to Box him at range. Focus entirely on defense and landing light blows.
>B. It's time to show him what your Kung-Fu can really do. Use a Hit-and-Run strategy that incorporates your agility and the environment. If he's superior on the ground, fight him from the air.
>C. No more playing around. The best way to solve problems is head on. Use a Baji-Quan Fa Jin empowered chain attack of elbows, punches, stomps and tackles.

>>5732924
Boxing is definitely the wrong choice against an experienced grappler. If Billy had more of an MMA/Muay Thai background for clinch work I'd go for Baji-Quan, but that's a no go. Fuck it,

>B. It's time to show him what your Kung-Fu can really do. Use a Hit-and-Run strategy that incorporates your agility and the environment. If he's superior on the ground, fight him from the air.

>>5732924
>B
falcon style
infinite chained jump kicks

>B. It's time to show him what your Kung-Fu can really do. Use a Hit-and-Run strategy that incorporates your agility and the environment. If he's superior on the ground, fight him from the air.

>>5732924
>B. It's time to show him what your Kung-Fu can really do. Use a Hit-and-Run strategy that incorporates your agility and the environment. If he's superior on the ground, fight him from the air.
If this were a real match, I'd transition immediately to Baji-Quan to stuff his grappling.
However, for the purposes of letting him get to know us better, it's probably a good idea to show him our Kung Fu.

>>5732933
>>5732936
>>5732937
>>5732941

B wins

Mokichi's stride is quite menacing. It's dripping with confidence. Even if Mokichi was only a Striker you get the imperssion he's comparable to you. Add his throws and holds into the mix and once you get into range you're not sure what's going to happen. It's not like you've never sparred MMA fighters before, but Mokichi's style is still different.

Not only that, there's also the fact that he's a Kengan veteran. The quality of the opposition he's faced in his time is the some of the highest in the world. Frankly you're thankful that he hasn't come at you with blows yet. You're getting the feeling that even if you put up the tightest guard his power would still penetrate through to your bones.

The Fighting Vicar holds up his palm, turns it, and motions for you to come at him. "What's wrong? Thinking of the best way to come at me? Just do it. That's the best way. I think I'm starting to understand what your problem is.."

"HAAAH!" you shout, suddenly leaping in the air and flipping forward. As you come around for the second rotation, you swing your kick downwards ferociously. The added power from the spin is no joke. It's completely different from how you generate power with Fa-Jin, but it has a good impact.

"Shit!" goes the priest, throwing his High Guard up. The blow still knocks him off balance for a step. You land behind him He just barely begins to turn to face you. In a runner's start, you burst forward and sprint directly at him. Before he can get set again you slide down into a kick and skid across the grass.

The blow lands, sweeping his feet out from under him. Wasting no time you turn and grip the grass to halt your momentum. Another running start and Mokichi is trying to climb to his feet. This time you attack head on. Swinging a leg forward, you bring it all the way to the top of your own head. It took a lot of stretching to be able to throw this.

An Axe kick crashes down, and Mokichi shoves the ground to push himself out of the way. There's a small explosion of dirt from the impact. The priest scrambles and you step forward and chamber your next kick with your lead leg.

Suddenly Mokichi is standing and steps forward as well. As you throw a Front Kick, Mokichi does the exact same.

Shit. He decided to trade blows with you. Your reflexes are giving you enough time to act, though your options are few. The two of you will impact each other simultaneously at this rate, but given Mokichi's greater size and power that could be a bad idea.

How do you act?

>A. Sway back as you throw the kick. You won't inflict as much damage, but you could possibly escape harm yourself.
>B. Throw up a tight guard. You'll be knocked back, but hopefully you'll absorb most of the damage.
>C. Attack head on. He's only human, if you kick him in the face, he should be hurt just as bad as you. In theory.

>>5732956
>B. Throw up a tight guard. You'll be knocked back, but hopefully you'll absorb most of the damage.
"Could possibly" inspires no confidence

>>5732956
>C. Attack head on. He's only human, if you kick him in the face, he should be hurt just as bad as you. In theory.
This may not be the best idea, but you can't back down at the threat of trading blows. That's a great way to get bullied to a loss.

>>5732960
I'd also like to point out a few things
>Billy's kick was chambered well before Mokichi's
>Mokichi's mirroring us after scrambling to avoid our axe kick
I think Mokichi is on the backfoot in this exchange and decided to turn it into a game of chicken. I say we call his bluff and bet on our natural speed and superior timing.

>>5732956

>C. Attack head on. He's only human, if you kick him in the face, he should be hurt just as bad as you. In theory.

Blood for Blood, Blow for Blow

Could we try for for a Fa-Jin boosted Snap Kick? We could fake him out with the main leg we've been hitting him with before landing it into his chin. If he rushes us all the better

>C. Attack head on. He's only human, if you kick him in the face, he should be hurt just as bad as you. In theory.

>>5732924
>B. It's time to show him what your Kung-Fu can really do. Use a Hit-and-Run strategy that incorporates your agility and the environment. If he's superior on the ground, fight him from the air.
Idk if we can win in boxing or super close

>>5733072
Brother you gotta refresh

>>5732956
>B

>>5732956
>B. Throw up a tight guard. You'll be knocked back, but hopefully you'll absorb most of the damage.

>>5732956
>C. Attack head on. He's only human, if you kick him in the face, he should be hurt just as bad as you. In theory.

>>5733002
I would say that Fa-Jin could not be applied to a snap kick. From what I can tell Fa-Jin blows require both feet to be planted as the power is generated using the entire body. I.e in the style of Tetsuzanko or the One Inch Punch.

The power of your kicks is generated through the typical body mechanics you would expect, apart from cases where you do spinning attacks or such.

One anon in last thread commented if Fa-Jin was something that could be applied to your Boxing techniques. This is more in line with something that could potentially be worked on. Either way though it would take training time, can't pull it off now.
>>5732960
>>5733002
>>5733010
>>5733302


C wins

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbMh38KGZMM

After having knocked Mokichi off balance you expected him to retreat and recover his stance.

Yet again he's demonstrating how the basic attitude of the Kengan Matches is different from a public bout.

The ball of his foot races towards your face.

In this split second of choice a dark feeling seeps into your soul. A self destructive sense of resolve. If you back down from this blow, how can you advance to the next step?

You actually lean forward into the blow a bit, causing your head to get snapped back harder but saving your chin.

The sound of flesh smacking flesh rings out, synchronized. Both strikes land as a counter. Neither of you threw them without any hesitation. You go flying backwards for several feet, rolling across the ground. As you tumble to a stop you immediately spat out a mouthful of blood from your lips getting smashed against your teeth.

Disoriented from the spinning you briefly lose track of Mokichi. Once you find him you're shocked to see him standing firm. He has blood pouring from his nose. Due to the slight differences in your frames and your choice to charge forward, the blows landed in different ways. You are a little shorter, and Mokichi is a bit taller.

Mokichi's kick smashed you in the mouth. Thankfully you didn't lose any teeth. It really rocked you but your breathing isn't too impacted. Slowly, wobbly, you stand up, spitting out more blood. Mokichi on the other hand got his nose smashed by the ball of your foot. He wipes it away with his sleeve.

"That was a good choice. It might not feel like it right now for you, but I lost that trade. The Kengan Matches have no time limit. In a war of attrition you now have the advantage."

The Fighting Priest puts his fists up and begins to smoothly work his way over to you with careful steps. "Now let's see how you fight off the backfoot!"

Mokichi fires off a series of jabs and crosses. You're not quite fully recovered from what is surely a concussion. Nonetheless with your reflexes and some creative upper body movement, you're able to move around his punches and step backwards.

He lets loose a ferocious low kick from long range and you raise your own leg to check it. Even with the proper timing, your opponent's physical strength and power overwhelms you. Your leg contorts to the side and you grunt in agony, your body tilting as your balance is stolen.

Mokichi fires off a cross, but you shift your legs apart and drop into a Baji Quan stance. Pushing off of the back foot, you fire off your elbow and slam it home into the priest's stomach. While normally the attack would be too short range to generate power, your Fa-Jin lets it pierce through. Mokichi's mouth is forced open from the blow.

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Then, there's a sudden crack. The world goes dark.

A few moments later you open your eyes. Your mouth really hurts. Blood continues to leak from it. Mokcihi stands over you, helping you to your feet.

"What happened?" you groan.

He sighs. "You made me get serious. I got you with an uppercut in your lowered stance. But that elbow.."

Mokichi opens up his robe and shows you his midsection. At the center is a black, red, and blue bruise slowly spreading outwards. "I feel like I'm gonna be sick. I was able to withstand it, but like I said, that's the kind of blow that's going to give you the edge in a bout. A fight is basically information warfare. The way you reveal your techniques will influence the way the fight goes. If I'd have known you could throw an elbow like that, I probably wouldn't have tried to strike with you."

You're still in a daze as Mokichi talks. The concern on your face is clear.

Mokichi pats you on the back, causing you to stumble. "You did good, Billy. Really good. Take the next couple days off, but after that we're going to meet daily in this park for your training. This spar gave me some ideas for things you could work on."

You raise your arms, blood continually spilling from your busted mouth. "I didth it."

Thankfully, the swelling begins to staunch the flow.

The priest blinks while looking at you. "I'll call a cab to take you to the Yamashita Co. building. They'll have first aid amenities."

The two of you chat for a while as your cab arrives. Mokichi tells you about his father teaching him Baritsu, his rebellious youth, and his sister Elena. You manage to catch a few bits and pieces about the Kengan Annihilation Tournament as well. Once the car is there you thank him and depart.

It's now early in the afternoon. At the Yamashita Co. Building, there's a young man sweeping the steps. He kind of looks like a young version of Kazzy. He drops the broom when he sees you. "Holy cow!? Are you okay?? Come on inside, I'll patch you up!"

>>5733714

You talk for a bit and discover that he's Yasuo Yamashita, Mr. Yamashita's youngest son. He works in construction but does what he can to help out around the family business.

From there you head back to the motel and take it easy for the rest of the night. Over the next couple days you're sure to eat and sleep plenty. You also take time to talk to your friends, and even meet Kobe for a brief lunch. You tell her all about your spars with Mokichi and Koga. She makes you promise to take her to a Kengan Match, and you half heartedly agree while not really paying attention.

After a few days have passed you get a phone call. It's Mokichi, asking you to meet early the next morning at dawn. The two of you arrive at the same park. A heavy fog is set. The sun has yet to fully rise.

Mokichi speaks as with his hands folded inside of his robes. "I want to throw a few ideas at you and see what you think. You notice that his stomach is actually wrapped in bandages. On the other hand, your swelling has mostly gone down.

He strokes his chin in thought. "I think it goes without saying that you have a lot of potential. The question is how you would like to improve. We only have enough time to really ingrain one subject though. I could teach you Classical Jiujitsu for this next month. That would go a long way towards rounding out your game. Of course, it's not necessarily wrong to focus on one thing either. Instead of learning something new, we could try to further your current mastery and blend your styles together. Or maybe you have an idea?"

>A. I want to learn Classical Jiujitsu. (Learn Standing Holds, Throws, Locks, and some groundwork.)
>B. I want to focus on blending my current styles. (Learn about Shuhari)
>C. I want to learn how to use Fa-Jin with Boxing. (Learn how to use Fa-Jin on Crosses, Hooks, and Uppercuts.)

>>5733715
>C. I want to learn how to use Fa-Jin with Boxing. (Learn how to use Fa-Jin on Crosses, Hooks, and Uppercuts.)
A foundation in grappling is an important thing to get soon. Nevertheless I'd prefer to give Billy the tools to win before giving him the tools to avoid losing.

>>5733715
>>C. I want to learn how to use Fa-Jin with Boxing. (Learn how to use Fa-Jin on Crosses, Hooks, and Uppercuts.)
>>5733731
>I'd prefer to give Billy the tools to win before giving him the tools to avoid losing.
Well put.

>>5733715
>B

>>5733715
>C. I want to learn how to use Fa-Jin with Boxing. (Learn how to use Fa-Jin on Crosses, Hooks, and Uppercuts.)

>>5733715

>C. I want to learn how to use Fa-Jin with Boxing. (Learn how to use Fa-Jin on Crosses, Hooks, and Uppercuts.)

>>5733663

Well suppose it's a bit of egg on me for not getting the proper mechanics of Fa Jin. Seems a Fa Jin kick though is out of reach, but integrating it into Boxing is the prerequisite there.

We're early in training and potential, but I have high hopes for us

>>5733828
It's not exactly clearly explained in the manga itself. I could be interpreting it wrong but that's more or less my understanding.

>>5733896
>>5733828
As far as I know, Fa Jin is all about efficient usage of the joints to generate maximum explosive power.
For something like a snap kick where you're not using a ton of joints in the strike itself, I'm not sure fixating on Fa Jin as a principle would make it more effective.
Seems like it'd be very useful for kicks where you're adding your heels, hips, arms, and head into the movement though.

>>5733909
For a Fa Jin style strike to work it has to be in-line with your body. You could make it work with a front kick but not a roundhouse. Just like how it can work well with a straight but not a hook. The method of generating force is different. The more direct it is heading the more oomph you can put into it. Normally this would result in something like a push kick or teep, but using the fa jin principles it comes out much harder and with more zip, so it penetrates rather than pushes.

Think about opening a door with your hip, then think about hitting the door with your hip hard enough to crack the wood. That's the "idea" with fa jin. Just applying the force more directly and with extreme violence.

Or not. I don't fuck.

>>5733715
>C. I want to learn how to use Fa-Jin with Boxing. (Learn how to use Fa-Jin on Crosses, Hooks, and Uppercuts.)

>>5733715
>C. I want to learn how to use Fa-Jin with Boxing. (Learn how to use Fa-Jin on Crosses, Hooks, and Uppercuts.)
Blending boxing and Baji Quan isn't necessarily something Billy needs instruction in - sure it will help a lot but isn't *truly* necessary.
Also Fa-Jin with Boxing opens the way to the One-Inch Punch.

>>5733917
This sounds like a pretty good explanation. It could also be the explanation for why the whale guy's pseudo Fa-Jin wasn't complete.

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Forgot the reference pic. This is an example of Fa-Jin being used on a non linear strike. The hammer fist comes

>>5734133
from the side. Auto post cut me off lol

>>5733909
>>5733917

Alright I believe I'm getting it. So while a switch kick wouldn't be something that'd work it would make a hard straight that much harder, and a front kick would be just as fine.

I'll have to properly deep dive on this sorta thing so I can get the mechanics but seems a simple enough thing. Though that does make me wonder, could we hypothetically apply Fa Jin in a full body tackle/takedown to get guys by surprise? Given it would be utilizing the whole body and be more or less a straight line rush, I put it as Maybe

>>5734015

When we go for doing it DO NOT get wristlocked

>>5734198
Eeyup. Need a few variations for it so we don't throw it with the same motions or from the same position every time

>>5734196
We could probably utilize it in a pretty devastating shoulder tackle, but at that point it would just be a lesser Tetzuzanko.
Technical Grappling, as I understand it, is more about leverage, posture, and positioning than it is explosiveness.
That said, if you look at a more athletic grappling style like Folk/Free Style/Olympic wrestling, explosiveness helps quite a bit.

>>5734214
>We could probably utilize it in a pretty devastating shoulder tackle, but at that point it would just be a lesser Tetzuzanko.
Not necessarily a bad thing. I'd say Tetzuzanko needs a bit more setup as Billy needs to fully turn around for it. A Fa-Jin shoulder tackle would be faster to pull off in a pinch and gets us in range for in-fight boxing, if it doesn't outright knock our opponent over.

>>5734220
Thinking about it a little more, it'd be a risky move, but I think the surprise factor would make it viable.
It is a pretty unorthodox technique as far as most martial arts and combat sports go, so I imagine most fighters wouldn't think too much of it until they get knocked over like a dead tree.

>>5734132
Yeah, you pretty much get to pick between staying in your power line for maximum energy transfer or using centripetal force to increase the raw amount of energy you generate. Which could lead to an interesting style of switching back and forth between fa jin style rushdowns and long range high-movement sniping. A very dynamic and tiring style, but damn would it be a pain in the ass to work around.

>>5734220
>>5734228
I actually think a good example of a Fa Jin style tackle would be like Kiozan's Raging Vigor. But instead of turning into a fucking torpedo we'd be doing a short charge where we're just hitting something with our shoulder instead of launching ourselves like a rocket. We also don't have them sumo thighs to do it like he does. I imagine it'd be like a linebacker trying to break your jaw with his shoulder instead of just bowl you over.

It also works well with elbows, which can be delivered at shoulder level. Call it Rhino style or something.

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>>5734360
>Call it Rhino style or something
Naw, call it Blitz Style

>>5734449
If only Jack Modden would show up to announce for us with his legendary commentary.

Next update is on it's way, C wins

>>5735590
Waiting warmly

Did some overnights the past few days so my sleep was wonky. Working on the update now.

>>5738055
waiting warmly!

You curl your hand into a fist and glare down at it in deep contemplation. The skin has a rough texture from your years of training. There is no doubt that this is the fist of a serious martial artist.

"There's actually an idea that I've been playing with for a few days now. I've realized something since sparring Kengan Fighters. The 'quality' of my strikes is lacking. I thought that since I could hang with world class pros that my strikes were powerful enough. Or if they weren't, I'd be fast enough to counter anyone."

Mokichi raises an eyebrow as he watches your clenched fist begin to tremble. "I want to try and mix my Boxing and Fa-Jin." you say.

"That might be difficult." says Mokichi.

You blink. "Huh? Why?"

He demonstrates a few crosses, hooks, and uppercuts. "You should know just by looking at it. The typical mechanics used to generate power in modern boxing are based off of rotational force. The turning of the hips, shoulders, and bracing oneself with the legs. It's very similar to pitching a ball or swinging a golf club. Fa-Jin is intended to work with straight-line methods of power generation."

You grasp your face in frustration and groan. "So you're telling me it won't work!? I thought for sure this would be cool."

He chuckles. "I think I might have some homework for you. Ever heard of Jack Dempsey?"

You nod rapidly. "Of course! The Manassa Mauler! He won his fights with sheer offensive beatdowns."

"Good." he says. "Then, do you know about his infamous punching technique?"

You clench both fists, leaning closer with stars sparkling in your eyes. "You're going to teach me the Dempsey Roll?"

Mokichi frowns and swats at your head to back you up. You sway back, avoiding the playful strike. "Jeez, just a question!"

He sighs and continues. "No, not that one. Dempsey coined another technique. This one is called the Jolt Straight. It's a long range punch designed be thrown with the maximum amount of destructive force possible. It's quite literally putting the entire weight of your body into a blow, with no hesitation."

"Isn't that dangerous?" you ask.

Mokichi nods. "Of course. If you were to get countered while throwing a Jolt, all of that force you're throwing out would get thrown right back in your face. Dempsey's solution was to only ever be on the offense. He didn't believe in the jab as a concept. He would set up his punches in other ways. Staggering his timing, feints, and combinations all designed to get the opponent on the back foot."

"So once they've got their guard up, give them one of these and it'll crack right through!"

"That's the idea. The principle of the technique is already close to Fa-Jin. With your understanding of it, I don't think it'll take very long at all for you to figure it out."

>>5738128


Mokichi pulls out his smartphone. It's quite funny seeing a man dressed in a classical gi using modern technology. "I'll send you a PDF of the book. I want you to practice on your own for the next week, and we'll test the results when we meet again. Do you have a place to train?"

"Yeah." you say. "At the Kasparov Gym. I think I have a membership there."

Your phone dings as he sends you the book. At once you open up the file and glance over it. Sweet, it's pretty short. Plus it's got pictures.

With that the two of you depart for the day. Apparently Mokichi has plans to meet his sister. You ask if you could meet her sometime and your blood runs cold as Mokichi's face hardens to stone. He doesn't say anything, he just glares at you for a few moments. You don't react, but you have to admit he can be pretty scary when he wants to be.

He sighs and softens his face. "No offense, but I try to keep her away from the fighters. We're a rowdy bunch."

As you leave you begin to flip through the PDF.

It's interesting. The boxing in this book largely eschews modern principles. You'd never have thought that fighting this way could work in any era, let alone the modern one.

Over the course of the next week you begin to put the techniques into practice..

---

I'll finish the rest of the update in a couple hours. In the meantime here's a good video explaining the principles that Dempsey has in his book. I think the video would be a better way to understand what's happening as opposed to be laboriously breaking it down via text. I'll still describe it in the upcoming training sesh, but for those who might be curious about how it relates to real world concepts this video is swell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmBIoVQG6xs

>>5738133
Ah, Mr. Dewey. Weird fuck, but definitely a good resource for martial arts tips.
Also I'm surprised Mokichi didn't have us meet up at a church. That would have made for kino set dressing as we talked.

>>5738158
>Ah, Mr. Dewey. Weird fuck
I mean, he's a mormon, so that's a given.

>>5738191
>I mean, he's a mormon
Ah. Say no more.

>>5738158
>Weird fuck
weird how ?

>>5738276
The way he speaks, both how he structures his sentences and how he pronounces certain words just strike me as odd for somebody who's first language is supposedly English. The pauses and whatnot don't help either.
He also carries himself a little awkwardly and his face just looks a little fucky.
It's really hard to describe, but he throws me off something fierce.
Still extremely knowledgeable in his field though.

>>5738133
OP ?

OP hope you are doing well.

Update is on it's way. Sorry for leaving you guys hanging.

The foundation for the next week's work begins at your motel bedroom. Here you pour over the text that was sent to you again and again. In the background you play videos of Dempsey's fights. You make sure to observe his losses as well as his victories to try and understand why things work or not.

His Jolt technique is pretty powerful, you think to yourself while eating a french fry. It's power is generated using a drop-step, which is actually similar to how to do things in Baji-Quan. Those blows prefer to keep a compact stance and make the most of Fa-Jin to strike. This is different in that it eschews all principles of form, defense, or general stability to maximize offensive potential.


The next morning you make your way to the Kasparov Gym. Kobe helps you actually set up a membership. You head inside and greet Ivan. Quite a few of the regulars at the gym stare at you as you casually chat with the owner, wondering who this hotshot martial artist is.

Once you start to do your bag drills, they turn back to their own work.

You settle into a boxing stance and stand at nearly double your typical range. It's nearly the range for a leaping roundhouse. You'd never have thought that a punch could be thrown at such a long distance.

You move in to warm up, lightly the jolting the bag with 1's and 2's.

Stepping back out, you're at the appropriate distance to throw a Jolt Blow.

You execute a drop-step, raising your lead leg and pushing off of the rear. As the front foot lands you slam home your fist vertically.

Keeping the fist vertical prevents it from looping and becoming an overhand. That's typically what throwing it this way would get you. Without turning it over, what you get instead is a long-range bazooka of a punch.

Your rear fist travels the entire distance and spears the center of the bag. A loud concussive sound rings throughout the gym as the bag swings upwards several meters and hangs in the air for a moment at the apex.

It comes swinging back down and you have to side-step to avoid it. Across the gym Karaev calls out. "Drop-Step, huh? Just be careful not to get countered!"

With a short bow you resume your work. Over the next week you spend an obsessive amount of time at the gym, and manage to put three different bags of theirs out of comission. As powerful as it is, it's not quite a true Fa-Jin. It still needs too much distance to build power. Your Fa-Jin techniques are effective at point blank range.

At the end of the week you meet with Mokichi at the park and have another spar. This time you're able to demonstrate your new technique to him. It actually blows the larger fighter off of his feet entirely when you hit his guard with it. The fact that it works at long range means that if someone whiffs an attack you can possibly punish them with this. You've earned a new method of quickly closing distance out of your boxing stance using the Drop-Step.

He sips from a water bottle as you two sit on the park bench next to each other. Across the way there are children playing at at a playground. He smiles. "When Elena was younger she would have liked this place. The people are so friendly in Japan. Do you miss your home, Billy?"

You shake your head. "I miss some of my friends. But as long as I can fight I'm happy anywhere."

Mokichi nods. "Then you're in the right place. You've improved a fair bit in the last week. Keep doing what you're doing and you'll have a new finishing move by the time your final fighter exam rolls around. There's still some holes in your game. You don't have much grappling ability and you're somewhat physically frail. But becoming specialized in striking isn't necessarily a bad choice."

He leans back, looking up at the sky. "Gotta say. Now that you're more familiar with Baritsu, fighting you is super annoying. If you had a year of training like this, I'm not sure I'd be able to take you in a straight fight. And I've been training all my life.."

You're wiping the sweat from your face.

"It's this shit!!"

Mokichi swats at you and you ever so slightly duck under his fingers, even in your exhausted state. He goes on. "You're able to defend against things that would become sure hits and make them misses. You're also able to exploit any mistake an opponent makes in a fraction of a second. Your reaction speed is probably the most pesky thing about you.

You have a good laugh at Mokichi's expense. He's been a good teacher to you. He's strict but still relaxed. He's the kind of teacher you'd like to become when you open a dojo one day.

Over the course of the next two weeks you keep training your Drop-Step and Jolt Blows. Sparring regularly with Mokichi also helps to continually sharpen your form. In general your speed when advancing forward has improved somewhat.

At the end of the next two weeks your Final Exams will take place.

Is there anything you'd like to do in the time leading up to this?

>A. Head to the Final Exam
>B. Spend some time trying to find out about the assassins from your childhood
>C. Spend some time trying to find out about this "Worm" you've heard about
>D. Wander the streets at night and try to get into some trouble. Some extra training before the Exam might help you.

>>5741802
>B. Spend some time trying to find out about the assassins from your childhood
If we've got some free time between training sessions, there's really no reason not to do some research and ask around.

>>5741802
>B

>>5741802
>B. Spend some time trying to find out about the assassins from your childhood

>>5741802
>B. Spend some time trying to find out about the assassins from your childhood
I think the Jolt would be best used as a counterattack in our style. Come to think of it, would it look like a tiger drop if we lunged deeper?

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>>5741867
>spoiler

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>>5741867
>I think the Jolt would be best used as a counterattack in our style.

>>5741802
>B.
Consensus, why not?

>>5741802
>D. Wander the streets at night and try to get into some trouble. Some extra training before the Exam might help you.

>>5741867
Think you're onto something Anon, although the Tiger Drop seems to be far more compact and short ranged than the Jolt. Looking at videos about it, Kiruy barely takes a step to perform a TD.

>>5741938
>although the Tiger Drop seems to be far more compact and short ranged than the Jolt.
>Looking at videos about it, Kiryu barely takes a step to perform a TD.
The overall minimal change in position is a little misleading. It's actually bizarrely similar to the Jolt Counter we've learned in terms of appropriate range and usage as somebody pointed out earlier.
If you look closely, you can see Kiryu's lunging forward and bending down to generate power for the strike itself.
It's actually a pretty big movement, albeit usually obscured in the moment by a guy flying and screaming immediately after.

>>5741888
who dat ?

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>>5741986
Miyata Ichiro, the (supposed) rival of the guy who made the Dempsey Roll famous in the modern era and a veritable master of the Jolt Counter.
Go read Ippo

>>5741949
Probably a one-inch punch too, since Kiryu's arm barely extends past his lead foot.

>>5742305
If you can position yourself right and lunge directly into a deadline, it's effectively a one-inch-punch, yes.
That said, I wouldn't really say it qualifies given how out of wack the motion of each joint is.
The One-Inch-Punch is a demonstration mastery of Fa-Jin's core principles, the Tiger Drop only expresses those principles incidentally.

>>5742325
Deadzone, not deadline. An empty pocket of space to be specific.

>>5742329
>Deadzone
BDZ reference

>>5742325
After a few trial punches, I think you're right, but also that the TD movement could be used to transition from boxing to baji, which is the first step toward merging both styles.
If we pick up some wrestling in the future, I can see Billy turning into Okubo on steroids (i.e. Synthesis with more vectors of attack thanks to Fa Jin).

>>5742668
Yeah, wrestling or classical jiu-jitsu are next on the list for me personally. Though I guess it depends on whether or not we train under Mokichi in the long term.

Anons, what is the path to giving Billy the power to put a straight through a man' skull?

>>5742755
Steroids. Lots of steroids. And unholy amount of steroids. A bordering on lethal amount of steroids.

>>5742755
Fa-Jin mastery plus hand conditioning sounds like a good candidate

>>5742757
calm down, Jack Hanma

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>>5742770
Is Billy Yang the kind of fighter that would show his asshole if it meant winning?

>>5742770
I would have went with Julius to stay in verse, but good choice nonetheless, friendo. We should start eating the bones in our steaks, too.

>>5742785
but aren't the ones used by Julius in a safe amount ? I said Jack 'coz he doesn't give a fuck.

>>5742878
I figure with the way he pushes it to the limit, and puts in 210% effort to optimize and maximize his pump, he's probably sitting on the bleeding edge of killing a yak with the amount of roids he shoots up. He's gonna get as close as he possibly can to ODing without it happening.

I wouldn't consider that safe. Especially considering how steroids are supposed to be used and that plenty of body builders and athletes who are on the juice get fucked up by steroid abuse.

Kenganbros, status?

>>5746047
Well, it isn't the first time OP takes a long time to post, but still I wish there were some notices as to when he'll return.

>>5746047
I'm sure OP is in communication with Sandro right now to make sure his next update is as lore accurate as possible

>>5746065
>did you make your primary arc antagonist immediately die in his first "on-screen" fight? Make sure everyone mentions something about how unstoppable or powerful they are, too.

I am still here. The next update will be sometime tomorrow.

>>5746180
Excellent

Still here. Next update will be within the next few hours.

Back at the motel room, which you have dubbed the HQ, you make a phon call to Sammy.

He's long since known about the assassins of your youth. Not to mention he's way better than you when it comes to technology.

The phone rings. It's still early in the day in Japan, so it's early in the evening in Chicago. He answers after a few moments. "Wassup buddy? How's it going in the land of samurai?"

You smile fondly. "Awesome. I have a new teacher. He's a priest who does martial arts. Isn't that cool?"

Sammy chuckles. "Hard to believe there are actually people more obsessed about fighting than you are. Just make sure you come back in one piece. The folks in Chinatown would be devastated."

With a sigh you lower your head. "I know. I do feel bad about that. How's Miss Ping?"

"Relatively lucid." Sammy says calmly. She was a good friend of your grandmother's.

"By the way, she actually gave me something she said was for you. It's a postcard she said used to be your mom's? I was telling her about your trip to Japan. I didn't mention you were joining illegal fighting tournaments of course. She really perked up hearing about it though. She was more talkative than she'd been since you left."

You smile weakly. "Tell her I miss her. I'm still at the same hotel if you want to mail it down."

Sammy pauses. You get a strange feeling that tells you he's rolling his eyes. "Dude, I'll just send you a picture of it. It's a postcard."

Your phone dings twice. The first image is the back of the postcard. The adress simply reads "445 Nishiki Avenue. Go here for answers."

You look up the address. It's a several hour bus ride from where you are now.

"Answers?" you ask.

"The next image, open it up." pushes Billy.

It seems to be the front of the building. It's actually a small traditional looking Dojo. There are three men in black suits standing out front.

Staring for a few moments you wonder what it is you're supposed to be seeing. That's when your blood runs cold. One of them has a shaved head and snakelike eyes. This is one of the men who were present when your Mother was killed.

"....." you remain silent for quite a while. "The bald bitch helped kill my mother."

"Still there, bud?" inquires sammy.

>A. I still have a week before my test. I'm off to kill this bitch!
>B. I still have a week before my test. That's enough time to get some answers hopefully. I don't want to lose a potential oppurtunity.
>C. There's only a week before my test. Do you think you could try to find out more info about this guy? I can go get him after.

>>5747120
>B. I still have a week before my test. That's enough time to get some answers hopefully. I don't want to lose a potential oppurtunity.

>>5747120
>>A. I still have a week before my test. I'm off to kill this bitch!
For all we know, this could be the guy who did the deed.
Regardless, we're gonna beat his ass before we get some answers.

>>5747120
>B. I still have a week before my test. That's enough time to get some answers hopefully. I don't want to lose a potential opportunity.
Can't get answers from a dead man.

>>5747120
>C

>>5747120
>B. I still have a week before my test. That's enough time to get some answers hopefully. I don't want to lose a potential oppurtunity.

>>5747120
>B. I still have a week before my test. That's enough time to get some answers hopefully. I don't want to lose a potential oppurtunity.

We can always kill him after getting the info we want from him

>>5747120
>B. I still have a week before my test. That's enough time to get some answers hopefully. I don't want to lose a potential oppurtunity.

Update tomorrow or sometime the next day possibly.

ADDENDUM: I meant to send this two days ago. The next post will be later today or tonight. Can't believe I didn't hit send. lmao

>>5750167
bruh moment, but thanks for keeping us in touch

No update just yet. It is coming. For now I have made a handy Character Sheet Template to use. Here is Billy's Sheet.

Stats are roughly outlined from 1-100. 10 being something like the average capability of a typical martial artist. 100 is the rank of a master in the underground sphere. Due to special traits or other circumstances it's possible for a stat to go beyond 100, or function as if it were higher. For example Fa-Jin does not actually make you stronger, but it does make your blows do more damage as if you were stronger. This will be represented by a simple numerical bonus.

---


Name: Billy Yang
Origin: The protagonist of our story. Billy travelled to Japan to participate in the Kengan Matches and learn more about the world of the underground so that he could avenge the death of his mother at the hands of mysterious assassins.
Personality: Billy is a lighthearted young man who loves martial arts more than anything. Like most fighters he has a very competitive edge. This isn't always apparent in his day to day life, however. People who aren't fighters know Billy as kindhearted and willing to lend anyone in need a hand. They also account for his extreme diligence in training all forms of martial arts.
---

Fighting Styles

Boxing, Yang Family Kung Fu and Baji Quan

Currently Billy's fighting styles are wholly distinct and he must change stances with intent. With training they may begin to assimilate into a unique Billy-Style Martial Art.


---

Technical Ability

Arm Blows: 55
Leg Blows: 55
Joint Locks: 30
Throws: 15
Holds: 15
Grappling: 15
---

Physical Ability

Strength: 35
Coordination: 55
Endurance: 35
Alacrity: 55
Arm Blow Power: 45 (Fa Jin +30)
Leg Blow Power: 50


---

Unique Traits

Agility: Billy can move and attack in a 3-Dimensional space thanks to his Kung Fu training. Particularly with kicks he can generate a lot of power from surprising angles and positions.

Reflexes: Billy has reflexes several orders of magnitude greater than your average world-class martial artist. Both tactile and visual, he can register and respond to information near instantaneously. This makes it possible for Billy to exploit the smallest gaps in an opponent's defense, as well as be very difficult to hit cleanly himself.

Fa-Jin: With certain special techniques Billy can generate power using the principle of Fa-Jin. These blows are armor piercing and penetrate much deeper thanks to the usage of the entire body's weight.

---

Special Moves

Tezuzanko: A Fa-Jin boosted shoulder tackle

Fa-Jin Elbow: Linear and directed towards the solar plexus.

Fa-Jin Rush: A chain-rush of Fa-Jin boosted punches. Once the first lands and the opponent is pushed back, Billy follows up with more.

Imperfect Jolt Straight: The result of Billy's attempt to use Fa-Jin with Boxing. Use a Drop-Step to suddenly build momentum from long range whilst throwing a straight punch utilizing one's entire body weight. Best delivered as a counter. Can be used with either hand.

>>5751005
alright, interesting info.

Do you think Ruddock's Smash would complement chain punches? I imagine Billy making space with chain punches, then going for a Smash punch while the opponent tries to guard low.

>>5752217
A Smash to blow open a low guard doesn't sound like a terrible idea, but let me suggest something else.
If their focus is on protecting their lower body, why not just hit them in the face with a Jolt Straight, a Bolo Punch, or a head kick?

>>5752406
The idea was to feint an uppercut while they're already focused on guarding low because of the chain punching, so they'll completely commit. That's why I focused on the Smash rather than a Jolt Straight.

Somehow you manage to get a bit of rest that night. Before you get to bed you get Sammy to help you get directions to the Dojo. It's actually unlisted online but he was able to estimate it's rough location based on some buildings in the background. You'll always be thankful for how invested he is in your personal journey. Once you know where you're going you get to sleep.

The next day you head to the train station at dawn. It takes you across the countryside for several hours befor you arrive in a fairly small city. It's nothing comparable to Tokyo, at least. The ride is beautiful and you eat a small breakfast on the train. On your trip you study the photo of the man and the dojo. His narrow eyes are all too easy for you to remember from the night of your mother's murder. He was one of the several men there. Exactly how many, you're not sure. It all happened so fast. What could possibly be their motivation for assaulting some family in the country?

You've always figured it had something to do with your family's Kung Fu. Maybe it's some kind of old blood feud? Whatever it is, you could never get your grandmother to talk about it, no matter how much you pressed. It was always clear that you were upsetting her so you could never be too pushy.

You step off of the train and shield your eyes from the sun as you look around. Checking the map on your phone it seems like you're about an hour's walk from the place. With no time to waste you get moving.

On the way there you listen to music with your earbuds. Strangely you feel calm even though you could potentially be walking into a dangerous situation.

Frankly, after battling with Mokichi so much recently, your confidence in your abilities has grown. After all, these are the people who had to gang up on your mother. Your Grandmother said that in her prime your mother was a ferocious fighter, who's mastery of Fa Jin was particularly exceptional. Unwillingly the mental image of the knife slicing into her leg is recalled.

At once you arrive in front of the small traditional dojo's entrance. Glancing within you can see that there are several students being led by a middle aged man with hair that is transitioning from black to gray. His skin is leathery. He seems to be demonstrating some sort of technique. The man stabs the air several times with his arms, slicing through the air in a serpentine fashion. It's not unlike a Flicker Jab, except he has the tips of his fingers pinched together. You recognize this as a type of snake-style Kung-Fu. However, it isn't the man in the picture. There's a small interior past the courtyard though.

What do you do?

>A. Do you know the man in this picture? (Show him)
>B. How about a demonstration of your Kung Fu? (Ask to spar with the man)
>C. Attack. You're not here to play nice. (Use a Jolt Punch)

>>5752217
You can already do a Smash more or less. It would only be slightly more powerful than your normal hooks and uppercuts. Sendo's Smash just happens to be so powerful because every punch Sendo throws is like that.

A Gazelle Hook would be pretty strong. That's a leaping punch not entirely unlike a Jolt Punch. But really you guys have a fair amount of "really strong attack" type moves already.

Working on your basic technique, stats or learning more utility style abilities are all viable (or potentially necessary) abilities as well

Some of the strongest abilities in Kengan aren't the finishers, but the moves that still make you a threat even when you're severely damaged

>>5753180
>>B. How about a demonstration of your Kung Fu? (Ask to spar with the man)
While I would like to go full dojo buster on the motherfuckers, let's wait a bit until we start getting real aggressive. If we run out of opponents then we can start asking around.

>>5753180
>A. Do you know the man in this picture? (Show him)

>>5753180
>B. How about a demonstration of your Kung Fu? (Ask to spar with the man)
Should help us when we have to fight the actual mom-killer.

>>5753180
>B. How about a demonstration of your Kung Fu? (Ask to spar with the man)

>>5753180
>B

>>5753180
>B. How about a demonstration of your Kung Fu? (Ask to spar with the man)

next post is coming. B wins

The man halts his demonstration as you enter the courtyard. There are several potted plants surrounding the edges of the interior walls. This looks like a comfortable place to train, you think to yourself. "How about a demonstration of your Kung Fu?" you say as you smoothly step towards the group.

The students part as you approach. They seem to be novices of a sort.

"Can I help you?" asks the middle aged man. He smiles warmly. Your eyes scan him from head to toe. Is this really the demeanor of an assassin? He's friendly.

"How about a demonstration of your Kung-Fu?" you ask.

His face stiffens somewhat. "Typically we're instructed to turn away challengers. However, I get the feeling that you're not going to leave just because I asked nicely.

He glares at you with narrow eyes, slowly taking up his fighting stance. His fingertips are pinched together and he's crouched in a low stance. "Students, go get Master Jiang. Tell him there's an honest-to-god oldfashioned Dojo buster here.."

The man smiles and you begin to get a different impression of him. Even though he is a peaceful person, he's a fighter nonetheless. He's relishing the chance to test his skills against someone strong. With no hesitation you throw your fists up into a boxing guard and begin to build a rhythm as you lightly step in place.

"What's your name, mister?"

"Shuji. I'm the only sensei other than Master Jiang."

"I'm Billy Yang." you say. "Does that name sound familiar to you?"

Shuji shakes his head to indicate no. You slowly begin to slide into range with smooth footwork.

This guy uses the Snake-Style. You're actually somewhat familiar with this form thanks to the instructions of your Grandmother. Apparently it's a style that utilizes Partial Training. Their fingertips are especially powerfully, easily able to pierce flesh whether it be with their grip or a strike. In addition to that their blows come from unexpected angles, flowing like a snake. You're sure there's more to the style but that's the gist of what you remember.

How do you want to approach the fight?

>A. Don't rush things and leave yourself open to his odd strikes. Use your Jabs to tease out a reaction from him and try to get used to his blows.
>B. Use your Agility and Reflexes to land some hard kicks before darting back out. Seize the initiative while still playing it fairly safe.
>C. Use your Imperfect Jolt Blow to blow apart his guard from long range.

>>5753745
>C
never a better time to use a work in progress move than when we're in close proximity to a guy who assassinated our mom and will likely kill us too

>>5753745
>>A. Don't rush things and leave yourself open to his odd strikes. Use your Jabs to tease out a reaction from him and try to get used to his blows.
I would go for C, but I get the feeling he might hit us with a counter if we just hit him with the Jolt off-rip.

>>5753745
>A.
Let's test out his ability before we commit to something that can get countered

>>5753745
>A. Don't rush things and leave yourself open to his odd strikes. Use your Jabs to tease out a reaction from him and try to get used to his blows.
I want to try winning without using Baji or Yang Family Kung Fu, because that might give away our identity to Jiang.

>>5753795
We literally just gave our full name to his buddy.

>"I'm Billy Yang." you say. "Does that name sound familiar to you?"

Unless we kill the guy he's gonna tell pretty quick, especially with that phrasing.

>>5753745
>A. Don't rush things and leave yourself open to his odd strikes. Use your Jabs to tease out a reaction from him and try to get used to his blows.

>>5753771
>>5753777
>>5753795
>>5753836

A wins

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His first strike actually comes before you enter what you thought to be his striking range. His hand almost seems to extend in a whiplike fashion, changing trajectory mid-blow. Swaying backwards you manage to cleanly evade the first attack. More blows race after you but with relaxed upper body movement you can cleanly evade his rush with no issue. With your reflexes and striking experience, even irrregular blows like these are nothing too threatening to you. In response you fire off with your own compact jabs. The power of each individual strike isn't too great, but it has significant pop thanks to your clean technique. You hit Shuji with the first punch square in the nose, and he ducks under the second and backsteps away from the third.

This time he steps forward to engage you, and you take your own step back. As he enters your range you fire off a series of jabs. Some of them he parries but others hit hit square on. Your feet stop moving for just a moment as you throw a punch and pivot directions, and the Snake-Style user's arms suddenly tangle themselves up in yours.

What, is he a boa constrictor? He was waiting for the moment you stopped moving to grab you. Seems like he's given up on his strikes already.

There's suddenly a piercing pain and a wet warmth coming from both of your triceps. He's using his powerful pinch grip to tear right into your flesh using the clinch. There's not much room to move your arms now without making the pain worse, nd this old guy is actually pretty physically strong.

>>5754016
The two of you stand there for a moment in time, seemingly deadlocked.

"Hey, Shuji." you say ominously.

The sensei doesn't respond, merely twisting his pinch grip in an effort to make you double over. The man's brow is sweating and blood is trickling from his nose. Although his technique is pretty good, it's clear that he isn't really in fighting shape.

"My fingers are pretty strong too, you know?"

Before he can respond you stomp one of his feet with all of your might. Stomping is an integral technique to the Baji Quan style. The numerous small bones in the foot allow a practiced stomp to deal great damage in a single strike, significantly hampering an opponent's mobility.

He yells out in pain. As his tongue sticks out and his grip relaxes your own hand shoots towards the split second oppurtunity and pinches it between your thumb and your forefinger. Shuji blinks at you, and lets go entirely, putting his hands at his side. You hold up the photo, and nod to it. "Is the guy with the snake-eyes her? Snake-style, snake-eyes. Checks out, doesn't it?"

Shuji nods.

You nod too, smiling. "Good. You're going to go get him for me now, right?"

"There's no need." rings out an raspy voice from across the courtyard. Sure enough the man in the photo is standing there. He's clearly a bit older, however. His once black eyebrows have now turned grey. If you had to guess you'd say he's in his sixties. As you turn to look at him he continues. "Let go of my student, please. I'm hoping he'll be the one to give lessons once I've retired. If you rip his tongue out he can't very well talk to the new students, can he?"

You smoothly let go, and Shuji steps away. "Master Jiang..."

"Go home Shuji." says the old man. "This is my mess."

Shuji and the rest of the students all scamper away. There are a few long moments of silence.

"I gave that photo to a former collegue of ours. How did you acquire it?"

You frown, a dark glare intensifying. "A friend of my mother's gave it to me."

The wind blows several chimes hanging up in the courtyard. Outside of the walls the sounds of the small city fill the air. Children's laughter carries on the wind from a nearby park.

Your fist tightens. "You were there! That day!"

The old man stiffens into a Snake-Style Stance. Even though it's the same style you get the impression he's considerably stronger than the guy you just fought. "So were you, it seems. I promise you it was nothing personal. I may have taken part, but I have no love for my former allies that day. Try to kill me if you like, beat me within inch an inch of my life if you must, but spare me and I will lead you to those who organized the hit!"

>A. You're a traitor as well as a murderer? I'm ending your life here, right now!
>B. A beating sure is coming. We can figure everything else out afterwards. Let's do this.
>C. Tell me everything you know. Right now.

>>5754019
>B. A beating sure is coming. We can figure everything else out afterwards. Let's do this.

>>5754019
>C. Tell me everything you know. Right now.
Let's see if the info he gives is satisfactory

>>5754019
>B. A beating sure is coming. We can figure everything else out afterwards. Let's do this.
Never trust anyone who hasn't been beaten half to death.

>>5754019
>>B. A beating sure is coming. We can figure everything else out afterwards. Let's do this.
Better not die before we're done, old man.

>>5754019
>>C. Tell me everything you know. Right now.

No need to kill the old man , backstabbing him when his back is turned is a good way too

>>5754019
>B
this anger must be satisfied

>>5754019
>>B. A beating sure is coming. We can figure everything else out afterwards. Let's do this.
We will at the very least break one of his limbs and hasten his retirement.

>>5754019
>C. Tell me everything you know. Right now.
We have like a week before our exam match, I'd rather not get severely injured just yet.

>>5754026
>>5754045
>>5754081
>>5754215
>>5754216
B wins.

Next post will come sometime tomorrow. Thanks for your patience everyone

>>5757066
nyo problema

>>5757066
no worries QM

What's Doug Walker doing in the OP pic?

>>5757501
That can't be Doug Walker, he's not bald.

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Your hand clenches itself into a fist. Shaking it menacingly, you slowly fall into a combat stance once more.

"A beating sure is coming. We can figure everything else out afterwards. Let's do this."

The hairs on your arms stand on edge as the old man leaps forward a small distance and completes his entrance into the courtyard. His base is spread wide. You're getting the impression that the instant you step within range he's going to lash out with a strike.

Thanks to your warm up with Shuji your adreline is already pumping full speed. Taking a smooth breath you step into the enemy's range. Just as you anticipated he fires off an attack with an unpredictable trajectory. You can actually see the man's fingers begin to cut through the air and juke left and then right in an attempt to get you to dodge the wrong way.

Your advanced reflexes more or less automatically nullify such effects. You can plainly see each and every twitch of muscle fiber rippling underneath the man's clothes. The way his weight shifts in the slightest of ways preceding his actual attack.

This allows you to smoothly weave around even this advanced Kung-Fu user's unpredictable rush. His slithering blows sail around your head harmlessly as you tease the outside of his range, waiting for a chance to push in.

Dipping forward past his lead arm, his rear hand suddenly strikes out at you with cobra-like speed. It's an upwards swipe, not dissimilar to an uppercut. This time you pull backwards, but as you do your left hand fires off an uppercut directly towards his exposed liver.

It felt as if the timing of the blow would be perfect. You'd fired off the punch just as he'd missed with his. It should have landed well before he recovered. The moment your knuckles make contact with his midsection everything feels wrong. He actually seems to use the force of the impact to spin his body around and reduce the damage of the hit, even after you'd made contact. You're so surprised that it's only your reflexes which let you spin your neck away from his retalitory back-hand fist.

Your head whips to the side and a bit of blood leaks from the corner as you take a backstep. Jiang is showing no signs of wanting to explain what he just did and how.

If you had to guess, you've just experienced something your Grandmother once told you about. Hua Jin. Apparently it's something your father was a master of, but your mother and her could never quite get the hang of it. The basic principle is that it allows you to partially disperse the damage of an attack by going limp and rolling with the strike. Though it sounds simple, it's no easy feat. You know that you're facing a true practiced master.

You're capable of dodging his blows, but he could have more tricks up his sleeve. At the same time he's shown that he can disperse the damage of your attacks even if you land them.

It seems like normal blows aren't going to end this fight. You know his Partial Training makes his fingertips dangerous at close range as well. Based on how your triceps are aching from Shuji's previous attack. Granted the damage was minor you'd rather not get into a grappling scenario with him.

>A. Sweep the leg. Use Low kicks, sweeps, and oblique kicks to attack him from a safe distance. Even if he can disperse the damage, it will still do small amounts over time. Long Range strategy.
>B. Try your Boxing again, with the knowledge that he has Hua Jin. Try to use your reflexes to attack him faster than he can disperse the damage. Mid-range strategy.
>C. The most straightforward path. Try to blow him away with a Fa-Jin rush of Baji-Quan attacks. He won't be able to disperse the damage if the attack blows him off his feet into the courtyard wall. Close range strategy.

>>5758421
>B
go for the noggin

>>5758421
>A. Sweep the leg. Use Low kicks, sweeps, and oblique kicks to attack him from a safe distance. Even if he can disperse the damage, it will still do small amounts over time. Long Range strategy.
He probably didn't do much leg conditioning since it's Snake Style, so constant low kicks will force him to try grappling and that gives us a shot at a Tetsuzanko or elbow.

>>5758421
>>A. Sweep the leg. Use Low kicks, sweeps, and oblique kicks to attack him from a safe distance. Even if he can disperse the damage, it will still do small amounts over time. Long Range strategy.

>>5758421
>A. Sweep the leg. Use Low kicks, sweeps, and oblique kicks to attack him from a safe distance. Even if he can disperse the damage, it will still do small amounts over time. Long Range strategy.
Maybe we could do this for now - get Jiang to expect us attacking his legs - then feint a stomp on his foot to lure him, and carry the stomp into a Jolt Counter.

>>5758421
>A. Sweep the leg. Use Low kicks, sweeps, and oblique kicks to attack him from a safe distance. Even if he can disperse the damage, it will still do small amounts over time. Long Range strategy.

>>5758421
>A. Sweep the leg. Use Low kicks, sweeps, and oblique kicks to attack him from a safe distance. Even if he can disperse the damage, it will still do small amounts over time. Long Range strategy.

>>5757592
Maybe that's why he doesn't have any.

>>5758421
>>5759981
My vote is on A by the way.

Next post is coming now

>>5760871
Waiting warmly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYt4h6kg0Fc

In an upright stance, you begin to step in place and tease in and out with your footwork.

Based on what you know about his style engaging with kicks is a safe option. You should be able to wear him down gradually over time. Or land a big kick if he gets impatient and make a mistake. The most important thing is to keep his hands from getting to you.

You're a few inches taller than Jiang, with an appropriately longer reach. In a long range scenario you have the advantage. At least when you're talking practical combat sports theory. Even if he isn't a member of the Kengan Association, you have to be on the lookout for any surprises. If it's difficult for you to gague exactly how strong someone is, you already understand it means they're at least fairly strong.

Stepping in, you fire off a low kick with your rear leg. You opted to go for a full-power blow immediately.

Jiang checks the kick by shifting his knee towards your shin as it impacts his leg. The blow is absorbed. If anything, it causes significant pain to your own shin.

You don't pull back immediately, instead standing inside of Jiang's space. This is actually a complicated ploy on your part. This is, seemingly, an amateurish mistake. Any martial artist worth their salt wouldn't have thrown a power kick like that without setting it up, or anticipating that it could be blocked and choosing to clinch or grapple afterwards. At this range it would be impossible for someone to react to a blow before they could pull out again. This is the range they call No Man's Land!

Thanks to your reflexes this is your home. This is the range where you are at your most effective, because from here the most options for mobility are open to you. Lateral, linear, even vertical thanks to your agility.

Jiang's two hands fly at you like uncoiled serpents slicing through the wind. The rapidity of his blows is far greater than Shuji's. You dodge past the first strike whizzing by your ear. The second causes you to duck deeper to your right, and the third comes from underneath you and makes you stand straight up again. Four, five, six, seven...

One after another you evade the blows. Jiang is actually anticipating the direction that you dodge in. At first it seems like you're safe at mid range..

>>5761007
His fingers scratch past your cheek, prompting a small spurt of blood. Now is the time.

You were attempting to dodge in the order of milimeters to create this opening. As Jiang's fingers scratch you, he believes he can hit you now. He subconsciously commits more to his next blow to allow it to strike deeper.

You sway back just as his next strike comes. You're able to minimize the motion of your dodge so much that you actually see the ridges of his fingerprints in front of your eyes as his hand reaches the end of his strike.

Jiang takes a step forward. You take a large step back into long range. You're actually able to complete your step before his is finished, as you anticipated this exact scenario unfolding. As his leg lands you fire off another kick to the leg. This time an oblique kick.

It doesn't do a large amount of damage, but it bends his knee inward at the joint. His movement is paused for a moment and he keels forward slightly. Taking this oppurtunity you snap off a lightning fast 1-2 combination.

The jab is so fast that Jiang doesn't have time to react to it. He uses Hua Jin to neck-spin and avoid the blow. The old man spins around once before bringing his hands up once more. Blood leaks from his bottom lip where your jab hit his mouth cleanly.

Jiang holds his stance and stares you down. "Those reflexes of yours are otherworldly, Billy. If the fight keeps going like this you'd surely beat me down gradually. I'm not the assassin I used to be. You could say I've lost my edge. That's no excuse for my past, though. I'm not going to ask you to stop this fight out of pity for me! Let's go!!"

Suddenly he decides to rush you. You're not quite sure what's up with his attitude, but this makes things easier for you.

As he flies into range you snap your leg out with a front kick. The blow meets him head on. This seemed to be his idea of a Kamikaze rush. Unfortunately for him, your striking power is more than enough to break an old man's charge, even if he is pretty strong.

Jiang goes flying backwards and crashes into one of the pots holding a plant. It shatters and dirt spills outward as he rests upon it. You walk towards Jiang and stand over him.

>Votes for questioning Jiang will be a bit more open ended. Feel free to vote for multiple options or come up with your own questions.

>A. Who are you and who do you work for?
>B. Why did your organization want to kill my mother?
>C. Are you affiliated with the Worm?
>D. Do you know anything about my father?
>E. Write-in

>>5761008
>B. Why did your organization want to kill my mother?
>Write in: "Who authorized the hit?"

>>5761008
>A. Who are you and who do you work for?
>B. Why did your organization want to kill my mother?
>C. Are you affiliated with the Worm?
He claimed he wasn't very close to his former comrades, so this is probably all he knows.

>>5761008
>A
>B
>E
"Everything you know about the other members of the squad"

>>5761156
Worth asking anyway

>>5761008
>A. Who are you and who do you work for?
>B. Why did your organization want to kill my mother?

>>5761149
>>5761156
>>5761260
>>5761311

Update will be sometime tomorrow

Next update is on it's way. After that I will probably begin a new thread. I'll still post it's link in this one when it's up.

"Who are you? Who do you work for?"

He lays there and wipes the blood from his face with the sleeve of his shirt. Now that his nose is broken his voice is a bit more nasally. "I'm Master Jiang. I've ran this Snake-Style Kung Fu school for about ten years now, not long after I moved to Japan. I used to work for the Mao Clan. They're a vassal group of assassins for the Wu."

You stare down at him with your arms crossed. "They're a what?"

He steadies himself, carefully watching you. You don't believe he's going to be a threat anymore. He just seems to be recovering from the blow.


"The Mao work for the Wu."

"The who?"

Jiang shakes his head slowly. "You have no idea what's going on, do you?"

You shake your fist menacingly. "Sounds like you know more than me. Start explaining in terms I can understand, fast."

"The Mao work under the Wu who work in tandem with the Worm."

"Aha! So the Worm does have something to do with it!"

He nods slowly and begins to stand up. "Yes.. to some extent at least. The other heads of the Mao Clan would know more than me."

You hold up a palm, urging him to pause before he continues. "Wait. Why was your clan hired to kill my mother?"

Jiang folds his hands behind his back and blood continues to run from his nose. "There are five heads of the Mao clan. I was formerly one of them. Three of us were present that night. I, Jiang the Snake. The Turtle, Fu Wen. Lastly, Tiger Chen. We are all equally responsible for the terrible acts that day. However, Haoyu Mao and Hua Fen Mao are the two who know the details of the hit. The Dragon and Phoenix respectively. If you want to ask them, you will have to ask my former colleagues. I have the Turtle's address inside. Tiger Chen is... somewhere in Okinawa. Fu wen should know more."

>>5763508


With great focus you carefully absorb everything he's said. "You're awfully forthecoming with this information. How do I know you're not just spinning a story to get me to leave?"

He laughs. "I'm glad you've come to seek your revenge. I meant what I said. If you had the intent to kill me I wouldn't speak a word against your right to seek my life. I've caused far too much suffering in my life to get off the hook completely. Frankly I'm surprised you're this merciful."

"The address. Cough it up."

The man goes inside his dojo and comes out with a postcard. This time you recognize the rather large man with shaggy hair in the picture, standing beside Jiang and a few other people you don't recognize.

"Fu Wen should be about as forthcoming as I've been. Of everyone he's the only one I keep in contact with."

You stare at the photograph in your hand. "You're being too nice. You're assassins. This is fucking me up a bit. I was intending on hurting you a lot worse when I came here."

Jiang stands in front of you unflinching. "Do what you will. I won't fight you anymore. Even assassins get old, Billy. Sometimes overnight. I will tell you this, however. If you plan on fighting the others, know that I am easily the weakest of the five."

What do you want to say to the man who had a hand in killing your mother as you leave?

>A. A peaceful life is too good for you. Now isn't the time, but I will be back.
>B. I'm honestly not sure how I feel, old man. I got what I wanted, but at the same time I didn't. I'm empty, but I want to know more.
>C. I just want to know what happened. Killing you will just make me feel worse.

>>5763509
>B. I'm honestly not sure how I feel, old man. I got what I wanted, but at the same time I didn't. I'm empty, but I want to know more.

>>5763509
>B

>>5763509
>B. I'm honestly not sure how I feel, old man. I got what I wanted, but at the same time I didn't. I'm empty, but I want to know more.

>>5763509
>B. I'm honestly not sure how I feel, old man. I got what I wanted, but at the same time I didn't. I'm empty, but I want to know more.

>>5763509
>B. I'm honestly not sure how I feel, old man. I got what I wanted, but at the same time I didn't. I'm empty, but I want to know more.

>>5763509
>B. I'm honestly not sure how I feel, old man. I got what I wanted, but at the same time I didn't. I'm empty, but I want to know more.

waiting