Match 22996 Karai vs. Hibana

[JohnnyChany]

THE QUEEN OF FIGHTERS: A GANGLAND SIDE STORY PART 5

 

CONTINUES FROM KARAI VS. SHADOW YAMOTO

 

The fight between Shadow Yamoto and Karai raged beneath the arena lights, steel flashing against steel as the two combatants traded attacks across the cage. From a private balcony overlooking the arena floor, three very different spectators watched with varying degrees of interest.

O-Ren Ishii sat with her hands resting in front of her, and  posture as composed as ever. The pale, elegant features of the Yakuza leader gave little away to what was going through her mind. Beside her sat Oume Goketsuji, a diminutive old woman whose frail appearance concealed a reputation that had terrified generations of martial artists. Her weathered face was framed by white hair, and her hunched posture did little to diminish the unsettling vitality in her eyes. There was something almost predatory about the way she watched the fighters below.

Kiryu Kazuma was also with them and sat with his arms folded across his chest. He wore his customary dark suit, his stern features betraying his discomfort with almost everything about the evening. He had little patience for the tournament's gambling spectacle or the criminal organizations gathered around it.

The Yakuza had officially secured a place in the tournament, but their team was still taking shape. Gogo Yubari, O-Ren's young and notoriously bloodthirsty bodyguard, was already locked into the lineup. As was Shado, the organization's mysterious ninja assassin. The third position remained open.

Some within the Yakuza leadership had suggested that O-Ren herself should fill the final slot. Others considered one of their top leaders far too valuable to risk in a tournament where fighters were expected to leave opponents broken on the mat.

O-Ren had decided to settle the matter herself. If she couldn't find someone worthy of joining Gogo and Shado, she would enter the tournament personally.

That was where Oume came in. The ancient martial artist was the head of the Goketsuji Clan, a woman whose mastery of martial arts was rumored to border on the supernatural. Few people outside certain criminal and martial-arts circles even knew she existed. Those who did tended to speak of her in lowered voices. O-Ren believed she would be perfect.

Kiryu had agreed to accompany them despite his personal dislike of O-Ren's violent leadership and his distaste for the tournament itself. Loyalty had brought him there. A promise was a promise, and Kiryu Kazuma had built his life around keeping his word.

O-Ren turned toward him with a faint smile. “You should relax, Kiryu-san. You haven't had a drink all night.”

Kiryu glanced toward the arena. “I am here because I gave my word. I don't doubt that you would be perfectly capable of protecting yourself, but your guest…”

His eyes shifted toward Oume. The old woman snorted.

“Protection? From what? A bunch of third-rate thugs with plastic pistols?” Oume's smile revealed several sharp teeth. “If anyone approaches us with bad intentions, I'll suck the youth right out of their marrow before they can pull the trigger.”

Kiryu stared at her for a moment. O-Ren, meanwhile, looked delighted.

“And that is precisely why I want you, Goketsuji-san. The Yakuza team would benefit greatly from your experience alongside Shado and Gogo Yubari.”

Oume glanced down at the cage. “That little brat in the school uniform? She's a rabid dog. No discipline whatsoever. She fights as though she wants to die. I've lived for decades because I know exactly when to crush a throat and when to let a fool exhaust herself.”

She looked back at O-Ren. It was clear she had not been fully convinced of her new potential teammates or offering them her services.

“Why should the leader of the Goketsuji Clan join such a team?”

“Because the purse from winning this tournament could fund your family's shrines for the next century,” O-Ren replied. “And you get to break bones.”

Oume's eyes returned to the battle below. “If this match is anything to go by, there might be some fun to be had.”

Kiryu shook his head. “This tournament uses human lives as betting chips so criminal organizations can increase their wealth and influence. There's no honor in it.”

Oume burst into laughter. “Listen to this guy! A philosopher in a cheap suit.”

 

 

Kiryu remained silent.

“You think fighting is sacred, boy?” Oume continued. “Fighting is power. It's taking what is yours and leaving everyone else in the dirt.”

Kiryu had fought men who lived by that philosophy. He had also spent much of his life trying to make sure it didn't define him. He saw no point in arguing with Oume.

Instead, Oume returned her attention to the match below.  “What do you know about that Shadow Yamoto? She's fought well.”

“She has always been highly skilled,” O-Ren replied. “The Black Orchid Corporation wasted her potential. That is what happens when incompetent people are placed in positions of authority.”

A devious smile crossed O-Ren's lips. “I sometimes wonder whether Yamoto knows that I removed the head from the man who ordered her assassination a few years after they tried to kill her.”

Oume's eyebrows rose. “Interesting.”

She looked toward the other side of the cage, where Hibana watched the fight.

“And what about the one in white? She may not get a chance to fight tonight, but there is something about her.”

O-Ren followed her gaze.

“Hibana. I know little beyond the stories. She fought hellspawn while bringing down the Nakatomi Conglomerate. I was hoping we would get to see what she could do this evening,” stated O-Ren.  “We still may. Karai is one of the most legendary members of the Foot Clan.”

Before Oume could respond, Kiryu's phone began to ring. He reached into his jacket and looked at the unfamiliar number on the screen.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

O-Ren waved him away dismissively. Kiryu walked toward the rear of the balcony before answering.

“Kazuma here.”

A woman's voice came through the phone, smooth and unmistakably British. “Well, well. I wasn't entirely sure you'd pick up, Dragon of Dojima.”

Kiryu furrowed his brow. “Who is this? And how did you get my number?”

“You can call me Christie, darling,” the woman replied. “I received your number from a mutual acquaintance. Billy Kane.”

Kiryu's demeanor changed immediately. “Billy? Did something happen?”

“You could say that.”

Christie's playful tone couldn't completely conceal the seriousness beneath it.

“He was on some official business for Geese Howard. Things went south. He's currently in a clinic in the Warehouse District, connected to more machines than I can count.”

Kiryu's jaw tightened. “Is he going to make it?”

“The nurses say he's stable, but he's in rough shape. He won't be swinging that laundry pole of his anytime soon,” Christie responded.

Kiryu exhaled slowly.

Christie continued. “I thought you might be in town for the tournament. Frankly, Billy doesn't have many people who care whether he breathes or not outside of Geese's payroll. And I'm not entirely convinced everyone on that payroll would lose sleep over him.”

There was a brief pause.

“He told me about you recently. Talked quite a bit about his time in Okinawa.”

Kiryu's expression softened. 

“Yeah. He visited my orphanage several months ago. Said he wanted to see the ocean.” A faint smile crossed his face. “But I think he really wanted to see the kids. Billy told me he grew up rough. No family of his own.”

“He's fiercely protective of his sister, Lilly,” Christie said. “But outside of her, he doesn't show that side of himself very often. I was surprised to hear he dropped a massive amount of cash on your orphanage. Geese doesn't exactly pay us to be philanthropists.”

“He called it an investment in their future,” Kiryu replied. “He wouldn't even let me thank him properly before he hopped back on the train.”

Kiryu looked toward the arena. “He's got a hot temper, but Billy has a good heart. He understands what it means to protect people who can't protect themselves.”

Christie gave a quiet giggle. “If you say so. Personally, I just know he's a reliable partner who currently looks like a ghost.”

There was another moment of silence between them.

“Look, I didn't call to reminisce. I figured if the roles were reversed, the idiot would probably find a way to drag his broken bones to your bedside,” stated Christie. “I just wanted to allow you the opportunity to do the same.”

“Thank you for calling and letting me know.” Kiryu hesitated. “I do have one final question. Where he is now, is it safe?”

“I believe so,” Christie answered. “But when you're operating in territory that isn't your own, it's hard to be certain in Gangland.”

Kiryu looked toward O-Ren and Oume, who were still watching the fight.

“If you're planning to stay for tomorrow's fights after you visit Billy, we can officially meet in person. We'll be conducting some business at Roulette's arena tomorrow night if you have anymore questions.”

“Understood.”

“Have a pleasant rest of your evening, Dragon of Dojima.”

“Goodbye.”

Back in the cage, Shadow Yamoto was beginning to run out of options. The crowd had grown louder with every exchange, sensing that Yamoto’s streak of victories was finally in danger.

Karai stood opposite her, calm and focused. The Foot Clan kunoichi had studied the previous two fights carefully. Lotus Blossom had possessed excellent swordsmanship, but Karai's reflexes were even sharper. Every trick Yamoto had used against her previous opponents had already been catalogued in Karai's mind.

Yamoto darted forward, she attempted her cartwheel kick, but Karai read it perfectly and slipped beneath the attack. When Yamoto followed with a sweeping strike from her steel fan, Karai simply leaned away from the blow and answered with a precise counter.

Yamoto disappeared behind a cloud of smoke. For an instant, the cage was swallowed in gray. But Karai didn't move, she had seen the trick before. The smoke cleared without giving Yamoto the opening she wanted.

Karai had refused to chase her opponent from the beginning. Instead, she remained on the defensive, forcing Yamoto to spend energy attacking while patiently waiting for the mistake she knew would eventually come.

The two women exchanged a rapid succession of kicks and strikes. Yamoto's attacks came from every direction, but Karai continued to turn them aside. Fan, fist, kick, blade, nothing could create the opening Yamoto needed.

Then Karai hesitated, it lasted less than a heartbeat, but Yamoto saw it. She surged forward. Karai's eyes narrowed.

“Dark Thunder!” she exclaimed.

Electricity erupted from Karai's body in a violent burst. Yellow energy crackled across her arms and shoulders before exploding outward. Yamoto was caught in the discharge and hurled backward. She struck the mat hard, rolled twice, and scrambled back onto her feet.

Before Karai could close the distance, Yamoto melted into the shadows. The arena lights cast long patches of darkness across the mat, and Yamoto vanished into one of them as though the floor itself had swallowed her.

Karai was ready. She immediately hopped backward into one of the brightest sections of the cage, deliberately denying Yamoto the darkness she needed.

Yamoto emerged at the edge of the light and launched her sliding strike from farther away than usual. Karai sprang over her. For several seconds, it seemed as though the Foot Clan warrior was floating above her opponent. Her blades flashed beneath the arena lights as she struck again and again, catching Yamoto across the torso and arms.

Yamoto recoiled from each impact. When Karai finally landed, she spun through with a powerful palm strike that caught Yamoto squarely in the chest and sent her crashing onto her back.

This time, Yamoto didn't rise immediately. She rolled onto one elbow and clutched the cut across her chest. Blood darkened the fabric beneath her fingers. The assassin's breathing had become ragged.

But she wasn't finished. With desperation replacing strategy, Yamoto reached for one of her miniature explosives and hurled it toward Karai.

“I don't think so,” Karai muttered.

She struck the device with the flat of one sword. The mine shot back toward Yamoto. Yamoto's eyes widened. She sprang into the air just as the explosive passed beneath her. The mine struck the mat and detonated, sending a violent flash of fire and smoke through the cage.

Karai was already airborne. She seized Yamoto in midair. The crowd roared as Karai twisted her opponent around and drove her into the mat with a thunderous Izuna Drop.

Yamoto's body slammed against the canvas. Karai didn't give her a chance to recover. She planted her hands against the mat and unleashed another surge of electricity. Lightning raced across the floor surrounding Yamoto. Her body convulsed once before going limp. Shadow Yamoto was out.

The crowd erupted. Cheers rolled through the arena, mixed with a chorus of angry curses from gamblers who had believed the assassin's earlier victories were proof that she was unbeatable. More than a few of them had tripled down on Yamoto after her first two wins. Their money had now disappeared like Yamoto in the shadows.

Above the noise, Roulette's voice boomed through the arena.

“Ladies and gentlemen, what a fantastic fight! This opening-round contest will now come down to a fifth and final match between Karai of the infamous Foot Clan and Hibana, a member of the heroic Oboro Ninja Clan!”

The cage doors opened. Hand mystics entered from opposite sides, their dark robes trailing behind them. One group went to Karai while the others began tending to Yamoto. Before they could finish, a streak of white and red flashed through the open cage door.

Hibana had put on her mask and entered the cage. The Hand mystics barely had time to react.

 

 

Hibana kneeled beside her fallen teammate. For the first time that night, Hibana's usual composure gave way to something resembling genuine concern. She placed a hand near Yamoto's shoulder.

“Thank you for taking our team this far,” Hibana said quietly. “I'll handle the rest. Then we can resume our mission in the next round.”

She rose and turned toward Karai. The Hand’s mystics finished tending to her and exited the cage with Shadow Yamoto. The two women stared at one another across the cage. Both drew their swords.

Karai studied the newcomer with renewed interest. Hibana's white-and-red attire contrasted sharply against the dark cage and the blood-stained mat beneath their feet.

“A ninja of the Oboro Clan,” Karai remarked. “What a fascinating test for my abilities. It will make for a great story, just like when Oroku Saki defeated Joe Musashi.”

“That's not the story I heard,” Hibana replied. “But fortunately for both of us, there won't be any confusion about who won when this is over.”

A faint smirk appeared on Karai's face. “Well said.”

The crowd was already beginning to chant as the two warriors settled into their stances.

Roulette stepped forward, her voice carrying through the arena. “Ladies and gentlemen, the final match of this first team contest is about to begin! Get in your final bets of the evening, because this one is for all the marbles!”

The arena erupted. Karai lowered her stance. Hibana tightened her grip on her sword.

[Callisto]

Learn More About
Karai
Read more about Karai at Wikipedia
Official Site: Mirage Links: Wikipedia TMNT Wiki Comicvine

Hibana
Read more about Hibana at Wikipedia
Official Site: Sega Links: Wikipedia Official Site Giant Bomb

[Macklemore]

As much as I love my PS2 games, I think Karai has this. It comes from the fact that she's just on another level skill wise, to the point where the amount of skill she has allows her to compete against vastly superhuman foes. I'm sure Hibana isn't that weak either, nor is she lacking in speed, but Karai strikes me as someone who has larger advantages based on what I've seen from both.

[Boratz]

Awesome continuation of the side stories 

[leroypowell3]

Finally Hibana gets her match. I want her to get a win so bad but I agree with Macklemore that Karai would edge her out in a head to head fight like this.

[Venom 2009]

Good match.

I give my vote to the TMNT Girl.

[Callisto]

Match Final Results

Member Ratings:
5.00 - Macklemore
5.00 - Boratz
5.00 - Venom 2009

FPA Calculation:
3 Total Votes cast
15.00 Total Combined Score
15.00 / 3 = 5.00 Final Rating on the match

MATCH SCORE
Karai: 5
Hibana: 1