Soukei Baku Episode 7: Enter...Jai-Po...

Written By: Rasheem, MC
Several matches took place after the bout with Reiji and Byakuga.
Soukei's father saw many of his students fall at the hands of Xaohu's students.
In the meantime, Wu-Shin began feeling as if he failed teaching his students
correctly. A swirling paranoia convinced him how much he failed to advise
many of the sensei that trained with students individually.
Despite claiming many of the victories over the Amaretsu clan, Xaohu further
halted from making in more offensive remarks. In fact, the headmaster sat there
grinning. Prior to starting the last bout, Xaohu was alerted of the successful
news about the Yinpochi's infiltration.
The next two contestants already took the floor.
Naoki stood in front Katsumi Hnokue of the Makato. When Naoki first arrived
at the academy, the first person who befriended her was Katsumi.
Katsumi was the one who shown Naoki around the school. The two were even
long-term training partners. It was illegal for a samurai and a ninja to train with
one another, so they did this in secret. By training inside the Gekkai, away from
the headmasters, Naoki and Katsumi learned a great deal of techniques from
the styles of both clans. Although she recently witnessed the power that is being
taught to the Makato, Katsumi showed a lot more in speed than strength.
In turn, they began utilizing the techniques they learned, and adapted that into their
own style of Kenjutsu. Nonetheless, however, their combat practices were identical.
Katsumi's appearance was the exact opposite of Naoki. Instead of wearing bright
colors, Katsumi's ninja uniform was a dark red velvet color. Her pants stopped
just below her knees and were tucked under her white socks. Her sandals were
all black as well. She also wore dark leather armor over her chest, much like Reiji,
along with dark arm guards that is worn over her sleeves which were stop short
beneath her elbows. And finally, her hair was dark brown tied in a pony tail.
Naoki's dark hazel hair was also tied in a pony tail. She wore a medium length
white dress that stopped just above her knees. Purple flower designs coated the dress. Underneath her dress was a dark skin tight shirt and short dark tight pants.
The pants were cut off at mid-calf muscle. Next were her dark sandles. For accessories,
came with a wide strap that wrapped around her abdominal area. And finally, she
wore a single necklace that her grandmother had given her.
It didn't take long for the two girls to end their friendship. Katsumi always blamed
Naoki for taking Jai-Po away from her...though Jai-Po never showed interest in
Katsumi. In reality, all Katsumi showed was jealousy.
Both girls firmly wrapped their hands around their katana.
"Am I obliged to hurt you even further this time?" said Katsumi.
Neither girl blinked not once.
"That is assuming you can even lay a finger on me." replied Naoki.
Both girls narrowed their eyes at each other as Homaru stepped in the center of the
ring and cut his arm across the wind which signals the start of the match.
"Let the seventh round of the preliminaries begin!"
At the same time, both girls removed their katanas and held them out beside them...
just like in their private training. As they started running toward one another, Katsumi
slid on the floor. Both of her feet chopped at Naoki's legs and attempted to make
her fall. Instead of being caught inside Katsumi's attack, Naoki bent down at the knees,
and lifted up off the floor. Just as Naoki lunged in the air, she came back down with
a descending katana. Luckily, however, Katsumi slid further away from the strike.
The katana hit the floor board with a thud. Naoki looked up and greeted her teeth, as
Katsumi rolled backward and lifted herself up with both of her hands.
Katsumi was now in a handstand position. While her momentum carried her backward,
her left leg stretched out as her foot kicked at Naoki's chest.
In response to the kick, Naoki decided to perform a stationary backflip. As her feet
lifted up, she kicked away Katsumi's leg, forcing the girl to be knocked forward.
Katsumi planted her feet on the floor and risen up to stand. Just as Naoki was coming
out of her backflip, she found Katsumi lunging at her. Katsumi began twirling her body
sideways, while her sword came slicing down at Naoki multiple times.
Naoki realized she didn't have time to manuever. She held her katana close to her chest
with both hands, waving the blade in front of her to continously block each strike.
Only one strike from Katsumi connected. At the last minute, the tip of her sword
grazed the top left of Naoki's shoulder. Pieces of her dress was sent flying over
the rest of the students. She gasped as Katsumi came out of her spin and landed
behind her. Katsumi curled her fingers in her left hand, the tips of her fingers pointing
directly down at the palm. She soon pulled her arm back and shot the palm at Naoki's
backside. She was sent flying forward, rolling on her back until she stopped and laid
there. She paused for a bit, holding her shoulder until she found the time to rise to her
feet. She could hear Soukei and Ryukaga cheering for her...telling her not to give up.
Katsumi spun her arms around after sheathing her katana. All fingers on both hands
came together. Her left hand stretched out in front of her, while her palm faced the
direction of Naoki. Her right hand reach over her shoulder, and wrapped around
the hilt of her blade. Her left leg stretched out in front, while her right knee bent down.
This was the primary stance of her personal Kenjutsu style. She became blind to see
Naoki on the far side of the ring. Once she did, she lifted herself up from her stance,
and took a few steps closer toward her. Both girls panting.
"...You've gotten better." Katsumi said.
"...Heh...You're not gonna get soft on me now are you?" Naoki smirked.
Naoki stood up straight and held her katana with both hands in front of her. Suddenly,
she released her left hand and spread both arms out to the side.
Now she lifted her left leg up, standing only on one leg. She kept smirking at Katsumi.
Soukei risen his eyebrow at Naoki's sudden stance. He'd never seen Naoki
perform that before. Wu-Shin widened his eyes at Naoki's stance. He recognized
such a stance. It was a stance only taught to the Makato. He turned to Xaohu.
"Xaohu, what is the meaning of this?!" he questioned.
"It is clear, is it not? Naoki and Katsumi obviously taught each other how to fight.
Otherwise, no one in the Amaretsu clan would've known about such a posture. However,
I see no need to punish them right now. Let us see what happens, yes?"
Wu-Shin turned back around to view the fight.
"Hehehe. Ready?" Naoki said.
Suddenly, judges began ringing the bell. The time was up. Naoki widened her eyes and didn't
realize they were running out of time. Katsumi smiled at Naoki.
"Strong-willed as always still...But sadly, looks like I win." Katsumi said smiling.
"What?" Naoki looked at the judges who announced Katsumi as the winner of a unanimous vote.
"Ugh! whatever..." Naoki who held held her wound began descending the stairs, as a medic
came to help her. But before she left, Katsumi called out to her. Naoki stopped and looked
over her shoulder.
"We should do this again. I kinda miss beating you." she smiled.
Naoki smiled as well. She use to say that all the time during the times they use to spar.
At that point, she realized that she and Katsumi were going to be friends again.
Minutes later, Homaru got up on stage to announce the final bout in the preliminaries.
"Alright. Last round in the preliminaries. I think you guys are going to enjoy this one!
From the Amaretsu clan...and Master Wu-Shin's very son...Soukei Shin!"
Ryukaga turned to Soukei and nodded his head. Ryukaga came out as the victor
in his fifth round with another competitor who was also from the Amaretsu clan.
As Soukei stepped on the floor, the students began cheering for him. Many of
the Amaretsu students loved to see Soukei in combat. They felt that they could
learn a lot about Soukei's fighting style. Soukei didn't know who his opponent was...
as the name was not listed. He figured he may win by default...but Homaru announced
the next competitor.
"And now...hailing from the Makato clan. We have someone who has never been
introduced in any competition before. To the majority of us...no one has ever seen
this competitor in combat. But rumors have it...that he is the most deadliest
there is...Next up...Jai-Po Taogawa!"
Suddenly, the noise that erupted for Soukei came to a halt. The entire Baku area fell
silent. Every student looked toward the Makato's main building. The door opened slowly,
and Jai Po appeared with his uncle Osagawa Tenaku.
From the floor, Soukei and Jai-Po locked eyes...but something was wrong in Jai-Po's
expression. The look he gave Soukei was a dangerous one.
He saw Soukei and Naoki standing together once again at the side of the ring before.
From then on out, Jai-Po did not trust Soukei...nor Naoki. That...along with a small talk
he had with his uncle...convinced him that Jai-Po was alone here. All he had
was his uncle, and Master Xaohu.
The two began walking toward the stage. The students made a clear path for Jai-Po.
They were eager to see Jai-Po in a fight. He stepped on the floor and sent shivers
down the spine of many competitors. Naoki waved at Jai-Po after coming out of the
clinic. Her wound was fine. She stood beside the ring with Ryukaga.
Jai-Po looked at her with a frown, and turned his eyes back at Soukei.
Both of them didn't say a word...everything was silent. All that was in the air...was tension.
The final round of the tournament...was about to begin.
To be continued...