Naota vs Mifune

HoH season 12. Source: valucre.net static Gaia dump.

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Naota Takun
Naota Takun
MifuneKinshin
Naota Takun
MifuneKinshin
Naota Takun
MifuneKinshin
Naota Takun
MifuneKinshin
Naota Takun
MifuneKinshin
Naota Takun
MifuneKinshin
Naota Takun
MifuneKinshin
Naota Takun
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Naota Takun
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1Naota Takun

Sat Sep 22, 2012 10:41 pm · id 343837221 · page 1

Naota Shosuro [Mata Leon] vs Mifune Yojimbo [Team Fighting Spirit]

Quote:** Wrote:
The Crimson Hawk Kitchen
Many a bellies have been sated by the food served from this kitchen. World class chefs toil around the clock to appease the needs of the hungry contestants of Heaven or Hell. But only the most prestigious of designers are hired by the Noah Foundation to carefully orchestrate such a perfect kitchen.
However, as much as everything is top of the line and brand new. This will all be demolished and refurbished to suit the new, demanding digestive systems of yet another horde of hungry warriors. Noah has sanctioned a free-for-all destructo match to help celebrate the on coming of a bright culinary future.
But please, remember to save room for dessert. You cultureless barbarians.
General- Stainless steel and cutlery varnish the walls, the table, and work stations. The floor is slip resistant, to make sure all the chefs are safe and sound. All stoves are propane to provide the most exquisite hot meal.
Weapons- Spatulas, whisks, spoons, forks, knives, cutting boards, glasses, frying oil, toothpicks, pots, pans, lids, foods and anything else your starving heart desires.
Natural Element Resource- Fire (from propane stoves)
Bonus Effects- One would find it hard to slip in this stage, however, a little grease goes a long way...

2Naota Takun

Mon Sep 24, 2012 12:04 am · id 343891695 · page 1

-1-

Naota was a fresh face in a sea of veterans. Heaven or Hell was a tournament known world(s) wide, and plenty of it's participants were just as famous in their own rights. The man knew he wasn't going to be having anyone cheer for him during his matches. Rather, he'd see it as a discredit to his abilities if he was in fact well known.

The odd digital armlet that the fighter had gotten when he first arrived had kicked on nearly five minutes prior with a surprisingly loud beep. Having done it's best to give Naota a heart attack, the FIGHTER gave him the details for his preliminary fight. Seems like his team captain had set him up with a match...in the kitchen.

Odd.

He got prepared in a hurry, making sure he was fully equipped for the upcoming fight. While he had the advantage of being an otherwise unknown element, the man was also rather oblivious to most of the fighters in the tournament. He was going into the fight just as blind as his opponent. Fitted in what was considered stereotypical ninja garb, even the man's face would be hidden behind an exotic mask. Form fitting porcelain, black as the rest of his outfit and with a golden scorpion painted over his face.

Leaving his quarters, Naota strode down the hallway and into the elevator. He'd do his best to collect his thoughts and plan for the upcoming fight, but it was difficult when you were dressed as a ninja in a small elevator with a bunch of spectators giving you funny looks while a funky piano plays out over a cheap speaker. Finally the doors would ding and slide open, allowing the man out. With only an occasional glance at the FIGHTER device strapped to his upper arm, Naota would find his way to the kitchen that was to be his arena.

It was decently spaceous, about what what one would expect for a high end hotel. He was also gracious that they'd cleared out their staff in preperation for this little event, though he was sure that there were plenty of people in the building who were upset at going hungry. A quick glance was spared for the surroundings. Noting the scattered cooking equipment as well as spying the canisters of flammable gas. Hazards that needed to be concious of at all times.

More importantly, he did not see his opponent anywhere. Being the first to arrive did have it's advantages...he could have easily positioned various things to his liking. But he decided against it. Dirty tricks in the preliminaries didn't sit too well with the shinobi. Instead, he'd pace out to the other side and proceed to wait for his opponent.

Gauntlet clad hands would find their way to comfortable positions gripping blades. A old and weathered katana strapped to his back, it's handle jutting out over his left shoulder. An odd looking dagger attached horizontally to his waist, the handle jutting out to the right. Aside from these, various pouches and canisters made it look like the man wore batman's belt. Finally, it would seem that he had a handful of throwing daggers strapped to his torso.

While he waited, the man would begin his charging.

3MifuneKinshin

Mon Sep 24, 2012 4:15 am · id 343894927 · page 1

It was a strange stage for a fight indeed. However, when informed about the match and the location, Mifune couldn't help but crack a slight grin. HOH was a huge event across various dimensions respectively. Though where this ronin came from it was just some out world tournament. The point being that the Yojimbo would have never thought of fighting anywhere but outside, in a ring, or in a arena. Regardless, a certain six foot gray haired swordsmen did show up to the appropriate building. Mifune wore what he *usually did in the way of high water Khakis, sandals, and a meager white dress shirt. One could note the jacket draped over his shoulders like a cape. Though by all means, most of the random gawkers were staring because of that Box of Swords. Things that were apparent but otherwise meaningless would be that stoic lack of expression written on an otherwise calm face. Perhaps the grass reed that hung from his mouth, twirled about so haphazardly without a thought. The way he trotted along carelessly, lugging his swords to a battle that would be presumably grueling and pivotal to placement in this tournament. The FIGHTER bracelet issued upon registration was strapped to Mifune's left ankle happily, where as his box was slung over his left shoulder, gripped tightly by the caution tape wrapping the strange carrying case. Eventually the ronin would find his way up the stairs and into the cleared out kitchen area. As fate would have it, Mifune entered from the opposite side of the room of the shinobi. Apparently from a apposing set of double doors. The first few moments upon stepping onto the battle field would be used to sweep the area with a keen gaze. From the various pots and pans, to cabinets, to appliances, to the perhaps flammable and or combustible containers that were so conveniently marked as such... 'Why the ****** did they leave that in here for this?!' Scary... Moving right along, that dull brown gaze would eventually fall on the shinobi. It seemed his opponent was already here. Already armed. 'Probably waiting impatiently for his otherwise all too tardy opponent.

"Oiy... Let's try not to ruin this place."

With those words the Yojimbo would pluck a single sword from the bouquet of handles slung over his left shoulder. The weight of upward of forty pounds would then suddenly slam into the floor of the kitchen. Mifune's eccentric container would be allowed to hit the ground. Only for toes to sweep a sandal sole against the luggage with a kick that would send it skidding backwards to stand beside the door he'd come in from. Apparently Infinite sword style was sitting out this duel. If allowed to do all of this; the ronin would rotate the dull edge of the selected blade outward, and place his left hand on the base of the hilt for a proper grip so he might square off with the ninja. Where as if the foe weren't so intent on giving him the luxury, Mifune's actions probably wouldn't be so lax. By all means he wasn't blood thirsty, but he didn't have his guard down just because he happened to show up late to the party.

*Mifune's usual attire

show spoilerhide spoiler

**Box of Swords

show spoilerhide spoiler

[1]

4Naota Takun

Mon Sep 24, 2012 2:46 pm · id 343911153 · page 1

-2-

Naota hailed from a far away land by the name of Rokugan. It shared endless similarities with a more commonly known country of Japan, though it seemed like it was locked in a feudal era. The blue haired fighter belonged to a clan there, the Scorpion. Known for their subtle and conniving ways, they always tried to appear a few steps ahead of their foes. Whatever preparing Naota had done prior to the arrival of his own opponent seemed to just fall short of what Mifune brought in.

A box filled with spare Katana. Though the shinobi was endlessly grateful that he at least was experienced against the weaponry, he was alarmed at the sheer quantity. Did this man have such an issue with being disarmed? Not likely. He no doubt had a strategy that involved using a large assortment. Naota had an idea of how that might work, though he couldn't imagine pulling it off himself. No, he'd come across his own techniques that work wonders.

On that note, he'd take his first 'attack' of the match. He'd allow Mifune to prepare himself, drawing a blade and kicking the case with the remainders back against the door. Naota would meanwhile release his grip on his dagger and reach out behind him. Metal clad fingers fumbled for a bit before they found their target; The light switch. Grinning coyly behind that mask of his, the Scorpion would casually flip off the lights in the kitchen before grabbing hold of the wall mount and ripping it out.

Thick darkness fell upon the empty and desolate kitchen, only a few stray beams of light forcing their way in from between the cracks in the doors. The faintest hint of florescent light to creep a few feet from the doors. Just like the ninjas of mainstream culture, Naota was a man of the shadows. It was just his luck that their match was in a place that he could feel so at home. Now, he certainly hoped this wasn't a wasted effort. If his opponent could still see in near perfect darkness he was in for some serious trouble.

To that end, the darkly clad fighter had never let his gaze drift away from Mifune. Keeping his focus on the Kata wielding foe with a deadly calm. Tournament or no, the masked fighter took this as if his life depended on it. He was hired to win, and in his land failure as a man without honor meant a crude death and your body dumped into a low ditch. Crouching low, Naota would ease his katana blade free from his back, curious as to what his opponent would do.

5MifuneKinshin

Mon Sep 24, 2012 9:05 pm · id 343933707 · page 1

On any other playing field Naota might have got to see something rather unique. Perhaps not ALL POWERFUL, or so DANGEROUSLY MAJESTIC YOU'LL CREAM YOUR PANTIES~, but Infinite sword style was quite the terror to behold for the first time. Twenty swords and the ability to create a radius of 'impending danger' could be intimidating. Granted Mifune wasn't exempt to the danger, it was just the kind of swordsmen he'd always been. Safety is an illusion on the battlefield, and if you aren't willing to step into the blender you should have never picked up your weapon. Those strangely lacking brown hues followed the shinobi's action. All the way up until darkness settled over the kitchen. One has to also consider that currently Mifune was being silhouetted against the swinging double serve doors that lead out to the actual dining area. Not only had Naota just dropped the curtain on his own movements and actions, but he'd left the two 'peek' windows worth of light from the other room to spill right over the Ronin. The Yojimbo had no means of seeing in the darkness, he also didn't care much to fumble blindly around the wall panels from a switch with his back to a shadow warrior. Still. When a ninja drops the spot light on you and fades into the darkness, it's safe to presume the engagement has started. Even as he stood there with legs spread out slightly and sword held in front of him, he'd begin to twist his body and cross step out of the light behind him. The florescence would be allowed to spill past him. Captured and refracted off the sword edge while he continued to shift his stance and accommodate the control of their only source of real light. The 'gleam' would be guided across the apposing side of the room and honed in on where he last saw the shinobi. When the glare fell on Naota's chest, Mifune would adeptly curl his sword ever so slightly to refract that section of glaring beams directly into his foe's eyes.

With the attempt at blinding the foe for a opening, the pit pat of sandal clad steps would accent Mifune dashing across the small expanse of darkness in the highly regarded Battle trot. It was basically just above a run, but not so pig headed of a dash that you can't control your actions or stop if needed. We all know that battle trot. Eyes were closed, sight forsaken with his enemy located and firmly grasped in his mind's eye. 'Keeping his ears and actual sense of touch more focused then anything during his actions. If everything came to fruition as planned, the Ronin would refract a gleam of light in order to locate and hinder his foe, then dash forward to attempt a clean sword swing at ear level. The cleave itself would just be a horizontal blow from Mifune's right to left [opposite for Naota obviously]. The dull edge of the sword was being used so that connection wasn't lethal if Mifune were to get so lucky. Albeit getting cold clocked with the dull edge of a sword full swing is not pleasant. Regardless of how right someone is to tell you about how stupid it is to swing a sword backwards; you'd better believe that two pounds of folded and secured steel is going to really ******** hurt.

[2]

6Naota Takun

Tue Sep 25, 2012 12:36 am · id 343940407 · page 1

-3-

Naota would have counted it one of Bayushi's Blessings that his opponent wasn't able to properly utilize his Infinite sword style, had been aware of the purpose of the large supply of secondary swords. It would have been something far out of his scope of previous experience, and would've likely done well in catching the blue haired fighter off guard. As it was, Naota was fighting on very familiar terms.

To say that Naota's home was in the shadows would be something of a cliche and a mockery of his Scorpion upbringing. Their sole and sworn duty in life was to protect from those threats that would come from the shadows. Some of his clansmen, Naota included, realized that they had to sacrifice their honor to do this and so save the honor of others. And so the man did take to the shadows, reluctantly washing away any sense of pride or honor in sight of the greater goal. In the scope of this tournament, that meant winning a victory for his team even if it meant making himself look bad in the process.

His samurai-like opponent handled the plunge into near darkness remarkably well. Naota diligently noted the man's reaction, slowly forming a better picture of what sort of fighter the other was. He'd already had an inclination purely from the use of katana and the subsequent near flawless form the man had with the blade. This just tempered the image in his mind. Crouched as he was now that the lights were gone, Mifune might have a little trouble locating his opponent with his impromptu spotlight. Mental kudos were also given for thinking on the fly, and the remarkably well polished blade. The light would eventually find it's way to the ninja's masked face in a clear attempt to blind him.

Seemed he wasn't the only one with some underhanded moves.

The effect wouldn't be as intense as expected. Naota's mask came equipped a pair of lenses over the eye holes. The type that were clear in the dark but became tinted in response to light. Given that it'd only been a couple seconds since the lights were out, they had only halfway cleared up. All the same, Naota wasn't too fond of getting spotted. He would roll to the side, darting further into the kitchen. To one side he'd have a line of stoves up against the wall. To the other side a heavy set metal table.

It was a good thing that the man rolled away when he did. Even without looking he could hear the powerful swing of Mifune's blade swing through the air. He was absolutely correct in the notion that with or without a blade, that was a weapon that Naota had no intention of being struck by. Broken bones were not a laughing matter. Narrowly dodging a dangerous blow, Naota would twirl about to face his foe. Hopefully he had darkness to his advantage now. Where as Mifune's eyes may adjust to see vague and blurry shapes, Naota was not so limited.

show spoilerhide spoilerCat's Eyes - Naota's eyes have the (un)fortunate addition of tapetum lucidum, which is a reflective layer behind the retina that sends light that passes through the retina back into the eye. This allows for his vision to be much better at night time, though bright lights are painful. This is counteracted by the lenses in his mask, so long as it stays on.

Still low to the ground, the blue haired shinobi would finally draw his katana, and in the same fluid motion draw his dagger. The katana would be kept high and horizontal. In these close confines he doubted he'd be able to make the accurate cuts needed to grasp victory against a skilled swordsman. Instead, it'd be primarily used as a shield. Fend off the other man's likely clumsy swings while driving home a dagger strike. Like the one he made now, stepping close and aiming to clip the other man's closer knee.

The plan was fairly simple. Disable the dangerous opponent one step at a time. Take out his sight. Take out his mobility. Take out the man.

7MifuneKinshin

Tue Sep 25, 2012 3:26 am · id 343942045 · page 1

Witches and Weapon Meister alike knew of Mifune Yojimbo. A man who's blade is remarked as supernatural, though quite mundane and wielded by a plain as day mortal. As ratty as he was, and as torn as those Khaki's and sandals were, one had to give the ronin credit where it was due. It has already been noted that Mifune has no vision. Literally there were just two rather small square peek holes on the doors he'd come through. Which provided two meager beams of light cast over the kitchen floor. Sure enough though, the foe wasn't about to allow a mere glimmer throw him off enough to get K.O.'ed. Bully. Bully indeed. Even so, Mifune had no intentions of standing still after his swing and 'a miss'. The foe's roll was noted within the rustle of fabric and sudden displacement of air.

A sword was drawn. With senses honed in the way they were, Mifune would never miss that slight near silent click. The ronin would have already righted himself soon after the foe's tumble. Might have even been blindly staring at the masked foe while the weapons were drawn. Now it was merely an issue of taking a hurried step backwards away from the flurry of motion and soft foot falls. Mah Blade would be pulled across his persons defensively within the motion. Naota had to be given credit though, even when the dagger was brought in for a swipe, Mifune barely had time to even realize the blade he noted being drawn wasn't being swung. In a situation like this where the source of danger isn't discernible, it was best not to react on intuition to the rustle of the advance. If not solely to save himself a nasty surprise from the ninja's confusing charge. Without knowing what transpired in the dark fully, Mifune would scoot himself back up against the counter with a hurried step and avoid the blow altogether. In doing so, he'd forget how close the structure was. With the sudden obstruction, his left hand would leave 'Mah Blade'' to reach back and find solidity of the counter top. Instead that hand found the solid steel handle of a frying pan conveniently left out. Come to think of it? There was allot of stuff just laying around on the counters? It was as if they wanted the fighters to utilize this environment to it's fullest natural potential. Seemed so far, neither competitor was short any lick of ingenuity though. With the lights out this was a whole new hazard zone. Regardless, the slight clatter caused the Ronin to react. In a single motion, fingers wrapped the metal and the object was snatched up.

Without much time for the distraction of a sound to go off, the gleam of cookery pass through the air from Mifune chucking the pan at Naota's presumed position. FLYING FRYING PAN NO JUTSU. /clears throat. I apologize for my outburst...Continuing the narrative; It was thrown low with the assumption the man was in some sort of crouch or low stance. Ironically the truth was Naota's stance was lower then predicted, and the projectile cookery was flung at near face level when it was intended for the chest. The object was carrying pretty dangerous momentum, but far be it from someone to speculate this was a move with lethal intentions. Yea... Pretty ridiculous. Not only was the pan pretty heavy, but it'd be a great assessment of the shinobi's level of visibility in this blind chamber. Either way Mifune would open his eyes and allow them to adjust the darkness. Even so, he wasn't relying on them, or fretting that they weren't focusing quick enough. He'd trained long and hard, and won many a fight with dust, sand, and blood obscuring his vision. Sight is just a tool, and when the tool is not useful you merely set it at ease. Panic would only hinder the situation. A full hearty nature would only lead to one's failure. A fight in the dark with a ninja need be approached calmly with a sharp whit, a careful disposition, and projectile pans apparently. If allowed to full on chuck the object, the Ronin would place the left hand used to do so back to his sword. Legs would spread out, back would hunch slightly, low center of gravity would be taken up with a** inches from the cabinets and counter behind him.

'Not a good position...'

A stray thought noting on how being backed against anything in a one on one fight can be rather detrimental.

[*Mah blade is just the name of his sword and all the duplicates in the box... Don't ask me why I never gave it a cool name... o3o]

[3]

8Naota Takun

Tue Sep 25, 2012 2:35 pm · id 343958111 · page 1

-4-

The Ronin did have some similarities, even if their method of combat was leagues apart. Naota was a mere mortal walking amongst many who seemed like gods. His first time stepping foot in Gaian Prime was an eye opening and humbling experience, as it seemed everyone around him had powers he felt reserved for those higher on the celestial order than him. In time, though, he grew accustomed. Adapted, just like his opponent likely did. Overcame his supposed weakness to find himself in this darkened kitchen turned arena.

Even as Naota drew his blades and made his own feeble attempt at a strike, he continued to study his opponent. The closed eyes and unfocused gaze indicated that the man's sight truly had been hampered with. Or he was as good an actor as those back at the Shosuro playhouse. For the moment, Naota opted to believe the former. Still, even with his sight dampened the man was able to predict and avoid the shinobi's return strike. His dagger slicing through nothing but air, Naota was poised to follow up with another quick blow now that he had Mifune pinned against a counter...

But then frying pan.

Out of what seemed like nowhere, Mifune managed to produce a heavy cast iron frying pan, which he'd promptly toss towards his unseen aggressor. It was a surprise for the man, who'd only accounted for the katana in the ronin's other hand as a weapon. His assault was halted and beaten back, as the cooking device was tossed for his head. Naota had seen that movie Tangled up in his hotel room, he knew these things were dangerous. As such, he'd deflect the metal pan with his katana. Letting it glance off of his blade with an audio CLINK and go crashing off into the kitchen somewhere behind him.

Pulling back a few steps Naota would be forced to reassess the situation. Try as he might to limit his foe, he continued to be able to piece together the ninja's location. The previous time was a bit more obvious, but now....it was a remarkably accurate shot at his head. Running through the options in his head, the fighter would try to figure out it was that was cluing the man in. Some sort of aura detection? Tremor sense? Then it hit him, much like that loud frying pan almost did. It was sound!

Feeling like a fool for not realizing it sooner, Naota had very few options on how to correct this. But there was one that seemed far and above the others. There were still a row of stoves to his right, the sort that give off a lot of heat and potentially smoke. Any kitchen worth anything would have a serious ventilation system in place for this. A quick glance up would confirm. Rising to his feet and backpedaling a few steps away from Mifune, Naota would also find himself back up against a wall. But a wall with the switch controlling the vents. With a flick of his fingers they would roar to life, and hopefully drown out the sound of one of his throwing getting pulled free from it's snug location on his side.

And with what was hopefully deadly accuracy, he would toss the weapon at his opponent's gut. A test more than anything, probing to see if the other man would be able to react.

9MifuneKinshin

Tue Sep 25, 2012 6:18 pm · id 343970845 · page 1

The sound of blade against pan didn't go unnoticed, and if Naota cared to notice himself, a vicious sword swing would carve it's way through where he'd been crouching for that block. When Mifune had lunge stepped forward was up to speculation. In fact if not for the darkness the ronin might never have taken a reckless stroke and divulged the speed in his resolve. Still, with that swing and a miss he felt the slightest vibrations of retreating foot steps. The advance had been forsaken due to frying pan. The foe was losing his calm to some degree perhaps? Perhaps he was unsettled by the fact the darkness wasn't protecting him.

"The path of the demon won't serve you here."

His voice wasn't demanding. Or so smooth and creamy women melted. It was a rather soft spoken voice with a startling sure footed undertone. The voice of a young man forced to grow up too fast. The voice of someone who'd experienced great gain, and great loss alike. The statement however was a reference to the path of those who chose to fight in his own world. The path of the demon, or darkness; refers to the selfish combatants whom serve themselves with their blade. Where as the path of the soldier, or the warrior; refers to those who serve others, or duty. Naota was not Mifune's first shinobi opponent. So far the Yojimbo had felled one on the path of darkness, and saved one from the same path. This comment was just meant to unsettle the foe further. To drive in the point that Mifune while quite human, was inhumanly skilled. He didn't earn the nick name Kenshin [Sword God] by being the second best. Without knowledge of what the foe was attempting, the ronin would follow the rustle and foot steps. The battle trot served to bring him nearly upon his foe to follow the course. Even so, the sudden blare of white noise was dropped over the scene from various roaring over head fans. 'Dirty...' Even so, the shinobi had a follow up, and the entirety of his movement in throwing the dagger was almost unnoticeable. In fact, if not for the sudden rustle that ears were listens so hard for, and the break in the air that caused the slightest whistle of flying blade, Mifune would have had no idea what 'the sudden shift' eluded to. Even so, the Yojimbo was finely honed in at this point. At first his mind's eye was having trouble grasping the foe's presence. He wasn't used to acclimating in such a harsh environment. However with that flick of the fans, and chuck of a dagger it was clear he needed to apply more pressure. He needed to focus so far through his foe's intentions that victory would manifest without doubt.

CHING~

Off the sense of sound and displacement alone, the dagger was located mid flight via that slight distinct whistle. Within a single movement, 'Mah Blade' was brought into a upward flourish that would sweep through the trajectory and send the projectile flipping up into the ceiling. Even so, the Ronin would turn his body side ways while performing the action, just in case he did miss with his block. Regardless, Mifune wasn't intent on letting up now that he was out of the corner. Even as he flourished his blade, and twist to the side to point his left shoulder at the foe, he'd allow his left hand to reach up and pinch the shoulder of his coat. Only to shoot forward and throw the large brown article out over where he'd last noted Naota.

'Nothing special about dirty...'

Regardless of the foe's reaction to the sudden obscuring of vision from the article of clothing, 'Mah Blade' would be following close en route for a over head vertical smash. The idea was to create a veil with the article of clothing, then swipe directly through the distraction for a direct hit. Apparently he intended to capture, blind, and bludgeon his foe all at once. Though really catching a ninja is a task more suited to a master ball. Naota would probably break free of the coat after one or two jiggles. ;~; zzzzz.

[4]

10Naota Takun

Wed Sep 26, 2012 12:32 am · id 343989217 · page 1

-5-

"The path of the demon won't serve you here."

Path of the demon? No...this man had it all wrong, though Naota couldn't blame him for the assumption. Plenty of the peasant folk attributed the techniques of his dojo to supernatural or demonic tendencies, but that was far from the truth. There had been a time when it was, when the Scorpion clan made a back with the Nothing. The Living Darkness. It'd cost many men souls and untold bloodshed to free themselves from it's corrupting grasp. No, to protect those you care about from the shadows you had to walk them, not become them.

The comment did little to affect Naota's resolve. No doubt like his opponent, he was a calm and calculating type of fighter. He'd made his peace with things such as ego and emotion. There was no room for them in the face of unyielding duty. It'd been drilled into him from a young age to be unflinching in the face of any request, any oddity, or any danger. He had no use for being reknown as a talented fighter, nor (sadly) no interest in the touch of a lover. It was a bitter life, but it was one that he'd thrown himself into fully. So the man's comment and skill with the blade would leave his opponent unphased.

With a ping that could be heard even over the vent system, the ninja's throwing dagger would be deflected, bouncing off of Mifune's blocking blade and embedding itself into the plaster ceiling above him. A disappointing turn of events, given the lengths that Naota was going to for a bit of stealth. It was clear that his current strategy wasn't going to work, but he was an adapting man. And unlike many of his Dojo mates, he'd had some experience in a contest of blades. It was clear that was what this was going to come down to.

And just as Naota made the commitment to a duel of swords, Mifune would steal a page directly out of his playbook. Using your coat to hide your movements was a technique commonly found among the Scorpion samurai, a skill that Naota himself had picked up and was for the most part the sole reason he'd brought a full length cloak to the tournament. He just figured it would be a hindrance in these tight confines. Even without seeing the exact attack coming from being the brown cloth, the shinobi knew one was coming, though he'd be left to guess as to how it came.

Overhead slash, thrust, horizontal cut. There were a lot of options. Given enough time to properly study over what he'd gleaned of his opponent, Naota might be able to guess that smash was coming. Of course, he didn't have however many hours that might take. Instead, he moved off of instinct. His own katana was still clutched in one hand, held before him defensively. Naturally the coat would impact this first. To drive the point home, he actually made a step towards the charging Ronin.

In the process of taking that step, though, the man would fall down to his knees. The blade, getting shifted horizontally, would find itself caught over the gap. Handle connecting with the cooking table to one side, end of the blade on a stove top on the other. By crouching low and placing that above him, he'd in theory be able to account for anything aside from an upward slash which seemed the most unlikely option. It'd also snag the man's coat to avoid getting too entangled.

From his low to the ground position Naota would slash out blindly, having drawn the dagger from his waist in his decent with his other hand. His hope was to slash one of the man's legs with it. There was still the chance that Mifune would come barreling into him in the dark like that, but it was a risk he was willing to take. But the chance to disable a limb was worth it.

Should the blade connect:

show spoilerhide spoilerDaedric Dagger - Weapon obtained from a fallen foe early in his arrival to Gaia. Including the lightly curved blade the weapon is roughly 41 cm in length.Reference for design. Supposedly has a Daedric soul trapped in it, causing the blade to drain energy on contact with living creatures. A slash would result in temporarily numbness and mild local paralysis for 1 post. Requires 1 post to charge.

11MifuneKinshin

Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:51 am · id 343990139 · page 1

As noted, it was merely a jab to the ego. If the shinobi had no doubt or reason to feel the sting then it would just settle between them as such. Even so, the clang of blade on dagger was rather loud in it's own. The second resound of the projectile itself essentially rang out while Mifune's blade clashed over a waiting edge beneath the coat. CLANG! In process of the connection however, the ronin would follow through with his full strength. Possibly even driving the foe's blade down and touching 'Mah Blade's' dull sword edge to shoulder. If not for the bite of that dagger and the near instant sapping of strength in his left leg, Mifune might have pressured in a second blow on strength alone. As it stood though, his limb wanted to go limp on him. This was an issue. Even without control of his leg, he had the connection of his blade and his foes? On top of that, he had his right leg, which would straighten while he straightened his own arms in a forceful shoving motion. In a single smooth movement, the ronin would throw himself up and backwards off his foe's positioned to stand on his single right leg.

He wasn't more then two feet away from the crouched mass where his foe was presumed to be. Even so, his right hand was drawn down to his hip, pulling the katana's length defensively across his front in preparation for close quarter combat. With the ability to use his left leg gone [until next post], the Yojimbo was content to take a moment to gain his balance and stare hard through the darkness. All this while his eyes had been adjusting. Currently he could just make out the mass of thicker black in the shadows. His own coat, and Naota's outfit standing out against the natural metal and white coloring of the floor and their surroundings. No words were spoken to give away the fact that a second blow wasn't coming. No advance was dare attempted with a bum leg. 'Mah Blade' was merely held there while the Yojimbo stood his shaky ground on a single leg. The gash itself was shallow and just above his knee, but thankfully it wasn't going to end up hindering mobility when the swordsmen did realize he could move it again. For now;

'don't take your focus off him...'

[5]

12Naota Takun

Thu Sep 27, 2012 1:44 pm · id 344061131 · page 1

-6-

It was the motto of the Bayushi Bushi dojo to always "Strike first, Strike last". The theory was that your first blow should also be the final one in a fight. Clearly that wasn't happening here, as capable as his opponent was. So one had to adapt the meaning. By landing the first strike, he set himself up with a superior advantage. Thus, getting the first strike ensure's you'll be the one to land the last. It was a close call though, the man's 'Mah Blade' colliding with his own sword with a loud ring merely inches above where he crouched. Should his katana have been capable of bending at all, he would have likely been left with a broken collarbone or perhaps worse. There was strength in Mifune's arms.

Naota felt his dagger strike his opponent's leg, and though the slash was shallow and mostly superficial, it had a string. Just like a scorpion's tail, it'd sap the strength from the opponent, causing him to awkwardly retreat on only his right leg. Naota and Mifune both knew that this was the moment to take advantage of. His senses and movement were both crippled, however temporarily. So the shinobi would burst forth from his hiding location, katana left behind for the moment. To capitalize on this opening, he would have to make sacrifices.

Bursting up and out from his crouched position, Naota would note the man's defensive stance clearly. He wouldn't have much in the way of balance, or force to block or counter attack. All the same, the man was a very careful fighter. He wasn't as insightful as many Shosuro, but he tried his best. The already drawn dagger would be thrust towards the man's extended katana, in hopes of catching the man's blade in the handleguard and thus gaining some control of the weapon. Meanwhile, Naota's spare left hand would draw another throwing dagger from his side, and in the same graceful movement try to plunge it into the man's upper hip area.

He was purposely aiming to avoid serious vitals, as this was a nonlethal tournament. His hopes was to further debilitate Mifune, make it difficult to dodge around in the dark and thus open the man up to future attacks. Weaken him before he had a chance to make a comeback. Naota wasn't a fool, after all. It was clear that his opponent was more talented with a blade. Possibly even stronger. He had to bring the man down to his own level.

13MifuneKinshin

Thu Sep 27, 2012 7:16 pm · id 344076287 · page 1

So in near total darkness under the thrumming of the overhead fan the nin would charge down the ronin. The spacing was hardly good enough. The fact his left leg could only touch down to the ground and merely provide a anchor was unsatisfying to any stance. Regardless Mifune could just barely make out that figure. That single lunge would cause enough displacement in the air to warrant action from the crippled ronin. Even with his leg still dead [I'll give it a bit more paralysis to make it worth a post], Mifune was well aware that this moment was pivotal to the flow of combat. A foot hold for the enemy could spell defeat, and Naota had already strung up his ladder to victory. Clang of blade against dagger didn't warrant a mere dead lock. In fact oddly enough Mifune would twist himself on his single foot to help deal with the back shift in momentum. Even as the second dagger came in to stab at the hip, Mifune would bring his right shoulder around to point at the enemy, left side of his body twisting backwards. Second hand would leave the hilt of 'Mah Blade' while it snapped down to the counter behind for leverage and balance. Within the reaction of basically falling out of the way of the second jab; strength would be applied via leaning into Naota to keep the entangled weapon at bay.

Only once he'd nearly fallen did the ronin realize he could move his leg. In fact it was the reaction of needing to catch himself in the first place that 'woke up' his muscles. Without a second though Mifune's first reaction was to put the 'awoken tool' to good use. It was a long shot by all means, but with the near exact opposite motion that he'd fallen, the ronin would whip right back into his foe. The left hand on the adjacent metal stove counter top was used as leverage for the motion. Right hand's sword entangled with blade would draw the weapon further right with the motion tugging on Naota awkwardly. Right heel of his 'leverage leg' was twisted about on again. Except with this version Mifune would half-twist back into his foe and aim to slam the heel of his left foot straight against Naota's general face region. Again though, Mifune was working off of his lack of sight and educated guesses, and unfortunately for him he was aiming more into the chest area just above the solar plexus. So if everything came to fruition, the man would twist out of the way of his foe with a mere clash of blades, only to twist right back into him. Aiming a vicious left heel into the chest region. The momentum from the motion and the low stance of his foe would no doubt send Naota tumbling backwards if connection were to be had. Putting him back in the corner...

Either way Mifune was bleeding from that particular knee and seemed to care little for it. Over all if not for the fact his eyes had adjusted as much as humanly possible to this low light level, he'd be really boned at the moment in this particular environment with this particular match up. If nothing else he'd feel well deserved in his placement if his team did move on. Whatever the outcome, if both parties were capable of giving and receiving, Mifune felt he was going to have to pay respect to his wily yet infinitely skilled opponent. This had been quite a intense and intriguing battle so far.

[6]

14Naota Takun

Fri Sep 28, 2012 11:40 am · id 344098649 · page 1

-7-

Naota's assaulted was performed with a practiced grace and efficiency, aiming to lock down the man's apparent means of a counter attack before lashing out. Unfortunately for him, he underestimated Mifune's close quarters capabilities. The ronin would twist and jerk about in a way that struck Naota as similar to that foolish drunken master type of martial arts one constantly hears about. But despite all that, his moves allowed for the ninja's blade to connect with nothing more than air and the counter top behind the swordsman.

Unfortunately, the Scorpion's venom didn't last for long and his opponent was already rapidly recovering from the effects. By the time that Naota's charge was thwarted, Mifune had recovered and was on the rebound. Apparently aiming to separate the pair and reset the fight, the man twist about one more aiming to land a solid kick towards the shinobi's black mass of a chest. His aim was good, and his balance recovered quickly. As agile and nimble as the Scorpion was, he didn't have a way to properly dodge the attack either. As it was, both hands had already been dedicated to something. The best he could do would be to push off away from the opponent. Throwing himself with the kick to marginalize the damage and save his sternum from getting cracked in half.

No matter how fancy his defense was, he was still going to be waking up with a horrible bruise the next morning.

Stumbling backwards from Mifune's kick, Naota would of course knock over the katana resting a little ways back from him. The blade clattering to the ground as he backed up past it. It was clear now that he'd made a mistake not recovering it before assaulting, but he couldn't live in the past. Keeping an eye on the blade wielding foe, the shinobi would toss his throwing dagger at the man, once again aiming for his torso. He doubted it would connect, as it was meant to keep him at bay long enough to snatch up his katana once more.

"Lets end this..." He'd finally state, voice cold and devoid of emotion.

15MifuneKinshin

Fri Sep 28, 2012 10:16 pm · id 344122337 · page 1

Over all Mifune really had to step through with his kick. The motion altogether left him spread out rather wide in his stance. Even so, within the confines of white noise, and darkness, the man had adapted. Even now, his eyes could just barely make out the mass of deeper black shifting against white tile and steel backdrop. The object thrown drew more attention to itself due to the displacement, though by all means Mifune was far more concerned with the clatter of sword the foe was stepping into. He wouldn't dare go for it? Would he? Mifune would lift up and straighten himself fluently, turning side ways while he did so to allow the dagger pass right by. The tink and clatter of the weapon wouldn't go unnoticed behind him, though more directly Mifune was focused on the shinobi. Even as the foe went to snatch his weapon the ronin would flip his sword into a underhand grip. Only to real back the weapon as if it were a spear. With this proximity and the adjustments of sight, the silver haired swordsman could at least boast being able to spot the outline of his targets. Even with two meager squares of light alone pouring into the kitchen, Naota was just unlucky that he hadn't worn white or gray to backdrop better with his surroundings. Worse then that, he spoke. Target acquired.

"Lets end this..."

'It's already over...'

Right hand would rocket forward, and he'd full on spear chuck 'Mah Blade' at the nearest upper thigh of his foe. For the longest time in the dark, Mifune had been aiming higher then he would have liked. Only now, with the clatter of foot on blade, a guiding voice, and the slightest amount of help from his eyes; could he actually make out a proper target. Which meant he could demonstrate the projectile capacity of his swords to his foe. 'Mah Blade' itself would fly like a spear as it flashed between them, demonstrating insane strength and practice used in the technique. If Naota wasn't quick as a cat, and quicker to react, he'd find his leg katana skewered within moments of retrieving his blade.

Regardless of the outcome of the thrown sword, Mifune would take two dashing steps forward. In process of his advance he'd reach upward to snatch the handle of *Naota's dagger from the overhead fan where it was last stuck. Even as the two combatants had clashed; the strange shape of the blade had been jiggling and creating a distinct vibration where it was lodged. It was perfect. Armed with a underhanded grip on the shinobi's own debilitating weaponry, Mifune was very intent to grant his opponents request in the next few moves. Even as he attempted to converge on his foe, the reed hanging from his lips was dropped and discarded. Left to float unnoticeable to the kitchen floor in the darkness... That meant Mifune was letting out the Kenshin. He was GETTING SERIOUS~

[*Naota's Dagger: This would be the one that was deflected and stuck in the over head a couple posts ago.]

[7]

16Naota Takun

Sun Sep 30, 2012 12:40 am · id 344173667 · page 2

-8-

Naota did dare to go for it. Crouching down to scoop up his katana, it would appear that Mifune chose a seemingly perfect time to try and launch an attach at his opponent. Catch him while he's already committed to a motion so as to limit his capability to dodge. The man was crafty, and would likely do well among the Scorpion bushi of Rokugan. However, the method of attack certainly left something to be desired. Katanas weren't really meant for throwing.

The blade would plunge towards Naota's mid thigh as the swordsman expected, even as Naota began to rise up with his reclaimed katana. He didn't have time to react even, with the force behind the Mah Blade. So he didn't. He kept raising his hands up, seeing as they were already passing in front of his thighs already. And they were thankfully a bit more protect than his cloth covered thighs.

show spoilerhide spoilerGauntlets - Made of alloy steel and dyed a dull black, the twin pair of gauntlets are actually attached to Naota's hands. This makes for an unpleasant experience trying to remove them, as it usually pulls off some layers of skin in the process. In return, they maintain a firm grip on whatever he grabs with them due to their near perfect fit and the finger print like ridges on each finger. This just helps counteract the loss of grip one would expect by covering one's fingers in smooth metal

Twang!

The man's blade would ricochet off of the metal gauntlets. And while it would manage to bounce up and collide with his shoulder before clambering into the dark behind him, the blade was blunted and wouldn't be able to do significant damage. Damage or not, Mifune didn't waste any time in charging in after his weapon. No doubt seeking to capitalize on whatever opening he'd made, the man had managed to snag one of Naota's throwing daggers lodged in the ceiling to rearm himself. Which made you wonder...how good is a swordsman without his sword?

Not one to take that question lightly, the shinobi would raise both his own wicked dagger and his newly reclaimed katana at the rushing man. The dagger held in close to his aching and throbbing chest defensively, while the much longer reach of his sword would be put to better use in an upwards slash at the approaching man. It wouldn't be a fight ending blow if it connected, given that it was a one handed swing, but it was hopefully enough to make the man realize that he should've been taking this serious from the very beginning.

17MifuneKinshin

Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:25 am · id 344175423 · page 2

While swords are not known for being projectile weapons, Mifune had enough practice and application in doing so with 'Mah Blade' and all the replicas that a 'straight arrow' shot wasn't far from his capabilities. To top that off, 'sword chucking' was something Mifune was rather infamous for. Not just the act itself, but for his accuracy and power delivered in the action. Regardless of the Kenshin's well known prowess in unorthodox sword play, he was also well versed with most bladed weapons. Naota did well to use his own positioning, motion, and armaments to aid in deflecting the flying sword with minimal damage. Regardless, Mifune was charging into position with a disposition that may appear as reckless abandon. Realistically he was honed in on his foe, senses pushed to the furthest human limits. Not only that, he was driving his body to that unreal output that had caused so many comrades of crushed enemy to swear The Kenshin wasn't human. The silver haired swordsman only boasted his right fingers in a solid under hand grip around the stray yet not forgotten dagger. His free left hand would be cradled near his left hip during the battle charge.

TWANG!

CLANG!

*THWACK!~

Even as Naota took a well aimed upward slash at the ronin, he'd find Mifune would jab a downward punch with the dagger while taking a small leap into his foe's position. The dagger in hand was used to catch and press downward and off to the left side of his intended path's trajectory. In doing so the Yojimbo would have already cocked his left hand by sliding it up to cradle underneath his armpit. This was done so that when the shinobi's blade passed by the side of the Ronin; he could counter twist his body from the deflecting force and drive all of his remaining momentum into a vicious palm shot with unreal speed in delivery. If Mifune had his way, he'd deflect the sword blow and slip into his foes guard to crush Naota's nose with his left palm in a single fluent movement. One could rest assured that palm strike carried unnatural strength and force behind it. It was delivered as the ronin's EPICERU FINAL BRO! [Translation: Epic final blow] Poetically one might muse he was striking with the sword of his spirit, channeling all of his strength through his palm for a HYPER COMBO K.O. Whatever the outcome of the palm shot attempt, Mifune would probably find footing deep within Naota's bubble of safety. If nothing else this would have to strike the nin as humorous. Deja vu on a flip scale perhaps?

[*Thwack: The sound really depends on if Mifune lands his palm shot.]

[8]

18Naota Takun

Sun Sep 30, 2012 6:26 pm · id 344204605 · page 2

-9-

So perhaps the tossed sword was a glimpse at the other man's unique style of fighting. The large quantity of swords he carried around made it so that he could use them as projectiles freely. Perhaps there was more to it, but it was a style that Naota was destined to never see in full. He'd just have to settle for this short demonstration, thought the attack didn't connect as well as the other many hoped.

Regardless, Mifune would continue his rush in on Naota. It would seem whatever minor advantage the shinobi had gained in the dark room was lost at this point, though there was the question of whether he'd had one to begin with. There were plenty other tricks that the masked fighter had up his sleeves, several that could likely deal with this direct confrontation...but he could use them just yet. He'd sworn to himself to hold off until the real matches. If he went all out, he'd have nothing left for the later fights. It was a balancing act, one that Naota hoped he'd gambled right on.

His katana slid gracefully through the air in an upwards slash, aimed in such a way to make a light cut across Mifune's front. It was a pain to make sure that the blows weren't lethal, but it was one of only a few rules that the shinobi felt obligated to honor. And for this weakness, his strike was aptly blocked by the swordsman. Using one of his own throwing daggers to block the sword and pushing it out and away towards Naota's left. Here is where things would get tricky. They both seemed to see an opening and try to capitalize on it.

While Mifune threw a hard thrust with his palm aimed for the shinobi's face, Naota was bringing his right out in an attempted thrust of it's own. Aiming to make it clear that closing in on the blue haired fighter was not to be taken lightly, the man lashed out with his dagger. Having already been clutched defensively near his chest, and with Mifune all but trying to close the distance himself, it would stand to some level of logic that the blade would find it's home in the man's shoulder. That doesn't change the fact that there was a palm aimed for his face.

Well, there wasn't much that the masked fighter could do at that point. He'd jerk his head away to save his nose from getting utterly destroyed, but that just meant that the attack would land with a still powerful blow to his face. The saving grace would come with sound of a loud crack and following shattering noises. Mifune's palm shot had managed to completely destroy Naota's mask! The porcelain cracking and falling from his face under the power of the blow.

Bouncing back from the blow would have the shinobi backing up a step or two, now close to the wall once more.

19MifuneKinshin

Sun Sep 30, 2012 7:27 pm · id 344208537 · page 2

Even if the Yojimbo couldn't incapacitate and finish the fight with the blow, it didn't seem short for any effectiveness. Granted, his left arm full on flopped down near numb soon after the follow through. Wonderful. The ronin could feel it but it didn't seem to register right away, that there was a dagger tip in the soft skin between his shoulder and collar bone for all of a moment. That stab was enough though to render the arm numb and worthless. Despite the fact of the matter the nin was forced back a few steps. One of which steps caused a certain clatter to catch Mifune's attention. 'Mah Blade' presumably being kicked and twirled within the fumbling foot steps. Unlucky for Naota the hilt of said weapon knocked straight into Mifune's left foot's placement. There was no time to work out the end game, with the foe backed into a corner, it was best to continue the onslaught. One armed or not, the silver haired swordsmen wasn't intent on letting up on Naota one inch. Within this proximity, and with such focus devoted to keeping the man on radar, even the thrum of the over head in the near pitch black of the kitchen wasn't enough to hinder Mifune. The dagger would be thrown straight shot style at the shinobi's presumed center of mass. In doing so, Mifune's left foot's toes would curl up and scoot out toward 'Mah Blade'.

With the handle precariously secured beneath toe to sandal sole, the swordsman would lift his knee sharply and spread his toes in process while flicking his ankle appropriately. Possibly the weirdest thing you'll ever see a swordsmen do during combat. All of which was done to toss 'Mah Blade' handle first into his waiting right hand's grasp so he could slap his sandal back to the floor. Left arm or not, the dagger thrown was merely a ploy to buy time for monkey foot tactics. Even so, with katana in grip, and length of blade brought horizontal across his body defensively, Mifune would spread his legs out into a rather low horse stance, and hunch his shoulders forward ever so slightly. Clearly preparing to make a Honest Spartans Attempt at over powering his foe one armed to retain this position of dominance. Even with the harsh transition between the fighter's bruises to cuts, the Kenshin was unwavering in resolve. That analogous finely honed blade of the spirit was still pointed directly at Naota, waiting to strike him down when a proper opening divulged existence.

[9]

20Naota Takun

Mon Oct 01, 2012 3:26 pm · id 344239989 · page 2

-10-

His head throbbed, his face ached, and his lungs felt like they were on fire each time they took a breath. Though he'd had no cuts or gashes, Naota wasn't any better off than his opponent current. Even without his sword, Mifune managed to make the most of a bad situation and apply some damage. However, from the look on the shinobi's face, you wouldn't guess it. The black scorpion masked getting removed only revealed a new on behind it. The ninja's true face, of course, but one that was devoid of any real life to it. No intensity, to no concern. Just bland, neutral.

The man was truly broken inside, a side effect of pushing himself towards his goals. Where Mifune came blessed with seemingly superhuman strength and dexterity, Naota was forced to train and regiment himself both physically and mentally. So twisted up that he'd never even been allowed to know a woman's soft touch. There was no room for love and happiness in his regiments. And still, it was made clear that with his hardwork he fell short physically. The hope then fell to his cleverness and ingenuity in combat, for whatever good that'd done him so far this fight.

These were the cards he was dealt, and these were the cards he would play. There was little to no room to retreat with, no tricks or gimmicks left that he would sacrifice to try and win this fight. He was forced to stand his ground and rely on his cunning talent with the blade, subpar as it was in comparison. Naota's dagger would be flung back at himself, though the attack was quickly deflected not long after it left the man's hand. Having been used to block the unmasked fighter's katana previously, Naota was more than happy to keep the two weapons interlocked. So it was a quick movement to bring the blade about slightly and send the throwing weapon ricocheting across one of the metal table tops.

It did serve it's purpose, however, in allowing for Mifune to snatch up his own sword once more. It was like a reset, really. Leaving the pair to square off in close confines. Both with their weapons ready. Naota studied the ronin, eagerly searching for an opening that wasn't there. One armed as he was, the swordsman was still dangerous. Lions were most ferocious once cornered. Without any other options, Naota knew he'd have to fight his way out of the corner. That in mind, he'd make his attack

Sword again making the initial slash, coming up diagonally towards the man's torso and towards his sword arm. Again, a ploy to get him to try and block the larger weapon leaving Naota able to dip in and slip his dagger in through the newly created hole in his defense. He'd move to do just that too, until..

BEEP BOOP TIME UP

With a flash of light and some loud noise, the FIGHTER on his arm would go off signaling the match's end moments before he finished trying to thrust. Assuming that Mifune doesn't slice him to pieces in that time frame, the shinobi would back off of his assault and relax his weapons.

21MifuneKinshin

Mon Oct 01, 2012 5:42 pm · id 344245975 · page 2

Each slow and focused breath was drawn out and dragged slightly ragged near the end of the exhale. As inhumanly skilled as he was, he still breathed. Pumped blood. His stamina pool as ungodly as it was didn't go untouched. Sure enough, Naota worked hard for his body and skill. Most combatants did. To presume Mifune was blessed with some meta-gift; was trifling at best. This was Mifune Yojimbo, the man who'd defied all organized crime, and even gone so far as to kill of Al Capone and his gang when they even so much as pressured an inch against the witch Angela. The Kenshin wasn't a title gifted to a person. It wasn't some boastful threat to be thrown into the faces of enemies. It wasn't a boon he could give to his own son if were ever so lucky as to get the chance to lay down his sword. It was merely what they had all come to recognize in those eyes. That demonic sword stroke. The way a gleaming arrow of silver could race across a battle field and prove to skewer you as a katana. Dexterity of some mythological monkey, and the stamina of a vampire cheetah. Tiger's blood, and not a single ounce of doubt or regret to stifle this potent blend of Epic Winning. Men of power usually grow to their stature, and Naota would do well to remember that in an arena of giants, a mortal soul can still stand just as tall as any monster. The Kenshin was testament to that.

CLANG

Katana met Katana in the form of Mifune's one handed grip on his sword catching his foe's approach. Even as the dagger blow came in, the swordsman's free left hand would slip down with insane precision and speed. The dagger point would pass between waiting spread fingers before the awkward hand guard slammed up against the inside of knuckles. Digits would curl around Naota's fist right as their FIGHTER's went off in unison between them.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Alarm mode. ;] Even within his precision; Mifune couldn't avoid the slightest amounts of cuts between his middle and ring finger and against his palm. Solely due to the odd shape and form of the daggers being used. However, Without a second thought to the fact that he was in prime position for a head bunt, the Yojimbo would release all forward focus and take a few hurried steps backwards. Aversion. Even as he was finding his footing, the lights would pour back on over the kitchen. The revelation would divulge the conditions of both fighters. the nin in his battered glory, and Mifune the proud albeit dripping Ronin. Blood pools had been forming near his left shoulder, left knee, and by now he had a fairly steady stream dripping down his left hand. Even so, he'd flip Mah Blade into an underhanded grasp, and bring his numb bleeding hand up to cup his right fist. The bundle of fingers, hilt, and crimson, would be lifted slightly in offering while the Swordsmen straightened his posture and bowed the entire upper section of his body forward. The movement was fluent and controlled despite the dim pain in shallow slices. It was a respectful bow to his foe. After which, he'd straighten himself and offer humble praise for the fight offered.

'Arigato'

"Thank you."

Either way the Hoh Judge would be poofing into existence any time now. And after whatever formalities need be handled in regards to that front, Mifune would go about sheathing 'Mah Blade', snatching up his 'sword box', and coat; before taking his leave to get some medical attention.

[10]