Post by Masao Akiyama on Mar 4, 2024 1:30:20 GMT
The strongest of steel is forged in the hottest of fires, you must test yourself constantly against the strongest, wisest, fastest among you.
The bat tapped the plate as Masao looked up, shouldering the implement as he watched the pitcher from under the brim of the protective helmet, rolling as he breathed and felt the serenity of the moment, the dull noise of the local crowd as he pondered on the irony of it, he'd always been one of the tallest, biggest he'd never had a problem not being the strongest, not being able to just push that forwards as much as he could.
It had taken Wrestling and jujitsu to teach him not all strength was that of the arm.
"STRIKE!"
A sigh as he came back to the present, he hadn't even checked the swing, distracted by the thoughts, a frown as he readied again, focused on that feel of the air and the ball.
Crack
Birch and Leather connected in perfect Sync, the fall lifted up and put flying over the Pitcher's head as the Diamond stood in singular relief.
Masao opened his eyes and took a breath, watching the spoke start to move and wrinkling his nose as he sighs and held onto the bat.
You just know.
There was a singular satisfying "THUK" as Leather met ball and the out was Called, Masao shook his head and rolled his shoulder as he headed towards the back and hissed.
He hated Baseball, at least today, at this moment he did.
It was back at the school he found comfort, with canvas and rope and instruction.
The man who mentored him in such things, a mentor and a booker was still dressed in loose gym clothes as he regarded Masao with a wry smirk, Satoru Kimura was a smaller man, but all the more vicious for his knowledge of every hold under the sun as well as a pedigree as a legitimate fighter back in the day.
"You're ready for the Americas? Did the game go well?"
Masao’s sience as he was packing silently got a raised brow and a slightly harsher shout.
“Hoi! Listen! You are not as dense as the mountain boy! Did your game go well?”
A grunt and Masao spoke finally.
“It did not, little matter my thoughts were of this place, of what I am leaving behind, if this decision is the right one.”
The man clipped the back of Masao’s head and hissed some with a curse.
“The future is the future; You cannot worry if it is right fool! Only focus on the road ahead the now, what do you see in front of your fist? Do you want this or not?
Masao’s eyes looked at his Mentor whose face softened after the explosion of anger and he rubbed his eyes.
“Raine-sama spoke with you about this yes? Do you wish it..If not then stay here in Japan I will send someone who wishes to go! Perhaps Satoshi again heh? Do not be stupid, you will do well there, do not allow uncertainty to cloud your vision. I can see it, you wish to face the best, and you are out growing everyone here, you may not think it but I can see and so can anyone with eyes, now do you wish this?”
Masao was on the flight America the next day, Japan could wait, the future was uncertain but a far more exciting prospect.
The bat tapped the plate as Masao looked up, shouldering the implement as he watched the pitcher from under the brim of the protective helmet, rolling as he breathed and felt the serenity of the moment, the dull noise of the local crowd as he pondered on the irony of it, he'd always been one of the tallest, biggest he'd never had a problem not being the strongest, not being able to just push that forwards as much as he could.
It had taken Wrestling and jujitsu to teach him not all strength was that of the arm.
"STRIKE!"
A sigh as he came back to the present, he hadn't even checked the swing, distracted by the thoughts, a frown as he readied again, focused on that feel of the air and the ball.
Crack
Birch and Leather connected in perfect Sync, the fall lifted up and put flying over the Pitcher's head as the Diamond stood in singular relief.
Masao opened his eyes and took a breath, watching the spoke start to move and wrinkling his nose as he sighs and held onto the bat.
You just know.
There was a singular satisfying "THUK" as Leather met ball and the out was Called, Masao shook his head and rolled his shoulder as he headed towards the back and hissed.
He hated Baseball, at least today, at this moment he did.
It was back at the school he found comfort, with canvas and rope and instruction.
The man who mentored him in such things, a mentor and a booker was still dressed in loose gym clothes as he regarded Masao with a wry smirk, Satoru Kimura was a smaller man, but all the more vicious for his knowledge of every hold under the sun as well as a pedigree as a legitimate fighter back in the day.
"You're ready for the Americas? Did the game go well?"
Masao’s sience as he was packing silently got a raised brow and a slightly harsher shout.
“Hoi! Listen! You are not as dense as the mountain boy! Did your game go well?”
A grunt and Masao spoke finally.
“It did not, little matter my thoughts were of this place, of what I am leaving behind, if this decision is the right one.”
The man clipped the back of Masao’s head and hissed some with a curse.
“The future is the future; You cannot worry if it is right fool! Only focus on the road ahead the now, what do you see in front of your fist? Do you want this or not?
Masao’s eyes looked at his Mentor whose face softened after the explosion of anger and he rubbed his eyes.
“Raine-sama spoke with you about this yes? Do you wish it..If not then stay here in Japan I will send someone who wishes to go! Perhaps Satoshi again heh? Do not be stupid, you will do well there, do not allow uncertainty to cloud your vision. I can see it, you wish to face the best, and you are out growing everyone here, you may not think it but I can see and so can anyone with eyes, now do you wish this?”
Masao was on the flight America the next day, Japan could wait, the future was uncertain but a far more exciting prospect.
“The Roulette is considered a gamble, a test of skill and luck and toughness, a forge in which to try your mettle for the World Championship.”
Fade in to The seated Figure of Masao, dressed in a suit as he leans on his hands and gazes at the camera, wrinkling his nose and picking a bottle of water up to sip.
“You do not know me, but you will come to, I will be present at Sacrifice, Odyssey and I will be present at the Roulette, Why does this concern you? Why should it matter? It is Simple because I do not have the same expectations as the rest of you, the same woes and worries, the same let downs should I fail, This outing this roulette will be me looking to impress and get a feel for whom it is I will face in my tenure in the IWF, I feel I will have a ...Good expectation, I could listen to your words, Watch your deeds no, I think perhaps it will only be feeling your strikes against my own that I will get your measure proper.”
He nodded a bit and licked his lips with another sip.
“My Name is Masao Akiyama, You have heard the name before But well, I did not have much to say, My statement remains as true as it was, But I have had time to settle, time to watch listen see the faces and names, I could have made my appearance a surprise, that would have been how they say? The smart play.”
A pause and a small chuckle.
“I have no desire or will to play strategically. You know I am here, I know you are here and we are all aware of what the states are, A chance to face Whomever may hold the Belt We all ultimately set our sights on when we stepped through those doors, To say different would insult our competitive spirit, and would be a lie so, do not insult mine.”
He nods gain with a wrinkle of his nose.
“Objectively as well I do not see any sense in targeting any one individual with my words but all, Consider this a To whom it may concern.”
He adjusted himself again to stand sliding the chair back under the desk as he picks up the bottle and smirks.
“I have no grand message to people who do not know me, I only hope you will come to recognize what it is I posses, what skill I have, The power that resides in my heart, some would say this is cliché but I have not come to this roulette to gamble with my Skills I do nothing lightly and this test is chosen to reach it’s ultimate goal.”
A slight grin.
“If I should falter? Then I falter, But I will make my mark on the strewn bodies of those who encounter me by those who I put across that top rope, by those who feel the wrath of Sakurajima, know this entrants It matter little who you are I show no bias, Why would have them? I am not in that ring to make friends, I am there to walk away to face whoever holds the banner of champion.”
He stood straighter more barrel chested to the camera and gives a small smirk.
“So, I will keep this as they say Short and sweet, bring your swords and arrows and slings of misfortune, and I will put them to rest. I will put you all to rest, I will see you soon enough gentlemen.”
He bows to the camera.
“Thank you for the time.”
Fade out.
Well howdy there pardner.