Private The Rumble Down Under

[Sashin]

It had been two weeks since Sashin decided to abandon The Hidden Leaf Village. In such a short amount of time, he experienced such growth and change the likes of which he had never expected. Choosing to abandon his clans teaching, and utilizing the strength he cultivated over the years by his own effort, he found himself thriving. Life as a Missing Ninja had been easy, so far at least, though now his funds were beginning to run low. During his time as an Anbu, he heard many stories about Crater City and the city within the sewers. Back then, he thought they were just myths and rumors; boy was he wrong.

Upon traveling to the city, dressed in all black gear and wearing a horned Oni mask, he found himself quickly swept into the cities underground life. The Entrance to the sewers were repulsive, but after several hundred meters, they opened up into several large den like structures. People from all over had gathered here, all underneath what was already arguably the shadiest place within the country. As he approached the entrance to this city, he stopped and stared. Just weeks prior he would've been trying to build a case and attempting to find a way to shut all this down. Today, he was just looking to make some cash.

"As above, is below." He thought, as he shifted through this deranged city beneath the surface. Glancing towards the shops, and the walkway venders, he found himself taking note of all the illicit, and forbidden, goods that were openly for sell. He couldn't believe where he had found himself, though he continued on his way in search of something specific. After a while, he found himself in the center of this place surrounded by people placing bets on fighters in large cage. After watching a few matches, and learning that the fighters were paid handsomely win or lose, he quickly found someone working with the group running this event. Signing up, he waited to be signaled to enter the caged ring.

He had no idea who his opponent would be, but as one match ended, he found himself being waved over. Removing his overcoat, and wearing his basic black gear and oni mask, he entered into the cage. His eyes would shift, as he finally realized how many people had gathered to watch these fights. There had to be a hundred or more, all placing bets. Some booing, some cheering, and others rushing with money. Walking to one side of the cage, and squatting down, Sashin waited to for his opponent to arrive.

"Who will it be." He whispered under his breathe, as he thought of all the types of people he had seen down here today.

 

[Wee Yong]

The arena lights flickered as the heavy iron doors of the entrance tunnel groaned open, carrying a scent of old dust and cold earth that cut through the thick haze of cigar smoke permeating the underground. The rowdy arena fell into a stifled, uneasy silence as the crowd’s collective attention pulled toward the tunnel.

Yong stepped into the light, moving with a smooth, silent predatory grace. He was a stark, charcoal silhouette against the garish lights, dressed in a dark, double-breasted tunic fastened with two columns of bronze buttons. A deep black hood was pulled over his head, casting a shadow across a pale, porcelain mask. The mask's neutral, serene expression was marked by a bold red circular emblem on the forehead, making him look like an enigmatic specter from another era. Segmented, reddish-brown plating protected his shoulders and forearms, while ribbed guards covered his knees, allowing for fluid, lethal movement.

"Is that... a Myakashi?" a voice whispered from the front row, quickly hushed.
"What is the Executioner doing here?" another murmured, the name rippling through the crowd like a warning.

Yong ignored the eyes boring into him. His expression remained hidden behind the porcelain wood as he maneuvered toward the organizer's booth. The man in charge paled, his hands visibly trembling as Yong leaned in. The underworld figurehead spoke in a low vibration lost to the crowd. With a slow, deliberate motion, Yong reached out and placed a blood-soaked cloth into the organizer's open palm. It was heavy, damp, and unmistakable.
The organizer looked at the cloth, then back at the masked figure. He offered a frantic, respectful nod and gestured toward the ringmaster.

The ringmaster cleared his throat, his voice starting with an audible quaver. "Ladies and gentlemen... a very last-minute change of plans." He paused, catching the promoter's urgent nod, and his natural showmanship began to surface as he realized the magnitude of the spectacle. His voice found a theatrical pitch. "You came here expecting a good fight, but fate granted us a moment that will be recorded in the bloody annals of this city! A spectacle your grandchildren will hear about!" He paced the center of the ring with wild energy. "Forget the purse! Forget the card! Instead of the fighter you were expecting, we have a returning champion. A living legend and a ghost. Make way for Myakashi Grim! No more bets! Let’s get ready to rumble!"

The crowd did not roar. They shuffle closer to the cage, drawn in by a morbid curiosity to witness something rare and terrible. Yong entered the ring, his split-toe tabi boots clicking softly on the canvas. He walked to his designated corner, his hands folded neatly behind his back.

He offered a deep, formal bow to his opponent, the kind of gesture one gave a man they were about to bury. Standing back up, he looked across the cage with those tired, melancholic eyes visible through the mask's narrow slits.

"I apologise for the intrusion on your evening, friend," Yong said, the title 'friend' landing with the cold weight of a coin on a dead man's eyes. "You can have the purse. Just try to put on a good show for them before the end."

 

[Sashin]

As Sashin stood there waiting, he watched as the crowds energy began to change. From bloodthirst roars, to silence; as if something dangerous was coming. He could feel how tense the arena had become, as he caught glances of a uniquely dressed man walked up towards one of the the organizers. "Myakashi", he heard from a whispered voice in the crowd. That name sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it. Turning his focus to what was happening, he heard the ringmaster make his announcement. "A very last-minute change of plans" he said, as he continued to speak about how this moment would go down in history.

"We have a returning champion. A living legend and a ghost. Myakashi Grim." As the announcer said that, Sashin's mood began to sour. He had heard stories and rumors, but more importantly, he remembered why the name 'Myakashi' was so familiar sounding. "No way." He thought, remembering all the times he studied Bingo book as an Anbu back in the Hidden Leaf. Watching his every moment, he took note of the mans attire as he entered the ring. His boots were split toed, and he walked softly from the entrance to his corner of the ring.

Watching as he bowed, Sashin returned the gesture, and bowed back in respect. As Grim spoke, and apologized for the intrusion, a devilish grin came across Sashin's face behind the mask. And then, he said something that seemed to burn itself into the back of Sashin's skull. "Just try to put on a good show for them before the end." In that moment, had Sashin's mask not been upon his face, one would easily be able to tell how he felt about hearing those words.

"Gladly." He replied, as he tossed his battle axe to the side and shifted into a fighting stance.

[Calling Battle Mod]