November 8, 1985 – 21:35
After closing the dojo today, my master called me over. He said he wanted to talk one-on-one. I wonder what this is about? If it were about training, that would be one thing, but just to talk… that's unusual for him.
Master… Master Ryusho Kazama. My guide in both martial arts and life.
It has already been over fifty years since I first met him, hasn't it? Back then, I was still a child. Not only in age but in mind as well. The reason I wanted to learn martial arts in the first place was because I lost a fight to a boy.
My grandfather was the one who introduced me to Kazama-style Aiki Jujutsu. When I first met Master… to be honest, he didn't look strong at all. He was older than my grandfather, and he just looked like an ordinary old man.
I couldn't even understand the martial arts at the beginning. I had wanted so badly to join Shingen-ryu Kenpo instead. I even resented my grandfather for it at first. Of course, now I am very grateful.
I still remember the first time I called him "Master" with true respect from the heart.
It was about a month after I joined. While I was still wondering whether this martial art was useful, a dojo challenger appeared. Since Master used to be a floor master at Heaven's Arena, I assume the man came to defeat him and make a name for himself.
The challenger was a towering 2-meter-tall giant with bulging muscles. In contrast, Master was a skinny old man of about 170 cm. I thought there was no way he could win. But Master shattered my expectations with ease.
No matter how many times the man swung his fists, he couldn't touch Master. Instead, he was repeatedly flipped through the air and gently laid on the floor. The moment the giant grabbed Master's collar, he was already on the ground. It was like watching magic… That was when I first became captivated by the charm of Kazama-ryu.
I truly felt fortunate to become his first disciple.
Those days afterward were filled with joy. Once I understood the principles of softness, exploring them became incredibly fun. Master praised me for my talent, and I worked even harder just to earn more of his praise.
I was devastated the first time my respected master lost…
That damn Netero… His fight against Chairman Netero was so fierce that my immature self couldn't even comprehend it. After that battle, Master and Chairman Netero became close friends and training partners.
I still believe that one day, I will use old man Netero as a stepping stone to reach even greater heights in martial arts. In fact, just a month ago, Master finally achieved victory in a match against him. I can still vividly recall the frustrated face of that muscle-posing Biscuit-san when Netero lost.
…Ah! I've been lost in nostalgia. I shouldn't keep Master waiting any longer. I must hurry to the dojo.
"Master, I apologize for my lateness."
"Ah, it's fine. Thank you for locking up."
"It was nothing. So, Master, what is it you wish to speak about?"
"Hmm. Riina, I wish to give this to you. Please accept it."
"This is… the proof of full transmission!? But…! I still have so much to learn from you!"
"Riina. I have already passed down everything I know to you. Receiving this license is the duty of a disciple acknowledged by their master."
"But! I'm still nowhere near your level—"
"—Do not misunderstand me, Riina."
"…Eh?"
"It is true that I have taught you everything I know. That is why you receive this. However… receiving this does not mean you have reached the peak of martial arts. That would be arrogance."
"…!"
"When I received my full transmission, I too was far less skilled than I am now. Even after endless training, I cannot claim to have mastered martial arts completely… This is not the end of the path. It is a new beginning. Do not grow complacent. Continue to train diligently."
"Master…! Ah, I am ashamed of my own immaturity… I will accept this proof of full transmission with all my heart."
"Good… There is one more thing I must tell you."
"One more thing…?"
"Yes. It is a request. …I want you to inherit this dojo."
"—!? Master, what are you saying!? Even if it's your request… this dojo is your dream! I only just realized my own inadequacy! Surely there are others more suitable than I!"
"Please, Riina. I wish to retire and live quietly. It is because you are my first disciple, the one I trust the most, that I entrust this to you."
"M-Master! …I understand. This unworthy disciple will accept with all her strength."
"Thank you… Do not overburden yourself. You will be fine… Let's stop here for today… It is getting late."
"…Master?"
"Go on now. Do not keep your family waiting. Be careful on your way home."
"Really… When you treat me like a child sometimes, I can't ever feel like a proper adult."
"Hm… Forgive me. I have no family of my own, so I think of you, my disciples, as my children."
"Eh?"
"Especially you, my first disciple… I have known you since you were small, so I can't help it. Forgive me if it upset you."
"No! If you think of us that way, we are nothing but proud, never upset!"
"Then it's fine… We shall end here. Tomorrow will be the presentation of the new dojo master. Don't be nervous."
"Yes. Then, Master, good night."
"Good night."
I never expected such a conversation…! I might not be able to sleep tonight…
Ah, tears are flowing down my cheeks… How embarrassing. Perhaps age has made me sentimental.
November 11, 1985 – 01:25
The succession of the dojo went smoothly, and now Master can finally rest. He promised to visit from time to time to supervise training. That makes me so happy. Everything is fine.
And yet…
…Why won't this unease leave my heart? I feel like I need to go to the dojo right now… even though it's the middle of the night and no one should be there…
Driven by anxiety, I leap over the dojo gate and rush inside… and there…
"Master!? Please, wake up, Master!!"
There he was… collapsed in the depths of the dojo…
He wasn't breathing!? His heart… had stopped!!
I immediately called Menfil General Hospital!
I started CPR until the ambulance arrived!
Master! Please don't die, Master! Master!!
…All my desperate efforts were in vain. He passed away that night…
Master… why… Why did you leave with such a look of regret…?
Was it… because you could not reach the ultimate peak of martial arts…?
Master… I will inherit your will… I will reach the very summit you aimed for…
So please… please rest in peace…
...
November 11, 1985 – 15:28
Jab! Jab! Jab!
…Phew. 10,000 gratitude punches done.
…Maybe I should go for another 10,000? Damn that Ryusho. He snatched victory from me last month…!
Saying I was careless would just be an excuse… He always reads my intentions like he's a mind reader. Normally he's just a training-obsessed old man, but in battle, he becomes a completely different person.
And that penetrating palm of his really worked…
It's a technique of internal destruction, not external, and with that massive aura, it becomes truly lethal. Normally, one focuses aura before the strike, but his technique focuses aura after making contact.
It drives the shock into the opponent's body, and the aura flows inward along with it… A clean hit is fatal!!
A normal Gyo-strengthened attack can be blocked with Gyo, but his palm forces you to concentrate internal aura to block the internal shock… Even though he held back, I couldn't eat properly for three days…
Tch. Remembering it just makes me mad… I'll definitely return this frustration in our next match.
Time to continue training. I can't beat age, after all. If I don't keep training, I'll wither fast.
"Chairman! There's a problem!"
Hm? Beans? What is it?
"What's with the noise? Did the government send a directive?"
"N-No… it's…"
…!?!?
"W-What!? R-Ryusho… is dead!!?"
N-No way! What are you suddenly saying…!?
November 13, 1985 – 14:20
…Ryusho… you really went and died, huh…
Damn you… winning and then leaving me behind…!!
Who am I supposed to fight now?
I never once thought those dream-like days would end…
No, we're human too. I always knew it would end someday… I just refused to think about it…
Ryusho…
November 15, 1985
Two days have passed since Ryusho's funeral. I have no motivation to do anything… I can't even bring myself to train or do association work.
Sigh… I feel like I've aged years overnight…
"Chairman, um… a letter has arrived…"
"…Leave it there. I'll read it later."
"Um, it's… from Lord Ryusho…"
"What!? Bring it here immediately!!"
A letter from Ryusho!? What does this mean!?
…This is his handwriting! Dated… a week ago?
Inside… just one sheet. It says:
"Do not neglect your training."
…
"Do not neglect your training," huh… Hmph. That bastard Ryusho… He really could read me like a book.
Fine! I'll stand atop the peak of martial arts, and you can grit your teeth in the afterlife watching me!
Wash your neck and wait for me in the next world, Ryusho!!
...
Ryusho Kazama – Died November 11, 1985
At his funeral, disciples, Hunter Association Chairman Netero, and countless others attended. Yet, not a single blood relative appeared.
The man called a living legend—Ryusho Kazama.
Tracing his footsteps always ends in Japon, the birthplace of Kazama-ryu. Before that, no one knows where he came from, or who he truly was.
Excerpt from "Unraveling the Mystery of the Legendary Martial Artist Ryusho Kazama"