Match 17629 Leonardo (Mirage) vs. Saisyu Kusanagi

[RakaiThwei]

Raphael and Benimaru Nikaido rushed in towards one another, violently colliding into one another. The Japanese blonde haired man immediately turned with his hips as he unleashed two quick jabs from his left and right, taking aim for the red masked Turtle’s face with the intent on striking his knuckles onto Raphael’s cheeks, but the mutant Terrapin hunched down and he weaved from side to side, evading the punches quickly. Benimaru quickly followed by swinging his left arm across in a hook punch for the side of his opponent’s head, but Raphael hunched to evade. The Japanese blonde narrowed his eyes in mild irritation at how swift his opponent demonstrated to be, but continued the assault as he then leaned inward and swung his right arm in an uppercut. Raphael quickly crossed his arms out in front of himself, taking the blow directly into his forearms. In retaliation, Raphael spun his sai within his grasp and tucked the handles between his knuckles, only to turn with his weight as he thrust his arms four quick times as he aimed for Benimaru’s mid-section and chest as he intended to slam the blunt ends of his sai handles onto the blonde haired fighter. Benimaru worked to divert the blows away with his forearms as he turned with his hips, but a few of the blows would land directly onto his wrists and he felt the strength behind the mutant Red Ear Slider’s blows, and this was enough to make Benimaru wince in discomfort.

However, Raphael was far from done as he then turned with his weight and the red masked ninja then swung his right leg diagonally up over to the left as he performed a mighty roundhouse kick. Contact was made as the ninja managed to strike his foot onto the side of the blonde haired fighter’s face, and Benimaru staggered to his right as a rush of pain now moved through his head. Seeing an opportunity, Raphael aimed to capitalize on that.

The red masked ninja then had spun his twin sai within his grasp and now gripped the weapons in reverse only to then rush right in at Benimaru. Quickly, Raphael side-stepped to his right and he swung his left leg across to the right, performing a roundhouse which impacted Benimaru directly in his mid-section, causing the blonde fighter to lurch and gasp as the air was pushed from his lungs. The hot-headed ninja quickly then turned with his hips and he swung his right arm in towards Benimaru’s mid-section, his fist firmly impacting him in his solar plexus which again pushed air from Benimaru’s lungs. Raphael swiftly again turned with his weight and he swung his left arm across, making contact with Benimaru’s face as his knuckles struck the man firmly, again causing him to stagger. Raphael immediately spun his sai once more and he leapt for an offensive posture, raising his arms as he poised his sai for a downward strike only to quickly thrust them down.

“Oh, no you don’t!” Benimaru yelled.

Benimaru quickly side-stepped to his left, moving out of the way of the pronged weapons which the Turtle seemingly intended to stab him with. It was at this moment Benimaru then focused on the internal flow of energy within and channeled it through his entire form. Quickly he aimed for the Turtle’s plastron and turned with his weight as he thrust his right arm forward and out— only to produce a burst of electricity from his fist as he performed one of his own patented techniques.

“RAIJINKEN!”

“AAAGGHH!”

Raphael grunted in extreme pain as he had suddenly felt a stinging sensation rushing throughout his chest and into his entire body. He had seen many energy based attacks used by many fighters in this tournament, even endured quite a few of them but to be confronted by someone who could manifest lightning? That was new to him. Even when the burst of electricity happened to be short, the stinging sensation lingered.

“Ouch! That’s… going to be a problem for Raph!” Donatello spoke, eyes widening as he watched what had transpired.

Leonardo blinked at this sudden development. For all of their experience gained in this tournament, it seemed as if there were even a few surprises left for them to be confronted with. And he was hoping that Raphael wouldn’t allow his anger to get the better of him. If there was one thing which he knew about his brother, is that when push came to shove— Raphael tended to plow back at his opponent. He just hoped he maintained enough control to not cost him the battle and perhaps the advancement of their progress in the tournament.

Benimaru quickly rushed in towards the red masked ninja, only to then leap to the air and as he soared in towards his opponent, he threw his weight down to his feet but then twisted his body to throw his weight around in order to corkscrew spin his way down as he kicked his right leg out. He would land in the Flying Drill kick onto Raphael’s plastron, causing the ninja to stumble back as he was still reeling from the pain after enduring the previous attack. With the Turtle still reeling, Benimaru then dashed quickly ahead and he would swing his right leg up in a rising front kick only to smash the front of his boot firmly into Raphael’s chin as he released a Jackknife Kick. Working to fight through the discomfort and pain, Raphael shook his head and glared to his opponent with wide eyes and watched as Benimaru advanced to him again only to square his shoulders once more, and released three quick jabs from his left and then a swift straight from his right. The Turtle was struck the first three times in his head as Benimaru’s knuckles made contact, and when the straight came in for him— Raphael hunched down and retaliated by swinging his right arm across to the left as he took aim for Benimaru’s abdominal region and then swung up with his left for an uppercut as swiftly as he could.

Benimaru again gasped as Raphael’s fist collided with his stomach, and he suddenly felt his teeth grinding painfully as his head was careened back from the impact. For a brief moment, Benimaru believed that he might have had a few of his teeth knocked loose, maybe even broken off if he took the time to feel and look to assess the damage. But there was no time, as Raphael then reached out and took hold of Benimaru by the back of the head and pulled him in, only to force him down as he thrust his right leg up—his knee bent out as he intended to strike it onto the blonde Japanese fighter’s face. Benimaru had been impacted twice, but on the third he moved his forearms and crossed them only to then block the incoming knee before he would pull up and throw his arms apart, breaking off Raphael’s hold. Quickly, he threw his arms out only to place his palms onto Raphael’s chest and push him away.

The Japanese blonde then leaned in towards Raphael only to snap his left leg out and turn with his weight, now performing a side kick and managed to firmly strike the Turtle right in the side of his face. Raphael felt a wash of pain moving through his head, his senses now jarred. Benimaru then quickly leaned in and he swung his right arm across, now bending his elbow only to strike the middle of the red masked ninja’s face. Raphael grunted as his nose area was impacted, and he shut his eyes in momentary discomfort. Then he again focused on the energy within himself as he did before, feeling it rush through his being as he channeled it down to his legs. However, Benimaru took it further as he focused the energy within to burst, activating what he called his MAX Mode.

Still holding onto this burst of energy which would last only momentary, Benimaru then thrust his right leg up, impacting his knee firmly into Raphael’s mid-section but in a quick burst of speed he pushed himself with his feet, only to throw his weight around and he snapped his left leg back in a jumping thrust kick and firmly struck Raphael directly in his forehead, and when he landed as he turned to face his opponent— Benimaru threw his weight up and vaulted both his legs up, while manifesting the bursting energy in the form of lightning. Electricity arced upward, striking Raphael from below and the red masked ninja convulsed as he screamed as he was subject to Benimaru’s Iai Geri kicking technique combo.

The red masked hot-headed Turtle was suddenly sent flying back and he crashed through a pallet that was loaded with cardboard boxes, and slammed down onto his carapace. Pain coursed through is entire body as the electricity unleashed by the blonde fighter lingered through his nerves.

“Fuck… Fuck… Fuck… That stings… Mmmrph. Oh God, it stings.” Raphael muttered through his teeth.

Leonardo watched as Raphael appeared to struggle with the lingering pain. This was something which… even he had to admit would be quite difficult to cope with as the pain from such an energy output wasn’t something so easily set aside. Perhaps this was the same kind of difficulty which Michelangelo went through when he fought that Shiranui woman and how effectively she was able to utilize flames. This was something which… he could learn quite from watching Raphael and recalling Michelangelo’s own difficulties when dealing with opponents who could utilize their energy into something as raw like electricity.

Raphael firmly planted his hands onto the warehouse floor, and pushed himself off from the ground as he worked to fight through the pain which the electricity created by Benimaru left on him. A flicker of flame now ignited within Raphael, and the red masked ninja raised his sights to the Japanese blonde fighter, twitching as the mutant Red Ear Slider worked to contain the bloodlust that threatened to come out.

Benimaru rushed in towards the Turtle once again, quickly then turning with his hips as he then swung his right leg diagonally upwards to the left as he took aim for Raphael’s head, but the Turtle hunched down to evade the incoming kick. However, Benimaru went with the motion and instead followed by moving his left leg across to the left, performing a spinning back wheel kick for the red masked ninja’s head. Again, Raphael hunched down and he responded by snapping his left leg out in a front kick as he took aim for Benimaru’s mid-section and followed by turning with his hips and thrusting the blunt end of his sai for the man’s chest and head. The Japanese blonde fighter slapped his left hand down, preventing from Raphael’s foot making contact with him but immediately crossed his arms in front of himself, blocking the impacts of Raphael’s strikes. Benimaru grunted as he was forced to endure the mighty strikes from the Turtle, leaning to stop himself from being pushed back from the force of the blows.

Raphael quickly then slipped his sai in his utility belt, and dashed only to side-step around Benimaru and he wrapped his hands around his opponent’s hips— now lifting up with his legs and leaned back as he intended to execute a suplex onto Benimaru.

“GAAAGH!!”

Benimaru suddenly felt a wash of overwhelming discomfort and pain move through his back and head as he had been slammed onto the concrete floor of the warehouse. His body slumped for a moment and the blonde haired fighter now dropped onto his chest as Raphael released his hold from him.

“Jeeze! That one is brutal!” Shingo exclaimed, wincing from the very sight of it all.

Benimaru worked to push himself to his feet as he placed his hands onto the ground and the Japanese fighter winced his eyes from the sheer agony. When he had risen to his feet, Benimaru was immediately met by a solid foot in his mid-section as Raphael turned in a spin and he snapped his left leg out in a back thrust kick. Seeing his opponent lurch, Raphael gripped his sai and drew them from his utility belt only to then spin them and tucked them between his fingers as he then turned with his weight and thrust his arms forward six times—firmly impacting Benimaru in the stomach region and again caused the blonde haired fighter to gasp.

The red masked ninja then leaned forward and he thrust his head out at his opponent, firmly impacting Benimaru directly in the middle of his face. Already a rush of blood now seeped from Benimaru’s nostrils, and he shut his eyes further in pain as he could feel his head throbbing. This was perhaps the hardest which he had ever been hit, and he would hope that he would never be hit hard like this ever again. Benimaru unfortunately didn’t have much time to react, as Raphael came at him with his twin sai once more. The red masked ninja then spun his pronged weapons and grasped the handles, the pointed ends now facing forward. He leaned forward as he turned with his hips, now thrusting his sai outward four quick times for Benimaru’s chest. Widening his eyes, Benimaru realized what would transpire if he didn’t move and swiftly leaned from side to side, evading the incoming blades. Raphael then spun his sai once more, and gripped them in reverse as he then lunged forward only to move his arms down as he aimed to plunge his sai down for Benimaru’s shoulders.

Quickly side-stepped to his left, Benimaru managed to evade the incoming attack. He mentally attuned himself to the energy that resided within him once more, and the blonde haired fighter now directed it to flow throughout his entire being once more. Directing the flow of energy to his right arm and hand, Benimaru then leaned forward and hunched only to swing his arm down as he flattened his right hand to perform a ridge hand strike as he manifested electricity from his hand— now performing his Raimetou technique.

Raphael was struck across his plastron and the current of electricity flowed through him and the red masked ninja spasm worked to endure the pain, firmly clutching onto his twin sai now. More and more that anger inside of him flickered, threatening to erupt into a full on fury. Working to control the anger inside, Raphael took in a deep breath of air through his nostrils and released a deep sigh as he worked to fight through the stinging agony. The red masked ninja then rushed right in towards Benimaru, and he pounced forward only to then thrust his left knee upward for the blonde fighter’s chin while simultaneously thrusting his arms down with the intent to slam his elbows down onto the top of Benimaru’s head. Impact was made, and Benimaru felt a mighty impact hitting from above and blow. Again, his teeth grinded violently, and he was forced to drop onto his right side as a sharp pain moved through his head.

“GET UP!” Raphael shouted.

Benimaru worked to fight through the pain which he was sustaining, and placed his hands down onto the ground only to push himself up onto his feet once more. Already, Raphael was on him as he then swung his right arm horizontally across over to the left and back to the right, performing a double slash strike with his sai. Benimaru jumped back, barely evading the incoming strike. The red masked ninja then thrust the sai in his left hand, pointing it out at Benimaru’s face, but the Japanese fighter tilted his head to his right, again barely managing to evade the strike from Raphael but felt a small sting on his left cheek. A thin line of crimson ran down his cheek, though Benimaru was too focused on the fight to take notice.

The mutant Red Ear Slider then turned with his weight once more as he moved his right arm across, his elbow bent out as he aimed to strike at the side of Benimaru’s face. But Benimaru Nikaido wouldn’t have any of it as he raised his left arm up and clenched, blocking the elbow strike intended for his head.

“Dude, they’re REALLY going at it.” Michelangelo gasped.

“I’m not sure if Raphael’s chances are expanding here.” Donatello spoke, continuing to observe the fight.

Leonardo knew his brother well, and Raphael wasn’t one to go down without a fight. Perhaps… to a fault. In many of the do or die situations which they had experienced, Raphael had demonstrated his willingness to do whatever it takes to win a fight—and his persistence usually saw him through for the most part. But at times, Raphael tended to try and outfight his opponent until either he had prevailed or his body gave out. Often times… it was the former. He had to give his brother credit where it was due but against an opponent who wielded powers… Well, Leonardo could only say that he was doing better than what he had expected. But would Raphael’s luck finally run out?

Raphael spun his sai within his grasp once more and he aimed to bring down the blunt handles for the top of Benimaru’s head, but his opponent instead raised his left arm and positioned it horizontally—stopping Raphael from slamming his weapons onto his already throbbing head. In response to this, Benimaru then pumped his right arm up for Raphael’s chin, delivering a solid uppercut to the Turtle directly. Raphael grunted in discomfort, but he continued to fight on as he swung his arms horizontally over from right to left, taking aim for Benimaru’s cheeks only to then impact his fists across the man. Again pain moved through Benimaru’s head.

He then again attuned himself to the energy which was coursing through himself and now directed it to flow through his entire body and channeled it through his arms and hands. Quickly, he then took hold of Raphael by the shoulders and gripped on as hard as he could while now channeling and manifesting his energy as electricity. The red masked ninja screamed in agonizing pain as he could feel his nerves being stung by the electrical current which he was subject to. Benimaru couldn’t help but grin as he watched as Raphael’s eyes widened and his face contorted with pain as he had put him through another of his patented techniques—the Benimaru Collider. The blonde haired Japanese fighter then released Raphael from his grasp, but the Turtle refused to drop. Shaking his head in disbelief, Benimaru could only aim to chop away at the Turtle as he then snapped his left leg out in a front kick, impacting the ninja in his plastron and then rushing ahead to thrust his left and right out three quick times. Raphael was impacted, and his head now would rush with pain and the throbbing in his head was only growing.

“RRRAAAAGGHHH!!”

The red masked ninja then had thrust his right leg forward and down as he turned, now performing a downward side kick for Benimaru’s left leg. He managed to strike the man in his thigh, and Benimaru was forced to buckle. Raphael then turned with his hips and he thrust his right arm out, violently striking at his opponent in the nose and a rush of red came from Benimaru’s nostrils. Without any hesitation, Raphael then pounced forward as he tackled Benimaru. Now feeling his opponent’s weight shift onto him, Benimaru Nikaido moved his arms and placed his hands onto his opponent’s shoulders, working to resist and lift the Turtle off from him but found himself crashing to the ground along with the hot tempered Terrapin. Straddling onto his opponent, Raphael  would begin to pummel away at Benimaru, using his sai handles as truncheons to add more damaging blows.

In an act of desperation, Benimaru then moved his arms out and took hold Raphael’s wrist within his grasp. Channeling the energy within himself, he again focused it on bursting—entering his MAX mode once more. With the energy bursting, he channeled and manifested electricity once more, performing an enhanced version of the Benimaru Collider. Raphael screamed and spasm, but he didn’t stop pummeling away at his opponent. And in a bright blue explosion of electricity, both combatants would  fly from one another--  Benimaru dropping onto his left side some ten feet away from Raphael, and Raphael crashing onto the grill of a parked truck.

“BENIMARU!” Shingo yelled out.

“Oh shit! Raph’s down!” Michelangelo gasped.

Yet neither combatant had made an effort to move. Both Turtles and Team Japan mentally counted down the seconds it would take for one of them to try and get back up onto their feet. And yet… neither Raphael nor Benimaru Nikaido seemed able to do so. Ten seconds had passed… The match concluded.

It was a draw for both sides.

Michelangelo and Donatello quickly rushed over to Raphael, and Shingo moved for Benimaru. When they had gathered their fallen, both pulled back to where they could safely be allowed to rest up and awaken when they were able to do so. However, considering the level of beatings which they endured… it wouldn’t be out of the question to where either first aid or medical intervention might be necessary. Donatello placed his hands onto Raphael’s body, examining and feeling for anything broken. The intellectual ninja looked up to Leonardo and nodded to his brother while raising his thumb on his right hand up.

“Nothing’s broken! He’ll be okay! I’d say the other guy’s in worse shape though!”

Shingo looked down to Benimaru, and slipped his hands underneath his shoulders to drag him back to where Goro was resting. Looking over to Saisyu, Shingo Yabuki knew that the next match was underway.

“So… this is it!” Saisyu gruffly spoke out as he stroked his beard.

Leonardo then looked over to his three brothers and solemnly nodded to them. Having watched Raphael’s match, he knew not to make the same mistakes as his brother did and could only do his best to avoid them. Both final members of the Turtles and Team Japan now eyed one another for a moment.

“You and your brothers have come a long way… You certainly have talent and skill. But now you face the head and master of the Kusanagi house!” Saisyu exclaimed.

“…I see. Well, I’ll be sure not to hold back.” Leonardo responded.

“Very well! Let us begin!” Saisyu nodded.

Leonardo had looked down to Fukudogu, the katana which Haohmaru had allowed him to borrow until the end of the tournament. He moved his right arm down and firmly took hold of the katana, drawing it out from his utility belt and then gripped it within his hand. Moving his left arm up, he took hold of the handle of his remaining steel ninjaken and pulled the weapon from the sheath that was slung over his carapace.

Saisyu Kusanagi, snapped into his fighting stance and grinned as he produced a flame within the palm of his right hand.

Leonardo took note of this… and nodded.

The final battle between the Turtles and Team Japan now had begun.

[Callisto]

Learn More About
Leonardo (Mirage)
Read more about Leonardo (Mirage) at Wikipedia
Official Site: Nickelodeon Links: Wikipedia

Saisyu Kusanagi
Read more about Saisyu Kusanagi at Wikipedia
Official Site: SNK Links: Wikipedia

[RakaiThwei]

Alright, so the next match up between the Mirage Turtles and Team Japan has finally been written and posted up. Writing the recap between Raphael and Benimaru Nikaido was something of a difficult thing because I hadn't really expected at all for the match to result in a draw. Of course, I can attribute this to a lot of my readers being off-site from Electric Ferret and likely being busy with the holidays-- after all, the previous match was posted after Thanksgiving week, where there was little activity where as the week prior, there was tons of activity. Funny how timing has worked against me yet again this year. But at least Raphael managed to get in a ten streak win for the time which he has been on the CBUB, at least the Mirage version of Raphael is concerned anyway.

Anyway, the next and final match up is between Leonardo and Saisyu Kusanagi. Finding a fourth member of Team Japan was both relatively hard and easy because I had to choose between either Aska from TMNT Tournament Fighters, or fit someone in from KOF and I thought no one would be better suited than Saisyu Kusanagi. I personally felt like as if he would be somewhat of a decent match up for Leonardo, and keep in mind-- this isn't the first time Leonardo has fought a master, as out of all of the Turtles, Leonardo managed to hold his own against the Shredder-- not once, but TWICE. Something to keep as food for thought, people.

For new readers who are just hopping onto this storyline here, I suggest you look at the Mirage TMNT Respect Thread to see what the Mirage Turtles are more than capable of.

 

Leonardo (Mirage) is Low Tier Superhuman in terms of physicals. Think Above Peak Human due to his mutation and training.

Leonardo (Mirage) possesses his Ninjaken, Hoahmaru's Katana, Shurikens, Smoke Bombs, and Kunai.

 

Saisyu Kusanagi is at Peak Human Conditioning due to his training.

Saisyu Kusanagi has his moveset from the KOF games.

Battle Environment Map

[ViceCityMobster86]

I will have to think about this one for a bit

[RakaiThwei]

2 minutes ago, ViceCityMobster86 said:

I will have to think about this one for a bit

Fair enough.

[Boratz]

This will be a tough one, but I feel like Leo could be resourceful enough to win in the end

[RakaiThwei]

18 minutes ago, Boratz said:

This will be a tough one, but I feel like Leo could be resourceful enough to win in the end

Thanks for your input and commenting!

[leroypowell3]

This one, I think Leo takes it. Saisyu will give him a fight and might even teach him something before he goes down.

[RakaiThwei]

11 minutes ago, leroypowell3 said:

This one, I think Leo takes it. Saisyu will give him a fight and might even teach him something before he goes down.

Finally, you voted for a Turtle!

[leroypowell3]

1 minute ago, RakaiThwei said:

Finally, you voted for a Turtle!

I know! You must be winning me over.

[RakaiThwei]

5 minutes ago, leroypowell3 said:

I know! You must be winning me over.

Kind of bitter of the outcome of Raphael's match but I blame timing on that one.

[JohnnyChany]

Didn't get to the Raphael match in time, but glad I caught this one. I get why the elder Kusanagi is the leader of his team, but I don't think he is the strongest. I'm on Team Leo for this fight.

[RakaiThwei]

3 hours ago, JohnnyChany said:

Didn't get to the Raphael match in time, but glad I caught this one. I get why the elder Kusanagi is the leader of his team, but I don't think he is the strongest. I'm on Team Leo for this fight.

Yeah, I was wondering where you were for that battle. Who do you think should have won Raphael vs Benimaru Nikaido?

Also, thanks for your input!

[DSkillz]

Another great set-up, Rakai. I read this a couple of days back, but I'm only just now commenting on it? My bad. 

Yeah, the Raph/Benimaru recap was about as intense as I expected from how the final vote went. At least part of the results was likely due to not enough people voting, but in a storytelling sense, Raph was probably due for a loss sooner than later in the arc. 

As for the match, Saisyu seems powerful and is likely going to be a good fight for Leo. I'm thinking his son Kyo is probably more powerful still, though, and considering the Turtles have already faced opponents on par with Kyo in Terry and Andy Bogard, Leo should probably pull this one out. 

[RakaiThwei]

3 hours ago, DSkillz said:

Another great set-up, Rakai. I read this a couple of days back, but I'm only just now commenting on it? My bad. 

Yeah, the Raph/Benimaru recap was about as intense as I expected from how the final vote went. At least part of the results was likely due to not enough people voting, but in a storytelling sense, Raph was probably due for a loss sooner than later in the arc. 

As for the match, Saisyu seems powerful and is likely going to be a good fight for Leo. I'm thinking his son Kyu is probably more powerful still, though, and considering the Turtles have already faced opponents on par with Kyo in Terry and Andy Bogard, Leo should probably pull this one out. 

Thanks for commenting DSkillz! I suppose Raphael had to take one for the team, although I think the draw outcome was simply a fluke of people not being able to vote. Still... ten streak win is pretty damn good.

[DSkillz]

10 hours ago, DSkillz said:

Raph was probably due for a loss sooner than later in the arc.

Gah, I meant that Raph's winning streak was probably due to come to an end sooner than later. 

[RakaiThwei]

21 minutes ago, DSkillz said:

Gah, I meant that Raph's winning streak was probably due to come to an end sooner than later. 

Probably. I was trying to go for twelve or fourteen wins like I did with Dachande aka Broken Tusk Predator back in the day. That guy had a twelve streak win.

But ten for Raphael isn't bad!

[Z451]

Pretty intense, as always Raphael is known for his brutality and at times homicidal tendencies when pushed too far, and your match certainly conveys both qualities as one can feel the anger, but also the frustration and desperation as he is fighting for more than just himself in these matches. There is a deeper sense, beyond the surface level of things, that each and every match is a life and death struggle, although the tournament likely won't go that far, and with that sense Raphael is deeply burdened here, just as much as Benimaru is to fight back from the brick wall set behind in this match. All that is a lot to try to impart onto readers, but you are doing well at it, as you tend to bring these elements into your writing in a more subtle form or style.

Leonardo will have a pretty soulful bout here in some ways, similar to his match with Haohmaru earlier, but I do think that he will find a way to win this fight in the end. Saisyu is tough and experienced in his fighting style, but if Leo can keep mobile, taking to the air and dodging the flames, and keep some distance between Saisyu and himself, I think he will take the win, as I believe he has probably fought stronger and more experienced opponents than Saisyu in the past, not to discredit Saisyu's abilities on that note either.

[RakaiThwei]

45 minutes ago, Z451 said:

Pretty intense, as always Raphael is known for his brutality and at times homicidal tendencies when pushed too far, and your match certainly conveys both qualities as one can feel the anger, but also the frustration and desperation as he is fighting for more than just himself in these matches. There is a deeper sense, beyond the surface level of things, that each and every match is a life and death struggle, although the tournament likely won't go that far, and with that sense Raphael is deeply burdened here, just as much as Benimaru is to fight back from the brick wall set behind in this match. All that is a lot to try to impart onto readers, but you are doing well at it, as you tend to bring these elements into your writing in a more subtle form or style.

Leonardo will have a pretty soulful bout here in some ways, similar to his match with Haohmaru earlier, but I do think that he will find a way to win this fight in the end. Saisyu is tough and experienced in his fighting style, but if Leo can keep mobile, taking to the air and dodging the flames, and keep some distance between Saisyu and himself, I think he will take the win, as I believe he has probably fought stronger and more experienced opponents than Saisyu in the past, not to discredit Saisyu's abilities on that note either.

Thanks for commenting Z451!

[Callisto]

Match Final Results

Member Ratings:
5.00 - JohnnyChany
5.00 - DSkillz
5.00 - ViceCityMobster86
5.00 - Z451

FPA Calculation:
4 Total Votes cast
20.00 Total Combined Score
20.00 / 4 = 5.00 Final Rating on the match

MATCH SCORE
Leonardo (Mirage): 7
Saisyu Kusanagi: 3

[JohnnyChany]

On 12/8/2021 at 12:35 PM, RakaiThwei said:

Yeah, I was wondering where you were for that battle. Who do you think should have won Raphael vs Benimaru Nikaido?

Also, thanks for your input!

I've never been too impressed with Benimaru, so I would have went with Raph