Thunder Strikes THRICE

[OrochiGeese]

(OOC: Canonically, this 3-part RP takes place on January 4, 2021: 3 weeks after the Continuum III)


*We fade into the Matsuki Holdings Dojo in Kyoto, Japan. Tetsu Gushiken has just finished sparring with Kazuo Saji under the watchful eye of RYOMA. Tetsu appears fatigued but not physically so.  Every time Tetsu throws a kick, Saji winces a little at the impact at the blow.  This causes Tetsu additional pause before continuing. However, Saji beckons him to practice more strikes. Finally, Tetsu shakes his head no. Saji exits the ring and walks over to a concerned RYOMA.*

[Kazuo:] "What if I just take the boy on vacation?"

[RYOMA:] "Why?"

[Kazuo:] "We'll do a whole 'how Tetsu got his groove back' thing."

[RYOMA:] "I don't know what that means."

[Kazuo:] "Perfect - you're coming too then."


*We suddenly hear an insistent female voice coming from behind them.*

"NO ISLAND VACATIONS! WE HAVE HONORED GUEST!"


*Tetsu, Kazuo, and RYOMA turn to see Miss Asako Matsuki sporting a serious expression. However, that's entirely in character for her so the three don't pay any serious mind. This all changes drastically when the footsteps behind her are revealed to belong to Thunder Strike - the head of J.U.S.T.I.C.E. and UBL Security.*

[Kazuo:] "Whoa, now there's a dude who needs his groove back even more than Tetsu!"

*Okay, the other two took the arrival of Thunder Strike with the appropriate serious reaction. Thunder, to his credit, ignores Saji's comment. He walks a few steps forward then bows to RYOMA, Tetsu, and even Saji. The three of them walk closer as well due to the peaceful introduction but keep a cautious distance.*

[Thunder:] "I apologize for the impromptu visit. Any advance notice could be intercepted which would put all of us in danger. So I had to go about this carefully, especially after all that happened last month."

[Asako:] "WE UNDERSTAND! THANK YOU FOR COMING ALL THIS WAY TO KICK SOME SENSE INTO SAJI!"

*A slight trace of a smile is seen on Thunder's face for a millisecond.*

[Thunder:] "You are correct, but not for the reasons that you may think."

*RYOMA takes a step forward in front of an anxious Saji in a protective fashion but keeps his cool.*

[RYOMA:] "Then to what do we owe this visit to?"

[Thunder:] "I have three offers to make. The first offer is to drink sake with you to discuss the other two."

[RYOMA:] "The other two offers. or Saji and Tetsu?"

[Thunder:] "One and the same. But first allow me to share with you the sake I used to drink when I wrestled in Japan."

[RYOMA:] "What type is it?"

[Asako:] "THUNDER BRING THE GOOD STUFF!"

[Thunder:] "I already gave it to Miss Matsuki to prepare for us. It is Ginga Shizuku Junmai Daiginjo sake."

[RYOMA:] "Ahh, "divine droplets" sake."

[Kazuo:] "That's what she said."

[Thunder:] "This is why you weren't invited to join us."

[RYOMA:] "Thunder, I appreciate your kind gift and accept your invitation.  I suspect we have much to discuss."

*RYOMA, Asako, and Thunder walk away as Kazuo and Tetsu stay behind.*

[Tetsu:] "I'm confused."

[Kazuo:] "Me too. I'm pretty sure that when you bring a gift, you have to share it with the entire class!"

*Kazuo looks annoyed at Thunder and talks loud enough for him to hear as he walks away.*

[Tetsu:] "No, I still don't understand what 'groove' you thought that I misplaced."

[Kazuo:] "Oh I really need that sake now."

*Saji facepalms as Tetsu shrugs. Part 2 of this "Sake Social" coming soon!

[OrochiGeese]

*An hour has passed since Thunder Strike invited RYOMA to partake in some premium sake. However, we're not watching them sample the smooth ambrosia. Instead, we have stayed with Tetsu Gushiken and Kazuo Saji in the Matsuki Holdings Dojo social room. Tetsu is quietly reclined on a couch applying ice to his legs with some green tea in front of him. Kazuo is leaning forward in a chair pouring rice in a cup filled with a clear, bubbly liquid.*

[Kazuo:] "This will show them."

[Tetsu:] "Yes, it will show them that you don't understand what sake is."

[Kazuo:] "Wrong. It's rice wine. So I found this leftover champagne from New Years and am putting rice in it."

[Tetsu:] "If you still want me to kick you more, now I'm finally happy to do so."

*Saji smirks and we are joined by RYOMA and Thunder Strike. RYOMA walks over to the table, stares as disapprovingly as anyone can without moving their head, and immediately throws out the "rice wine" concoction.*

[RYOMA:] "Garbage does not exist in this dojo."

*RYOMA sits down next to Tetsu and turns his attention to Thunder in a way that the other two follow suit.*

[Thunder:] "Your sensei has approved my offers under the condition that both of you wholeheartedly accept with no reservations. You have to both really want this and understand why it will benefit you."

[Kazuo:] "Shoot, Strike."

[Thunder:] "My first offer is to you. I have no doubt that you witnessed what Geese Walker did to James Ward at Continuum."

[Kazuo:] "Clowned around then ran that extinguished roman candle out of town."

[Thunder:] "At a minimum.  I suspect that what we saw has even larger ramifications. The truth is that Geese's dominance should concern everyone here. Each one of you are in the Continuum League and it's almost guaranteed that Geese will advance in his block. Kazuo - you are in that same block so Geese poses the most immediate threat to you.”

[Kazuo:] "Don't forget Matt Rivers."

[Thunder:] "Trust me - my conscience would never let me forget Matt Rivers."

[Kazuo:] "Yikes, way to ruin the post 'not invited to have sake' mood."

[Thunder:] "You are up against an unprecedented challenge in Geese. Even RYOMA did not face Geese at this level."

[Kazuo:] "So what is your offer?"

[Thunder:] "Allow me to train you for your match against Geese at Continuum IX."

*A look of surprise wallops Saji across the face. He puts his hands up in confusion and turns to RYOMA who nods.*

[RYOMA:] "Hear him out."

[Thunder:] "There is no one who understands how to face Geese as well as I do."

[Kazuo:] "Look man, I'm not about to doubt any of that. Honestly, I even appreciate the help."

[Thunder:] "You do?"

[Kazuo:] "Hell yeah. Your record speaks for itself."

*Thunder considers this and is deep in thought. He looks over at RYOMA.*

[RYOMA:] "It is like I said. He has changed."

[Thunder:] "You were correct. Kazuo - a few years ago, if I had made you that same offer, you'd probably have flipped me off and said you didn't need my help."

[Kazuo:] "Not to be a dick - but for purposes of historical accuracy, this would have been my response to you. 'You have to tell me to get my parent's permission before I can join the G.I. Joe 'Keeping Cool After School' program.'"

[Thunder:] "Ahem, it's at least mostly clear that your maturity has grown in leaps and bounds. However, I still detect some reservations about being trained by me."

[Kazuo:] "I mean...there's no doubt that you can help me. But why do you want to?"

[Thunder:] "You are correct to question my intentions. The truth is that I have no vested interest as to who wins the Infinite Continuum Championship. I am not offering to train you on that basis."

[Kazuo:] "Yeah, and with all due respect, if there was anyone you do favor - it would be Alicia, right?"

[Thunder:] "Professionally, I have no preference.  But if you are curious, I'm not offering my advice to you exclusively. Anything I have or will tell you about facing Geese has and will continue to be passed onto her as well.  But what I absolutely won't do is provide her any insight about facing you after we train together.  You have my word on that."

[RYOMA:] "We don't doubt that.  The "I" in J.U.S.T.I.C.E. stands for integrity."

[Kazuo:] "Damn - RYOMA dropping some acronym truth on us.  But again, Thunder, why me?"

[Thunder:] "Because you present the first real chance to test Geese's new threshold level."

[Kazuo:] "Okay - so like a crash test dummy?"

[Thunder:] "No, you are far more than that. Although it was impressive how thoroughly Geese dismantled Ward, the truth is that Ward's effectiveness has long passed in that ring. The cowardly and embarrassing display he put on to cheat Bak out of a victory proved to me that James can no longer truly compete on the level of everyone else.  He even knows it.  Are there many that could have dominated James to the extent that Geese did it? No. But, at the same time, doing it against James was not a clear indication of just how high Geese's competitive ceiling is right now."

[Kazuo:] "And I am?"

[Thunder:] "Out of everyone in your block, you have the unique combination of skills, drive, and even personality that will pose the most difficulties for Geese. As long as you approach the match as the most important one of your career, and it will be, he won't steamroll you. And that is true whether you accept my help or not. But I believe, I know, that if you allow me to prepare you that you have a legitimate shot at winning the match."

[Kazuo:] “Thank you. But again, what's in it for you?"

[Thunder:] "Providing me with information about the threat level that Geese poses right now. If I can prepare someone at the top of their game to specifically defeat Geese but he still wins, then I know what we are up against. And if you win, then it forces Geese to train harder to approach the "T-1" phase - one step closer to his ideal threshold. I either get the complete picture on what he is now or his need to evolve occurs due to conditions that I triggered, which gives me some control."

[Kazuo:] "Okay, but why? I don't particularly like him but he sure doesn't seem like the biggest danger right now. And as much as he hated James Ward, he didn't do anything close to what I thought he was going to do.  I'm not sitting down with him for sake anytime soon, or anyone I guess, *smirks* but why are you so concerned?"

[Thunder:]  "I can't read him."

[Kazuo:] "What do you mean?"

[Thunder:] "I can't read his intentions or his abilities and I don't know what his plan is other than that he has a plan. And that puts us in a dangerous position with the new strength that he has found. I want to believe that he's committed to fighting Gauntlet or, at the least, is not headed in a direction that is even worse than the threat they pose. But the stronger and more effective he gets in the ring, the more he'll be convinced of the righteousness of his philosophy and plans."

[Kazuo:] "Okay that's a whole lot to say for someone who claims they can't read him."

[Thunder:] "I have known him for over 30 years. Even when I don't know his plans, I know something fundamental about him.  The scariest thing about Geese Walker isn't chaos or propaganda. The most concerning thing about him isn't thresholds or dominance. It's how the orthodoxy of his convictions blind him to repercussions, especially when he considers himself invincible. His refusal to share his plans about Gauntlet with some of us in UBL constitutes a red flag to me. That is why I come to you. If I can't get him to reveal his plans, at least I can have you expose the level of strength that he has so we can prepare to take him down if his plans turn destructive. You are a contingency plan but a necessary one."

[Kazuo:] "So this isn't just about me, is it?"

[Thunder:] "My hopes are that RYOMA or Tetsu also clear their blocks to face Geese in the tournament. Whether Geese beats you or not, I will make sure that you push him enough so that he considers evolving to his next threshold level. Tetsu or RYOMA may face him at that point so that I can continue to get information."

[Kazuo:] "Are you going to train with them too?"

[Thunder:] "I've offered my services to RYOMA and he can choose whether to take me up on them."

[Kazuo:] "And Tetsu?"

[Thunder:] "I offer the same. That brings me to another offer for Tetsu. But I want your answer first, Kazuo.

[Kazuo:] "Affirmative, Captain! Teach me what I need to know to be the perfect Geese counter-pick."

[Thunder:] "You won't regret this and UBL won't forget this.."

*Thunder puts his hand out and Kazuo shakes it. Tetsu then stands up.*

[Tetsu:] "And what is your offer to me?"


*Part 3 of this "Sake Social" coming soon!*

[OrochiGeese]

*Thunder turns to Tetsu Gushiken and holds out his palm.*

[Thunder:] "Do you see this?"

[Tetsu:] "It looks like a recent scar. How did you get it?"

[Thunder:] "I was sparring with Alicia. She delivered an axe kick and I tried to block it...poorly."

[Tetsu:] "Oh. Then I am truly sorry for any regret that she may have experienced."

*Thunder leans over into a hunched down posture to make eye contact with Tetsu.*

[Thunder:] "Tetsu. The only regret she had was that I was able to block it at all."

*Tetsu is silent and looks down, ashamed by his answer. Thunder takes a deep breath and lets it out as a sigh. He gathers himself and speaks in a less formal tone than usual.*

[Thunder:] "I think what RYOMA has accomplished here is miraculous. Miss Matsuki assembled a rag tag group of wrestlers but RYOMA turned all of you into one of the true elite groups in our sport. Any one of you could win the Infinite Continuum Championship and it wouldn't be an upset. Hae-Won and Sako proudly carry OG-Joshi World Tag Team Championship gold and are each contenders for the World Title. Individually and collectively, you have all gone beyond defying expectations. You are cornerstones of the industry and have been for a while."

[Kazuo:] "Even more importantly, he turned us into a family."

*Thunder nods.*

[Thunder:] "That is correct and a wise assessment."

[Kazuo:] "Okay so serve up that hot sake with all of us next time."

[Thunder:] "I admire your persistence but suggest that you quit while you are ahead."

*Kazuo smirks.*

[Thunder:] "Tetsu, RYOMA's mentorship of you coincided with the biggest period of growth in his career too. He came to the UBL in 2011 with a chip on his shoulder. Although his rivalry with Matt Rivers and disgust at Jinchuu brought out his positive attributes, it wasn't until he worked with you that he found true success. Nobu Nakazawa certainly has a lot to do with that, in his own mentorship role of RYOMA, but that was only part of the equation. At first, RYONA was resistant to Nobu's advice and only wanted to do things his way. But in becoming a mentor to you and also to Saji, RYOMA was able to more easily accept Nobu's teachings. This led their 'Sun and Moon' tag team to become one of the most legendary tag teams ever. This also led RYOMA to become the current SUPER NOVA Galactic Wrestling Universal Champion. My point is - sometimes you have to become a teacher of others to understand some of the lessons that others are trying to impart onto you."

[Tetsu:] "I understand the principle, just not your objective in raising it."

[Thunder:] "Many people have conveyed to you the folly and danger of feeling crippling guilt over hurting Charles Langford in what was a pure act of self-defense during a sanctioned pro wrestling bout. Wrestlers from Geese to THRASH Ogawa to JET Hamada to Barton Miller to RYOMA to myself have attempted to get that point across to you in various ways. Veterans and peers of yours alike have tried. But you still cannot seem to shake this misplaced emotion even though Charles was full health and back to his own tricks at Continuum III."

[Tetsu:] "His poor behavior during that show does not absolve me of causing him injury."

[Thunder:] "I didn't come here for a debate about this. If everyone I mentioned couldn't persuade you, I do not think I will be the one to do it. I have already tried once and failed. Even Geese, for all my concern about his motives, is a far more effective rhetorical debater than I am anyway."

[Kazuo:] "A master of debate, one can say."

[Thunder:] "One can but shouldn’t. My concern, Tetsu, is the fact that you are not getting better. Even with RYOMA's expert mentorship and this close knit family unit looking after you, all I see on your face and in your actions are the signs of a professional wrestler close to walking away from a sport that you used to love."

*Tetsu turns to RYOMA with a look of concern.*

[Tetsu:] "Sensei?"

[RYOMA:] "In my discussion with Thunder, I confirmed my suspicions of this. You have all the talent of a World Champion, but your career cannot survive the guilt. Even worse than quitting is my concern that you will get seriously hurt in a match given the current level of restraint you are operating under.

[Thunder:] "I saw your tentative behavior when sparring against Saji and I heard your pained answer to my scar story. It is clear that something drastic has to be done to turn around your perspective and career."

[Tetsu:] "Do you suggest that I take time off?"

[Thunder:] "I don't think any of you will have a choice in that matter. The UBL is about to go on a hiatus due to the events that occurred at Continuum III. The fallout will have a devastating effect on our promotion. I can't provide any more details about that now just because it's not clear to me either.

But it's not time off that you need, Tetsu, it's time spent differently. Months have now passed by with you trying the same thing and not having success. Living and training your current way with a massive amount of guilt and reluctance is not helping you. Do you remember what I was talking about before I brought up Langford?"

[Tetsu:] "Yes, how RYOMA became more successful in his career when he mentored Kazuo and I."

[Thunder:] "And now it is time for you to become a mentor."

*Tetsu's head snaps up due to confusion and doubt.*

[Kazuo:] "Whoa, my boy came here dropping sake bombs!"

[Thunder:] "Tetsu - you need to reclaim your love for this sport. You need to approach your guilt differently than you have been doing. And you need to open up to wisdom in a new way by first learning how to provide it to others. These are the reasons why Barton Miller has asked me to approach you."

[Tetsu:] "What does Barton want me to do?"

[Thunder:] "His Basic Training program is expanding beyond its initial roster of ten students. It will now consist of over thirty recruits with the top sixteen most promising ones being split into two classes. With that many additional students and revised structure comes the need for more teachers. Barton hand-picked you and three other current UBL wrestlers to be assistant trainers of his."

[Kazuo:] "Who are the other three?"

[Thunder:] "Yamashita Goro, Naja Mask, and Wang Gom-Bu."

[Tetsu:] "What does Barton think I can contribute?"

[Thunder:] "At the minimum, you are the most proficient at suplexes, submissions, and technical wrestling out of the assistant trainers. You also have had the more successful singles career up to this point. It is true that there is no guarantee that success in practice leads to success in teaching. However, Barton, Drake Yoshida, and I all believe that you will be a highly effective instructor."

[RYOMA:] "I do as well."

[Kazuo:] "Here, here! Hae-Won's not the only won, uh, one, who has taught me submissions. You have too!"

[Tetsu:] "Even if I was able to teach a few years ago, we all agree I am not the same person."

[Thunder:] "It is our belief that your love of the sport will be rekindled by the passion and excitement of the new recruits and your appreciation for the value of your position."

[Kazuo:] "You'll get your groove back!"

[RYOMA:] "Your toukon will return."

[Thunder:] "And with that fighting spirit burning again, you'll look at the Langford situation differently. Once that happens, you'll also be more open to everything that we are telling you."

[Tetsu:] "Will the students want to train with me?"

[Thunder:] "They already do. With all of our events currently on hold, the only thing that they can do is train in the Dojo. That goes for our active roster and new recruits. Even without knowing you are being approached with this offer, many assigned to Basic Training have requested to spar with you."

[Tetsu:] "I do not wish to end their careers before they start."

[Thunder:] "That wouldn't happen with the passive way that you are currently sparring. But that mentality is why you are not going to start this role by working with them in the ring. Barton will have you teaching classes on techniques and strategy first before any physical interaction. In time, if you are ready for it, you can get into the ring with them too. It is our strong belief that you will rise to the occasion. By that I mean not just returning to your old mindset, but evolving even further."

*Tetsu nods and then falls silent. The others wait about two minutes until he responds.*

[Tetsu:] "I am humbled by the offer and the respect that it represents. I know that it is not just charity, but I thank everyone involved for the concern showed to me as well."

[Thunder:] "Certainly. Drake Yoshida has told me that he considers you an icon of the UBL because you represent its competitive and spiritual values so well. I agree with that assessment."

[Tetsu:] "I strived to honor what it stands for and walk in the footsteps of those who paved the way."

[Thunder:] "And all of those people got to a point in their career where they moved forward by giving back."

[RYOMA:] "Geese mentored Robin and Kyle Walker. Thunder mentored Alicia Gordon."

[Kazuo:] "Robin mentored Sandy Morton."

*Silence as one could almost see a tumbleweed full of old rice sail by.*

[Thunder:] "This decision would represent a significant chance in your career and life. You would have to move to New York due to the expected training schedule. Also, while you can still compete in the UBL while being an assistant trainer, you would be a lot busier than before."

[Tetsu:] "Sensei, may we discuss this privately?"

[RYOMA:] "Of course."

[Thunder:] "That is what I wanted to hear. I was hoping for a quick response from Kazuo. But this offer is of a much deeper nature and so contemplation is the way to approach it, Tetsu. Barton wants you to take your time with this as well. If you want to reach out to him further, you are encouraged to."

[Tetsu:] "I will think about this over the next week and give him my answer."

[Thunder:] "He will appreciate a prompt but thoughtful and decisive answer."

[Tetsu:] "Thank you for all that you have said. And if you want my help in the future to test Geese Walker's threshold, it would be an honor to train with you."

*Tetsu bows to Thunder who bows back.*

[Thunder:] "Okay, I think we have covered everything but-"

*Thunder looks at Kazuo who still appears uneasy. Thunder sighs and nods to RYOMA.*

[RYOMA:] "Ok, he has been good. I will have her bring it in."

*RYOMA leaves the room. A few minutes later, the waiting staff bring in what's left of the sake that Thunder Strike brought and a few cups. Kazuo's eyes open up like a kid at Christmas.*

[Kazuo:] "YES!!!!"

[RYOMA:] "None of that. Just drink quietly and that will honor our guest...and my patience."

*Kazuo smiles wide and the three of them enjoy sake while Tetsu drinks from his green tea with a contemplative expression.*