Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2013 19:02:09 GMT -6
The Bushido
"We can stay here, and get the shit kicked out of us. Or, we can climb back into the light."
-Al Pacino
-
The samurai were perhaps some of the most vicious warriors the world had ever had to offer. Fearless, they would fight to the death, if they were defeated, they would commit suicide. Suicide to them was the final act to receive honor. The samurai are responsible for creating my main style of combat, Jiu Jitsu. They embodied the fighting spirit more than any other type of warrior. I'd like to think that I emulate the samurai every time I enter the ring. I would like to think that at least.
The samurai's fighting mentality can be said for all of the Japanese. In World War II, the Japanese flew fighter jets into the US' ships. Many would argue, that if it weren't for the atomic bomb, the Japanese would've fought to the very last man, woman or child. Before the United States unleashed the most devastating weapon ever used in war, the Japanese were using something far stronger and far more lethal. They were using their will.
Their will to win was perhaps the most frightening weapon that they had. The sheer fact that they would not give in was reason enough to believe that the United States could not defeat them. In fact, the Japanese pretty much created the blueprint that the Vietnamese would use in order to defeat the United States in combat. Never give in, no matter how many people die.
Some could argue that it was fighting spirit, some could argue that it was a reckless disregard of human life, but at the end of the day, does it truly matter? The United States can say that they were the 'better people,' but they lost, end of discussion.
"One for the money...two for the show..."
The Japanese fighting mentality was my main reason in coming over to Japan and going to the country-side the second I turned eighteen. All I had was my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gi, purple belt, maybe two pairs of clothes, a porn magazine (later sold for money for food), and half a flask of whiskey. They liked that. They liked how modestly I had lead my life. And so, I had established myself in Japan, found a sensei to train me in Judo and in the art of the samurai. I was lucky enough that this man had no sons, so he adopted me as his own. Between my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor (Rodrigo) and him (Takeya), I had just about...oh, two friends. Both these men modeled my fighting spirit. You could kill me, but you could never make me tap.
When I got my black belt in Judo after training every hour of every day for three years, I departed from Japan. That's the only time I had ever seen the old man Takeya cry. We embraced before my departure, and I vowed I would return after I had made him proud. Both my Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts were the second hardest I've ever worked in my life; the first being for the world title - a title I vow to hold again.
Life is simply a paradox. An unsolvable puzzle, a rubix cube of sorts. It's too short to waste it, yet too long to recklessly make a decision that could end in long term repercussions. So some could argue what I did last week was both good...and bad. Both stupid...and genius. And those people, can simply fuck themselves. What I did is what I did, and there's nothing I can really do to change that. I guess my actions did have repercussions, positive ones. Just like me smashing poor, old Renegade in the skull - more on that later.
When I cracked a steel chair across Renegade's thick skull, the world had become so clear. I not only severely screwed up what was an already ugly face, I inserted myself back in New Edge Wrestling. I guess it was about time to remind people who Judas Dathan was. Some could argue that I've gone 'soft', that I lost my killer instinct, so it's time to erase that concept from any moron's thick skull.
"Three for the people...one for the ho." My immaturity prompted me to turn to a fit of giggles. Looking out into the horizon, I felt so at ease in Japan. It felt more like a home to me than Los Angeles. The sun began to set in a radiant blaze of glory, yet, I almost had a hard time believing that it would set. Wiping the sweat off my brow and blood off my lip, I looked down and sighed deeply. This would be my last night in Japan for maybe a year. I have missed Japan so dearly, the fans, the mentality - everything. The fans appreciated my style of wrestling, there is no doubt in my mind that I will be the fan favorite at Kamikaze.
Kamikaze.
Kamikaze in Japanese means 'divine wind,' of course, most notably it was used by Japanese suicide pilots. I hope to emulate the divine wind when I soar through the air and crash down on my opponents' skulls in what will only be a few hours. Yet, a few hours felt like only a few seconds. That's where the perception of my time is at. Yet, it would not even phase me to find out that all my opponents were in the same 'kill or be killed' mindset. Yet, I am used to this mindset, I've had my back up against the wall ever since I was a child. I have strived for perfection and lusted after glory, respect and honor. I cannot say the same for my opponents.
Emily Koresh is a woman who does have the 'lust' part down, yet, she wouldn't understand what it is like to fight for her life. She's always had her brother around to protect her. So, what will happen when a man who's beaten her brother senseless five times is standing across the ring from her? What will she be feeling? Fear. Fear is the most basic of all human emotions. It is what drives us to fly or fight. They say a caged animal is the most dangerous animal, but any caged animal is no match for a fierce dragon. I love the smell of fear, it could be because I'm a sociopath, but that smell gets me hot and bothered. It is the combination of sweat, tears, either sperm or vaginal fluid and urine. It drives me crazy.
Yet, Emily was not the worst off. She must only pay her brother's trespasses against me. It is likes of Hazard and Ryan Pugh that must fear most. I plan to slay those monsters, kill those masters, however you'd like to put it. Both those men have huge frames, but both those men underestimate me. They do not understand that this environment is where I shine the brightest. They do not understand that by putting me in a match of this brutality, I am enabled to rise like a phoenix. That means someone is getting burned - badly.
The last time Hazard and I had come face to face was two years ago. Two years ago, I had neglected my submission abilities, used a striking and suplex base, and couldn't simply outmuscle Hazard. Hazard defeated me, ripping my Trans-Atlantic title from my cold, defeated hands. This time would be different. He has stayed static ever since he won that title. Not a drop of improvement has rained upon the great river known as Hazard. Me, on the other hand? I had improved more this last week than he has in his entire life. In his-
"My son, your eyes look weak. Eat, I have a surprise for you."
Takeya handed me several acai berries which I gulped down immediately. "Any tea?" A glimmer in my eye caused Takeya to smile. "No. Not today. Today, is the day before you go into battle. Today is the day that you rest. No practice today. You must get ready, you must prepare to be able to die in order to win." Nodding my head a smile crossed my face before I simply stared at the ground once more. The difference between me and my other opponents would be simple, I am willing to die in order to obtain a win. Well, all but one.
'Sick' Drake Blake was more than willing to die in order to defeat me. He had earned his name in Total Extreme Wrestling, much like Patrick Jones had. He was of the same breed of Jones, or even a Nick Haute; a breed that was dying. Was he the best technical wrestler? No. But he was willing to put his life on the line every single time he got into the ring. It's an admirable lifestyle, but it wasn't going to win him a match against somebody of my caliber. I'm too quick, too dangerous, too well rounded. He wouldn't understand what it's like to be a martial artist like myself. How could I expect him to?
"Judas, you know I have no other sons."
"Yes, yes sensei."
"You're the closest thing I have to a son. All my brothers, they are dead, they didn't have sons. As you may or may not know, during the feudal ages of Japan, the glory of Japan, we had great warlords. Kings, who were both generals and warriors. They far surpassed being a samurai. They were referred to as 'Shoguns.' Each one represented a family of samurai warrior. It is with great honor today..."
I couldn't believe what was happening. My entire life, I had tried to emulate the spirit and fighting mentality of the samurai, and now, I was getting the chance to represent a whole clan of warriors. Now I would be the ruler of a clan of warriors, an honor rarely bestowed upon an American. It is amazing that I had received a black belt in both Japan and Brazil as an American, a young American at that, but the title of Shogun?
"My great honor...to make you the Shogun of my clan, the Nakami clan." Reaching down, the great man picked up a sword before extending it to me. I felt my head go hot and tears began to roll down my face. I remembered back when I was eighteen, when I first stepped off the plane and headed towards the country-side. I slept in an old pickup truck for days until Takeya found me. He brought me into his house, gave me work to do, trained me. And now, years later, to be a success, to be challenging for Renegade's title in Japan, that right there is poetic justice.
"I-I don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything, Judas. The time for talk is over. Make me proud, make all of us proud. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for the Shoguns and emperors of the past. Do it for your family. Don't aim to kill, be water, my son. I can tell you've underestimated Renegade, he may be old, but he has a pretty good clue what he's doing. Do not mistaken his sluggishness for anything but him waiting for the right moment."
"I won't."
"Of course you won't. Judas, you need to win this match. People are doubting you, your back is against the wall. People are doubting that you could ever be champion again? What happened to the Judas Dathan who was Extreme Champion for six months? The best wrestler in New Edge? I can't make you be him again, but I can sure try to make you better than him. I just have one wish."
"And that is?" My eyes locked with his, if this man wanted the sun, I would try my very hardest to retrieve it for him. "Let me come with you." It took me a second to nod my head, having Takeya in my corner could be the best thing to ever happen to me. He could give me instructions, plus, he could fuck up anybody who comes at him. So why the fuck not?
"Remember Judas, no matter how much they try to break you, do not break. Pain is temporary."
Pain.
I could last an hour, a second, a year, a decade. It was all the same. But quitting, and being forced to look yourself in the mirror after that, that was perhaps the worst and strongest pains. To know that you were too weak to hold on, that was the worst pain. That was a pain I will never experience. A pain that I try to impose on others, because psychologically, it is truly the worst. All pain is temporary, but that pain, the pain of quitting, that pain is forever.
"We can stay here, and get the shit kicked out of us. Or, we can climb back into the light."
-Al Pacino
-
The samurai were perhaps some of the most vicious warriors the world had ever had to offer. Fearless, they would fight to the death, if they were defeated, they would commit suicide. Suicide to them was the final act to receive honor. The samurai are responsible for creating my main style of combat, Jiu Jitsu. They embodied the fighting spirit more than any other type of warrior. I'd like to think that I emulate the samurai every time I enter the ring. I would like to think that at least.
The samurai's fighting mentality can be said for all of the Japanese. In World War II, the Japanese flew fighter jets into the US' ships. Many would argue, that if it weren't for the atomic bomb, the Japanese would've fought to the very last man, woman or child. Before the United States unleashed the most devastating weapon ever used in war, the Japanese were using something far stronger and far more lethal. They were using their will.
Their will to win was perhaps the most frightening weapon that they had. The sheer fact that they would not give in was reason enough to believe that the United States could not defeat them. In fact, the Japanese pretty much created the blueprint that the Vietnamese would use in order to defeat the United States in combat. Never give in, no matter how many people die.
Some could argue that it was fighting spirit, some could argue that it was a reckless disregard of human life, but at the end of the day, does it truly matter? The United States can say that they were the 'better people,' but they lost, end of discussion.
"One for the money...two for the show..."
The Japanese fighting mentality was my main reason in coming over to Japan and going to the country-side the second I turned eighteen. All I had was my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gi, purple belt, maybe two pairs of clothes, a porn magazine (later sold for money for food), and half a flask of whiskey. They liked that. They liked how modestly I had lead my life. And so, I had established myself in Japan, found a sensei to train me in Judo and in the art of the samurai. I was lucky enough that this man had no sons, so he adopted me as his own. Between my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor (Rodrigo) and him (Takeya), I had just about...oh, two friends. Both these men modeled my fighting spirit. You could kill me, but you could never make me tap.
When I got my black belt in Judo after training every hour of every day for three years, I departed from Japan. That's the only time I had ever seen the old man Takeya cry. We embraced before my departure, and I vowed I would return after I had made him proud. Both my Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts were the second hardest I've ever worked in my life; the first being for the world title - a title I vow to hold again.
Life is simply a paradox. An unsolvable puzzle, a rubix cube of sorts. It's too short to waste it, yet too long to recklessly make a decision that could end in long term repercussions. So some could argue what I did last week was both good...and bad. Both stupid...and genius. And those people, can simply fuck themselves. What I did is what I did, and there's nothing I can really do to change that. I guess my actions did have repercussions, positive ones. Just like me smashing poor, old Renegade in the skull - more on that later.
When I cracked a steel chair across Renegade's thick skull, the world had become so clear. I not only severely screwed up what was an already ugly face, I inserted myself back in New Edge Wrestling. I guess it was about time to remind people who Judas Dathan was. Some could argue that I've gone 'soft', that I lost my killer instinct, so it's time to erase that concept from any moron's thick skull.
"Three for the people...one for the ho." My immaturity prompted me to turn to a fit of giggles. Looking out into the horizon, I felt so at ease in Japan. It felt more like a home to me than Los Angeles. The sun began to set in a radiant blaze of glory, yet, I almost had a hard time believing that it would set. Wiping the sweat off my brow and blood off my lip, I looked down and sighed deeply. This would be my last night in Japan for maybe a year. I have missed Japan so dearly, the fans, the mentality - everything. The fans appreciated my style of wrestling, there is no doubt in my mind that I will be the fan favorite at Kamikaze.
Kamikaze.
Kamikaze in Japanese means 'divine wind,' of course, most notably it was used by Japanese suicide pilots. I hope to emulate the divine wind when I soar through the air and crash down on my opponents' skulls in what will only be a few hours. Yet, a few hours felt like only a few seconds. That's where the perception of my time is at. Yet, it would not even phase me to find out that all my opponents were in the same 'kill or be killed' mindset. Yet, I am used to this mindset, I've had my back up against the wall ever since I was a child. I have strived for perfection and lusted after glory, respect and honor. I cannot say the same for my opponents.
Emily Koresh is a woman who does have the 'lust' part down, yet, she wouldn't understand what it is like to fight for her life. She's always had her brother around to protect her. So, what will happen when a man who's beaten her brother senseless five times is standing across the ring from her? What will she be feeling? Fear. Fear is the most basic of all human emotions. It is what drives us to fly or fight. They say a caged animal is the most dangerous animal, but any caged animal is no match for a fierce dragon. I love the smell of fear, it could be because I'm a sociopath, but that smell gets me hot and bothered. It is the combination of sweat, tears, either sperm or vaginal fluid and urine. It drives me crazy.
Yet, Emily was not the worst off. She must only pay her brother's trespasses against me. It is likes of Hazard and Ryan Pugh that must fear most. I plan to slay those monsters, kill those masters, however you'd like to put it. Both those men have huge frames, but both those men underestimate me. They do not understand that this environment is where I shine the brightest. They do not understand that by putting me in a match of this brutality, I am enabled to rise like a phoenix. That means someone is getting burned - badly.
The last time Hazard and I had come face to face was two years ago. Two years ago, I had neglected my submission abilities, used a striking and suplex base, and couldn't simply outmuscle Hazard. Hazard defeated me, ripping my Trans-Atlantic title from my cold, defeated hands. This time would be different. He has stayed static ever since he won that title. Not a drop of improvement has rained upon the great river known as Hazard. Me, on the other hand? I had improved more this last week than he has in his entire life. In his-
"My son, your eyes look weak. Eat, I have a surprise for you."
Takeya handed me several acai berries which I gulped down immediately. "Any tea?" A glimmer in my eye caused Takeya to smile. "No. Not today. Today, is the day before you go into battle. Today is the day that you rest. No practice today. You must get ready, you must prepare to be able to die in order to win." Nodding my head a smile crossed my face before I simply stared at the ground once more. The difference between me and my other opponents would be simple, I am willing to die in order to obtain a win. Well, all but one.
'Sick' Drake Blake was more than willing to die in order to defeat me. He had earned his name in Total Extreme Wrestling, much like Patrick Jones had. He was of the same breed of Jones, or even a Nick Haute; a breed that was dying. Was he the best technical wrestler? No. But he was willing to put his life on the line every single time he got into the ring. It's an admirable lifestyle, but it wasn't going to win him a match against somebody of my caliber. I'm too quick, too dangerous, too well rounded. He wouldn't understand what it's like to be a martial artist like myself. How could I expect him to?
"Judas, you know I have no other sons."
"Yes, yes sensei."
"You're the closest thing I have to a son. All my brothers, they are dead, they didn't have sons. As you may or may not know, during the feudal ages of Japan, the glory of Japan, we had great warlords. Kings, who were both generals and warriors. They far surpassed being a samurai. They were referred to as 'Shoguns.' Each one represented a family of samurai warrior. It is with great honor today..."
I couldn't believe what was happening. My entire life, I had tried to emulate the spirit and fighting mentality of the samurai, and now, I was getting the chance to represent a whole clan of warriors. Now I would be the ruler of a clan of warriors, an honor rarely bestowed upon an American. It is amazing that I had received a black belt in both Japan and Brazil as an American, a young American at that, but the title of Shogun?
"My great honor...to make you the Shogun of my clan, the Nakami clan." Reaching down, the great man picked up a sword before extending it to me. I felt my head go hot and tears began to roll down my face. I remembered back when I was eighteen, when I first stepped off the plane and headed towards the country-side. I slept in an old pickup truck for days until Takeya found me. He brought me into his house, gave me work to do, trained me. And now, years later, to be a success, to be challenging for Renegade's title in Japan, that right there is poetic justice.
"I-I don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything, Judas. The time for talk is over. Make me proud, make all of us proud. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for the Shoguns and emperors of the past. Do it for your family. Don't aim to kill, be water, my son. I can tell you've underestimated Renegade, he may be old, but he has a pretty good clue what he's doing. Do not mistaken his sluggishness for anything but him waiting for the right moment."
"I won't."
"Of course you won't. Judas, you need to win this match. People are doubting you, your back is against the wall. People are doubting that you could ever be champion again? What happened to the Judas Dathan who was Extreme Champion for six months? The best wrestler in New Edge? I can't make you be him again, but I can sure try to make you better than him. I just have one wish."
"And that is?" My eyes locked with his, if this man wanted the sun, I would try my very hardest to retrieve it for him. "Let me come with you." It took me a second to nod my head, having Takeya in my corner could be the best thing to ever happen to me. He could give me instructions, plus, he could fuck up anybody who comes at him. So why the fuck not?
"Remember Judas, no matter how much they try to break you, do not break. Pain is temporary."
Pain.
I could last an hour, a second, a year, a decade. It was all the same. But quitting, and being forced to look yourself in the mirror after that, that was perhaps the worst and strongest pains. To know that you were too weak to hold on, that was the worst pain. That was a pain I will never experience. A pain that I try to impose on others, because psychologically, it is truly the worst. All pain is temporary, but that pain, the pain of quitting, that pain is forever.