The New Winds

The now bald Utaku still bore some clear wounds from his time in the flames but they did not seem to hinder his movements nor his spirt.

He offers a smile and a respectful bow to his opponent, "Well I shall choose to believe the Kakita are above setting their own up for easy matches and that facing you means they have confidence in my skill. I look forward to seeing how our styles compare, Kakita-san."

He adopts a stance that draws upon the basics of Kakita's technique, as taught in the Ruby Dojo, but clearly has been flavored and influenced by other teachers since.

(Initiative: 24)

Kenji confronted Ichiro. "Utaku-san, I look forward to our duel," he said and bowed.

He prepared himself. Here was the moment to show that Kenji was capable, every previous event had been catastrophic, not here, no, here Kenji was not allowed to lose.

---
Initiative: D7 LM Initiative: 6d10o10k5+14 39

(Initiative to Kenji but, since it does not impact my roll, continuing into Assessment to keep things flowing)

Ichiro had not had a chance to inspect the weapons today as he had during the weaponry bouts and it still gnawed at him that if they could not see that Hitoshi did not pass they could still try to sabotage him another way. Unaware that his foreboding was exactly correct the Unicorn shakes it off and tries to focus on his match. His divided attention would not be noticeable to the unskilled but might put him at a disadvantage to the Kakita.


(Round 1 Assessment, Iaijutsu(Assessment)/Awareness, 1 Raise called, TN20 = 22
Learning Void Ring and TN please)

Kenji watched Ichiro's movements, how he moved his feet, how he used his fingers, his breathing. All this Kenji used to judge his opponent, he knew when to strike, he could feel it, the only question was if he was faster than his opponent.

---
Void: 4 TN: 30

D7 LM Iaijutsu/Assesment)/Awareness TN15 +Void: 10d10o10k6 52 +3 EX Succeses
Learning: Void, Emphasis, TN, Skill
+2k2 for Focus (Iai 7)

(Void 4, Assessment was only Emphasis, TN 25, Iaijutsu 5)

Kenji focused. Fate was up to decide who would win this Duel.
---
D7 LM Iaijutsu/(Focus)/Void +2k2 Assesment +1k1+1 R1 +5 Iai 5 +4 Void: 10d10ro1o10k9+9 79

Faced with a truly worthy opponent Ichiro lets his other concerns drop aside for the briefest of moments. His mind and soul drops back into the heart of the crystal becoming still and perfect until finally lashing out with blazing speed. The Crane's form was good but it seemed Fortune was with the Utaku as he slid past Kenji's defenses leaving the slightest trace of red on his cheek.

The dulled blade was flicked clean and returned to its sheath as quickly. Ichiro bows even deeper than before though out of increased respect for his opponent's skill not as an insult.

"A spectacular showing, Kakita-san. I could sense your connection to the Void. Fate was on my side this day but I have no doubt you will easily surpass me in this arena in the years to come."

(Round 1 Focus, Iaijutsu/Void, Center +1k1+4, Honor +5k0, VP for +1k1, Iai 5 for +5 = 84 vs 79, Ichiro strikes first, no free raises

Round 1 Strike, Iaijutsu/Reflexes, Center towards hit +1k1+4, TN30 = 36

Round 1 Damage, +1k0 Kenjutsu 3, Keeping low = 3)

Defeated. Again.
Kenji was broken.
This was his skill, his only duty.
16 years of preparations were made so he could duel for the crane. Only to be bested by an unicron in the first round.
Kenji felt the bood running down his cheek, but he struggled with the immense emotional pressure that was building up inside him.
16 years of training. Wasted on him.

He gave Ichiro a wooden bow and congratulated him on his win, but he couldn't hear his won voice saying them.
All there was in his mind was the Mantra again: "Failure. Dissapointment. Dirt"

Kenji left the field. His Eyes hollow, staring in the distance.

Kakita Kenji is eliminated
Utaku Ichiro advances, new points: 229