Samurai of 1100 AD

Welcome one and all to Battle Palsifal!

Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for a pre-match demonstration? Hailing from the East... The winner of the Eastern Plate Championships, the samurai power- house... Oboro!

He will be fighting Oz, KMS's free- thinking battle robot that learns its opponent's abilities! How will our samurai fare against this machine? Let's find out!

Itto-Ryu: Haze!

What skill, what speed! And just like that, the battle is over! We'd expect nothing less from our guardian samurai!

A glimpse of what's to come in the tournament ahead! You won't want to miss this, ladies and gentlemen!

I think that went pretty well, don't you?

You were incredible! I've never seen someone move so fast.

Glad I could impress ya. Now I just gotta impress the rest of Elzion with my samurai skills.

You're from the East, right?

That's right! I was asked to come here by my sponsors, KMS Eastern Division.

They wanted me to show off their latest equipment, you see.

Huh. I guess modern samurai have to trade castles for companies to get work then?

Ha! You calling me a corporate- samurai? Now that's something I'd love to see! Imagine a great warrior of a bygone age traveling to the future and getting a job at KMS.

Me, I prefer to keep it classic, you know? Like traveling the world, solving problems, that kinda thing.

That's how Nyanmaru rolls, too. Ain't that right, li'l buddy?

Um, on that subject, I can't help but ask... What exactly is that robot thing?

Huh? You mean Nyanmaru?

You're from the East, right, Oboro? What brings you to Elzion?

I was asked to come here by my sponsors, KMS Eastern Division.

They wanted me to show off their latest equipment, you see.

I thought this before, but... I guess modern samurai have to trade castles for companies to get work, huh.

Ha! You calling me a corporate- samurai? Now that's something I'd love to see! Imagine a great warrior of a bygone age traveling to the future and getting a job at KMS.

Me, I prefer to keep it classic, you know? Like traveling the world, solving problems, that kinda thing.

That's how Nyanmaru rolls, too. Ain't that right, li'l buddy?

You really like that cat robot, don't you?

Sure do!

He's my buddy! He does everything from managing my schedule and training to listening to me blabber on! Then there's Nyankichi and Nyansuke. They help me out as well. But Nyanmaru's my favorite. He's been by my side ever since I made him, back in elementary school.

You made that...back in elementary school? Whoa, these schools of the future sure are impressive.

You got that right! I just love to hear you praise my era!

Robotics classes are compulsory in a lotta schools in the East. A remnant of the olden days on the surface I guess. Back when folks used to rely on machines and things.

Really? That's amazing.

Hold up, looks like I've got a message. Just a sec.

"The venue is now ready. Please make your way to the airport." Well, what're we waiting for? Let's get going!

Is everyone here taking part in the tournament?

Think so. I see a few seasoned pros in the crowd.

That so?

See over there? That's Allan of the West. And then there's Shibi and Mei-lin. I've gone up against them a few times in Eastern bouts.

Ah, looks like they've spotted me. Hey, good luck you guys!

And there's Rico and Hans. And Foran, too? Funny, she doesn't usually come to these things.

Wow, you really seem to know a lot of people.

Sure do. May even have more friends than you, Aldo, and I know that's saying something.

I just like talking to people. It broadens your horizons, you know?

Yeah, I know what you mean. Meeting someone new is like a breath of fresh air to me.

"A meeting is a miracle. A dream of a lifetime... "It's not about everlasting love or reunions in the afterlife. Just the here and now, with my friend."

Is that a quote or something? Because I have no idea what you're talking about.

Hahaha! It's a line from the main character in my favorite samurai movie, The Relentless Elder. Samurai live and die for justice. So, he's telling his friend to cherish the present. To live in the here and now.

It's such a good scene, I'm telling you! It gets me every time.

Honestly, samurai are just the best.

You really admire samurai, huh?

Well, yeah! They're just so cool! And I wanna be cool like the samurai in the movies. And that means, when an opportunity comes along, you make darn sure you grab onto it!

On that note...I'm gonna go pounce on that guy!

What the...? Oboro!

Sigh... Why isn't anybody nervous?

Honestly. Don't they know this is a sacred tournament? Not some school field day?

You seem a little wound up. Not a fan of crowds or something?

Whoa!

Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you there. You just looked so bored that I couldn't help but come on over...

Why, if it isn't the reigning Eastern Champion. How nice of you to worry about me.

You know who I am? Honestly, I'm flattered! But since this is our first time meeting, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Oboro. Nice to meet ya!

That's great, but this is a tournament, not a besties retreat. I came here to win. If you want to play around, go somewhere else, kid.

Never realized the Eastern Champion was just some delusional samurai wannabe.

Hey, that was uncalled for! Why would you say something so rude?

And who's this? Your little school buddy, here to fight your fights for you? Pathetic...

Hey!

Relax, Aldo, it's all good. Some players just get a little nervous before a match, that's all. It was thoughtless of me to bother him.

Oboro...

All right, not long until it's go time! Gotta get my head in the game!

Thank you all for waiting! The tournament is about to begin.

The rules are simple. Just clear the four trials set up across the venue. Whoever ends up with the highest score wins. The winner will receive the title of reigning champion, a trophy, and last but not least, one million Git!

Good luck, everyone! Let the games begin!

Okay, for the first trial... It's a matter of speed. They want to see how quickly we can unleash attacks. For that...

Sonic Thunder!

All right! First trial, cleared!

Itto-Ryu: Dazzle!

Huh? I mean, I knew about that technique from the literature, but I guess I wasn't clued up on the details. I figured I'd be strong enough to pull it off here, but I guess not. Shame... Well, better try this again...

The second trial's all about frequency. You've gotta show how many times you can strike an enemy with a single attack. Okay, I've got this...

Itto-Ryu: Radiant! That'll do it!

YES! That's the second challenge down! Easy!

Karakuri Samurai Sword!

Huh? Nothing's happening...

Urrrgghhh! (You idiot! You stupid, stupid idiot! It's not a real move. It's from that samurai anime you used to watch!)

Ugh, I'm so embarrassed! Why did I have to do that?

Looks like the third challenge is about dealing with multiple enemies... Okay, so I need to defeat as many enemies as possible in one go. In that case...

How'd ya like this Blitz Buster, huh?

Victory's gonna be mine! I've got a good feeling about this!

Swift Cut!

...... Wait a minute, this is Aldo's technique...

Guess I'm trying this one again!

All right, that's the third trial completed! Just one more to go now!

Strange. This looks like a dead-end. I could have sworn this was the right way... Hm, maybe I should go back to the main venue for now.

Huh? What's going on?

We are undergoing some trouble at the fourth trial, so the match will have to be temporarily suspended. Please wait while we resolve the issue. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

The tournament's on pause? What happened?

Do you remember Oz from the pre-match demonstration?

Sure, I remember. Hard to forget a battle robot with a mind of its own.

Right, well Oz was the fourth trial...

Only, it malfunctioned and its safety device got switched off. Meaning that we now have an unstoppable killing machine on our hands... And no one here knows how to shut it down. Neither its developers nor its challengers have had any luck.

Due to the risk of injury it poses, we're trying to respond as rapidly as possible.

What is it?

We seem to be missing a few participants.

Is there anyone who hasn't returned yet from the fourth challenge?

Um... Some didn't respond when I called them. Maybe their mics were broken.

So they might be heading toward a killer robot, totally unaware of the danger they're in?

Does Oz have an emergency stop button?

Yes, on the chest control panel. But there's no way to activate it remotely. It has to be done in-person.

Got it. I'll take care of that for ya.

No, it's too risky! Look, we all know how skilled you are, Oboro. You're our Eastern Champion, after all... But you're still just an athlete, not a warrior. So please...

I appreciate your concern.

But a samurai lives for justice. I can't stand idly by and let others fall into danger.

C'mon, it'll be fine! I'll bring everyone back to safety, you'll see. Just have a little faith, okay?

If nothing else, someone has to tell the other competitors not to fight Oz.

Very well... Do take care.

Oz can be found by the entrance to Elzion.

What's with this thing?

It's so much harder than all the other trials! It doesn't make sense.

Get away from that!

But we've gotta win...

Listen to me! I have a message from the tournament organizers. There's a problem with the robot and it's malfunctioning badly. You shouldn't fight that thing, not right now at least.

Oh... Let's get out of here!

What are you doing? Didn't you hear what Oboro just said?

Sure, I heard him. Seems to me that if I can defeat the unbeatable robot, I'll prove I'm the strongest here.

The lone warrior taking on the baddie might be cool in the movies, but this isn't a movie! This is real life!

Don't put yourself in danger. Life is way more important than fame, right?

I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand.

I've put my all into this tournament! If I can beat this thing...it proves that I'm the best!

Argh!

Oboro, can you stop that robot?

I can't. Not unless I can get it to calm down.

Sorry about this, Oz, but my hands are tied here. This ain't gonna be pretty.

Okay, this looks like the control panel. I just gotta switch this and...

There! It's stopped.

Nyanmaru, you mind keeping an eye on Oz?

You okay?

Yeah, yeah, I'll cope. Now leave me alone already.

Hey, you could at least show some manners given what Oboro just did for you!

Honestly Aldo, it's fine. Hey, would you mind telling the organizers that Oz has been taken care of?

Uh, sure, I can do that.

Thanks!

Lucky you, the center of everyone's attention once again. Meanwhile, I'm stuck in loserville. Never to win no matter how hard I try.

Don't put yourself down like that. It's up to you to decide your own worth, not anybody or anything else.

Ugh, what would you know?

I know. I went through the same thing you're going through back when I was a little kid.

I had no dreams back then. I felt so inferior, so...ordinary.

Everybody around me seemed so perfect, and my self-worth started to take a beating.

But in competitions, there'll always be winners, and there'll always be losers. That's just how it goes. Honestly? I've lost count of the number of times I've lost.

Okay, but that was then. You're a winner now.

Sure, I'm champion right now, but for how long? It won't last forever. One day, some new talent will come along, and I won't be able to beat them.

If all that matters is perfection and an unbeaten track record, then both my past and future selves fail. And come on, that's just stupid.

Your worth isn't determined by winning or losing. All that matters is that you're someone you can be proud of.

Yeah, but they're just words. They don't mean anything.

And what's wrong with "just words"?

See, I like that I'm a dreamer. And I like that I'm a hard-worker, and that I never, ever give up. And you know what? I like that sometimes, I can be a total idiot. I'm proud of it all.

And that's why, as far as I'm concerned, I am beneath no one.

I can't stand people like you. You're too perfect. It makes me sick.

Fair enough! But me, I like people like you, people who speak their mind freely.

Mind if I ask you your name?

It's Damian.

Damian, huh? Nice name. Well, it's nice to meet you, Damian.

Hey, I told the event organizer and I think he's coming here. He told us to return to the airport for now.

Great stuff! Looks like that's that then.

Hey, Oboro! Next time, I'm gonna beat you, you got that?

Not if I beat you first! And don't come crying to me when you lose, okay?

Thank you for joining us here. First, allow me to apologize for the inconvenience caused by our robot programming error. If you'll allow me, I'd now like to report the results of the tournament.

The winner of today's contest showed strength and bravery in protecting others from a formidable opponent...

Who else could it be but our razor- sharp Eastern Samurai, Oboro!

A worthy victor if ever there was one, I'm sure you'll all agree! Ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause for our champion!

Okay, now that that's done and over with, how about something to eat?

My treat. Gotta spend that prize money somehow.

That's so kind of you! Then I wouldn't mind a hot milk.

Just a hot milk? C'mon Aldo, we're friends. No need to hold back!

Nyanmaru, give us some restaurant recommendations. I wanna treat Aldo to something fancy.

Mmmm...

Um, Oboro? I get you must be hungry after all that, but, um, what...is that?

This? Looks good, right?

It's sausage with chili mayo sauce and vanilla ice cream. An Oboro specialty!

I usually eat chili udon with red bean paste and soybean flour after a contest... But this ain't a bad replacement! I have a real skill at finding new flavor combinations, you know!

You eating, Aldo? This dish gives you a real stamina boost!

Thanks, but no thanks. It's all yours, Oboro.

Congratulations on your win, by the way. It was well deserved.

Thanks, man! That means a lot coming from you.

Shame about that li'l hiccup, though. I would've loved to show you a proper match.

Well, there's always next time, I suppose!

I hope you mean that! 'Cause the next one's gonna be back my way, in the East! Usually the contests are held in the digital world, but sometimes, like this one, we do them in stadiums.

Wow, I'm already so excited! I can show you around my hometown, and take you to all my favorite eateries!

E-Eateries? You want to take me to eat? A-Again?

Well, yeah! There's this amazing confectionery called the Riverside Teahouse. You're gonna love it.

The mustard mayo mitarashi and pepper bean jam will blow your mind! Oh, and then there's the herbal chocolate sorbet, it's to die for!

Nope, not happening! I'm not going!

Oh, don't be like that! Trust me, you're gonna love it!