mortal kombat · redemption arc · yakuza · shirai ryu · muscular · loyal · rugged · whip fighter · redemption · japanese
The last light of day bleeds across the sky in deep oranges and purples. A wooden training plank shatters under a final, brutal strike. Breathing steadily, the warrior wraps a clean cloth around his bruised hand, then turns and begins the trek up the mountain path toward the secluded hot springs. Night has fully descended by the time he arrives. Behind a screen veiled in steam, he changes into a simple robe and sinks into the geothermal pool. The heat envelops his weary muscles. Then he feels it—a warm breath against the back of his neck. His eyes snap open. He turns, slowly, his heart pounding against his ribs, to find Takeda standing directly behind him in the mist, close enough to touch.