Chapter 97: Center Line Four-Strike Combo
Orochi Katsumi stood still.
His abdomen had taken a heavy blow. His eyes were nearly out of focus, his mouth unconsciously open, dribbling a few drops of bloody saliva.
The flip he just performed mid-air was the complete opposite of Kei's [Engine]. It was an entirely subconscious movement.
Or rather, this was the normal reaction of someone immersed in martial arts.
Even beaten nearly senseless, the martial arts ingrained in his body would still spare no effort to protect him in the most critical moments!
Orochi Katsumi, a genius hailed as the Final Weapon of Karate, had trained diligently and experienced unimaginable deathmatches in the Tokyo Dome underground, finally achieving metamorphosis. Thus, even at a young age, he could reach such a realm!
Katsumi's chest burned as if pierced through. His mind was chaos, remembering only one thing—he was fighting!
So, in his dazed state, he let Karate drive his body, subconsciously assuming a defensive posture.
Left foot extended in a cat stance (Neko-ashi Dachi), palms extended forward, facing front, eyes looking ahead.
Its name was—Maeba (Front Wing)!
Unlike the basic Zenkutsu Dachi (Front Stance), the Maeba stance emphasized the hands, embodying the concept of "control and counter," forming a more open defensive posture.
Where there is offense, there is defense!
This was the signature move of the former Shinshinkai Director—Orochi Doppo. Because it was too plain and traditional, requiring years of training, Orochi Katsumi rarely used it.
But in this critical moment, Katsumi used it!
BZZT
In his daze, Katsumi suddenly had a feeling.
Right now, whether facing punches, kicks, tackles, knees, or even spears and cannons, he could block them all and strike back with full force!
As he continued to breathe, Katsumi gradually regained his senses, letting out a helpless groan.
"Haha... didn't expect to have the same experience as the old man..."
Katsumi maintained his stance, his eyes clearing.
He looked at Kei and found that Kei hadn't chosen to attack. Instead, he was also seizing the chance to breathe, recovering what little stamina he had left.
Unable to pursue? Or realized he would be countered?
Perhaps both.
But regardless of Kei's choice, Katsumi had made up his mind. He wouldn't change his stance. He would attack with the defensive "Maeba" stance!
Hmm...
Katsumi slowly slid forward. His movements were quite slow, yet constantly consolidating his defense.
On the other side, Kei raised his arms, standing firm, continuing to defend with Guile's stance.
Seeing this, Kyara raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh? He even has this move? That karateka has some deep foundations..."
Because their movements were so slow, everyone watching could see clearly.
Those with exceptional martial insight could even vaguely sense two invisible "defense circles" appearing around Kei and Katsumi respectively.
It was like two shields capable of defensive counters. Any attack daring to enter the "defense circle" would be blocked at maximum speed, followed by a swift counterattack!
Spear against shield—intense, but common.
But shield against shield—this bizarre scene made the outcome unpredictable!
Hmm...
As Katsumi slid forward again, the distance between him and Kei finally closed to one step.
The bystanders gasped. "Their defense circles are touching—"
—!!
However, unexpectedly, neither Kei nor Katsumi chose to strike first. They let the distance close further.
"What are they doing? Are they not planning to attack at all?!"
Katsumi's eyes were lowered, his peripheral vision covering Kei's entire body, taking in every movement.
"Although there's a gap compared to the old man's, I think... now is the perfect time to use it."
"After all, this is also my—Orochi Katsumi's Karate..."
Tap.
Katsumi's palm touched Kei's forearm.
In that instant, Kei's defense circle was disturbed first, forcing him to change his movement and punch forward with all his might.
[Drive Rush • Hashogeki]!
SWOOSH!
This was the first punch Kei learned, and his most practiced. It balanced offense and defense, practically flawless.
But Katsumi suddenly contracted his fingers, using his wrist to deflect Kei's punch.
Suedo roared, "It's Mawashi-uke (Circular Block)! An iron wall defense! Shiraki's attack is broken!"
The next instant—
"HIYAAAH!"
Katsumi grimaced, biting down on the blood in his mouth, desperately throwing consecutive heavy punches.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Kei's neck, chest, stomach, and lower abdomen—four vitals along a vertical line—were hit almost simultaneously.
"Center Line Four-Strike Combo!"
Suedo clenched his fists, sweating nervously. "That move... no matter how many times I see it, it's terrifying. I wouldn't want to get hit by that..."
"Director Katsumi won!"
Suedo gripped the railing, growling repeatedly, "Director Katsumi will definitely win!!"
"Wrong!"
Fusu was agitated. Her eyes, in [Release] state with black sclera and white irises, stared fixedly at the battlefield, grimacing.
"Shiraki-chin won't lose—he hasn't given up! He can still control his body with consciousness!"
"That feeling... I've never seen it on someone about to lose!"
Kei was knocked backward, severe pain shooting down from above, as if his whole body was being torn apart along the center line.
But that intense mental consciousness still controlled his body, making him reach forward and grab Katsumi's shoulder.
Swish!
Using his body weight, Kei pulled Katsumi with him, falling backward toward the ground.
Just before impact, Kei kicked upward with his right leg, hitting Katsumi's stomach, launching him into the air and smashing him heavily onto the ground.
This was a throw taught by Ryu—[Ryu • Tomoe Nage] (Circle Throw)!
BOOM!
Katsumi hit the ground hard, clutching his abdomen as he stumbled up, uncontrollably vomiting stomach acid and blood.
Despite his extreme caution, he couldn't have predicted that after taking the Center Line Combo, Kei still had the consciousness to initiate a throw.
This kick landed solidly, making Katsumi unsteady on his feet. Red and semi-transparent fluids spewed out together.
"Gah—ugh!"
The trance brought by intense pain made Katsumi recall that legendary night not long ago.
In the Tokyo Dome underground tournament, facing the World's Strongest Brawler—Hanayama Kaoru—he was also beaten to the point of vomiting on the ground, also pushed to the brink.
The feeling now was strikingly similar to then.
Kei and Hanayama had completely different fighting styles, but they were equally terrifying, to a fearful degree!
And after the battle just now, Katsumi suddenly noticed a detail.
I see...
He took a deep breath, gritting his teeth against the pain, and leaped forward with a flying kick.
Kei countered with a sweep, kicking out his right leg.
Swish!
Their right shins collided in mid-air with a dull thud.
The fabric of the gi and trousers couldn't withstand the impact, tearing from the kick, exposing the skin of their calves.
Surprisingly, there were similar scars on both their calves.
It looked like the skin had been torn, the wound encircling the calf. Although healed well, it still looked somewhat gruesome.
Katsumi grinned wretchedly.
"This must be fate. We've both fought Hanayama Kaoru..."
Tap!
Katsumi landed and stood firm, taking a deep breath. There was a faint anticipation in his hoarse voice.
"Shiraki-bro, do you want to try the final move I dedicated to Hanayama Kaoru?"