Post by Terminally Chill on Aug 23, 2013 3:17:03 GMT -5
The melee's main attractions continued to contrast greatly. While the skilled swordspeople were locked in a skillful and even display fitting of two master gladiators, Oskar Riles was undoubtedly the underdog in his own battle. Many in the audience questioned whether the upstart had any future at all after witnessing the tiger effortlessly toy with his prey. However, such thoughts steered clear of entering Oskar's hooded head. He was driving forward once again with every intention of proving his opponent and the spectators wrong.
'This is the comeback!'
Another impressive flurry fell short of the champion, strikes batted away and weaved under with the usual expert grace. The situation was shaping up to be no brighter for the bullet kid, but there was a noticeable change in his expression. No longer was Oskar's offensive ruled by wild emotion; an intense focus permeated his features, a childhood of training taking hold. The pirate punk's mind was matching the speed of his strikes, rushing to discover an opening in the iron-clad combatant's defense. Another crushing kick snapped into the tiger's forearm, parried by the human shield's mysterious martial art. While the attack was once again unsuccessful, it was in that moment Oskar saw an opening.
'Now!'
The Iron Tiger raised an eyebrow, catching the gleam of an unknown apparatus protruding from the blond-haired boy's elbow. The Deva's calm disposition broke only for a split second, recalling the devastating punch that felled the Colossal Crusher. Yet another thunderous crack erupted from Oskar's arm as his fist rocketed forward in a blur. The tiger's head quickly swayed from the thick plume of smoke. The bullet fist was dodged, but just barely. The teenage weapon cursed as his surprise attack was foiled. Using the momentum of his unsuccessful assault, Oskar whirled and hoped to catch the elite off guard with another magnum-powered blast. A second gunshot rang out, a smoke-laden kick aimed for the abdomen sending the Iron Tiger skidding backward uncontrollably. Smoke streaming from his body, Oskar exhaled and kept an intent eye on the champion's backward slide. Eventually the tiger's bandaged feet put a stop to the involuntary acceleration, frenzied fans of the disinterested Deva now holding their breath in anticipation for the results of the exchange. The kick had connected, but had missed its intended target. The iron-blood bruiser held his smoking arm out for examination, blinking curiously at the appendage. Oskar had scored a minor victory: the tiger was forced to use his opposite arm to deflect the attack.
“Fists like bullets, huuuh?” the iron disciple muttered, recalling the bullet boy's claim before the bloodsport began.
'Damn, so this Ironblood Arts thing can take a Magnum straight on...?' Aside from being afflicted by trails of smoke, the champion's arm was unscathed. 'But why'd he dodge the first one? And he can obviously protect his whole body, so why bother blocking? Unless...' Oskar's eyes narrowed, a thoughtful look crossing his face as he recollected the fight so far. The gears were turning in his head. 'Only one way to find out.'
“Aaaah, I was wondering what that weird technique was.” The tiger was still interested in the state of his arm, looking it over once more before returning his golden gaze to the young opponent. “You have a Devil Fruit power, don't you?”
“Heh... You got it. I'm a Gunshot Human who ate the Ban Ban no Mi!” The rookie pirate said proudly, making no effort to hide the source of his bullet-force blows any longer. The tiger remained unimpressed upon learning the truth. “What happened to using only one arm, cool guy?”
“Hmmmm... Perhaps I did underestimate you, but don't get cocky.” The tiger shook his stiff arm out, obviously unamused by the kid getting the best of him. “Your Devil Fruit is the only reason you're even a threat. I guess I'll have to stop toying around now...”
“That's what I like to hear!” Despite the dangerous prospect of the champion upping the ante, Oskar wore an ecstatic grin. “But before we really start this fight, I want to know your name.”
“Eeeeh?” The tiger shot a puzzled glance to the gunshot greenhorn. “You slow or something, kid? I told you already: I'm the Iron Tiger.”
“Wrooong!” Oskar shook his head furiously. “Your real name. I don't care about stupid titles! The name you were born with is the only one worth spreading across the sea – I gotta know it if we're gonna fight as equals.”
“We're not equals,” the elite gladiator replied flatly. “Status is all that matters within these walls. My title has been earned through countless battles... I'm a god of the Soaring Arena! A kid like you with nothing but an unknown name can't understand my legacy as the Iron Tiger.”
“Tch... Whatever. I'll just beat it out of you then,” Oskar replied to his opponent's grand words with utter sincerity and confidence, inhaling and closing his eyes. He grabbed a hold of the cloth shrouding his head, pulling the covering backward and display the bright head of blonde hair for the first time since arriving at the Ciudadela Queendom. The bullet kid's eyes snapped open, a rekindled determination shining through. “From here on out, I'll show you the true power of my Gunshot Kenpo! You'll see why everyone in the world is gonna know the name OSKAR RILES!”
The hood is down! Gunshot Kenpo vs. Ironblood Arts... BEGIN!