[Episode] Party Crashers

Episode:

"Erm, what is this?"

Anton stood, almost gobsmacked as he looked around the room. Decorations had been set up, tables had been lined with food and drink, and within the room were members of his crew, the rank and file marines that served under him. The collective men and women looked over at the Rear Admiral, big smiles on their faces as they rose glasses. "Here he is! The man of the hour!" One of the marines approached him. "We figured that, well, we should celebrate your promotion. We never got the chance to before, and figured now would be a good time. Not like we have any assignments coming up."

Anton blinked in surprise. He...hadn't expected this. granted, being promoted to Rear Admiral was sort of a big deal. But when he came down here, he had been expecting to meet two new members of his crew. He looked around, trying to see anyone in the faces of his crew. Anyone that potentially stood out. Granted, he wasn't sure who he was looking for. He really needed to learn more about his crewmembers, and not just the top officers.

Ryoichi stood there, one of his hands placed on top of the table while the other hand is holding onto the jug, filled with beer. He would move the jug closer to his lips and begins to jug down on the nice cold beer. Despite it being a workplace, it seemed a proper moment where to kick back a bit and relax, since it was a promotion celebration party. He clearly seemed to be quite a thirsty boy, jugging the entire beer down with one go, only to go and find a barrel to get himself some more.

As he moved to find the barrel, he noticed Anton enter. Ryoichi grinned very slightly, "Must be the Rear Admiral, I thought it's a he.. Oh well, she's quite a shy and nice looking lady.." he thought to himself, only to then continue his search, to satisfy his thirst for beer in this relaxing moment.

Fortunately, Anton didn't have to wait long before meeting one of his new crew members. The lovely Navigator and Chef Suika Doragonfurūtsu. Anton had been expecting a woman when he read her name (and had taken the time to practise saying it out loud before coming here), but he hadn't expected her to be dressed, well, the way she was. She clearly wasn't shy about her body, and the weapon she carried gave him the impression she wasn't just easy on the eyes as well. A light blush crossed Anton's face. "A-A pleasure to meet you Miss Doragonfurutsu," he replied, giving her a polite smile, "Honestly, this is more than I ever expected to get. I mean, just reaching the rank of captain was a surprise for me." Indeed this was the case. He had shot up from Chief Petty Officer so quickly it was enough to make the poor man's head spin.

"Ah, there you are Anton." Anton blinked as the small form of Celia Stanson came through the crowd, accompanied by the masked doctor Julius Black. Anton gave the pair a smile. "Ah, hey there. Miss Doragonfurutsu, this is Celia Stanson, our staff officer, and Julius Black, our doctor. Guy, this is Suika Doragonfurūtsu, our new navigator and chef." Julius gave a boy. "A pleasure to meet you." Celia smiled at the new navigator. It's good to have you with us," she said, "May be a bit of an adjusting period, but I'm sure you'll fit right in." She turned to Anton. "Nobunaga's currently doing some repairs on the Grand Steamer." she looked around. "Where's Yumiko?"

Anton sighed. "I sent her out on an errand. It was the only way I could have her stop following me around. Seriously, she almost follows me to the bathroom sometimes!" he gave a small sigh, before looking around. "Well, I believe there's one more crewmember I need to meet. A Mr. Ayugai I believe." Julius nodded, "That would be him over there," he said, gesturing to the young man nearby, watching them with a beer in hand. Anton blinked. He had to admit, the face didn't look familiar. But the fact that the doctor could point him out in a crowd so easily...

Ryoichi had managed to fulfill his 'mission'. He had found the barrel to refill jug he was holding in his right hand. As he was holding and refilling it up, he was looking around at the area. He would have noticed Anton and his assistant gesturing and looking at him. "Uh oh... I am either in trouble or they want to meet with me.. I better check it out.." he thought to himself. Him looking at Anton and the company made him almost overflow the beer in the jug, luckily managing to close the faucet just in time.

He would then proceed to start moving towards the group. His posture would be straight, and firm, as if he was on duty, except he was holding a beer jug. He was wearing the normal Marine issued clothes: Sleeveless white shirt with blue stripes on the colar part of the shirt, blue sailors scarf, dark blue pants and black tank boots.

As he managed to make it to Anton and the company, he would look at Anton and immediately move his hand to salute. His posture same straight up and firm. His tone more serious as he felt like he was on duty, "Miss rear Admiral, Ryoichi Ayugai reporting in." he would introduce himself. After having introduced himself, he would lower his hand back to his side, remaining to stand firmly infront of Anton, but still holding the jug filled with beer infront of him "Congratulations on your promotion." he would rise his jug a tiny bit in a 'congratulating' manner.

Anton had been called many things. Useless, coward, though they had started growing positive as of late. But when this young man approached him, he couldn't help but notice the word 'Miss' being used. Anton blinked in response. Celia seemed to pick up on it too, snorting back a laugh. Anton was a little surprised to send her a look. Did he really look like a...

"Erm, I think you might be..."

Then he felt it. A sharp feeling he had felt all his life, but much stronger than before. Danger.

"Get down!"

Suddenly, th ed wall at the far side of the room exploded, sending marines flying along with debris and dust. Anton immediately moved to pull Celia behind him, as others drew their weapons.

Through the smoke, something large stepped through. At first, Anton thought he was clad in armour, but those massive arms, his legs, those were cybernetic. A merging of man and machine. A broad, grinning face looked right at him, metal horns attached to the side of his head. Behind him, he dragged what appeared to be a massive battle axe, much bigger than Anton himself. There were pipes attached to the back of the head.

The metal monster grinned at Anton. "Anton La'croix!" he yelled out boisterously, before giving a laugh, "I honestly thought you would be bigger. Not some scrawny little thing!"

Anton glared at the cyborg. Thank goodness he brought his swords with him. "Who are you?" he demanded. The cyborg gave a predatory sneer. "I am Nise no Akuma, the metal demon!" he bellowed, hoisting his axe in his large hands, "And I'm the one about to stomp on some insignificant bug!"

COMBAT TRACKERS:

It seemed as if nothing could disturb the party. It all changed when a sudden warning came from Anton. Ryoichi immediately dropped his beer mug and jumped towards the table, as he was jumping towards it, his aim was to slide over it and pull the table over to create a wall with it to cover behind of. This was good enough to block the little bit of bits that flew towards them with the explosion.

He looked over the pulled over table, looking at what came walking in through the smoke. He could see a large cybernetic humanoid resembling a demon step inside the building. But he was not alone. He was followed by similarly sized creature. He also was what one could describe as half human half machine. He however did not seem as refined as the first who had entered. He had less machinery attached to him and did not look as state to the art. He was wearing some brown furr coat, resembling that of a brown bear. His arms and feet were made out of metal and had sharp claws attached to them.

As the demon like metal creature introduced himself to the crowd, the other one went next to him to introduce himself aswell to the crowd. "Do not forget to let me! Nise no Kuma, the metal bear! To have some stomping on this cockroach!" the metal bear like creature looked down at Anton.

Ryoichi blinked. The word "bear" awakened some interest in him. Besides, there was no way he would miss some action, which lead him to immediately leap over the table and rush next to Anton, feeling like it is his first real duty with his new comanding officer. When he reached next to Anton, he looked up at the metal bear like creature. "You lack furr to be the real bear here." Ryoichi said to him, grinning as he rised up his fists infront of him, entering into his boxing stance.

COMBAT TRACKERS:

Anton La'croix uses
Great Spear - MT at Nise no Akuma
Fast Hopping - LT on self
Bad Vibrations - LT at Nise no Akuma
UT at Nise no Akuma

Nise no Akuma uses
MT at Anton
LT at Anton
LT at Anton
UT at Anton

The member 'Anton La'croix' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 20, 11, 12, 17

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 15, 2, 5, 2

It seemed that Akuma wasn't alone, accompanied by what looked like...a man in a metal bear suit? Even his name was similar, calling himself the metal bear. But there was something Anton was picking up regarding the names.

Wait, doesn't Nise mean...?

Anton was quickly pulled from his thoughts by Akuma swinging that massive axe at him. Antknknlybrought his swords up in time, but the force of the swing sent Anton flying into the wall with a crash. [Akuma's MT, hit]

"Sir!" the marines cried out in worry. The wall was threatening to crumble as Anton painfully pushed himself from it. "Ok, time to focus Anton," he muttered to himself, priming himself. [Fast Hopping - LT, active]

Akuma, laughing at his successful strike, lunged forward, striking out with the handle of his axe. Anton kept into the air, Akuma's attack hitting the wall instead [Akuma's LT, miss] Midair, Anton rubbed his jnsectoid legs together, sending v iij vibrations down onto Akuma. The cyborg felt something wrong, something within his very mechanisms, making it hard to move. [Bad Vibrations - LT, hit]

Landing, Anton shot towards Akuma. The large cyborg swung with the flat of his axe, but his slow movements allowed Anton to dodge easily. [Akuma's LT, miss] Getting in close, Anton thrust out with his sword, hitting Akuma right in the chest. Blood flew as the cyborg cried out, stumbling back. [Great Spear - MT, hit (crit)] Snarling in anger, Akuma swung a large fist, only for Anton to leap back. [Akuma's UT, miss] Anton then shot forward, kicking the metal demon right in the face. [Anton's UT, ht]

The concern of his fellow marines changed to cheers. Now this was their Rear Admiral in action!

COMBAT TRACKERS:

Ryoichi Ayugai uses:

[MT] Taunting on Nise no Kuma
[LT] Weaving on himself
[LT] Left hook on Nise no Kuma
[UT] on Nise on Kuma

Nise no Kuma uses:

[LT] on Ryoichi Ayugai
[LT] on Ryoichi Ayugai
[UT] on Ryoichi Ayugai

The member 'Ryoichi Ayugai' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 3, 2, 9, 1

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 15, 18, 3

As the Akuma went at Anton, the Kuma grinned at Ryoichi's remark, looking down at the little man. But he was not little for too long. Ryoichi began to grow in size. His aupper half of body began to be covered with white fur. Most of his upper body starting to look like he was a polar bear [Toggle: Hybrid form]. He was now close to the height that Nise no Kuma had. Ryoichi grinned his sharp teeth at the fake looking metal bear. He brought his arms up as he entered into his usual boxing stance, "Are you scared? I thought you were a bear.." he said, with an obvious taunting tone, also motioning with his left hand which was more forward to Kuma to come at him and attack [MT - Taunting, Hit]

It seems like Ryoichi's words crawled under the Kuma's skin. He grunted with anger as he began to rush at Ryoichi. Each of his stomp shook the tables around the party hall from his big size. As the Kuma was approaching, Ryoichi began to slowly weave on the spot [LT - Weaving, Graze] as he awaited for an obvious attack to come at him. The Kuma swinged his left hand's metal claws at Ryoichi [UT, Miss], obviously trying to go for a hit, but Ryoichi's weaving was enough to simply weave away from the incoming claw slash.

It felt like it was too easy for Ryoichi. He weaved in, sending a left jab at Kuma [UT, Hit], hitting him in the face. It managed to turn the Kuma's face a bit, clearly the hit did manage to damage him a bit, but it was far from over.

Ryoichi was caught with a surprise claw slashing attack [LT, Hit], diagonally over his left forward arm, causing it to bleed a bit, starting to stain his white furr. The assult from the Kuma was not done. After the slash, a strong straight punch was sent at Ryoichi [LT, Hit], hitting him in the face. This caused Ryoichi to tumble back a bit, gritting his teeth. "After this is done, your furr will be nice addition for my collection." Kuma said with angered, but somewhat cocky tone, it was still clear the taunting Ryoichi did was still affecting him.

This was perfect, however. As Kuma was fueled with anger, Ryoichi would swing his left hand [LT - Left Hook, Hit], landing a solid left hook into Kuma's defensless right side of the face, which lead the Kuma stumble to his left. "Good luck with that. Ryoichi said as he looked at the fake metal bear, taking back in his fighting stance. It was clear that the fight was far from over, and there was still a lot more to do.

COMBAT TRACKERS:

Anton La'croix uses
B-Flat - AoE at Nise no Akuma
UT at Nise no Akuma

Nise no Akuma uses
MT at Anton
LT at Anton
LT at Anton
UT at Anton

The member 'Anton La'croix' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 11, 14

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 14, 8, 17, 10

Nise no Akuma let out a growl. Sure, his cybernetics made the attack less painful, but he hadn't expected that damn bug to actually hurt him. And his systems were acting up too. "Damn you..." he growled, gripping his axe, "Let's see how you like this?" The large cyborg roared, swinging his massive axe. Anton kept up to avoid the attack, only for the edge to catch him in the leg, sending him spinning in the air, yelping out in surprise. [Akuma's MT, hit (graze)]

Akuma chuckled, watching the marine spinning in the air. He drew back a massive arm, aiming to punch him as he came down. With a laugh, he swung...

...only for Anton to suddenly catch his fist, swinging until he was atop the large cyborg's arm. [Akuma's LT, miss] The cyborg gave a dumbfounded expression before Anton suddenly lunged forward. Anton drove both his feet into Akuma's face, sending a shockwave through the metal demon. Akuma roared, blood spurting from his nose as his cybernetic components sparked. [B-Flat - AoE, hit]

Akuma roared out in pain and fury. This wasn't how he planned this at all. "DAMN IT!" he bellowed. Why were his cybernetics acting up? Anton took the opportunity to charge towards him,closing in. Through his daze, Akuma saw him approach, and swung an arm downwards, bringing a hammerblow down onto Anton's head. [Akuma's LT, hit]

"Ha! Got you!" Akuma laughed. However, his laughter was cut short by a sharp pain in his arm. Anton he brought his sword up to stab into the metal limb. [Anton's UT, hit] Akuma let out a yell of shock and anger, swinging his other fist, only for Anton to leap back to avoid it. [Akuma's UT, miss]

Regaining his footing, Anton rubbed the back of his head. That hit had really hurt. Thank goodness for his exoskeleton.

COMBAT TRACKERS:

Ryoichi Ayugai uses:

[HT] Bear Roar on Nise no Kuma
[LT] Right Straight on Nise no Kuma
[UT] on Nise no Kuma

Nise no Kuma uses:

[LT] on Ryoichi Ayugai
[LT] on Ryoichi Ayugai
[UT] on Ryoichi Ayugai

The member 'Ryoichi Ayugai' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 17, 12, 1

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 7, 19, 4

Ryoichi looked at the fake metal bear, Kuma, crowling on the spot before he lets out a loud crowling roar [MT - Bear roar, Hit]. The roar would echo all around the party hall. The roar was enough to make the Kuma take a step back. It was at this point he truly felt some fear going through his bones. It wasn't just the Kuma himself who felt the extreme intimidation, but also, the ally marines who hid behind the pulled over tables and also, behind the pillars.

Rushing in, when he reached close enough, Ryoichi would weave in to break into very close range combat with Kuma. He would send a fast left jab [UT, Hit] into the Kuma's face. It was strong enough to again make his face turn a bit after the impact. But the Kuma wouldn't back down without a fight even in this intimidated, and he swung his iron sharp claws at Ryoichi [LT, miss], which Ryoichi successfully dodged with his weaving away to Kuma's left side. The assult wont end there, Kuma followed with an attempt to elbow Ryoichi in his face, [UT, miss], but this was also dodged by Ryoichi with a simple weave.

It seemed like it was a perfect moment to go for a counter attack. Kuma's defense was completely down from trying a series of assulting attacks. Ryoichi would shift a bit more weight and throws a straight punch with his dominant right hand [LT - Right Straight, Hit] into the Kuma's face. As the punch was heading for the Kuma's face, he used that moment to also attack, swinging his left hands sharp metal claws at Ryoichi's attacking arm [LT, Hit], cutting the arm, causing it to bleed, but it wont stop Ryoichi from landing the straight punch which causes the Kuma to stagger backwards, dropping onto his butt.

Ryoichi grunted, clearly he felt the pain from his cuts. The blood gently coming out, covering his white polar bear furr. He knew though, that he needs to keep on going, and he cannot stop now. He readied himself for another "round" of sort.

COMBAT TRACKERS:

Anton La'croix uses
Grand Strike - HT at Nise no Akuma
Shed Skin - LT on self
UT at Nise no Akuma

Nise no Akuma uses
HT at Anton
UT at Anton

The member 'Anton La'croix' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 8, 13, 13

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 18, 6

Anton took a deep breath, trying g to keep himself focused. He could feel the initial burst of energy that moved his body fade, causing him to slow down. Those hits had been painful, quick thinking and his exoskeleton preventing him from getting sliced in half by now. But it wouldn't last forever.

Meanwhile, Akuma could feel hisbody starting to regain mobility again. His snarled turned him into a nast grin. "Not bad," he grunted, shifting his axe lightly, "But it's time for me to get real nasty!"

Meanwhile, from the other melee, aloud roar echoed out, momentarily catching Anton's attention. Fire suddenly burst from the pipes of Akuma's axe, the demon swinging the blade at incredibly high speeds.

Anton's senses snapped to attention, unable to move in time, but able to do something as a sheen remover his body [Kenbonshoku and Bosushoku Haki, active]

The axe hit dead on. There was a spray of blood and a cry of pain, as the massive weapon lifted Anton off his feet and sent him rocketing upwards. There was a crash as he was sent through the ceiling. [Akuma's HT - hit]
"Anton!" Celia cried out in shock. Dr Black watched in horror as the demonic cyborg laughed. "Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! Let's see him come back from that!" He peered up through the hole and squinted. "Ah, there he is!"

Everyone watched as something fell down through the hole, something Anton shaped. Akuma grinned viciously, reaching out to grasp the falling marine.

Only for 'Anton' to crumple like paper in his fist.

Akuma blinked. He looked at the 'marine'. It so much wasn't Anton as it was a papery replica of him. "Skin?" [Akuma's UT, miss] [Shed Skin - LT, hit]

"Hey!"

Akuma looked up, his eyes widening in shock. There, standing at the edge of the hole, looking down at him, was Anton. And strangely enough, he seemed no wore for wear.

As Akuma's mind tried to comprehend this, Antonlept down towards him, his sword heald overhead, gleaming black. Akuma couldn't bring his axe up in time before the powerful blow hit him. [Grand Strike - HT, hit]

Akuma's roar of pain mixed with the cheers of the marines. Their captain was still alive and kicking. Literally. Anton's leg snapped out, catching Akuma in the sternum. The cyborg stumbled back, falling to one knee. [Anton's UT, hit]

Anton brought his swords up, ready to continue. This fight was far from over.

COMBAT TRACKERS:

Ryoichi Ayugai's techniques:

[HT] Champions Right Straight on Nise no Kuma
[LT] Champions jab on Nise no Kuma
[UT] on Nise no Kuma

Nise no Kuma's techniques:

[LT] on Ryoichi Ayugai
[LT] on Ryoichi Ayugai
[UT] on Ryoichi Ayugai

The member 'Ryoichi Ayugai' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 17, 19, 7

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 1, 12, 3

L..Lucky bastard.. Nise no Kuma said with hearable done, grunting as he began to slowly collect himself up, weirdly seeming somewhat reluctant to do that, as if he hesitated on remaining to keep on fighting. Never the less, he found some will inside of him to keep on going. "Weak shots like these wont ever take me down!" Kuma shouted at Ryoichi, grinning his metal teeth as he looked at him.

It did not seem like it but these words somewhat ticked Ryoichi off. Years of training, only to have his attacks be called weak, even after they obviously have taken its toll on his opponent. He shook his head as he looked at Kuma. While he did so, he raised his both hands up infront of him, both fists pointing up towards the party halls ceiling. He took in a deep breath, concentrating on something.

"What ever you are trying to do, it wont help you out! You can't defeat my metal form!" the Kuma laughed at Ryoichi's attempts as if an attempt to crawl under his skin. It was then when Kuma saw Ryoichi's hands and wrists, all the way to elbow lenght be coated with black "substance", looking like black armor [Toggle: Busoshoku Haki]. Kuma's expression became quite serious again when he saw that happen. "So you won't back off even after you have seen your weak attacks wont do anything to me.. So be it."

Kuma begun to rush at Ryoichi, rapidly decreasing the distance between the two of them, with clear intention to try and put Ryoichi down for good. Ryoichi however took in his regular fighting stance, awaiting for incoming attack from Kuma. The tension was in air. It felt as if this was going to be the final clash, where both sides would put out their all, to finish each other off and end this fight.

When Kuma was close enough, it seemed like he had raised both of his hands up, seeming to move in to land a double slashing attack with his metal claws. This however, was a big mistake. Kuma had completely dropped his defense, which gave Ryoichi a perfect opportunity to swiftly weave inside his inner circle. Ryoichi's moved his left fist to perform a quick jab [UT, Hit] in Kuma's face. The hit already was quite strong thanks to Haki's support, but it still was not enough to drop Kuma. Instead, the punch froze Kuma on spot for a brief second.

Ryoichi had pulled his left fist back, only to throw another swift, this time a lot more precise jab with way more force put behind the punch [LT - Champions jab, Hit], hitting Kuma straight in the face once more. This time, the jab packed quite a strenght behind it, causing Kuma to stumble back more. The punch was enough to even break Kuma's nose, causing his lower half of face to slowly be covered in blood.

"Bastard!" the Kuma sent out a painful shout, but that was all he was going to say for atleast a good couple of minutes, if not hours. Ryoichi followed up with stumbling Kuma. He pulled his right fist back, following with sending a powerful right forward punch [HT - Champions Right, Hit] straight into Kuma's face. The punch was strenghtened by the Haki, giving it enough power to punch the big fake metal bear quite some distance backwards into the wall. Not only did he get sent flying back, the punch was enough to break the Kuma's jaw that was already metal enhanced.

The impact in the wall had caused it to crack a bit, following with Kuma sliding down from the wall, dropping onto the ground. Knocked out. Ryoichi's powerful former champions combo had won him the fight. To celebrate his victory, he sent out anothe vicious roar in the party hall, having it echo all around everyone. For now it seemed like he had been victorious, but his higher up still had his fight going on. Perhaps that also meant that Ryoichi's fight hadn't been over, still being ready to rush to help him against Akuma, if need be,

COMBAT TRACKERS: