Post by Raiden Ishimori on Aug 10, 2022 19:29:01 GMT -5
???: “I know I haven’t been the best at keeping in contact, nor can I say that I’m really on the side of good these days, but know that I’m doing alright.”
Takuma (sighing): “Literally could’ve sent anyone a message. Anyone, Raiden.”
A small grunt emits from the other side of the cellular device that sits in Takuma’s hand as he walks along one of the streets making up the French Quarter, namely Bourbon Street, though the streets are rather quiet this time around given daylight is still evidently beaming down on the city. Beside him his Daisuke, one hand tucked away in a shorts’ pocket and the other freely hanging about on its own. Eyes occasionally glance over at the phone, and though Shogun doesn’t vocalize it, there is disappointment etched in his eyes every time he looks away from the SCCW talent on the other side of the screen.
Raiden: “Well…my updates aside, how have you and Daisuke been faring in NLW? I heard your guys’ debut was a success several weeks ago.”
Takuma: “At Hostile Intent, yes. We were probably the other wildcard in that match aside from whatever the hell the Midnight Animals are and before The New South imploded afterward. It…felt good to at least wrestle again in a ring, despite the small handful of matches I have to my name.”
Daisuke: “They’ve been impactful, win or lose. Hostile Intent signaled your return and in a big way. Regardless, our work is far from over in NLW. Though my run in the G1 has been cut short, there is a new opportunity that now awaits us.”
Raiden: “That being…?”
Takuma shakes his head, moving the phone to his other hand.
Takuma: “He’s referring to the tag title match we’ve been placed into against The Academy. I know you’re no stranger to them considering the Saints & Sinners Cup from earlier this year.”
Raiden (nodding): “That would be correct. As strong and gifted they are, evidently the weekly schedule combined with their other endeavors did not mix well for them. Even as the champions that they still are, they were in the tournament as quickly as they were out. Nary a single win to their name despite close endeavors, they still weren’t able to best those in the block we shared.”
Takuma: “That’s rather embarrassing…”
A faint but small chuckle escapes Daisuke at the thought of it though Takuma pays him no mind on the matter.
Raiden: “Even so, best stay on your toes. They gave Fenrir and I a good run for our money and I had to pull a fast one to even score the win over them in that contest. My advice? Keep Riley on the ground and take Leon out of the equation ASAP. The longer he’s involved, the harder of a time you’re going to have. If it’s of any other help on top of it, don’t rush him from the ropes unless you have a very definitive opening. One slight drop in your guard when you think you have the opportunity will just put one you step closer to be tossed and slammed back down to earth.”
A faint voice shouts something inaudible from Raiden’s side, garnering a nod from him in turn.
Raiden: “I have to go in the meantime. Best of luck on capturing your first bit of gold.”
With a deft press, Raiden disconnects the call, leaving The Ronin to themselves as they keep walking along Bourbon Street. Takuma glances over to Daisuke for any further words on the matter, but Shogun keeps his peace for now, gaze focused on the path ahead of them. The awkward silence continues to hang for a spell…that is until Big Tiger ultimately sighs and looks over at his tag partner.
Takuma: “You’re not happy with him are you?”
Daisuke: “Not in the slightest. Honestly I feel like he pretty much stabbed me in the back while siding with the people he’s aligned with in SCCW.”
Shogun shakes his head.
Daisuke: “It matters little at this point. Besides, I still have my nephew to locate considering he’s now been AWOL longer than Raiden has. I just hope he hasn’t fallen in with a shady crowd like Ishimori has.”
The elder picks up his pace, Takuma following close behind as he tucks the cellphone away on his person. Seeing a more angry side, even if it wasn’t entirely visible, of Daisuke was rather…disturbing, considering the somewhat carefree spirit he normally had with himself.
Daisuke: “Oh how to rise and fall…I’m no stranger to this road through the mountains…and I know you two are no strangers to it either, especially you Leon.”
The shot has transitioned to the back alley The Ronin were first at during their first arrival in New Orleans, evidently now crouched before the camera in the same sweatshirts and pants they last sported.
Daisuke: “The constant ebbing and flowing of performing well, only to sink back faster than a boulder dropped into the ocean. I’m amazed you were even given chance after chance despite how inconsistent you were. About as on par as Soul Hunter in SCCW though he evidently did one thing better than you and that was being a high caliber talent who claimed his company’s highest championship. But you?”
Takuma scoffs at the thought.
Takuma: “Mid at best. Talent and performance was certainly on par for the kinds of achievements you were going for and even one heavyweight title reign later you’re still back to just scraping by on the bare minimum. It’s nothing short of an embarrassment. All that potential and you decided that rather keep pushing the standard to instead settle for a spot in the middle of the table. If it weren’t for the fact that you’re from Bournemouth I’d almost say you like to akin yourself to that of Wolverhampton, mate…and you’re the threat we have to worry about?”
Takuma shakes his head in disappointment.
Daisuke: “Rewatching the footage from Saints & Sinners showed just how poor your performance has become. That tournament was only five weeks long and you couldn’t even squeeze a single win out at any point in the round robin phase, and you were REPRESENTING NLW in that one as CHAMPIONS. An absolute atrocity…pitiful really, and the only thing the two of you have managed in the past several weeks is a measly title defense all the way back from Hostile Intent when kicked the door wide open to announce our arrival as the latest pairing to stomp the yard. At the current rate things are going, you might as well have old Robberino just hand the titles over to us because evidently, neither of you are worth the gold standard anymore.”
Daisuke reaches down and pulls the camera up, bringing it around chest level with the shot aimed up towards his face.
Daisuke: “In my Academy, students would not go unpunished for such underwhelming performances like this. Nay, they’d have to pit themselves against me if they wanted to avoid going through a hell week, but this occasion has no work around. The two of you dug your own grave the moment you were eliminated from early contention from the finals and rather than aim to bounce back in any way, you’ve opted to slump harder than Nelly Angel’s run in MCCW. Funny how you nearly slipped up against him, but now you’re facing us, Leon, and that rug is coming out from under your feet entirely.”
Takuma looms over Shogun’s shoulder, intensely staring into the lens.
Takuma: “Riley, don’t think we haven’t forgotten about your sorry behind either. The constant screaming, ‘FINISH! FINISH!’, yet you never got the job done then, and you couldn’t even do it against the likes of Ishimori when you’re Rob’s protégé…yet you’re just barely above the bar of being a complete disappointment. I still remember when your arrival was first heralded and thinking there’s no way this kid would be able to get anything done…but I admit, I was proven wrong. However, now there’s a sweeter opportunity on hand to sink our teeth into and that’s ripping the gold away. No longer will there be Bristol’s Finest, but rather…Bristol’s Flop. Enjoy what remaining days you have left with those titles because the clock is ticking ever closer to the waking nightmare you fear. #TeamRobbie won’t be ichiban in the end.”
Big Tiger steps out of the shot as Daisuke waves a finger to the camera.
Daisuke: “I promised a conquest upon my arrival here in the States, and where one front has fallen, there is always another to push and take control. Ronin are knocking at your door gentlemen…and there’s no point in trying to stop the inevitable collapse of your castle.”
Daisuke sets the camera back down on the ground, though he keeps it angled up a bit as he steps away from the frame, revealing a large “F.T.A” spray painted on the wall behind him.
Takuma (sighing): “Literally could’ve sent anyone a message. Anyone, Raiden.”
A small grunt emits from the other side of the cellular device that sits in Takuma’s hand as he walks along one of the streets making up the French Quarter, namely Bourbon Street, though the streets are rather quiet this time around given daylight is still evidently beaming down on the city. Beside him his Daisuke, one hand tucked away in a shorts’ pocket and the other freely hanging about on its own. Eyes occasionally glance over at the phone, and though Shogun doesn’t vocalize it, there is disappointment etched in his eyes every time he looks away from the SCCW talent on the other side of the screen.
Raiden: “Well…my updates aside, how have you and Daisuke been faring in NLW? I heard your guys’ debut was a success several weeks ago.”
Takuma: “At Hostile Intent, yes. We were probably the other wildcard in that match aside from whatever the hell the Midnight Animals are and before The New South imploded afterward. It…felt good to at least wrestle again in a ring, despite the small handful of matches I have to my name.”
Daisuke: “They’ve been impactful, win or lose. Hostile Intent signaled your return and in a big way. Regardless, our work is far from over in NLW. Though my run in the G1 has been cut short, there is a new opportunity that now awaits us.”
Raiden: “That being…?”
Takuma shakes his head, moving the phone to his other hand.
Takuma: “He’s referring to the tag title match we’ve been placed into against The Academy. I know you’re no stranger to them considering the Saints & Sinners Cup from earlier this year.”
Raiden (nodding): “That would be correct. As strong and gifted they are, evidently the weekly schedule combined with their other endeavors did not mix well for them. Even as the champions that they still are, they were in the tournament as quickly as they were out. Nary a single win to their name despite close endeavors, they still weren’t able to best those in the block we shared.”
Takuma: “That’s rather embarrassing…”
A faint but small chuckle escapes Daisuke at the thought of it though Takuma pays him no mind on the matter.
Raiden: “Even so, best stay on your toes. They gave Fenrir and I a good run for our money and I had to pull a fast one to even score the win over them in that contest. My advice? Keep Riley on the ground and take Leon out of the equation ASAP. The longer he’s involved, the harder of a time you’re going to have. If it’s of any other help on top of it, don’t rush him from the ropes unless you have a very definitive opening. One slight drop in your guard when you think you have the opportunity will just put one you step closer to be tossed and slammed back down to earth.”
A faint voice shouts something inaudible from Raiden’s side, garnering a nod from him in turn.
Raiden: “I have to go in the meantime. Best of luck on capturing your first bit of gold.”
With a deft press, Raiden disconnects the call, leaving The Ronin to themselves as they keep walking along Bourbon Street. Takuma glances over to Daisuke for any further words on the matter, but Shogun keeps his peace for now, gaze focused on the path ahead of them. The awkward silence continues to hang for a spell…that is until Big Tiger ultimately sighs and looks over at his tag partner.
Takuma: “You’re not happy with him are you?”
Daisuke: “Not in the slightest. Honestly I feel like he pretty much stabbed me in the back while siding with the people he’s aligned with in SCCW.”
Shogun shakes his head.
Daisuke: “It matters little at this point. Besides, I still have my nephew to locate considering he’s now been AWOL longer than Raiden has. I just hope he hasn’t fallen in with a shady crowd like Ishimori has.”
The elder picks up his pace, Takuma following close behind as he tucks the cellphone away on his person. Seeing a more angry side, even if it wasn’t entirely visible, of Daisuke was rather…disturbing, considering the somewhat carefree spirit he normally had with himself.
Daisuke: “Oh how to rise and fall…I’m no stranger to this road through the mountains…and I know you two are no strangers to it either, especially you Leon.”
The shot has transitioned to the back alley The Ronin were first at during their first arrival in New Orleans, evidently now crouched before the camera in the same sweatshirts and pants they last sported.
Daisuke: “The constant ebbing and flowing of performing well, only to sink back faster than a boulder dropped into the ocean. I’m amazed you were even given chance after chance despite how inconsistent you were. About as on par as Soul Hunter in SCCW though he evidently did one thing better than you and that was being a high caliber talent who claimed his company’s highest championship. But you?”
Takuma scoffs at the thought.
Takuma: “Mid at best. Talent and performance was certainly on par for the kinds of achievements you were going for and even one heavyweight title reign later you’re still back to just scraping by on the bare minimum. It’s nothing short of an embarrassment. All that potential and you decided that rather keep pushing the standard to instead settle for a spot in the middle of the table. If it weren’t for the fact that you’re from Bournemouth I’d almost say you like to akin yourself to that of Wolverhampton, mate…and you’re the threat we have to worry about?”
Takuma shakes his head in disappointment.
Daisuke: “Rewatching the footage from Saints & Sinners showed just how poor your performance has become. That tournament was only five weeks long and you couldn’t even squeeze a single win out at any point in the round robin phase, and you were REPRESENTING NLW in that one as CHAMPIONS. An absolute atrocity…pitiful really, and the only thing the two of you have managed in the past several weeks is a measly title defense all the way back from Hostile Intent when kicked the door wide open to announce our arrival as the latest pairing to stomp the yard. At the current rate things are going, you might as well have old Robberino just hand the titles over to us because evidently, neither of you are worth the gold standard anymore.”
Daisuke reaches down and pulls the camera up, bringing it around chest level with the shot aimed up towards his face.
Daisuke: “In my Academy, students would not go unpunished for such underwhelming performances like this. Nay, they’d have to pit themselves against me if they wanted to avoid going through a hell week, but this occasion has no work around. The two of you dug your own grave the moment you were eliminated from early contention from the finals and rather than aim to bounce back in any way, you’ve opted to slump harder than Nelly Angel’s run in MCCW. Funny how you nearly slipped up against him, but now you’re facing us, Leon, and that rug is coming out from under your feet entirely.”
Takuma looms over Shogun’s shoulder, intensely staring into the lens.
Takuma: “Riley, don’t think we haven’t forgotten about your sorry behind either. The constant screaming, ‘FINISH! FINISH!’, yet you never got the job done then, and you couldn’t even do it against the likes of Ishimori when you’re Rob’s protégé…yet you’re just barely above the bar of being a complete disappointment. I still remember when your arrival was first heralded and thinking there’s no way this kid would be able to get anything done…but I admit, I was proven wrong. However, now there’s a sweeter opportunity on hand to sink our teeth into and that’s ripping the gold away. No longer will there be Bristol’s Finest, but rather…Bristol’s Flop. Enjoy what remaining days you have left with those titles because the clock is ticking ever closer to the waking nightmare you fear. #TeamRobbie won’t be ichiban in the end.”
Big Tiger steps out of the shot as Daisuke waves a finger to the camera.
Daisuke: “I promised a conquest upon my arrival here in the States, and where one front has fallen, there is always another to push and take control. Ronin are knocking at your door gentlemen…and there’s no point in trying to stop the inevitable collapse of your castle.”
Daisuke sets the camera back down on the ground, though he keeps it angled up a bit as he steps away from the frame, revealing a large “F.T.A” spray painted on the wall behind him.
