The Yamazaki Story
Ryuji Yamazaki is a man with a tormented past. Ever since he was young,
Yamazaki had no parents to look up to, so he became a dweller in the streets of
Hong Kong, trying to survive in the harsh life of the streets, escaping from the
dangers of crime and weather. That is, until Yamazaki met a very powerful man,
respected in the criminal circles of Hong Kong. Seeing a spirit and
determination in Yamazaki's eyes, this man takes the little boy with him, and
soon, Yamazaki becomes acquainted with the criminal activities that happen in
Hong Kong.
Yamazaki grew up to be the right man of this mysterious fellow. He
certainly was not wrong about him: Yamazaki sported a cunning sense of crime,
and was also very skilled in using his trusty knife, his eternal partner.
Yamazaki also likes to dress with class, and have the highest priorities. This
all changed when Yamazaki and his boss went to strike a deal with another gang.
Yamazaki felt something was terribly wrong, but his boss discarded it as a
simple premonition. Yamazaki was right, as the rival gang ambushed them, and the
results were terrible. Yamazaki's boss and benefactor, who was almost like his
father, was killed in the ambush. This turned out to be fatal for Yamazaki, who
then became a crazy, sadistic maniac, who loves to torture and make his victimes
suffer before they finally die. With his maniac laugh and dirty tricks, Yamazaki
will do anything to win, even if the opponent is killed in the outcome.
Since then, Yamazaki has worked as an assasin for hire. He has worked for
many powerful crime leaders, and they have been more than satisfied with
Yamazaki's work...even more than they expect to. That is because Yamazaki takes
pleasure in killing people and making them suffer, and his salary is not bad,
either. One day, he was signed up by the two Jin twins (Jin Chonrei and Jin
Chonshu), to protect them and the scrolls of inmortality. After that job,
Yamazaki kept working upon other people's lives. However, taking some time for
himself, Yamazaki went to a local dojo, and found a lot of competition there. He
dedicated himself to have a good time and trash the fighters. As he was having
some fun, Yamazaki was faced by Billy Kane, personal bodyguard of Geese Howard,
main crime leader of Southtown. Billy offers Yamazaki to join him and
participate in the King of Fighters tournament. Yamazaki refuses at first, but
after terribly mauling one of the warriors, he felt a adrenaline rush through
his blood. It was as if he was excited to meet some worthy fighters for him to
demolish. Feeling a need to fight and kill, Yamazaki accepts Billy's offer, and
Billy offers to Yamazaki double the amount of the prize money if he wins.
Yamazaki fights in the tournament, and both Billy and Blue Mary (his other
partner) notice how Yamazaki goes more and more berserk. His thirst for blood
becomes more and more uncontrollable. He is seemed to be lured by something, and
when the Orochi New Face Team finally appears, they reveal that Yamazaki is of
Orochi blood! That surely explains his violent attitude and pleasure in killing.
However, Yamazaki refuses to obey the Orochi as he does not like to follow other
person's orders. However, after the tournament, the Orochi blood in Yamazaki's
veins finally awakens, and goes to Geese's office to demand his pay!
Yamazaki is a man propense towards violence, and loves to kill his
opponents with sadism. He even doesn't care if he takes a hit or two to make the
opponent suffer! He loves to use dirty tricks such as wielding his sharp knife
and kicking sand in the opponent's eyes. He also works only for those who can
reach his price. However, far beyond the money, Yamazaki loves the smell of
blood and the sound of broken bones!
The Outlaw Team Story
"Hey, hey, hey! Out of my way, punk. That's my seat!"
"......"
"Didn't you hear me? Geese, let's teach this kung fu clown a lesson,
eh?
"I don't give up my seat up to lapdogs."
"......I didn't quite get that. Want to say it again?"
"The place for lapdogs is in the dog house. Satisfied now?"
"Why you..."
"Hyah, ha, ha. That sounds like a plan. I'll watch. Let's get the show on the road!"
Those were the first words of the three the first day they met.
The English cudgel wielder, Billy Kane.
The broker of evil, Ryuji Yamazaki.
And the long-haired man dressed in the loose-fitting garments of
Chinese boxing.
"If I'm not mistaken you call yourself Gato. If you want to see old
age, you should learn to watch your mouth."
"......"
This man, a master of the rigid boxing arts beginning with those of
Yakyoku-ken, is still young with a powerful physique and a certain
something that makes the very air around him taught with tension.
But
no commendable person who fears him is in this spacious hall.
And there is only one man who could gather all of them here together.
Geese Howard.
The CEO of the Howard Connection and a master of the ancient martial
arts - he holds mighty influence over the underground society and rules
the underworld.
"I won't tell you to take each other's hands and dance the dance of
affection..."
Geese, unpleasantly stubbing out his cigar while sitting deeply back,
turns his leather chair around 180 degrees to turn his back to
everyone.
"But how about pretending to show at least a little teamwork with each
other in front of your new employer?"
From the top floor of this skyscraper that looks down on its
surroundings, one can view his realm, Southtown.
"Client? Do you mean you've placed me in your hire?"
Gato bolts up.
"Rubbish. I have no interest in a fighting tournament. Good day."
Billy shrugs and whispers, "It's your funeral."
Geese speaks with his
back to everyone.
"This town...all sorts of people come to Southtown."
Gato ignores Geese's words and heads for the door.
"For example, a young Japanese girl searching for her long-lost
brother. Eh?"
Gato stops in his tracks.
"So what. It's none of my business."
"That is true. But many other people do come to this city. And I've
heard that Chinese boxers who may closely resemble you may be among
them."
The Howard Connection monopolizes all of the information of Southtown.
And Gato now is well aware of this.
"He's come here? For what purpose...it can't be to join the KOF?!"
"I have no idea. But it would be impossible for you alone to search for
such a man lost among the millions here. It's a simple proposition,
isn't it? You will win the tournament. And I will help you realize your
goal. We'll be even Steven."
"...Hmph. Very well. You've got me interested."
"Hmph. What a pushover. Geese, if I have to enter KOF with the likes of
this clown, I'd rather team up with a French poodle."
"Gyah, ha, ha, ha. You're nothing more than Geese's lapdog, so it'd be
a nice match!"
"Yamazaki, why you..."
"Now, now...a dog barking at guests. Where's your discipline? What
about it, Geese?"
"You filthy snake. How about me shutting you up? Huh?"
"Down, Billy."
Billy is too hot-blooded, and Yamazaki's twisted mental make-up enjoys
seeing blood more than anything else. Were Geese not here, it would
take no more than five seconds for a blood-soaked battle to the death
to break out.
"...Anyway, I'll have you three take part in this year's KOF. You'll be
amply remunerated and I will provide my syndicate with the necessary
information for their investigation. This's just business. I think it's
an offer you all can't refuse."
A crazed look appears on Yamazaki's face and he continues to smirk
insanely.
Gato looks on unemotionally, his eyes fixed on Geeese.
Billy's discontent and discomfort is palpable, but his loyalty to Geese
apparently exceeds it so he presently behaves himself, gripping his
dear cudgel hard in hand.
"Well, then, if you have no objections, that's splendid."
Geese swivels his chair around again to face the newly formed members
of his "team."
"I don't expect anything like teamwork with you jokers, but you will
win this KOF. Any other result and I wouldn't expect to get anything if
I were you."
"Any other results?"
There is no irony or jocularity mixed in with his tone of voice. Gato's
confidence in his abilities is unshaken. His pride in his own strength
speaks to this.
"Since I'll be in the tournament, there can only be one result. I will
be victorious."
"Very good."
"Hey, hey, oh, tolerant Geese. Won't you grant my desires, too?"
"...It would be a real inconvenience if you rant about your payment in
my office. Well, what is it?"
"Blood."
"...Blood, you say?"
"Recently my blood rages more than I can stand.... I just may "go
overboard" a little in this tournament, so I'm hoping you'll, you know,
make things right. I'm counting on you."
An icy glow flickers in Geese's eyes. But that, too, is just for a
second.
"Do as you like. As long as it can be disposed of as 'an accident.'"
"Hyah, ha, ha, ha! Thank you! Now I'm really psyched!"
"Are we done with our little chat? Well then I recommend you rest up as
much as you can until the tournament begins."
Once Gato and Yamazaki leave the room, only Billy and Geese remain.
"Geese, about this tournament..."
"Yeah, Billy, I've been meaning to talk to you mano-e-mano about it."
"Yes."
"Of course I want you to keep an eye on Yamazaki, but don't let Gato
out of your sight. Especially if someone gets in touch with him, I want
you to report directly to me."
"Your wish is my command. By the way, Geese, who, in blazes, is the
sponsor of this year's KOF anyway?"
"......"
Without answering, Geese once again turns his leather chair around with
his back to Billy.
After a prolonged silence, Billy bids his leave and exits.
The next time the three team members will meet will be the opening day
of KOF.
