View source for 2842/WMAT CQ1 Hisoka vs Setsuko Kaminagi

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/08/18
|Location=Papaya Island - Stadium
|Synopsis=Setsuko Kaminagi faces The Magician (Hisoka) in the WMAT qualifers!
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=20, 255, 799
|Tinyplot=WMAT 2015
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ordinarily, there wouldn't be that much of a crowd for the qualifying matches, even in the easily-accessed stadium. However, this one in particular has drawn some attention from the tournament's fans; one of the contestants is a complete newcomer, and the other was in the A-bracket the previous year. What interesting fighting style will this newcomer bring? What has prompted the silver-haired swordswoman to move up to the 'big leagues'? Inquiring minds want to know.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Setsuko, on the other hand, simply wants to know how she will fare. How do her new abilities and skills hold up against the Multiverse's Elites? She's had little real opportunity to test herself against those like her. The tournament is perfect for that.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For the most part, as the demigod ascends the stairs onto the arena platform, she is quiet and calm. There is, however, some brief tapping of her left foot, pressing of weight on it. As if to confirm it will hold up.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's easy enough most of the time to get a front row seat if you meet in the right person, Toph has found out. Especially when you're watching a fight like this.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The last time she met 'the Magician' as he calls himself, it had been tough to figure out just /how/ he did those crazy feats of his. As there is a risk that she might face him in this tournament, the earthbender had decided that 'watching' his fights would be a priority, but also for eventual conflicts to come outside of the WMAT.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For now the blind girl is seated in the front row, arms crossed across her chest, and she's got both feet down. She's ready to study the fight, and hopefully Setsuko will do well in this fight. Either way it ought to be interesting.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:799|Hisoka (799)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No stranger to tournaments and crowds, Hisoka knows he's nonetheless a newcomer here. An underdog too, perhaps, since his opponent is at least known by others. No matter, really. The crowds are an annoyance and little more. Hisoka's really only here for his opponent. And... perhaps to gain a little fame. Fame suits his long-term goals, though perhaps infamy might be a better objective for now.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ascending to the stadium grounds through combatant stairs opposite Setsuko, Hisoka strides in with every appearance of nonchalance. He's smiling, pleasant, moving with a certain confident saunter that might speak volumes. As he approaches the demigoddess, he stops, grips his left arm behind the elbow with his right hand, and begins to stretch himself. It's not a traditional stretch either. It's... almost as if he's more intent on showing off his weird physiology than actually loosening his muscles pre-fight.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Waiting for my first match has been torture." he says casually to Setsuko in greeting. "All these strong fighters getting to go before me... it's made me so excited." he smirks. He rolls his shoulders, then abruptly folds into a seated position. "I almost can't control myself~" he purrs, settling cross-legged into a posture that would seem entirely defenseless if it weren't for the intensity of his gaze. "Why don't I demonstrate just how eager I am for this..." he says, his smirking lips drawing out into a long, thin warped line.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Abruptly, with no change in him physically other than his eyes widening, Hisoka unleashes his battle lust. Those sensitive to auras may see it, an eerie dull purple field of malevolence. It'll wash out over the crowds, possibly making them feel uneasy, and possibly making the weakest of them shaky in the knees. The birds about the stadium, waiting patiently for their shares of spilled popcorn and discarded hot dogs, take off for the sky, fleeing in a choreographed exodus. And Setsuko, the focus of the battle lust... well, it's not going to HURT her. It might cause some physical pressure though, force her to stand her ground a moment, make her reluctant to press forward until she's gathered her will and committed to the fight.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For now Toph is quiet even as she 'sees' The Magician arrive, and she listens as he talks to Setsuko about just how much he has looked forward to this fight. Heck, most fighters are looking forward to the WMAT every year, that's no surprise. Though Toph lets out a snort as he keeps on doing that weird stretching and talks about demonstrating just how ea--<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The moment Hisoka unleashes his battle lust though, a gasp leaves several of the audience members. It's a good thing that many of them are sitting, because it looks like many of them are quite pale and would not have been faring so well if they had been standing!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In her seat, Toph Beifong sits with a startled expression on her face, pale unseeing eyes wide as she suddenly becomes aware that she's clutching her arms tightly with her hands. Just... what the CRUD was that?!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Setsuko watches the peculiar stretching in silence; it's a good chance, if nothing else, to get an idea of how Hisoka might be able to move. His words are likewise met with a stony quiet, the swordswoman wary from his mannerisms alone. No sign to start has been given, but nevertheless a subtle tension enters her posture; and it's one that proves to be well-warranted when a sudden wave of bloodlust washes over her. Eyes widen briefly... and then narrow, just faintly, as a faint blue aura shimmers around her.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She finally speaks, in an even and calm tone. "That violent nature... certainly I've rarely seen anything even close. But, if you think that it will win you any battles in this tournament, you're sorely mistaken."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blue eyes harden. The change in Setsuko's demeanor is instant and total. Nothing nearly so vicious or intrusive as Hisoka, but everything about her radiates a hostility much more cold and clinical than the bloodlust around her. It is nothing so bloodthirsty or vicious as the violence her opponent emits. It is a simple, detached 'intent to kill', the detached hostility of a professional soldier. "I tire of meeting foes with no respect for their opponent or the tournament."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The draw of her blade is sudden and fast, and her aura /disappears/ in the same instant. Up goes Zanjintou, and then down it comes, the slash emitting a bright blue-white arc of light that whips across the arena, sharp enough to cut even steel.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:799|Hisoka (799)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hisoka has little respect for the tournament, but his respect for his opponents is genuine. If they're strong at least, and if they haven't squandered their potential. He sees no reason to correct Setsuko however. If he can convince her of his sincerity in battle, great. If not... it'll inspire her to fight him more earnestly. He really can't lose, can he?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Magician's eyes narrow as Setsuko's aura blazes out. It's the response someone from his own world would use. Only a user of nen can shield properly from the hostile nen of another. In fact the moment Setsuko releases her own cold hostility, the pressure coming from Hisoka would be entirely eliminated. He will have to use something much more forceful and direct to pierce through her will.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He remains seated even as Setsuko draws and slashes. Hisoka feels no need to be on his feet, not at this time. He only begins to move when the light arc strikes at him. One moment he's there in the blade's path, the next moment he's gone with only his own aura cut. Interesting. Her attack... he can recognize it. It may not be of the same nature as what he's used to, but it seems similar enough that he doesn't feel a need to treat it any differently than he'd treat an emission strike from a nen user. The aura may be able to cut steel, but Hisoka's own aura is of similar quality and the strike grazes off him.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Still, he's on his feet now and his monstrous bloodlust aura has been drawn back. He holds his aura tight around him now, making it a personal part of his fight. "Any fight I could win with that wouldn't be worth fighting." the Magician claims, charging in. He's still distant enough though that he feels the need to open up with something a bit less orthodox. As he charges, he kicks at the stone grounds of the arena, cracking the tiling and sending a shard of rock screaming towards Setsuko, moving fast. Faster than something hurled would travel, at least, though not supernaturally potent or quick.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If there were any doubt about her superhuman abilities, Setsuko banishes it with her response. Still holding Zanjintou in one hand, she stands her ground calmly, waiting for Hisoka to move, watching for his response to her attack and whatever strike he himself might deliver in response. It comes at a range she's not quite expecting, but her reaction time gives her ample forewarning; that katana comes up and over, a simple downward strike that cleaves right through the chunk of stone, splitting it in half to fly past either side of her face. Both halves come close enough to nick her cheeks, opening a thin line of red on each, but she doesn't so much as flinch.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If it's worthwhile fights you seek, then you have certainly come to the right place."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then she's suddenly in motion, dashing forward to meet his charge. Her bootfalls hit the stone fast, far faster than an ordinary human. She could keep up with cars on the freeway, and she has the reflexes to employ that speed even at close range. At this point, she's assuming that holding her strikes back for fear of seriously hurting her opponent will simply get her beaten; and so, when her course shifts to one side and Zanjintou comes across in a rapid en-passant horizontal slice, it's a serious strike.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:799|Hisoka (799)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I ask for nothing more." Hisoka croons. Seeing her charge, seeing her swing that blade without holding back, that makes him pleased. He twists his body, arcing his belly out of the path of the blade enough so that it barely cuts him. He might have been able to avoid it entirely were he willing to remain entirely on the defensive, but he's not interested in that. A little blood is a small price to pay to remain in range for a fist retaliation.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Untwisting, body returning to fully upright like it were made of rubber, Hisoka continues the little dancing spin, unleashing a backfist at Setsuko. This is getting fun!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With a body so rubbery, ordinary defenses aren't going to cut it. Depending just how flexible he is, blocking at the fist runs a risk of it simply snapping around her arm and hitting anyway. Blocking at the elbow or even the forearm could just allow it to bend far enough on momentum to impact regardless. No, there's only one safe way to stop that backfist, and Setsuko's instinct and experience lead her to the correct solution in a heartbeat. She bring her arm up parallel to Hisoka's, stopping the entire hit cold from elbow to fist with her own forearm. The impact jars her, but she holds it steady, stopping the blow from a more solid hit.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And it's a split second of opportunity that she doesn't miss. The swordswoman's hand turns and clamps down, an iron-strong grip at Hisoka's elbow, where she yanks hard, meaning to pull him forward so that she can slam her knee up into his side.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:799|Hisoka (799)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Magician is pretty content in melee range, even facing a weapon, with nothing but bare hands. It's perhaps surprising for those who believe his 'name' too literally. He's obviously fast though, and now Setsuko can see that he's strong too, and tough. He resists being clamped tightly, pulling his body upwards so that even with his arm held he's able to use his braced forearm and upper arm to take the knee on hard muscle rather than on vulnerable ribs. "Good!" he calls out, apparently not distressed by a blow that HAD to hurt.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He flexes his damaged arm more, doing a one-armed curl to pull himself in even closer to the demigoddess, hoping to neutralize her blade advantage. He ends up practically climbing her, only to snap his head forward and down. Headbutting may lack style and class, but it often makes up for it with effectiveness.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Perfect aim. Perfect choice in target. The headbutt slams Setsuko so hard she briefly sees stars. Her grip releases and she stumbles back - the blood streaming over her lips says all it needs to about what just happened. And even still, the swordswoman reaches up and calmly re-sets her nose, without so much as a flinch. Tough one, she is. "I can see it's dangerous to enter hand-to-hand with you. You're too strong, fast and skilled for me to maintain pressure that way."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She takes Zanjintou in a two-handed grip and cocks it. "Very well. Pure swordsmanship it is."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The movement comes sudden and sure, a single step that becomes the momentum for a shift in arms. From over her left shoulder, down to her right hip, a diagonal slash with her sword that comes with both fierce power and impressive speed. "Haa!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:799|Hisoka (799)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Setsuko stumbles back and takes the time to set her nose, Hisoka allows it. He remains standing still at the point where he landed from the headbutt, waiting for her to recover. Her action - to acknowledge the blow without backing down - seems to please him. His grin stretches, and he extends a hand towards his opponent palm-up.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Do you enjoy dancing?" the killer clown asks, apropos of nothing at all. It *might* suggest something about how he likes to be close to his opponent or partner. It might say something about his ability to move. Most likely, it means little beyond an attempt to mess with a cool-natured foe. "If you're ready then..." he says, then beckons with his extended fingertips, waving them briefly towards himself in an obvious 'bring it' gesture.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He remains, arm extended, and only flashes into motion at the last moment. A twitch of his fingers brings cards into his extended hand, fanned out and moving to block the cutting sword. Even so, the blow is hard and fast. Too hard for him to block with such a short-range defense. The cards somehow aren't cut, but he lacks the weight behind them to do more than move the sword slightly out of line. It slices through a piece of his shoulder rather than cutting diagonally through his chest.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'd rather not cut you." the murderous Magician claims, swiping with his fan of cards. Razor-edged as they appear to be, they're dangerous even if he's only aiming for surface wounds. He appears to be holding back... which makes sense only if one knows he typically uses the cards only when he intends to kill.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hisoka lashes out several times, Twirling and slashing with the paper-fan edge of the half dozen cards he holds. "I would rather dance with you until you collapse, broken..." he claims, and there's no mistaking his malevolence even though he has no intention of making a lethal attack. Intentionally.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The first surprises Setsuko, managing a clean cut along her arm. The second glances off the blade of her sword, nicking the other arm but no more than that. The third, however, manages to find purchase on her abdomen as she shifts her arms, and that opens up a deep cut indeed, which immediately begins to bleed - she's quite covered in crimson now, isn't she? But if her opponent looks carefully, he might notice that the flow from her nose has already slowed considerably, and the cuts on her cheeks have stopped entirely. She heals rather fast, it seems. And whatever pain she might be feeling, it's not enough to even slow her down. The demigod takes a step back or so, just enough to give herself room to regroup, and adopts a more cautious stance.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Unfortunate for you. I don't dance."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once again, she comes forward. A step, a strike, another step, another cut. Movement becomes attack, attack heralds advancement. A trio of quick slashes, one after the other, fired off with no particular tricks or oddball techniques; simple precision and power, the kind of overbearing attack well-suited to a battlefield.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:799|Hisoka (799)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hisoka's own wounds have been shallow. He has no healing but his aura is like a suit of armor, keeping any wound from being too serious. Setsuko's series is mostly ineffective until that last strike; too strong, too fast, too precise for him to evade or block. His chest is now bleeding from a long but somewhat shallow cut... even when he's unable to dodge he seems to be reasonably well protected by nen. He seems slowed down not at all by the cumulative wounds he's taken thusfar. If anything, he seems excited by the damage. Creepy.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Are you SURE of that?" Hisoka mocks, smirking. Then he activates his trap card, so to speak.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;From all around Setsuko, invisible strands of Hisoka's deadly aura go into action. A yank from one direction on her foot could make her stagger to the side. Another on the other leg might send her into a spin. Invisible tugs on her arms and shoulders could send her into jerks and twitches like a marionette at the hands of a particularly sadistic puppet master. She may be able to resist the tugs. Certainly they're not irresistable, and she's strong. They're coming from apparently random directions though and aren't inherently dangerous, so resisting them might take more effort than it's worth. He seems simply to want to make Setsuko dance. At least, that's the case until he strongly contracts a strand of nen between her hand and her cheek, aiming to unexpectedly slam her with her own punch.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'Strong' is an understatement. Setsuko's body does little more than twitch in response to the pulls. It's like trying to move a solid object; her body strength is well into the superhuman range. And she stands there the entire time, simply staring, as if to make a point; until that last, sudden pull at the end. Her grip remains tight on her blade with both hands, so pulling upward so harshly results in the demigod raising her sword over her shoulder as if to strike. She manages to stop it with her right hand perhaps a foot from her cheek, and turns her eyes to look at it with mild surprise.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then she brings her arms back down at the same time as she takes a quick hop backwards, unleashing a simple slash while gaining herself some distance. It unleashes another one of those divine energy cutters towards her opponent, but that one's not really meant to hit - simply to force him to dodge, buying her a moment or two. That's all she'll need for this.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Setsuko holds her sword low and to her side, with the blade pointed back behind her. In her hands, the grip extends, more than doubling in length, and her hand slides down it to adopt a grip more appropriate to a much larger weapon. It's good that she does, too. The crossguard expands itself out, from the oval befitting a katana to a much broader guard, well over two feet wide. And from that base, a thin ribbon of blue-white ripples up around the katana blade, leaving behind something far larger.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All of it happens in half a second total, and by the time Setsuko brings her blade around it's totally transformed. It has become thoroughly ridiculous, twelve feet of blade, an immense and unreasonable weapon that she swings in a horizontal slash as if it weighed nearly nothing to her.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:799|Hisoka (799)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hisoka's own strength is supernatural as well, but the directed tugs of Bungee Gum aren't the same thing as him applying his muscles directly. He seems surprised that Setsuko is so unaffected by his attempts. "You really don't dance." he says, clearly disappointed.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He's not so disappointed that he forgets to dodge however. He avoids the first cut cleanly, twisting to let it pass him close enough to shave with. It gives Setsuko time to power-up her blade however, and he regards the weapon with some respect if not quite the wariness it deserves.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He leaps, turning in the air to bring his legs over the horizontal slash, rotating his body. He can't entirely violate the laws of physics however. He's not quite fast enough to pull his entire body out of the way. His center of mass can only move so quickly after ll, and he pays the price for underestimating his foe. While his legs and body are free from the bisecting strike, his arm counter-rotates low in direct opposition to the blade. Cutting through his nen is like cutting through steel, but the sword is more than sufficient to do that. The flesh and bone of the arm beneath might be tough, but not THAT tough. His hand goes flying, severed above the wrist, cards spraying everywhere as a result.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He doesn't let the wound stop him though, or even slow him much. As he completes the spin he swooshes his maimed arm in an arc, aiming a spray of his own blood at Setsuko's face in an attempt to blind her. He lands and continues the tumbling spin, lashing out with a foot in a move that could pulverize granite.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blood splatters in Setsuko's eyes, a distraction that slows and startles her just enough to create an opening. The subsequent boot hits her hard enough to send her halfway across the arena, quickly skidding to a stop once she lands thanks to the sheer mass of her transformed blade. She comes out of it with the massive sword held behind her again, eyes still covered with Hisoka's blood... and not even bothering to open them.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;By now, her own blood has stopped flowing entirely from her cheeks and nose both, and the deep wound on her abdomen has slowed considerably as well. There's definitely regeneration going on there, and it explains part of how she can simply ignore that much pain. What it doesn't explain, is how, with her eyes still closed, the silver-haired woman heaves Zanjintou around herself in a wide, sweeping spin, before suddenly lunging forward in a high leap that brings the colossal blade down towards Hisoka from above- and then suddenly swerves at the last moment, becoming a horizontal slash that almost seems to chase him.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:799|Hisoka (799)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With the time gained by kicking Setsuko halfway across the arena, Hisoka takes a moment to look after himself. He runs his good hand over his severed wrist several times, muttering under his breath, making seemingly arcane passes. It's not clear what happens. His own good arm covers up much of what's done with each pass... but the bleeding slows to a trickle and somehow the wound appears to close over. In truth it's some quick bandage work with concealed strips of bandage cloth and bungee gum to hold it in place, then a coating of textured illusion to conceal the bandaging under the illusion of regrown flesh. To all outward appearance though, he seems to magically heal over the stump, regenerating flesh but not bone. He ends up with a stump, but a stump that's mostly healed rather than copiously bleeding.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hisoka looks up, his 'magic' finished, in time to see Setsuko coming down at him. He twists and dives, his body contorting. When she changes her move he also twists again, seemingly changing direction impossibly in midair. It's unclear if this is some weird trick of agility or if he's actually defying momentum... in either case his movements are very close to the edge of the physically-possible. The slash does little more than graze him as he tumbles weirdly aside. More blood, but another merely superficial wound. If losing his HAND doesn't slow him down, this won't either.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Landing in a three-point crouch, the Magician lifts his head up and smiles. "I wonder, will you dance now?" he asks. From each side, from the front and the rear, chunks of damaged arena stone streak at Setsuko's legs, pulled at her through use of Hisoka's inexplicable 'magic'.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The stones prove difficult for Setsuko to manage - they come in at an angle that makes parrying difficult with that massive sword, and three of them have slammed into her legs before she can respond. At least one comes with a soft 'crack' that probably bodes ill for her. But the last only just catches the back of her calf, as she finally manages to push off and toss herself up into the air. It seems as if it might be a bad idea to jump on what might be fractured or broken bones...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...until it becomes obvious that she's simply hanging there, in stark defiance of gravity.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Zanjintou describes another wide circle around the demigod, and then she brings it right down, a fast slash that will dig a deep gouge into the stone. But that's just the first, before she rips it out of the ground, swings it around in a diagonal slash that will outright carve a chunk of the arena floor up, and then finally in a huge, lunging horizontal slash that slings her forward-<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Right into melee range, where a concussive burst of divine power erupts from her right palm, reaching under her left shoulder, for the element of surprise.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:799|Hisoka (799)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hisoka eyes the semi-divine swordswoman as she floats in the air. 'That's unfair' is one of those things simply not in his vocabulary. Failure to account for another person's abilities is a personal failure, not an unfair power. Were this a battle to the death, Hisoka would have had to be a fool to partake without understanding more about his opponent's abilities. And, of course, if he understood those abilities there'd be nothing unfair. Even now he makes moves, compensating for the powers he can sense and those he merely guesses at. Certainly, with this woman regenerating there's little reason for Hisoka to fear doing her a mortal injury... holding back a move for being excessively dangerous would just be foolishness.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He continues to dodge, avoiding slashes by inches, pushing his own body to the limit. What his body doesn't avoid, his nen deflects. That burst of Setsuko's own power, similar to Hisoka's nen only with divine origin, strikes him squarely and drives him to the ground. He bounces, flops limply back up into the air, then falls back to the ground in a tangle of limbs that seem to flop about bonelessly.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If you won't dance..." Hisoka says, the words addressed to the ground. It's so hard. He wants to go all out... but of course he can't. He can't kill here. He doesn't even know if he might get a better thrill out of fighting this strong woman somewhere else. Surely if they were to meet with lives on the line, it could get even more fun than it is now. He's enjoying himself, but it's not quite the ultimate thrill. "... you just make me want to BREAK you!" he calls out, lifting his head up to sight with bloodshot eyes, locking gazes with Setsuko even if she's still temporarily blinded by his blood.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;His next attack holds nothing back. Or, if not nothing, it holds little back. Deadly sharp cards are scattered around his landing area. He'd come to a rest with them in position. Impossible as it seems, he might well have AIMED the outcome of Setsuko's last attack to put him in perfect position. The cards lance upwards, aimed for legs, arms, body. His fist - the severed fist - also rises, snapping up straight for Setsuko's jaw.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With Hisoka on the ground, Setsuko finally has a chance to reach up and wipe her eyes. It's a quick, utilitarian gesture that doesn't touch most of the blood - simply clears her vision so that she can open her eyes again. She already knows where the cards are, even without her vision, but seeing his face somehow flips a switch that has her realizing the situation she's in. Just too late, just a second too late to avoid being injured. If she dodges either way, they can simply shift course. She won't be able to move backwards fast enough to avoid or even weaken all the simultaneous attacks. And there's no way she can deflect it all.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sometimes, the only way out of danger is right through it.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Setsuko's body shifts forward. She leans. She takes a step. She's running, right into Hisoka's flurry of cards. They slice her body in numerous places, arms, legs, abdomen, one clips right past her cheek, none of them biting deeply on their own but all of them adding up to a fair bit of damage on top of her myriad existing injuries. But it saves her from direct hits, and the fist she simply takes dead-on, glaring past it at Hisoka as she hurtles in.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"ZANJINTOU..."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And suddenly that charge is arrested, every last ounce of momentum tranferred into her blade. The massive weapon swings around like a freight train, coming straight in towards Hisoka... and she keeps it right on going after the first cut, shifting her weight and applying her strength so that the attack turns /upwards/, swings over her head, and comes around again - this time, lunging straight past for the second strike.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"RAIKOU GIRI!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:799|Hisoka (799)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;From his halfway-prone position, it seems like Hisoka's in a perfect state for Setsuko to eliminate him. His move, using the scattered cards and his own severed fist, was clearly an all-or-nothing attack. There's nowhere for Hisoka to go, and he was clearly more focussed on his attack than of being able to escape when Setsuko bursts through.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Which only makes it WEIRD when Hisoka DOES dodge the blows. Half-prone, no way to run, no apparent way to dodge, Hisoka nonetheless manages to move sideways as if he had his own personal gravity turned 90 degrees to reality. He doesn't leap; he's simply yanked out of the way by use of his unique bungee gum ability. Passing clear of the attack costs him a little energy, a little effort, but it's far better than being caught by that blade.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No, Hisoka's far from out of this fight. He's hurt, but he sees no reason to stop. He's having too much fun. Debris rises up and slams at the back of Setsuko's head. Bungee gum again, applied cunningly, and buying Hisoka time to rise to his feet and face the demigod once again, only to raise his good arm, stretching out his remaining good hand as if offering to let her cut *it* off as well. Then he beckons to her, grinning with pleasure.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Setsuko's eyes once again widen in surprise at Hisoka's ability to move - but something ticks over in that same moment. An understanding finally dawns, as she notices not just his ability to move in odd directions, but how that move happens. Suddenly, jarring his body. Not a power pushing from within him, but pulling from without. And the way his 'psychic' tugs at her body felt...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...I see."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The information doesn't give her the time or warning to react to the rubble slamming into her from behind, and it slams hard. She stumbles forward, gritting her teeth, fighting against the injuries that have piled up; it's at the point where even with her regeneration, she's not going to be able to fight much longer. The swordswoman will have to make it count.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I've seen through that strange psychic power of yours. It's not direct telekinesis, is it? You're creating strands. Linkages of some sort, that pull their points of contact together. That tells me a fair bit about your movements." She shifts Zanjintou. "We should see if I can cut them with this blade. It's capable of hurting spirits as well as physical beings."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rather than take the 'offered' strike against Hisoka's hand, Setsuko whips the massive sword around and swings it down towards the man himself, as if to carve him in half. But at the very last second, in the very /instant/ that Hisoka himself begins his dodge, the twelve-foot edge simply ceases to be, in a fast-dispersing cloud of blue-white motes. Returned to its katana configuration, the Zanjintou comes up quickly, held horizontal.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"DENKOUSEKKA!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her left index and middle finger whip along the flat of Zanjintou's blade, wrapping it in divine power and setting that power spinning, compressing and compacting it. It takes only the blink of an eye for the quick gesture, and then she stabs it forward, launching the projectile at Hisoka in order to nail him while he's in the middle of his dodge. The projectile itself is peculiar, having both piercing and high-impact properties.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:799|Hisoka (799)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If Setsuko expects Hisoka to be dismayed by her analysis of his ability, she'll end up disappointed. His immediate response is for his eyes to light up in pleasure. "Correct." he concedes. Can her sword cut his bungee gum? Undoubtedly. That doesn't matter though. Even if severed, he can always send out more. Cutting a strand of his bungee gum does nothing whatsoever to him. It costs him a small bit of his nen energy, but his reserves of that are massive compared to the simple frailty of a human body. This fight will surely be decided by wounds, not by carving up auras.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hisoka allows his aura to be seen. By those capable of seeing auras, that is. He simply removes the concealment by which he does most of his 'magic', allowing psychics and life-energy warriors to see behind the veil. His aura is a weird greyish-purple thing, malevolent but by no means sickly. There are lines of his aura extending everywhere. From his body to the walls of the arena, no doubt offering him the ability to pull himself in any of four directions. He keeps other lines hidden however. Lines attaching to debris, to his cards, or those attached to Setsuko herself.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He doesn't use those lines to pull himself out of the path of Setsuko's descending blade however. He just uses his perception and simple speed, dodging the downslash by inches. His eyes widen in surprise however, as the blade's extended edge goes away. Ooooh, what a surprise! He even moans a little, internally, as he realizes the sheer beauty and effectiveness of the fake, anticipating the blow to come.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The blow, when it comes, is everything Hisoka expected. He closes his eyes, apparently in rapture. It slams into his guts, spilling blood and other things. Not a fatal blow certainly, but a deadly one that will surely need to be treated as soon as the match ends. The brutal strike is not, most importantly, a fight-ender. Even having taken a blow which could turn mortal if allowed, he hasn't taken a hit that would keep him from continuing.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hisoka's eyes open, and he yanks himself forward into Setsuko. While her high-impact blow should have knocked him back, his bungee gum pulls against that. It probably makes the wound worse than it was, but he simply doesn't care. She's open after downsizing her weapon and launching her divine aura spear. If he can finish her, he can worry about his wounds later. Adding to the force of his bungee-gum lunge, he swings his arm, launching his elbow around in an arc aimed at the side of the swordswoman's head.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Landing her Denkousekka is satisfying, but it's not the kind of thing for which she'll let down her guard. No, it's far too early for that. Until he concedes the match or the refs call it, she has to assume he's getting up again. And so he does, not disappointing her in the least. She's preparing herself for any number of attacks now, from any angle; she's come to realize just how many options his ability gives him. And yet, his final choice is to come in by the most direct route. In a way, it's quite possibly the most surprising move.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's also one Setsuko immediately knows how to deal with. For a second time, she moves to meet his charge, launching herself straight towards him. That's not surprising. However, what is surprising is the fact that she releases her grip on her sword entirely. Zanjintou drops away, hitting the ground; she won't need it.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's a simple response, really. Taking a page out of Hisoka's playbook. She'll have to take some of that elbow to land the hit she wants. But if he means to hit her in the head, it puts him in the perfect spot for it. At the demigod's side, her now-free hand balls up, and her bloody arm lifts, drawing back.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And at the last possible instant, she drops her head slightly to one side so that the elbow smacks across her cheekbone, tilts her body, and hooks her arm around Hisoka's to drive her fist right at his face.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:799|Hisoka (799)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hisoka is no stranger to hand-to-hand combat. His fighting style matches no known martial art, it's true. He moves to his own rhythm and style, in an almost inhuman way based around his own agility and reaction speed.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He may use no known martial art, but over the years of challenging the strong he's faced just about every martial art his world has. Boxing, karate, taijutsu, you name it. He sees Setsuko's punch coming, and his face simply isn't there. It vanishes as he bobs to the side, faster than the eye could follow. And he keeps right on going, getting some distance.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You've done exceptionally well." Hisoka states, trying to get control of his racing heart. The urge to kill is strong, but his will is stronger. The fight is a good one. "If you can avoid my next attack, you win. I'll even tell you where it's coming from. It's coming from my right. Ready?" he asks, grinning maliciously.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The attack, when it comes, comes from straight in front of Setsuko. Not from Hisoka's right side, but from his right FIST. The severed fist he's used as a weapon once before.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It was a gamble. Hand-to-hand combat has never been her forte, but Setsuko didn't want to make a lethal attack at those speeds, with their level of injury. She was hoping that their combined speed and the act of taking some injury from his blow on purpose would be enough to land the hit. But the gamble didn't pay off. She's left without her sword, at his mercy; she briefly considers lunging for Zanjintou again, but that would just leave her open. She'll have to manage whatever his next attack is first.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When it comes, it's just unexpected enough to slip past her defenses, knocking Setsuko clean off her feet. She skids until she's right beside her sword, and then stops; after a few seconds of simply lying there, with a groan, she turns onto her side and utters a quiet pair of sentences.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I... concede. I can no longer continue."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:799|Hisoka (799)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hisoka's attack, though it wasn't quite what he'd implied, was strictly speaking 'from his right'. he stretches out his ruined arm, calling the much-abused fist back to him. He'll have to keep it... it's not like he can grow another. "I entered this tournament to fight the strongest people the Multiverse can offer." he says. "You were definitely not a disappointment. I look forward to seeing more from you." he says, with apparent sincerity.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With that, Hisoka turns and heads towards the exit. Dramatic gesture and all that, but in honestly he's wrecked. Only pride keeps him on his feet right now. Pride, and the desire to hide from others just how close he is to falling. His offer of the match to Setsuko if she dodged the attack wasn't a false one. If he hadn't taken her out, he has little doubt she'd have finished him off with just one clean blow.<br> <br>


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