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cryingcow · 3 years ago

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Yellow Dragon Wandering Chronicles [RGGO] --- Ch. 5

[5-1] | [5-2] | [5-3] | [5-4]

Previously: After several weeks spent doing who-knows-what, Ryuji and Joon-gi continue their foodtrip in Fukuoka. Ryuji proposes over ramen that the two of them become South Korean Business Besties (TM). However, they get ambushed by Kasuga “Japan’s most polite assassin” Ichiban and Kuze “someone please let this old man retire” Daisaku from the Tojo Clan because Tojo HQ doesn’t vibe with the thought of an Omi-Jingweon collab, and by Takayama and the Go-Ryu Clan because he still hates nepotism. Joon-gi calls the Jingweon HQ for backup, only for him to be denied and told that his mission is now to kill his friend.

Chapter 5! Alt title: “Remember when I wrote “'til death do they part” in the previous alt chapter title? Yeah . . .”. Mild Y2/YK2 spoilers!

[Chapter 5: Decision Time]

CHAPTER 5-1

Han: “Ryuji-san . . . kill him . . . ?!”

Jingweon Mafia: “That’s correct. Han Joon-gi, you are to get rid of Goda Ryuji with your own hands—show to the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance that we are withdrawing from the matter concerning Goda Ryuji. With that, we ‘strike a deal’ with them. Some money will be handed over. It’s not good to make waves right now with them. That is what the commander thinks.”

Han: “A-A word, please . . . ! Goda Ryuji is an important person who is also connected to the next Chairman of the Omi Alliance . . . ! If we successfully pull him into the organization, eventually a strong connection with the Omi can be formed . . . ! Even if we risk turning the Tojo Clan and Omi into an enemy, we should get something in return for drawing in the Omi . . . !”

Jingweon Mafia: “Hmph . . . that’s quite a lot of words, Han Joon-gi. Were you swayed by emotion on your long trip?”

Han: “Nothing like that! It’s because I’m putting the organization first . . . !”

Jingweon Mafia: “This conversation is over. The directive is not overturned. Or—do you intend to disobey our ‘iron creed’?”

Han: “—! . . . no, not at all.”

Jingweon Mafia: “Remember. Your oldest memory. The faces of those who beat you while you were on the verge of starvation.”

Han: “. . .”

Jingweon Mafia: “Who picked you up at death’s door and kept you alive up to this point?”

Han: “. . . Our Jingweon Mafia commander.”

Jingweon Mafia: “Then I ask. What is your life there for?”

Han: “. . . . . . All . . . All for the prosperity of our organization.”

----

Kasuga: “Shit. Where did that Silver Hair go . . .”

Kasuga: “! Kuze-no-aniki!”

{Ichiban runs over to Kuze.}

Kuze: “. . .”

Kasuga: “Aniki! I’m sorry, I lost sight of the silver-haired one. What about the golden-haired one?”

Kuze: “Lost him too. They know this city pretty well. Seems they were prepared for the attack. Fucking familiarized themselves with the byways and back alleys. . . . This may be more difficult than I expected.”

Kasuga: “We’re done for . . . alright, I’ll go look around again!”

?: “There’s no need for that.”

Kasuga: “Ah . . . ?”

Han: “Hello.”

Kasuga: “Silver Hair . . . ! Han, was it?!”

Han: “Please wait. I have no intention of resisting. I will surrender to you two.”

Kasuga: “Ah . . . ? Surrender . . . ?”

Han: “Yes. Rather, I would like to ask you for your cooperation.”

Kuze: “. . .”

Han: “I—. . . I will tell you where Goda Ryuji is.”

-END-

NOTES:

1) 手打ち = “striking a deal” or “coming to an agreement”, but also “making noodles by hand” or “killing with bare hands”, which is kinda rad :D

2) 情にほだされた = “swayed by emotion”. Alternatively, “moved/overcome by affection/sentiment”

Next >>>>>>>>>

Previous <<<<<

[5-1] | [5-2] | [5-3] | [5-4]

Masterlist

#I know I couldve cropped that picture to save space #but I didn't want to waste a high-def fullbody official render of them <3 #rgg online #rggo lore #rggo #rgg #Ryu ga Gotoku #yakuza #han joon-gi #han joon gi #kasuga ichiban #ichiban kasuga #kuze daisaku #daisaku kuze

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gorochanfanclub · 4 years ago

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Even if you don't write that often I always adore whatever you put out~ For the Q&A do you have any thoughts/headcanons about Ryuji you'd like to share?

I’m so glad you asked lol, I actually really like Ryuji a lot! (and thank you <3)

I believe I have said this before but I very strongly believe Ryuji likes bigger, plus sized women. He’s a big guy himself, (honestly makes Kiryu look small in comparison imo lol) and I would think he would like to have a woman who could keep up with him. He’d enjoy just grabbing a handful of a big girl and revel in the feeling them being engulfed in his large, tan, hands.

Like, if he saw a plus sized girl at a bar or a restaurant, or literally anywhere, he would just stop what he was doing and go flirt with them. And of course no one would stop him bc well... he’s Ryuji Goda lmao.

I also headcannon that Ryuji likes to eat. Again, he’s a big guy, and you don’t get that big by not eating truck-fulls of food lol. So if Ryuji found a girl that could cook, and well, he’d be glued to their side.

One place I feel Ryuji would be lacking in terms of being a romantic partner, however, would be his openness with a partner. It would take nearly bending his arm behind his back to get him to admit he was wrong in an argument, he’d never talk it through with his gf/wife if he was upset, and if his partner was upset, I genuinely don’t think he’d know what to do. He’d try, bc like Majima, Ryuji strikes me as the type that doesn’t like to see women upset, but it’d still be hard for the big guy lol.

Thank you so much for this! I really love Ryuji and I feel he’s one of those really good, underrated characters that doesn’t get talked about a lot. And because he’s only in one game, we really get to do whatever we want with him on the fan side of things, that’s always fun too!

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frostsinth · 4 years ago

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The Bard’s Bounty - Pt. 2

Part one HERE

When Balam finally wakes, Iara finds his mouth is nothing but trouble. Especially when all she wants to do is sleep.

Part two of the story! Glad to see some interest in this new one. Likes and comments please! I’d love to know what you think so far.

Some time past midnight the rain finally started to let up, but the dark clouds overhead still rumbled ominously and promised that this reprieve was not for long. I squinted up at the sky, and sighed heavily. Generally, I preferred traveling at night. Especially when I was carrying a captured bounty. People tended to have a lot of questions about the limp body on the back of my big bay mare, and they often felt inclined to say something when that body began to scream or cry or beg for mercy. So night travel was the best option to avoid the average citizen of the realms. The advantage being that no one was awake. One disadvantage, however, was that no one was awake. Hard to gather information or lay traps when the innkeeper or regular guard is asleep. For this particular hunt, I had spent most of the previous day awake. Against my routine. And if I was counting the hours right, I had been up for almost two full days.

Now I was beginning to feel that. My eyes felt heavy, my limbs like lead. Goda pranced eagerly and rhythmically beneath me (having long ago adjusted to my strange schedule) but I still felt restless. Should any of the other less savory denizens of the night happen upon me and decide to attack, I would be at a steep disadvantage.

Giving another heavy sigh, I decided to cut the night’s journey early. It was a few hours until dawn yet, but I could always break camp at sunset tonight to make up for it.

So I pulled off the road at a grassy knoll tucked alongside a hill face, and swung out of the saddle gracefully. Goda tossed her head and whickered cheerily. I stroked her soft, velvety black nose before I took her lead and led her to a small corner between the hill and knoll. It formed a sort of natural little alcove, with one large and ancient looking tree creating a thick knotted ceiling of branches overhead. Blocked from the road and partially sheltered from the elements.

I didn’t have to hobble Goda or tie her reins to anything; her and I had been together for longer than I cared to remember. I knew she wouldn’t wander. But I did feel bad to leave the big brute on her back; even with my enchantment, his weight couldn’t have been very comfortable for her.

I willed the still snoring orc off her back, levitating him to a spot by the hillside. Then unceremoniously let him drop the last few feet to the ground.

The sound of his massive body hitting the dirt was so loud even Goda started a little. I felt the vibrations of it even where I stood a few feet away. He gave a resounding grunt, a sound kind of like a garbled “who-ha-ha”, and his big head shook back and forth as he started to try to lift himself off the ground. But he might as well be struggling to lift an elephant sitting on his back.

I ignored his stirring as I moved about, making camp. The big tree had a generous offering of old dried branches, so I didn’t have to travel far to gather firewood. I dug out a small hollow in the earth and piled the branches neatly within, then, with some dry grass and bark in the center, pulled out my flint.

“Wha-ha? Where?” Groaned Balam, struggling with his hands and arms shaking and slipping on the ground. He tried repeatedly to turn himself over. To no avail.

Finally, his groggy brain seemed to accept that he wasn’t going anywhere just yet, so he turned his head this way and that, scraping his cheek and tusk along the ground as he tried to get his bearings. When his dark brown eyes found me, he frowned slightly, wrinkles filling his thick brow.

“Uh... “ He cleared his throat, then tried to lift his head again. Failing, he settled on leaving his cheek resting on the dirt. “..Iara, was it?”

I hid a smirk by turning my back to him and fussing over the fire. It soon grew to a warm, crackling blaze, and I sat back on my heels to admire it. It was nice to feel its toasty flames after a night of damp riding. I stripped my cloak and spread it over a low hanging branch to dry before crouching before the fire again and rubbing my hands together.

He cleared his throat again, then groaned. “I… I, uh… Ghas’nhik, I seem to be having trouble… remembering anything…”

I picked up a stick and poked the fire once, then stood and made my way over to Goda, who was peacefully grazing on some grass nearby. I began undoing the straps for her saddle and my sleeping roll, and heard the orc grunt again.

“Where… how exactly did I get here?” He asked, trying to lift his head again.

I turned, slinging my roll over one shoulder and the saddle over the other, but still didn’t answer. I did cast him a quick look, and saw his eyes following me as I moved around. He was still blinking blearily, as if nursing a bad hangover.

He groaned, managing to slide his hand along the ground to pinch at the bridge of his nose. “So we.. aah… Damn, how much did I have last night?” His rumbling chortle was muffled a little by his position on the ground.

Still ignoring him, I used my foot to clear sticks and other debris from around the roots at the base of the tree. I dropped the saddle on one particularly large, fat root. Then I spread out my roll in a neat little nest formed by the others. Bounties often tried to talk. Hold conversations. Persuade me to their innocence. It was best not to get too involved with them. Even in conversation.

“Silly question, I’m sure,” He mumbled, rubbing his face with his hand before craning his neck to look at me, “But ah… where are we?”

I sighed heavily, shaking my head at his persistence. All I wanted to do was get some sleep. Was that too much to ask? I thought briefly about giving him another dose of the poison. But more than one use in such a short time could have lasting negative long term effects. Best just to get this annoying portion over with. Hopefully he would resign himself quietly to his fate after that. I was too tired to fight off his prying.

“On the road outside Moorfield.”

His brows shot up. “Moorfield?? I thought-” he scrunched them together again- “I thought you said your room was out back?”

I almost laughed at the obliviousness of the man. Instead, I paced a little closer, hands on my hips.

“Perhaps that was an oversimplification.”

“Ho-how… how did I get here??”

Now I did smile, one side of my mouth rising up a little higher than the other. “I brought you here.”

“YOU brought me here?? What?” He struggled a little more and tried to look around. I loved this part. “How??”

I shrugged, still smirking. “You were knocked out, I put you on Goda’s back, and away we went.”

“What?? Why? I don’t want to-”

“Such protest! You didn’t seem to mind last night.”

“I was unconscious!” He groaned, and once again tried to lift himself up off the ground. “Look, you seem like a very nice… ah, lady, or whatever,” He managed to get his huge palms beneath himself, and strained against the enchantment, “But I’m not really into the whole ‘kidnapping’ routine, for one thing,” He grunted and groaned as he tried to push himself up, then craned his neck to try and look to see if there was something on his back. Then struggled some more. “And for another, as a general rule, I try not to stick my dick in crazy-WHY THE HELL CAN’T I MOVE?”

I raised one eyebrow at his frustrated bellow, and my grin grew by a few molars. “That would be because of your new accessory.” I told him, and lifted my wrist to tap my matching bracelet.

His eyes darted to his own wrist, and he studied it for a moment. Then his gaze shot back to me.

“Is this some weird, cultist marriage thing?” He asked dryly. “Because I’m not marriage material. Or cult material. I’m not great at that whole, ‘conformity’ and following the rules crap.”

My nose twitched, and I pursed my lips to keep from laughing. “No no. Not a cult. This is more like a big payout kind of thing.”

His eyes widened slightly, then he let out a deep groan. “Oh be’zgat, you’re a damn bounty hunter.”

I spread my hands, grinning. “There you go, you got it!” Then I did laugh, spinning back to tend the fire, “Took you long enough.”

He chuckled darkly, a little less humored than before. “Hey, you’d be surprised the kind of shit I get into.”

I shrugged. “I doubt it.”

“There was a cult, one time. Some weird… sex cult. Then another time, I had a run in with this manticore-”

“Please stop. I don’t care.”

He gave a wild grin. “But the way you were looking at me last night, I thought to myself; Balam, that’s either gonna be a crazy weird fuck or the best night of your life.” He continued, more to himself than me. I resisted the urge to scowl at him for his vulgarities. Giving a sigh, he laid his cheek back on the ground, “And I was right. Just didn’t realize it was more of a ‘fuck me over’ than the standard fuck.” A deep frown settled on his lips. “But wait, I don’t… I don’t remember you striking me…” His frown deepened, “The last thing I remember was,” His lips twitched, and his frown slid back into a smirk, “Well, it was very hot.”

I rolled my eyes. “Poison tends to have some lingering effects. Don’t worry. Most aren’t long term.” I turned to consider him again, “Though I’m sure you won’t miss the lost brain cells. Didn’t seem like you were using them.”

“Poison??” He echoed, shocked.

I grinned again, putting my hands back on my hips. “Are you surprised?”

“Are you serious??” He snarled, and tried to struggle off the ground again.

I laughed again as I wandered back over, leaning my hip against his and crossing my arms. “That’s a Melvarian Enchantment,” I told him, “There’s no breaking it.”

He considered me out of the corner of his eye. “Seems a little extreme.” Struggling, he managed to lift his shoulders off the ground and prop himself up on one elbow. “Perhaps we should instead return to our earlier... Conversation?”

I sat on his hips, leaning back and stretching out. I felt his eyes studying me hungrily.

“Sorry, bard,” I said with a sultry, mocking sigh, “I don’t mix business with pleasure.”

Now it was his turn to laugh. “Why not? Sounds like the second best profession to mix into your personal life.”

I felt his eyes on me, and turned to consider him. His brown eyes darted up from my thick thighs with my movement, and met my own gaze. I considered his square jaw and large, polished tusks. He might have been handsome. If it hadn’t been for the shit eating grin on his thick lips.

“Oh? You think so?” The corner of my mouth twitched, then I placed my hand on his back, and slowly leaned over. “There’s just one small problem...”

I saw his breath hitch, saw his eyes flick down to my lips. I bent down until my breasts just barely skimmed his back, and my face was mere inches away from him. I waited until he struggled a little more against the enchantment, trying to reach me.

“What’s that?” He purred.

The smirk returned to my lips, and I winked at him slyly.

“I’m not interested.”

A little taken back, he took a moment to recover as I sat back up. Heat flushed his face, but he still managed to keep the stupid grin.

His bushy eyebrows wiggled. “You sure? I can’t imagine you’re that good of an actress. And last night,” He gave a low whistle.

I hoped the heat behind my ears didn’t extend as far as my face. I scowled at him, ignoring the gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach.

“Don’t flatter yourself.”

With a final pat on his broad, firm back, I pushed off of his body, making my way over to my makeshift nest amid the roots of the gnarled old tree. Its leaves rustled peacefully in the cool evening breeze, though I could taste the storm coming in the air. Hopefully it would rain only through the day, and by the time night approached, it would begin to dry off again.

He groaned, shaking his big head. “Well, can I at least get some other relief? My neck feels like it's about to snap.”

I tucked the blanket in a few more spots, then slowly settled into it.

“First thing you try to do if I let you loose is run.” I replied, “Second thing you try to do is slit my throat. Failing at those, next you-”

“Try to seduce the beautiful hunter?” He interrupted, grinning stupidly again. “Join her in her little nest? Warm up her frigid little heart?”

I shot him a dark scowl, unamused. I tucked one hand under my head and pursed my lips in irritation.

He laughed at my expression. “You’re cute when you get all huffy.”

“Do you ever shut up?”

“Not if I can help it,” He grinned at me again, “It’s a gift, really.”

I gritted my teeth, thinking that maybe the negative long term effects were outweighed by the good short term effects of giving him another dose. I touched my lips thoughtfully, giving him a look out of the corner of my eye. I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open.

He had managed to prop his chin on his hands, spread flat on the ground. He watched me, long dreads framing his face, brown eyes glinting with streaks of gold in the firelight. Bushy eyebrows wiggled at me again.

“Come on now, what harm is there?” He asked, giving me a big set of doe eyes, “I’m not asking to walk around. Just sit up.”

That’s where it starts. I thought to myself, but I sighed instead. “If I let you sit up, will you stop fucking talking and let me get some sleep?”

His grin returned. “Of course! Cross my heart!”

“Fine.”

With a thought, I freed his limbs, and watched cautiously as he sat himself up. I set the enchantment into his legs as he settled into a cross-legged seat. He didn’t seem to mind, wiggling his toes, then stretching his arms high over his head. The way he did made his chest and abdomen muscles flex, and I felt my gaze linger there probably a little longer than absolutely necessary. Then he gave a soft groan, and pulled his coat off his shoulders, smacking it with the flat of his palm a few times before laying it across his lap.

“What the hell are you doing?”

He turned, considering me with a lopsided smile. “The old thing is filthy! More wet than dry. I’ll catch my death if I keep it on-” One brow cocked- “You don’t want that, do you? No bounty on a deadman, usually.”

I narrowed my eyes at him slightly, but I felt my mouth go dry. His shoulders were quite broad; even more so than the paltry material had let on. Taut, round muscles that flexed every time he moved, the firelight catching off them in a way that made them glow. I turned away, settling deeper into my blankets.

“Whatever. I don’t care.” I snarled softly, “Just no more talking. Or you’ll be kissing dirt for the rest of the day.”

He didn’t answer, and my neck itched with the urge to turn back and see what he was doing. But I resisted, forcing myself to relax and close my eyes. I could hear his soft breathing, and the quiet munching of Goda. I had faith she would let me know if he made any sudden, unwelcome moves.

Suddenly, a deep humming filled the air, followed by a few whistled notes and a heavy, melodic sigh.

“There once was a lass named Ishta, who loved a bloke by the sea,”

I started up, spinning and glaring at the man. He pretended not to notice me, slowly working his huge hands through his coat as he sang.

“She sang out his name each evening, her voice as sweet as could be,”

His voice was deep, though it held a heavy undertone like smoke. Perhaps under different circumstances, I would have enjoyed it. But now I just felt a hot white rage filling me instead.

“Her eyes they were like honey, her heart like fire in snow,”

“Are you serious??” I demanded.

He glanced up at me, the same smug look on his face as earlier. I wanted nothing more than to walk over and smack it off him.

“Her love as pure as silver, an’ would follow him whe’er he go--”

The last syllable caught in his throat with a satisfying “UNCK” as the huge orc suddenly flew forward. His chin smacked into the ground with an audible snap, the force so strong his eyes rolled back into his head momentarily. Feeling more than a little pleased with myself, I rolled over, putting my back to him.

I heard him groan, then shuffle. A few soft grunts, then an angry sigh.

“Aw, come on!” He complained, “You said no talking! Nothing about singing!” But his voice was contorted by the placement of his jaw on the ground.

His irritation made me smirk to myself, and I willed the enchantment to keep him like that. My blankets felt strangely softer after that and I settled back into them with a contented sigh.

“Frigid bitch,” I heard him grumble under his breath.

I stiffened suddenly, but it wasn’t at his words. Another sound had filtered to my ears; the soft snap of a branch tread underfoot. I heard Goda give a soft rumbling whicker from deep in her chest followed by a deep huff. She could smell them too.

Slowly, I slid my hand to the dagger in my boot, calculating exactly how many strides away the saddle with my sword was. And how quickly I could get there.

....

UPDATE: Part Three HERE

#orcs #orc #orc boyfriend #orc bard #monster boyfriend #monster lover #slow burn #enemies to lovers #The bard's bounty #update #OC #exophilia #terato #romance

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retphienix · 4 years ago

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youtube

I did it :)

So, I cried. That's a given.

Also this might be the most overwhelmingly happy ending in the series so far, you know, if you're used to every entry ending with "KIRYU DIE?????"

Bonus points because this ending DID NOT immediately reveal that he lives! I know my intro here is all unserious and the like but genuinely, that does a lot for making the scene so much more impactful and it worked here even though I know he returns for Y6.

So, I'm gonna do this post like the last big post because there's too many thoughts to expel.

Timestamps as I rewatch so I can share my thoughts. Then a short conclusion because honestly? This game has taken all my words multiple times.

I just want to calmly and happily say my final piece at the end :)

0:39 - Spoiler, this ending SUCKS because it doesn't include a final rhythm battle for Haruka! Now I think I read somewhere that there's a member of that assassin clan she can dance battle as a final challenge but I clearly didn't do that right and missed out and that's beside the point- THERE'S NO RHYTHM GAMEPLAY IN THIS FINALE >:(

9:00 - I EARNED IT, I'M USING IT!

13:00 - Spoiler for later, Shinada doesn't get to say this from what I recall. Instead Baba gets a different wake up call, but that works out :)

17:00 - Not now, but this will come up, I offer to you my johns for what happens in the first boss fight. My eyes were dry as hell so I missed some QTEs which means I didn't get the flashiest stuff to happen. This actually happened at the end of Y4 also but I restarted just to capture good footage- not this time.

17:30 - MOUSE. MOUSE MOUSE, A LITTLE RAT, MOUSE. Love to see it.

19:00 - The audible sigh I let out when they played the same song I've heard like 40 times in my playthrough was palpable. I do dig the song! But there are what? 4 Idol songs? They really needed more or to not saturate their use so much :(

19:40 - I legitimately gasped and went "Oh no... of course it's you!" at Baba's role in this. It added a lot of weight to the way he practically begged Haruka not to show up.

20:50 - So here's the gist. Majima's plan didn't work out, we know that. Majima has a REALLY good line and motivator moment where he says he's following orders now to protect Haruka because she means more to Kiryu than anything (and that's how Majima rolls), Majima then reveals some shit which can be amounted to "I think you've gotten weak and wanted to protect you!!!!" which does ring slightly hollow since we saw Majima at a ridiculously low point earlier. So either his low point was him contemplating Saejima's survival chances, or his low point was sincere (it sure sounded it) and his worry over Saejima being weak was just also happening at the same time. I don't really mind either way to be honest, we beat him up. I fail some QTEs.

33:00 - Baba deciding not to fulfill his orders on his own accord is actually extremely important and good as hell. It shows that all this changed him and gave him the motivation to forge his own path- or rather it began to though he's overwhelmed with doubt. It's extremely good.

33:50 - The fact he intentionally leaves evidence shows how much doubt he has though, he's giving up entirely more than forging his own path, he's just refusing to follow the orders of another but hasn't found the strength to continue on his own. It's really good is all.

38:00 - This was the first cry I had beating the game x.x Shinada is just a phenomenally likeable character, and watching him accept where his life has gone and what it's meant to others is way more touching than I'd assume considering it's a tale of a baseball star.

40:50 - THIS WAS HYPE AS HELL AND LEAD TO MY SECOND CRY. THIS PRISON FAMILY HAS NO RIGHT BEING THIS ENDEARING. Also, more or less, they get to deliver the message Shinada was supposed to lol.

42:50 - THIRD AND BIG AS HELL CRY. SHINADA YOU FOOL, YOU'VE A FOUND FAMILY AFTER-ALL!!! I genuinely adore this moment so much is all. It's such a wonderful payoff for this loveable fool. After all the runnin' away he has a home.

43:36 - I love Shinada so much the silly fuck.

46:00 - I got a laugh out of Akiyama KICKING ASS in the news footage (didn't mention but the first brawl cutscene was rather lacking wasn't it?) and Kiryu just like... punches a guy. It's hilarious to me. Also you best believe- I UNLOCKED IT, I'M USING IT!!!

48:00 - Now this is a, well, it's a bad reveal. Like look, there is a metric ton of good going on in this finale- but the reveal that Aizawa is his son and is evil and is the final boss is just too much zero-build-up-payoff. It's the worst part. It's not like extremely detrimental or anything- like it doesn't take away from the good stuff- but it's just entirely uninteresting and bad. It makes Aizawa's interest in Morinaga bizarre and uninteresting since he got no payoff, he had buildup with Saejima and then in the final scenes he's just like "Yeah, Mori was nice but who gives a fuck I am the one who killed him (I think he said) and I aspire to be strong as fuck because all of YOU IDIOTS have FRIENDS and CHARISMA >:(" and like, who fuckin' cares bud.

52:00 - Now I'll more or less sum up all of Akiyama's payoff here. 1- I unlocked it so I'm gonna use it! 2- He offhandedly says he wants to be a legend in this town, which in Y4 he already was- he was a myth, a city mystery- but of course he means like Kiryu not the loch ness monster. 3- He gets to be a legend by being the only civilian (or person in general) the Omi would bow to. It's kind of not built up at all and is a bit lame, but to be honest Akiyama has a pretty bit part in this entire game. He's kinda just a convenient returning character with motivation to assist Kiryu and a career that allows motivation to get involved through Park. To be blunt, his part in the story is weak. I wish it was stronger. But it's inoffensive and he at least gets something- as minor as it is. Getting to say he's king of the world is something, you know?

56:00 - I will say that the build up of "Oh shit, these are Kanai's men!" and the reveal that "Oh shit! They are WATASE'S men and all the clans who the Tojo were seeking alliances with!" is a good one. Watase is a fine enough character which I bring up only because I was told he was a standout- but he wasn't for me. His scenes are great, his growth with Katsuya is nice, but he's barely in the game and really only exists to be betrayed and then to be like "I'm one of the good yakuza despite being a war-lusting one because being a good yakuza is just complicated enough to allow this overlap" which is interesting for sure, but I don't know. Unless he does stuff in the subsequent games I didn't catch much in this one. Maybe he does- I assume he runs the Omi now!

1:00:00 - I kinda summed it up but yeah. Here's the final boss, Aizawa, a character we were mislead on and who's motivation is empty as fuck. It's, whatever. It's not the good part of the ending. The good part is everything prior and directly after. Like his entire deal is anti-silver-spoon talking points but also he includes being charismatic or capable as silver spoon-isms??? He pretty much just wants to be leader because he's strong. He'd arguably be more interesting if he just said it that way.

1:11:00 - The lyrics to Dream are anything but subtle and I love them and I love Haruka. Sliding this in here- Majima gets no payoff >:( Park's dream is accomplished in seeing her star on the stage, but no Majima moment? No sight of him accepting her loss? Lame.

1:14:00 - I genuinely LOVE that Aizawa focuses in on Kiryu's gunshot wound. He still accepts it as a fair fight because Kiryu presents it as one, but even then he pays mind to it as you'd expect someone wanting to fight at their strongest would- he wants to fight Kiryu at his best and he's accepting this because Kiryu presents as his best even when wounded- it's pretty cool. Fight happens. It's fine stuff, flashy and fun. Still maybe the weakest final boss yet because he has no build up. I'd be the first to admit without looking it up I can't list every final boss thus far, but like, Nishi was built up, Mine was built up, Goda was built up, I just, in this moment, don't recall having a big "WHO THE FUCK, THIS MEANS NOTHING?" fight in yakuza and this is certainly one of those.

1:25:00 - I cried AGAIN. Haruka just hit me with a truck of emotion here is all.

1:41:15 - This is a beautifully shot, emotional, and tragic looking ending. Heck, at 1:43:00 I initially thought he was being awoken in a hospital bed and I was like "Heh, there's the old Kiryu dies fakeout!" but no! They hammer home, they go for broke, they give a TRAGIC AS FUCK bitter ending on top of an ending that's like 99% happy as fuck in terms of offering everyone involved hope for the future. This was a good end :)

So then, some overall thoughts I maybe didn't get out- I mean there's no way this post touches everything but I want to at least try to because I like sharin' the experience and what I got out of it.

The fighting styles were mighty uneven as far as strengths or fun factor. To be blunt,

Kiryu has an overpowered counter attack and heat mode and since heat mode is underwhelming as hell that means he has JUST a counter attack- his strikes don't really hit all that well considering the improvements other characters saw this time around, so he's a bit one note here.

Saejima feel even meatier than before, nothing particularly 'stands out' but the fact that he has super armor as long as he has heat is a pretty big factor in making him feel good to use.

Akiyama got the short end of the straw this time around. His new gimmick is the launch combos and they are... well... less than shit at least from what I could feel during gameplay. They don't hurt much, they burn heat like crazy, and they can MISS, all while being a move that targets just one enemy- has no counter to blocking or armor- and provides no armor in turn.

Despite not losing anything, he kinda got screwed.

(I'm lead to believe Akiyama is invulnerable during his aerial combos which my blurb in my finale post complained felt worthless and cited that as a reason.

If so then I was wrong but I still hold all my other complaints towards it, just not the 'it has no armor or invuln' bit assuming that's true.)

Shinada wins out for being unique and being a weapon oriented character that actually does well with weapons. Weapons have always been something I pretty much ignore in Yakuza and the series itself has always desperately tried to make them interesting with things like weapon skills, Kamiya works, and the like. But other than the god weapons like the golden gun weapons just never felt good to manage.

Using them, sure, that's fine, but managing them? Durability and skills and limited movesets and all that? Nah. But Shinada really does a lot to make them less shit! His innate abilities that raise durability a metric ton REALLY make weapons feel better to use with him- and his unique movesets with weapons are pretty damn good (mostly. The pipe/'normal one hander pole size object' moveset is worthless as heck, it regularly misses).

He's fun.

===

Revelations were a miss this time around for me. Since you couldn't have seen them if you tried on my blog let it be known- I ONLY got the quest related revelations for each character- which is to say- ONE rev per character.

Revelations in 5 are weapon based, and not just 'bat or pole or gun' or whatever- they are DISPOSABLE TEMPORARY weapon based.

What you are supposed to do is go to the specific place on the map where that one revelation weapon spawns, hope like hell you find an enemy, and wail on them like crazy. If you use a weapon x amount of times then you'll get a revelation according to the internet. This is beyond ridiculous and means a normal playthrough will get none of these, while a focused one will be bored out of their mind GRINDING to get these.

I did not bother.

===

Now.

Yakuza 5.

This might be my favorite Yakuza overall.

I still think 0 is probably the best overall for most people, it has the best style, it has from what I've experienced the best gameplay, it's story is tear jerking and exciting and fun.

But as a yakuza game overall, I really have to give it to 5 personally. Because 0 tried to work within its bounds- it made itself a great entry point to the series or a great addition to Yakuza 1 / Kiwami as background.

But 5 is building on 4 previous games and it does so fucking phenomenally.

There's something to be said about a later entry in a series gaining extra payoff thanks to multiple entries of build up and character depth and 5 fucking does it.

I just. It explores the motivation of some fan-favorites so well, it expands characters so fucking well, I know I've harped on about it but just Saejima- man! Saejima goes from a run of the mill "Decent" character to a fully fledged and explored entity! And I LOVE him!

And no he's not the only shining spot, like hell he is, but he's such a posterchild for what 5 does right in my eyes- take something that's already good and breath some life into it. Also I adore it's laser focus on a singular theme and all the ways it wanted to explore it.

Like. I think Kiwami and Zero take the cake for the most fun I've had " 'playing' Yakuza so far, but 5 takes the cake for the most fun I've had 'in general' like gameplay and me just thinking about it because there's so much to think on.

More time will tell as I compartmentalize my thoughts and perhaps forget some details as one does, but right this moment- this might be my favorite Yakuza game.

I love it.

Also, woot! I beat Y5 before Monhun Rise came out :D Now I can start that game without putting a story on hold!

...

Except I also told my sister that I'd start Omori after Y5. So I guess alongside monhun I'll be playing through a game with a hefty and wonderfully done story. Which is what I didn't want to do with Y5.

I just can't win, lol.

#RetPlays #Yakuza #Yakuza 5 #Youtube

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legitimateluffy · 5 years ago

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today i learnt that a group of monkeys is called "barrel of monkeys". you know what else was in a barrel? LUFFY. GODA STRIKES AGAIN. SO MUCH FORESHADOWING :) *finger guns away*

oDA

#iknwnofillers #ask box

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guanshanbabyfox · 5 years ago

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Hi Alex, this ask in not related to 19 days, but have you seen the latest chapter of One Piece? Every chapter I ended up with more questions than answers and can't wait for the next chapter.

Hey~

Oh hell yes I read it and all I have to say is Goda strikes again.

When you think you're close to finally understand something, he gives you a chapter as this one like to say "bitch you thought" and I live for it.

I'm thinking more and more about making a op blog, just to scream about the chapters and reblog all the gorgeous fanarts

Btw I kinda forced my friend @urs-bi-polar to starts it and she's already at Enies Lobby (she started in September how scary is that)

I sometimes watch with her and oh boy the memories. When you rewatch/re-read op you remember and understand so many things.

Oda is truly a genius.

#my ask #anon #one piece

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specialability · 2 years ago

Text

Naruto

In my Naruto reread I've basically hit the point where I stopped reading the manga in its original run. I didn't even make it to the Sasuke vs Itachi fight originally and then speed-read a bunch once it ended so I don't remember it much. Unnecessarily long thoughts follow.

The first story arc, i.e. pre-time-skip, is a bit rough sometimes but is fairly tightly written and fast-paced. It has a set of coherent themes and character arcs. Unfortunately, this is only 27 volumes, ending with Kakashi Gaiden.

There are 72 volumes total so that's only about a third of series. The second post-time-skip arc (Shippuden) starts off okay as it reintroduces all the new characters. Kakashi vs Itachi (and Gai's rescue~) is vol 29. As some variety from going to rescue Sasuke they go to rescue Gaara instead. I appreciate this arc because we get some more Sand Siblings and Team Gai. Most interestingly, Sakura gets her one and only battle victory. As far as battles go, it's a well-written one as Sakura shows off her new skills, intelligence, and determination. She gets a W on the board and we get two women fighting together! Chiyo's relationship to Gaara changing is genuinely touching.

The introduction of the chakra types in Shippuden feels like a very late retcon. Even though Kishimoto may have been using those concepts from the beginning, it really doesn't feel like it, especially when he avoids explaining more how more complex jutsu fit the system. It's impossible not to compare to Hunter x Hunter (although I'm trying) because as Gon and Killua progress through that story and learn more about the magic system of that world you definitely get the feeling that all the battles previously still make sense and a lot of things fall into place for the audience as well the characters. It's a bit like hitting a twist in a mystery. In order for it to feel satisfying you have to be able to look back and say "oh, I see it now". For examples of this not being done well see also: midichlorians

While Togashi is definitely the master of shonen battle manga when it comes to coming up with intentional magic systems, it's Oda who is probably the best at coming up with new powers and plot twists and making it seem like he was planning it all along. Fans call him GOda, but in interviews he's always like "at the last minute I had a sudden inspiration on how to finish this battle!" and then fans find some detail from volume 2 that has come back to pay off in volume 200 or whatever. I'm not sure sometimes how much of it is planned and how much is completely flying by the seat of his pants. If you write a manga for so long, there's no way you can remember every detail the way fans do.

And then back into the story... I cannot overemphasize how boring it is to rehash the same argument over and over again. Yamato and Sai are added to Team 7 in vol 32 and this starts the Pain arc which is... painful. It can't help but feel a bit cheap that after only a few years of training Naruto surpasses basically everybody else including his mentors. Pain apparently seeks to derive world peace from essentially causing equal pain to everyone. Fair enough, people in real life have made that argument. However, Naruto's response inspiring him to revive everyone and also kill himself so Naruto doesn't have to bloody his hands feels even more cheap and childish. I can't help but feel the philosophical questions of why is there war and how to solve cycles of violence is beyond Naruto as a character but also Naruto as a narrative.

This is also what strikes me about Sasuke vs Itachi and his interactions with Tobi afterwards. Naruto's response to "how do we solve war and heal emotional wounds" is generally a big shrug and "be nice to people". His unintentional method of seeking peace is befriending world leaders one at a time which isn't completely ineffectual. Sasuke's response to "how do we stop people from suffering" is "who cares, fuck you, my pain is more important than yours". Which is even more childish. An interesting theme that doesn't seem utilized is being trapped in one's childhood / not progressing as a person because you choose to hold on to your pain otherwise you feel you'll have nothing. Gaara's character arc towards accepting and giving love after alienation and suffering is way better by comparison. The manga keeps bringing up more mature big questions like the economic value of war but never actually addresses the various viewpoints and keeps skipping back to the interpersonal relationships. Which I mean sure, is important. But since there's no intentionality about it it just ends up feeling muddied.

On to the next...

#misc #ruth reads manga #:naruto

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