Osaka, Japan – Outside the legendary Shiranui Dojo.
Inside the dojo, the disciples of Shiranui were in the midst of training when the sound of footsteps drew their attention toward the gate. They stopped, puzzled, and turned to see two disheveled figures approaching—accompanied, of course, by a dog.
Qin Ming and Mary had been stuck on a deserted island for hours, unable to catch sight of a passing boat. With no other choice, they built their own raft and, with Qin Ming's enhancement skill, managed to reach Japan's shores.
After asking around, they discovered the Shiranui Dojo wasn't far from their landing spot, so they set off on foot. Their appearance was downright pitiful, having endured a plane crash, a harrowing ocean escape, and a perilous raft journey across the sea. Their hair was tangled, their clothes were tattered, and they looked more like a pair of beggars than visitors. Up close? Well, it didn't look much better.
Ignoring the disciples' wide-eyed stares, Qin Ming and Mary walked straight into the dojo. The disciples backed away, cautious but curious about the scruffy newcomers.
The silence was broken as a door opened. A long-haired woman in a striking red kimono stepped out, her footsteps as light as a cat's. Seeing her, the surrounding disciples erupted with excitement.
"It's the senior disciple!"
Amidst the hushed cheers, the woman—the legendary Mai Shiranui—flashed a warm smile, waving to the disciples before approaching Qin Ming and Mary. With a polite smile, she greeted them softly.
"Greetings. What brings the two of you to our dojo?"
Faced with the stunning beauty before them, Qin Ming and Mary exchanged glances, each waiting for the other to explain. After a long silence, the mud-streaked and disheartened Mary finally spoke up.
"This is the, um... chesty, curvy beauty you crossed the ocean to see? Where's the 'chesty' part?"
Qin Ming was equally bewildered. "Under her kimono, I guess?"
"And what about the 'revealing' clothes?"
"Yeah, that's what I'm wondering too."
They turned back to Mai in unison, looked her up and down, and muttered, "Liars!"
Mai blinked, utterly confused. She looked at the bedraggled pair with a slightly impatient frown and replied more sternly.
"Our dojo does not welcome intruders. If you have no business here, please leave."
As the pair stammered to explain themselves, Mary spoke up quickly. "Wait, don't misunderstand. We're not beggars."
"Right, we traveled all the way here to visit the famous Shiranui Dojo."
"All the way from Southtown in America," Qin Ming added. "We heard of the legendary brothers Terry and Andy Bogard, and since Andy trained here, we thought we'd check it out for ourselves."
Mai's eyes lit up in recognition. Covering her mouth with her sleeve, she chuckled and responded.
"Ah, friends from Southtown! Indeed, Andy is one of our disciples. However, he's hardly the strongest of us—I, as his senior, am much stronger. Surely, after the grand battles we had there last year, you've heard my name?"
Mai's eyes sparkled with pride as she spoke, her head held high. Last year's battle had been her moment of glory, when she teamed up with Terry and Andy to defeat the infamous Geese Howard. It was one of her proudest achievements, and she never missed a chance to boast about it to the younger disciples.
Mary's eyes widened in recognition. "Wait, you're Mai Shiranui?"
"That's right!" Mai said, smiling even more.
"So, you're the... ahem... 'decorative' one who followed those two around?"
"Of course, I—wait, what did you just say?!"
"Uh, I mean... you're the stunning beauty who accompanied them? You're indeed even more beautiful in person!"
Realizing her mistake, Mary forced an awkward smile, stepping back to stand beside Qin Ming as she muttered under her breath, "So this is the so-called 'curvy goddess' you came to see. I thought the name sounded familiar."
As a private investigator, Mary's knowledge of high-profile martial artists was extensive. She'd done her homework on Southtown's big players, and Mai had been on her radar for some time. She just hadn't realized the famed "exotic beauty" was also a formidable fighter in her own right.
Unfortunately for Mary, she was oblivious to Mai's finely-tuned senses, a product of her rigorous ninja training since childhood. Every whispered word reached Mai's ears clearly.
Mai's pleasant demeanor vanished, her expression hardening at the dismissive words. Without giving either of them a chance to react, Mai lashed out, delivering a swift sidekick aimed straight at Mary's chest.
"You like to gossip behind people's backs, do you? Let's see if your fighting skills match your loose tongue!"
Mai unleashed her skill: Back Kick!
The move was lightning-fast and hard to avoid. However, Mary, also a speed-based fighter, raised her arms in the nick of time, blocking the blow.
Undeterred, Mary retaliated with a swift kick of her own: Spider Hold! The two exchanged blows, moving at incredible speed.
As Mary lunged forward, Mai attempted to retreat. Unfortunately, she'd forgotten she was wearing her elegant kimono rather than her usual battle gear, and as she moved, her foot caught on the kimono's hem.
With a stumble, she lost her balance and, unable to dodge in time, took a direct hit from Mary's kick. She staggered back, fighting to regain her footing as the pair locked eyes, the air between them charged with tension.