Chapter 387 - 354: Hua Country Team
Japan, Tokyo.
Inside a teahouse, two men sat facing each other.
The identities of both men were extraordinary, one was Taniyama Yo, president of the Imperial Martial Arts Association of Aikido in Japan, and the other was the founder of Shinoyama Style Aikido, Kamino Kei.
The Imperial Martial Arts Association was regarded as the headquarters of Aikido in Japan, recognized by the Ministry of Education. It was similar to the Martial Arts Association in Hua Country, vested with the power to manage various Aikido dojos, making Taniyama Yo nominally, Kamino Kei’s superior.
However, in their current interaction, Taniyama Yo felt subtly overshadowed by Kamino Kei.
There was no helping it, although Taniyama Yo was also an Aikido expert, most of his proficiency was honed in ring competitions, whereas Kamino Kei was a pure combatant, having earned his reputation by killing one opponent after another. Even if Kamino Kei wasn’t targeting Taniyama Yo directly, the blatant aura of bloodshed about him still exerted considerable psychological pressure on Taniyama Yo.
"Kamino-san, you must have heard about the UFC organizing the Combat World Cup, right?" Taniyama Yo asked.
Kamino Kei nodded, "I’ve heard something about it."
He was a man of the Martial Arts World, engaged in actual combat, so he didn’t pay much attention to the affairs of the fighting world.
"The UFC is making a huge deal out of it this time. Many countries’ fighting events have announced their willingness to join. At this rate, it might become a grand event for the Martial Arts World; nations and events that do not join might gradually be eliminated," Taniyama Yo explained.
"So our country’s K-1 also plans to announce participation, but K-1 can’t put forward many powerful competitors. K-1’s influence has waned in recent years, and this Combat World Cup is probably the last chance. If we cannot demonstrate the strength of K-1 competitors to the world at the World Cup, our future situation will likely become more difficult."