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Chapter 612: ZAGE Fighting Tournament Part 02
🕑 Added 2025-08-30 02:47:47 +0000 UTCOn September 12, 1995
The second day of the ZAGE Fighting Tournament is just as thrilling as the first, and even more exciting, since the remaining two fighting games are the ones players and fans have been most hyped for: MARVEL VS ZAGE and Tekken. The venue is packed once again, buzzing with energy as cameras roll and lights flash. The excitement is palpable — you can feel the crowd's heartbeat in every cheer.
First up is MARVEL VS ZAGE, and it really surprises many people that previous Street Fighter champion Endo, also known by his nickname Hayabusa, chooses to play MARVEL VS ZAGE instead of joining the Street Fighter competition, which has already been won by Yoko, also known as MuSho as her e-sport nickname. Endo’s choice shakes expectations and becomes one of the highlights of the day. Now the host Yumi Ichijou — Zaboru's secretary, still dressed in her iconic Chun-Li cosplay — amps up the scene by calling out, “Can Hayabusa dominate MARVEL VS ZAGE too!?” which sends the crowd into a frenzy.
Endo uses Ryu Hayabusa, Leonardo (TMNT), and Captain America, while his opponent is from the USA, called Bonnie Waz, and his e-sport name is boy_WAZ. He is using Cyclops, Iron Man, and Megaman Classic — a full beam roster, designed for zoning. The match starts, and Hayabusa dominates from the first round. Endo utilizes Ryu Hayabusa’s fast reflex counters, then tags in Leonardo to extend aerial combos, stringing hits together almost flawlessly. The crowd gasps as he juggles his opponent across the screen.
When boy_WAZ tries to counter using ranged beams, Endo times Captain America’s ultimate perfectly — blocking every projectile with his shield, then rushing in with a fresh chain of brutal attacks. He plays with precision and flair, combining skill with showmanship. The audience erupts. It’s a spectacle. The score ends in a sweeping 3-0. Endo wins again!
This makes Endo the first player ever to win multiple ZAGE AWARDS in a single tournament — with victories in R.C PRO AM, Street Fighter, and now MARVEL VS ZAGE. His name echoes throughout the industry. During the award ceremony, Endo grins and announces, “I hope I can fight against Zaboru-san today!” The crowd goes wild — it’s a legendary moment. A long-standing tradition that the champion may challenge Zaboru Renkonan himself — the founder of ZAGE and true final boss.
After MARVEL VS ZAGE, the final match begins — and it’s Tekken! The Tekken finalists are AZU (Azushi Katsuya), a college student and undefeated arcade champion, and Wallace from the USA, known in the scene as Wall. AZU picks Kazuya Mishima, mastering his fierce mix-ups. Wall chooses King, the wrestling beast.
It’s a close match. AZU plays with strategic caution, patiently dissecting Wall’s habits and using Kazuya’s 50:50 options to control the neutral game. Wall, however, is relentless — a fearless, high-pressure player who keeps pushing forward, refusing to give AZU breathing room. He lands throws, chains grapples, mixes in brutal corner pressure, and keeps AZU locked down. The match becomes a mental war — reactions, reads, and nerves of steel. The audience is split, roaring for every exchange, every comeback attempt, every clutch block. Every round feels like a final — tense, punishing, and impossible to predict.
In a shocking comeback, Wall pulls off a brutal five-throw chain in the final round and clutches the win by the narrowest of margins. As the final blow lands, Wallace bursts into tears, overcome by emotion. In the post-match interview, he explains that he comes from a poor family in rural Arkansas, where opportunities like this felt impossible. Even his trip to Japan — airfare, lodging, everything — was fully paid by ZAGE as part of a community outreach initiative to support the E-sport players. “This victory means everything to me,” he says, clutching his trophy with both hands. “Now I can go back and tell my parents I didn’t just play games — I made history. Thank you ZAGE!. Thank you Everyone!”
And with that, the five fighting game events wrap up, leaving us with five champions:
- Street Fighter = MuSho (Yoko)
- Mortal Kombat = ED_Shadow (Edward Lorenza)
- Guilty Gear = BIG_R (Ronnie Smith)
- MARVEL VS ZAGE = Hayabusa (Endo)
- Tekken = Wall (Wallace)
The television audience is hooked, and the buzz around e-sports floods fan letters, forum threads, and magazine columns. ZAGE’s tournament has proven beyond doubt that competitive gaming has real potential — not just as a form of entertainment, but as a legitimate and respected profession. Sponsors, businessman, and global publishers are watching closely, taking notes, and preparing to invest in what may become the next evolution of the entertainment industry.
Back at ZEB (ZAGE Event Building) in Japan, the five champions are gathered once more on the central podium, this time bathed in golden stage lights and surrounded by roaring fans. The energy in the room is electric. Zaboru enters dramatically from stage left, joining Yumi Ichijou, who is still wearing a stylish, her version of her Chun-Li blazer, complete with embroidered golden trims and high-collared flair. Zaboru is dressed as Ken from Street Fighter — red gi, long gloves, and a slick blonde wig that somehow suits. The crowd erupts again, louder than ever, the applause shaking the walls of the arena some female fans even shouting "KYAAA!" looking at Zaboru.
He steps forward and says, “Thank you all! You’re incredible champions. But now I have one last question: Would you like to challenge me for a special reward?”
The five champions exchange glances, a silent current of anticipation passing between them. Grins spread, eyes sharpen, and their postures straighten with purpose. One by one, they nod — steady, confident. Then, in unison, they say, “Yes.” The word rings out clear and strong, met with a roar from the crowd that shakes the rafters.
To fight Zaboru — the living legend, the man who built the empire of ZAGE — is the ultimate honor. Most players would be happy just to face him, even knowing Zaboru might obliterate them without mercy, as he often does. But Endo? He’s different. Fire burns in his eyes. Determination clenches in his jaw. He thinks, “I will beat you, Zaboru. I didn’t come all this way to lose again. I’ve trained for this.”
He remembers the last time they fought — back when Endo was at his peak in Street Fighter. Zaboru didn’t just beat him. He dismantled him, piece by piece. Endo had no answers back then. But now? He’s evolved. And beyond the nerves, he’s thrilled — because this is what he lives for. The thrill of the fight, the pressure, the impossible odds. Facing Zaboru isn’t just a match — it’s the ultimate test. And for Endo, there's no greater rush than rising to that challenge.
Zaboru grins, his voice carrying both confidence and challenge. “Well then... let’s begin. Follow me to the final challenge — the battle against me!” His tone is electric, and the words hang in the air like the strike of a match, igniting the entire room with anticipation.
The audience explodes, a wave of cheers and stomping feet rolling through the venue. The finalists follow Zaboru off the podium toward the nearby arcade area, their steps filled with purpose. The crowd roars behind them, surging like a living tide, eager to witness the clash of legends about to unfold. Can Zaboru defeat all five champions at once — or will this be the first time the legend falls?
Then the contestants began to face Zaboru, each in a different game. And hoo boy—Zaboru beat them black and blue. Nearly every round he played was a perfect. One by one, the finalists—except Endo—sighed in defeat. They lost hard, overwhelmed by his mastery. But despite the crushing losses, they were still smiling. After all, they got the once-in-a-lifetime chance to battle the god of video games himself. And now... it’s Endo’s turn.
Zaboru smirk at Endo "So another rematch?" Endo nod there are fire burning in his eyes and he bow "Please give your all Zaboru-san! i will try my very best to beat you!" Zaboru grinned and nod and then both proceed to MARVEL VS ZAGE Arcade.
Zaboru choose Mario , Ryu and Spiderman while Everyone suprised with Endo choose of character even the MC Yumi ichijou shout with excitement "Ho ho! what is this!? unusual line up for Hayabusa! he not even pick his signature character Ryu Hayabusa!" Endo are choosing Hulk , Samus Aran and Leonardo. Zaboru chuckle clearly intersted then both began fight!.
Zaboru opens with Mario, dashing forward and throwing a quick punch at Hulk — but Endo is ready, blocking the attack. Then, Zaboru pulls off one of the most difficult maneuvers in the game: Mario’s Back Jump. It’s a notoriously complex input, requiring a semi-circle motion on the joystick while simultaneously jumping and pressing the opposite direction. This causes Mario to leap backward just slightly, entering a special stance from which he can launch a fireball.
In MARVEL VS ZAGE, Mario is considered one of the hardest characters to master due to his many unique and intricate inputs. But Zaboru executes the backward jump and fireball combo flawlessly — as if it were second nature. The crowd roars. He makes it look effortless.
Endo grits his teeth, even he are struggling to replicate that level of input precision. He knows he can’t match it yet — so instead, he focuses on evasion and defense, maneuvering Hulk to block or sidestep Mario’s fiery barrage.
Then Zaboru calls in Ryu to unleash a Hadouken while he engages by jumping forward. Endo tries to summon Samus Aran to use her roll to block Mario’s approach — but Zaboru responds with a Mario Rabbit Ear Jump, making Mario leap incredibly high and cleanly dodge Samus’s roll. It’s as if he predicted the move entirely.
The crowd gasps as Zaboru’s Mario immediately fires off three fireballs in rapid succession — an input sequence that requires insane speed and timing. Endo’s Hulk takes the full hit. Desperate, Endo quickly tags in Leonardo to help break the combo and save Hulk. But just as he does, Zaboru predicts it again — summoning Spider-Man at the perfect moment. Spider-Man shoots his web, canceling Leonardo’s strike before it lands.
And just like that, Zaboru begins his devastating Mario combo. “Yahoo! Yahoo! Here we go!” Mario shouts in the game, as Mario pummels Hulk with a relentless barrage. Hulk’s health drops to a sliver.
Then Zaboru does the unthinkable — he summons Ryu to launch a Hadouken while simultaneously executing Mario’s backward fireball jump. The timing is unreal. The fireball, a high attack, and the Hadouken, a mid attack, are chained so tightly that they become nearly unblockable if performed together. The crowd gasps as both projectiles land at the same time, hitting Hulk dead-on.
Endo’s eyes widen. “N-No way!?” he thinks, trying to react.
But it’s already too late. Zaboru performs a rapid special swap, tagging in Spider-Man mid-animation. Hulk gets blasted by the Hadouken, and Zaboru flows straight into a smooth Spider-Man combo. The screen flashes.
“Perfect!”
The first round ends in a perfect for Zaboru, but Endo doesn't give up. In the second round, he manages to land a surprise hit using Leonardo, catching Zaboru off guard. But it’s the third round that stuns everyone — the moment the entire arena goes silent.
Endo does the unthinkable: he connects a clean hit using Hulk’s special attack, launching Zaboru’s Spider-Man into a juggle. Without hesitation, he inputs to summon Samus’s rolling strike to extend the combo, chaining it perfectly. Then, in a flash, he back to Hulk for more damage, and immediately calls in Leonardo to continue the assault.
The sequence is flawless. Endo finally steals a round from Zaboru.
“YEAS! YEAHHH!” Endo shouts, pumping his fists.
The crowd is dead silent for a heartbeat — then erupts in thunderous cheers. For the first time ever, Zaboru has lost a round.
Zaboru simply chuckles. “Not gonna lie,” he mutters with a grin. “Endo’s insanely good at this.”
The fourth round begins, and it’s clear that Zaboru is no longer holding back. With a new level of intensity, he finishes the match with another perfect round, bringing the final score to 3-1. It’s the first time Zaboru has ever lost a round — even though he still won the match. Endo grins, clearly proud of what he achieved.
Zaboru clapped his hands and addressed the audience with a proud smile. “What a great match! Especially Hayabusa — finally managing to take a round off me. Truly impressive!” The crowd roared in approval, the arena echoing with cheers and applause.
Although Endo didn’t defeat Zaboru, he’s still happy — because this time, there was progress. And with that, the second day of the ZAGE Fighting Tournament comes to a close. Tomorrow will mark the grand finale — a day dedicated to Zaboru and the Zankoku band's live concert, an event everyone is eagerly waiting to experience.
To be continued...
