Chapter 6: Chinatown, San Francisco

It was 5:00 PM in the afternoon and most of the people were already starting on their way back home. In this part of town however, many people were still on the lookout for a good bargain and they usually frequented the shops that lined the long stretch of road long after dusk. Antiques, ceramic miniatures, jade necklaces and earrings, they had it all. Food was never a problem with the huge number of food stalls on the sidewalks.

But a place like this always had its dark spots and the unlighted alleyways could always hide a mugger or worse and woe to the unlucky person who happened to fall prey to as such. It was in one of these alleys that a dirty-faced man was hiding and on the lookout for a potential victim. From his hidden spot, he saw a pregnant woman coming towards his general direction and he chuckled to himself at the thought of such easy prey. As soon as the woman walked past, he immediately went silently behind her, put an arm on her shoulders and poised a concealed knife behind her back and gruffly said, "Scream and you’re dead. Let’s just go over to that corner and you won’t get hurt."

Trembling and frightened, the woman did as she was told and when they could no longer be seen the thief promptly divested the lady of her cash, jewelry, and valuables.

"Please let me go. You’ve already taken everything I have", pleaded the woman.

Smiling wickedly he said, "Not yet, toots. I’ve still a mind to have my pleasure on you…"

"LEAVE HER ALONE!!!", a firm voice said.

Startled, the thief looked back only to see a foot strike him in the stomach and he was promptly knocked away towards the farthest wall. He fell to the floor unconscious.

Still in shock, the woman was unable to move as the stranger approached.

"Are you alright?", the stranger inquired as he returned the woman’s possessions.

"Y-ye-yes, thank you very much. You saved my life… how could I ever repay you?", the woman replied in tears.

"You’re very much welcome but you need not repay me. Please do be careful next time, madam", the stranger said.

He saw to it that the woman was safe for the rest of the way and accompanied her home. The family was most gracious with their thanks upon hearing what he had done and invited him for dinner. He politely refused saying that it was most kind of them but he added that he still had to go somewhere. When they saw that he would not accept, they inquired to what his name was so that at least they would know who had helped them. He obliged to this before he bid them goodbye and started once again on his way.

An hour’s walk brought him back to where he saved the woman and he started looking around the area for the place he was looking for. The noise from a nearby street attracted his attention and he immediately proceeded towards it. Here he found the competition already starting and well underway.

Recognizing him, the crowd parted and let him pass as they awaited the match that would ensue. He found his opponent already warming up on the far side and waiting for the fight to begin. The announcer struck the bell that signaled the match and the crowd started placing their bets.

Allowing his opponent no slack, he proceeded to dominate the entire match and it was over in a matter of minutes. It had been a good fight and the spectators were cheering on.

The announcer grabbed the microphone and when he had made sure that the other fighter was no longer able to go on he announced the winner.

He shouted, "And the winner of this match by means of knockout, Ryu!"

Ryu didn’t bother with the rest of the crowd. He simply picked up his ever-present duffel bag and walked away into the night… already looking forward to the next match.