Cold Professionalism.

Collision Course: Cold Professionalism.

04.09.21 Osaka, Japan

*Looking at the watch, one could think that its hands were moving faster and faster, or at least that was the impression Arata had. Perhaps, it was a sign from fate, that important events in his career were at his fingertips. Or maybe he was just so engrossed in preparations that he didn't even feel the passing of time. Either way, the Collision Course, whose winners were to be crowned as the new Project Honor Tag Team Champions, was only a matter of days. So less time for a Japanese man to once again experience the feeling of adrenaline thanks to the tournament. So little time until he lifts his first championship in the ring of this company. The title itself was actually his main goal. Becoming a champion and moving on to the next stages of his plan was what he wanted at this point. After all, gold makes people listen more attentively, and he needs all this attention to change the world. Arata intended to get it, even if it meant making an alliance with the devil himself. So it happened. Many might think this was some kind of joke or a dream. After all that the two of them had been through together it seemed to be impossible, but Arata and Havoc were going to stand in the ring as one unit. Bloody battles on different fronts turned into a common goal, even if each of them had slightly different priorities.*

*While that unusual cooperation did not make an impression on the two men, there were also those who could not believe it. One such person was the red-haired Hana Nakajima, who knew both men very well. One was her Sensei and the other was her life partner. Therefore, it was even more difficult for her to understand what happened between the two, so they decided to cooperate. The easiest way to solve this puzzle was to ask Arata, with whom she trained for several hours a day anyway. In fact, she had nothing to lose, at most a young Japanese man would ignore her and end the topic quickly. Therefore, without unnecessary thinking, the woman directed that one tiring question at the man sitting on the floor near her.*

"Why Havoc?" Hana frowned "Of all the people you know, you've chosen him. I don't understand."

*Arata just shrugged his shoulders, and a moment later a sarcastic smile appeared on his face.*

"You don't have to understand. Just come to terms with this reality. Lots of shocking things happen in the world, but that doesn't mean they have to be bad."

*Hana was not satisfied with this answer. The woman gave him a cold look and was ready to scream at him, when Arata raised an open hand in her direction. It was a sign that she should remain silent.*

"Don't even bother trying to yell at me, kid. If you have to know why, listen to this. The matter is much more complicated and, at the same time, child's play. It's not like I have some great friendship with Havoc and vice versa. There is a kind of relationship between Raijin and him that you will not understand, so I will not explain it to you. What you have to realize is that the team is not always a combination of two people who get along well. Sometimes two people with a high level of competence are enough to make a dream team. Especially since neither I nor Havoc are going to fight to improve tag team wrestling. We are belt collectors, Hana. We both use championships for our own purposes. So we can hate each other to the core, but that doesn't change the fact that we are the most dangerous team in this tournament."

*The woman laughed as if she were expecting this kind of response. However, she quickly calmed down and moved on.*

"You may be dangerous to those around you, but you two are also a threat to yourselves. Aren't you afraid that a common goal won't be a sufficient reason not to kill each other?"

*The man sighed heavily, irritated by this stupid suggestion.*

"You don't listen to me at all. I've already said that you don't need to worry about our team surviving this one night. Let me tell you more, Hana. This won't be the first battle, when we will fight on the same side. Honestly, I doubted Raijin's idea for a while as well, but he's not stupid. If he believes in that plan, I must too."

*Hana just rolled her eyes and asked the last question in a calmer tone of voice.*

"At least you have a name or something, so that you pretend that you like each other a little and are serious about this thing?"

"Shinigami no Tensei."

"Reincarnation of Death? I don't know why, but it feels like there's nothing that suits you better, monsters. Maybe I'm wrong about the two of you. Maybe you're crazy enough to create a unique team together. But you know what is the most terrifying thing in this vision? That it could be a team that no one can stop. There is nothing scarier than an immortal monster. There is nothing worse than knowledge that you can't do shit about it."

*Arata just shook his head in response and started laughing. Hana did not know how to interpret this. At first, she even thought she said something stupid. However, the man agreed fully with it. Shinigami no Tensei will be a unit impossible to overcome, and this will begin at the Collision Course.*

06.09.21 Osaka, Japan

*For a long time, the man had only been watching the chaos that this tournament had caused. He just listened to insults and overconfidence from people, most of whom he hadn't even heard of. This whole cockiness made him even disgusted, because nothing pissed off the young man more than empty threats. Most of the participants had a lot to say, but they wouldn't have any confirmation for that. Arata wasn't supposed to worry about it, but he hated the fact that some people thought that everyone could be a wrestler. You can even say that it was his sensitive point, but it was hard not to be irritated when he encountered so much mediocrity on his way. However, he did not want to get upset in front of the camera, so he went out for a walk. Namely, to the area where he lived as a child. It was not a charming place. Everywhere there is dirt, poverty and people not even worth mentioning. It can be summed up in such a way, that it was not a place where a child should be raised. However, not always you have a choice.*

*The cool air made Arata's mind clear, and the anger went far away. At one point, he even felt it was a good time to finally prepare the official statement that Project Honor fans had been waiting for. Therefore, the man made a quick call and a few minutes later the cameraman was in front of him, following his pace.*

*The shot opens, catching the entire silhouette of the Japanese man, who is walking forward. The man is dressed in an elegant outfit consisting of a white shirt, black tie, black suit pants, leather shoes, and a long coat hanging freely on his shoulders. It may seem that the person who is within the range of the lens does not fit that place at all. However, Arata has got used to the fact that he is always in a place and in a situation where no one wants him.*

All this time, when I had the opportunity to observe the wrestling industry, especially a certain part of it, I noticed that the entire environment was constantly being fed by the same lie. It is repeated over and over again, that tag team wrestling is all about being a unit. The constant suggestion that two members are best friends, even family. To be completely honest, this is one big bullshit made by marketing. Which was mainly due to the fact, that people, who sit at home all day long without any friends, want to believe that true friendship is the way to success and that they will experience it too. Well, from my perspective, there is nothing more delusional than believing that any kind of relationship can make you successful. Everyone has their own fate in their own hands to a greater or smaller extent. We all know there are some limitations in our way. The thing is, you can't just rely on the other person, because you never know when they'll lose interest in you. After all, many great friendships ended because one side just got bored. The same can be seen in the wrestling business. New teams emerge, while others break, because they feel like they suffocate, being attached to each other. The only thing that keeps them together is the struggle for a friendship that is toxic at some point. Until the emotions evoked in this way, lead to fatal consequences. Therefore, I personally prefer a cooperation created for a specific purpose. I prefer to be part of what is meant to be a benefit for me, not a celebration of great friendship that is the most overrated thing these days. Therefore, me and Havoc are in a way perfect for each other. Nobody has expectations other than the purely professional one. In fact, we don't even like each other, because we have too many unpleasant memories. That son of a bitch even stabbed me a few weeks ago. How would I like him? However, what we have in common is that we are belt collectors. We both want to get our hands on those shiny Project Honor Tag Team Titles. At the same time breaking through this soap bubble about what tag team wrestling is. Therefore, let's make one thing clear. To climb to the top as a team, you don't need a brotherly bond. You don't even need any leftover sympathy. All it takes is cold professionalism. Honestly, this self-indifference is even more beneficial. After all, since this other person does not matter to you, you do not feel disrupted when something happens to them. You don't have the constant thought in the back of your head, that you want to protect them. It is not only convenient, but also a healthy approach. No feelings. No pain. Gold only.

*The camera changes its position, making the viewer see the image of the Japanese man from the waist up this time. Arata is gently brushing the strands of hair, as a momentary smile appears on his face. Not a long moment passes, and he starts talking again.*

For many, me and Havoc may seem like a ticking time bomb. Hundreds of people bet that this team has no future because of our strong personalities. Skills have nothing to do with the success of this cooperation, as everyone knows we're both one of the greatest that the industry has seen. The thing is, hardly anyone trusts our egos to hold up to this crazy combination. There was a time when I thought so myself. However, over time, I found out that it didn't matter. This is not a group that can only have one leader. There is no point fighting over who has bigger dick. This is a position in which we will both be equal, or at least on paper. I am afraid that we could argue a bit on this, so I will not start the topic. What I'm trying to say is that, no one has to worry about our professionalism. I wouldn't advise betting that Shinigami no Tensei will end up in the coffin after that one evening at Collision Course. At this point, I can promise you that not only will we stay as a unit at the end of the evening, but also that we will leave the ring in Saitama as newly crowned champions. Because let's be honest, there is no team in this fucking tournament that can match us. And it was obvious when the free sign ups were submitted. Perhaps, I am too confident in your eyes. Perhaps, you think I'm wrong in underestimating competition. However, I do not intend to fall to my knees like a sucker in front of people who are weaker than me. I'm not one of those people, who thinks everyone deserves respect. Respect, especially mine, must be earned. The only way you can try to get it is to stand with me in the ring. Until then, I really don't give a shit about how much of a championship you've won in irrelevant companies. Even more, I don't even care what those Fallout' clowns are doing on their stupid show. If it wasn't for this tournament, I wouldn't even pay attention to them. But somehow they got it from me. However, what I'm going to say is not just for the Fallout representation. The same could be said about a few people from the Proving Ground. Namely, that they are terribly boring and not original at all. Jay Crowley. Lazarus Arjen. And even that damn overrated Pyro. Three people, and literally none of them are different. Their only personality traits are that they are deathmatch wrestlers. Fantastic. Should I applaud already? You definitely don't sound like half of this mediocre industry. It's so original to be a bad boy who wants to make everyone suffer. I swear, I've heard this lame text so many times, that the next time an edgy boy says it again, it feels like my brain cells are dying. This is literally the same type, as those who just want to be a wrestler. Zero personality. They just want to make their childhood dream come true. Charming, but after five hundred times it gets boring. Do you understand what I'm talking about, right? Too many people have a chance to become part of the wrestling industry, that we are used to the fact that you do not have to show any creativity or anything more than basic skills to be able to call yourself a wrestler. For someone like me and a Havoc, it's like a spit in the face. Call me cruel, but I don't want to be equated with someone who is no different than a random person you meet on the street. I am too good for that.

*Arata sighs heavily, but quickly resigns from the pause he was about to take. Instead, he puts his hands in his pants pockets and continues.*

Although, looking at how some people present themselves, sometimes I wonder what's worse. Being plain and lacking personality or pathetic attempts to be creative. Here we come back to Pyro. Who wants to be a savior and likes fire. What a fucking stupid idea it is. Zero explanation why so. He will be the next Jesus Christ, because he wants so. My god, can't you see how ridiculously stupid this is? People with no idea for ​​themselves or how to improve society want to be labeled as a deity. However, believe me, it could have been worse. All you have to do is look at his tag team partner. The guy is literally some cheap cosplayer of Samuel L. Jackson. I think Project Honor should really start paying more attention to who they hire, because it's a joke that such idiots who steal someone else's personality, because they don't have their own, would waste space in this company. Although, the outsiders, who chose to take part in the Collision Course are equally disappointing. What kind of idiot do you have to be to call yourself a Phantom Troupe, while having some many possibilities? Like, is it really so hard to think for a while and at least try to be original, instead of stealing from Hunter x Hunter? It sounds even more stupid, when I said it out loud.

*A short whisper that sounds like 'whatever' comes out of Arata's mouth. Not caring that he probably said it too loudly, the man continues in a slightly more irritated tone of voice. While the expression on his calm face has not changed.*

There are ten teams on our way to the main prize. Even if we don't face each of them directly, we can't predict who we will meet in the finals. However, let's make one thing clear. Our side of this bracket has already selected finalists before the tournament has even started. Regardless of whether the opening round is won by Brother of Balance or morons with the name stolen from the anime, neither of them will be able to touch us. Rulers of the Underground are basically jobbers, so I don't think they'll even get through Crowley and Shelldrake, let alone be a threat to us. And just because I say that doesn't mean that I consider these two to be an outstanding team. They're not hopeless, but we all know that even at Proving Ground, I had to carry them to victory. If they stand in the ring against me and Havoc, it is as if we made it to the finals for free. I might be wrong, huh? Everyone knows the answer. As for our potential opponents, or rather stepping stones, from the final I cannot say who it will be. Maybe some young talent like Rebecca Brookes and Rayan Young? Although, they are only wrestling kids, so I wouldn't have much hope. Perhaps, it will be overrated Fire & Ice. Or maybe The Massacre? At the end of the day, it wouldn't matter. Because wrestling will win the tournament for the first time in a long time. Shingami no Tensei is the only option to salvage the honor of the Tag Team Titles, after what the selfishness and fury of former 'champs' have done to them. Therefore, if someone puts their money on me and on Havoc, then they bet on a better future.

*Suddenly, Arata stops in one place and narrows his eyes slightly, then moves to the final part of his speech.*

I have the impression that the competition is also aware of this, but they still decide to do a big talk. Of course, no one will admit that they are afraid of losing, before the match even started, because it's not honorable. However, if any of them really think they have a chance to walk out with Project Honor Tag Team Championships, then they are absolutely delusional. They are just a bunch of dreamers, still living what they saw on the screen as a child watching their favorite wrestlers. The rooted deep inside lie that they can achieve success...that everyone will get their chance. However, all of this is not so simple, especially when you have competition beyond your level, and no one is on ours. That is why, I have friendly advice to anyone who is still living with the last remnants of hope to accept the vision that Collision Course will belong to Shinigami no Tensei. And this is just the beginning of what we will get in Project Honor.

It is not difficult to understand. Some people are living only to be the path to success, and others to walk through that. As you can see, Havoc and I are born winners. We are future Project Honor Tag Team Champions. No one of you can change that.

*After these words, the shot ends and the screen fades black. Arata, on the other hand, returns to his activity and thinking about what will happen at the Collision Course.*