Traitor.

14.06.21 Osaka, Japan

*Arata's debut day in the ranks of Proving Ground was getting closer with every movement of the clock hand. However, he did not seem to be too stressed about making a great impression. In fact, so far the man has not taken any step to introduce himself to the new audience, which is crucial in wrestling. The thing is, no matter how great he looked or what charming words he said, his later actions would still receive negative feedback. The other reason and most important in all of that was that to him every opinion of all these gaijins had no value. Whether good or bad, he simply pushed everything away from him, including both ordinary people and management. If Arata had done otherwise, he would have simply been a hypocrite. However, the Japanese man was loyal to his beliefs. He stuck to the ideology that Raijin introduced him to, which he tried to show to the world. Unfortunately, others did not understand this controversial view, but this is always the case when you make others aware that the system they live in is not fair. Especially, that their perspective is convenient, as it does not limit them. Arata could not say the same about himself. It is true that he was part of the wrestling industry for two and a half years and could not complain about the list of achievements he completed. On the other hand, the man always felt that people didn't want him in the place he was. He always felt as if the management were giving him a chance, but at the same time, they were hoping for him to fail. At some point, they even started to limit him to such an extent, that Arata decided he had enough.



At that very moment, Raijin extended a helping hand to him. The elder Japanese god explained to Arata his worries, plans, and goals, giving him the opportunity to become symbols of the revolution. What was that supposed to bring? Too many times the Japanese, despite their technical perfection, has been overshadowed in favor of gaijins. Especially outside of Japan. Although, even in a country dominated by Japanese talent, the industry began to treat foreigners as a better attraction. In that way, the huge potential was wasted by focusing attention on competitors, who were simply not good enough. They just fit for marketing purposes. Raijin himself watched this carefully until he finally found someone who had become his chosen one. There was no better option than a man who knows the taste of success as well as poverty and injustice. Someone who is not afraid of the hatred of ignorant people, who cannot understand the difficulties that people like him have to deal with. It was the collaboration with Arata and the rest of The Black Sun that was to start a new era for the Japanese in the wrestling industry.



Arata started preparation for their common goal in many places, but it was not enough. The next step was the place that should know the meaning of fairness, according to its name. Namely, Project Honor. However, from the very beginning, the blonde-haired man did not have high expectations. After all, he had seen many times that words like "honor", "righteousness", "pureness" were just a syntax of letters that had no meaning. Was it different this time? Arata did not manage to put his feet up in the ring and already felt that this place was as corrupt as any other. Unfortunately, to see some stuff you need to be something more than an ordinary viewer.*



*Knowing the nature of the Japanese superstar, you could have guessed that it is not so easy to dominate him. Right from the start, he was going to show everyone that he was more than just another new face on the Proving Ground roster. It was obvious. The more interesting case was the presence of MYOJIN, whom Arata had the opportunity to get to know well in not very good circumstances. Unfortunately, the blonde-haired man was not too eager to forgive people who did not know the definition of the word "loyalty.". That's why you could say that the match at Hell on Earth was like killing two birds with one stone.*




*Usually Arata was spending most of his time in two places, especially if he was preparing himself mentally and physically for the upcoming duties. That evening he stayed for several hours, until late at night, in his Dojo. However, he was not in the training room, but in the office, which was located on the top floor. A man dressed in a black t-shirt, black fitted sweatpants, and black-white sports shoes, was sitting on a desk with his legs pulled to his chest. His eyes were focused on the still rather loud and lively street, as he ran the fingers of his right hand along with the red sign of Raijin's blessing on his left forearm. Arata looked like he was in a trance even when another person entered the dark room. One of his people, Jack Daito, rolled up his sweatshirt sleeves and walked towards the group leader. However, as he came into the light area of the candles set on the desk, a wooden board caught his attention. There were photos of MYOJIN on it. As well as a piece of paper written in kanji underneath that said "Shouta Kuromiya".*



"So it's finally time for payback, huh?" Jack ran his hand through the strands of black hair and sat down next to Arata, who was still staring out into the street. "Maybe then the kid will learn not to bite the hand that feeds him. Some of them are stupid as fuck."



Arata didn't answer anything for a few seconds until a gentle laugh broke the silence. Finally 'Gaijin Killer' referred to what one of his people said.



"What could you expect from Shouta?" Arata shook his head, covering his face with a hand that he didn't move away "We knew immediately, that Shouta was a kid from a wealthy house, who always had everything they wanted. We were aware that they might not understand our situation, since it had always been easy for them. I start to think more and more that they only agreed to join us because they were scared to sign with SSW and be left alone. You know, they needed someone to hold their hand, and when they felt comfortable they let go. Children often forget that being safe is only a temporary state. They will leave the adult far away, and they will stay alone in this disgusting world. In the group, they think they are strong. But the longer it lasts the more they think that they will eventually also feel that they are prepared enough to go on a lonely path. Then reality overwhelms them. Real-life destroys every bit of optimism and confidence in them. Shouta is exactly the same. Without me, in SSW they became only an addition to the show. Anyway, you can say that in Project Honor it is no different. Unless it benefits the company’s image. Everything Project Honor did to them was good for the marketing in their eyes. It is a convenient deal for Shouta but also makes this kid think that they are better than reality by giving them what they want. How many chances did they get? As people say, far too many."





Arata took his hand away from his face, while Jack stared at something on his phone. As it turned out, he was browsing the hashtag belonging to Hell on Earth PPV on Twitter. Moments later Daito began to read with a sarcastic tone in his voice.



"I can't wait for MYOJIN to have their big Project Honor moment. Each time they got so close, they finally deserved it. I am sure they will win that contendership and then the title. Poor new guy, but it's not his time." A look of disgust appeared on Jack's face, while Arata listened attentively with a serious expression. The Black Sun member continued quoting with a bigger annoyance "I'm so glad my country representative is doing well. All respect for the new Proving Ground member, but this is MYO's time."



Jack slammed the phone on the desk and stood on the other side, leaning against the huge glass pane, while facing Arata. The man put his hands in his pockets, before talking about what he had read aloud.



"Marketing. Straight up marketing. Shouta is relatively well treated and it is enough to make people believe that the dominance of gaijins doesn't exist in this industry. Pathetic how little it takes to manipulate them."



"Some people just think that if there's an exception to the rule, that we're sidelined, the problem doesn't exist. I've talked about it recently in OWA and I'll say it again about Shouta. The management is always looking for a representative to look good in the eyes of social media. It’s just a PR move. It doesn't matter who it is! You see how people react. They feel satisfied and hope that this one person will climb to the top of the mountain, and what about the rest? They don't give a fuck. While we want better treatment for all Japanese representatives and not just a selected person. Shouta was too manipulated by living in a bubble that their family had created for them since his childhood to understand our noble purpose. We didn't lose much, Jack. But he lost opportunities and made enemies that they didn't need. The Black Sun was ready to open the door for them to a brighter future in which they would not have to rely on whether or not their good fate is profitable for marketing. Overconfident and egoistic fool. Now they can only blame themselves." Arata bit his lower lip for a few moments until blood droplets appeared on it. Eventually, he let it go and moved on to another matter "As for these people...I don't know who they think I am. Maybe I signed a contract recently, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm a big name in the wrestling industry. Perhaps even the most decorated member of the Proving Ground roster and all of it I achieved within two and a half years. But as always, they have to underestimate me. As always, they have to show me that I'm an underdog, but it is not even close to the truth. In this match the one to be called a favorite is not Shouta, it is me. I understand that this bunch of ignorant people on the internet, including Project Honor staff, can be confused. However, it doesn't really take long to do a little research, right? The belief that if you are just starting somewhere, you immediately get the rookie label, is unfair. Perhaps it's an old-fashioned habit that you should only focus on one company. But I can't stand still. I am not a dog on a chain so that I should not look for new opportunities. Especially since I am trying to show the world an important problem. Their ignorance. Their disrespect to our culture and warriors. Disrespect, which I received here from almost everyone in different ways when I signed the contract less than a month ago. That's why I have to make an impact. I have to show them I don't care about their 'political opinions’ about who can succeed and who cannot. Arata is always on top of the mountain." Arata sighed heavily, before directing those words towards one of his people “Leave me for now, Jack. I need some peace.”



Daito nodded and started to head towards the door, but stopped before disappearing from the room.



"You want us to be around during Hell on Earth?"



The leader of The Black Sun turned face to face with Jack and gave a quick response. He was tired of talking about the audience and management’s incompetence.



"You might be around, but don't interfere. The traitor is mine."



The man left the room, and Arata returned to the same position as at the very beginning. He continued to stare at the night view of the street while thinking about the best strategy against Shouta.



17.06.21 Unknown Location



*Three days remained for Arata to embark on a new part of his plan in Project Honor. The Japanese man still didn't feel any stress. He was actually calmer than anyone could have thought. His breathing was on point, his heart was beating at a steady pace, and his thoughts seemed to be in order. In a long time, he has not experienced the excitement or anxiousness of his upcoming clashes in the squared circle. He was confident enough to not have to worry about other people. Some might call it the easiest path to failure. After all, nothing good comes from being arrogant. However, the difference is whether you can indulge in it. Unfortunately, the most conceited and overconfident were those who had the least to offer or tried to attract the attention of others. It was different in Arata’s case. He simply knew his value, because he had built it from the ground up. From a poor and insignificant boy in the eyes of his peers, he had become a man who would like to change the system. That is why Arata never had too high of an opinion about himself, but the result of the hard work that he put into building himself and his career in recent years was obvious. Which made him irritated even more when people underestimated him. What was he to do to stop them from paying weight to stereotypes, because that was what he was constantly experiencing in America? No matter what achievements were attached to his name, he was still treated unfairly. Project Honor had to understand from his very first match, that Arata Asakura was the best that could have happened to Proving Ground.*



*The shot opens at what is known as The Black Sun's hideout. Information on the location is only in possession of the members of the faction and Arata himself. It has been especially isolated from the rest of society to ensure their privacy in their activities. Under other circumstances, it would be full of media and looking at what happened in his Dojo a few months ago; vandals too. The peace of this place was very favorable to Arata. He didn't have to worry about something accidentally being caught and published in the newspapers. Even if his intentions were always clear, everyone knows how the press likes to manipulate the truth. Therefore, he preferred that everything he had to convey should come out of his mouth. That is why, the man went to his office to record a small message that was to be sent to MYOJIN, but also to the entire company and its fanbase.



Once there, he took a seat on a black leather chair in front of a heavy wooden desk. One could say that in all this environment, wearing a navy blue T-shirt and bright jeans seemed to be not very elegant. However, in the case of what he had to say, a change of outfit would have caused no other reaction. When Arata was already in a comfortable position, he grabbed the small remote control that was on a shelf nearby. With one click, he turned on the camera that had been set up in advance, so that he could go through what he intended.*



This is the first time I am showing up in front of you. I may not be an unfamiliar face for many, but I suppose that those who are only attached to Project Honor do not know who Arata Asakura is. Until now, it has seemed obvious to me that I did not have to personally tell about who I am and what my goals are. It seemed to me that the impact I had made in this industry was enough to not treat me like another new face in the company. This was one of the reasons why I have not appeared on the Project Honor screen so far, even though I signed the contract some time ago. But the main case is that I don't care about creating relationships with this audience. It is a pity to waste time on fools manipulated by marketing and alleged political correctness. Besides, the opinion of all these gaijins does not matter to me anyway, because I have already convinced myself that they cannot understand my goal. They are not able to realize what we are aiming for with The Black Sun, because the system is on their side. They think that I'm just impatient and don't want to wait for my turn on my way to the titles. They believe that I am blaming the company for injustice in order to make an excuse for my own failure. However, anyone who has known me for a long time is aware that I am not that type of person. In fact, ‘Arata Asakura’ was built off failures. For most of my life, I have had to deal with hopelessness, poverty, sadness, and the feeling that no one wants me. The conditions in which I lived did not give me a chance for a better future, which is why I created it myself. People may not like me or despise me, but everyone knows I'm a stubborn motherfucker. After years of walking through hell to build the worthy person that I am, one thing from my past still remains. Hopelessness turned into success. Poverty is not something that would be a problem with the money I earn. What is left is the feeling of being rejected by society. Despite my career being amazing...even though I have proven to be a prodigal talent...they are pushing me back in favor of their favorites. They build me up only for me to be stabbed in the back. My lovely story with Scott Oasis is nothing, but a short example of this situation. However, it happens far too often. I just keep hearing - "Sorry, Arata. Maybe next time." But then days and months pass and I still don't see the results of this waiting. At first, I just started living with that even if it was a pain in the ass. At one point, however, I had had enough. I was fed up with being an addition to the show because some clown can't see me in his all-American title picture. Eventually, I started fighting for myself, which caused an avalanche of hatred. This feeling is not foreign to me and I have learned to live with it. After all, I don't do all of this to please the fanbase, but to make it easier for people like me. Rather, that they would have equal chances because so far only the chosen ones can rely on the decent treatment that all these gaijins have. What about the rest? It is selfish to think only about the tip of your nose, but that's how people are. As long as the situation is comfortable for them, they see no problem. They wouldn't even notice it if they got hit in the face with it. I, on the other hand, have learned to live in a lack of comfort. Both physical and mental. I learned to objectively assess the situation because I am a man who experienced both poverty and great success. This is why I am a perfect leader. This is why there is no better person to be the face of this fight for justice.



*Arata leaned forward and laced his fingers, thus supporting his chin. The man closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. However, when he looked back at the camera, something was different. His eyes turned golden and the atmosphere became unsettling.*



However, the image of a leader like myself can be confusing or even overwhelming to others. Especially for those closest to you. While it is good to be on the side of a person who has power and great possibilities, what some people cannot cope with is that they do not take this spot for themselves. Under such circumstances, you have a perfect situation to test their loyalty. Not only in relation to yourself, but in general. It is simple like math. If you are not able to be respectful and not be a treacherous pig in certain cases, then you are not trustworthy at all. It does not matter whether it is towards another person or company.



*Arata smiled, shaking his head disapprovingly. Finally, he went on to explain what he had just started.*



You're probably wondering why I'm talking about all of this, right? What does my private stuff have to do with Project Honor? Much more than everyone else thinks. For example, this treacherous and insecure pig is one of your beloved stars from Proving Ground. Maybe I let you go, MYOJIN. Perhaps so far I have not directed my anger at your disloyalty. But I never forgot because I knew that the time would come when I would have a chance to get my revenge. If I wanted to, I would have cut your head off in SSW long ago. Nobody would mourn for your useless ass anyway. If you weren't there, your teammates would have found someone to replace you. Sad but true. People just forget about those that are not worth remembering. You believe that you will gain this attention by wearing shiny and controversial outfits. You think that all you need to do to stay in people's minds is to have a fancy hairstyle and show off during your entrance. It's all interesting and impressive for some, but there are many wrestlers who are JUST cool. As much as the crowd likes such things, they subconsciously don't want all of that. What they care about is the valuable content in the ring, which is at a good level on your side. However, much lower than you think. Too much support from the public seems to have blinded you a bit in relation to your self-confidence. But as I said, I see potential in you, MYOJIN. That's why I reached out to you when I heard that you were considering signing a contract with the SSW. I wanted to help you grow up as a wrestler under my wing as I did with Hana. You were more than interested when it happened, but then your ego couldn't stand not having a starring role in my show. You couldn't sacrifice your huge ego for something much better. You didn't even take a longer moment to see that it would bring you a huge benefit. One day you just got up and decided that you would turn your back on me. I don't know what you expected this way? That I will run after you and give you the leadership? That I'll reward you right away for sticking to the plan we had twice? I'm sorry, MYOJIN, but you were never important enough for The Black Sun. While I have great respect for my people, you were with us on a trial period, because we didn't know if you could be trusted. As you can see, we were right. We figured that someone who has had everything put under his nose all his life...someone who had the opportunity wherever he wanted...would not understand what it means to experience injustice. We had a hard time believing that someone like this would be interested in the fate of others since they are fucking selfish and simply don't give a fuck. Is there anything wrong with caring about your own business? Yes and no. The point is, there are too many who come to the wrestling industry and use it only for satisfying their materialistic needs. In fact, people like MYOJIN simply take up space for someone, who actually cares about something more than money and fame. But apparently, nothing else matters these days. All people care about is clout. It is this mindset that leads this world to self-destruction.



*The man bit his bottom lip slightly, then began to run his fingers over his blonde beard. Finally, he broke the silence, that was a thing for a few seconds.*



This is not the MYOJIN you know. This is not the MYOJIN you want. If it wasn't for what I said here, you would still be blinded by the vision they are showing you. After all, MYOJIN is not a real person who sticks to their beliefs. This is a persona that Shouta Kuromiya created. Therefore, they think that they can behave as they desire because all blame for their mistakes and disgusting behavior will be on their imaginary creation. The thing is, Shouta didn't take one thing into account. This is real-life where there is no place for pretenders. I am very happy that they are having a great time, but it's time to think about who you are. It's probably better to show the world your true face than that you don't respect yourself enough, that you are forced to hide behind masks. In this way, you show that even in your own eyes you know that you are worthless. It sounds unambitious for someone who is supposed to be a future champion. Although despite the disrespect I got from the management, I don't think they want MYOJIN to be in the title picture. The company preferred to continue building an underdog that organically gains traction. They want to give them new opportunities that they have no chance of taking advantage of, to show people that they allegedly care. As I said, marketing. If they really wanted to give them an opportunity, out of all the people they could choose, I wouldn't be here. They just know the job will be done and MYOJIN will go back to acting like a child who wants a toy. They will continue to give them unreachable chances and again and again and again. In this way, getting money from losers, because they will want to see them in the end with the title. It’s a never-ending cycle.



Everything is great and so on, but I'm not a pawn in anyone's game. My upcoming victory and their plans have no connection. I am not a dog to respond to someone else's demand. As I have said many times, I am here to create a better future for my people, and for everyone to listen to me, I must be at the very top. That's why I'm even more irritated by this idiotic stipulation. It's Project Honor, but what's honorable is about only one person getting a benefit. I may be new here, but it's simply disrespectful. I don't care what Indy Darling has to say. I don't need a favor on his part to consider giving me a contendership if I win. First of all, there is no "if", because it is a pure formality. Secondly, it's obvious that if I have to beat someone who has a chance for a title shot, I should take it over. Annnnnnd I will. I'm not going to ask about it because if I want to, I will take both this and the X-Factor Championship. If anyone has any doubts about it, you probably don't know what kind of competitor is talking to you.



*Almost everything that was about to be said was captured by the camera. Arata ran his fingers through the blonde locks of hair and took a deep breath, before moving on to the last part of his speech.*



As my last words to you, MYOJIN. You can try to scare me all you want. You can say it's your time and you will go through hell on earth to get what's owed you and blah, blah. However, I am not afraid of hell. I have been living there since I was born. So you are on my fucking territory, you little bitch.


*Within a second the screen fades black, leaving everyone with what Arata said. The man had no doubts that he would walk into Project Honor with an impact.*