PREMEDITATED CRIME
After the collapse of UWH, Sumisu joined Nobuhisa Sanada's U-Intel. But something felt wrong...
YAMA-CHAN: "There you are, Sumisu! I was looking for you."
SUMISU: "What's wrong, Yamamoto? You look upset. That's not like you, 'Yama-chan, the gentle Buddha.'"
YAMA-CHAN: "Don't get cute. I just wanted to ask you, why'd you join us?"
SUMISU: "What do you mean? Do you have a problem with me?"
YAMA-CHAN: "That's not the point. You're a real pro wrestler, I'm not sure you belong here. Haven't you read the magazines lately?"
YAMA-CHAN: "Sit down with me, let's have a cup of tea. Come on!"
SUMISU: "Uh, sure!"
U-Intel's strategy was cunninng: use the media to stir up the other promotions.
When their ace, Nobuhisa Sanada, challenged View Japan's Masahiro Kouno to a match, he took the chance to challenge the legitimacy of their wrestling. This angered View Japan, so the match was booked immediately.
The 100 Million Yen Incident then shook the world of the mat. Invitations were sent by the media to the top five wrestlers from each organization to take part in a worldwide tournament. Fan expectations were through the roof.
However, the invitations were sent knowing that the wrestlers who received them would not accept. Their purpose was not to promote a worldwide event, but rather to humiliate the other promotions. It was a premeditated crime.
Just as planned, four of them caught on to the scheme and declined their invitations. But one of them, Akira Saeba, leader of GONGS, unexpectedly took on the challenge. He proposed a competition between the two promotions, to support the wrestling industry and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of UWH.
That would have been the obvious choice. However, U-Intel rejected his proposal, and the feud between the two companies became public.
U-Intel harshly criticized Saeba's GONGS, and Saeba, irate, responded in turn. The media exploited this to side with U-Intel, twisting the press for their gain.
.... In the end though, nothing came of this. There were no matches. Fans were extremely disappointed.
SUMISU: "... This is absurd! Is this... is this true? How could you let this happen, Yamamoto?"
YAMA-CHAN: "Hey, don't blame me. Two of U-Intel's founders, Andoh and Minato, hold all the power."
YAMA-CHAN: "Sanada and I are treated like traitors. He's completely at their mercy."
YAMA-CHAN: "There's no fair play anymore. Even the supposedly 'impartial' press is on their side."
YAMA-CHAN: "They've gathered all those inside U-Intel who hate Saeba to wage a campaign against him."
YAMA-CHAN: "They want to destroy Saeba's career, his charisma, his very existence. But he's not the kind of man who'll allow himself to be crushed so easily. If you ask me, the fans would side with..."
SUMISU: "Akira Saeba!"
YAMA-CHAN: "Yeah, that's what a pro wrestling fan would say. Unfortunately, not many of them are into our promotion. So that kind of thinking wouldn't get enough traction."
SUMISU: "I-is this really what you want!? People with no moral fiber, journalists spreading lies, never being held accountable..."
SUMISU: "That's why wrestling is going to shit! What happened to the soul of U!? Am I supposed to stand for this, Yamamoto!?"
YAMA-CHAN: "It's not my place to tell you what to do, Sumisu. But you're right, pro wrestling may not survive this."
YAMA-CHAN: "Sumisu, this is my one and only request. Please, help me crush Andoh and Minato!"
After heeding the words of Yamamoto, Sumisu was faced with a choice. Would he team up with him to fight Andoh and Minato?
What did he choose? YES [NO]
YAMAMOTO: "What the hell, Sumisu!? .... Have it your way, I guess. I can't force you."
YAMAMOTO: "But you'll have to fight me, first! In this world, results are all that matters!"
YAMAMOTO: "It's best to nip the bad ones in the bud. Get ready, I'm gonna kick your ass!"
SUMISU: "......."
YAMAMOTO: "You're strong... That much is true. But people with the wrong vision are going to ruin pro wrestling. I don't expect anything good from you."
SANADA: "Looks like I'll have to fight you myself. I don't care about office politics, but the man at the top cannot afford to lose. I'm gonna have to beat you right here."
SANADA: "I've got a big match coming up, Sumisu. This is a good chance to practice my moves."
SANADA: "I thought of every outcome, and he doesn't stand a chance. He'd better get ready for that..."
SANADA: "Try not trip over your feet. Good luck!"
SUMISU: "I don't think I can beat this guy alone. I'm not even gonna make a dent..."
SANADA: "That's more or less what I expected. I wonder how his career is going to go. Not very far, I guess."
ITTETSU: "You're my disciple, don't forget that!"