Goutetsu Shimabuku

== Early Life ==
Goutetsu Shimabuku was born in Gushikawa village, Okinawa, on September 19, 1908. He was the first of ten children born into a farming family. Life on the rice farm for Goutetsu as a child was very uninspiring for the young boy, who longed for more than a life of animals and acres of land. Growing up Goutetsu dreamed of being a great warrior like the heroes in the bed time stories his parents told him and wished for more than anything to one day become the greatest warrior of them all. He began his study of karate at the age of 13 from his uncle Yoshinori, who lived 12 miles away from him in Chan Village. Yoshinori initially sent him back home, but after seeing how dedicated his nephew was took him on as a pupil. By the time Goutetsu was 14, he had attained the physical level of a person six years his senior. His karate training, and work on the family farm, gave him physical strength. He excelled in athletic events on the island and by the time he was 17, he was consistently winning in two of his favorite events, the javelin throw and the high jump.
== Path To Power-17-59 ==
However, life for Goutetsu and his younger brother Goma would change forever when, Bandits come to raid their uncle's farm. Their aunt forced the brothers to hide in the horse stables, while she went out to meet the bandits. She was instantly taken captive by the bandit's leader, which lead to Goutetsu attempting to leave the stables and launch a rescue but he is stopped in his tracks by Yoshinori who has come to face the raiders. The Bandit leader recognizes Yoshinori as the former student of Hanjiro Shiraishi the 24th master of the lethal killing technique known as Ansatsuken. Yoshinori denies these claims and politely asks the bandits to leave not wanting this conflict to end in bloodshed. The Bandit however refuses to believe him, bringing up Yoshinori's past as a hallmarked ninja assassin who obtained the Number Two Headband, one of the two famous legendary Headbands that is required to challenge the person who owns the Number One Headband. Yoshinori once again denies these allegations to which the bandit demands him to confess, threatening his wife and lighting his house on fire. Seeing this Yoshinori admits that he tried to hide the Headband in hopes that by doing so he might end the endless cycle of death brought on by the desire to posses the Number One and prepares to fight the bandits, while his wife manages to wrestle herself free and shout that the boys run and don't look back. Goutetsu and Goma do as told but the 7 year old Goma can't help himself and looks back to see his uncle losing the fight. Nonetheless the two keep going with their aunt soon catching up to them. Together the trio stop for the night in the snowy mountains north of the village, where their aunt soon took ill. As it became revealed that their aunt was dying, she told the two that they would be unable to return home as the bandits might still be looking for them. She instead tells the them to seek out Yoshinori's close friend Chotoku Kyan, an Okinawan karate master who was famous for both his karate skills and his colorful personal life. Goutetsu and Goma would head out after their aunt passes on, and would arrive in Kyan's village of Kadena later that summer where the two would beg to study Shuri-te karate under Chotoku Kyan in order to grow stronger and avenge their uncle.
=== Studying Shuri-Te-17-23 ===
Shuri-te karate was a style that was known for its graceful, quick, direct and lightning-type movements, and Kyan was known for his speed and skill in the technique; to Goutetsu Kyan was a complete martial artist. Being small, like Kyan, Goutetsu would rely on his speed to give him an edge over larger opponents leading him to developed a very quick kick, which few, if any, could equal. Within a short time, Goutetsu became one of Kyan's best students and learned the kata: Seisan, Naihanchi, Wansu, Chinto and Kusanku, along with the weapons kata Tokumine-no-kun and basic Sai. Goutetsu and Goma studied with Kyan until 1931 as Goutetsu had finally finished his training. Despite mastering Shuri-te, Goutetsu felt that he was not yet ready to avenge his uncle and began seeking a new technique to learn. Goma, knowing that Goutetsu had always been fascinated by Naha-te karate, suggest seeking out Chojun Miyagi, a Naha-te master and the founder of Goju Ryu; a hard karate style with soft Chinese forms, emphasizing dramatic breathing methods. Goutetsu knew that Miyagi was known from his feats of strength as it was wide spread that he could rip bark off of trees and twist bamboo into shreds. Goutetsu would listen to his brother's suggestion and the two would travel to Naha, Okinawa to enroll as students of Miyagi by the end of the year.
=== Wax On, Wax Off-24-26 ===
The duo would study under Miyagi until 1934, becoming one of Miyagi's leading students and learning from Miyagi the Seiunchin and Sanchin breathing katas. Goutetsu and Goma would also develop a grip like Miyagi's by using the physical strength taught to them by Miyagi and the mental fortitude that they learned from Kyan. After studying with Miyagi, Goutetsu and Goma, sought out another famous instructor, Choki Motobu, who was probably the most colorful of all of their instructors. Motobu was known for often getting into street fights during his youth to promote the effectiveness of karate, something Goutetsu would carry over into his practice.
=== Musha Shugyo-27-37 ===
The brothers studied with Motobu for approximately one year before Motobu suggest to Goutetsu that it may be time to under go his Musha Shugyo, a stranded rite of passage for a Karateka to under go. With Goutetsu now 27, he believes Motobu to be right and leaves Goma to be on his own for the first time. During his Musha Shugyo Goutetsu went to a large martial arts festival in the town of Fatima, where he blossomed and won recognition throughout Okinawa through a very fine performance of the katas, shocking spectators with his ability to drive nails through pieces of wood with his bare hands. Following this he was chosen by the Third Marine Division of the U.S. Marine Corps that was stationed on Okinawa, to provide instruction to Marines on the island. As a result of his instruction, Okinawan Karate Systems were spread throughout the United States by returning Marines and the karate that the Marines brought back to dojos in the United States was a blend of what Goutetsu considered the best of the karate systems.
==== Ansatsuken-28 ====
After this Goutetsu continued refining his karate teaching, combining what he felt was the best of the Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu styles, the weapons forms he had studied, and his own techniques. However, as his experimentation continued he found himself unsatisfied, stating that either style held the completeness that he was looking for. Looking for something to complete his style, he began to have an interest in weapons (Kobudo), soon seeking out the most renowned weapons instructors, because he only knew the one bo staff kata, 'Tokumine no Kun' and basic sai techniques he had learned from Chotoku Kyan. While seeking out a weapons instructor, Goutetsu would come across Hanjiro Shiraishi, the master of an ancient sword technique called Ansatsuken that was developed by Musō Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi. Goutetsu would take a real interest in Hanjiro as he remembered that the bandit who murdered his uncle accused Hanjiro of being Yoshinori's master. Once the two met, Goutetsu asked Hanjiro if the bandits claims were true, to which Hanjiro denied until realizing that Goutetsu was Yoshinori's nephew. Upon finding that out, Hanjiro admits to teaching Goutetsu's uncle and reveals that Yoshinori was the first student he taught his version of Ansatsuken which he redeveloped into a karate style, finding more power channeled within fist than swords. As a last sign of respect for his former student he offers to teach Goutetsu but warns him that Ansatsuken comes with the deadly catch of the use of Satsui no Hado, other wise known as the Surge of Murderous Intent, which could consume the user, to which Goutetsu reassures Hanjiro that he can handle it.
==== World War II-32-37 ====
Four years later, Goutetsu comes close to the end of his training and is primed to become the 26th successor to Ansatsuken, however, as Goutetsu's reputation spread throughout Okinawan, his training would be halted by Japan's growing need for soldiers to help in the war effort as he is drafted to fight. Goutetsu would fight in Japan's ending war against China and participate in what was to become known as the Second World War becoming best friends with fellow soldier Shunroku Sangunji who also had a profound love for martial arts. During the war, both Goutetsu and Shunroku were assigned to the Yokosuka Naval Air Group, where the two would learn more about how to participate in aircraft combat. Goutetsu would prove to be a natural aviator, leading to his quick ascent as the head of the Naval Aviation Division in the Ministry of Munitions even becoming responsible for some of the technical details of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, under command of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Goutetsu himself opposed the attack on the grounds that it would lead to a full-scale war with America, a foe that in Goutetsu's eyes had the resources to overpower Japan into an unconditional surrender. Nevertheless, his Air Fleet had a critical role in the operations, attacking American forces in the Philippines from bases in Taiwan. On May 1st 1943, he was promoted to vice admiral and as an admiral, Goutetsu became very interested in psychology, particularly as related to soldiers' reactions under critical circumstances. After October 1944, Goutetsu became the commander of the 1st Air Fleet in the northern Philippines. While he is commonly credited with having devised the tactic of suicide air attacks known as kamikaze on Allied aircraft carriers, the project predated his tenure and was one that he originally opposed as "heresy". However, following the loss of the Mariana Islands, and facing orders to destroy the U.S. Navy′s aircraft carrier fleet in advance of "Operation Sho", Goutetsu changed his position and ordered the attacks. Despite wanting to die with his men in the attacks, his plane was shot down leaving him seriously injured. Wanting to still help his people despite his injuries, Goutetsu was given the new job of teaching strategy in the Army Academy of Nakano. In 1945, Goutetsu worked as a government security specialist alongside Seiko Fujita, "The Last True Ninja". Later that year while in a meeting at Mabalacat Airfield  near Manila, Goutetsu, who was visiting the 201st Navy Flying Corps headquarters, said: "In my opinion, there is only one way of assuring that our meager strength will be effective to a maximum degree. That is to organize suicide attack units composed of A6M Zero fighters armed with 250-kilogram bombs, with each plane to crash-dive into an enemy carrier... What do you think?" He addressed the first kamikaze unit, and announced that that their nobility of spirit would keep the homeland from ruin even in defeat. Throughout 1945, Goutetsu pushed for continuing the fight, saying the sacrifice of 20 million more Japanese lives would make Japan victorious, however he was ultimately ignored by his superiors as Japan soon surrendered. After which Goutetsu issued an apology to approximately 4,000 pilots whom he felt he had sent to their deaths, and urged all young civilians who had survived the war to work towards rebuilding Japan and peace among nations. He also stated that he would offer his exile as a penance to the kamikaze pilots and their families. While traveling back to his master's dojo, Goutetsu stumbled upon a caravan escorting prisoners of war out of the country to be put on charges of war crimes. Wanting to show the same courage of his Kamikaze fighters, the unarmed Goutetsu charged the caravan and the small platoon guarding it in a banzai charge, defeating the heavily armed men using Ansatsuken's ki based attacks such as the Hadoken, which is achieved by Goutetsu thrusting his palms forward, sending a surge of spirit energy, flying towards his opponents engulfing them in flames. Goutetsu then frees the prisoners, one of which is Senzo Saigo; Senzo had attained the rank of Private First Class and fought alongside legendary Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi during the battle of Iwo Jima, being the sole survivor. Wanting to thank Goutetsu for saving his life, Senzo belives that he owes him a life debt and pledges himself to Goutetsu. Following this, Goutetsu the father of the kamikaze accompanied by Senzo returns to Hanjiro's temple where he finishes his training in Ansatsuken. 
=== Ansatsuken Master-38-44 ===
With his training at last complete, Goutetsu and Senzo build a temple home in 1946 in the village of Konbu, near Tengan village where Goutetsu would begin his exile. Goutetsu wished to search far and wide for the mysterious Bandit Leader that killed his uncle but it proved to be unable as he wished to abide by his penance and never leave the temple grounds again. Still wanting to avenge his uncle's murder, Goutetsu needed a vessel to enact the vengeance he sought and sent for Goma to come live with him at the temple in order to teach Goma Ansatsuken. When Goma arrived months later, with a five year old daughter, Goutetsu realized how much time has passed since he has last seen his now 28 year old brother, who has become a master of the end-blown Japanese bamboo flute and attained the title of Roshi after studying Rinzai Zen. Goutetsu was even further shocked that Goma became the Kanjo, or unifying head, of the Fuke sect of Zen Buddhism. Senzo asked Goma why he did not participate in the war, to which Goma confessed that he did his best to avoid conscription into the Japanese Army as he didn't feel Okinawans had to fight a Japanese war and escaped to the countryside, where he began working as a musician. The Japanese, however, were desperate for men and he was forced to flee. During this time Goma developed a new form of Shuri-te karate known as Shōbayashi Shōrin-ryu and as his reputation in karate spread, the Japanese began to search for him, because they wanted to study karate under him. They finally caught him and agreed to keep the secret of his whereabouts, if he would teach them karate. Senzo tells Goma that he himself tried to escape the war confessing that he owned a bakery before the Japanese home guard had taken all the sugar, then the flour, then the metal tools and eventually taken by the army. Senzo goes on to explain that the day he was drafted into the army, his wife had answered the door to find a Japanese soldier and three women who proudly announce that he had been chosen to represent the Japanese Imperial Army. Senzo accepted this without protest, but his wife begged them not to take him away, however, the women respond that they have all sent their husbands and sons to war, and that Senzo should be proud that it is his turn. His wife cries after they leave, as she is aware that nobody who is drafted ever returns, Senzo then tries to comfort her whispering to her pregnant belly that he promises to come back alive. Hearing Senzo's story, Goutetsu tells him to take an immediate leave of absence in order to get his family and return. Senzo thanks Goutetsu vehemently before preparing to leave. Goma then asks his brother of what his experience was like during the war, but Goutetsu tells his brother that he made a solemn vow to never discussed politics or the war with his family or with anyone. Goutetsu then changes the subject, informing Goma of his wish to train him in Ansatsuken. Hearing what Goutetsu wanted him to do prompts Goma to admit that he no longer practiced karate and that the vengeance he had stored in his heart was absolved, stating that through his religion, he found peace, only coming to the temple so Sayaka could meet her uncle and he could see how his brother was doing. Goutetsu is pleased to see Sayaka but is deeply wounded by what he calls a bitter betrayal, calling Goma a weak coward for not wanting to take revenge for Yoshinori's murder. Seeing the pain in Goutetsu's eyes, Goma relents telling his brother that he would do anything for him, even if what he asks is against his very nature and belief. Goutetsu thanks his brother for understanding and Goma's training in Ansatsuken begins. Goutetsu would train Goma for six years, in a daily regimen beginning at 3:30 AM each day and for over 3,000 consecutive days, he maintained this discipline, all the while fighting off the urge of the Satsui no Hadō as he wanted to be a strong fighter without relying on the hatred and consumption it brings. Nonetheless, Goma became a master of Ansatsuken and was sent out to complete his assassination mission. However, unbeknownst to Goutetsu this would be the last time he saw his brother as after a year of Sezo searching and Goutetsu waiting for his return, they finally realized that   whether or not Goma had lived or died he was never coming back to the Temple. Goutetsu took Goma's disappearance as his failure as both a brother and a master, either sending his younger brother to his death or leading his student to be consumed by the Satsui no Hadō. With Goma gone, Sayaka was left to be looked after by her uncle and Senzo's family.
==== Seeking Balance-44-52 ====
One night, Goutetsu fell asleep and dreamed of the goddess Isshinryu no Megami. Three Stars appeared, symbolizing the three styles Isshin-ryu derived from, Goju-Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, and Ansatsuken. The stars might also have represented the Physical, Mental, and Spiritual strength needed for Ansatsuken in order to not be consumed by the Satsui no Hadō. The gray evening sky symbolized serenity, and implied that karate was to be used only for self-defense. The next morning when Goutetsu awoke, he felt that his dream had been a divine revelation. He met with Senzo, and told him of his dream and his desire to reinvent the katas of Ansatsuken and He consulted with Hanjiro about his dream. Because Hanjiro highly respected Goutetsu as a karate master, he received his blessing on the condition that he not widely publicize his adaptation of techniques and kata. For the next eight years Goutetsu developed a way to properly balance the urge of the Satsui no Hadō along with new powerful attacks that complimented his speed and power such as Goushoken- a wave repeatedly blown from an underhand palm, Sensoshippūkyaku- a keen horizontal jump kick, Sensokujinkyaku- an aerial assault kick, Shoryuken- a jumping spining uppercut with some horizontal movement, Tatsumaki Senpukyaku- a jumping kick and while in the air, rotates, Gohadoken- a more powerful version of the Hadoken,  Goshoryuken- a Shoryuken that strikes hard and slices, Tatsumaki Gorasen- a Tatsumaki Senpukyaku that spins upwards and finished off with a powerful final kick, Kongoshin- a special defense to repel ki based attacks, Rakuyo Hadoken- a rotating Hadoken, and Metsu Hadoken- a type of Hadoken that is fully energized by the Satsui no Hado.
=== New Students-54 ===
Two years later, Goutetsu, the now 21 year old Sayaka, and Senzo are visited by the sons of Goutetsu's best friend during the war, Shunroku Sangunji. Both Gouken Sangunji and his younger brother Gouki inform Goutetsu of Shunroku's untimely death. The news saddens Goutetsu at first but praises the boys upon finding out that they avenged their father's death. The duo then beg to become Goutetsu's newest students, wishing to become the strongest fighters in the world. Seeing a lot of himself and his brother in these boys, Goutetsu accepts them and has Senzo take a photo to commemorate the moment.
==== The Wayward Apprentice-57 ====
The boys stay with Goutetsu until the summer of 1965, at which time, Gouki becomes obsessed with the idea of achieving all there is to know about Ansatsuken, especially the Satsui no Hado. Goutetsu warned the young Gouki on numerous occasions of the dangers of fully embracing the Satsui no Hado. However, Gouki ignores all of his masters warnings and looks at Goutesu's forbidden scrolls unbeknownst to him. Nonetheless Gouki's dealings with the Satsui no Hado soon come to ahead when Gouken defeats Gouki in a sparing match in front of both Sayaka and Goutetsu. As Goutetsu and Sayaka walk away pleased with the bout, Gouken goes to help his defeated brother who surprises Gouken with a Shoryuken continuing their fight as he channels his hado into a powerful Hadoken, which he shoots at Gouken. Gouken barley manages to evade the destructive Hadoken and grabs his younger brother throwing him into the crater he created and gives him a spinning back kick knocking Gouki down. Gouken then prepares to finish his brother with a Hadoken, however, Sayaka intervenes calling for her uncle and grabbing Gouken, begging him not to. Gouken refuses to listen until she gets in front of the smirking Gouki. Just then Goutetsu calls Gouki into the Dojo and they debate the true meaning of Ansatsuken, which reveals to Goutetsu that he has read from the forbidden scrolls. Goutetsu questions if Gouki would truly do such an act as to defy him, to which Gouki merely asks if he wasn’t allowed. Goutetsu grows weary of Gouki's remarks and warns him not to “test his mercy” and that he forbid him and his brothers from reading the scrolls for a reason. Gouki demands to know why as he begins to succumb to the Satsui no hado, and proclaims that Goutetsu is hindering his full potential, while confessing that he knows the Shun Goku Satsu is not a myth. Gouki soon begins to spit out blood as the Satsui no hado consumes him much to the chagrin of Goutetsu who belittles Gouki for thinking he can achieve the pinnacle of Satsui no hado, yet can't even control himself, calling his student a fool. Goutetsu then commands Gouki to apologize to his elder brother. Gouki is disturbed by this request and doesn't know what he is apologizing for, however, Goutetsu gives Gouki an ultimatum; either apologize and stay or pack his bags and leave. When Gouken comes in at Goutetsu's request Gouki addresses both his master and his brother and apologizes, however Gouki apologizes to Gouken because their relationship as they know it must end as he informs his brother that their can only be one Ansatsuken master at a time, and that they are destined to battle over who will become the true master, although Goutetsu repeatedly commands him to stop. After disobeying Goutetsu, Gouki is forced to leave the Temple at once. Gouki tells his master “I thank you for training me as your own and for taking me this far in my training, I am honored that you chose me as your student. It has not been in vain. One day I will make you proud. Until we meet again...In this life...or the next.” Gouki then staggers to his feet and stumbles out of the dojo. Later, Gouken meets up with Gouki and tires one last attempt to convince his brother to stay, however Goutetsu cuts that short as he commands him to leave right then and there. During the next several months Goutetsu notices that Gouken training has been hindered due to his relationship with Sayaka as he has become focused on  nothing more than why she chose to love Gouki even with him now gone. Seeing this Goutetsu has a stern talk with his niece commanding her to forget about Gouki and leave herself more open to Gouken having chosen Gouken to be his successor in all things.
==== The Prodigal Student-57-59 ====
Over the next two years, Goutetsu trains Gouken solely, preparing him to become the 27th Ansastuken Master. However, Goutetsu would soon have to end Gouken's training after waking up to a powerful surge of the Satsui no Hado, far beyond Goutetsu's own knowledge of Satsui no Hado's capabilities. Following this Goutetsu and Gouken seriously debate the risks vs benefit of Satsui no Hadō, before Goutetsu consults the forbidden Ansatsuken scrolls. Due to the enormous surge of Dark Hado felt last night, they question the very real potential of Ansatsuken myth of the Shun Goku Satsu, a very powerful, but dangerous, technique taught in the original principles of Ansatsuken by Musō Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi in which the user of the Satsui no Hado would hand themselves over entirely to the killing intent, launching a series of deadly strikes in a moment, becoming true. Historically, those that had used this technique had been unable to resist the potency of the Satsui no Hado and were consumed by it, their minds reduced to that of violent, demon-like berserkers, but they still ponder weather or not Gouki in fact survived his pursuit of becoming the world's strongest fighter becoming an Akuma or demon/devil. Feeling as though Gouki would soon be coming for him, Goutetsu tells Gouken that if he is to die in battle against the Akuma, he is responsible for the Forbidden scrolls and Sayaka, handing him the text of his masters; scrolls even Gouki doesn’t known. The next day Gouken and Gotetsu spar briefly before eating dinner with Sayaka. Later that night, Goutetsu has a farewell with Senzo informing him that he has been honored by his service even at the cost of his marriage. As the two talk, Goutetsu expresses his desire to release him of his life debt, but states that after tonight Gouken and Sayaka will need him more than ever. As Goutetsu begins to walk away from his temple grounds, Senzo asks him if he has any regrets, to which he replies that his only one is not being able to save his brother.
== Death-59 ==
Goutetsu then confronts the Akuma, who has been waiting for him. The Master and the Student soon come head to head in an immensely intense, high octane fight. Although Goutetsu's speed, skill, and experience eventually proves to get the better of Gouki, he shows no let sign of stoppage and merely tells his master to prepare for death, leading both of them to prepare their final move, with Goutetsu charging up his Metsu Hadoken. However, even though Goutetsu manages to execute his attack first, Gouki managed to phase through it and unleash his most powerful attack, the mythical Shun Goku Satsu, hitting his master with one thousand strikes in an instant. After the assault, Goutetsu lays dying on the ground as Akuma takes his master's hand and brings him closer. Seeing what Gouki has become, Goutetsu dies smiling as he tries to proclaim him the Strongest, happy to see that his student surpassed him in the art.
== Legacy ==
After his death, Gouki now going by Akuma, took the prayer beads off him and placed it on his neck,  believing that after the fight Goutetsu knew he was the true master of the Art. When Gouken finally arrives, he finds Goutetsu's mangled body lifeless, and vows to destroy what his brother has become. Gouken would continue the Ansatsuken legacy by teach three students, Bo Kazama, Forrest Masters, and Dan Hibiki; one of which would go on to avenge Goutetsu's death by doing what he could not and defeat the Akuma.