“I’ll see you on the field.”
It is said by Tom Cruise in Last Samurai before the final battle when Algren talks to Bagley. Jason and I exchanged the quote before the Machine Lan of Doom 2004 Soul Calbur II tournament started. Four matches and a few hours later I was one win away from the finals. Jason’s path was more interesting.
After losing to Phil, he began his trek through the Loser’s bracket. I took Phil out and Jason stayed alive. Their paths met again. Jason fell quickly zero to three, but came back from the clutches of hell with five straight victories to avenge his loss. I defeated Gixxer and made it to the final round. Jason fought a long battle and beat Gixxer to win the losers bracket. Two Exile members were in the final match. I was five wins away from a new sword and a second championship. Mitsurugi versus Yoshimitsu. Samurai versus Ninja Robot Spirit Thing. The stage of history was set.
Think hard and recall what happens when Algren sees Bagley again. Someone gets a sword through the throat–it’s not the samurai.