Sakura Kasugano was a normal fifteen year old until one day
when she saw Ryu participate in a street fight. Since
that day, Sakura became obsessed with Street Fighting, and has tried to
emulate Ryu's Shotokan fighting style. She trained on her own and with
Dan, and began sparring with local fighters
herself. She even began fighting with the boys at her school, and was
suspended several times. Her parents disapproved, and Sakura had to keep her
fights secret. They attracted attention from her schoolmates, particularly
Karin, the privelaged heiress to the Kanzuki
clan. Karin was proficient in several martial art styles, and challenged
Sakura to fight one day after school. Sakura won, greatly embarrasing
Karin. A few days later, Karin invited Sakura to participate in a
tournament she was hosting. Sakura defeated dozens of opponents before
being defeated by the American karate champ Ken
Masters. The tournament was not a total loss, as she learned the
whereabouts of Ryu from Ken.
Sakura's parents eventually came to terms with her dangerous hobby, and even
allowed her to continue her search for Ryu.
Using the money she had earned during Karin's tournament, she took a trip to
to the temple where Ryu was said to be staying. Finally coming face to face
with her idol, she challenged him to a fight. Ryu was
amazed that a sixteen year old with no training was able to throw Hadokens,
and held back his full power during the fight. He still won easily, but
caused her no harm. Not surprised that the great warrior had defeated her,
Sakura asked Ryu to become her teacher. Ryu, feeling that he was still
learning himself, told Sakura that he could teach no one until he learned
the true meaning of the fight. He left her with an autographed picture, and
Sakura pondered his words as she continued her training.
After a few years, Sakura left home to find Ryu once again in the
hopes that he was prepared to teach her. She never found him, but again met
up with Dan, who had founded the Saikyo Ryu dojo in Hong Kong since their last
meeting.
Sakura told Dan that she was looking for Ryu again, and Dan decided to prove he
was better than Sakura's rival and took Sakura as a pupil. Thus, Sakura
became an unwilling student at the Saikyo dojo, not knowing if she would
ever find Ryu again.
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