--- FLASHBACK ---

New Japan was holding its Dominion Pay-Per-View that night in 2020. With such matches as:

IGWP Tag Team: Golden Ace (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr and Taichi

Or

Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma and Gabriel Kidd vs. Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata and Ryusuke Taguchi.

One match of the card stood out though. Kazuchika Okada would be facing Y/N L/N in a match for the IWGP Heavyweight championship. The two men have been feuding ever since Okada win the title again and was interrupted by Y/N during his celebration at the time.

Ever since then, their match was made official and has been hyped up over several months. Notable in all of this was that Y/N held back with attacks or digs against the champion. It seemed like he had a lot of respect for Okada and who could honestly blame him? Okada is one of the greatest NJPW has.

--- fast forward to the match ---

The champion made his entrance first as the crowd was already cheering loudly. With the championship at stake, it was only a matter of time until the action began. Okada put his coat down and stood back as all the attention was now on Y/N.

The mood shifted a lot as the arena was bathed in red light. Everyone knew Y/N could be quite over the top and violent every now and then, so the shackles and chains made sense. When he got in the ring though, he kept standing exactly where he was, staring down Okada with a wicked grin. The referee checked if both of them were ready and once the bell rung, the intensity was immediatly brought up high as the two started hitting each other.

So much for the mutual respect between them. At first everyone was sure this would be a fair fight, but with a start like that, they were getting something else entirely. Y/N didn't let up so easily as he cornered Okada and focussed the hits more on his mid section than anything else. Truth be told, this gimmick was a great contrast to the Rain Maker, so not only was it great to watch in the ring, it also had brought a boost to the merch sales. There was only one problem though. During a recent interview, Y/N revealed that his contract with New Japan was up around Christmas time and he said that he wouldn't sign a new one, due to his desire to see more of the world. Many fans expected this to be a publicity stunt, but it wasn't. Through popular demand, NJPW confirmed the news, but they would still do anything to keep him happy until the end.

Y/N was a quick fighter, proven right there as he caught Okada with a Roundhouse Kick right to the head. Strong Style lived up to its name more often than not and this was no exception. Both men had extensive arsenals that could knock anyone down sooner or later, but they also could take a lot. Y/N then threw Okada against the ropes and that was when they showed off their agility.

The crowd was amazed by that display since it didn't happen often that Okada or Y/N did something like that. They were more known for being grounded and hitting more power moves. They grappled with one another now, trying to gain the lead again, but it was difficult to find out who had the upper hand.

Both men were down now, but it was far from over at this point. They were tough, known for incredible stamina and taking things over the limit. Fans in the arena and watching from home waited anxiously for what's next as Y/N was the first one to get back up. He took a deep breath and looked at Okada who was in the corner.

Y/N:" C'mon! You're the champ, so fight like one!"

The disrespect was real and Okada didn't take kindly to that at all as he got to his feet and confronts Y/N in the middle of the ring. They butted heads and talked trash to one another before Okada pushed Y/N back. Not only was this creating tension, it also set up the next spot as Y/N charged at him, only to be dropped over the top rope and crashing through a table.

Y/N was down again as Okada leaned against the ropes and looked at the carnage. Japanese tables in wrestling don't break as easily as others, so every time someone goes through one, it's even more of a shock. The ref's count was at 5 when Okada decided to go out and walk over to Y/N. If you thought there would be anything traditional about this match, you're dead wrong. Even when talking the match through with everyone who's involved, it was clear that this wouldn't be pretty. Okada brought Y/N up and put him back in the ring where the match soon continued as he pulled Y/N to his feet and was about to hit the Rain Maker, but Y/N turned the tables on Okada.

The first pin attempt was made, but Okada kicked out at Two, upsetting and also making Y/N smile sadistically. He knew he had to do a lot more and that was exactly what he wanted, getting up and this time hitting a Brainbuster on his opponent.

It looked like things would be over soon, but that wasn't the case just yet. Okada was down and Y/N was taunting the crowd, yelling out to them.

Y/N:" This man is your champion?! Are you kidding me? It's time for a new era! It's time for...ME!!!"

A cocky chuckle later and Y/N had a surprise prepared for Okada once he got up. The time for keeping it easy was over. It was now or never as the ref got in between the two, keeping Y/N away from Okada, only for Y/N to hit him with brass knuckles.

Okada didn't exactly fall down, instead he stumbled back against the ropes, dizzy from the shot as Y/N acted innocent when questioned about what just transpired. Of course he would say he didn't do anything, but everyone saw the unfair tactics he used, adding to the heat of being a heel. Walking past the ref now, Y/N chopped Okada's chest several times and laughed maniacally through it all. The sadistic side really disturbed a lot of people, but it was part of the gimmick and Y/N's matches.

Y/N:" Anata wa ochirudeshou!" (You will fall!)

Okada:" Watashi wa anata o owara semasu!" (I will end you!)

Y/N couldn't help but laugh at this threat. He honestly took it more like a joke than anything else, but was brought back to reality when Okada finally managed to hit the Rain Maker.

This time Okada attempted a pin, but Y/N kicked out at 2.9, shocking everyone. The end was so close, but Y/N too stubborn to lose. He rolled to the apron to recover while Okada hyped himself up for the finish phase. He knew just as well as Y/N did that they had to put this to end. No more tricks, no fooling around. Just a finish worthy of this title match as they glared at each other. One more time did they return to the middle of the ring, slugging it out with one another. Cheers or boos erupted throughout the arena with every hit, but Y/N got the last shot by hitting a Burning Hammer.

1
.
.
.
2
.
.
.
3!

It was all over now. The eternal battle has been finished as Y/N L/N got the Pinfall victory over Okada. 28 minutes of fighting, outsmarting each other and hitting everything they could ended with a new champion. The young man was on his knees as he was presented with the title. The commentators were going crazy as well with talking about Y/N becoming champion while Okada was helped to the back by the ringside doctors. Getting up, Y/N broke into his personal celebration while pyro went off on the stage.

---------------------------------------------------------

Backstage, applause rang through the arena when Y/N came back, sore, exhausted, but also incredibly happy and proud of delivering such a match with Okada who approached him just a moment later.

Okada:" This is your time, Y/N. Congratulations."

Y/N:" Thank you, Kaz. You deserve just as much credit for our match. Without you, I wouldn't have made it this far."

Okada:" You have been a great student, Y/N. Teaching you was one of my greatest accomplishments."

???:" Oi! Don't forget about me!"

Turning their attention to the voice, Y/N and Okada were soon joined by none other than Tetsuya Naito.

Naito:" You may have showed him the ropes, but I taught him the fun side of our promotion."

Y/N:" Well, I mean I'm a prime heel at this point, so...Thank you as well, Tetsuya. It was also great to learn from you."

Okada:" It definitly changed the dynamic of Y/N's matches. I think if he branches out into the rest of the world, he will soon surpass you, Naito."

Naito:" Ahh don't worry. Y/N, you're a good kid. But you owe me a shot at this belt, you hear me?"

Y/N:" Sounds like a plan to me. I will be a fighting champion no matter what."

Shaking hands and smiling, Naito and Okada left the young man alone now as Y/N walked further through the hallways towards the lockerrooms. Truth be told, being a student of the two was great, but very exhausting on mind and body. There was so much to learn about Japanese Strong Style and how to be a heel, but Y/N loved it nonetheless. He took this sport seriously and did everything he could to make it look good to fans of old and newcomers too. Suddenly he was then confronts by Rocky Romero.

Rocky:" There's the man! Glad to finally see you carry some gold, Y/N! You've been here for what, 4 years now?"

Y/N:" Almost 4, yes. I had my fair share of title opportunities, but having this championship on my shoulder now feels even better after the long wait."

Rocky:" You're a good guy, Y/N. It's just sad that you won't be with us when the new year comes around."

Y/N:" Hey man, look at it differently. I won't be gone forever. It's a 'See You Later', not a goodbye forever."

Rocky:" You're right. And no matter what, New Japan will gladly take you back, if the US gets too boring."

Y/N:" I'll keep that in mind, Rocky."

Rocky:" Good to hear. See you later, Y/N."

--- FLASHBACK END ---

This was at the start of 2020. Currently Y/N was in his lockerroom, just a few minutes before his last match in NJPW for quite a while. He and Naito actually kept their word about having a match and this was the time and place for it: Power Struggle. His last Pay-Per-View appearance for the promotion and a No DQ match against Tetsuya Naito. If they wanted to send him off, they had to do it right. Sure, there was a bit more time left on his contract, but Y/N was given that as paid vacation time, so he could get ready for his new adventures. Right now, the young man had to keep himself calm, sitting against his locker.

Y/N:" One more time, Y/N. You've been on big stages before, had high profile matches and everything. You're the champion and you will perform at that level."

Psyching himself up step by step, Y/N's nervousness slowly subsided when the door opened and he was greeted vy his best friend, Jamie Hayter.

Jamie:" Hey Y/N...uhhh, you good down there?"

Y/N:" Hey Jamie. Yeah, it's fine. Was just stressing about my final match a bit too much."

Jamie:" I always tell you not to, man. C'mon."

Jamie pulled Y/N back to his feet, but also punched his shoulder to remind him just why she gave him such tips.

Y/N:" Yeah, you're definitly still the same moody lady."

Jamie:" Am not!"

Y/N:" You are. There's no use denying it."

Jamie:" Hmpf...Anyways, you and Naito in the main event. Don't kill him too hard out there, okay?"

Y/N:" You're talking to the Loose Cannon of this generation, Jamie. It's gonna get messy out there regardless."

Jamie:" I know. Just don't injure each other. When you're set to go across the globe, you don't wanna deal with injuries."

Y/N:" True, it wouldn't really be a good vibe."

The conversation continued for a goid while as the anxiety fell apart completely. Y/N and Jamie first met when she made her Stardom debut. He was there as a fan with a backstage pass and ever since their first contact, they followed each other on social media and kept up with each other as best as they could.