While this year was the year of the Biannual International Animalia Convention, the summer hadn't come yet. While it included a martial arts showcase and tournament, there was a smaller one that was considered part of the Lunar New Year Celebrations. But because there was one included in the IAC, the Year of the Pig Martial Arts Showcase was considerably smaller. But that didn't mean that it wasn't as fun as it would otherwise be.
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While the pig Animalians studied a martial arts style some would call "Brick-wall" style, which emphasized both taking punishment and delivering it, they weren't the only ones in the showcase. The Five Elements were also demonstrating their own styles, while Liao was demonstrating Kalarippayattu. While some were more focused on certain features than others, Liao's demonstration of Kalarippayattu left a lot of people nervous.
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Tom and Jerry, from the GGAC, were offering color commentary on several martial arts feats, but the way they were doing it was amusing enough for several "eastern" visitors to ignore how they were mangling "proverbs of wisdom", as they were called.
"This is Rabbit Shikamatsu family." said Tom at one such feat, "They have kept the family samurai sword from the Golden Age of Feudal Japan."
"But in tradition of Feudal Japan," said Jerry, "They will test their sword to see how many bodies their blade can cut through. But because of no condemned criminals being available at this time (and in Lunar New Year festival spirit), we are using four readily available pig carcasses, stacked one on top of the other."
"Because pig tissue is very similar to human tissue, (and is readily available), most surgeons in training use pig flesh to learn how to suture and operate." said Tom. "And because of that, all pig carcasses are later sent to the kitchens for food. Might be ethical, I don't know."
"But how many pigs do you think the Shikamatsu Family honor blade will cut through?" said Jerry, "Will it be: A: 1; B: 2; C: 3; or D: 4?"
"Place Your Bets NOW!" said Tom. After that, Jerry said something that sounded like a cross between auction chatter and encouragement to bet on the outcome. This continued until Tom said simply "Shut up!"
"Okay then." said Jerry, "Betting ends!"
At that, Mrs. Shikamatsu got the blade ready, doing her best not to laugh at Tom and Jerry's commentary, especially the "Tension mounting." line. When she felt that the 'tension' had got to the right point, (and couldn't contain her laughter anymore) she drove the blade through the stack of pig carcasses.
"Oh my! Oh my!" said Jerry, "Good pig punishment!"
"If you bet that the Shikamatsu Family Honor Blade would successfully cut through three pig carcasses, then congratulations!" said Tom, "Glory and honor know your name, and would like to go for a drink with you sometime."
"That's not how the saying goes." said Shao Xua, trying and failing to stifle a laugh.
"I think Banzai might have not gained a lot of viewers if it wasn't for the color commentary." said the person sitting next to him.