Summary
Sakaki Shio, a towering figure standing at 192cm and weighing 110kg, first appeared in Battle 7. As a 29-to-30-year-old Dou practitioner wielding the Katsujin Ken philosophy, he is a master of Ryozanpaku and an infamously skilled karateka specializing in the Mutenkendoku style. Though initially resistant to taking students, he has gradually warmed to Kenichi, often worrying about him more than he lets on while maintaining a tough exterior. Despite his reputation as the "100-Dan Street Brawler," Sakaki is arguably the most normal among the masters, though his intimidating presence often goes unnoticed by him. He is arrogant, violent, and a heavy drinker, yet possesses a hidden kind and caring nature that he fails to conceal effectively. He is hot-blooded and short-tempered, which makes him a poor liar, a trait Kenichi once pointed out. Paradoxically, he suffers from severe stage fright and becomes flustered when put in the spotlight, such as during a parent-teacher interview where he posed as Miu’s father or when tasked with training young children. His initial intimidation caused the children to cry, but he eventually won them over, remembering their names and earning their affection. Sakaki’s training of Kenichi is the most supportive among the masters, driven by a desire to push the boy to his limits. He shows genuine concern for Kenichi’s well-being after fights and is visibly moved by the boy’s growth, often rubbing his finger under his nose in approval. In his youth, Sakaki trained under a Sei-type master who was a member of Yami. The master sought to teach him the "true styles of karate" so Sakaki could join Yami, but Sakaki refused to kill, straining their relationship. He also formed a strong rivalry and friendship with Hongou Akira, engaging in frequent matches and crime-fighting. During his late teens, he met Suzuki Hajime, who insisted on becoming his disciple despite Sakaki’s refusal. After Suzuki saved Hongou from thugs, Sakaki and Hongou respected him, and Suzuki often refereed their matches, resulting in a tied score of 125 wins each.
