Episode 6

Kongming, Freestylin (孔明's フリースタイル) is the sixth episode of the Ya Boy Kongming! anime series. It aired on May 5th, 2022.

Summary
At the invitation of Zhuge Kongming, Kabe-Taijin arrives at BB lounge for the Rap Battle event. His past memories stir up after hearing Eiko Tsukimi sing a song from his yesterdays. Encouraged by Kongming, he finally goes up the stage for a rap battle against Kongming. As both Eiko and Sekitoba Kung Fu watch on, will Kabe finally be able to make a comeback?

At the Lounge
Kabe-Taijin arrived at BB Lounge as the rap battle competition is being held. As he sat in front of the bar to order a drink, a few participants recognized him and whisper to themselves. As Owner Kobayashi announces the winner of the previous rap battle, he calls for a break as Eiko Tsukimi entered the stage to sing a popular song from the past. To the astonishment of Kabe-Taijin, the song she sang turned out to be Find the Way, a song he used to like listening to during his high school years, he began to recall the past when he was still a student, listening to his favorite song with his earphones.

Recalling the past
Two of his classmates then approached him, asking him what he was listening to. However, due to his social anxiety and overthinking, he stumbled over his answer which made him sound cold and awkward. The two classmates left him, leaving him lamenting his own uselessness.

Right after, he overhears one of his classmates, Sasaki, getting bullied in the classroom, and empathizes with his situation. He then proceeded to take a recording of the incident. After school, as he was walking on the street, he once again bumped into Sasaki, who was surrounded by a group of hooligan-like figures. Sensing trouble, he quickly took out his phone to record the incident but was surprised to see that Sasaki seemed to be friendly with them. The next day, he asked Sasaki about the incident, and it turned out they were gathering for a Cypher, which then Sasaki introduced Kabe to rap by lending a CD of Sekitoba Kung Fu.

Kabe quickly became immersed in the world of rap, finding it as a way to express himself, something which he was unable to do before. He started joining the ciphers and later, even participated in rap battles.

The Provocation
As Kabe slapped back from his reverie, he started crying and as Eiko's song drew to a close, he stood up to leave, only to have the spotlights shine upon him as he was introduced by Owner Kobayashi to the astonishment of the crowd. Zhuge Kongming is seen sitting on a throne with a golden statue behind it. He then taunts Kabe to take up the challenge, telling him that although he's never been in a rap battle before, he has never lost a battle of wits and never will, which enraged Kabe, who decided to take on the challenge.

As the two prepared for the rap battle, Eiko murmurs to herself about how the winner is decided. Sekitoba Kung Fu then appeared to explain the rules, saying that who could stir up the crowd more would be declared the winner. Kobayashi explained the rap battle will have 3 rounds and 16 bars, with Kabe going first.

Rap Battle - First Round
As DJ SATORI began to drop the beats, Kabe began by claiming he will win this rap battle by style alone, and that he will not lose to a rookie rapper. He also ridiculed Kongming for coming here to recruit him as a Three Kingdom character, telling him to go back to Shu Han or get a real job. Zhuge Kongming then answered by first introducing himself as Zhuge Liang, courtesy name Kongming. He then shot back at Kabe that if he wanted him to go back to Shu Han, he'd need to prepare a time machine. He then continued to claim that he had won many battles of wits, arguing that Kabe has not the courage nor the spirit of staking his all to this battle. If Kabe wanted to win, he'll need to prepare himself to face real battles, but if his stomach ache is bothering him, then he should just leave the stage.

Kongming's lines earned him some jeers as there were bars that didn't stick to the rhyme, while Eiko kept cheering him on.

Rap Battle - Second Round
Kabe answered by claiming that his talk about battles and willpower is useless, and only his passion for freestyling is what counts in this battle. He reminded Kongming that he is the three times DRB champion and he could totally crush him, telling him his rap is what's called rhyming, and there is a substantial gap in technique between them.

Eiko lamented that things were going bad as Kongming was not only battling Kabe, but also the crowd who were on his side. Kongming then shot back by claiming if he had resolve, he would never had turned his back from the stage. He then referred to the Art of War, stating that saints learn from divination, sages learn from the laws of the land and the wise learn from history, differentiating those who succeed and fail. Countering that Kabe's reliance on passion alone is what caused him to lose himself in his own emotions, concluding that the 'Kabe Process' has fatal flaws.

At this point, the crowd pointed out that Kongming was beginning to rhyme to the beat. The sentiment began to start shifting to Kongming at this point.

Rap Battle - Third Round
In the third round, Kabe began by stating that even as he plans to give up, he could still bust out rhymes and he would definitely win this battle which is going to be his last. A baby phoenix then appears behind him as he ran towards the stage. He claimed that his favourite character in the Records of the Three Kingdoms is Guan Yu and ridiculed Kongming as merely a good actor, ridiculing his claim that he is someone already dead.

While the crowd cheers on and Eiko began to worry if Kongming could fight back, Sekitoba Kung Fu is amazed that Kongming was able to taunt Kabe to walk onto the stage, deducing that it was Kongming's words that caused him to do so.

Kongming then countered that the thing worse than known ignorance is unknown ignorance. He then referenced Sun Tzu's Art of War "Army on the March" and explained that when an army is on the defensive, that means they have the high ground. However, if one army was provoking the other side, that means they were desperate for the enemy to advance. The fact that Kabe tried to provoke him by going on stage meant that he was unable to checkmate Kongming and there was truth in his words, and he is seeking validation from a rookie rapper like him. A dragon then appeared behind Kongming as he claimed that he has a gift prepared for him - punishment and reward.

The crowd started murmuring how convincing those lines were and even Sekitoba Kung Fu was amazed, asking who that guy is, to which Eiko proudly proclaims, 'He is my tactician!'.

Owner Kobayashi then asks the crowd to decide the winner, to which it came to a draw and the battle will enter into extra time, which will be carried out with 3 rounds and 16 bars each, with Kongming going first.

Extra Time - First Round
As the battle goes to extra time, Sekitoba Kung Fu pointed out Kabe won't lose based on his skill, which earned him a diss from Eiko. But Sekitoba also conceded that no one knows what could happen during extra time.

Kobayashi then asked DJ SATORI to begin kicking the beats. Kongming began by stating how his experience in formulating strategies has made him able to see through people's intentions and asked Kabe why he's still battling even though he said he's given up rap. If Kabe could answer him, he'll give him a glass of shandygaff. But if he's unable to answer, then today's rap will be his last. He concluded by saying he doesn't intend to return home as there was nothing waiting for him back there. A stand of Jiang Wei can be seen behind Kongming at this point.

Kabe then countered by saying he doesn't need his shandygaff, explaining the reason he accepted this battle is because he couldn't stand how Kongming was claiming himself to be a rap rookie but defiling hip-hop. He brought out how Kongming had once executed his apprentice Ma Su, and stated that would never happen if it was under his helm, and that Kongming was going to repeat a costly mistake. A stand of Zhao Yun then appears behind Kabe.

Extra Time - Second Round
Kongming then countered by saying that Kabe's strict with others but not himself, and that both Ma Su and Kabe were committing the same mistakes. He admitted that he ordered the execution of Ma Su and was devastated about it, and Kabe's problem was that he was escaping from his problems. Kongming explained that they both had talent but were unable to listen to counsel, which caused their downfall. He urged Kabe to more introspection, saying that, unlike Ma Su, he is still alive and could still turn things around. By this time, both Zhao Yun and Jiang Wei are fighting on behalf of Kabe and Kongming.

Kabe then dismissed Kongming by pointing out that he's been off beat the whole night and he's shaken after Ma Su was brought up. While Kabe was kicking our bars like a wave in the BB Lounge, Kongming himself was left queasy. He stated that giving up rap is his own decision and he already told him that a few times and that Kongming is not listening and is being stubborn. He's already a three-time champion, so it's time to move on and totally rebuild himself like the Perestroika.

By this time, Sekitoba Kung Fu pointed out that Kabe had already won, but Eiko believes that Kongming still has more tricks up his sleeve.

Extra Time - Third Round
Kongming then began to recite a poem in Nineteen Old Poems, Those who depart become distant by the day,

Those who arrive become familiar by the day,

exit the castle gate and look upon the dead,

all there is are mounds and graves.

Old tombs become rice fields,

pine and cypress become firewood.

A mournful wind ruffles the white poplars,

the dreariness wrenches the heart.

How I wish to return to my homeland,

''but homeland? there is no more.''   While Eiko was confused by the poem, Sekitoba Kung Fu explained the meaning behind the poem, that the living is better remembered compared to the dead, and even graves will one day be covered up and become rice fields. While Kongming wishes to return to his homeland, there is no place for him to return to. Kabe then laments that he is the same, that he is unable to return to the days when he could freely enjoy rap. But Kongming, seemingly reading his mind, pointed out that he doesn't wish to return to the past anymore, because he has found his songstress in life and he is looking towards the future, and asked Kabe to join him together to see the future.

Kabe, finally touched by his words, began his final rap. Stating that he's finally feeling the fire burning in him and that he was grateful for all the support he's got and doesn't intend to quit rapping anymore and will remain on the stage to write his new classic.

His final bar earned the applause of the crowd. After some hesitation, Kobayashi asked for Kongming's advice, to which he gave the go-ahead for him to announce Kabe as the winner.

Kabe tried to argue that he flubbed his response, but Kongming interrupted him by asking if he felt any stomach pain, to which Kabe, to his amazement, realize it wasn't hurting anymore. The rap battle ended with Kobyashi announcing drinks on the house.

Conclusion
At the office, Eiko whispered to Kongming, asking him that since he was defeated, does that mean they couldn't recruit Kabe? To which Kongming replied there's nothing he could do. Kongming then proceeded to ask Kabe what his wish was. Kabe replied that he wanted 100 million yen, to which Kongmign agreed.

Kabe immediately interrupted by saying he wasn't serious, and that he already got what he wished for - which is to be able to return to the stage. Kongming praised him for finally has a steeled resolve. But it is then pointed out that it was all Kongming's plan. Kongming, together with Eiko's No. 1 Fan, had been visiting clubs all over Shibuya to gain intel on Kabe, tracing a song that linked to his past. He also requested the bartender to add his stomach medicine into Kabe's cocktail to ease his stomach ulcer.

Kongming then feinted ignorance by once again asking Kabe to join them in the quest for world peace via Eiko's music, to which Kabe agreed.

Featured Music

 * 'Find the Way' Sung by 96Neko

Characters

 * 1) Zhuge Kongming
 * 2) Eiko Tsukimi
 * 3) Owner Kobayashi
 * 4) Part-timer
 * 5) Kabe-Taijin
 * 6) Sekitoba Kung Fu

Trivia
In the rap battle, Kongming made several references to Sun Tzu's Art of War:

In the last round, Kongming recited a poem from the Nineteen Old Poems, which consisted of 19 poems collected during the Han Dynasty.
 * "When the enemy is close at hand and remains quiet, he is relying on the natural strength of his position. When he keeps aloof and tries to provoke a battle, he is anxious for the other side to advance." Army on the March, The Art of War

Three Kingdoms References

 * During the rap battle, a phoenix is seen behind Kabe-Taijin, while Kongming is pictured with a dragon. In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Baby Phoenix is a reference to the strategist Pang Tong, who was known together with Zhuge Kongming, who was known as the sleeping dragon.


 * During the rap battle, Jiang Wei and Zhao Yun were seen to represent Kongming and Kabe respectively. In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the only time these two generals battled each other was during The Shu's Northern Expedition against Wei. At that time, Zhao Yun was an old veteran who never lost a battle, while Jiang Wei was an unknown rising star on the battlefield who managed to fight off Zhao Yun to everyone's surprise. This corresponds to Kabe, who is rap veteran, while Kongming was an unknown entity at the time.
 * Zhuge Kongming claimed himself to be an expert in the battle of wits. In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he once killed an enemy officer by scolding him to death.