PART V – THE FROZEN ACE ? (2008–2011)

Winning the SPW World Heavyweight Championship changed Satohiko Hitta forever.

For years, Aisu had climbed every mountain through discipline, honor, and patience. Now he stood alone at the summit. The fans called him 'The Frozen Ace,' believing they were witnessing the greatest wrestler of his generation.

At first, nothing changed. He defended the championship against heavyweights, technicians, brawlers and rising stars alike. Every challenger left with the same realization: the longer the match lasted, the more dangerous Aisu became.

Yet perfection slowly became an obsession. Every successful defense convinced him that SPW needed only one Ace—and that Ace had to remain Aisu.

In 2011, SPW introduced the ICE CROWN LEAGUE.

Aisu defeated Takeshi Ryoma by destroying his right shoulder before forcing him to submit. Then Shinji Arakawa pushed him to the limit for thirty-five exhausting minutes before Aisu reversed a Rain Driver into an Absolute Zero.

He defeated both Kaito Tenzan and Ryu Hayabusa in the next quarter-final.

In the semi-final, he defeated his longtime rival Kuro Oni in one last technical masterpiece, dismantling both of the Black Demon's arms before locking in the Frozen Cross to advance to the final.

The final was against twenty-three-year-old Ren Kaizaki, the hottest young star in Japan. Faster, stronger and fearless, Kaizaki outperformed Aisu throughout the match.

The crowd abandoned the champion and roared for the young prodigy. For the first time in years, Aisu realized that someone might truly replace him as the Ace of SPW.

Near the finish, Kaizaki connected with his finishing Reijin knee strike and nearly won. Moments later, while the referee's attention shifted, Aisu secretly exposed the top turnbuckle. Kaizaki charged, crashed face-first into the exposed steel, and staggered backwards.

The referee saw nothing. Aisu immediately trapped him inside the Frozen Cross. Unconscious, Kaizaki passed out. The arena fell completely silent.

Blue and white confetti poured from the ceiling as Aisu was presented with the enormous Ice Crown trophy. Nobody celebrated. Thousands of fans simply stared in disbelief. The ring announcer handed Aisu a microphone, expecting an explanation.

Slowly, Aisu raised it to his lips. He looked at Kaizaki. Then at the audience. Then at the trophy. Seconds passed. Without saying a single word, he lowered the microphone and let it fall to the mat. The sound echoed through the arena. Aisu lifted the trophy onto his shoulder and walked away beneath deafening boos.

For the first time since his debut in 1995, Japan rejected its greatest hero. The Warrior of Frost had won the tournament but:

The Frozen Ace had lost the trust of an entire nation.

Edited 22 hours ago22 hr by Rust Cohle