Duel at Pier 81

Duel at Pier 81
Previous	Assassination of Christian Blake
Next	Fundraiser at the Van Lunt Building
Date	February 4, 2015
Location	Pier 81 Warehouse, New York City, New York
Result (Outcome)	The death of Nobu Yoshioka Daredevil is injured Foggy Nelson finds out that Matt Murdock is the "Man in the Mask"
Combatants
The "Man in the Mask"
Nobu Yoshioka
Commanders
Matt Murdock
Wilson Fisk
Casualties
-
Nobu Yoshioka

"Thank you, Nobu was becoming an issue, I appreciate you removing him from concern."
"You, you wanted me to do this?!"
"In a perfect world you would have taken each other out, but this isn't a perfect world is it? Not yet."

―Wilson Fisk and Daredevil^[src]

The Duel at Pier 81 was the attempt of Matt Murdock to end the schemes of crime lord Wilson Fisk once and for all. Murdock fought Nobu Yoshioka instead, before engaging Fisk.

Background

"I've heard about all your work in Hell's Kitchen."
"I have heard about yours as well."

―Wilson Fisk and Matt Murdock^[src]

For years, Matt Murdock practiced vigilante justice on the criminals in Hell's Kitchen as the "Masked Man"; however, he never crossed the line to murder, choosing to assault his foes, then leave them for the police.

Wilson Fisk became a crime lord in Hell's Kitchen leading a cartel of criminals. This cartel included the Hand, an organization led by a man calling himself Nobu Yoshioka.

Yoshioka was upset that his asset Black Sky was killed by his foe Stick, but blamed Fisk for the lack of proper security. Fisk insisted that he provided proper security, but the Masked Man was making business difficult. Fisk, in a ploy to be rid of both Yoshioka and the Masked Man, told Yoshioka that his organization should provide a warrior to fight the vigilante.

Stick, when he visited Murdock, taunted him by repeatedly telling him that his choice not to kill was an error. Murdock loved Stick as a father figure and thought highly of his opinion.

Fisk appeared on the television news appearing as a good man who wanted what was best for Hell's Kitchen. This news conference directly contradicted the information that Murdock asked Ben Urich to print in the New York Bulletin newspaper. Since Fisk was heard first, public opinion went his way, much to Murdock's anger.

Elena Cardenas was a kind, elderly tenant in a rent-controlled apartment. Fisk wanted her and her neighbors to leave her building because the Hand wanted that piece of land. Cardenas went to Nelson and Murdock Attorneys at Law to gain help in keeping her home; Foggy Nelson and Karen Page became friends with the woman. Cardenas was killed by Junkie Jake, whom Murdock knew was hired by Fisk. When Murdock found Jake, Jake told him that his employer was on Pier 81.

Duel

"You are a worthy opponent. It is a honor to claim your life."

―Nobu Yoshioka to the Masked Man^[src]

As a ninja, Nobu Yoshioka knew how to slow his heartbeat and lower his body temperature to blend with his surroundings; he quietly waited within a warehouse in Pier 81 for the Masked Man. When Murdock arrived, he thought the warehouse was empty and looked around. He saw the building plans that included Elena Cardenas' Apartment building that were left on the table.

Yoshioka appeared from the shadows; Murdock easily deduced that Yoshioka had lowered his heartbeat. Yoshioka noted that Stick taught Murdock their ways, though Murdock tried to tell him that he was not associated with Stick or his war. Yoshioka, however, pointed out that he still aided him and, regardless of his allegiance, was still a warrior deserving an honorable death. Murdock told Yoshioka that he came searching for Wilson Fisk but decided that he would have to settle for defeating Yoshioka. Yoshioka insisted Murdock show him respect as he just did; Murdock replied that he had to earn it.

The battle began and Yoshioka quickly proved himself the superior fighter, countering and dodging Murdock's blows with ease. He then proceeded to take out his Kyoketsu-shoge and cut Murdock numerous times. Despite this, Murdock managed to get some blows in, impressing Yoshioka, who told Murdock that he is an honorable opponent. He then cut Murdock numerous times before stabbing him and dragging him across the floor. Murdock got up and managed to kick Yoshioka into an oil tank, spilling gasoline over him. Yoshioka went to kill his opponent but Murdock managed to dodge his attack, grab one of his eskrima sticks, and deflect Yoshioka's blade, causing it to hit a light post. The sparks landed on Yoshioka, lighting the gasoline and causing him to be engulfed in flames. Despite this, Yoshioka still proceeded to attack Murdock before succumbing to his wounds.

Aftermath

"I'm gonna kill you."
"Take your shot."

―Daredevil and Wilson Fisk^[src]

Wilson Fisk, James Wesley and Francis entered the warehouse as Nobu Yoshioka burned. Fisk was disappointed that that the two combatants had not killed one another. The Masked Man, though severely injured and bloody, threatened Fisk; instead of allowing Wesley and Francis to shoot him, Fisk beat Murdock mercilessly. Murdock barely escaped and went to his apartment where he fainted from exhaustion.

Foggy Nelson, going to Matt Murdock's Apartment to discuss the death of Elena Cardenas, learned the secret identity of the "Masked Man" and felt hurt and betrayed, to the point of quitting Nelson and Murdock.

For days, due to the injuries he sustained in battle, Murdock did not fight crime in Hell's Kitchen. Claire Temple had to restitch his wounds when he opened them trying to move. During a meditation session, Murdock could not get the beating he sustained from his thoughts.

During the rematch Murdock and Fisk had in the Duel of Hell's Kitchen, Murdock would repeat the words said to him by Fisk.

Yoshioka would later be discovered by Daredevil to be alive and leading the Hand for its next Black Sky.