Round 4: Marshall Law vs Heihachi Mishima & Crow vs Bogdan Dragunov

Jouzhou Yuan Temple, Fujian Province, China…

Two days have passed since Round 3 concluded in the Five Elder Tournament. Hide aka Crow began to meditate even more as his disciple Urenna had informed him that the Five Elders decided that he would be the one to fight Bogdan Dragunov. This opportunity couldn't have been any better for his investigation. Crow vowed to defeat Bogdan and make the Russian tell him everything he knows about Cain's whereabouts. And if Bogdan wouldn't squeal, then both he and Urenna would confront Kang Yinjie instead.

It was 9 AM as a new crowd gathered around the stadium for the next two fights. The skies were rather cloudly, but no rain in the forecast. Urenna was right there with her master as the two on them started walking towards the courtyard leading up to the arena. Crow's fight was after the one between Marshall Law and Heihachi Mishima. The ninjas could see Heihachi surrounded by his entourage of bodyguards and businessmen walking around him as he gleefully entered the courtyard. He got more boos than cheers from the spectators, but they were wise not throw any physical objects in his direction.

Urenna: "Hey master, do you think this Marshall Law has a chance at Heihachi?"

Crow: "It remains to be seen. The kid certainly has talent to overcome Heihachi's fighting style. The question remains, can he remain standing against Heihachi's might and unparalled ki?"

Urenna (Sensing Marshall Law's ki.) "I can sense Law coming, but I just don't know if he will have the power to stop Heihachi."

Crow: "Wang Jinrei seems to like him. So we will know soon enough."

Urenna: "Where is Bogdan and Kang? Are they not here yet?"

Crow: "They will come. Kang Yinjie is the most ambitious of the Five Elders. If they are not here yet, then it must something important they are discussing or even hiding from the public view."

Urenna: "They better come." (Clutching her fist tight.)

The time now was 9:30 in the morning. Marshall Law approached the ring right after Heihachi did. The two fighters faced each other within 10 feet apart from each other. At the front stage, Kang Yinjie was still not present for viewing this fight yet. The remaining Elders were present as one of them gave the official the signal to commence the semifinal rounds.

The gong sounds off…

Marshall Law did not say anything to Heihachi, but he casually got in his fight stance. Heihachi would not take this young guy likely. It was no luck that Law made it this far in the tournament. Heihachi also took his stance and gave Law a smug look motioning the young man to come at him. But Law shook his head no. This quickly annoyed Heihachi, to where he did a more obvious gesture to come attack him. Again Law said no, this time he stood back and did the same gesture at Heihachi! The crowd cheered in unison! Urenna was watching the match on her own back at the roof section of the front stage pavilion.

Urenna: "I have to admit. That Law guy is charismatic as well as clever."

So Heihachi eventually grew more annoyed at the crowd's obvious favor towards Law and proceeded to go on the offensive. Heihachi threw wild strikes of hammerfists, backfists, and open hand attack at Law as he dodged them all without blocking. With fast precision, Law hits Heihachi on the side of face with a backfist of his own. Heihachi slightly backpealed a bit. He was surprised that he didn't see Law's quick hand connect his jawbone.

Law: "Hhhhhwwwwaaaahhhhh!"

Crowd cheering in Law's favor…

Heihachi: "Hmph. You just have speed! Nothing I can't overcome! Ggggggeeeeyyyyaaaaa!"

Heihachi quickly got in a middle stance to charge up his ki. This would increase his speed and power. Then he rapidly did his patened Twin Demon Fist aiming for both the head and the stomach. Law blocked both fists with his arms, but the shockwave of the electricity embebbed in Heihachi's arms made Law open his defense. Then Heihachi gets Laws with an upset double twin punch right into the chest arm. Heihachi then spin sidekicks Law in the same area, knocking him down. Law did not stay down for long, but he was hurt by that combo.

Urenna (Looking on.): "That was powerful and Heihachi increased his speed so easily!"

Law (yelling.): "Hhhhhhoooooooo!"

From there, this fight became incredible to watch with Heihachi and Law trading blows on each other. This exchange lasted for two minutes as the crowds were yelling in excitement. Both men had brusies scattered across their bodies and faces. Then a decisive moment came in the fight. Heihachi caught Marshall's fist aiming at his stomach area. Marshall was surprised since he was trying to weaken Heihachi's defenses by deliberately hitting his arms. Heihachi, with his big hand began to squeeze Marshall's fist. The young man could not escape his grip as he felt pain. Marshall almost went down on one knee. Then Heihachi headbutts him! Marshall's head went down as he almost fell down face flat, but Heihachi grabs his hair instead. Then Heihachi took his head under his thights. This unpleasant sight was going to get a lot worse for Law.

Urenna: "No! Not that move again!"

It was that move again. Heihachi picks up Marshall Law by the waist and he leaped in mid air high off the ring. Then he picks up Marshall above his head, slamming the young man into the dirt outside the ring! The impact easily knocked out Marshall for good. The crowd was stunned once again by Heihachi's might.

Heihachi: "Hmph! He was just a showoff!"

Urenna (Looks on.): "Damn! How can master fight someone like him! It's like he's not even human!"

Most of the Five Elders were disappointed in the outcome of the match. Marshall Law was definitely out cold after that slam by Heihachi. Wang Jinrei could only shake his head in disappointment. Kang Yinjie has just returned to the front stage to join the rest of the elders. He had missed the outcome of the fight and noticed Heihachi was celebrating, ignoring the boos from the crowd. Guan Ou Yang of the Five Elders made the announcement of the winner of the match.

Guan Ou Yang: "Heihachi Mishima wins! Congratulations on making it to the final match! You are dismissed!"

Heihachi: "Heh! I told you I would make it!" (Walking off proudly while laughing.)

Urenna: "Dammit! I hope Hide will be alright fighting this other guy, Bogdan. He's a real monster too."

After some time passes, the second match between Bogdan Dragunov vs Crow begins…

The second fight in the semifinals for the Five Elder Tournament is about to begin. Hide did not witness the last fight, for he simply meditated back at the courtyard gazebo. Based on the noise outside, it sounded like Heihachi did win his match. It ended more quickly than Hide anticipated. Nevertheless he was ready to go onto the platform.

Not too long after Hide stepped into the platform, Bogdan Dragunov's name was called and he was approaching withough wearing a shirt and only wearing his combat pants and training shoes. Judging by his demeanor, Hide decuded that Bogdan wanted to give him a disadvantage by wrestling instead of doing a blow for blow fight. Bogdan's eerie blue eyes stared right at Hide looking down at him once he stopped walking. Bogdan remained there like a statue until Guan Ou Yang commenced the match.

Guan Ou Yang: "Let the second contest begin!"

Urenna (Back on the rooftop after a restroom break.) "It's about to begin."

Gong hits…

Hide assumed his stance first and then Bogdan followed suit. They both move their feet little by little. Bogdan's plan was really straightforward. Attack at full speed and pounce on Crow to pin him down as fast as possible. If he missed, he can gather himself and wait for Crow to be more aggressive to find that opening to grab. Hide was a patient guy. He would not be clumsly against Bogdan since he knew the guy was smarter than he looked in fighting. He just kept his distance against Bogdan's slow advancement towards him. The crowd was getting annoyed by their hesitance as they began booing. Another long minute passed, and Bogdan finally decided it was go time.

Hide aka Crow immediately did a somersault over Bogdan's head as he rushed in to tackle him. After landing on the ground, Hide immediately dashed forward and did a three hit combo on Bogdan, but the guy didn't drop at all! Bogdan rushed at him again, but Hide cartwheels out of the way and re entered in his stance. Bogdan looked at him with another serious look and continued to come after him. Hide was hitting at Bogdan with every swipe the Russian was throwing at him, but Bogdan's pain threshold proved to be much better than Hide aniticipated. Hide then did a sweep kick strong enough to trip Bogdan as he fell on his back. Performing a corkscrew style maneuver in the air, Hide tried to kick Bogdan in the solar flexus but, Bogdan caught the leg and he tossed the ninja over even with his back on the platform ring! Hide hit the deck rolling a bunch of times before stopping near the edge of the ring.

Urenna: "Master!" (She was getting concerned by the flow of the match.)

Hide was back on his feet, but Bogdan jumped after him. But again, the Russian missed him because Hide used an after image jutsu at the last second. Coming right above his head, Hide stomps Bogdan on the upper part of his back, as the ninja's weight and forces of gravity slams the Russian into the platform hard. Hide hops away to see his opponent down. The crowd was amazed by this maneuver. It looked like magic to them. But then…

A spectator yells: "He's getting up!"

Bogdan steadily rose back up, brushing off the small pieces of tile that got stuck on his face. Then his expression changed to a more menacing look. But he still said nothing. This man was proving to be more quiet and scary than Hide was. The Russian boldy walked towards Hide. Hide obliged to attack with his patented Crusader palm strike. Hide rushes in and makes a direct hit at Bogdan's torso. The Russian grimaced in pain but he only budged a few inches. Hide couldn't believe he was still standing after a direct hit! Then Bogdan gave a hard chop at Hide's neck! The ninja went down, nearly passing out from the nasty hit!

Urenna: "Noooo!" (She quickly closes her mouth, realizing people might spot her watching the fight from above the front stage pavilion.)

Bogdan cracked his neck on both sides as he viewed his opponent dazed from the strong hit he inflicted. Then he grabs Hide by the back on his shirt and impressively picks him up with just his left hand. After Bogdan let go of Hide's shirt, he knees him dead in his stomach! Hide dropped and rolled over in pain. Urenna from her point of view grew even more worried. Bogdan was much stronger than she anticipated.

Hide: "Uggghhh!"

Bogdan was ready to end this fight before the ninja could pull another stunt. He soccerball style kicks Hide in the face making him roll all the way to the edge of the ring facing the front pavilion. Hide wasn't moving anymore. The Five Elders looked on as Bogdan picked up Hide by his neck once more. Then Bogdan puts Hide over his head now holding him with both hands. With this move, he would break the ninja's back with another knee bash! Urenna could see Hide was still unconscious. She screamed out his name so loud that everyone in the crowd could hear her!

Urenna: "Hhhhhhiiiiiddddeeeee!"

The noise of Urenna's voice, surprised everyone, including Bogdan. The Five Elders had no idea where that noise came from, but some spectators were pointing at the roof. Urenna gave away her position! And yet, once Bogdan's attention got distracted, Hide somehow awoke from his slumber and escaped from his position!

By the time Bogdan realized that Hide left his grasp. He took a direct chin hit from Hide's upper Crusader palm strike! Backing away with his mouth bleeding, Hide then did a 4 hit combo ending with a strong spinning hook kick on Bodgan's jawbone. The Russian spun around until Hide teleported from behind booting the large man in the air using 2 feet using the ground as leverage. Then Hide teleported high in the air again until he could Bogdan from his back and arms until gravity gave Hide enough force to smash Bogdan's head into the platform! Everyone was stunned. Yet after the slam, Hide collapsed on one knee, still holding his bleeding nose. Bogdan's head was stuck inside the ring's titles. He wasn't getting back up from that attack. Guan Ou Yang declared this match to be over.

Guan Ou Yang: "The winner is Crow of the Shika ryu Style!"

Though Hide had won the match, his face was disfigured with some scars and a bloody nose. Bogdan was unconscious, so he couldn't make him talk right away. Then the medics came for Bogdan and also checked on Hide's face. But Hide's concern was Urenna, where did she go?

Later into the night…

After getting treated for his nose, Hide slept in his bunker at the medical tent once more. In the middle of night Urenna had finally returned after fleeing the temple. She did not want to get caught by the guards or staff of the temple, so she had to infiltrate inside the tent very carefully. Hearing some noise under the tent, Hide opened his eyes. Then he could sense Urenna's prescene as she enters his medical space through the curtains.

Urenna: "Master?"

Hide: "Urenna, there you are. What happened to you? Where did you go?"

Urenna: "I am so sorry master! I…I gave myself away at the tournament when you fought that monster! I…I got scared and I shouted your name so loud! Please please forgive me!" (Bows.)

Hide (sighs): "Well…it was a spur of the moment. I should be disappointed because you could have gotten both of us captured by the police. But since they can't trace you to me yet, we were fortunate that you ran away by the time my fight ended. I also must say, if you didn't scream so loudly, I don't believe I would have won that fight against Bogdan. For that, I am glad you woke me up." (Rare laugh.)

Urenna (Raising her head.): "Master?"

Hide: "Stand up. You don't need to be worried. But I wonder should I skip this next fight."

Urenna: "You mean the final matchup against Heihachi?"

Hide: "Yes. Zhang Tsai may not appreciate me forfeiting the match, but Heihachi Mishima is not our priority. If I didn't have a busted nose, I could have questioned Bogdan about Cain."

Urenna: "I can still do it. Please master!"

Hide: "Do you even know where Bogdan is? I heard he is not here in this tent. I don't know where he is now."

Urenna: "I can track him down. Find out if he is still in China. If he left for Russia, then our main lead is back to Kang."

Hide: "Kang is still too dangerous for you. Again, I tell you not to fight him, only figure out clues as to where Cain could be."

Urenna: "I understand Master. I will not take him on again."

Hide: "Communicate with me through the pager. I will stay here until I am medically cleared by the doctors. Then I will tell Zhang Tsai my plans."

Urenna: "So you are going to forfeit?"

Hide: "Most likely."

Urenna (Nods): "I see. Then I will go and find out more information."

Hide: "Very well. Be careful."