Round Two

Jouzhou Yuan Temple, Fujian Province, China…

The second round of the Five Elder tournament was underway. 16 competitors remain in the contest. The first fight included Wen Yungi versus the top fighter from Taiwan, Ruan Zixuan. The second fight had Baek Doo San's own father, one of the best Taekwondo fighters in South Korea, Wook Doo San versus the recent American Kickboxing champion Danny Evers. The third fight. Heihachi Mishima versus Tianjin native Meng Su, a former Assassin but very skilled in pressure points using the Monkey Style. The fourth match, Leroy Smith versus Scorpion style expert Hongwei (aka Red Tail). Hide (aka Crow) will partake in the fifth match against Tien Shan Pai expert Shireng Qi. Match six, Bogdan Dragunov versus Mongolian wrestler Mutugen. Matches seven and eight had the remaining 4 fighters still in the tournament.

Urenna was told by Hide to keep watch on Bogdan and his men at least until her master would fight. She needed to stay hidden so that way none of the men would spot her. Bogdan did talk with his sponsor, Kang Yingjie during the first match of round two, but no mention of Cain. Wen Yungi fought a strong match against Ruan Zixuan. After 10 minutes of fighting, Wen Yungi manage to puncture the side of Ruan's neck and then he knocked him out with a knee strike right at the mid section. The crowd was impressed by Wen's striking abilities. The paramedics came and immediately took the bleeding Ruan out of the platform.

The second fight was just as exciting as the first one. Danny Evers was having the upper hand against the smaller Wook Doo San with his constant clinching and knee strikes. It wasn't until the thirteenth minute that Wook Doo San managed to use a sneaky move by breaking the toes of Danny Evers with his heel. Wook then knocks out Danny with an incredible 540 style roundhouse kick. The side of Danny's jaw got dislocated as a result. The crowd was yelling with glee over that highlight.

Fight three was highly anticipated. The infamous Heihachi Mishima took on another infamous figure, Meng Su, although the latter was given cheers much to his surprise. Meng Su received a huge round of applause as he entered the platform after Heihachi got booed, but no one dare throw trash at Heihachi. That is if they wanted to keep living. Of course, Meng Su did a bunch of moves to entertain the crowd and to get under Heihachi's nerves which seemed to be working. However by the time the gong was rung for the match to begin, it was clear that Heihachi would not allow any foolishness from this elder man.

The Monkey master did various acrobatics around Heihachi as he was quick on his toes, but the best Meng Su could do was puncture the dense muscles of Heihachi's arms. The pinches of the man's fingernails were irritating to Heihachi. They only felt like antbites. Meng Su had no way to stop Heihachi without any weapons. So to change the course of the battle, Heihachi took a strong middle stance and then he punched the platform with a right hand as hard as he could, shaking the ground temporarily. This made Meng Su fall flat on his face. Once he got up, Heihachi caught him with a left handed Demon Uppercut. The punch knocked Meng Su high in the sky. Heihachi jumped high in the air catching Meng Su's torso. Then Heihachi executed an aerial power bomb! The impact broke Meng Su's upper backbones! There was no way he would get back up after such a powerful slam. The crowd was stunned. Heihachi had won the fight with ease.

Heihachi (Leaving the platform dissatisfied.) "Hmph. Isn't there someone stronger around? This is child's play."

Urenna (Not watching the fight, but she could hear the commotion of the courtyard from her position nearby.): "Whoa! Was that Heihachi's doing? Unbelieveable!"

Then came the fourth match. Leroy Smith stepped into the arena not really paying attention to the mix reactions coming from the crowd. They were not as negative towards him since he was well adapted to the Chinese martial arts. This was proven in his first match. Leroy's opponent, however, was no pushover. Hongwei entered this contest before and nearly made it into the Semi Finals 4 years ago, but lost. He did not want to lose again.

The gong set off, and the two men exchanged hand strikes. This exchange of hand techniques lasted for a long 3 minutes, until Hongwei decided to change his pace and at the right moment connecting at Leroy's midsection with a sneaky front snap kick. Leroy let his defenses down as Hongwei executed one of his patened techniques called the Scorpion's Spear. It was a series of hand strikes aiming for the nerves of Leroy's upper body. Leroy hit the platform for he was down, but was he down for a long time. The countdown commenced. Some of the Five Elders stood up in curiousty after that exchange, but Wang Jinrei stayed seated. He knew Leroy wouldn't be down that easy even though Hongwei was a worthy opponent. After nine seconds of countdown, Leroy rose back up. Although he spat out some blood from his mouth.

Hongwei: "You should have stayed down outsider!"

Leroy: "Is that all you got?"

Hongwei: "What?"

Leroy: "Come on." (In stance.)

Hongwei: "You fool! I'll punish you!"

Hongwei threw a quick spearhand aiming for Leroy's chest but the Wing Chun expert blocked it with ease and countered with three consecutive punches to the face of Hongwei! The man pedals back not only in pain, but in shock too! That attack was too predictable for Leroy. How could Leroy move when his nervous system was attacked up front, Hongwei thought. The answer to that Leroy would not give so easily, but now Hongwei found himself desperate. Every time he used his hand attacks, Leroy countered them all giving Hongwei back combo after combo of punches. When Leroy was finally satisfied in tearing down Hongwei's defenses, he would give him his way of shutting down a man's nervous system. Even with some mercy. Leroy calmly approached Hongwei close up with his right hand nearly one inch away at the man's stomach.

Leroy: "It's all over na."

Boom…

With Leroy's one inch punch, Hongwei went down like a chopped tree cut off! He hit the platform softly, but not moving a muscle. The crowd got real quiet like the last fight. They wondered what technique was that just now? But the Five Elders knew it. They just could not believe a foreigner could understand the concept of the one inch punch. Wang Jinrei especially had a rare big grin on his face.

Wang Jinrei (Thinking): "So you managed to figure out that famous technique by Ip Man himself. I believe you are ready to conquer your demons now Leroy. Well done."

The crowd finally went crazy once Leroy was declared the winner. Even Leroy had to chuckle at himself. He did not know if he could pull off that technique again, but to have it actually work was something that Leroy will continue to master.

Soon, it would be time for Hide's next fight. Urenna actually watched that last night. These guys were amazing in her mind. She was actually worried about Hide as she started to look for him inside the temple. There he was, sitting in a corner just meditating within the shadows. He could already sense his pupil's presence due to her running and heightened ki being elevated out of fear.

Hide: "What is it?"

Urenna: "Master?"

Hide: "Did you find out anything?"

Urenna: "About Cain? No."

Hide: "Or is it time for my match?"

Urenna: "Yes, that man with the dreadlocks won his fight. So yours is up next."

Hide (Standing Up.): "Very well then."

Hide was already out of the temple once the temple monk advised him about his fight coming up. Hide ignored his words as he walked into the courtyard facing a wild crowd. Urenna quickly rushed to Hide before he climbed the small staircase heading for the platform. She wanted him to be careful out there.

Urenna: "Master! You got this but be careful!"

Hide: "I thank you Urenna. Now you need to get back in your position. Too many eyes are on us."

Urenna: "Right. Understood."

Once Hide stepped into the arena, the crowd gave him the same reaction as Leroy given that he was Japanese and maybe something else too. His opponent received a lot of cheers despite being a newcomer in this tournament. Shireng Qi's introduction was more positive. He was a special talent using a more modern Chinese Martial Art called Tien Shan Pei. Qi was his own sponsor for that would spread the name of his martial art across the world not just China. Qi looked forward to fighting Hide, for he had never fought a real ninja before. He thought the ninja were just a myth. So Qi enterting the platform greeted Hide rather cheerfully despite the noises from the crowd.

Qi: "Tell me your name before we fight! So I can thank you later win or lose!"

Hide: "I don't give my name to anyone."

Qi: "Oh…that's right! Ninjas do not reveal their identity! I guess I have to call you 'Crow' like the announcer said! Let's have an honest fight!"

Hide (In Stance.): "Indeed."

Gong sounds off…

The two fighters were in stance but neither guy made a move. They were too busy watching each other. Hide never saw this guy fight, while Shireng Qi did watch Hide fight Aksel. So Qi knew some of Hide's techniques but was the ninja hiding more from him? After five minutes of stalling Qi finally made his move. Qi threw a series of combos at Hide as the ninja blocked and countered but Qi did the same. Hide then teleported and tried to get behind Qi, but Qi miraculously read his attack. Qi used his own bald head to block Hide's backfist which surprised the ninja. Shireng Qi hit Hide in the abdominals with a back elbow and then hit Hide in the face with a spinning hook kick. Hide staggered around as a result. Urenna looked on from the pavilion rooftop and was surprised that this guy was gaining the upper hand. Qi finished up his combo with a Charging Wave Fist. The attack hit Hide in the chest as his body slides onto the platform as a result. The crowd went wild.

Urenna: "No! Get up Master!"

Hide (Rising up.): "Not bad."

With a smirk on his face Qi went on the offense again, thinking he could hit Hide off the platform. Hide did not let him have that chance as he teleported again. Qi stopped in his tracks but he could not sense Hide's ki fast enough as the ninja reappeared right in front of him. Hide struck Qi in the chin with a palm attack and then knocked the Chinese man off his feet with a cartwheel style side kick. Qi hit the platform rolling over several times. Hide kept the fight going when he tried to slide trip Qi but Qi surprised him again when he regained his footing and did a somersault avoiding the sweep attack from Hide. After landing Qi went after Hide and caught the ninja with the Kodomo Dragon Toss, a throwing technique with started from the back and ending with Hide getting thrown over Qi's head. The ninja hit the deck face first. Now Hide was in some pain and even a little embarrassed afterwards. This Qi guy was stronger than he looked. Hide would not be outdone however.

Qi: "Back on your feet again? Good!"

Qi was really enjoying himself in this fight facing such an unpredictable opponent. So Qi went even harder at Hide with another Charging Wave Fist. Hide saw this attack once before and easily caught Qi's left fist. The same basic move won't work on a ninja like him twice. Hide then hit Qi with 12 consecutive strikes into Qi's upper body before using the patenend Salamander Throw to give Qi a taste of his own way of punishment. Qi hit the platform hard back first. Now he was coughing blood. That ninja was holding back? Qi knew he was in trouble now. Urenna got excited after seeing Hide getting control of this fight now.

Urenna: "Alright!"

Hide (Performing one of his arts.): "Rin-Pyoh-To-Sha-Kai-Jin-Retsu-Zai-Zen!"

Qi (Back of his feet.): "Shhhhhaaaaa!" (Powering up.)

Qi did not know what Hide was doing by chanting, but he would not let the ninja disappear from him again. Qi would use one of his strongest moves against the ninja, the Arrowsbane Kick (A Butterfly Twist Roundhouse kick). Qi did two round offs and leaped in midair to perform such a move. Hide still stood there and he got hit by Qi's kick! The ninja went down on the platform hard! Or did he?

Qi: "What? Uuuuuu!"

Hide reappeared before Qi, but not as one person but two people! Hide and his clone attacked Qi with a total of 30 hits all around his body. Then the clone disappeared as Hide stood still to Qi's left just watching him with caution. Qi was paralyzed by the hits because his ki was nullified by the ninja's precise hits. Qi's body gave out as he collapsed on the platform ring. No way Qi would get back up from that attack. The crowd was in awe.

The Gong hits…

Announcer: "Winner! Crow of the Shika-ryu Style!"

Urenna (Clapping): "That was great! Way to do it Master!"

At the medical tent behind the back side of the Temple…

Urenna: "Are you okay Master? That was a good fight! But you had me nervous there for a while."

Hide (Using an ice pack on his chest.): "Yes. I will manage."

Urenna: "There are a lot of gifted fighters here. I thought that you would breeze through them all."

Hide: "I never expected to dominate the tournament Urenna. These are some of the best fighters in the world. Still our main objective is to monitor Bogdan and figure out where Cain is. His sponsor Kang Yingjie is someone we need to investigate as well. As I rest here until tonight. Can you spy on him after the end of the fights?"

Urenna: "Yes master. I will."

Hide: "Good. You may do as you wish until that time comes."

In the sixth match, Bogdan Dragunov faced the formidable wrestler from Mongolia known as Mutugen. Mutugen was nearly 210 centimeters tall and weighing over 163 kilograms. Bogdan looked much smaller than him, but that massive size would not help Mutugen in this matchup. It was incredible to see Bogdan overpower Mutugen in gripping strength. At one point, Mutugen attempted to punch Bogdan while in mounting position. However Bogdan Dragunov, even on his back, squeezed Mutugen's left hand crushing his fingers! The wrestler cried in pain and it was here were Bogdan emulated the Kimura choke technique borrowed from a famous Japanese Judoka in which he forgot his name. But the move was effective as he broke Mutugen's left elbow out of socket. Mutugen was in too much pain to keep going. Bogdan showed no emotion at all. He simply walked off the platform right after the gong sounded off. Bogdan Dragunov was indeed a monster of a man.