Round 3: The Peerless Eight
Shika Ninja Clan Compound, Morotsuka, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan…
Omani: "There…all done."
Omani just finished hanging up the clothes of Santi and Brice while the two boys were taking a bath together. They were horseplaying in the water, splashing some it off the large bucket that their master crafted for them to use. Omani looked down the hill from where the kids were bathing and she just shook her head while smiling. And then it disappeared. Her thoughts drifted to Hide and Urenna. Two weeks have already passed and yet no word from either of them. Omani gazed into the sunset orange sky overlooking the valley of Morotsuka. She gave a soft prayer as she stared at the sun.
Omani: "Please be safe, Hide, Urenna."
Jouzhou Yuan Temple, Fujian Province, China…
The gong sounded off for the beginning of Round Three in the Five Elder Tournament. Eight competitors remain in the contest, including Hide aka Crow. His opponent would be the man he met before the tournament's start, Wei Yunqi. Match one, will start with sixth degree Taekwondo black belt, Wook Doo San, versus a newcomer discovered in San Francisco by one of the Five Elders, Guan Ou Yang. He was a promising young talent. Turning 24 years old last week, his name was Marshall Law. Their match will begin first.
Wook Doo San was called forth to the platform ring first. He wasn't feeling 100 percent due to the last fight he had with the American kickboxer Danny Evers. His ribs were still not fully healed, and he had a slight fever. Yet, he decided to continue fighting in the tournament since the prize money would help him build his new school back in his native home of South Korea. He could not let his friends and family down, especially his only son Baek, who was running the old dojang in his stead. Despite his age, Wook needed to hold out just a big longer.
Then Marshall Law was called up next. The crowd seem more intrigued by this young man since he was ethnically Chinese and he won his matches with a style the crowd had never seen before. His sponsor, Guan Ou Yang, had a big grin on his face as he clapped. Only Wang Jinrei and Kang Yinjie did not join the cheering on. Wang wanted to study Law's fighting style more intently to judge his character while Kang did not want Law to fight Bogdan because the guy was too unpredictable in power.
Official: "Fighters ready!"
Wook: "Haaaai!"
Marshall Law: "Wwwwwwwaaaaaahhhh!"
The crowd yells in anticipation…
Hide (Looks on from the back of the courtyard): "This Law guy is overconfident, but his opponent is not well. I'd give this match less than 5 minutes unless the older man can get in a lucky kick for a knockout."
Gong hits…
Wook took the offensive, coming after Marshall with a variety of kick combos. Law did an expectional job evading and parrying the kicks. After missing a left leg sidekick aiming for Law's chest, Law followed with a strong left hand parry block and came back with a spinning Dragon backfist. The backfist hits the cheekbone of Wook's face as the man hit the deck. Law pedaled back a bit while making those weird noises again.
Law: "Hhhhuuuuaaaaahhh!"
The crowd went estactic, while Wook Doo San struggled to stand now with a fractured left cheekbone. The pain was throbbing his face, but Wook Doo San continued his offense. He got a few kicks into Law but the younger fighter would shrug them right off as he figured out Wook's openings. Once Wook attempted a low double roundhouse kick combination, Law blocked the first kick almost like a Muay Thai kickboxer using his shin. The second kick was blocked by Law's left forearm. With a strong right punch it connects Wook Doo San right into his chest. It was a clean shot as the Taekwondo fighter fell on his back. He tried getting up, but he coughed up blood and immediately collapsed. This was it. The match was clearly over.
Hide (Looks on.): "The guy is talented I'll give him that."
Urenna: "Master, there you are."
Hide (Turns on.): "Oh, hey."
Urenna: "I thought you were in the waiting hall by the courtyard, but I didn't think you would be up this close to the stage."
Hide: "Well my match is next, but you better stay out of sight after what happened yesterday like I told you."
Urenna: "Ok…but is your next opponent Bogdan or Heihachi?"
Hide: "No. It's Wei Yunqi, but I will not underestimate him. Now go on. I'll finish this fight soon."
Urenna: "Understood master."
Wook Doo San needed to be attended to by medics. He was taken out of the platform ring by stretcher. It was later said after this tournament that Wook returned to South Korea and resumed teaching Taekwondo with his son. However, Baek would accidentially hit the very spot Law wounded Wook Doo San while doing a sparring session in class. Wook soon died to the re-injury of his broken chestbone, causing both lungs to collapse. While Baek initially blamed himself for the loss of his dad, he later figured out Marshall Law's information and tried to ask him about that fight. He would soon receive that answer by the second King of Iron Fist tournament.
The gong sounded off again for the second fight in Round 3. Crow was called to come forth into the platform first. Some spectators in the stands who watched him fight before actually gave him cheers while others kept booing for previously mentioned reasons. Hide stepped forth in the middle of the ring and just folded his arms while staring at the Five Elders looking over him by their seats upfront. Zhang Tsai nodded his head as a gesture of good luck although deep down he did not like to see his two of his favorite guys go head to head like this. Yet it had to be done.
Wei Yunqi was called up next. The crowd cheered more in favor of this martial artist from Sichuan Province. It was said that he was admired by current Hong Kong police officer and future Tekken contestant, Lei Wulong. Yunqi was a detective himself and had earned a reputation for his daring rescue missions and arrests. Some people think he had no bones in his body and was able to absorb the strongest of hits. That theory would be put to the test today while facing the unpredictable Crow. When the two fighters faced each other, the official came in between them to commence the match.
Gong hits…
Crow and Yunqi got in their stances. Crow of course was always cautious. Yunqi started talking to him like previous did to Crow but in a more casual tone.
Yunqi: "Crow! I hope you are prepared to lose!"
Crow: "And why is that?"
Yunqi: "Because once I win this tournament, my name will go down in legend as one of the top fighters in the world!"
Crow: "Is that so?"
Yunqi: "I know it! I've seen you fight already so those trick moves won't work on me!"
Crow: "Then prove it."
With that last statement, Wei Yunqi rushed at Crow using an array of punches. Crows blocks all of them and hits Yunqi in the face with a backfist, but it only grazes his face as Yunqi catches Crow surprisingly with a knee strike rolling Crow over with his upper left leg. Crow hit the deck on his back. Yunqi almost got him with an elbow drop but he missed as Crow teleported, disappearing again.
Yunqi: "Back to that again huh?"
Crow reappeared from behind Wen Yunqi's back but was surprised to have his charging elbow strike blocked by the detective! Yunqi grabs Crow's right arm and slings the ninja over the shoulder with impressive strength, but Crow controls his body in mid air and lands back down on his feet. Yunqi stands back in his mantis stance.
Crow: "Impressive." (Thinks.) "His ki reading and eye coordination is better than I thought. Perhaps I better speed things up a bit."
Crow used his chant to summon a jutsu…
Crow: "Rin-Pyoh-To-Sha-Kai-Jin-Retsu-Zai-Zen!"
Yunqi: "Wha?"
In a blink of an eye Crow teleported and appeared right in front of Wei Yunqi and hits him with a palm heel strike right in his abdomen. Then Crow kicked Yunqi in the chest with a hard side kick, making the detective slide back several feet almost leaving the platform. But soon after Yunqi recovered, Hide swiftly ran at Yunqi and started hitting the guy with 12 punches all around the torso of Yunqi. The last punch knocked him off the platform, but ring outs do not count in the tournament. The ninja simply walked back to the center of the ring. Suddenly, Yunqi hops right back in the ring as if nothing really happened expect spitting out some blood afterwards.
Wei Yunqi: "You are really fast! I can't get hit like that again or I'm done for!"
Crow (Confused.): "He has a higher pain threshold compared to other people. Yet he got up right after I hit him consecutive times in the chest and midsection. If this fight drags on, I may have to use a more lethal attack just to stop him."
Sensing his reluctance to attack, Wen Yunqi went on the offensive while doing a variety of acrobatic maneuvers. He attacked Crow in weird angles before tripping the ninja with a sweep turning kick. Crow landed on his hands and flipped over but Wen caught him with a double fist attack that made Crow go off balance as he hit his head to the pavement rather hard. Crow shrugged himself, but then Wen Yunqi grabbed Crow by the vest that the ninja was he did something out of character for himself. Yunqi starts headbutting Crow in the face! The crowd was going crazy over this! Even a few of the Five Elder were surprised to see Wen fight in this manner. After five headbutts, Wen could see Crow's head beginning to bleed. This next hit would finish him off by breaking his nose!
Wen Yunqi: "No hard feelings buddy! But this is good night!"
At the last minute, Crow did a jutsu which teleported him away from Wen Yunqi's sixth headbutt. He disappeared out of sight! Wen looked around but he could not sense Crow's presence in time until he got chopped on his neck at both sides by Crow who was behind him! The attack stuns Wen Yunqi! Crow grabs him and leaps high in the air for the classic ninja Izuna drop! Crow made sure to hit Yunqi on his upper back and not his neck after the incredible slam. The crow was stunned.
…7, 8, 9, 10…
Crow wins…
Wen Yunqi was out of it. Crow breathed a sigh of relief while his head was bleeding from the consecutive headbutts. He definitely need to rest after that risky fight. The Five Elders were certainly impressed by this victory as they all stood up and clapped. The medics came for both men, but Crow continued to walk in his own power back to the medical tent for treatment.
Round three, fight three, Heihachi Mishima vs Leroy Smith…
The third fight in the tournament was between Heihachi Mishima and the American, Leroy Smith. Leroy did not anticipate that he would fight Heihachi so soon. However, since his time living in China, Leroy always wished to interrogate anyone affiliated with the Mishima Zaibatsu. It was suspsected by him that the gang responsible for murdering his parents had some connection with the Zaibatsu for selling deadly weapons. For this, Leroy would defeat Heihachi and make him answer these questions.
After being called into the ring, Leroy Smith was standing at the center as he bowed to the elders. Then he calmly relaxed himself as he prepared for the fight on his life. Then Heihachi's name was called. The booes got louder as Heihachi arrogantly strutted his way into the platform. He folded his arms seeing the man standing before him. Heihachi did not know why but Leroy glared at him very seriously. Heihachi knew the guy wanted to say something so he mocked him in order to make Leroy talk.
Heihachi: "Hmph! What's wrong maggot? Afraid I might snap your neck?"
Leroy: "I have been waiting for this day. And I don't plan on losing my life against you."
Heihachi: "Good! You got some guts! Perhaps you might entertain me better than my last opponent! Gehahahahaha!"
Leroy: "I'm gonna turn that smile upside down after I win and make you answer my questions!"
Heihachi: "Eh? Questions? The only question I will answer is whether or not I will spare your life in this fight!"
Leroy (Gets in stance.): "Then come at me!"
Heihachi (Energizes his electric ki.): "Hah! Gladly!"
Gong hits…
Both fighters circled each other cautiously. Heihachi was simply curious to see what Leroy was planning, keeping up a strong defense. Leroy switched stances to figure which attack to start off with. He knew Heihachi wanted to take his time, so Leroy finally into a Tiger stance and began attacking Heihachi. Heihachi was surprised at Leroy's speed for the American got in several punches inside his torso. Heihachi backpealed after Leroy stopped attacking him. Heihachi just laughs but he was in some pain. Perhaps Leroy was holding back but this time Heihachi would counter back.
Heihachi (Stomps the ground, charging up again.): "Is that all you have?"
Leroy: "Not even." (Back in Cat stance.)
Leroy came in even harder at Heihachi but then the Japanese Karate master countered back even while taking some hits with a cross punch to Leroy's rib cage on the right side. It was a hard punch as Leroy backed off. Heihachi then tried to Demon Uppercut Leroy but he misses him as Leroy sidesteps and hits Heihachi with a spinning side kick to the face. Heihachi walked backed but stops just in time to defend himself again.
Leroy (Grunting): "Damn!" (Thinks.) "He only hit me once, but the shot was precise, and it's throbbing in pain because of his energy. What can I do?"
Heihachi: "Not bad!" (Smirking.) "How about this?"
Heihachi suddenly hits the platform using his right fist, shaking the surface! This forced Leroy's body to shake and he was off balance. Heihachi used the chance to upper cut Leroy in the face. The impact knocked Leroy up in the air. This setup the perfect opportunity for Heihachi to catch Leroy by the waist as he slammed him into the ground with a power bomb! The crowd went silent! Was Leroy alright after that attack! Heihachi walked away like it was all over. However, Leroy slowly picked himself up once more.
Leroy: "Get…back here!"
Heihachi: "Hmmm. Ahhh! So you managed to survive my power bomb! Very few men are willing to get back up after such a hit! For that, I probably will not kill you after all! Gehahahahaha!"
Wang Jinrei, looking on from his seat, could only shake his head. He knew that Heihachi was indeed a monster of a man. While Wang believed Heihachi still wasn't quite as strong as Jinpachi was in his prime, he could cleary see that Heihachi was perhaps the best fighter in world right now. Heihachi was having his way with Leroy Smith who had improved vastly in his skillset over the past five years. Kang Yingjie looked across from his seat to view Wang's concerned face. He smirked at his predicament, even though Heihachi was no friend of his.
Leroy: "I must…focus." (Assumes a central stance as he powers up his ki.)
Leroy began to use his ki to beef up his muscles for a temporary boost in healing and strength. He needed to be in the best of condition in order to hurt Heihachi. No more holding back! Heihachi stopped folding his arms seeing that Leroy was channeling his energy now. Yet he wasn't phased.
Heihachi: "Interesting! Show me what you can do!"
Leroy dashes at Heihachi and he hit the man with a clean gut to the lower addomen. Heihachi's eyes nearly popped opened at the force of the punch. He backpealed away from Leroy holding his center region in pain. Then Heihachi took a shot to the temple from Leroy's left hand back fist. Leroy went crazy with over 50 punches scaterring all over Heihachi's upper body! Heihachi's karate gi was literally torn and then he collapsed blanked out!
The crowd went wild…
Fan 1: "What was that?"
Fan 2: "Incredible speed!"
Fan 3: "Did he win?!"
The ref began to count to ten but by the eight number…
Heihachi: "Gggggggccccchhhh!"
Fan 4: "He's getting up!"
Fan 5: "Oh no!"
Leroy: "You gotta be sh*tting me!"
Heihachi (Stands up slowly): "Not…bad maggot! But…not good enough!"
Heihachi stomps the ground as he powers up…
Leroy: "Oh no you don't!"
Leroy rushed at Heihachi for a striking punch at the gut but Heihachi caught his left wrist with his own hand. Leroy began to yell in pain while Heihachi was squeezing it to the point where he heard some cracks. Heihachi then returned the favor to Leroy, executing a Stonehead attack! The blow knocks Leroy's forehead super hard and then Heihachi follows up with a left Demon Uppercut aiming at Leroy's chin. Leroy flew up in the air until his body hit the grass outside the platform ring. It was no ring out, but Leroy wasn't getting back up from those last two hits. Heihachi simply cracked his neck back and forth as he walked off knowing that his victory was assured.
Official: "Heihachi Mishima wins!"
Everyone gave mixed reactions to the fight, but most people still did not like Heihachi's attitude. Wang Jinrei looked down in shame. Leroy tried hard, but Heihachi's ceiling was too high for him to reach and break at this time. Leroy's revenge and questions were put to a stop. He would have to continue training and wait a very long time to get back at the Zaibatsu.
Round 4, Bogdan Dragunov versus Dian Xi…
The last match in the Peerless Eight group was clearly the most lopsided. Dian Xi was actually a three time participant in this contest hailing from nearby Jiangxi Province, but he never made it to the semifinals until this day. However, he faced a demon of an opponent in Bogdan who with each attack, Dian Xi could not make a severe hit against the Russian. Once Bogdan found his chance, he pounced on the Kenpo practitioner with a tackle and proceeded to make consecutives hits with sharp elbow and palm strikes all along the face. Xi's face was getting torn to shreds. Guan Ou Yang was forced to stand up and call the match to keep Bogdan from killing the man. It was the right call since Dian Xi was left motionless on the platform surface bleeding from the nose and mouth.
Some time later…
Urenna: "Master? Can I come in? Master?"
Urenna never did hear back from Hide since his fight against Wen Yunqi was over. She overheard that he did win, but was still worried that Hide might suffered some bad injuries. So she went for the medical tents outside the courtyard to see if Hide was recuperating. When she heard no answer, Urenna took it upon herself to enter.
Urenna: "I'm coming in!"
Urenna opened the curtains, passing through them. Her master was fast asleep with bandages wrapped around his head. He never did hear her voice. Urenna was at least relieved to know that he was alive.