Sing Wah grandmaster Bon Bon Hai was in his bed, sleeping. It was very peaceful for once. Suddenly, the phone rang loudly. He stirred in his deep slumber, in an attempt to ignore it. But it kept ringing.

After about ten rings, he sat up and angrily picked up the receiver. "Goddammit! Do you know that it's 3:00am? It better be important to call this late!"

The voice on the other end was afraid, as it spoke nervously. "Yes. I apologize, Master. This is Tang."

"Tang!" Hai sighed, still a bit angry. "This had better be important to call me now. Could it wait until tomorrow?"

Tang said, "No.. we think we should tell you right now. Do you remember your orders for extortion.. to take money from the businesses of Chinatown? The Golden Dragon, in particular? We were planning to go back there tomorrow morning."

"Yes, I know this already. It was I who gave the order." Hai said to him. "Why? Has there been a.. problem in our plans?"

Tang said nervously. "Well.. yes. A big problem."

Hai clenched a fist. "Damn! Damn that Shaolin pest.."

Tang said, "No, Master. It is something else. Another sect has recently demanded payment from Fong. So, instead of focusing on paying us, he will also be pressured to pay others as well.. and this is money that could go into your pocket.

"And who is this rival!" Hai demanded. "Who dares to interfere with the Tiger's business? Tell me!"

"Ninja," Tang told him. "As in times of old, they are in complete darkness, all black. We have checked it out.. and some of our agents have discovered that only one clan exists in New York at this time. The Foot Clan."

"The Foot?" Bon Bon Hai smirked a little. "Yes, I had heard of them. They were responsible for a crime wave last year.. I respect the fact that they used their talents for their own purposes. BUT.. now, they dare to intrude into our territory! They will die for this."

"Yes," Tang agreed. "We must destroy them before other enemies start coming around. If they are permitted to do this, surely others will try it as well."

Hai had to agree with that. "So.. what happened tonight? Leave nothing out.

Tang continued, "They destroyed the inside. But Peter Caine, the Shaolin priest's son.. the cop.. interrupted the destruction. Before he could apprehend any of them, however, they vanished in a cloud of smoke. No trace."

"Ahh.." Hai smiled a bit at that. "Then, he is to be commended. I never would have thought that his actions would serve to help us. Good. Who knows details about the Foot, besides you?"

Tang replied, "Master Damon. It was he who ordered me to contact you."

"Excellent. Put him on the line. Now!" Hai ordered him, growing impatient.

After two minutes, Damon Caine was on the phone. "Yes? I am here."

"Ahh, Damon." Hai sounded pleased. "Do you know these ninja? The Foot clan."

Damon answered calmly, "Only by reputation. They answer to Tatsu, who reports to Oroku Saki. Master Saki calls himself.. The Shredder. I think it is because of the many blades that are on his armor. Trust me, you will know Shredder when you see him. His operation fell apart in Brooklyn two years ago. He was thought to be dead."

Hai nodded at this. "Obviously, Saki is still kicking. The fact that The Foot is still around proves that. It would explain why they are moving in on Chinatown. They want to gain control back. Tell me, what do you know of leadership above Saki? Surely, he must have superiors at the source."

"Yes.. the Foot Clan which is run by Saki, that's just one branch of the organization. The heads are based in Osaka, Japan. It's from there that the highest orders are given and passed along to the many branches that exist in other countries."

Hai was pleased to hear this. "And.. do our Japanese agents know the location?"

"Yes, they do." Damon said. "There are twelve people in the Foot's high council. We don't know their identities, unfortunately. But we do know is that there are three teachers under them. They are at the location."

Hai smiled with glee. "Good! Send them a message at dawn. Kill two of them, but let the third live. Tell the survivor that The Foot Clan is now at war with the Sing Wah, and that we will destroy its organization at every level, in every part of the world. The parting message shall be, 'The Tiger kills without mercy.' "

"Should I go with them?" Damon asked.

"No," Hai answered. "I need you in the States. Your.. brother.. may interfere somehow. You should stay in case that happens. You just make the team, assign a leader, and send them out."

"Very well," Damon said with a resigned sigh. "I will see to that." And then there was a click.

Hai hung up the phone. He was very happy now. Yes, it had been so long since he was in a good war. And besides.. enemies needed to be punished.