For the next 3 years John Kreese became one of the most feared men on the underground fight circuit. No one could give him a good fight. He was too strong and too fast. He still didn't have great technique but he was in brilliant shape and overwhelmed his opponents with his strength and speed and stamina. He was ruthless in his attack using his no mercy philosophy he smashed each opponent with punches, knees, head butts, elbows and eye gouges. He wasn't pretty or fancy but he was effective

He was also moving up the ranks in The Cobras. Apart from the fights the boss was now giving him more responsibilities. He was a highly skilled debt collector and could intimidate people into paying without touching. But those who still refused ended up spending months in a hospital bed. He was also helping in robberies and drug deals.

One day the boss calls him into his office. As Kreese walks in he notices a Japanese man standing in front of the bosses desk. The man was about 5 stone lighter than Kreese and a foot shorter but the man radiated power and respect. As Kreese enters the boss nods at him.

"Ah John there you are. I'd like you to meet Mr. Lung. He's an enforcer for the Japanese Yakuza but has just moved state side and he's going to get us some connections in Japan. Now I've got work to do John you're to show Mr. Lung around I'm sure you'll be good friends "

Kreese nods and they both walk out and Kreese walks over to Lung. Kreese wasn't intimidated by this guy Yakuza or not he was just a midget in a white suit to him and if he started shit he'd happily send him back to Japan with his head in a bag.

"Nice to meet you." Kreese nods at the man.

Lung gives him a small nod looking at him like he wasn't worth his time.

"Thank you mr Kreese. I hear you're a pretty competent fighter."

John nods and smirks smugly.

"I'm not a fighter. To be a fighter I have to be in a fight and none of those prima donnas in the ring can even give me a nose bleed."

Lung gives a small laugh.

"Ah the arrogance of youth. You think because you can beat some deadbeats in a small warehouse that makes you a warrior? A true warrior knows that he can be defeated."

Kreese shakes his head and folds his arms.

"Well then I must be more than a warrior because I know no one can beat me."

Lung frowns in annoyance.

"You have a big mouth. Typical for an American if you were in Japan you'd be getting fished out the harbour."

Kreese just laughs.

"Well asshole we're not in Japan and you haven't got all your Yakuza buddies around you. You may have the boss wetting his pants over you but you're just a little guy who plays gangster in Japan. This is my territory."

Lung laughs back.

"Okay mr Kreese lets see if you are as good as you say you are. Where can we settle this business.?"

Kreese smirks.

"So you want to take it there huh? Fine by me let's do this."

Kreese leads him into the gym and onto the padded mat used for sparring. Lung walks in slowly then removes his shirt. He was ripped all over and his body as covered in Japanese tattoos and scars. They looked like knife and gunshot wounds. The 2 prepare and the match begins.

Kreese comes out aggressive as always swinging as hard as he can. His first few shots are blocked but he doesn't care he knows a shot will land eventually and when it does this guy will crumble like everyone else. But Lung continues to block with ease. Not only is he stopping Kreeses attacks his blocks are slowly damaging Johns arms until he has to stop punching because his arms were throbbing. He takes a second then runs at him for another attack but this time before Kreese can reach him. Lung fires out a straight which Kreese never saw coming and it landed straight into his solar plexus. Kreeses breath was gone and he dropped to the floor gasping for air.

Kreese looks up at him and Lung hasn't bothered following up. He is just standing there waiting looking completely confident. This just pissed Kreese off more and he jumps to his feet and runs at him again only for Lung to grab his wrist and twist it sending him flying back to the floor. Again He jumps back to his feet and runs in. Lung stops him in place with a side kick which sends him flying back. Kreese was weary but refused to quit, he slowly got back up again. This time Lung goes to finish it and jumps into a spinning wheel kick which knocks Kreese unconscious.

Kreese wakes up half an hour later. He was lying in a room he didn't recognise. Lung was standing over him smirking.

"Ah awake at last good."

Kreese spat on the floor bringing up blood.

"Where the hell am I old man? You better let me out of here."

"Or what? You'll kick my ass? You already tried that trick and it didn't end very well for you did it?"

John just glares at him.

"What did you want an apology?

Lung just laughed.

"I'd be insulted if you did. I've got a proposition for you. Now do you really think I wanted to work for some small time gang like the Cobras when I was running crews in the Yazuza. I'm looking to take control of a number of gangs all over America so the Yakuza can have a good foot hold in the west. I will oversee every gang but I will need individual leaders and I want you Mr. Kreese to run the Cobras."

Kreese wasn't expecting that and frowned at him.

"The Cobras already have a leader just pay the boss some cash and he'll happily sign under you."

Lung nods looking serious.

"Yes he would and that's the problem. He doesn't have the samurai spirit I'm looking for…How would you Americans say it? He has no balls. But you have a fire in your eye. I hit you hard and you never quit. You had no chance of winning but you did not stop trying and I like that. "

Kreese wasn't quite sure how to take that. He stands up and folds his arms.

"I cant betray the boss he's done so much for me, he's trained me, made me who I am today."

Lung laughs and shakes his head.

"And whats that? A 2 bit thug fighting nobodies in back water brawls for nothing. He'll never have any more use for you than that and when you lose which you will one day everyone does then he will put a bullet through your head with no mercy. He doesn't give a dam about you and he never will. Join me and you will be the leader of the Cobras."

Kreese thinks about then nods.

"Okay lets do it. How do we do this? We roll up there now and take him out?

"Of course not boy, you're not ready yet, you're strong you're tough but you are not skilled enough. Follow me."

Lung leads them through the corridors of the building and into a large hall. In that hall was a small group of people sparring each other. All wearing white gis with various colours of belts around their waists.

Kreese looks around.

"This place looks right out of a bad movie."

Lung looks at him.

"This place will be your life. These men are the other leaders I have selected to take other the gangs. They will be your brothers. You will train together, eat together and live together. I will teach you the skills of Karate that you need to destroy the boss and anyone that remains loyal to him. When you reach the black belt you will be ready to make your move. What I will teach you is not about peace its about war, you will learn to be fast and strong and swift, you wont knock a man out with 1 shot you will to kill with 1, everything you do will be to end someone. You will not be merciful anyone who confronts you is your enemy and enemies deserve no mercy. You will learn the way of the fist John Kreese. Any questions?

John simply stares in front of him.

"When do we start?"

A/N: Please review. Hope everyone's enjoying it. Getting into the Karate training now starting to mould more into the Kreese we know.