Bosconovitch
Inside the compound of the Shika clan, Morotsuka, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan…
On TV…
News reporter: "We have breaking news coming from the Hokkaido region. The King of Iron Fist Tournament has concluded with the winner of the contest as Kazuya Mishima. Kazuya is the son of the former leader of the Zaibatsu, Heihachi. After the match, Kazuya was last seen ordering Zaibatsu troops to carry a motionless Heihachi away to a chopper. We do not know where they were going after that."
Omani: "What? Heihachi lost?!"
Urenna: "What's going on?"
Omani: "The news says Heihachi lost the final match of the King of Iron Fist tournament! Kazuya beat him!"
Urenna: "Heihachi really lost?"
Omani: "Let me call Hide…I'll be right back."
Omani leaves Urenna and the other disciples at the main room to call Hide inside her room…
Phone rings…
Hide: "Omani?"
Omani: "Hide? I'm sorry to wake you up, but did you hear the news about Heihachi?"
Hide: "I'm up already. Still on mission. What about Heihachi?"
Omani: "He might be dead Hide. He lost the championship match today. His son won!"
Hide: "What? His son is the winner?"
Omani: "Yes. Now he is the new ruler of the Zaibatsu. At least the news said so."
Hide: "Hmmm…I see. Are you sure Heihachi is dead?"
Omani: "Well that I don't know for certain. All the news said was that his son had Heihachi put inside a chopper and it flew away. I got a feeling Kazuya wants to torture him before he ends his life."
Hide: "Maybe. Just keep me posted for updates. My target is finally on the move. Hide out."
Call ends…
Omani: "No matter what the situation, Hide is always one track minded. Oh well. Back to these kids."
Meanwhile in the abandoned old town of Balestrino in Northwest Italy…
Hide was on assignment not long after rescuing Dr. Celine Bisset from the Mishima Zaibatsu. Shortly after the rescue, it was revealed to the United Nations that Dr. Bisset was forced to work on creating a formula to enhance humans and animals into super soldiers by combining their genetic codes. But she also warned that her data may not have been destroyed even with the demise of the Ubari facility in Libya. It is possible that Doctor Bosconovitch might have copied the research and it is currently in his possession. Hide received orders to find and interrogate the doctor for that research so it could be confiscated.
According to phone records, the doctor last made a phonecall in the country of Italy. In the biography, it was mentioned that Doctor Bosconovitch made Italy is summer vacation residence, though he was still a Russian citizen. In due time, Hide made it to the Liguria Region of Italy. With some additional information from the state police, Hide was able to pinpoint the exact village in which Doctor Bosconovitch was staying. The old town of Balestrino was tucked deep in the mountains off the coastal larger city named Loano. Some people still lived in the newer part of that town, but the old core still remains. Hide used a picture of Doctor Bosconovitch to ask locals for his exact whereabouts. A florist said that the doctor lived in a house next to the main road leading towards the old castle. Hide took his search there and eventually spotted the doctor leaving the small home. So he followed him.
Hide followed the doctor inside the old castle. It turns out the old castle was a secret lair for Bosconovitch. He was using the castle to conduct one of his top-secret projects and it had nothing to do with the animal splicing research created by Dr. Bisset. Oddly enough, there was another presence along with the doctor. This person's aura was very unique. Hide never felt anything like it before. When Hide finally viewed the secret lab from the caged window above, he spotted the very person he detected. A ninja just like him, but much older in age and spirit.
Dr. Bosconovitch: "You beat me here Yoshimitsu! So how is the upload going?"
Yoshimitsu: "It's still going. Your daughter's memorization uploading stands at about 82 percent."
Dr. Bosconovitch: "Oh good. By tonight, it should be complete. I've worked so hard these past three years trying to salvage as much data as I could to configure her body. I thank you for staying here to watch her while I was out of town."
Yoshimitsu: "It is the least I could do. Your generosity must be repayed by me."
Dr. Bosconovitch: "Yoshimitsu you have done more than enough by saving my life many times over."
Yoshimitsu (Nods): "By the way, what is that in your hands?"
Dr. Bosconovitch: "Oh this folder. This is the research that Celine Bisset was working on. The Supersoldier project. The Zaibatsu wanted to use it for their efforts in building the strongest army in modern time, but I took that away from them. I shall modify this work by Celine for a greater cause, like curing the disease that tried to kill my poor Alisa."
Yoshimitsu (Sensing Hide): "Hmmm…"
Dr. Bosconovitch: "Is there something wrong?"
Yoshimitsu: "It would appear that we are not alone." (Drawing out his sword.)
Hide: "He noticed me? How?"
Dr. Bosconovitch: "What? Someone else is here? It is friend or foe?"
Yoshimitsu: "There!"
Suddenly, Yoshimitsu uses his ki to channel the energy needed to cut down the wall in which Hide was hiding himself from. The force of Yoshimitsu's blade exploded the stone wall. When the smoke cleared, Yoshimitsu and the doctor saw no one. Where was Hide?
Hide: "Sssshhhaaaa!"
Hide was above the chandelier as he leapt down and kicked Yoshimitsu behind his back. Hide then tried to speak before Yoshimitsu performed a clone jutsu in surprise. The clone Yoshimitsu did a somersault style slash against Hide as the Shika ninja blocked the attack. The real Yoshimitsu teleported from behind and tried to stab Hide. Hide himself teleported out of the way. Hide reappeared in between Dr. Bosconovitch and the Yoshimitsus. He pleaded that he was no threat to them.
Hide: "Wait! I'm not here to fight! Just hear me out!"
Yoshimitsu: "This place is off limits to outsiders! Your transgression will equate to death!"
Dr. Bosconovitch: "Put down your weapons! Please! My girl is here!"
Hide and Yoshimitsu slowly did so while they kept their eyes at each other…
Dr. Bosconovitch: "I can't have you all fight in this lab! Half of my life's work is here! And you! (To Hide.) "Tell me what is it you are after! Did the Zaibatsu send you?"
Hide: "My codename is Crow. I am with the United Nations. I simply had questions for you, although I had no idea you had a bodyguard."
Dr. Bosconovitch: "The United Nations? Ohhh…you must be the agent that saved Dr. Bisset! Tell me! Is she alright?!"
Hide: "Yes. The doctor is in good health. She is in New York still. Though perhaps she could be back in France by now. So, I do not know for certain."
Dr. Bosconovitch: "That's a relief."
Yoshimitsu: "Is that all? I do not know why the United Nations would rely on a ninja to sabotage the works of the good doctor here."
Hide: "No sabotage. Just confirmation."
Dr. Bosconovitch: "Confirmation?"
Hide: "The research on Dr. Bisset's supersoldier formula. You still have it in your possession do you not?"
Dr. Bosconovitch: "Yes…I do. I plan to modify the research for more humane purposes. It should not be used to create the monsters the Zaibatsu wanted to have."
Hide: "So are you saying you stole the research from them?"
Dr. Bosconovitch: "Yes. I had no choice. Kazuya is even more ruthless than his father. I knew he would take this research to further expand his plans for world domination."
Hide: "And how I do know you're not lying about this?"
Yoshimitsu: "You can start by fighting me once more." (Sword light flashes.)
Dr. Bosconovitch: "Hold it! Yoshimitsu it's alright! If you don't believe me, I can make a copy of the research and hand it over to you. I don't mind if the United Nations understand what this data truly is."
Hide: "How long will that take?"
Dr. Bosconovitch: "Not long. About 10 minutes. I just need to scan all of the paperwork."
Hide: "Hmmm…very well. I will wait." (Resheaths his blade.)
Dr. Bosconovitch: "I will be right back. The copier is in the back room."
The doctor enters the back room, closing the door…
Yoshimitsu: "Well…you are fortunate the good doctor is a gratuitous man."
Hide: "Like I said, I just want answers, not conflict."
Yoshimitsu: "At any rate. Why does the United Nations feel so threatened by the Zaibatsu?"
Hide: "When it comes to private military actions, the United Nations is simply looking out for the wellbeing of all nations. Anything that can disrupt international relations is always a concern for them."
Yoshimitsu: "As if…the rich will always find a way to exploit the poor, even under 'just' causes."
Hide: "Even so…I do what I can for my clan."
Yoshimitsu: "Judging by your fight style, I wonder, are you member of the Koga clan?"
Hide: "Sort of…my clan is a distant branch of the Koga. The Shika. I know you are Manji, which is also part of the Koga at one time."
Yoshimitsu: "Wait…the Shika? Are you Harumi's son?"
Hide: "Yes I am."
Yoshimitsu (Facepalm): "I can't believe I almost killed you. Harumi would never forgive me for it too. Tell me…where is she now?"
Hide: "She has been dead for 28 years now. On a mission in China. I never knew who the killer was. It pains me to this day…to not be there for her."
Yoshimitsu: "Well…despite my suspicions. I'm sure she is proud of you inheriting the ways of the ninja."
Hide: "Much appreciated." (Looking at the future model that is Alisa Bosconovitch.) "This is…."
Yoshimitsu: "That? This is Alisa Bosconovitch…or least this is what she would look like as a teenage girl in the doctor's mind."
Hide: "What happened to her? I've never seen anything like this before."
Yoshimitsu: "She suffered from a rare form of bone cancer and passed away at the young age of twelve. The doctor, however, was determined to build her a newer body and maintain her brain while doing so. This was his project that he hid from everyone except me. And the Dragunovs."
Hide: "What? The Dragunovs know about her?"
Yoshimitsu: "Of course they do. Why you ask? Because they possess the necessary technology the doctor needed to help with the preservation of Alisa's brain and other specs like laser guns and homing missiles for instance."
Hide: "Well. Now I understand why there is a secret lab here. Hopefully, the Dragunovs don't discover this place. What else do you know about them?"
Yoshimitsu: "I've had a few run ins with them. Especially before the tournament since they were after the doctor's life. They did not appreciate that the good doctor was working under the Zaibatsu. The Dragunov's wanted his knowledge in physics and chemistry, just to fuel the Soviet nuclear program. At the top, you have their heir, Bogdan Dragunov. Then you have his three brothers acting as sub generals. Although, I found out one of them died a few months back. He was the youngest Dragunov, named Kiril. He died from his own poison. How sad!"
Hide: "I'm aware of Bogdan. However, who are the other two brothers?"
Yoshimitsu: "The other brothers names are Damian and Tasher. They both run their own private military forces, but Bogdan serves the Russian main forces as a general."
Hide: "Interesting. I will update this information into my journal." (In his mind.) "Perhaps if I figure out where those Dragunovs are, then we might be one step closer to finding Cain."
Yoshimitsu: "Is there something else on your mind?"
Hide: "It is. Are you aware of a man named Cain?"
Yoshimitsu: "Cain? No…never heard of him. Is he someone dangerous?"
Hide: "Yes…but he's not as strong as you think. Just a hard rat to catch is all."
Yoshimitsu: (Laughing under his mask.): "Rats make for the best torture. The little runts!"
Doctor Bosconovitch returns with a packet of the Supersoldier research…
Dr. Bosconovitch: "Here you are. I hope this will be enough."
Hide takes the packet and looks at it…
Hide: "This is perfect. And believe me when I say this data will not be used by us in anyway."
Dr. Bosconovitch: "Let's hope you are right."
Hide: "I'll be on my way. Yoshimitsu one last thing. Where did you last spot the Dragunovs?"
Yoshimitsu: "The last time?"
Hide: "Yes."
Yoshimitsu: "Hmmm…I believe I last spotted them messing with the doctor back in Belarus. About 3 years ago. In a military base called Tsel. This is where the doctor first started his project for his beloved daughter. I had to rescue him from getting killed by those fools."
Dr. Bosconovitch: "I remember that day. I thought I was a goner for sure."
Hide: "Well then…I guess I will have to check out this area then. You have my thanks."
After Hide leaves the castle, he notifies Kari Gray about his completed objective…
Hide: "Mission completed. I have the documents of the supersoldier project. How soon will you need this into HQ?"
Kari: "Hi Crow, so you found them? Send it back here immediately."
Hide: "Yes understood. But I will leave as soon as I give them to you."
Kari: "Huh? Why the rush? Aren't you tired?"
Hide: "It's fine I can sleep in the hovercraft."
Kari: "Did you speak with Dr. Bosconovitch?"
Hide: "I did. I plan to investigate the Dragunovs more closely now. His bodyguard was Yoshimitsu ironically. Leader of the Manji clan. Yoshimitsu gave me a tip as to where they have been doing military exercises. I'm going there to say hello."
Kari: "By yourself? Not that I doubt your awesome skills Crow, but the Dragunovs have capable technology to identify intruders much like us."
Hide: "I'm simply going there to make some noise. Its not the ninja type of way, but this will let them know that I am on to their activities."
Kari: "Well…if you insist, then I won't stop you. Whatever you are looking for just come back alive. You are one of our best agents."
Hide: "I will. See you soon. Crow over and out."
Phonecall ends…
Hide (thinking.): "I rather not get the clan involved in this matter. At least not until I know exactly what is it that the Dragunovs are planning. And also knowing where their lackey Cain is. But it is true, I must stay alive until I have the answers I seek."