The Redemption

Despite the unfortunate attack on Bruno, Helena has decided that the Dead or Alive Tournament will continue due to Bruno's urging. Now the tournament has progressed to where there's only a few contestants left.

The next fight in the tournament is another highly anticipated one but for different reasons. It's the battle between two fighters who share a certain bloodline.

Kazuki takes on Kazuya Mishima once again.

Hinata and Zhang watch from the audience with the kind of anticipation that's not unlike anybody else's.

"How surprising is this?" said Zhang. "Grandfather and grandson. I never thought I would see it this way."

"I really hope Kazuki kick his butt!" said Hinata. "I've heard all about this Kazuya guy growing up. It's really too bad Kazuki had to have a grandfather like that."

Kazuki slowly approaches Kazuya, who has back turned and arms folded.

"Still denying who you are, Kazuki?" asked Kazuya. "Why not wake up and accept what our bloodline has truly brought us?"

"I've seen what the Devil Gene is capable of," said Kazuki. "No matter what, I will never use something like that. No power is worth throwing away my humanity for."

Kazuya unfolds his arms and turns towards Kazuki, saying "You're a fool! Why would you suppress something that makes you stronger? If you continue to hold back your true potential, then you don't even deserve to live."

"That's where we differ, Kazuya. My true potential lies within what I've learned from the Mugen Tenshin Clan, not within the Devil Gene."

"You've learned nothing from our battle the first time. This battle will not be any different."

"Wrong. I've been through a lot since we first met. You'll see for yourself."

Kazuya chuckles and says "Have it your way, Kazuki."

Hayate and Ayane silently watches as the Kazuki and Kazuya get in their fighting stances.

Kazuya moves forward with a powerful punch. Kazuki avoids and, as with the first fight, can feel the wave from the fist as it misses his head. He then tries to land a punch himself but Kazuya blocks it and attempts to land another punch. However, Kazuki blocks the hit and does a jump kick that lands on Kazuya's chest, sending him backwards. However, Kazuya immediately rebounds with a powerful punch to Kazuki's chin. Kazuki retaliates with punches and kicks but they are all blocked. During the attacks, Kazuya sees an opening and lands a shot to Kazuki's body, followed by a kick to the same area that knocks him down. Kazuki gets up and looks at the smirking Kazuya. To show that he's not worried, Kazuki smiles back and with lightning speed, hits Kazuya in the stomach with an elbow shot. This attack catches Kazuya off guard, as he wasn't expecting Kazuki move that fast. Kazuki then follows up with a jumping roundhouse kick that knocks Kazuya down.

After getting up, the two fighters exchange punches and kicks that has the crowd cheering. After backing away from the exchange, the two fighters catch their breath until Kazuya resumes his offense against Kazuki. Kazuki blocks just his punch just in time and tries to counter with a punch of his own but Kazuya ducks under and lands another punch to the stomach, causing Kazuki to take knee. Kazuya then follows up with a kick but Kazuki catches his leg and lands a jumping kick to Kazuya's face, knocking him down. After getting up, Kazuya attempts another punch that, only for Kazuki to catch his arm and land a punch of his own to Kazuya's abdomen. The punch appears to stun Kazuya as he takes a step back. Kazuki attempts to take advantage of the opportunity to land another blow but Kazuya counters with an uppercut to the chin, knocking him down.

They both stand up, breathing heavily as the crowd roars in excitement. They both prepare to land the blow that end this fight. Lightning starts emitting from both of their fists as they rush toward each other. Right before either punch lands, Kazuki ducks under Kazuya's punch and lands his own punch to Kazuya's chest. The impact of the punch sends Kazuya flying across the ring and landing on his back.

Kazuki is the winner.

The crowd give their round of applause as they cheer for the winner.

"He did it!" said Ayane. "Kazuki truly has gotten better from our training."

"Yes, but he will have to keep it up if he wants to win the tournament," said Hayate. "If he's to fight Heihachi, he can't afford lose one step."

Kazuki walks over to the unconscious Kazuya and says "As you can see, the results are different. It's a pity that you took such a dark path but now that I've seen where it leads to, I know for sure that it's a path that I will not be taking. Now I must get ready for the next battle."

To Be Continued.