Hide versus Prototype Jack

Back at the Shika Clan compound area, Morotsuka, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan…

Urenna: "Good job Santi! You managed to get through today's obstacle course without falling or getting hit by my shuriken."

Santi (Breathing hard.): "T…thanks."

Urenna (To Bryce): "And you will have to do this test as well Bryce. But you are still too young right now.".

Bryce: "I'm ready to eat."

Urenna: "Yes…we should get back to the compound. I have to cook dinner this time Omani has to be in a faculty meeting at her job. Let's get a move on guys."

Bryce: "I want mochi!"

Urenna: "Mochi? Uhhh…I don't remember how to make that."

Bryce: "Really? Awww!" (Disappointed.)

Santi: "Urenna. When is Hide coming back?"

Urenna: "I don't know. You know he can have long missions at times."

Santi: "I see."

Urenna: "But I can train you just as hard as he can. Am I right?"

Santi: "I guess."

Urenna: "Do you wanna get food poisoned?"

Santi: "No."

Urenna: "Good. I didn't want to get in trouble because of your lacking enthusiasm. I think I'm in the mood for spaghetti. I'll mix it with some shrimp if there is any more left."

Bryce: "But I still want mochi!"

Urenna: "Bryce. I told you I really can't make it."

Bryce: "You can't?"

Urenna: "No!"

Meanwhile in Tsel, Belarus…

Hide aka Crow just landed his hovercraft within the woods of a Belarussian forest about a few kilometers from the small city of Tsel. It was nearing sunset at this time and the temperature was quickly dipping towards nine degrees Celsius. Hide had to change into another outfit suitable for colder temperatures. After that, he notified Kari that he made it to Belarus.

Hide: "Crow here. I made it to Tsel, Belarus."

Kari: "Oh Hide…I was just leaving the office until I saw your name pop up on my computer screen. What is your status?"

Hide: "I'm here in Belarus. I'm going to find the base and investigate the Dragunovs. Once I know where they are, I will get them one by one."

Kari: "Although I have yet to tell our superiors about this mission, we do recognize that the Dragunov family has been doing illegal activities throughout various countries around the world. As long as you don't get seriously hurt, then I don't think the UN will punish us for this undertaking."

Hide: "This was my idea. I just needed to inform you on what is going on. I can tell them everything I learned about this family."

Kari: "I hope you can. Good luck out there."

Hide: "Crow out."

Phone conversation ends…

Hide began running on foot and proceeded to leap in the air, using the trees to continue his way towards the Tsel military base. Finally, Hide could see the base from his vantage point. The base was active as a series of trucks was leaving the front gate. It appeared to be an ammunitions storage facility. Whatever this military group had, they were packing some serious heat. Hide needed to get closer and eavesdrop into a conversation. Perhaps one of the Dragunov brothers is here.

Hide (Thinking.): "I need to find out where they are."

Using the cover of darkness, Hide slipped past the front entrance while avoiding the eye contact of the soldiers on guard duty. From there he carefully hid himself on the top of a large truck that was parked near the mess hall. Some soldiers were leaving there and heading back to their barracks. Hide used the latest microphone chip to tag one of the soldiers walking away as the ninja could listen to the conversation. Hide used a blowpipe from his utility pouch to pull off the chip planting.

Soldier 1: "What a rough day. Did you complete the inventory checkup?"

Soldier 2: "Yeah. Early this afternoon. I just hope General Dragunov will be satisfied with the total number of shells."

Soldier 1: "I hope your right. Tasher will punish us if the quota doesn't match up."

Soldier 2: "It's over the count actually but he should be fine with it. Don't you think?"

Soldier 1: "Fine with it? I never counted the shells, you did. I had to help with delivering water back to base. You gotta make sure it was right man. Our whole team will get punished if one of us screws up our job."

Soldier 2: "Everything will be alright. He's coming to base tomorrow, so let's just rest easy ok?"

Soldier 1: "Whatever you say Denis."

Hide (done listening.): "Tasher isn't at base tonight. He is coming tomorrow morning. Damn! Should I wait or just force someone to tell me where he is?"

Suddenly, there was an explosion nearby another warehouse! Some soldiers were running for their lives. The warehouse began to collapse from the roof as a large figure began to march away from the destruction. Hide took a deeper look at this figure and recognized it immediately.

Hide: "It's a JACK model? What is it doing here?"

It was a newly rebuilt model of the Prototype Jack series custom designed before the JACK series 1 and 2. Unfortunately, this model wasn't programmed to fully serve the Russian military's needs. Thus, its memory rejected the commands of its current owner and retaliated against the soldiers. Its current objective was to destroy everything and everyone.

Hide: "So that thing is trying to kill everyone? Well…perhaps if I destroy the thing, maybe these soldiers will be willing to tell me where Tasher is. Here I come. Sssshhhaaa!"

Before Prototype Jack could proceed to the next building, Hide reappeared right in front of it, ready to fight the android face to face. Some Russian soldiers stood by to see this contest. They were all confused as to who this masked man was.

Prototype Jack analyzed his opponent's capabilities. The program saw Hide as no ordinary target, but still it felt confident it could take out this opposition. With its eyes flashing red without the trademark sunglasses, Prototype Jack raised its arms to fire its bullets from the fingers right at the ninja. Hide dashed away as soon as the android began to fire its rounds at him.

Hide teleported several times, but while doing so, several Russian soldiers were shot in the crossfire while trying to flee. When Hide reappeared, he attempted a downward slash with his ninjatou blade tucked from his waist. The Prototype Jack showed surprising agility and hopped away before it could get cut. Hide cut the ground instead, but then he regathered himself.

Hide (Thinking.): "Interesting…despite its large frame, the android here shows surprising quickness. And I don't know how much firepower it has left. But I must end this match quickly without getting blown up."

Prototype Jack starts speaking without opening its mouth…

Prototype Jack: "Target acquired! Commencing mission to destroy!"

This time, the Prototype Jack began to use its use its eyes as lasers. Hide used a jutsu showing multiple images of himself in order to confuse the android. The android shot beams at Hide several times but it was getting nothing but air. Hide then rushed within the center of the android's vision and was able to jump in and slash the android over its chest. With a jumping sidekick to follow the combo, Prototype Jack backpedaled several times before coming to a stop. The damage wasn't severe, but the android knew it was in danger.

Prototype Jack regained its footing. Its scanners searched for the ninja. Did he just disappear? No. Hide used the thick fog as a cover to mask his encirclement of the android. He wasn't going to give Prototype Jack another opportunity to shoot him. Thus, he unleased one of his secret attacks.

Hide: "Shika Clan Secret Move! Karasu Nigiri Kiritsukeru! (Crow Grip Slash!)"

Hide came from above and did a somersault style downward cut that penetrated the armor of Prototype Jack! Before the android could realize it, its circuitry went haywire as the inside components caught fire and it caused a loud explosion! The few Russian soldiers who remained were in awe of the sight. Hide singlehandedly stopped Prototype Jack from going ballistic inside the Tsel Military Base. When the smoke cleared Hide spotted one Russian soldier and ran towards him. The soldier panicked as did the rest of friends until Hide could catch him with a pouncing tackle. Pinning his arms by the knees, Hide forced the soldier to talk.

Hide: "I will let you go if you answer my questions. Is that understood?"

Soldier: "Yes! Don't kill me! Please!"

Hide: "Tell me! Where can I find Tasher Dragunov?"

Soldier: "He's not here! I heard he was in Gomel."

Hide: "Gomel? Is it in this country?"

Soldier: "Yes! To the southeast. I don't know why he's there! I swear!"

Hide: "And where can I find his brothers?"

Soldier: "I only answer to him. I don't know where the other brothers are!"

Hide: "Hmmm…very well. Leave!" (Letting him go.)

Hide looks on at the damaged Prototype Jack…

Hide: "No time to report…Kari is off I'm sure. I will rest and head for Gomel in the morning."

The next day in the city of Gomel, Belarus…

The third son of the Dragunov family, Tasher, attended a military conference within the city of Gomel. The conference was held in the city's expo hall building. It was an exhibition showcase of some of the Russian military latest armaments to potentially sell for Belarus and other private contractor groups. It was rumored that the Dragunov family wanted more control of the arms market in the country, but they were made sure to be just that. Tasher wanted more control of the country's military affairs so that his family could be richer and have more access to Eastern Europe's defenses. Starting with Belarus.

At the city's of Gomel Government Hall, there was a banquet during the conference. Everyone was having lunch while listening to various military experts speak at the front platform. Hide was looking on in disguise as a waiter, pretending to work, while carrying silverware for each table. After a while he finally spotted the cold blue eyed man he was looking for. Indeed, Tasher Dragunov had the same cold expression like his brothers, expect he was more lean and elegant in stature. He was sitting at the far left corner of the ballroom, along with the rest of his subordinates. The time to confront Tasher would have to be after the banquet is over, Hide concluded. When he got close to Tasher's table, Hide made sure to place a tracker chip on Tasher's suit once he got real close. No one noticed a thing.

Hide left the ballroom while in disguise. All he needed to do now was wait until the crowd dispersed from the government hall building. Eventually the people began to leave. Tasher and his men were all leaving together in the midst of the crowd as they descended the long stairs into the main street. Hide used his watch as radar from a nearby café shop while drinking juice. He left some money for the drink and left the café to follow his target. A large limousine was parked for Tasher and his colleagues. Once they were all in, they left away from the government hall. Hide never panicked as he casually walked along the pedestrian sidewalks. The limo stopped at a hotel nearby. In due time Hide, would get the address and even the hotel room where Tasher was staying in. Switching back into his ninja outfit, Hide would take his time and sneak into the hotel after dusk.

Early in the night…

Knock, knock, knock…

Maid: "Room service!"

Tasher Dragunov opens the door…

Maid: "Your dinner is here. Enjoy!"

Tasher: "Spasibo." (Takes the food tray and closes the door.)

Tasher took his food towards his table and proceeded to eat. Little did he know, Hide snuck inside his room right after he sat down. Hide used a special window cutter to get inside. The ninja hid near the kitchen wall as Tasher never knew of his presence. Finally, Hide made a comment about the Russian man's food.

Hide: "Smells good. Mind if I have some?"

Tasher: "Huh?"

Hide strikes Tasher in his face with a left handed punch! The Russian fell off his chair due to the impact. He was in total surprise by this invasion of privacy. Hide did not let up. The ninja took to the floor with the Russian and managed to pin Tasher's midsection by the kitchen wall using his right knee as leverage. Hide kept pounding his face in with a barrage of punches. Tasher was used to taking beatings, however. He arched his hips very strong to get Hide off balance. It was just enough to have Tasher turn Hide around as he managed to get on top of Hide and then returned the blow exchange of punches!

While Hide wasn't a ground type of fighter, he had no choice but to use a teleport jutsu to get out of Tasher's mount position. Tasher was caught by surprise again. Was this magic? Who is this man attacking him and why? Tasher never had time to answer this as he took another hard hit to the face by Hide's foot. A jump side kick no less! Tasher sailed onto the kitchen cabinet as some silverware dropped over his head from the impact of the kick. He has in a lot of pain with a bloody face to match. Hide spit out of some blood himself because of his busted nose, but he needed answers out of Tasher. And he wanted them now.

Hide: "I'll hand it to you. Not too many guys get a chance to give me a bloody nose. I know you Dragunovs don't like to talk, but I'll get what I want out of you." (Taking a talisman paper from the back of his utility belt.) "This spell will make you spill everything."

Hide enchanted a truth speaking spell and placed the talisman on Tasher's chest since he was not able to move much. Now that the spell was in effect, Tasher would be forced to answer anything Hide wanted to know. The Russian was at the ninja's mercy.

Hide: "Alright then. First question. Where are your brothers right now?"

Tasher: "My brothers…Damian and Bogdan."

Hide: "Yes. Where are they?"

Tasher: "Damian…is in India. Near the Himalayas. Recruiting fighters for our private army."

Hide: "Is that so. And the other one. Bogdan. Where is he?"

Tasher: "Bogdan…I…spoke with him three days ago. He's…he's in Lagos."

Hide: "Lagos? Nigeria?"

Tasher (Sniffing.): "Y…yes."

Hide: "Do you know a man named Cain?"

Tasher: "Yes."

Hide: "Where is he?"

Tasher: "He..should be with Damian. Or so…I think."

Hide: "Interesting. One last thing. Why is your family planning to build a secret black arms network throughout Eastern Europe? Tell me your end game."

Tasher: "It is…the will of my brother Bogdan. He wants power. To rival the Mishima Zaibatsu. Us Dragunovs…want to be at the top of all enterprises. We will make sure this happens."

Hide: "Not if I have something to say about it. Sleep!"
Hide activated the spell with a chant that electrocuted Tasher's nervous system as the Russian went unconscious. The ninja didn't plan to take his life, but he was aware of how it would be dangerous to keep someone like Tasher alive. Hide would leave the hotel and notified the United Nations of Tasher's location. Tasher would later be arrested the next day for terrorist charges.

Once again, Hide wondered if he should get Urenna involved in another chase hunt for Cain. Perhaps not this time. She still needed time to grow as a leader, he thought. Hide would travel to India and simply do a reconnaissance to confirm if in fact Cain was there with the other Dragunov brother Damian.