CHAPTER VII

Entering the tournament

Yoshimitsu and Tokeda came to a town where tournament was organizing. They spotted Dawan and Masaki near the place where Announcer was.

- Yoshimitsu! You finally managed to come! – Said Masaki. – What happened to the attacker? Who was it?

- It was Kunimitsu, again. – Answered Yoshimitsu. – And she will contest in tournament.

- She will? Wow, your sister really wants to revenge you, you should do something fast, or...

- I know. Where can I report for the tournament?

- Go there. – Masaki pointed to a big closed door.

- OK. Goodbye, for now. Tell Dawan to call other Manjis, specialized for stealing. You and Tokeda need to stay here.

He turned around and entered the door. It was dark inside, and some fighters were already reporting to the tournament.

Yoshimitsu standed to the end of the row, and saw...a Sumo wrestler! He was surprised – what is Sumo wrestler doing here? Yoshimitsu always liked Sumo wrestling, and it was an honor to see one.

- Hello! – He started a conversation.

- Who are you? – Asked the Sumo wrestler.

- I am Yoshimitsu, and I will contest in this tournament. What is your name?

- I am Ganryu. Nice to meet you, Yoshimitsu!

- Wow, it is surprised to see a Sumo wrestler here...

- I want to show the beauty of Sumo wrestling to whole world! – Ganryu smiled.

- Well...see you on the tournament!

When it was Ganryu's turn to report, he entered the small cabin. After some minutes, he finished reporting and got out of the building.

- Next!

Yoshimitsu entered the cabin. And he spotted older man, who was half-bald. His hair was raised on left and right side of his head, while the center of his head was without any signs of hair. Man's eyes could be scary for a simple human, but not for Yoshimitsu. He was ninja, and he didn't know the meaning of fear. But he still sensed danger looking at man's eyes.

When Yoshimitsu looked at his hair, his face reminded Yoshimitsu of...CLOWN! But he tried not to smile, because the man's face was completely serious.

- I am Heihachi Mishima, the organizer of this tournament. It is a fighting tournament, and there is only one winner...the one who beats me. He will get a big prize. You are awake of the risks of this tournament...

- Yes. – Answered Yoshimitsu, although Heihachi wasn't asking anything.

- Good. Now, I need some information about you.

- My name is Yoshimitsu.

- That's all?

- I think that is enough.

- OK...I see...you can go now.

Yoshimitsu left the cabin and leaved the building. He was thinking about that man.

“So that is Heihachi...he is surely a good fighter, I sensed danger in his eyes. Although isn't so young, he was surely very skilled fighter...I must be careful...”

Masaki came to him.

- Did you see Heihachi? – Asked Masaki.

- Yes...he was reporting us for tournament...looks like he doesn't believe to anybody, so he does it all alone...

- And did you meet any of the contestants?

- Yes...a Sumo wrestler named Ganryu. I didn't know Sumo fighters will be here. Anyways, he looks like he is good person.

- Well...Yoshimitsu, that isn't true.

- What?

- He is a criminal, Yoshimitsu. I heard he has been involved in fraudulent activity...

- How he dares to follow the honorable Sumo code and yet lead the life of criminality? I must confront him!

- Yoshimitsu...stay focused on the mission! – Almost yelled Masaki.

- I will. But I feel that I must stop that. Don't worry, I WILL finish my mission.

- OK. Whatever you say...

Noise of megaphone stopped their conversation. Heihachi was standing in front of them, holding megaphone.

- Tournament will start after one week. Until then, you will live in this building. The food will be served, and you can practice in the gym whenever you want. There is enough space in the building, feel free to explore it. But you can't exit the building once you enter it. If some exits the building before the tournament, he will not be able to contest in the tournament. Now, please enter the building.

Yoshimitsu and other fighters walked to the building's door.

- Good luck! – Said Masaki.

- Thanks. – Said Yoshimitsu. – I will need it...

They entered the building. Every fighter had his room. Yoshimitsu entered his room and started meditating. He always meditated with his sword. But this night something weird happened. In a middle of meditation his sword started shining in a strange way! Yoshimitsu could see that sword is changing its colors. As lighting sparks surrounded sword's blade, it started to generate an energy zone which surrounded whole Yoshimitsu's body.

Then...the sword, along with Yoshimitsu's body, generated a FLASH! In that moment, Yoshimitsu felt a terrible pain, the hardest pain he ever received.

But, after some moments, the pain disappeared. Yoshimitsu's eyes closed. He was in completely other world. He thought he was dreaming, but he was wrong.

That wasn't a dream, because he couldn't wake up. He was basically...in the sky! Clouds surrounded his body, and he could hear a familiar voice:

- It is an honor to see a person who is so noble, honorable, who continued to walk towards the path of Good. I am proud on you, son.

- Fa...father?

- Yes, Yoshimitsu. It's me, Akiro. I must tell you one very important thing...in the tournament, you will face an extremely deadly fighter...DEVIL.

He can possess people's souls. He is one of deadliest fighters on the world. He was the one who killed your friend, Kobayasha...

- WHAT? – Yoshimitsu was shocked. – But Dagon was the one who killed Kobayasha!

- Devil possessed his soul...

Yoshimitsu started to realize his father's words. He believed him.

- Dagon was the most honorable Manji ninja before his soul was possessed. But he fought against Devil, and lost. Devil possessed his soul and created whole Kudji-Kiri clan. Beware...Devil is very dangerous. Only fighter with clean soul can eliminate him. Beware...

Yoshimitsu desperately wanted to stay with his father...but when he opened his eyes again, he was in his room, meditating.

- Father...

He was warned. Devil was surely an extremely deadly fighter when his dead father warned him this way.

Yoshimitsu already knew his third mission : ELIMINATE DEVIL. That will not be easy...but he didn't expect anything to be easy in a fighting tournament.

But his surprises didn't stop...when he looked at his sword again, it wasn't old Samurai sword anymore.

During the flash, his Samurai sword transformed into beautiful katana.

- Thank you, father. – Whispered Yoshimitsu, smiling.

Tomorrow, Yoshimitsu went into gym. Some fighters were already practicing. He spotted one fighter who was the best in fighting. He came close to him.

- Hello, – Yoshimitsu started conversation – Will you fight in this tournament?

- Yes. – Answered fighter. – You are Yoshimitsu, right? I heard you fight pretty good...

- Thank you. What's your name?

- Kazuya Mishima.

- Mishima? – Is Heihachi your cousin?

- He is actually my father. – Kazuya smiled. – But he is an old bastard, so I must kick his ass in the tournament. And with my new powers, I will...

“New powers?” Yoshimitsu wondered. “What new powers?”

- Come on, let's practice! – Yoshimitsu suggested. – Let's see how good you are!

- OK, Yoshimitsu.

Kazuya entered his defensive fighting stance. Yoshimitsu was ready too. Yoshimitsu attacked first. His left roundhouse was fast like a light. He hit Kazuya right in the stomach. Kazuya fell on ground. When he realized that his opponent just knocked him down, he started smiling.

- Wow! You're not bad! But I'm just warming up... – Kazuya looked at Yoshimitsu, and his eyes flashed.

Kazuya standed up, then did a fast crouch dash! Yoshimitsu didn't know what will his opponent do. Kazuya raised his left hand in a powerful uppercut – the Thunder God Fist. He hit Yoshimitsu in the barb so hard that Yoshimitsu flew some steps back and fell on ground. He was shocked. This fighter was something really powerful...more powerful than anybody before...

Yoshimitsu standed up. Kazuya was smiling. Yoshimitsu jumped above him, wanting to kick him in the head, but Kazuya was faster. He grabbed Yoshimitsu's leg and slammed him on the ground. Yoshimitsu quickly rolled to side to avoid Kazuya's ground attack. He tried to grab his opponent and throw him, but Kazuya escaped his grab and hit him with his knee in the stomach. After that, he knocked him down with his powerful elbow. Yoshimitsu got up again and slided, pointing to Kazuya's legs. But Kazuya just jumped above him, then hit him with his right foot in the chest!

Yoshimitsu standed up and waved his right leg, pointing to Kazuya's head...

Kazuya was faster again. He crouched and avoided Yoshimitsu's roundhouse. After that, he countered with his roundhouse, and hit Yoshimitsu in the chest.

This time Yoshimitsu didn't fell, he managed to stay standing. At that moment, he saw something strange in Kazuya's eyes...They were shining strangely...like his opponent is insane, drunk, hypnotized...or possessed!

DEVIL! Yoshimitsu now realized everything about his opponent. Kazuya was possessed by Devil, and in this moment, Devil is controlling him!

He believed his father when he said Devil is a very deadly fighter, so he knew he can't defeat him now. He tried different technique. He looked right in Kazuya's eyes. He started to hypnose his opponent. Devil realized his mistake too late...he was hypnotized. He needed to get out of Kazuya's body, before his opponent gets control over him. Kazuya's eyes flashed again, then stifled. Kazuya got control over his body again.

- So? Will you fight or not? – He asked. Obviously, Kazuya was unaware of Devil presence in him.

- No. You won. – Yoshimitsu smiled. – You are very good fighter...

Yoshimitsu left the gym. He was shocked. Devil was here...and he just fought with him. Devil is very dangerous...and Yoshimitsu needs to eliminate him before he possesses more souls...

Yoshimitsu got back to his room. His sword was still shining. Yoshimitsu took the sword, and looked at it.

- Hmm...this is a katana...very good one indeed...I should make a name for it.

He was smiling, as he thought about the sword's name.

- Well...the best name is...Yoshimitsu! It that case, Yoshimitsu, I have the honor to be your owner, and you have the honor to use my name!

Yoshimitsu standed up and started practicing with his sword. The new form of the sword was much more powerful than the old one, but that still wasn't enough to match Devil's power. Yoshimitsu practiced all day, and when night arrived, he meditated. He needed to restore the energy he lost fighting with Kazuya...

Every day after that, he practiced more than before, to match Devil's skills. He practiced all day, all night...he didn't have time to sleep or meditate anymore.

And, after whole week, the tournament day has come. All fighters left the big building. Heihachi was waiting for them. He raised his megaphone and started talking:

- Welcome to The King of Iron Fist Tournament! This is a fighting tournament, and only one fighter can win. The winner will face me, Heihachi Mishima, in a final match. The one who defeats me, will get a huge prize in money! You know the risks of the tournament, so, if there is anybody who isn't ready for fight, he should leave the tournament NOW. Later, nobody can leave tournament, and all of you must fight. Now, I'll let the announcer to introduce the fighters!

Announcer came to Heihachi's place and started introducing fighters.

- Thanks Heihachi. First fighter is Paul Phoenix, an American Judo fighter!

A blonde fighter in black pants and black shirt walked to the place where announced fighters needed to go. He looked really powerful, and Yoshimitsu already knew that Paul will be one of hardest opponents to defeat.

- Nina Williams, an Irish fighter and master of Hapkido!

Blonde woman came to place where Paul was standing. She looked weak on the first look, but a real fighting master was hiding behind that mask

- Marshall Law, a Chinese Jet Kune Doo fighter!

Marshall Law looked powerful too. He was full of muscles, and he looked very calm. He probably meditates sometimes, to keep his soul clean, and to be better fighter...he won't be easy to defeat.

- Michelle Chang, a native American fist fighter!

Michelle didn't look very dangerous. She looked like a housekeeper. But behind maybe weak body is surely a good fighter...

- Lee Chaolan, master of Jet Kune Doo and Karate!

A white-haired fighter came to other announced contestants. By the way he walked, Yoshimitsu could see that he knows what he wants. Another good fighter...and he trains two different martial arts.

- Kazuya Mishima, a karate champion!

Yoshimitsu didn't need to look at Kazuya to know that he is the deadliest fighter on the tournament. With his Devil powers, he will be almost unbeatable...

- A Mexican wrestler...King!

For some unknown reason, King was, like Yoshimitsu and Kunimitsu, hiding his face. His face was hidden by a Jaguar mask. Anyways, he looked dangerous because he was very good built.

- A Russian cyborg...Jack!

Jack was a real giant. He was a robot, but very powerful. His movements were a bit slow, but he was strong...maybe the strongest fighter in the tournament.

- A Sumo wrestling master, Ganryu!

Ganryu slowly walked to the other announced fighters. Yoshimitsu's eyes were full of fury when he saw him, but he managed to calm down.

- Wang Jinery, a Chinese Tai Chi fighter!

Wang was very, very old. Yoshimitsu knew he will die soon. But he still entered the tournament. Why? He must he good fighter when he decided to fight at that age...

- Anna Williams, another Irish Hapkido fighter!

Anna was looking like a model. And she wanted to look like that. But, in what relationship she is with Nina? Are they cousins? Relatives? Sisters?

- Kunimitsu, a Ninjutsuu master!

“There you are. “ Thought Yoshimitsu. Kunimitsu entered the tournament...but why? It is impossible she entered the tournament just because of revenge to Yoshimitsu. She wants something else...

- Armor King, another Mexican Wrestler!

Armor King's face was covered by a Jaguar mask, just like King's. He was good built too, but Yoshimitsu sensed that Armor King is better fighter than King. He is maybe King's mentor...

- Prototype Jack, a Russian Cyborg!

P. Jack looked like Jack, but he was bigger and full of different machines. He looked powerful too, just like Jack...they are surely on the same side.

“Who was their creator?” Yoshimitsu wondered.

- A fighting bear...Kuma!

Yoshimitsu was surprised when he saw who Kuma is. It was a gigantic BEAR! A bear who knows to fight! That will surely be a hard opponent...

- And Yoshimitsu, a Manji ninja!

Yoshimitsu finally walked to other fighters. He looked at Kunimitsu, but she was pretending she didn't see him.

Heihachi took megaphone from announcer.

- Thank you. You are the fighters who will contest in this tournament, and try to win the tournament's prize! I hope you practiced enough, and prepared for the tournament, because it will start tomorrow! You can leave now. You can practice for tomorrow's matches. I wish good luck to everybody!

All fighters entered the building again. The gym was full, almost all fighters were practicing to be prepared for the tournament.

But Yoshimitsu wasn't practicing. He knew his abilities and he knew he can't improve his skills for one night. So, instead of practicing, he was meditating in his room.

He knew he will need all of his physical and mental strength for the tournament...he has lot of different goals...be decoy while his ninjas steal the operating funds of the tournament, confront Ganryu, eliminate Devil, get his sister back...

Tomorrow is the big day. The day of testing his skills. The day which will decide who is good fighter, and who is not.

The day of TEKKEN.