Kung Fu Academy S/ カンフーアカデミーS

The members of the Royal Gold team made their way back to the rest area, each supporting an unsteady Cloven who bore the visible signs of a brutal beating. The Mystical Force team, observing from a distance, noticed that Catching Heat was now one member short, having suffered a significant loss.

"This is just terrible," Felix muttered, his head bowed low in disappointment. "I was certain there would be an upset," Jax added, his voice filled with disbelief. Lionel chimed in next, "From what Zebeon told me, Calypso and Zyjipsue also had quite a tight match as they pushed their powers to the absolute limits." Kiyoshi nodded in agreement before adding, "This only means that the tournament is becoming more intense and competitive with every passing second."

Suddenly, the intercom buzzed to life: “We need Four Clovers of Nightmare and Team Checkmate on the platform. Thank you." Without hesitation, all members from each team rose from their seats and exited through the door. The two teams lined up neatly before moving to opposite sides of the platform.

"Welcome back, teams; it's good to see you all prepared for what could potentially be an excellent series," Hiroko announced with enthusiasm. He continued on with a reminder about the rules: "Remember not to lose or you will disappear."

"I guess I'll start us off," Juro declared confidently, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. FJ looked at him curiously and asked him about his plan. With humor lacing his voice, Juro replied simply yet assertively: "I plan on winning." FJ responded with an understanding nod saying: “Fair enough.”

As soon as he hopped onto the platform facing Jasen directly, he extended an outstretched hand towards her asking politely: “How are you?” However Jasen remained silent without responding to Juro’s courtesy.

As the tension mounted, Juro heard Yosuke's voice inside him wishing him luck. Gratefully he responded, “Thanks brother!” After bowing to each other as a sign of respect before their match began, Jasen launched a purple blast at Juro. He barely managed to dodge the attack.

Jasen followed up with more blasts while Juro continued to skillfully evade them across the platform. Jasen then ceased her attacks momentarily and began powering up, but her stamina started to drain rapidly. She emitted a powerful purple aura and transformed into an intimidating half-human, half-wolf creature. After letting out a chilling howl, she charged towards Juro.

Despite her relentless onslaught of punches, Jasen missed hitting Juro repeatedly. In an impressive display of agility and strength, Juro caught one of Jasen’s punches with his foot and pushed her back forcefully. Hiroki commented on this move saying: “That���s some incredible footwork from Juro.”

Regaining her balance quickly, Jasen noticed that her power was dwindling in this form. Determined not to let down her team she charged at Juro again. With his eyes closed and using his heightened senses, Juro managed to evade all of Jasen’s attacks effortlessly.

As Jasen’s energy rapidly depleted further, she unleashed a super move: “Super Move: Violent Wolf Slash!” The arena filled with the glow of a purple claw slash aimed at Juro who swiftly dodged it. Despite launching multiple attacks until her energy was completely exhausted, Jasen couldn’t land a hit on him.

Juro powered up and released an ultra-move: “Ultra-Move: Wild Black Blaze Strike!” His hands ignited with black flames as he charged towards the defenseless Jasen delivering a punch that sent her flying back several yards before she collapsed unconscious.

Upon regaining consciousness, frustration washed over Jasen for losing but Juro came over offering his hand saying gratefully: “Thanks for an awesome match.” Accepting his hand and standing up she replied with determination in her voice: “I’ll be waiting for our rematch after this tournament is over.”

The two fighters nodded at each other before returning to their respective teams. Jasen’s team applauded her efforts. Apologetically, she said: “Sorry guys, my spirit energy is lower than normal for some reason.” Eri comforted her saying: “You did your best; there was nothing more you could do.”

Spotting an opportunity, Eri declared: “I think I should fight this match; I haven’t had a turn yet!” After bowing to her team respectfully, she made her way towards the stage.

Meanwhile Yosuke pumped himself up saying: “Time to bring this home for us.” He gave his team a wink and a thumbs-up before heading towards the stage. Upon reaching the platform he faced Eri and they both bowed to each other marking the start of their match.

As they circled each other sizing up their opponent, Eri launched the first attack but failed to land a hit on Yosuke who skillfully dodged all her punches. Frustrated she asked him: “Why can’t I hit you?” With a smirk he replied confidently: “Because I am just faster than you.”

Fukumoto advised Eri saying: "Take your time and focus on your target." Taking his advice to heart she took a deep breath and her spirit energy brightened becoming stronger. Hiroko commented on this change saying: "That's what you call focused energy; it seems just like Jax's aura in his fight."

Seeing Eri’s powerful punch coming his way Yosuke muttered under his breath: "This isn't good." He was knocked back several yards tumbling hard onto the platform floor. Getting back up only to be punched and kicked again causing him roll on the ground once more.

Realizing that he needed to take Eri seriously or risk losing the match he said while lying on the ground: "She is focused on winning."

With a strategic plan forming in his mind, Yosuke rose to his feet. His aura glowed white as he transformed into the White Blaze Panda. "Hold on!" Eri interjected, beginning her own transformation into a half-human, half-Cyclops hybrid. Hiroko watched in anticipation, declaring, "The ultimate showdown between Panda and Cyclops has begun."

Eri and Yosuke's attacks collided with an explosive force, but it was Yosuke who emerged victorious, sending Eri flying back onto the platform with a thud. Despite the impact, she quickly stood up again, her focus aura still surrounding her. Wild punches were thrown at Yosuke who effortlessly dodged them all as if he could anticipate each move.

With a swift palm strike from Yosuke, Eri lost her focus energy and stumbled backwards. The aura around Yosuke intensified into a blazing white light. "Ultra-Move: White Light Blaze Striker!" He shouted as his fist ignited into a white flame reminiscent of his brother Juro's power.

Eri was struck with such force that she was flung out of the ring and upon landing outside of it, she fainted instantly. "Eri Sugai is out! Team Checkmate advances to the Final Four!" Hiroko announced over the roaring cheers of the crowd.

However, their victory was overshadowed by the sudden disappearance of The Four Clovers of Nightmare team members. Rin-Rin looked visibly distressed as she murmured to herself about saving them. There were no celebrations from Team Checkmate due to this unexpected turn of events.

Upon returning to their rest area after the match, they received congratulations from other teams for their victory despite their subdued demeanor. With forced smiles plastered on their faces they responded with polite thanks.

"Finally, it's our turn again, and I am ready to bring justice to that Mitsuko," Yeom declared. "I hate to break it to you, but he will destroy you; if it comes down to it, I'll be the one facing him," Hoon retorted. "I highly doubt it because we are going to annihilate that team two-zero," Akira confidently stated. Hoon mulled over their words in his mind, thinking they shouldn't underestimate their opponents.

"Are you guys ready to fight for your lives?" Tokido questioned his team. "Yeah, I'm ready; just need to stretch my bones a bit," Alecto responded eagerly. "I got to get loose," Jared added with determination. Wiley chimed in excitedly, "Hot Diggity Dog! This match is going to be one of the tournament's highlights."

The intercom buzzed in, announcing, “Can we please have Ghost Freaks and Faded Legacy on the fighting platform?” Both teams made their way towards the platform.

“Ready to fade away into the night?” Yeom taunted as he laughed loudly. “Stop scaring them; they're already shaking in fear,” Miyoki teased. “Who says we're scared of you?” Alecto shot back defiantly. “Not us; you'll be fading away when we win,” Miyoki replied smugly.

“Yeah, that's not happening; we have a strong team,” Jared asserted firmly. Everyone from Faded Legacy burst into laughter except for Hoon who thought to himself, “Fools! Don’t they know they're facing two fighters who were in the top five last year?”

Both teams emerged from the tunnel side by side while the crowd cheered enthusiastically for both sides before taking positions at opposite ends of the platform.

“I'll start this match,” Jared announced as he hopped onto the platform. “I'll take him on,” Yeom responded, jumping onto the platform as well. They bowed and immediately started fighting even before Hiroko had a chance to announce their names.

“They're wasting no time; I guess the rivalry is intense with this one," commented an observer. Jared and Yeom exchanged punches and kicks until they were suspended in mid-air. Then, Yeom landed a punch on Jared's face, which was promptly returned by Jared.

Yeom missed a punch, giving Jared the opportunity to land a kick in his gut followed by one in his face. Yeom crashed onto the ground hard while Jared dashed towards him from mid-air. However, Yeom rolled out of the way just in time.

“Lucky you moved because I wasn’t planning to stop my momentum,” taunted Jared. This only made Yeom laugh as he powered up into Buttinsky, the Poisonous Horn Goat.

“So we're doing that now,” said Jared as he transformed into Erik, the Thunder Wyvern. The fight continued with both opponents landing powerful attacks on each other until finally, Jared managed to electrocute Yeom by holding his electrified hand on Yeom’s horns before kicking him off the platform.

Everyone from Ghost Freaks celebrated except for Tokido who remained stoic amidst their jubilation. “Whatever! You got lucky but don't expect your win to last long,” laughed Yeom defiantly as he accepted defeat graciously.

“I'll go next to finish these guys,” Alecto declared confidently while Akira responded with equal determination, "I got this one." Before Akira stepped up onto the platform, Hoon put his hand on Akira’s shoulders and advised him sternly: "Finish him; show no mercy."

The match between Alecto and Akira began fiercely with both fighters showcasing their skills until finally, Akira managed to overpower Alecto by breaking his leg. “Now you're going to be a one-legged monkey,” Akira taunted as Alecto writhed in pain on the platform.

“Come and get up!” Akira yelled, laughing at his opponent's predicament.

With a swift movement, Alecto managed to roll out of the way just in time. Akira began advancing towards him, only to be met with a metallic kick to his head. He slumped over momentarily but quickly recovered, cradling his throbbing head. No sooner had he risen than Alecto was in his face, delivering a punch that rang with the sound of metal on flesh.

Akira stumbled backward, teetering on the edge of the boundary line but managing to regain his balance at the last moment. Alecto lunged at him again, this time with a flying kick, but Akira deftly sidestepped and retaliated with a back chop that sent Alecto sprawling off the platform.

"Alecto has been knocked out of the ring," Hiroko announced. "The match is now tied." Hoon nodded approvingly at Akira who responded not with words but a respectful bow. The stage was then taken by Hoon as Tokido helped Alecto back towards their group.

Tokido ascended onto the platform next, locking eyes with Hoon as gusts of wind whipped around them. Both bowed before transforming into their spirit forms amidst violent winds.

"I've been eagerly anticipating this match for quite some time," Hoon confessed.

"Why did you leave the resting area?" Tokido questioned him.

"And why did you follow me?" Hoon retorted.

"You were acting suspiciously; I wanted to see what you were up to," Tokido explained.

"Whatever I'm doing is none of your concern," Hoon dismissed him curtly.

"You're hiding something; I can tell," Tokido accused him.

"If you manage to land a hit on me, I'll let you in on my secret," Hoon proposed cryptically. To his surprise, Tokido succeeded in landing a hit that sent him tumbling over. Rushing forward, Tokido grabbed Hoon by his collar.

"Alright," Hoon conceded. "My boss put a spell on the arena that makes people disappear if they lose."

"Who's your boss and why are they doing this?" Tokido demanded.

"They're seeking revenge on everyone on the island, including you, for killing Sekel," Hoon revealed.

Tokido released him in shock. "We're all doomed," he muttered under his breath. His attention was abruptly drawn to Hoon's Special Combo attack hurtling towards him. He took the full brunt of it, causing a quarter of the Arena to be obliterated along with him.

Tokido's body vanished but everyone else remained intact. Then, without warning, the entire Ghost Freaks team faded into nothingness.