The Blackdragon Dojo became the most famous dojo in the world during the next 10 years. Lily continued her tournament dominance and Jerry Lee rose to prominence. The pair won every tournament that they entered and usually won victory over a Hirono karate practitioner. Dan Hirono wasn't pleased at being considered the second best karate school, but he couldn't enter tournaments due to his position within his company.
There was major concern and worry about Terry from the Lee family. Since he had run away he'd managed to avoid being captured or found when he didn't want to be found. He would send a postcard or letter to let them know that he was alright. He was fighting in underground fight clubs and pit fights.
There was an attempted robbery of the Lee home which led to Karen being temporarily paralyzed. She regained the use of her legs, but remained on a cane after her recovery. The suspect managed to commit suicide in police custody. Lily and the Lees believed that this was actually an assassination attempt and the suspect was killed to hide the truth.
News of Terry's whereabouts and exploits stopped for several years. Then Terry resurfaced in a huge way. He was featured on the covers of many fighting magazines for his arrival on the mainstream tournament scene. While Lily and Jerry dominated the tournaments in the Western hemisphere, Terry dominated the Eastern hemisphere.
The magazines raved about his brutal reemergence. Some stories hinted about his undefeated and unmatched record in underground fights. The rumor that attracted the attention of his family the most was the mention of a new fighting style that he was supposed to have developed. Terry never confirmed or denied this, but this style was rumored to be called Omega.
Dan Hirono was growing tired of the Lee family and Blackdragon Karate. He sent his best student to a tournament in Osaka, Japan to win to celebrate the new dojo that he was about to open there. Unfortunately, his student drew Terry Lee in his first round match. Terry allowed him to get a brief flurry in before ending the fight with three moves.
Terry's victory in Osaka also increased his mystique. The referee heard the Hirono student ask about Proof of Omega before their match. This was shortly before Terry broke his leg, his jaw and his spine with his barely visible combo. The referee shared this with a reporter who began digging into Terry's past.
The rivalry between the two dojos reached a fever pitch after this embarrassment. Hirono secretly ordered his top students to harass and assault any members of the Blackdragon Dojo. Hirono squads would target students of the Blackdragon Dojo and attack them after class. They were attacking in the streets, the subways and parking garages.
Hirono squads made sure to avoid Jerry Lee and Lily Kwan. Any squad that tangled with them was defeated. Hirono received word that there was another Blackdragon fighter who was a threat. He thought that it might be Hiro Date until he learned that it was a masked white guy. Eventually, some students became scared of the Hirono squads and decided to stop taking Blackdragon Karate.
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"So, now there's a new Blackdragon master in town," Hirono said as he steepled his fingers.
"Yes sir,"
"I tire of these guys. They are making things difficult. We need to do something about this."
"What do you want us to do, sir?"
"I'll have to find a way to deal with this new fighter and to eliminate the Lees discreetly. Hayate... try to find out everything you can about this new guy."
"Yes sir."
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A Hirono squad was waiting for three members of the Blackdragon Dojo to leave the ice cream shop. When they stepped outside laughing and smiling the Hirono squad approached. The trio tried to turn and go the other way, but they were surrounded. The leader of the Hirono squad chuckled and cracked his knuckles.
"Seems like we got some Blackdragon punks looking for trouble," the squad leader said.
"We don't want any trouble," the taller Blackdragon student said.
"Nah. It's too late for that. If you're not down with the Hirono Dojo, then you're enemies."
"Wait," the shorter Blackdragon guy said while trying to look non threatening, "We can work something out."
"These guys aren't here to talk. They're here to jump us," the female Blackdragon student said.
The Hirono squad laughed. They started to move closer. The three Blackdragon students backed up to each other. Before the attack could happen, a man in a trenchcoat jump kicked one of the Hirono squad members. His victim went rolling down the street.
"You just fucked up. Do you know who we are? Do you know what we're gonna do to you," the squad leader shouted.
"You're some of Hirono's clowns and you're going down."
The Hirono squad leader looked at the man. He was tall with a chocolate complexion. He had a cocky look on his face with determined gray eyes. His mustache and goatee were neatly trimmed. He looked very familiar.
"You're Terry Lee," the female Blackdragon student shouted.
"Shit," the squad leader said as recognition hit him.
Terry Lee grinned. He moved with a speed that no one was prepared for. A lunge punch followed by a roundhouse kick removed two more members of the Hirono squad from the fight. The squad leader motioned for the remaining members to attack.
"Come get some," Terry said with a smirk.
He ducked under a punch from the first attacker and elbowed him in the side. Terry ducked down as he stepped towards his second target. He brought his head up into the man's chin. He grabbed his wrist as he staggered back. Terry flipped him to the ground and then punched him in the chest.
"Who's next," Terry asked.
The Squad leader looked at his remaining teammate. He nodded towards Terry, but the other guy shook his head. Terry tapped the back of his wrist like he was checking to see if a watch was working. The squad leader motioned to attack again. The man shook his head again.
"Get him," the female Blackdragon student said as she charged at the final squad member.
The others followed her. Terry turned towards the squad leader with a wicked grin. The squad leader tried to run, but Terry grabbed him by the back of the head. Terry slammed his head into the hood of a car. The squad leader fell to the ground as the car alarm went off. Terry turned to see the Blackdragon students kicking the last guy.
"I see that you have this under control. So I'm heading out."
"Wait, please," the female Blackdragon student said.
"What is it," Terry replied.
"Thank you. We appreciate the help."
"You were awesome," the tall student said.
"I want to be as tough as you," the short guy said.
"You're welcome. Keep practicing and find what works for you," Terry said as he walked away.