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STANDING AT THE EDGE OG THE MAT, Miguel Diaz quickly tagged out, his hand slapping the captain's with urgency. He didn't need to say anything—his expression said it all. No one had been able to land even a single hit on Miguel the entire tournament, but with Kwon, things were different. It wasn't just his brute strength, though that was formidable; it was his technique, almost professional in precision and execution. 

And now? Kwon was angry—a dangerous combination.

Miguel shot a glance at Robby as he stepped off the mat, a silent warning. Across the way, Kwon rolled his neck, his muscles taut with tension. His sharp gaze zeroed in on Robby, and without hesitation, Kwon charged.

His opening kick slammed toward Robby's side like a hammer, but Robby reacted just in time, lifting his leg to intercept. Their legs collided with a resounding crack, the force pushing Robby back a step. Kwon stumbled slightly, letting out a low, humorless laugh as he steadied himself.

"It's about time," Kwon taunted, his voice dripping with challenge. "Let's see what you got."

Robby's eyes narrowed, his body shifting into a defensive stance. He wasn't going to let the taunt get to him. Not now. He charged forward, launching a sharp front kick toward Kwon's midsection. Kwon blocked effortlessly, countering with a lightning-fast side kick that grazed Robby's shoulder.

The two fighters exploded into a blur of movement, each attack more precise and calculated than the last. Robby spun into a roundhouse kick, which Kwon blocked with an open hand, twisting his body to counter with a 360-degree spinning hook kick. Robby ducked under it, rolling away and springing to his feet with practiced ease.

A triple kick followed, each strike snapping through the air with deadly accuracy. Kwon blocked the first two, but the third clipped his temple, snapping his head to the side. It wasn't a point, but it was enough to make Kwon's jaw tighten, his expression darkening with resolve.

"Not bad," Kwon muttered, his voice icy. "But you'll have to do better than that."

And then the real fight began.

Kwon surged forward, unleashing a flurry of lethal kicks so rapid and precise they seemed to blur together. A spinning heel kick transitioned seamlessly into a double sidekick, forcing Robby to weave and block. 

A butterfly kick arced through the air, narrowly missing Robby's shoulder as he ducked low, countering with a sweep to Kwon's legs. Kwon jumped, avoiding the sweep entirely, and retaliated with a tornado kick that barely grazed Robby's hair as he leaned back just in time.

Robby fought back with equal intensity, finally finding his rhythm. A hook kick to Kwon's ribs was deflected, but Robby pivoted into a jumping front kick, catching Kwon's arm. Kwon grunted, stepping back, but used the momentum to launch into a backward spinning kick aimed at Robby's jaw. 

Robby blocked, though the force sent him skidding back.

Their movements became faster, almost too fast for the eye to follow. Kwon's back kicks and crescent kicks sliced through the air like a whirlwind, while Robby's spinning sidekicks and back knuckles countered with ferocious precision. 

The crowd was silent, entranced by the sheer complexity and intensity of the fight.

Kwon pressed harder, his attacks relentless. A triple combination of roundhouse, hook, and spinning heel kick drove Robby toward the edge of the mat. But Robby's defense held strong. A low block followed by a quick jab to Kwon's torso pushed the Korean fighter back just enough to give Robby room to breathe.

Sweat dripped down both fighters' faces as they circled each other, their breathing heavy but their eyes sharp. Kwon's lips curled into a fierce grin, the thrill of the challenge igniting his spirit.

Robby attacked again, a jumping tornado kick aimed high. Kwon sidestepped, grabbing Robby's leg mid-air and twisting it just enough to destabilize him. Robby landed awkwardly but recovered quickly, retaliating with a spinning back kick that Kwon barely managed to block with his forearm.

The exchange continued, a symphony of calculated violence. 

Kwon's flexibility and explosive power were met by Robby's adaptability and resilience. Every block, strike, and counterstrike felt like a move in an intricate game of chess, each fighter testing the limits of the other.

Finally, Kwon's frustration began to show. 

He feinted with a low kick, then spun into a butterfly twist, his foot aimed directly at Robby's chest. Robby, anticipating the move, shifted his weight and absorbed the blow on his arms, the impact staggering but not enough to take him down.

Kwon landed, his chest heaving, and glared at Robby. The boy's defense was better than he'd anticipated, especially now that Robby seemed fully in the game. Whatever had been distracting him earlier—probably Tory—was no longer a factor.

The world faded to oblivion as the two fighters stood in the center, gazes locked on one another.

The crowd's cheers and jeers were white noise to them, both of their focus razor-sharp. But beneath that anchor, rage simmered. Robby's smug composure, the unfairness of earlier fouls, and the stakes of this match were all fuel for the fire burning inside him.

Robby charged first, aiming a kick at Kwon's side. Kwon sidestepped, countering with a kick of his own aimed at Robby's ribs. Robby, however, brought his knee up, blocking the kick in a way that sent a sharp jolt of pain through Kwon's shin. 

The Korean fighter gritted his teeth, ignoring the sting as he backed away.

Again, Robby went for Kwon's legs, using his knee to block and deflect each of Kwon's strikes. Kwon's lips curled into a scowl. He wasn't used to such calculated malice. The deliberate targeting of his legs was enough to provoke him. Robby smirked, clearly enjoying his small victories, and pushed forward with more aggressive strikes.

Kwon stumbled but quickly regained his footing, years of trekking across harsh terrains coming to his aid. Park, standing on the edge of the mat, extended his hand. "Tag out!" he called urgently, his voice cutting through the noise. But Kwon ignored him. This fight was his now. He was too deep into it, too angry to let anyone else step in.

Robby capitalized on Kwon's momentary distraction, feinting with a high kick and then sweeping Kwon's legs out from under him. Kwon hit the mat with a thud, but before Robby could land a follow-up strike, Kwon kipped up, springing back to his feet with a fluid grace that drew gasps from the crowd.

This wasn't just a match anymore—it was a war of egos, a battle for dominance. 

The two fighters clashed again, a flurry of kicks, blocks, and punches exchanged with a ferocity that left the audience on the edge of their seats. Robby's footwork was impeccable, his defensive strategy keeping Kwon at bay. But Kwon's raw power and precision were undeniable, each strike landing harder than the last.

Then came the moment that pushed Kwon to the edge. Robby managed to pin him down, pressing his chest to the mat. But instead of going for the point, Robby grabbed a fistful of Kwon's hair and yanked his head back roughly.

"That's a foul!" Sensei Kreese's voice cut through the chaos like a whip. He was on his toes, her expression furious. "Grabbing hair and clothes is against the rules!"

The referee hesitated, then waved the call off. 

Kwon's eyes burned with anger as he felt Robby release his grip. The second he was free, Kwon swung a punch at Robby, but Robby caught his arm, flipping him over. Both fighters hit the ground and sprang back to their feet in perfect unison, their eyes locked in a heated glare.

The commentators erupted in excitement. 

"Unbelievable! The sheer intensity of this match is off the charts!" one shouted. "These two are giving it their all, and it's anyone's game at this point!"

Kwon was furious now, his anger radiating off him in waves. No more holding back. He took a deep breath, his form shifting as he prepared to unleash his most infamous technique—the Dogsa Gong-gyeog. His strikes became sharper, more precise, each kick cutting through the air with deadly intent.

Robby's defense was solid, but Kwon's relentless onslaught was overwhelming. The Korean fighter's movements were a blend of power and elegance, a display of martial arts mastery. He pushed Robby closer and closer to the edge of the mat, his kicks and punches landing with brutal efficiency. But just as Robby seemed about to fall out of bounds, someone steadied him.

It was Tory Nichols.

The audience gasped in shock, and so did Cobra Kai. Tory's interference was blatant, her hands on Robby's back as she stabilized him. Her face was conflicted, her emotions clouding her judgment.

"What are you doing?!" Park shouted from the sidelines, his voice filled with betrayal. Even Kim and Kreese looked stunned by her sudden shift in loyalties.

Kwon froze for a split second, his gaze flickering to Tory. He hadn't expected much from her, but this? This was a betrayal he hadn't seen coming. His distraction was brief, but it was enough for Robby to regain his footing and charge at him.

Robby's kicks came fast and hard, his aggression ramping up as he sensed Kwon's mental turmoil. Kwon blocked each strike, but the attacks were relentless, the force behind them bruising his arms and legs.

Kwon's focus wavered again as he spotted medics entering the arena, whispering something to Kim Da-eun. Her expression turned urgent as she signed a slip handed to her by Kreese. The distraction was costly. Robby landed a hard kick to Kwon's thigh, nearly sending him out of bounds.

It wasn't a point, but it was close enough to rattle Kwon. He steadied himself, his jaw clenched tightly as he let out a scream of frustration. He shifted back into his stance, the fire in his eyes rekindled. 

This wasn't over. Not yet.

Both fighters charged at each other, their bodies coiled with tension. They leapt into the air simultaneously, each aiming a powerful kick. But at the last second, Kwon's gaze flickered back to Kim and Kreese, who were still speaking urgently to the medics. His form faltered, his kick mistimed.

Robby's strike landed squarely on Kwon's face, sending him crashing to the mat.

"POINT! MIYAGI-DO WINS!"

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