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THE ARENA BUZZED WITH TENSION AND ANTICIPATION as the remaining teams stood assembled, the weight of the competition pressing down on them. Half the competitors were already eliminated, their dreams of glory left behind in earlier rounds, while others watched nervously from the sidelines. The top eight dojos, including Cobra Kai, stood under the bright lights, their fighters ready to face whatever came next.

Gunther, a tall man with a commanding presence, stepped forward, his voice echoing across the space.

"Top eight dojos," he began, his tone measured and authoritative. "Welcome to our final group event."

Everyone's eyes were locked on him, the silence in the arena palpable.

"Over the course of the tournament, you have each proven yourselves worthy of your place atop the leaderboard. And after today, only the best of the best will gain entry into our Tournament of Champions."

Y/n exchanged a knowing glance with Kwon, a soft smirk tugging at her lips. They had been preparing for this moment since morning, Sensei Kim drilling them relentlessly with tactics and strategies. While nothing was explicitly confirmed, it seemed likely that the round would focus on individual performance—solo efforts that would ultimately contribute to the team's success.

As the chancellor continued, his voice took on a sharper edge, commanding full attention. "Now, here are the rules for this round..."

The fighters leaned in slightly, hanging on his every word.

"Each team will face three opponents, determined by random draw, in an all-dojo tag-team competition."

Cheers erupted from some corners of the arena, while others exchanged murmured discussions. y/n and Kwon turned to each other, grinning as they shared a quick high-five. Confidence radiated off them; this was their moment to shine.

Lee and Park, standing nearby, looked equally thrilled. They were already whispering to each other, clearly discussing strategies for tagging in and out. Tory, however, stood apart from the group, her arms crossed and her gaze distant. She seemed lost in her thoughts, her usual fire noticeably dim. Yoon, on the other hand, was as calm as ever, his expression serene as he observed the proceedings.

The chancellor raised his hand for silence, waiting until the noise died down.

"Two fighters will enter the ring, one from each dojo at a time," he explained. "The other fighters will remain outside, waiting to be tagged by their teammate."

Y/n nodded subtly to herself, the rules lining up with what Sensei Kim had anticipated.

"Fighting will be continuous," the chancellor added, his tone firm. "No stoppages, no timeouts. So use your teammates wisely."

There was a pause, the weight of his words settling over the fighters.

"By the end of today," he continued, his gaze sweeping over the teams, "your captains will either be fighting in the Tournament of Champions or eliminated, watching from the sidelines."

The finality of his statement sent a ripple of determination through the room.

"May the best dojos win," he concluded, stepping back as the crowd erupted into cheers and applause.

The Cobra Kai team gathered in a tight huddle, their expressions a mixture of focus and anticipation. Y/N felt the energy coursing through her, a potent blend of excitement and nerves. Kwon stood beside her, his confidence steady and reassuring.

"We've got this," Kwon said, his voice low but firm. He looked around at the team. "We've trained for this. Stick to the plan, and we'll come out on top."

Lee grinned, giving Park a playful nudge. "I call dibs on the first tag. Don't leave me hanging, though."

"Not a chance," Park replied, rolling his shoulders in preparation.

Tory remained silent, her arms still crossed. y/n glanced at her, concern flickering in her eyes. She leaned closer. "Hey, you good?"

Tory nodded stiffly but didn't elaborate.

Yoon broke the tension with his usual calm demeanor. "Let's focus. It's just another match, one step closer to the goal."

The group nodded in unison, the moment of camaraderie giving them all a boost.

The team stood tall in their corner as the referee announced the first matchup. The team stretched and exchanged glances, the buzz of the crowd in the background fueling their adrenaline.

"Tempête de Vipères!" the referee called, signaling the French team as their first opponent.

The group exchanged smug smirks. At number three on the leaderboard, Cobra Kai was behind Furia de Panthera by a mere handful of points. A win here could propel them to second place or even tie with Iron Dragons for first. Meanwhile, Tempête de Vipères, sitting at fifth place, posed little threat.

"This is ours," Kwon said confidently, rolling his shoulders as he eyed the opposing team across the arena.

Y/n cracked her knuckles, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I can go in first and take out their female captain. Injure her early, and Kwon can handle the next guy. Then anyone else can clean up the third fighter."

Lee tapped his chin thoughtfully. "We should save energy for the later rounds. If we blow through our stamina now, it'll hurt us in round two and three."

"I agree," Park chimed in. "y/n/n can make it quick and use the rest of the match to recover while Kwon finishes them off."

Yoon, sitting cross-legged and looking unusually pensive, shook his head. "That's risky. I think it's mandatory to tag after each point. So maybe y/n starts, I'll take the middle guy, and then Kwon can come in last like the queen on a chessboard."

"Queen?" y/n teased, raising an eyebrow.

Yoon smirked. "Yeah, you know—deadliest piece on the board, but you save it for the right moment."

Kwon gave Yoon a mock glare. "You're lucky that sounded cool."

The group laughed lightly, but their attention snapped to Kreese and Kim as they approached, overhearing their strategy.

"Nichols will start first," Kreese interjected, his voice firm. "She's the female captain."

Y/n frowned slightly but kept quiet, glancing at Kim. Her sensei's brow furrowed for a moment before she nodded in agreement.

"We'll save the best for last," Kim said, her tone neutral, though something about her words made Tory's face fall even more.

The blonde's silence hung heavy in the air, uncharacteristic for her. y/n noticed, her gaze flickering toward her ex. the girl thought about saying something but decided to address it later, after the match.

With the revised strategy in place, Kreese outlined the plan. "Nichols goes in first and takes down their female captain. Depending on the gender of the next opponent, Lee or Park will handle the second fight. Lee, no need to worry—you won't be matched against a girl."

Lee nodded quickly, relief flashing across his face. "Got it, Sensei."

"Then Kwon can finish things off if it comes to that," Kim added.

The team nodded, breaking apart as the referee called for the fighters.

As expected, Vivienne, the female captain of Tempête de Vipères, was the first to step into the ring. She was a little shorter than the blonde, and a little slower with her attacks too... but her strength was unmatched and could pose a greater threat if not addressed accurately. Her confident smirk barely concealing her fierce determination.

Tory moved forward, her expression hazy, her usual fire replaced by something distant. y/n's eyes followed her friend, concern nagging at the back of her mind. Whatever was wrong with Tory, it wasn't the time to delve into it. Still, she silently resolved to check on her after the round.

"Go, Tory!" She called, her voice steady with encouragement.

The two fighters got into position, the tension thick in the air as the crowd fell into a hushed anticipation.

"Fighters, ready?" the referee called, his voice sharp and commanding.

Tory and Vivienne locked eyes, bouncing lightly on their feet, the fierce determination in their gazes nearly palpable.

"FIGHT!"

Tory sprang forward first, unleashing a storm of kicks and punches. Her strikes were relentless, some blocked, others narrowly dodged. Vivienne held her ground, countering when she could, and the crowd roared with each clash. Then, in a swift motion, Vivienne grabbed Tory's arm mid-punch and delivered a brutal smack to her shoulder, forcing her down to the mat.

"Tag y/n- Hurry!" Kwon called out, his voice cutting through the chaos.

Tory scrambled to her feet and lunged toward the y/h/c-haired girl, slapping her outstretched hand just in time.

Y/n bolted into the ring, her movements fluid and purposeful. She charged at Vivienne with no hesitation, ramming her shoulder into the French girl's chest. The force sent Vivienne stumbling backward and down onto the mat. She didn't stop there, delivering a calculated punch to her gut that earned her an undeniable point.

"POINT!"

The arena erupted into cheers and laughter as the commentators began their usual banter.

"And just like that, Medusa strikes again!" one exclaimed. "Picking up right where Queen Cobra left off—what an incredible dynamic these two have!"

"They're the perfect balance," another added. "One falters, the other steps in—like clockwork! It's teamwork at its finest, and it's terrifyingly effective."

Y/n offered a small smirk at the commentary as she stepped back, her eyes scanning the French team as the next fighter prepared to enter the ring.

The next opponent was a boy she hadn't seen fight before, but his bulky frame and clear physical strength made her decision easy. Without hesitation, she turned and tagged Lee in.

The younger boy stepped into the ring, bowing respectfully to his opponent before springing into action. His opponent wasted no time, coming at Lee with a flurry of powerful strikes. Lee's movements were quick and calculated, dodging and countering with precision. The fight was close—too close—but Lee's agility and technique ultimately won out as he delivered a sweeping kick to his opponent's legs, followed by a sharp elbow strike to the chest that sent the boy tumbling.

"POINT!" The referee raised his hand to signal the point, and Lee bowed once again to his defeated opponent before stepping back.

The commentators couldn't help but chime in.

"What a respectful young man," one remarked, amused. "You don't see that often these days. Whoever his girlfriend is, she's a lucky one. Just as he must be to have her!"

The other laughed. "Absolutely! A gentleman and a warrior—Cobra Kai really has it all!"

Lee returned to the team with a calm smile, though there was a flicker of pride in his eyes.

The next fighter entered the ring—the male captain of Tempête de Vipères. Tall and imposing, his confidence was written all over his face.

Lee glanced back at the team and smirked, tagging in Kwon.

With his usual swagger, Kwon stepped into the ring, rolling his shoulders as if he didn't have a care in the world. The crowd cheered louder, sensing that the match was about to reach its peak.

The two captains faced off, their presence alone electrifying the arena. This was the fight everyone had been waiting for...

Kwon opened the fight with a rapid triple kick aimed at the boy's ribs. His opponent dodged each strike narrowly, his movements sharp and precise. But Kwon wasn't one to let up—he anticipated the punch aimed at his ribs, sidestepping effortlessly and countering with a swift roundhouse kick. The boy ducked just in time, narrowly escaping the blow.

Not missing a beat, the French captain launched into an aerial kick, his form impressive and controlled. But Kwon, ever the strategist, slid smoothly under him, sweeping his opponent's leg in one fluid motion. The boy crashed to the mat with a loud thud.

Kwon didn't waste a second. With calculated precision, he delivered a decisive stomp to the boy's gut, earning his final point. The referee's whistle blew, signaling the end of the match as the crowd erupted into cheers, their voices blending with the triumphant shouts of Kwon's teammates.

"COBRA KAI WINS!"

The announcement rang out across the arena, followed shortly by another from the opposite side.

"IRON DRAGONS WINS!"

The Cobra Kai team didn't spare the other result a glance, their focus entirely on their own victory.

The commentators were already in a frenzy, their voices rising above the noise of the crowd.

"Did you see that sweep? The ferocity! The timing! Kwon Jae-sung is a predator in the ring—his raw talent and precision are unmatched!"

"One of the most dominant performances we've seen all day," the other chimed in. "This guy doesn't just fight; he dismantles. Cobra Kai couldn't ask for a better captain."

The team rushed toward Kwon, their excitement palpable. y/n reached him first, throwing her arms around him and pulling him into a tight hug. His face was buried in her chest as she kissed the top of his head.

"You were amazing," she said with a grin before scrunching her nose. "But ugh, you're so sweaty!"

She pushed him away with mock disgust, wiping her hands on her pants as the rest of the team burst into laughter.

Kwon smirked, running a hand through his damp hair. "What can I say? Winning's hard work."

Lee clapped him on the back, grinning. "Not bad, Captain."

"Not bad?" Park laughed. "He just obliterated their captain! Give the man some credit."

Tory, standing off to the side, gave a small smile, though her energy still seemed off.

As the team celebrated, y/n leaned closer to Kwon and muttered, "You owe me a fresh shirt, by the way. That sweat was a personal attack."

Kwon chuckled, his confidence radiating. "Is switching Gis your equivalent to stealing the hoodies I didn't get on this trip?"

"...maybe."

As y/n and Kwon flirted again, Park and Lee exchanged wide-eyed glances, their expressions brimming with intrigue.

Lee leaned toward Park, his voice dropping to an exaggerated whisper, "Wait... are they back together?"

Park tilted his head, his brow furrowing in thought. "Looks like it..." he muttered, his gaze darting between y/n and Kwon, who were now exchanging playful smirks.

Lee gasped dramatically, clutching his friend's arm. "Hyung! This is it! True love always wins! I told you! No mountain is high enough, no river wide enough in the matters of love!"

Park nodded solemnly, as though absorbing the wisdom of an ancient sage. "It's fate. It's destiny. Like in those Nollywood dramas Chausiku watches. Soulmates."

"They've crossed oceans of angst to get here!" Lee declared, his hand over his heart. "You remember the drama, right? The longing gazes? The stubbornness? The... tension?"

Park nodded fervently, his eyes sparkling. "And now, they're writing their happy ending. Together. Like Fists of Fire!"

At the mention of their infamous fanfic, the two of them froze before whipping around to face each other.

Lee gasped. "Hyung... do you know what this means?"

Park's eyes lit up. "Fists of Fire 2?"

"Or a sequel?!"

"Or—wait for it—a REBOOT!"

Park clapped his hands together like a giddy child, and the two of them grabbed each other's hands, jumping up and down in a circle.

"Jae-sung and y/n! Fists of Fire: Reignited! Daebak!"

"We need to start planning the chapters!" Lee exclaimed.

"We'll write it together! First chapter: The Return of the Cobras!"

Their excited chatter turned into rapid-fire brainstorming in Korean, their voices blending into a hilarious cacophony.

"Love in the dojo!"

"Fists clashing, hearts colliding!"

"Enemies to lovers to... lovers again!"

Their animated antics earned them several judgmental glances from nearby teams. Even Cobra Kai's own members stared at them in bewilderment. Yoon raised an eyebrow, while Tory rubbed her temples, muttering something about being surrounded by idiots.

Kwon shook his head, the faintest hint of a smirk on his lips. "What are you two even doing?"

Park turned to him, beaming. "Celebrating true love, Captain! It's inspiring!"

Lee nodded. "Your story is a masterpiece in the making, Jae-sung."

"Don't ruin this for us!" Park added dramatically.

Y/n crossed her arms, her brow raising in disbelief. "You guys wrote a fanfiction... about us?"

Park and Lee nodded enthusiastically.

"It's a bestseller in our hearts!" Lee proclaimed.

"People ship you two like crazy!" Park added. "And now, it's all coming true!"

Y/n groaned, covering her face with her hands, while Kwon rolled his eyes and muttered, "You're lucky you're good fighters and we've got two more rounds left."

Still giggling and chattering, Park and Lee finally stopped their theatrics, sharing a celebratory fist bump before returning to their water bottles. The rest of the team followed suit, walking off the mats to regroup and hydrate before their next match.

Despite the lighthearted chaos, the atmosphere in their corner was victorious, and everyone could feel the energy buzzing as they prepared for the next battle.

The team's laughter and camaraderie filled the air, a stark contrast to the defeated French team slinking away. 

Cobra Kai had made their mark, and the tournament was theirs to dominate...

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