They navigated their way to one of the nearest cafés. “I can’t believe we lost that badly in practice,” Jax said, his voice heavy with defeat. Lionel sat before his favorite meal, Yakisoba, but instead of eating it, he merely prodded it with his chopsticks. “Are you okay?” Jax asked. “Yeah, I’m fine,” Lionel replied. “You don’t seem like it,” Kiyoshi interjected. “You can tell us what’s bothering you,” Jax encouraged him.

“The fight against Hoon,” Lionel admitted after a pause.

“Yeah?” Jax prompted.

“He has a whole new special move system called Combo move and he completely wiped the floor with both of us. What's worse is that I couldn’t read his spirit guardian at all,” Lionel confessed.

“I am pretty sure we will get him and his team next time we face them,” Jax reassured him, determination etched on his face.

“Maybe not at all,” Lionel countered as he rose from the table and left abruptly.

“It looks like I'm going to eat his dinner then," Kiyoshi announced as he reached for Lionel’s plate with his chopsticks only to be elbowed hard in the side by Felix.

“Never mind, I will put it back," Kiyoshi grimaced in pain as the sun retreated for the day and darkness fell over them. After thanking the cook, Jax, Kiyoshi, and Felix exited the café into the cool night air.

Kiyoshi yawned widely before speaking up again: "It looks like our prodigy is going to need his rest for tomorrow."

Felix and Jax burst into laughter causing Kiyoshi to scowl angrily at them: "What's so funny? Wait until I get stronger again; then I'll show you who is best!"

"First, you have to turn your losses into wins," Jax jested. Felix roared with laughter at his joke, causing Kiyoshi to storm off ahead of them.

Jax paused, feeling a familiar aura around him. “You guys go ahead; I will catch up with you later,” he told his friends as he stopped by a tree.

“Are you sure?” Felix asked.

“Positive,” Jax replied with a smile. “Alright, brother, come on out,” he called out.

Tokido emerged from the shadows and landed right in front of Jax. “How are you?” he asked.

“I’m doing good, actually,” Jax responded.

“Wait a minute, you asked how I was doing; what have you done with my brother?” Jax joked as he got into stance. Tokido laughed and warned him not to get too confident like their friend with the tiger heart because he would destroy him just like he did to him during their practice fight.

“What do you want?” Jax asked dismissively while crossing his arms.

Tokido advised him to be careful on the island because there were powerful fighters known as hybrids who seemed off and radiated dark aura as if they were being controlled by someone or something. He also mentioned that his team was listed under Ghost Freaks on the info board before tossing four healing fortune cookies at Jax and disappearing without another word.

The next day, all four of them woke up early for training. Felix and Jax raced each other from their dojo dorm to the forest nearby and back again. As expected, Jax won effortlessly due to his superior speed which left Felix gasping for breath in admiration: "Man, you're fast!"

"I used to do this all the time at home with my brothers and sisters," Jax shared with a grin on his face which caused Felix's brows to furrow in confusion.

Meanwhile Lionel and Kiyoshi sparred against each other, exchanging a flurry of kicks and punches. However, Lionel was too fast for Kiyoshi who fell to his knee in frustration: "This isn't fair; I can’t even land a punch or kick on you!"

"Quit complaining and try to boost your speed," Lionel advised him.

Kiyoshi got back up and tried again. This time he managed to land a punch on Lionel who fell to the ground: "Finally, I did something!" he exclaimed with a triumphant smile.

However, Lionel quickly regained his footing: "Not quite," he said before charging at Kiyoshi with blinding speed.

Kiyoshi blinked in surprise and lost sight of Lionel: "What?" he stuttered as he rubbed his eyes only for Lionel to appear right in front of him and deliver a neon punch to his chest that sent him crashing down.

"You still need a lot more training," Lionel commented while flashing him a thumbs-up sign.

"I believe our teacher has something against us as a team," Kiyoshi complained later that day.

"Yeah, she embarrassed us again in front of the class," Felix agreed.

"Well if Kiyoshi could get stronger maybe we wouldn't get embarrassed again," Jax added causing Kiyoshi to point an accusing finger at him: "Hey! You take that back; I'm doing my best!"

"Your best isn’t good enough,” Lionel declared bluntly

“I have about had it with this team,” said Kiyoshi with an angry voice. “I think that is enough, sir,” said Zebeon to Lionel. “I am just messing with him to try and improve this team,” said Lionel back to Zebeon. “Enough, Jax, you were in the same boat as him long ago,” said Tethyus. “Sorry, Tethyus,” said Jax. Kiyoshi ran off. “Wait,” said Felix. “Do you guys have to bully him that bad,” said Felix. “Well, I didn’t mean to do it that bad,” said Jax feeling bad. Kiyoshi ran so fast that when he looked behind him, he saw no trace of them, and then he turned back and saw a fighter’s back smash into him. “That is what you call taking out two trash fighters with one shot,” said the fighter. “Later losers, thank you for the rank,” said the fighter, and he left. The fighter who knocked out Kiyoshi got up. “Hey man, watch where you are going; you cost my team a loss,” said the fighter. “I’m sorry I had a rough day with my team,” said Kiyoshi. “Look at this face. Do you think I care about you and your team's feelings right now,” said the fighter. “I am trying to be nice, don’t let me bring out the other side of me,” said Kiyoshi. The fighter started to laugh and said, “I am ready to fight at any time.” Kiyoshi got into his stance and then remembered he couldn’t turn into Kitaro. “Before we start, it is only right to tell you my name before I defeat you the only honorable thing to do,” said the fighter. “Same, my name is Kiyoshi Hamasaki, a shadow tiger fighter,” Kiyoshi said. “A shadow tiger fighter, never seen one before, my name is Flint Jade, but everyone calls me F.J. Flint has large light green eyes that remind you of a dragon. He also has medium black hair with long hair strands on top going up to the side. He has a pointy noise. He has fair color skin. He is average, and he is a little taller than the other fighters. He wears a lime green gi with a dragon logo on the back and a one-star grey belt around his waist. “Alright, FJ, I am ready to fight,” said Kiyoshi. “Your funeral Kiyoshi,” said FJ with a bow. “Finish this fight quickly,” said Oga. “Will do; I am probably going to enjoy playing with him a little bit,” said FJ. Both fighters got into their stance and went at each other. It starts with FJ throwing a punch at Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi fell to his knees quickly. “Don’t tell me that you are that weak,” said FJ. “That was just a warmup punch to test your strength,” said Kiyoshi as he got back up. “Toxic "I've had just about enough of this team," Kiyoshi declared, anger evident in his voice. "I think that's enough, sir," Zebeon addressed Lionel. "I'm only trying to improve the team by teasing him a little," Lionel retorted. "Enough, Jax. You were once in his shoes," Tethyus interjected. "Sorry, Tethyus," Jax apologized swiftly as Kiyoshi stormed off.

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"Wait!" Felix called out, but it was too late. He turned back to the group and asked, "Did you really have to torment him that much?"

"I didn't mean for it to go that far," Jax admitted remorsefully. Kiyoshi ran so fast that when he glanced over his shoulder, there was no sign of them behind him. As he turned back around, he collided with the back of another fighter.

"That's what I call taking out two trash fighters with one shot," the fighter gloated before departing with a final taunt: "Later losers! Thanks for the rank upgrade." The fighter who'd knocked into Kiyoshi got up and admonished him, "Hey man, watch where you're going; your clumsiness cost my team a win."

"I apologize; my team has been giving me a hard time today," Kiyoshi explained.

"Do you see this face? Do I look like I care about your feelings or your team's right now?" the fighter countered dismissively.

"I'm trying to be civil here; don't make me show you my other side," warned Kiyoshi.

The fighter merely laughed and responded provocatively: "I'm ready for a fight anytime."

Kiyoshi took up his fighting stance but then remembered he couldn't transform into Kitaro at will.

"Before we start, it's only fair to tell you my name before I defeat you - an honorable thing to do," the fighter said. "Likewise, my name is Kiyoshi Hamasaki, a shadow tiger fighter," Kiyoshi introduced himself.

"A shadow tiger fighter? Interesting. I've never seen one before. My name's Flint Jade, but everyone calls me F.J." Flint had piercing light green eyes that reminded one of a dragon. His medium-length black hair was styled with long strands swept to the side. He had a pointed nose and fair skin, and he stood slightly taller than most fighters around him. He wore a lime green gi with a dragon logo on the back and a one-star grey belt around his waist.

"Alright, FJ, I'm ready to fight," Kiyoshi declared.

"Your funeral, Kiyoshi," FJ replied with an ominous bow.

"Finish this fight quickly," Oga instructed FJ who responded confidently: "I will probably enjoy playing with him for a bit."

Both fighters took their stances and lunged at each other. It started with FJ throwing a punch at Kiyoshi who fell to his knees almost instantly.

"Don't tell me you're that weak!" taunted FJ.

"That was just a warm-up punch to gauge your strength," retorted Kiyoshi as he got back up.

"Toxic Punch!" cried out FJ as his entire arm lit up in lime green color before striking at Kiyoshi again.

Kiyoshi managed to block the attack and surprised FJ with a roundhouse kick from nowhere that landed on the back of his head. But FJ caught the kick mid-air and threw Kiyoshi into a tree before following up with another toxic kick into his gut. As Kiyoshi went through the tree trunk and rolled on the ground, he heard FJ laughing derisively: "What a useless fighter!"

In response, Kiyoshi pounded the ground angrily and declared, "I'm not useless! I'm tired of everyone calling me worthless and a terrible fighter."

His anger was so intense that a purple aura surrounded him. His form began to shift between a purple tiger and his normal self which alarmed FJ enough for him to launch a toxic blast at Kiyoshi. But Kiyoshi slapped it away, causing a massive explosion.

"Did you guys see that?" Felix asked in shock.

"Yeah, I saw it," Jax confirmed.

"I sense the presence of a tiger and dragon nearby," Lionel added. They all exchanged glances before saying in unison: "Kiyoshi!"

The trio sprinted towards the site of the explosion where they heard Kiyoshi scream as FJ continued to hurl blasts at him, each one blocked by Kiyoshi.

"This isn't good, Oga," FJ admitted nervously.

"Kiyoshi," called out Kitaro's voice from within him.

"Yes?" replied Kiyoshi.

"Are you ready again?" asked Kitaro.

"I thought I would never hear those words again," confessed Kiyoshi with tears welling up in his eyes.

"I apologize for taking so long, my friend," said Kitaro softly.

"Hold on! You're not corrupted anymore?" exclaimed an astonished Kiyoshi.

"We'll talk after this match; right now we fight to win!" urged Kitaro.

"You're right!" agreed Kiyoshi as he clenched his fist. "I am Kitaro the Shadow Tiger!" he roared as he transformed into his alter-ego once more.

"This is what I get for upsetting people," mumbled FJ ruefully.

"Now, I'm ready to fight!" announced an invigorated Kiyoshi.

FJ and Kiyoshi charged at each other once more. FJ threw another toxic punch but this time Kiyoshi easily dodged it and countered with a devastating shadow punch that sent FJ sprawling on the ground. FJ quickly recovered and blocked a spinning shadow kick from Kiyoshi before tripping him with a sweeping leg move. As he got back up, FJ stomped on Kiyoshi who was still on the ground but then quickly flipped away to catch his breath.

"He's a formidable fighter all of a sudden," observed FJ.

Kiyoshi, though stunned, managed to get back up.

"This is our chance," urged Oga.

FJ positioned his left hand behind his right and shouted, "Special Move: Toxic Flame!" A green flame erupted from his hand and hurtled towards Kiyoshi who took the hit head-on. It wasn't enough to finish him off but it did leave bruises all over him and tore up his gi significantly.

Kiyoshi struggled to get up while FJ declared smugly, "Give up; you've lost."

“Not yet,” Kiyoshi replied. “Super Move: Shadow Roar Blast!” He clasped his hands together, forming a massive, dark purple energy ball - the largest he'd ever created. Then, he released it towards FJ.

“I might need you for this one,” FJ admitted.

“Nonsense,” Oga retorted.

The blast seemed promising as it sped towards FJ, but fell short when Kiyoshi fainted before it could reach its target.

“I told you that you were good,” Oga said to FJ.

“Whew,” FJ sighed in relief.

“It appears we were late to the party,” Lionel commented, surveying the scene.

“Yeah, well, it seems Kiyoshi made a friend as well,” Jax added with a smirk.

“It looks like someone will have to clean up this mess,” Felix observed dryly.

“I'll handle it," Jax volunteered, walking towards FJ. “So, this is your teammate?” FJ asked him.

“Yes, he is," Jax confirmed. "He put up a good fight but still has much to learn.”

“That's interesting; he isn't fully trained either," Jax revealed.

“What!” exclaimed FJ with a shocked look on his face.

“Here, have this," offered Jax as he tossed a healing fortune cookie at him. “Do you have a name?”

“FJ, team leader of Checkmates," replied FJ as he cracked open the fortune cookie and began to heal rapidly.

“My name is Jax Mitsuko; are you ready for round two?" challenged Jax.

“I'm game," said FJ confidently as they both bowed respectfully and began circling each other.

“To make this fight special, I'll do this," announced FJ as green aura enveloped his body. "Wait Flint!" cried Oga, but it was too late; FJ had begun to transform.

“I am Oga the Toxic Dragon!” FJ roared, transforming into a half-green dragon and half-human with toxic spikes on his tail.

“Jax better be careful, he might get caught by those toxic claws," warned Lionel. “I think Jax has this fight in the bag," Felix countered confidently.

Jax activated his Mitsukodorian and a dark blue aura surrounded his body. “I am Tethyus the Lightning Blue Hippogriff!” he declared, transforming into his spirit guardian.

FJ attacked first, throwing punches at Jax who managed to catch them all. When FJ switched to kicks, Jax ducked under them and counterattacked with a punch aimed at FJ's leg. However, FJ flipped in mid-air to dodge it.

“That was close," admitted FJ.

“You're not a bad fighter," complimented Jax.

“You're not so bad yourself," responded FJ.

Then Jax's fist crackled with static lightning. “Lightning punch!" he shouted as he charged towards FJ who caught Jax’s wrist in mid-air and delivered a powerful kick to his face before throwing him to the ground.

“Checkmate,” said FJ smugly before launching his special move: Toxic Flame!

As the fiery attack approached, Jax rolled away just in time then quickly got back on his feet for another round of attacks from FJ. After an intense exchange of moves and counters, Jax managed to stun FJ with an electric shock from his palm while they were locked in combat.

“Now this is checkmate,” said Jax confidently as he prepared for his final move: Ultra-Move: Ultra Lightning Gale Pulse! A dark blue electric ball formed in Jax's palm which collided into an unprepared FJ causing him to faint.

Jax caught his breath and walked over to FJ, extending a hand to help him up. “That was a fun fight," Jax said with a smile.

“Yeah, I might need more training," admitted FJ as he took Jax's hand. “Next time we meet, I will win."

“I look forward to it," replied Jax. They both parted ways after that.

“What did I miss?" asked Kiyoshi groggily as he woke up.

“An epic fight," Lionel informed him.

“Who won?"

“I did," answered Jax as he joined the group.

“I would like to apologize for doubting your fighting abilities,” Jax told Kiyoshi.

“Yeah, me too,” Lionel echoed.

“We need to work together as a team and face our demons and opponents in order to be the best,” Felix suggested.

“Right,” they all agreed, putting their hands together in unity.