Richard Drakunovski (New Earth-Three)

Origin
The man that would become Richard Dragon was born Richard Drakunovski to a middle class business man and his wife. His child itself was a tough one with his father working most of his early life and never being around and his mother trying her best to raise him.

Richard's mother would die of cancer when he was around 7 and he would be forced to travel with his father on his business trips, due to his lack of relatives to take care of him. His travels with his father were his most memorable times in his youth.

His enjoyment of traveling would come to an end however when he was 10 and his father died in a car accident, while in Japan. The result would be that Richard would placed in the care of the U.S. embassy, where he would of most likely been placed in foster care. Afraid of being moved between families, Richard fled the embassy and roamed the streets of Tokyo as an orphan.

Richard would survive by stealing and living in abandoned buildings and empty lots to survive. Eventually around the time he was 11, Richard would break into an old martial arts dojo in an attempt to steal a solid gold Buddha statue. When he did however, he was greeted by an old man, who asked him why he had come. Richard would answer the old man by saying he had come to steal the statue so he could sell it. The old man laughed, and agreed that it made sense and that he could have the statue if he could beat him. Up to the challenge Richard attacks the old man, but it quickly thrown by him into a wall. The old man laughs again and says that if he wants the statue he needs to get serious. Richard not deterred attacks again kicked in the ribs by the old man with such force he is sent flying up. Richard manages to get up again, much to the old man's surprise and charges him again. The old man attempts chop his neck in order to knock him out, but just before he does Richard dodges and manages to punch the old man in the face, which doesn't even seem to bother the old man who proceeds to counter with a quick jab to Richard's stomach and chop to the back of the neck. Richard would lose consciousness of this and would only think to himself how much trouble he would be in.

Richard would later awaken on a futon, with his body bandaged. As he regained his senses, he looked around and realized he was still in the dojo. As he got up he was overcome with pain. As he recoiled the old man appeared and stated that he shouldn't move due to his injuries. The old man then tells him that not many people could land a punch on him and that he is not the type of man to believe in luck, but one that believes in fate. The old man introduces himself as O-Sensei and tells Richard that he wishes to cultivate his natural talent and train him. The O-Sensei then tells him that he would be allowed to live in the dojo and would be fed as long as he took his training seriously. Richard thinks about the offer and accepts wanting to be as skilled as the O-Sensei. The O-Sensei asks Richard his name and Richard responds by giving him his new name, Richard Dragon.

The Red Haired Yakuza
After several years of training under the O-Sensei, Richard mastered many martial arts and all the discipline that came with them. As he grew he became stronger and faster and according to the O-Sensei capable of surpassing him in a couple of years. When O-Sensei deemed his training complete he sent Richard to meet an associated of his who controlled a part of the Yakuza to become a member.

At first Richard was grudgingly accepted as a member, but quickly proved himself as a skilled and capable member and rose through the ranks. He would be given the nickname, the Red Haired Yakuza, due to his red hair and his brutal martial arts skill. He was so respected in the organization that he was chosen for a special operation in Hub City, due to his talent.