Prologue
It was right after the Iron Fist Tournament 4. Hwoarang has defeated Heihachi, and he gained control of the Mishima Zaibatsu. Surprisingly, Hwoarang gave up control almost immediately. There was still something he needed to do…
"You're finally here," Hwoarang walked across the isolated indoor parking lot to where his Japanese rival, Jin Kazama stood.
"What do you want," Jin asked, his scowl hidden by the hood of his jacket.
Hwoarang smirked.
"I never got to fight you at the Tournament," Hwoarang replied. "I'll take you on right here, right now."
"There's… no reason to fight." Jin didn't seem like he really wanted to fight Hwoarang. It was like something else was on his mind, and he just wasn't interested in him.
"You ain't got one?" Hwoarang replied, angered at Jin's withdrawn attitude. "Well I do!"
And with that, Jin and Hwoarang engaged into battle.
Jin and Hwoarang paused to catch their breath after about a half hour of dueling. There still was no clear victor. Hwoarang angrily stared into Jin's cold eyes, panting, when a voice stopped him from his next attack.
"Sergeant!"
Hwoarang let out a small gasp as some Korean soldiers started to circle around him with their guns drawn.
"Desertion is an offense punishable by court martial!"
Crap, Hwoarang thought, They've found me.
The soldiers closed in on Hwoarang as he looked down, helplessly.
"Give yourself up, soldier," the major said.
Give myself up, Hwoarang thought. That's all I can do now.
Just when he thought that it was all over, an unexpected voice from behind startled Hwoarang.
"Hey."
Kazama…?!
To Hwoarang's complete surprise, Jin distracted the guards surrounding Hwoarang. He then started to go through all of them—knocking them aside effortlessly. Hwoarang's startled expression turned into a mischievous smile. Looks like I could help him out, Hwoarang thought, as he, defeated his share of the soldiers.
The major then ordered the remaining soldiers to fire. Jin and Hwoarang ran and took cover behind a van. If it wasn't for the gunshots behind him, Hwoarang would have found himself in a horribly awkward silence. This was definitely the perfect time to gloat on his "victory."
"Hey, Kazama. Remember that I kicked your ass back there."
Jin made no response.
Hwoarang looked over to his rival only to see that same withdrawn look he received when he first challenged him. It wasn't fair; he just took down Jin Kazama, so why did he feel like the one to be defeated?
"Hey, you listenin'?!" Hwoarang prodded angrily.
Jin finally paid attention.
"I'll give you a chance to settle the score at the next Tournament. You better show up!" Hwoarang gave Jin a mischievous smile which Jin returned.
Meanwhile, the soldiers continued to fire at the vehicle. Jin and Hwoarang nodded at each other, almost reading each other's minds. They escaped from behind the vehicle, and took off running. Hwoarang glanced behind him, only to see an explosion right where they were sitting a moment ago, and a seething major.