That evening, the opening ceremony began.
A giant crowd was gathering there to hear the opening speech, see the fireworks and the promised famous and glamourous show with many renowned idols. Lee was being among the audience, with other competitors who had qualified, looking at Kazuya giving a speech then greeting officials and important people while the fireworks would soon illuminate the sky before the would begin.
Gazing at his adoptive brother from afar, Lee thought that for the somehow shy kid he was, Kazuya really got over his shyness problem... Politely meeting the government and city officials, addressing the crowd... Kazuya even now had that little smug air... He didn't look shy at all...
Not like when they had just begun to work at the Mishima Zaibatsu... In fact, Kazuya had begun working some months before, since Lee had to finish his school before he could join his big brother. But Lee having excellent grades and being the top of the class, Heihachi made him graduate earlier than any other students to make him work at the Zaibatsu as soon as possible. He still needed Lee to be some sort of rival to Kazuya even there... and Kazuya had indeed been jealous of this 'promotion'... At work, Lee had always noticed that, if it didn't involve fighting, his adoptive brother was still shy with other people, never talking much, never taking any initiatives... Kazuya was even always discreetly playing with his fingers under the table when they were at important reunions with some of their father's most importants business associates or mostly, crossing his arms while sitting or when meeting people while standing... Despite the tough air Kazuya gave himself, Lee, who knew him, could always detect that shyness that mostly began going away when Kazuya was controlling the Mishima Zaibatsu. When Lee forced him to meet people.
If he was still getting along with Kazuya, Lee could have felt proud of him tonight, of his brother's progress but now Lee felt some jealousy over his brother's success... A success that Kazuya never wanted to share with him... To the point of chasing him out of the house and in a way, chasing him as well from the Zaibatsu... Somehow Lee wondered again why it turned so badly between them... But still, they never were really close to begin with... And he mostly regretted again that they never got along. Kazuya did everything to chase him away and keep all to himself... to have all the honors... And moreover, he did all those crimes, acting as cruelly as he pleased...
Yet tonight, Lee didn't only feel jealousy or some small regrets for his once more failed relationship with his adoptive brother but he also felt determination. Determination for himself and to attain his goals. Determination to stop Kazuya. Determination for winning. Because this time, he would win the Tournament and next time, it would be him standing with the officials...
In fact, probably not since once he would win the Mishima Zaibatsu, he wouldn't organize such a Tournament, so he would not invite the officials... He wasn't crazy... Yet he had to confess, he really appreciated the event... Last time, at the first King of Iron Fist Tournament, despite his frustrations, Lee did find the whole event quite impressive and this time, it didn't seem to have lost any of its splendor and glamour. In fact, it probably was even better... More exciting... Maybe because the crowd was even bigger now that the event was known even more... or maybe because he now didn't have anything to lose and everything to win... Thinking about it even more, maybe he would organize such a Tournament as well when he would get in control of the Mishima Zaibatsu... Only, he wouldn't play it like an imbecile... Only offer some money prize or something... The Mishima Zaibatsu would remain his... Forever.
Looking among the crowd and the contestants during the official speech, Lee noticed that his father wasn't there. Kuma either... They must still fear some assassination attempt... probably with reason... Or maybe both the Kumas just weren't allowed at the party, which made a lot of sense, and Heihachi wouldn't leave them... Maybe he just left like Marshall and Paul who would come back later since the one hour long speech with all the officials and ceremonial salutations was too boring for them... Yet it was not really Heihachi's style to avoid boring ceremonial... Maybe he was just too humiliated showing up at that event with so many officials he knew after his spectacular defeat two years ago... Well, whatever it was, that was a good thing, it only made the evening more enjoyable...
Yet the next day, Heihachi was there since Kuma was scheduled to fight Paul. Ignoring his father, Lee went to sit with Marshall while Heihachi sat with baby Kuma on his lap. Neither Heihachi nor Lee addressed or even gazed at each other, they both looked at their favorite fighter. They had no time to argue.
But as last time, after a ferocious fight, Paul stood victorious over the now unconscious Kuma.
-YEAH! NUMBER ONE! NUMBER ONE! yelled Paul while jumping in joy.
-Excellent! exclaimed Lee, giving Paul a thumbs up since he was happy once more that the terrifying Kuma was once more out of the picture while Marshall clapped his hands in joy while laughing.
Troubled by this sad early defeat for his beloved bear and annoyed by Paul's noisy victory, Heihachi tried to hide to baby Kuma the sight of his father being beaten but the young cub kept trying to look toward his father and growled when he noticed the man who had beaten his beloved father. It was the first time Heihachi heard his little cub growling. He told him as he gently petted the cub's head:
-I'll train you, Kuma, you'll beat that man who hurt your father... You'll see... You will...
But the trio didn't stay very long: As soon as the veterinarian came to take Kuma and give him cares, they all left. Yet Heihachi was very upset: He knew papa Kuma had never left his lazy habits of sleeping far too often instead of training but mostly, his beloved bear was getting old...
Two days later, Lee was training in the arena dojo and saw Wang entering the place.
-Laoshi! It has been a while! I wondered where you were!
-As you asked me: I was helping the young woman, answered the old man in Chinese so that if anyone listening would have less chance of understanding what they were saying. Lee then replied in Chinese as well while going outside the dojo with Wang so that they would talk in a more discreet area:
-And what about it?
-It's done.
-What?
-Her mother is free, they both are fine.
-Already?
-Yes. It took only a quick raid to free Tàitai (madam) Chang.
-Ah. But I thought... I thought you would have kept me informed on the situation... before the big rescue...
-We didn't have time, we had to do everything quite fast. As you said so yourself. Once Michelle came back with the Interpol police you sent to her, we started the plan. We slightly thought about rescuing her during the transaction in some days but if the plan and Michelle's intentions were discovered before, her mother could be in great danger, we had to act fast. Ganryu had told us where the Flowers of death did their transactions with the Zaibatsu and that she may already be there but she wasn't.
-Ganryu? The sumo wrestler?
-Yes. He was working for Kazuya, so you know him. But he decided to help Michelle.
Lee was slightly surprised that Ganryu seemed to have helped and yet wasn't surprised at the same time. Ganryu really seemed in love with Michelle, so apparently, he decided to help her... It made sense. Wang continued explaining:
-Now he fled the country because he fears Kazuya's retaliation. He knows what Kazuya is capable of... So many cruelties...
Then, thinking out loud, Wang muttered with some regrets:
-Kazuya was such a nice little boy... Jinpachi would be so troubled and saddened by all that he is doing now... How can his beloved grandson do such horrible things... ?
Wang stayed a moment thinking about his old friend and the Mishima curse before he continued:
-But aside from this, we mostly had to know where Tàitai Chang was. Wulong learned that the only plane going to Japan that left Arizona the day Tàitai Chang had been abducted, had landed in some small private airport belonging to the Mishima empire and from that airport, some big packages were often send in the harbor of the industrial zone where the Mishima Zaibatsu did their transactions with the Flowers of death so Tàitai Chang was probably still there if she wasn't in the harbor's hangar. Knowing some people from the Zaibatsu knew him as Kazuya's bodyguard, Ganryu first went there undercover to confirm that she was there and once he told us she was, he remained near her to protect her, acting as her bodyguard while we came. Then it was easy, we only had to make our way to her by beating down everybody and Wulong arrested them all. It was fun... I haven't had that much fun since years! We were a real sentai team!
Lee was slightly surprised of the old man's excitement over this. He thought Wang was mostly a wise and calm old man... but now he was acting like a twenty year old guy, his eyes flashing with excitement over the last events...
-So, everything is over? Did anyone saw you? I mean any Mishima employees who escaped? They were not all arrested? And the security cameras? Does Kazuya know?
-I don't think anyone but the Mishima employees who were there saw us and they are all in prison now, thanks to Wulong calling some friends to help him pick them up after we had our fun. The cameras were neutralized as well. Yet Kazuya will probably call some lawyers to take his employees out of jail and learn what happened but since he is busy with the Tournament right now, it may have to wait and you'll have time to win and take the Zaibatsu from him. Wulong then went to drive Michelle, Tàitai Chang and Ganryu to the airport to go to the United States.
-So Ganryu left with Michelle and her mother? asked Lee who was still slightly suspicious of the sumo wrestler despite also believing he could have helped.
-Not really. He is going to Hawaii where he said he wants to start a restaurant while Michelle and Tàitai Chang are going back to Arizona. So they won't take the same plane.
Still slightly apprehensive, Lee now thought that Kazuya could still be very dangerous...
-So Michelle is going back to her house with her mother? Where Kazuya could attack them?
-Yes. Michelle refuses to hide in fear. They even all three refused the witness protection program Wulong offered them. Michelle told me that she believed in your fighting abilities and said she won't have long to worry about Kazuya since she now knows that you could get control of the Mishima Zaibatsu. She didn't know you were in the Mishima family before.
-So she knows now?
-Yes. I know you told me not to tell her but Ganryu told her. He didn't know you didn't want to tell.
-And... what did she say when she learned about this? Did she thought I was a liar?
-She first was surprised but she then said: So that's why he never leaves them... I always thought he was too good for them and wondered why he was staying...
-She really said that? Too good? asked Lee while grinning.
-Yes. And she thanks you for the help you provided to her and her mother. Tàitai Chang thanks you as well and wishes you good luck in your fights. She said you were a fine young man and she hopes the spirits will be with you on your fights to grant you total victory.
-Oh, excellent! That's very kind of them!
Lee then took a worried expression.
-But you, laoshi... If anyone from that airport saw you and reports to Kazuya, he will know... He may already send his lawyers interrogate his employees and they will tell...
Wang made a gesture like he didn't care.
-Oh, I don't fear them or Kazuya and I don't fear death. I'll fight them all back.
For the next three weeks, Lee kept fighting in the Tournament as his friends did as well. Since Wang came back from freeing Michelle's mother, they trained together so that they could take both Kazuya and Heihachi out. Michelle's story was now behind them and it had been a big problem since a while... Lee was really glad it was over since now it seemed that the Tournament was now the only thing he had to worry about (and protecting Wang if Kazuya knew about it, despite Wang not worrying a bit over this). Kazuya indeed didn't seem to care about anything else but the Tournament either since he had not done anything about Michelle's case. Confronting Heihachi was probably occupying all his thoughts... Yet Lee didn't know what his brother may be thinking... They didn't speak to each other at all...
Trying not to think about this anymore, Lee went to see Marshall's fight, the last fight of the sixteen fighters round. Next round, there would be only eight fighters remaining: Lee, Paul, Wang, Heihachi, King, Armor King and that new Russian robot Jack-2. Marshall or Baek would win to complete the eight fighters for the new round. So Lee wanted to encourage Marshall against the guy who destroyed his dojo, that Baek Doo San that Lee had invited at his party since he seemed like a nice guy... Before the fight started, Baek told Marshall:
-Luckily, we're against one another. We can fight without causing any problems.
Marshall angrily replied:
-You can talk about not causing any problems! You destroyed my dojo! You hurt my students!
Baek knew what he did and still regretted it, yet now they had to fight one against another, it was no time to apologize. They had to be ready to hit each other and fight with all their might... So he only said on an insensitive tone:
-Let's fight.
-Yeah. Let's.
In the end, after a much dynamic fight, Marshall stood victorious over Baek. Before Baek could get up and apologize for his actions like he intended to do after the fight, the referee came to Marshall and presented him as the winner, then the crowd cheered, Paul quickly went to see his friend while yelling in joy and as the two friends were now doing some high five, Baek thought that maybe it wasn't time anymore to say that he was sorry... Anyway they may ask him why he did it and... that horrible reason... that he killed his father... Now confronted with his memories, Baek thought that he better leave, he really wasn't in the mood to speak anymore. So he discreetly left as soon as he could, leaving people cheering over the winner.
As Lee and Paul were congratulating their friend, Marshall seemed thoughtful.
-What the matter? asked Paul.
-He didn't fight with his full strength... I think he really had some remorse... Yet he did injure my students... No one touches those I like... My family, my students who are somehow my family as well and you, guys...
-Thanks, man... Hey, let's go for some pizza! said Paul who was still very hungry despite the fact that it now was late, it was ten o'clock. But they had to celebrate the fact Marshall just won and that they all climbed to the next level...
-Okay, I hope that guy had his lesson, but I think he did... agreed Marshall while Lee accepted as well even if pizza wasn't exactly his favorite meal... He preferred more refined cuisine...
So all three walked to the nearest pizzeria to celebrate before Marshall and Paul went back to their hotel rooms and Lee was driving back to his apartment. He was tired, it was now two in the morning, he only wished to go to sleep now... The highway's lights regularly passing over his car were quite monotone and making him feel even more sleepy... Mostly since there were no other cars around...
But suddenly as Lee was driving, a car came from behind and violently hit his car, making him almost crash into the concrete wall of the road and completely woke him up. As Lee was trying to regain control of his car, sparks flying as the side of his beloved Honda S2000 was getting scrapped by the concrete wall, the other vehicle quickly sped away and disappeared in the distance on the now empty highway.
Lee regained control and put on the brakes. What just happened? Someone just tried to kill him? He didn't even have time to notice the license plate or even the car... Maybe it was grey, Lee was not certain...
A little shaken, he remained in his parked car for some minutes before he decided to slowly go back home. He didn't want to have another accident and no need to tell the police, Lee was almost certain that Kazuya was the one responsible for that murder attempt. Police would do nothing against him... Once in the underground parking of his apartment complex, Lee first gazed around him to see if anyone was there, then seeing no one, he inspected his car. His beautiful Honda S2000 was scrapped all along the passenger side that suffered the concrete wall and had even lost its mirror while the driver's side was scrapped as well with the crash from the other car. Kazuya will pay for this...
The next day, Lee was still very angry from that almost deadly accident and went to confront Kazuya in his VIP box. The door was not locked, so Lee slammed it open with a kick and asked:
-Kazuya! Did you try to kill me?
Kazuya turned around in surprise and taking back his composure, asked, showing his usual lopside grin again:
-When?
Lee replied in fury:
-Last night, you sent that assassin driver to crash in my beautiful car to make me lose control and crash on the highway wall!
-Why would I want to do that? asked his adoptive brother with an almost amused expression as Lee was looking quite angry.
Lee didn't believe Kazuya to be innocent at all. It was just like when they were kids and Kazuya had just destroyed his things before he would deny it all, despite showing clearly in his face that he did it and even enjoyed it. That was when he didn't tell him straight in his face that he did it. Lee told him on a defiant and resentful tone:
-Because you fear confronting me!
Kazuya began to laugh.
-Hahaha! I don't fear you at all. But, maybe I was just bored?
Despite already accusing his brother, Lee was still surprised by the casual way Kazuya was speaking.
-What?! You tried to kill me because you were bored?! You have no conscience!
And Lee went toward Kazuya to punch him. But his brother parried the strike and told him as he quickly also parried Lee's kick:
-Who said I wanted to kill you? You're not dead, right?
Kazuya continued parrying all the frenzied attacks Lee now directed at him as he kept on speaking:
-If I really had wished for your death, you'd be dead right now. I may have found it funny but I have nothing to do in this. Ouch!
Kazuya received a punch in the face and slammed on the bulletproof window. He quickly grabbed Lee's arm while still trying to parry his angry brother's attacks and gave him an elbow strike while trying to explain:
-Probably a drunk driver or something. Unless you have other enemies, I don't know all your life!
Still holding his brother's arm, Kazuya gave a knee kick in Lee's stomach, making his brother grunt in pain as he continued speaking:
-With your depraved life, maybe a jealous ex-lover? Or jealous boyfriend of one of your lover? What do I know? Are you sure you were not the one driving clumsily?
Lee kept trying to hit him without listening. Kazuya lost patience and shouted:
-STOP IT! Beside, keep your strength, didn't you see with whom you were pitted this time?
Lee stopped hitting and stared at Kazuya, trying to see if his brother was telling the truth in the fact that he had nothing to do in it. He seemed so... Lee then put this incident aside and wondered with whom would his fight be between the remaining contestants. He went to look at the fighting board that Kazuya was showing him on the wall and realized with horror it was with his father Heihachi...
-Oh, drat...
Lee was quite troubled by this... Yet if he could beat him, he would be able to get his revenge on his father and show him he was worth something... If he could beat him... That was the problem. Heihachi scared him almost to death... But Wang had trained him and Lee knew he had improved a lot under the guidance of the old man, so he would probably have some chances... Maybe... Beside, he had to confront Heihachi one day or another. Might as well be now...
Then thinking about his accident last night, Lee thought it probably really was some drunken person who drove into his car, he couldn't see anyone else... or maybe even him, falling asleep... It certainly wasn't his father, Heihachi didn't fear him to try to kill him like this and apparently Kazuya either. They both somehow ignored him in their personal war... It was slightly insulting... But Lee didn't see any other enemy he could have that would want to get rid of him that much... So, it probably was an accident... and now that accident scared him far less than that board showing that he had to confront his father...
Crossing his arms, Kazuya continued:
-See? I have no reasons to try to kill you now. Oyaji will take care of it... Unless, you take care of him instead... It's between you both. I told you that you won't get any protection from me. I bet you know on which one of you I will be rooting for?
-... Honestly, I now have no idea... I guess Otousama since you want to kill him yourself?
-Indeed. I would prefer to kill Oyaji myself in the ring since I don't trust you to be strong or ruthless enough to send him to the hospital or mostly to kill him. I know you're angry at him but you're weak as you've always been and always will remain.
-I'm not weak.
-Would you kill him if you could? If he was helpless before you?
-...
Lee had often dreamed in some fantasies that he got some revenge over his father, by beating him, by humiliating him or sometimes even killing him when he was really resentful... But those were fantasies... Real life was not the same... In fact, he knew he probably wouldn't be able to, even if he would have really wished to... what he did not exactly wish to do... Maybe out of anger during the fight because Heihachi knew how to infuriate him but if it was not an accident or under some intense anger of the moment, he then wouldn't do it later, not if Heihachi didn't attack him... Somehow, to make him pay was fine but as to kill, really kill his adoptive father... in cold blood... Kazuya then added:
-You know he will always come back until he really dies... I should have done it last time instead of throwing him in the same cliff he threw me... I really should have... I just wanted him to suffer what he made me suffer... But I should have plainly killed him... He wouldn't be here today...
Kazuya seemed really regretful as he almost was speaking to himself. He then addressed his adoptive brother once more:
-If, by some miracle, you would win the Tournament, you know he will come back for the Zaibatsu and will never let go... Would you let him roam around the Zaibatsu, around your mansion, with his stupid bears, never leaving you one moment of peace? Always ready to strike back and take the Zaibatsu away from you?
-Indeed. The old man is persistant... and scary...
-And crazy. And hateful. You have to kill him.
-... During the fight?
-Yes, it's the best way. Accidents happen when the fights are rough.
Lee seemed to think about it before he said:
-But you know I won't let go either if I lose the Tournament. I want to have the Zaibatsu and you'll try to kill me as well... You're certain you didn't try to kill me last night?
-Certain.
-Not now, because you want me to kill Otousama but after that fight...
-I don't know. You're not as hated as he is. If you leave me alone, I'll leave you alone. And if you lose against me in the Tournament but have previously killed Oyaji in your fight, I'm ready to take you back in the Zaibatsu with some high promotion. You'll be my second-in-command, the vice-president of the Mishima Zaibatsu.
-Honestly, with what you have done of the Zaibatsu, all the crimes and atrocities you did, I don't think I want to go back under your leadership. If I win, there are a lot of things you'll have to answer to... To some questions and to justice...
-Since when you care about justice?
-Since it is too much mistreated. I'm getting sick of all your doings.
-Fine. Then you'll take the upper bed of the cell, I don't want it. I'll take the lower one. You're not exactly white as snow either. You have your share of criminal offenses done yourself...
-If I get to have the Zaibatsu, I don't get to fear any justice.
-IF you get to have the Zaibatsu. Which you will never have.
-I don't think so. I'll win control of the Mishima Zaibatsu this time. It's my turn.
-Humpf! What turn? You're not even a Mishima. You have no rights to it. I may have allowed you to compete but because I knew you wouldn't succeed.
Lee turned around and said:
-We'll see about that.
And he left while closing the door.
