Chapter 2: Mishima Zaibatsu Roots

The sun started to make its way down as the exhausted Kazumi arrived back at the mansion. She decided to clean herself of the proof of battle to avoid questions from her family. She bathed and got dressed in her favorite kimono.

Kazumi brought the mysterious man to Shizio's cave which wasn't too far from the scene of the battle. She wasn't sure when he would wake up; the fact he was alive was a shock to her.

He must've meditated and punished himself for inhuman amounts of time in order to deal with the pain the Dark Hado should cause him without the Hachijo bloodline. Where did he learn the Satsui no Hado?

Growing up in the Hachijo clan, you are taught about "Satsui no Hadou" as an old folktale. There are scrolls explaining how men would trade in their sanity for high level demonic power. The scrolls explaining the steps to master and perform the art had been stolen many generations before any current clan members were born. It was believed to be lost forever. Most of the clan used their knowledge of the subject to scare children with fairy tales and stories.

Kazumi's thoughts were broken by the laughter of her father-in-law. She was surprised to hear him laughing despite his son performing a coup d'état on his company a few days earlier. Kazumi had already bathed and made herself presentable but wasn't sure she could hold the bursting demonic aura from her spiritually sensitive father-in-law.

"Good evening father."

"Kazumi! It's good to see a beautiful young face after a good drink with an old friend." Jinpachi holds up a small wine gourd.

"You are too kind father." Good he's been drinking with Mr. Wang perhaps he won't notice the Dark Hadous presence.

"Come Kazumi, have a drink with me."

"As you wish father." They made their way to and sat in the very large dining hall in the mansion; it was Jinpachi's favorite place. He had many friends and he loved to entertain them. Kazumi often wished Heihachi enjoyed life like his father. "Here father let me pour you a drink."

"It would be my pleasure." Jinpachi said. She poured him a generous amount of the sake then poured herself some. Jinpachi threw his shot back high above his head. "Ahhhh... Kazumi, you are exactly what I wished for in a daughter. You're kind, strong, wise, smart, beautiful, and I don't believe there is a drop of rudeness within you."

"Father, you are too kind." She blushed.

"Ha ha ha! Even now you humbly take to the praise." Jinpachi smiled and stroked his beard. "Despite your arranged marriage to Heihachi to settle a century old forgotten feud, you never once treated us as strangers. You called me father on your first day when you didn't have to. You even put up with my hard headed stubborn ungrateful son. A feat I myself have never mastered..." Jinpachi continued to stroke his beard in silence reflective of his son's recent actions.

"I'm not proud to admit that it took some time for me to get used to the idea of a Hachijo clan member living in my home, but I wanted peace between our families." He poured himself another drink and swallowed it seemingly in one motion. "Even more despicable I oft thought to strike you down during your training with me when you were younger. I never understood where those urges came from... For this, I ask you for forgiveness." Jinpachi turns to Kazumi and bows on both knees in front of her. The shocked Kazumi quickly bows with him.

"Father! Please! I admire you too much to ever think of you as anything other than honorable. You and Heihachi have always treated me with respect and love. For this, you will never need to apologize."

Jinpachi sits up and roars out a laugh "Haaaa ha ha ha ha! Raise your head child. Heihachi is undeserving of a jewel such as you." He pours himself another drink. Kazumi is shamed for not attempting to stop Heihachi's plans take over the family business. She swiftly bows again in front of Jinpachi to apologize.

"Father, I..." Before she could say anything Jinpachi interrupted

"KAAAZUUUMII…" he yelled. "Do you love Heihachi?" She looked up to see the piercing stare of a man who was intending to hear nothing but honesty.

"Yes."

"That's good! That's good! You truly are a good woman. Haa ha ha ha!"

"Father, I do not deserve such praises." Kazumi face was flushed with shame and embarrassment. There was a short moment of silence followed by the pitter patter of rain starting outside.

"Hmmm… Heihachi was born on a rainy night… He was born prematurely. His mother would say it was because he was eager to change the world... She died when he was an infant so he doesn't remember her, but it never seemed to matter to him that he had no mother... He was indeed a strange child. The only things I've ever seen Heihachi care about were martial arts and war. I would catch him many times in my war closet reaching for my katana or wearing my samurai armor. Sometimes I would find him in the library reading about his ancestor's accomplishments during the warring eras of Japan. I knew then that my son was born with a true warrior's spirit. Haa ha ha! I trained the boy hard and he would always smile back then." Jinpachi smiled as he reminisced about older days.

Kazumi had never heard Jinpachi talk about the times before she arrived. She only recalled seeing Heihachi smile a few times throughout her relationship with him. It made her curious what happened to make him so serious now.

"When the American forces left, many important men would come to the estate hoping to convince me to command the new Japanese Self Defense Forces. I refused many times. Heihachi was very disappointed, but I had seen enough of my good friends die in the war to know I didn't want my son to be a part of it. He stopped smiling after that, he talked less, but he trained harder. He started training as though war was always just around the corner. He became cold and heartless in his sparring sessions with the other students. At that time all of my other students were afraid of him. That's when you came… Jinrei and I laughed for weeks, when you sent him flying that first day. Ha ha ha ha!" Kazumi covered her mouth to hide her laugh.

"Father, Heihachi would not be pleased to hear these stories I'm sure."

"Indeed, I'm sure e wouldn't." Jinpachi grinned playfully while still stroking his beard.

"Kazumi, let this old man tell you a story..." He poured himself and Kazumi a shot emptying the gourd. "I've had this dream for many years since Heihachi was born. In the dream: I'm carving a great stone statue of a fierce and powerful god. It is a true masterpiece. When I finish the statue comes to life and challenges me to battle and wins... From its victory it gives birth to a demon, but it leaves the infant to fend for itself in the wild. The demon child endures long harsh battles alone, but it makes him powerful and vengeful. The demon then challenges the statue and destroys it. Then it unleashes its vengeance on the world... I try my hardest to stop the demon but I am trapped in my own dream, until the fear of being helpless wakes me- I never knew what this dream meant for a long time... I've had many drinks with Jinrei contemplating on the meaning, but the babbling of drunken fools will never be wise. Ha ha ha..." He stroked his beard.

Kazumi's heart began to ache. Jinpachi's dream represented the mission she had been tasked by her clan. "Father, do you understand the meaning now?"

Jinpachi threw back the last shot of sake he poured. "Ahhh…" He wiped his mouth and stood up. "I only know this. After tonight Kazumi...I will no longer have a son." Kazumi flinched at the words that came from her father-in-law. She looked up to see his face. She had never seen him so serious before. His golden eyes had a glare that would make death hesitate. His already imposing stature seemed even larger than it was before. His heavy aura slowly crept out of his body as he made his way to the exit of the dining hall. There was nothing she could say to him at this point. She was looking at the "Iron Fist God", the nickname many of his martial arts peers gave him.

Kazumi sat frozen at the decision Jinpachi had made. Jinpachi stopped at the door and looked out in the rain.

"Kazumi…" his voice no longer had the joyful intonations from his story telling before. "I long thought those unexplainable urges to kill you to be gone, but I can barely contain myself from doing so right now. Is this the so called curse of the Hachijo clan?" His words pierced Kazumi like a dart. She couldn't speak.

How did he find out about the Hachijo clan secret?

"No... I imagine it's just my fighting spirit being riled up. Ha ha ha ha!" He walked off leaving Kazumi in the dining hall.

Kazumi sat still reflecting on everything she just learned from Jinpachi. She knew there was no stopping him, but what scared her is that she wasn't sure if she wanted to. She considered her mission and thought this may be a way out of having to do it herself.

What a despicable thought?

The rain outside grew louder as a thunder rolled in the background. A jolt of negative energy shocked her body. Kazumi broke out into a cold sweat. Her blood started to boil as it did in the forest before. What is this? The demon's voice came back in her mind and repeated its terrifying mantra.

"Death… Destruction… Death…" Kazumi felt as if her body was on fire as she tried to control the Dark Hado.

"SILENCE!" her command did not work this time. The demon's voice grew louder.

"Death! Destruction! Death!"

Such resistance! Her nerves started to ache throughout her body and a stabbing pain started in her stomach.

"Ha ha ha ha!" the demon laughed. "Stupid woman! Regardless of your bloodline you are still too weak to control the Hado." Kazumi tried her best to speak but the pain she felt prevented it. The demon continued his horrible catchphrase. "Death! Destruction! Death! Ha ha ha ha!" The demon's voice was broken by a smaller softer one.

"Ma…me…" She couldn't make out what it said the first time. When she heard the voice the second time the pain stopped.

"MOMMY!" Kazumi opened her eyes to Kazuya who had a worried look on his face. "What's wrong mommy? Are you sick?"

She grabbed Kazuya and hugged him tightly "Mommy is fine my love. Mommy is fine." She wasn't sure what suppressed the Hado. What madness?! This is the effects of the Dark Hado? How does that man deal with it?

"Oww! Mommy you're squeezing too tight!"

"I'm sorry Kazuya; did you enjoy your lessons?"

"Yes, I did... Mommy, do I have to go to school every day? Can't I just stay here and practice fighting with Dad and Granddad?" Kazumi just stared at Kazuya. His statement reminded her that tonight may be the last night either her husband or father would be seen. She had no idea on where to place her priorities.

Is this really my fate?

"Mommy?"

"We can talk about it later Kazuya. Right now it's time for you to get ready for bed."

"Awww… Oookaaaay!" Kazuya dragged his way out the dining hall with his mother close behind.

After, Kazumi fed and bathed Kazuya. She brought him to his room to put him to bed and she sang to him as he drifted off to sleep. When he finally rested, she stayed there with him and cried silently. This is truly a cruel world. She looked out the window of Kazuya's room. The rain had stopped, the clouds had cleared revealing the moon with a seemingly unnatural glow. The moonlight shined down on Jinpachi, like a spotlight. He was storming out of the mansion. His aura, now pouring out of him, seemed inhuman.

Is he going to Heihachi now?

She quietly and quickly left from Kazuya's room and pursued her father-in-law. He was headed towards the Honmaru temple where Heihachi would frequently train himself in meditation. Jinpachi was moving too quickly for her to keep up without being noticed. She stayed back enough to watch him go in the temple. She eased up to the entrance slowly. When she reached the door Jinpachi's aura exploded knocking her back like the mysterious man's aura earlier that day.

"UNFORGIVABLE!" she could hear Jinpachi yelling. She quickly went inside the temple to view what would be the stage for Gods to perform. She got close enough to peek inside the room and hear the conversation.

"Haaa ha ha ha ha! So you finally show your face old man! How does it feel to have your position snatched away from you?"

"You ungrateful brat! You dare betray me!"

"I've been waiting for this day a long time old man. This world deserves a man strong enough to control it. You had your opportunity years ago and squandered it. I will not make the same mistake as you. I have plans to father the world's greatest privately owned military organization... and there is nothing anyone can do to stop me."

"Fool! You have no idea what you are doing. What do you know of war? What do you know of loss? I've lost too many friends in battle to go back to the way things were. You only promise yourself pain and suffering if you continue down this path."

"Hmph! You sound weak old man... I used to want to be you growing up. Hearing about your exploits in China; you defeated every master their country had to offer. You destroyed American naval ships with your bare hands... Now you are just a shell of your former self. All you do now is drink and laugh like a fool. I won't let any fool stand in my way." Heihachi had a fearless smirk on his face.

"Tch! Heihachi…" Jinpachi shook with anger until he couldn't take it anymore. "Haaaaah!"

Jinpachi lunged towards Heihachi at an incredible speed. Heihachi braced for the blow by crossing his arms to block. Jinpachi opened up Heihachi by striking inside Heihachi's guard. The strike knocked Heihachi of balance. Jinpachi grabbed Heihachi by his throat and picked him up slowly. Heihachi tried to break the grip that was crushing his throat, but his father's hands were like steel. He threw his leg high and quickly dropped his heel down on Jinpachi's head. The blow caused Jinpachi to drop his son. Heihachi, on his knees, rubbed his neck to catch his breath. He looked up to his father who was holding his head.

"I am not the boy you would bully in training before, old man." Heihachi took his stance as a current of blue electricity passed around his body.

"No, I suppose you aren't." Jinpachi's signature black electricity flashed around his body.

The two fighters inched slowly together. Kazumi, who was watching outside of their view, began to sweat with excitement. Heihachi swiftly jumped towards his father with a kick. Jinpachi caught Heihachi's foot with one hand. Heihachi responded by twisting his body and swinging his other leg towards Jinpachi's head. Jinpachi barely had enough time to block with his other hand. The kick knocked Jinpachi back. Heihachi quickly closed the distance and ducked low to spring forward with a leaping uppercut. Jinpachi dodged back with inhuman speed and laughed. He concentrated his aura to the front of his body causing a huge fire ball to appear.

"Haaaaa Goo!" Jinpachi shot the blast towards Heihachi at an incredible speed.

"What?!" Heihachi quickly stepped out of the way and watched the giant flaming sphere hit the golden Buddha statue behind him, obliterating a good amount of the large carving. "So you still have some tricks up your sleeve?"

"There are many things you don't know about me boy."

"Tch. Your tricks won't matter here old man!"

"That's good. Tonight you will find out how weak this old man is."

Kazumi didn't want to blink. She had always wanted to see these two men fight seriously, but never at the cost of one of their lives. Her breathing started to get heavy. Her body became hot all over. The Hadou? No, not now. She didn't want to leave, but if she stayed Jinpachi would no doubt feel the power and react. She struggled her way outside as the pain in her stomach returned. "Ugh!" Kazumi coughed up blood into her palm. She was able to lean on a tree so she could meditate to sequester the pain. The demon's voice laughed as she tried to focus.

"Ha ha! How much more do you think you can take woman? You will die and I will feast on the winner of that battle. Ha ha ha ha ha!" Kazumi ignored the demon's taunts and focused on the pain.

Inside the temple the two men continued their fight. Heihachi was showing signs of fatigue as he was being overpowered by his unnaturally strong father. Jinpachi kicked for Heihachi's head. Heihachi ducked the strike. In one motion Jinpachi changed the direction of the kick and tried to stomp on Heihachi. At the last second Heihachi back steps his father's leg and Jinpachi stomps a hole in the wooden floor. Heihachi charges the electricity in his fist while his father's leg is stuck in the ground. He lunges toward Jinpachi with the thoughts of ending the fight with this punch. Jinpachi smirks as Heihachi approaches him. When Heihachi is no more than an inch from Jinpachi's reach, Jinpachi quickly raises his left hand sends a ki blast of air right on top of Heihachi's chest. "HA!" Heihachi is sent back flying into the wall.

"URAAAAAAGH!" The impact knocks him out and he slowly peels off the wall. His father approaches slowly knowing the fight is over. Heihachi wakes up dazed and slowly gets up to his knees."Ugghh…"

"Heihachi, you have dishonored me for the last time... I only wanted for you to live a peaceful life with your wife and son. But you continued to chase tragedy by wanting to be involved in war. I can only hope your mother will forgive me in heaven for not raising you correctly." Jinpachi stood in front of the downed Heihachi and raised his hand high for the killing blow. The black electricity sparked and flailed around him.

Heihachi started gaining his senses back and reached in his gi to pull out a small transmitter he was hiding. Right at that moment a hateful aura burst through the temple from behind Jinpachi causing his senses to change focus from Heihachi.

"What was that?!" Jinpachi yelled as he turned away towards the direction of the dark energy.

Heihachi never noticed the aura. He only saw an opening of a distracted Jinpachi. He pressed a button on the transmitter and iron chains appeared from different directions of the temple. They wrapped around Jinpachi's wrist and ankles, amazingly on their own.

"What is this?!" said the confused Jinpachi. The chains wrapped tight and lifted Jinpachi in the air, suspending him about 8 feet off the ground. Jinpachi struggled to break free from the chains, but it seemed to only make them tighter.

"Ha ha ha ha ha!" Heihachi stood up. "How do you like my tricks old man? This was made by the newly formed science department of the Mishima Zaibatsu. My company!... Bluuurgh!" Heihachi vomited from the pain caused by his father's last attack. "You surprise me father! You still have a lot of fight left in you. This is why I have to take you down now."

"Heihachi! You coward!"

"No one will stand in my way old man! NO ONE!"

"I'll break free from this Heihachi and I will kill you."

"You will rot in here old man, I've had the science department design additions to the temple for this very moment. No one will ever find you again."

"Heihachi!"

Heihachi walked towards the temple doors to exit. He turned around and bowed to his father. "Thank you for everything you taught me." Heihachi stood back up and looked Jinpachi in his eyes as he pressed the second button on the transmitter. The entire room began moving down like a giant elevator. Jinpachi looked around to the foreign additions of the temple. Heihachi threw his head back in laughter as he walked out of the temple.

"HAAA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"

"HEIHACHIIIIII!" Jinpachi yelled as he was slowly being buried alive beneath his own property.

Kazumi was still outside of the temple, hidden from sight. She had finally managed to suppress the Dark Hado after it had exploded out. The sharp pain in her stomach was slowly leaving her. She was able to ignore it enough to move again.

She turned around to find Heihachi stumbling out of the temple. What?! I missed the outcome... Did Heihachi beat father? He fell over and coughed up a good amount of blood.

"Old man, you really tried to kill me! Ha ha ha BLUURGGH…" He threw up more blood up before he passed out.

"Heihachi!"

Kazumi was exhausted. She mustered the energy to move to Heihachi and check his pulse. Good he's still alive. She looked down at her vulnerable husband for a second before she made her way inside the temple to see if Jinpachi was still alive. Inside, she didn't understand what she was seeing, it was as if nothing happened. Where is Jinpachi? How did the buddha statue get fixed? What did Heihachi do? She looked down at her own hands that had her blood stains on it, then looked back at Heihachi. "Everything is falling apart."