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JIN

The day of the King of Iron Fist Tournament 6 begins. The meeting was to take place at the Mishima Zaibatsu. I was unsure about entering that building again, but I calmed my nerves down and walked on in. I handed my invitation to the receptionist and she told me where to go. I entered the room and surveyed the fighters. I was looking for someone familiar, when someone else familiar walked up to me

"Kazama, you're history now!"

I rolled my eyes

"What do you want, Hwoarang?"

"You're lucky that steeple didn't hit me"

"Why?"

"Because it would have just made me want to kill you"

I laughed

"Yeah, right, so far, you have not beaten me yet"

"I got you good though and you ran away"

"I had more important things to attend to and you weren't one of them"

"Oh, so you didn't chicken out. Something was more important than me?"

"Yeah, now get out of my way"

"No way, Kazama, I'm standing here until you hear what I've got to say"

He started to rant and rave, but I wasn't listening to him. There was someone standing by the punch bowl that had caught my attention. Her long brown hair was tied back into a ponytail, hanging down to the middle of her back. She wore a denim jacket and jeans over a white shirt with a V-neckline. She also wore reading glasses, giving her a look of intelligence. I finally tuned in to Hwoarang, who had not noticed at all

"So, Kazama, we're gonna fight again and this time, I will kick your ass"

"Yeah, whatever"

I walked away from him and over to the girl. I grabbed a cup and filled it with punch, before turning to her

"Hi"

"Oh hey Jin, how's it going?"

"I'm good thanks, Julia, how about you?"

"I'm fine. How'd you go in the last tournament?"

"Oh, I went okay, even though I lost. What about you?"

I remembered back to when I lost my mind to the Devil after losing to my father. The Devil had tried to take on Jinpachi, but we lost. I forced a smile

"Yeah, good. But I lost out as well. So, what made you want to enter this tournament?"

"I'm trying to retrieve the data I had lost earlier this year in the fourth tournament"

"What data are you trying to get hold of?"

"Well, I've been researching on Forest Rejuvenation. Since our trees are dwindling way too fast, I've been trying to find ways on how to save them and provide a better world for man and animal alike. But the missing data that I need is in Heihachi's hands. Only by defeating I can get it and save Earth's trees"

She smiled and looked down, blushing

"You must think I'm strange or something"

"No, not at all. In fact, you interest me. I've lived most of my life growing up with nature, so I know what you mean. There's always someone who's doing some good with the world. And one of them is you"

She smiled

"Why did you enter?"

"I have some questions that need answering and this was the only way I could think of obtaining those answers"

Suddenly, I felt a strange presence near me. It felt like Kazuya was near me, only he wasn't, because I saw him at the other side of the room. Usually he had to be closer for me to feel his evil force. No, it was like Kazuya, but it wasn't. I looked around, but couldn't see anyone who seemed to have that dark force around them. I looked over at Kazuya, before turning back to Julia

"Um, I gotta go and talk to someone ok, I'll catch up with you later"

"Ok, Jin, see ya later"

I smiled and headed over to Kazuya. He looked up when I reached him

"We need to talk"

"Maybe later"

He went to leave, but I grabbed him by his sleeve and held him back. He looked at him, his left eye blazing crimson

"What?"

"I think you and I aren't the only ones with the Devil Gene"

"I think you're talking nonsense, boy. You are my only child, no matter what you think. I am your father and nothing you can do will change that"

I sighed and noticed Heihachi standing up on stage. I turned away from my father and felt the intense hatred that I had for Heihachi burning inside me. I noticed Kazuya walking away from him, but ignored him

"Welcome to the King of Iron Fist Tournament 6," Heihachi said, "To our old competitors, welcome back. To our new fighters, welcome"

He coughed and resumed his speech

"As you know, this tournament is held to see who is the best fighter the world has to offer and who is take ownership of the Mishima Zaibatsu. And the prize money has been increased, almost double the prize money last time. Your accommodation has been paid for during your stay here, up until the end of the tournament. You also have 1000 yen each and will receive 100 yen for every day following the start of the tournament. Also, something special will happen halfway through the tournament. Something that has never happened before, but will for the first time ever in the tournament's history"

He paused for effect

"Ladies and gentlemen, there will be a ball, a fancy masquerade ball. Dancing lessons are available every day for an hour after the tournament. Anyone is invited, so if you don't have a date, you can bring one in"

I heard most of the girls gasp and some of the guys groan. I didn't really care, but I began to think about it. What would happen if I took Julia to the ball? No, it's too early to be thinking about that right now. I looked up at my grandfather

"The tournament will begin tomorrow at nine. A list of competitors, their room number, maps of the arenas and the first round fights will be delivered to your rooms. After the first round, another list will go around and so forth. And now, thank you and good luck everyone!"

Everyone applauded. I didn't. And I wasn't the only one. Kazuya also didn't applaud. Instead, he glared at Heihachi with intensified hatred

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