The Tournament Begins

At the Mugen Tenshin Village, Kasumi returns to see her son again for a once-a-year visit. Once there, however, she is unable to find him so she goes to ask Hayate about his whereabouts. She eventually meets up with him and Ayane outside of the village.

"He's not here." said Hayate. "He's leaving for the tournament."

"The tournament?" says a panicked Kasumi. "You don't mean The King of Iron Fist Tournament, do you?"

Hayate nods as he slowly looks down.

"It's too dangerous for him out there!" said Kasumi. "That's why I brought him here to this village. How can you allow him to leave?"

"I didn't let him go without testing him out. Kazuki has proven to be a strong warrior, with an iron will. He's also my top student. If he's going to a tournament like this, it's because he's earned it. Trust me, you'd be proud to see just how far he's come."

"As well as you should be." said Ryu Hayabusa as appears behind her. "We've all watched Kazuki grow from a baby to a young man, including you."

"Ryu, why did you tell him about me?" said Kasumi.

"Because no such promise was made to me. I understand your concern about him knowing the truth about you, but in the end, it was his choice to pursue it and he got it. He has that same kind of determination as you."

"He's proud to know that a person like you is his mother." said Ayane. "Doesn't that make you happy?"

Kasumi looks down and slowly smiles. She begins to reminisce the times with Kazuki growing up and how happy they seemed.

"Yes, it does." said Kasumi. "Just as he should be happy about us." She then looks at Hayabusa, Hayate, and Ayane. "I know what we must do."


The Day of the Tournament

Weeks have passed since Heihachi Mishima announced the return of The King of Iron Fist Tournament. Warriors around the world have been training in preparation for the big tournament. Some fighters have competed in past tournaments decades before while newer fighters have entered for the first time, some of them in the place of older fighters. Veteran fighter Paul Phoenix still believes that he's the strongest fighter in the world and despite being 68 years old, remains in great shape and still an impressive fighter for his age. His friend Marshall Law replaced once again by his son Forest Law due to getting stung in the butt by a swarm of bees. Younger fighters such as a female German black belt in Karate also prepare for the tournament. Also of Korean decent, she is trained by her mother and her grandfather serves as the grandmaster of the dojo.

While some fighters enter to prove themselves, and win the tournament to become the champion, there are some who have different reasons, such to gain more power, to investigate the event, to find a missing person, or for revenge. But for Kazuki, it's much more different; apparently, this tournament has something to do with knowing who his father is. He's not sure what it means but it was something his sensei Hayate and Ayane told him that he has to do. Still, the thought that he's entering a tournament held by Heihachi Mishima disturbs him. The Mugen Tenshin Clan despise the Mishimas for their senseless crimes and the suffering that their ongoing war has caused. Kazuki is well aware of the dangers of entering this competition but is confident that he can make it through the competition and win.

For others, being involved in the competition is just simply not worth it. At the DOATEC Tritowers, Helena Douglas sits in her chair and watches the news about the tournament happening in just hours away from now. After taking over DOATEC completely, Helena has hosted some Dead or Alive Tournaments just as her father did. In the absence of the King of Iron Fist tournament, Dead or Alive stood alone as the world's biggest fighting competition and its popularity grew within the last twenty years. This was the advantage DOATEC needed over the Mishima Zaibatsu. Therefore, Helena is not concerned about The King of Iron First tournament taking place right now.

"So Heihachi thinks that he can win it all back?" said Helena. "While he was wasting his time fighting against Kazuya and G Corporation, DOATEC has become even stronger now. Many people have begun to respect us as the better company. I see no reason why we should participate."

"Yes, it's nothing but filth." said young man's voice from behind. "A little competition doesn't sound like a bad idea but no way am I entering that tournament. Not anything by them."

"I'm certain Donovan will be watching too. If he tries to make a move, we will catch him and stop him."

"I say just let him do it. Heihachi's plans deserve to be ruined anyway."

"Donovan will have to be stopped, Bruno. Or else, he'll just keep taking more lives to complete his project."

"Yeah…you're right."

Helena stands up to walk to Bruno and says "That's why I didn't want you to enter this tournament. I don't trust them to protect you. But with my tournament, you will be well-protected not only by me but our allies as well."

"I understand your concern, mother. But I think you're being a little bit too worried. I'm not a little boy, you know?"

"Little boy or not, you're still my son and I don't want to lose you like I lost...them"

"Yes, I know what you mean. Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to us. I'll wait to enter your tournament but I'll be just fine."

At the Mishima Zaibatsu headquarters, Heihachi sees the faces of all the fighters that are going to be entering the tournament on his monitor. Two fighters that have peaked his interest are Kazuya Mishima and Jin Kazama, the same fighters that he created this tournament to lure out.

"Jin, Kazuya, this battle has been going on for far too long. Now it's time to end this my way and anyone else who dares challenge me will meet the same fate." He then lets out an evil laugh, believing that everything is working according to his plan.


The King of Iron Fist Tournament

Now the tournament has finally began.

Jin manages to defeat all of opponents so far, including famous British boxer Steve Fox.

Kazuya manages to do the same, triumphing over Vale Tudo fighter Craig Marduk.

Right outside of the tournament's location, Kasumi, Hayate, and Ayane arrives as the event continues in order to infiltrate the tournament. They force their way in, taking out a number of Tekken Force soldiers. The trio proves to be too fast and too powerful for the soldiers to handle.

Heihachi meditates at his dojo, awaiting for either Jin or Kazuya to arrive. He believes that either one will make it to him first before anybody else will for sure.

"Mr. Mishima sir!" says his assassin Nina Williams as she comes in. "There has been a problem!"

"Hmm?" said Heihachi. "What is it now?"

"I just received news that there are intruders here at this tournament and they've already taken out a lot of our men!"

"Intruders? Who are they? And how many of them?"

"It's three of them and they are said to be ninjas."

"So these little rats are trying to ruin my opportunity? Fine." Heihachi then stands up and turns to Nina. "Eliminate all three of them immediately."

"Yes sir!" said Nina.

Shortly afterwards, Kasumi, Ayane, and Hayate head closer to an arena, where a fight is taking place. The arena is just one of the many battlegrounds in this tournament, however.

"Do you think it could be in there?" said Hayate.

"I don't know but we must find out." said Kasumi.

As they approach, however, their path gets blocked by a group of Tekken Force soliders, led by Nina Willaims.

"That's far enough. You will not go any further. Try to get pass us and you will die!" said Nina.

"There is something we must do and if we have to fight you to do that, then so be it." said Kasumi.

"I'll give you one more chance to take your warning. By messing with us, you have no idea how dangerous your situation is."

"Do you think we should fear you just because you work for the Mishima Zaibatsu?" said Ayane. "Don't make me laugh!"

"We're not here for you or Heihachi, so why not just let us pass through?" said Hayate.

"I warned you." said Nina as she assumes her fighting stance. "You could have made this a lot easier on yourself but since you refused to listen, you're going to have to suffer the consequences! So, get ready!"

As the ninjas prepare to fight, Nina and the soldiers charge forward. Hayate and Ayane take on the soldiers while Kasumi fights Nina. Nina attempts a few punches before landing with a kick to Kasumi's stomach, knocking her down. Kasumi avoids Nina's stomp and immediately gets back to her feet. Nina attempts another kick but Kasumi catches her leg and counters with a jumping kick of her own to Nina's face, knocking her down. Nina immediately gets up with a knife and starts slashing at Kasumi but Kasumi counters by catching her arm and slamming her down, disarming her. Nina gets up and lands a few shots and knocks Kasumi down with an elbow shot. She then runs behind Kasumi as she gets up and grabs her by the neck but Kasumi bends over and flips her over her head. However, Nina lands on her feet and charges towards Kasumi again with another hit but Kasumi teleports and after Nina turns to land another hit, Kasumi catches her arm with one hand and hits Nina in the chest with the other before landing a summersault kick that knocks Nina out.

By that point, the other soldiers are already defeated by Ayane and Hayate.

"She's down." said Hayate.

"Alright, let's keep moving." said Kasumi. "We don't have much time."

At the Mishima Zaibatsu Central Tower, Kazuya Mishima stands patiently waiting for his next opponent to arrive while thinking about how close he to fighting Heihachi again. He stands with his back turned as his opponent finally walks in.

"So, you're my next opponent." said Kazuya.

"Yes, that's correct." said the fighter.

"I don't think that you can make this worthwhile but you better try anyway." Kazuya turns to look at his opponent, who has black spiky hair, long bangs over his face, light blue shirt, black pants and boots. Kazuya gets in his fighting stance as does his opponent.

"I am not to be underestimated. You'll see."

The battle between Kazuya and Kazuki begins.

To Be Continued.