Returning Home
With MIST seemingly destroyed once again, the warriors return to their locations but first plan to stop by Helena's yacht to tell her the good news the next day. Although all of them are not certain that Donovan was destroyed in the explosion, they believe that his plans are foiled and grateful to finally help Kazuki escape.
On the flight to the yacht, Kazuki, now his new light blue shirt just like the one that was destroyed, looks out the window and thinks deeply about the events that just happened and the new discovery of the Devil Gene that he has. He realizes just how different people can be even if they are part of the same bloodline. Raidou comes from the same bloodline as his mother and yet, he was no different from Kazuya and Heihachi. Despite this, he knows that Kasumi not like Raidou and therefore, he has no shame of being part of their bloodline. In fact, it just makes him believe even more that Jin is different from the people in his bloodline as well, just like he was told.
This leads to him thinking about what Heihachi told him before their fight in the tournament.
For us Mishimas, the war between father and son is a never-ending battle. The things that drive Jin and Kazuya to not only oppose me but each other…is what makes them who they are. Hatred…hatred that makes them devils. Tell me something, boy; just how much do you hate your father?
Although he knows for sure that Heihachi is wrong, he also knows that his words have a much deeper meaning that they sounded. The "hatred that makes them devils" was, in fact, the Devil Gene he was talking about at that point.
Kazuki finally breaks the silence.
"What happened?" he asks as he looks at Hayate and Ayane. "What happened when you found out that I had the Devil Gene?"
"Kazuki?" said Kasumi.
"Don't worry, I am not angry. There is no reason to be angry. I just want to know what happened when it was discovered that I had that power. I'm certain that you wouldn't have told them about it…but if that's the case, then how were they able to find out?"
Kasumi looks at Hayate and Ayane for an answer. Ayane looks to the side, as if she's too ashamed to speak on it while Hayate looks to talk to Kazuki.
"We found out about the Devil Gene just weeks after she brought you to the village. There was this demonic creature who showed up at our village one night. He looked transparent but was still physically a devil. He attacked our clan, searching for something…for someone. I'll never forget that terrified look our mother had when she was holding you, trying to protect you. That's when Ayane and I fought against it and manage to defeat it. It fled and the village was safe but there was one thing that puzzled us both; why did it only come after you? You were just an infant child and had only been there for just a few weeks. Days later, we set out to look for your mother in hopes that we would find some answers. We didn't find her…but we did find Ryu."
19 years ago
Days after the attack on the village, Hayate and Ayane searches Kasumi to know about the reasons by the attack. They believe she knows the reason why but has never mentioned this when she brought Kazuki the village the last time they saw her. During their search, they run into Ryu Hayabusa in a bright sunny day in the woods and explain everything to him about the attack on the village.
"I see," said Hayabusa. "There's only one possible reason for why it would come to the village…and that's because of the Devil Gene that that child carries in his blood."
"The 'Devil Gene'?" asked Hayate.
"What is the 'Devil Gene'? asked Ayane.
"It is a dark power that can transform a person into a devil. There's only one bloodline that I know that carries the Devil Gene…and that's the Mishima bloodline."
"What?" said Hayate. "The Mishima bloodline? But then that means…"
"Yes," said Hayabusa. "The Devil Gene that Kasumi's child carries is inherited from his father, Jin Kazama."
There is a long pause. Jin Kazama is thought to be dead by many people and the Mugen Tenshin Clan despise the Mishimas for their violent nature. The fact that Kasumi would bear a child of the Mishima is nearly unbearable to comprehend. What's worse, the child is born with a demonic ability that has already put the village in danger.
"Then he should be exiled!" said Ayane.
"Ayane?" said Hayate.
"He's a cursed child. He can't stay with us, Master Hayate."
"Ayane, you must remember our promise to Kasumi. We must keep him safe. Our village is the only way he'll make it."
"Did you hear what Master Ryu just said? That child is a danger to our village. He is a devil and Kasumi know that. It was because of him that our village was attacked. What if it happens again?"
"Listen, we just have to stick to our word and keep protecting Kazuki like we promised her. I will not go back on my word, no matter what."
Ayane looks disappointed at Hayate for still wanting to protect what she perceived is a threat to the village and clan.
"When I was seen as a cursed child, our village didn't want to accept me, all because of my birth. Now Kasumi bares the child of a devil…and we're supposed to just forget about it? Why, Hayate? It's because he's Kasumi's son, isn't it? Just say it!"
"Ayane, that's enough!" said Hayate.
"We should be protecting the village and as long as we keep that child there, it will never be protected," said Ayane. "I'm doing what Kasumi should have done if she really cared about her clan."
"Ayane, are you really going to break your promise to Kasumi? What happened to the village is not her or her son's fault. She knew he would be in danger and she trusted us to protect him. Think about what would happen to him if we sent him away. He would never survive out there. Would you really be satisfied to send an infant child out there to die after you promised that you would protect it?"
Ayane looks down to think about her decision. She doesn't want the village to be in danger but she also doesn't want to lose Hayate's support either.
"That child will be safe…but our village will not," said Ayane. "It will happen again, Master Hayate. Just watch."
She then leaps away from the area.
Present Day
"But that devil never showed up again...though, Kazuya might as well be considered one," said Hayate. "Still, the secret about the Devil Gene was safe with us."
"So Ayane was afraid that the Devil Gene would attract danger to our village?" asked Kazuki. "That's reasonable."
"I was also afraid that Jin may have...attacked Kasumi...and maybe that was why you were born," said Ayane. "But she told me the truth after that."
Kazuki looks satisfied in knowing that his family kept such a dark secret away from the village. He knew he would have certainly been sent away if they knew the truth.
"This is why I brought you to our village, Kazuki," said Kasumi. "I wouldn't have been able protect you by myself but I knew that they would."
"By yourself?" asked Kazuki. "What about Jin? Was he still with you?"
"No. Your father…he left shortly after you were born."
Kazuki looks at Kasumi's expression as she looks to the side, as if she doesn't want to talk about it. Therefore, he doesn't ask her why Jin left so he decides to wait to ask Jin himself.
Helena's Yacht
The fighters all finally arrive at Helena's Yacht. As they jump out of the helicopters, they are approached by Helena herself, with Bruno watching from inside.
"So, you've made it here in one peace," said Helena. "Impressive as usual." She then notices Kazuki and walks up closer to him. "You must be Kazuki. I am Helena Douglas, the owner of DOATEC."
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Douglas," said Kazuki as he bows.
"We've come to inform you that we destroyed Donovan's lab," said Hayate. "He won't be any trouble to us for a while."
"Very good," said Helena. "This means I could start the next tournament without any distractions."
"The next tournament?" said Hayate.
"Follow me inside," said Helena. "We'll discuss it even more."
Once inside, Helena explains her plans to announce her next tournament and how defeating MIST gives her the perfect opportunity to do it.
"Now that you have foiled Donovan's plans, I can now proceed with the next Dead or Alive tournament without any problems," she said. "Although we've been working hard to keep it secured, Donovan is all too familiar with how the tournaments are made. I don't think he will easily get past our security now that his own place has been destroyed. Now I'd like to know, are any of you interested in entering our tournament?"
Everyone looks at each other for a moment without giving any answer.
"Kazuki, maybe this is your chance," said Hayabusa.
"Yes, you're right," said Kazuki. He then looks at Helena and says "How different is your tournament compared to Heihachi's?"
"It's very similar, only we don't allow weapons in our tournament. It's just pure hand-to-hand fighting."
"Well, if that's the case…then I think I'll enter," said Kazuki.
"Kazuki?" said Kasumi.
"This is my chance to settle this with Kazuya and Heihachi in my own way," said Kazuki. "When I first competed in the King of Iron Fist tournament, I lost focus when I found out that Jin is my father. In the second tournament, instead of patiently fighting my way to Heihachi, I fell right into his hands and lost to him. Both times, I've suffered the consequences and got a lot of you involved in all of my troubles. But this time, I will not make that same mistake again. I choose this tournament and that's how I'm going to settle it."
"But are you sure you're ready?" asked Hayabusa.
"Yes, I am."
Everyone looks at Kazuki surprised. It's almost like he grew up right in front of them. Hayabusa looks with great confidence in Kazuki's attitude, believing that he's finally learning.
"You want to settle your family war in my tournament?" asked Helena. She then turns around and says "This is very awkward. Heihachi Mishima and my father were rivals. I can only wonder what he would think if he saw Mishimas competing in our tournament. He might even see it as a victory for him." She then turns back around and says "Well Kazuki, I've helped your mother so many times…why shouldn't I help you as well?"
Kazuki smiles in relief.
"Thank you, Ms. Douglas!" he says as he bows.
"Well, things have gotten lot more interesting now," said someone as he walks into the room.
"Bruno…" said Helena.
"So, that's Bruno?" asked Lars.
"This is just what I need before I start back my Savate career," said Bruno.
Hayate and Ayane look at Bruno with an angry stare.
"So, you are going to be entering the tournament as well?" asked Kazuki.
"Of course," said Bruno. "I am not going to sit around any longer."
Helena notices Hayate and Ayane's look. "Is something wrong?" she asked.
Lars decides to walk up to Bruno and says "There are a lot dangerous people out there. Are you aware of that?"
"Of course, I am," said Bruno. "Why do you ask that?"
"I just want to remind you that these dangerous people could be anywhere. They could be right up under your nose and you won't even know it."
"That may be true but I'm more than willing to take on anybody out there, no matter who it is."
"You still have no idea what's out there, do you?" asked Lars.
"What is the meaning of this?" asked Bruno. "Is there something else you're trying to tell me?"
"I'm not sure if she told you this already but I was the one who saved your mother when Jin attacked DOATEC. I made sure she was safe before she was ready to leave. So, you can trust me on this. I just want you to keep in mind that enemies could be everywhere, trying to get as much information as possible to find certain people. Just be aware of your surroundings from now on."
Bruno just simply walks out of the room, appearing to ignore to Lars. Before leaving, he turns around and says "Don't think you can just give me orders like that. Everyone is well protected here. You just worry about yourself."
"It's such a pity that the younger generation never learns," said Lee.
"He's such a brat!" said Ayane.
"What's happened to Bruno?" asked Kasumi.
"He's angry about his career. Believe me, he's not always like this. He can be very nice person one minute and then the next minute, he can so thoughtless and angry. That's how it's been ever since his career has stopped."
Kazuki begins to wonder about how much problems Bruno has in his own life. Being the son of a well-known person who owns a huge company is something Kazuki could easily relate to.
"Well…if he's going to be entering the tournament, no doubt we might cross paths," said Kazuki. "He then looks at Helena says "Once again, thank you, Ms. Douglas. I'm very grateful."
"Don't mention it," said Helena.
"We must be on our way back now," said Hayate. "The village is waiting for us,"
As they all walk out of the room, Lars turns around to look at Helena and says "If you need to keep an eye on him, just let me know."
Helena proudly smiles and says "I will."
After he leaves, Helena turns around to look at the outside. She then sighs as if to relieve herself of something.
"I hope one day Bruno becomes just like his father," she said.
Mugen Tenshin Village
Kazuki, Hayate, and Ayane all arrive at the village later that day. Only…it's not what they expect. The village looks as if it had been hit by a storm. The places are badly damaged and it appears that there been a fire.
"What's happened to the village?" asked Kazuki.
"I don't know!" said Hayate. "Everything was just fine when we left. What could have done this?"
"The clan…our mother…we have to check on her fast!" said Ayane.
They run inside where they find an Shiden lying on the floor under a cover, being treated by Ayame. They are relieved to see the three ninja warriors finally arrive.
"Grandfather…" said Kazuki
"Oh Kazuki, you're safe!" said a happy Ayame.
"But what happened here?" asked Hayate.
"It was that man…Heihachi," said Shiden. "He came to this village last night to look for you, Kazuki. When we told him that you were not here, he ordered his soldiers to attack everyone. I tried to stop them but I was too overwhelmed by their force. But we did manage to survive."
"What about you, grandmother?"said Kazuki. "Are you injured?"
Ayame rolls up her left sleeve to reveal her bandaged arm.
"Were you…shot?" asked angry Hayate. Ayame nods.
Ayane runs to look at her mother's arm and looks sad, almost as if to cry.
"That…monster!" said Ayane.
Hayate looks in anger and then takes out his sword.
"Kazuki?" he says as he looks at his nephew.
"Yes!" said Kazuki as he eyes begin to glow red. "This means war!"
To Be Continued.
