Black rain fell over Kyoto.
A storm brewed.
But inside a golden temple nestled between cherry blossoms, the scent of incense danced through the air. Musicians played soft erhu melodies. Guests whispered behind silk fans. Photographers snapped pictures. And standing before a towering jade altar—
Xao Min Feng wore red.
Not the red of love. The red of sacrifice. Her qi-patterned wedding cheongsam shimmered like blood-soaked silk. Her face, flawless. But her eyes?
Empty.
Beside her stood her groom — Zhen Liang, master of Wing Chun, Beijing's national prodigy. Tall, graceful, handsome. And proud. Too proud.
He smirked at her like she was already his possession.
> "I'll tame your storm," he whispered in her ear.
Xao Min didn't flinch.
But her hand? It clenched under her sleeve.
She didn't want this.
Not the palace. Not the legacy. Not him.
Not when he wasn't there.
---
Meanwhile...
"Genji, say something."
Blaze stood in front of him, arms crossed, black coat billowing in the wind.
They were outside Mishima Tower. The private jet was waiting.
Shin Mishima had summoned Genji for the 'next phase.'
But Genji hadn't moved.
He stared at the ground. At his hands. At the red pendant around his neck.
Asumi stepped forward. Quietly. Gently.
> "You want to go to her. Don't you?"
"I don't know what I want," Genji muttered. "All I know is I should've stopped her."
Asumi narrowed her eyes. "Then stop sulking and do it. I may be in love with you. Juliet may be obsessed with you. But she..."
She hesitated.
> "She needs you."
Genji clenched his jaw.
Blaze smirked. "About damn time."
He tossed Genji a black duffle bag.
Inside: combat gear. Jet-black.
> "I've got the bike. You better have the balls."
---
Moments later...
The wedding ceremony had just begun.
The monk chanted softly in Mandarin. The guests smiled. Zhen Liang reached out to take her hand.
Xao Min stared at his fingers.
She could almost hear the zap of her voltage wanting to strike.
But just as their hands touched—
> BOOOOMMMM—!!!
The temple doors EXPLODED off their hinges.
Smoke. Shrapnel. Screams.
And then they saw them—
GENJI. BLAZE. ASUMI.
Dressed in black. Coats fluttering. Eyes burning.
The crowd gasped.
Zhen Liang's eyes widened.
> "What is this?!"
Blaze adjusted his sunglasses. "We're crashing the wedding."
Asumi grinned. "Sorry, Zhen. She's got better options."
Xao Min's breath caught.
> "You came..."
Genji stepped forward, wind blowing his coat back.
He raised his hand.
> "Min. You don't belong here."
Zhen snarled. "How dare you—!"
He charged. Palms up, Wing Chun lightning strikes. A master of speed and economy. Precision.
But he met Blaze Kuronuma's fists first.
> CRACK—!!
Blaze weaved, then landed a spinning backfist. Zhen staggered.
Then Genji stepped in.
Roundhouse. Elbow. Knee. Red Thunder Kick—
Zhen crashed into a jade pillar.
The monks screamed. Guests fled. The temple shook with fury.
And then—
Xao Min moved.
She tore the veil from her head.
> "You're not the only fighter here, Zhen."
She ripped the cheongsam at the legs, revealing the bandaged thighs beneath.
Lightning sparked across her arms.
> "STORM TIGRESS MODE: UNCHAINED."
She launched.
Jab. Knee. Spinning hook—
Zhen couldn't keep up.
She drove her fist into his gut.
> "YOU. DON'T. OWN. ME."
He collapsed.
Face-first. Into rose petals and shame.
---
Later…
They stood outside. Wind howled. Rain poured.
But they smiled. All four of them.
Genji held out his phone. "Group selfie?"
Blaze groaned. "You serious?"
Asumi leaned into Blaze's arm, smiling. "Why not? We just ruined a wedding."
Xao Min pressed beside Genji. "Don't post it though. I'm still technically married until I sign the annulment."
Click.
Freeze-frame: Four rebels. One storm. Lightning behind them.
---
Elsewhere...
Juliet Carl stared at the screen.
The photo. Genji. Smiling with her.
She said nothing. Just closed the laptop. Cold. Calculating.
Then turned to the woman in the cloak.
> "You said he's the Dragon Prince?"
The cloaked figure nodded.
> "The blood of the Phoenix Clan. Maoshinara line. Direct heir."
Juliet's lips curled into a grin.
> "Then I'm going to burn his world down... and stand with him in the ashes."
---
To be continued