Proficiency System: Lee Chaolan!

Host: Lee Chaolan

Age: 5

Rank: Orphan

Skills: Brawling F (0/10), Survival Instincts F (0/10)

Equipment: None

Amidst the labyrinthine alleys of a vibrant Chinese marketplace, the sun casts a warm glow over the worn cobblestones. The air was thick with the mingling scents of street food and the lively chatter of vendors vying for attention.

In a secluded corner, two figures engaged in a gritty brawl. Lee Chaolan, a scrappy street orphan with fierce determination, moved with surprising agility as he traded blows with a bigger boy. Their movements were ugly and raw, a symphony of grit and determination echoing through the narrow passage.

Spectators gathered around, forming a makeshift ring around the impromptu fight. They cheered and jeered, their voices melding into a cacophony that echoed off the surrounding walls. Chaolan's opponent swung a heavy fist, but Chaolan ducked and countered with a quick series of jabs and a well-timed sweep. The crowd erupted in approval.

Unbeknownst to Chaolan, a figure stood at the fringes of the crowd, a commanding presence that seemed to radiate authority. Heihachi Mishima, a man whose name was synonymous with power and ruthlessness, watched the brawl with an intensity that betrayed his interest. The fight continued, the combatants locked in a dance of survival. Chaolan's movements were a reflection of his determination to triumph against the odds, his resilience shining through the grime on his face. He bobbed and weaved, his focus unyielding, as if the outcome of this brawl held the key to his very survival.

As the battle reached its climax, Chaolan executed a dazzling combination that left his opponent stumbling. With a final, powerful strike, he sent the other boy sprawling to the ground. The crowd erupted in cheers, a chorus of approval for the underdog who had proven his mettle. Heihachi's gaze remained fixed on Chaolan, his inscrutable expression revealing neither approval nor displeasure. Slowly, he stepped forward, his presence enough to part the crowd like a sea, creating a path toward the victorious fighter.

Chaolan's chest heaved with exertion as he straightened up, his gaze meeting the intense scrutiny of the man approaching him. Heihachi's voice cut through the post-fight clamor, carrying an air of command that demanded attention.

"Young brat, you just earned the opportunity to live a better life." Heihachi's voice held a weight that silenced the surrounding commotion. His eyes, sharp and assessing, locked onto Chaolan's. "Come with me. Let's see if you can keep that privilege."

Chaolan's brow furrowed as he caught his breath, uncertainty mingling with the curiosity in his eyes. He didn't know who this man was, but it would beat living on the streets for the rest of his life. Although he was suspicious, he nodded his head. If he didn't like it, he could just run away back to the streets.

Heihachi's gaze held Chaolan's, a challenge and a promise mingling in his words. "I see fire in your eyes, the hunger to rise above your circumstances. But make no mistake, I have no use for those who cannot seize power for themselves. The strong will survive, and the weak will perish."

A flicker of understanding crossed Chaolan's eyes, his wariness momentarily eclipsed by the opportunity that lay before him. The streets would've long swallowed him up if he was weak. Chaolan didn't want to be weak. He didn't want to perish. So, he would be strong. Strong enough to survive anything.

…

Lee Chaolan was adopted by Heihachi and taken to the Mishima Estate. It was there that he met his adoptive brother, Kazuya Mishima. Heihachi maliciously smiled at their meeting. Kazuya didn't respond to Chaolan's friendly greeting before Heihachi had them spar. Chaolan was beaten to shit by his older brother without even managing to land a single hit on him. He felt the hostility and anger within his attacks.

Heihachi just laughed once he saw that Chaolan's eyes weren't dead. After that, Chaolan was properly implemented into the Mishima Family. Treated equally alongside Kazuya, the two were raised as lions amongst men. Brutal training that no other child should be forced to endure, lesson after lesson after lesson, and the only time for rest was when their bodies were too broken to continue.

They trained in the Mishima Style Fighting Karate, aristocratic education, business knowledge, and Heihachi's code of living: All that matters is who's left standing, nothing else. Chaolan didn't understand what exactly he was signing up for being adopted by Heihachi, but it certainly wasn't anything like this! However, as the years passed, he grew accustomed to the lavish lifestyle of the Mishimas—a life of elegance, wealth, and sophistication.

…

"Well, come on. Let's get started. I don't have all day." Heihachi told the two boys.

Kazuya and Chaolan didn't hesitate to rush toward Heihachi with the intent to kill. They knew that anything else would only result in a harsher beating. Two young boys who hadn't even reached puberty fought with the intent to kill. Despite their strained relationship, they fought with excellent coordination. Since both of them were trained in the same fighting style, it allowed them to reach an impressive level of understanding amongst one another. Heihachi didn't hesitate to viciously correct their faults with the same martial arts. A foot to the abdomen covered in lightning chi, a leg swipe that sent them bouncing across the dojo's floor, or a stomp that buried them within the wooden floor. Both Chaolan and Kazuya were forced through such training five days out of the week, every week.

"Father Dearest really doesn't hold back, does he?" Lee painfully choked out, lying next to his adoptive brother.

"Shut up… It hurts just listening to you." Kazuya was in a similar state of injury.

"You know, for all that talk of killing Father, I think I might kill him before you do." Lee smirked before a sharp pain forced him to grimace out of pain.

"You're nothing but a puppet... I will get revenge for my mother. No matter how much pain I must endure…" Kazuya struggled to clench his shaking fist.

"Tell me about Mother. What was she like?" Chaolan was curious.

"She's my mother!" Kazuya harshly corrected him. A brief blanket of silence covered the dojo before he continued… "My mom was… everything that he was not. She was loving, caring, kind, and meant the world to me. Then that man killed her. He won't even tell me the reason why!" Kazuya smashed his fist on the ground.

"Don't tell Father, but I think I'd rather be raised with Mother over him," Chaolan responded.

Kazuya looked at him. Although, it wasn't with the glare or hostility he normally uses when looking at him. It was something different. "I… agree…" Kazuya felt conflicted agreeing with this tool.

"Getting thrown off a cliff wasn't something I was expecting when being adopted," Chaolan added to Kazuya's small snicker. "Brother?! Did I finally make you laugh?!"

"Shut up, fool. I didn't laugh at your stupid joke." Kazuya denied it.

"My bones may be broken, but that doesn't mean my ears are going bad. Admit it, I made you laugh, Kazuya!" Chaolan pressed on with excitement.

"In your dreams, loser." Kazuya wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

…

"Roll over!" Chaolan ordered Kuma, Heihachi's guard and pet bear.

Kuma ignored the little tot, who hung his shoulders in defeat at the sight. When he tried engaging the bear in combat, he was knocked away with ease. Now injured and a failure. Kazuya mockingly laughed at him. "A maggot should stay in a maggot's place, don't you think?"

"I bet you can't do it either!" Chaolan shouted, embarrassed.

"Hmph, watch your superior at work." Kazuya crossed his arms before walking over to Kuma, trying to enjoy his nap. "Roll over, Kuma." He demanded, looking down on the adult grizzly bear.

Kazuya was slapped away into Chaolan, and the both of them were sent flying out of the room. "Watch your superior at work." Chaolan mocked Kazuya's words despite the pain. "Get off of me, you heavy buffoon!" Kazuya pushed Chaolon off of him and stood up, irritated. Being put on the same level as his adoptive brother was not a feeling he enjoyed despite how often Chaolan reminded him of it.

"Aw, don't go to your room to cry. Come on, it's not a big deal, Brother." Chaolan spoke up.

"I'm not going to cry! " Kazuya shouted. "I'm leaving to get away from your stupidity! It's contagious and infecting me!" He walked away with that.

"There's no cure for stupidity, Brother! We'll be idiots for life!" Chaolan laughed.

…

Late at night, Chaolan tiredly yawned as he made his way into the kitchen for a late-night snack. As he made it into the kitchen, he saw a small figure in front of the fridge. They were munching on his unicorn animal crackers before turning to realize that Chaolan was staring right at them. There were only two small people living in the Mishima Estate. One of them explicitly said he hated animal crackers.

"Kazuya! You liar! You liar and a thief!" Chaolan greeted Kazuya with a flying kick for eating his favorite animal crackers.

"Hmph! I just got sick of seeing you eat them so happily all the time! They weren't even good!" Kazuya was sent sliding back from the force of Chaolan's kick but continued eating the crackers in his hand.

"STOP EATING THEM!" Chaolan rushed at Kazuya, who was quickly shoving more into his mouth.

With a mouthful of crackers, his response came out as "D'n't or'r me 'round." The two brothers engaged in a late-night bout of sparring. Although no winner would come from the conclusion, both were found sleeping next to each other by a confused Heihachi. It didn't take him long to realize what may have prompted this battle between brothers when he saw the numerous crumbs on the floor and the open refridgerator.

"Idiots." Heihachi smiled.

…

It was impossible for him to go back to living on the streets after all he's been through so far. Chaolan absolutely refused to. It wouldn't be elegant at all.

Host: Lee Chaolan

Age: 16

Rank: Mishima Family Spare

Skills: Mishima Style Fighting Karate C (5,432/10,000), Survival Instincts B (37,472/100,000), Chi Mastery E (15/100), Business C (0/10,000), Elegance D (300/1,000), Robotics D (139/1,000)

Equipment: None

"Brother, don't you think it's a little unfair of Father to treat you so nicely compared to me?" Chaolan hung off of Kazuya's bed.

"Shut up." Kazuya continued studying.

"You've even vowed to kill Father Dearest so many times, but that only makes him happier somehow." He sighed.

"Get out of my room." Kazuya had his back to him.

"At first, I worked hard to gain Father's approval. To show that I deserved to be a part of the Mishima Family. That it wasn't a mistake for him to have adopted me." Chaolan continued despite Kazuya's very annoyed sigh. "Then I realized it's never been about me. It was always about you, Kazuya. Even being adopted by Father was for you. I never caught his attention." Chaolan bared his heart to his adoptive brother.

"I…" Kazuya hesitated as he took in Lee's words. "I'm sorry." Kazuya knew it wasn't his fault, but at the same time, it was his fault.

"I don't blame you, brother." Chaolan had a small smile on his face. "I just want you to know that I am not Heihachi's pawn, and despite how badly you've treated me these years, I think of you as my real brother."

"I'm man enough to admit my faults. I have treated you poorly over the years because I knew you were just a tool by Heihachi to be used against me. For that, I apologize." Kazuya turned to look at him.

"I love you, Kazuya." Chaolan suddenly admitted.

"You've ruined it." Kazuya lifted him out of his bed and tossed him through the wall.

"I was kind of joking, brother!!!" Chaolan broke through the walls and landed on his back, staring up at a furry creature. "Kuma?!" He exclaimed in surprise as he landed in the bathroom, seeing the giant bear sitting on the toilet with a newspaper.

Kuma kicked him out of the bathroom toward the main hall. Heihachi stood over his dirtied figure, not impressed at his current state. He didn't say a word as he turned away and went about his business. It was a lot more hurtful to be ignored than lectured…