Kuma barely lost to Paul in The King of Iron Fist Tournament 5. Since the death of his master, Heihachi Mishima, Kuma was convinced that he was the only one who could save the Mishima Zaibatsu. With great resolve, he set out for the Mishima Zaibatsu headquarters, only to find Jin Kazama--the new leader of the Zaibatsu--waiting there for him. Jin unleashed a pummeling against Kuma, then dropped him from a helicopter into the plains of Hokkaido.

Despite the tremendous fall, Kuma survived and traversed the vast plains in search of the Mishima Zaibatsu headquarters. This time, he was determined to defeat Jin and take his place as the rightful successor at the Mishima Zaibatsu.