X-Factor#64(1991)

Determined to rescue Opal Tanaka, Iceman rejects further assistance from Jean Grey and Mariko Yashida, insisting that he must confront her captors himself. Although Jean reluctantly allows him to go, she and Mariko secretly follow, intending to intervene if necessary. Meanwhile, Opal visits her father's grave within her grandfather's estate, where Hiro approaches her and recounts the history of her parents. Her father and mother, Shizu'ko, belonged to rival Yakuza families. Seeking to strengthen his position through a marriage alliance, Tatsu'o forced his son to abandon his beloved, threatening her life if he refused. Unaware that she was pregnant, Opal's father submitted to his father's demands. Shizu'ko was sent away to live with distant relatives, where she secretly gave birth to Opal. To protect her daughter from the criminal world, she agreed to marry a man chosen by her family on the condition that the child be raised in America. Tatsu'o's son eventually died in battle, leaving his father without a direct heir. Hiro explains that Tatsu'o has reluctantly prepared his cybernetic lieutenants to succeed him but ultimately desires a descendant of his own blood. Upon discovering Opal's existence, he arranged for her abduction and intends to secure his succession through her marriage. Hiro considers his master's treatment of Opal comparatively generous, provoking her anger at his willingness to defend such a tyrant. When she dismisses him as an inhuman thug, Hiro leaves, visibly hurt. He later reflects on his abandoned ambition to become a poet and admits that, although he once dreamed of being a formidable warrior guided by samurai honor, he has begun to question whether his mechanical enhancements have stripped him of his humanity. Unwilling to wait any longer for Bobby, Opal attempts to escape the estate but is intercepted by Tatsu'o. Realizing that Hiro has revealed her parents' history, her grandfather threatens to execute him for his disobedience. Opal hastily claims that Hiro merely wanted to demonstrate the futility of resisting Tatsu'o's authority. Nevertheless, Tatsu'o has lost patience with his granddaughter and orders her confined until he decides whom she will marry. Hiro is subsequently restrained in the cybernetics laboratory, where his fellow lieutenants, Ko'ichi and Toshi, anticipate his downfall. Their hopes are frustrated when Tatsu'o forgives Hiro after learning that he disobeyed out of concern for Opal, whom the old man suspects has developed an attachment to him. Granting Hiro another opportunity to prove his loyalty, Tatsu'o orders his warriors to eliminate Iceman and announces his intention to wage war against Mariko. Shizu'ko serves him tea, having secretly poisoned the drink, while Jean uses her telekinetic abilities to help Mariko's ninjas enter the stronghold. Shizu'ko then joins them in freeing her daughter. As the cyborg warriors move to intercept Iceman, Ko'ichi and Toshi turn against Hiro, accusing him of betraying their master because he refused to attack Bobby from behind during their previous encounter. Hiro maintains that an honorable opponent should never be struck by surprise, but his comrades dismiss his principles. Iceman intervenes, and the two men join forces to defeat them. Although grateful for Bobby's assistance, Hiro insists that his allegiance to Tatsu'o leaves him no choice but to fight him. After Opal reaches the scene, she and Jean attempt to prevent the two men from fighting. Hiro's laser weapons prove capable of penetrating Iceman's ice defenses, prompting Bobby to suggest that they settle their dispute without using their powers. Hiro readily agrees and initially gains the upper hand, relying on his superior strength and speed to demonstrate his physical superiority. However, Opal points out that his cybernetic components are integrated throughout his body, making it impossible for him to truly deactivate his abilities or escape their influence. Confronted with the possibility that he has become a machine with no real control over his actions, Hiro begins to reconsider what honor means to him. He eventually refuses to continue fighting, allowing Iceman to prevail as proof that he can still make his own choices. Opal invites him to accompany her and Bobby, but Hiro declines, unwilling to abandon his oath to Tatsu'o. The two part on sorrowful terms, each apologizing to the other.