London, UK - Terrorists have seized the city, killed countless civilians and taken the Prime Minister hostage. They now make a single demand.

On the other side of the world, two covert government operatives fly to a village hidden deep within the Japanese countryside to relay the message: "It's you they want, Ryu Hayabusa."

In London, Hayabusa comes face to face with the leader of the terrorists, a man known only as the Regent of the Mask. The Regent places a curse on him--the Grip of Murder--which thrives on all the lives Hayabusa has taken. And Hayabusa has taken many, many lives.

Hayabusa must suffer this curse as he fights in the furthest reaches of the world in order to save those closest to him. To protect that which must be protected, and kill that which must be killed. But every action has its consequence...