Summary
- Mortal Kombat 1's ending reveals a new direction for the Lin Kuei, as Scorpion and Smoke defect to seek justice for the Grandmaster.
- Smoke's ending confirms that Hanzo Hasashi is with him as a child, and they are forming the Shirai Ryu together.
- This sets the stage for a more dangerous and focused Hanzo, who will do anything to protect his new clan and forge a terrifying weapon with the blending of fire and smoke.
The following contains spoilers for Mortal Kombat 1.
By the time the Mortal Kombat 1 ending unfolds, it's safe to say the Lin Kuei isn't the same. The ice ninja clan initially began as Liu Kang's allies, helping protect Earthrealm for centuries. Unfortunately, the new timeline finds Bi-Han wanting more power and glory, as he selfishly breaks off and partners his crew with the Titan Shang Tsung.
It results in Scorpion and Smoke defecting and hoping to someday take the Lin Kuei down and revive the vision of old. It'd allow them to seek justice for the Grandmaster as well, knowing at last that Bi-Han helped orchestrate his father's death in a Game of Thrones move. Interestingly, Smoke's ending has a bombshell embedded that could offer him and Kuai Liang their greatest weapon yet as they seek to fix what their brethren broke in terms of reputation.
Mortal Kombat 1's Smoke Will Train Hanzo Hasashi
Many fans wondered where Hanzo Hasashi was in this new era. Some thought maybe Smoke was Hanzo, while others felt Liu Kang, upon crafting the new realm, left Hanzo out after the old Scorpion endured so much pain, suffering, and tragedy. Smoke's ending confirms Hanzo is indeed with them—but as a child. The sequence details how Kuai Liang fled with Smoke to Japan to form the Shirai Ryu with his wife, Harumi.
Smoke ended up finding a kid who tried to attack him. He realized the boy wasn't a Lin Kuei assassin, though. He was angry and filled with unbridled aggression, but it was because he was homeless and lost his family. In other words, he's just like the Smoke (aka Tomas) who got taken in by Bi-Han and Kuai Liang's father in this era. Smoke adopts the child, making him his first initiate in the Shirai Ryu. This flips the Hanzo arc in the past where he was married to Harumi.
Bi-Han slaughtered his family and used the ice ninjas to decimate the Shirai Ryu, leading to the blood feud. Little did they all know, Quan Chi was manipulating them all, so he could get a dead Bi-Han and turn him into Noob Saibot. In this case, Hanzo doesn't have to work with Kuai Liang to find Noob Saibot and save Bi-Han's soul, nor does he have to worry about vengeance. All he has to do is train under Smoke and help steel up the Shirai Ryu. It's a simpler plot, giving him a new destiny and what he's always sought: a home and family.
Mortal Kombat 1 Creates a More Dangerous Hanzo
Now, it's uncertain what direction a Mortal Kombat 1 sequel can take with Hanzo. In the past, he was filled with anger due to how he lost his wife and kid. But Raiden, Liu Kang, and the others would help temper it. Even Kuai Liang as the second Sub-Zero helped him redeem his murderous past and avenge his family by hunting Quan Chi. This led to Hanzo understanding his role in the grander scheme, as Quan Chi himself was just a pawn other villains like Kronika used.
Hanzo eventually turned into someone more human and altruistic, knowing he had a bigger part to play and a destiny that required him at times to forego revenge. It's why Liu Kang seemed to have put him at rest in the new world. Until now. But make no mistake, this shapes a more dangerous Hanzo. He's focused only on one thing: protecting his new clan. There aren't any distractions, and with Smoke being such a great teacher, he can properly harness the teen's power. He's already shocked at how effective Hanzo is, so by asserting his lessons and Kuai Liang's flames, they'll be getting the perfect hybrid.
This can forge a new Scorpion i.e. the best one ever who can blend fire and smoke in a scary manner. A lot will come down to how he matures, but having lost and gotten a life back, he'll do anything to save it. It's not like Hanzo of old who just wanted to complete a mission and retire to the afterlife. Hanzo 2.0 has a future and that makes him a terrifying weapon. Knowing what the Lin Kuei did will fuel him even more, so if he does lose Harumi (as a mother, not a wife), expect Hanzo 2.0 to unleash Hell on Earthrealm.
Mortal Kombat 1 Gives Smoke Nuanced Purpose
Admittedly, the Smoke of old felt a bit one-dimensional. His arc only became interesting when Kuai Liang had to break him out the Lin Kuei's cyber initiative, knowing Tomas was more of a brother than Bi-Han could ever be. Prior to that, though, he was just a generic grey ninja, swapped in as a pastiche of the others. Now, Smoke is much more important. Scorpion needs Tomas to steel up, not just Hanzo, but many others.
This army won't be going up against the Lin Kuei alone. They need numbers for Liu Kang's battalion, as the Fire God senses more incursions from Titans like Shang Tsung. In addition, MK1's Raiden ending has him training with the Shirai Ryu, so Smoke will have to assist Scorpion in that mentorship. It gives Tomas purpose like never before. He's entrenched in restoring the Lin Kuei and saving Earthrealm. It's added pressure, but as Scorpion's equal, the adoptive brother is someone Liu Kang desperately needs.
Ultimately, the entire Lin Kuei has depth like never before. It leaves fans eager to see how Hanzo evolves under Smoke, how Smoke grows as a teacher, and how the trifecta is completed with Scorpion's family. It's all about being made whole again. And while the Shirai Ryu is steeped in the light and feels complete for now, Bi-Han's lurking and sure to bring drama, bloodshed, and horror to the fray in due time.
Mortal Kombat 1 (Standard Edition) is now available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.