Like his missing comrades, Jaden's life has always been touched by Heartless, one way or another. When he in middle school, he was helping a librarian close up for the night when they were attacked by strange black creatures. In desperation, Jaden found himself manifesting some kind of sword to fight them off. However, the incident left the librarian in a coma, and prompted his then foster mother to abandon him.

Following this incident, a series of events caused Jaden to meet Modesto Quintanna, and Saleel Ahmedi; two other boys whose lives were affected by the heartless. In fact, Modesto's story was eerily similar to Jaden's. Years later, as they prepared to enter high school, Mr Huo, the father of Modesto's late friend, Jeremy Huo, explained those creatures were called "不仁". They were ruthless monsters, hunting from the shadows for those with particularly strong wills.

When pushed to their breaking points, Jaden and Modesto manifested what he called a "天堂鑰匙"; the only known weapon that can destroy the creatures permanently. Mr. Huo also explained that he was part of secret society called Jīnlóng, who were currently at war with the 不仁. It was the final wish of Jeremy that Modesto join the Jīnlóng.

Modesto only agreed to do so if Jaden and Saleel were allowed to come with him. While Mr. Huo agreed, the rest of Jīnlóng did not. In fact, they order Jaden and his friends killed for "stealing Chinese secrets". It was then they realized the Jīnlóng had become corrupt; its leader was a rogue sorcerer, who struck a bargain with the Heartless in a bid to turn Chinatown into his empire. The accusation of treason was just an excuse to kill Jaden and his friends for their 天堂鑰匙.

Forced to flee, Los Bandidos eventually met up with Zhēnxiàng a well-known martial arts master. Said master also offered to teach Jaden how to manifest and use his 天堂鑰匙 at will. Meanwhile, Modesto went with Mr. Huo to do the same, and Saleel returned to Brooklyn to train under his own mentor, Beatboxer.

While training in Japan, Jaden eventually met a girl named Akira, and a boy named Sora (no, not that Sora), whom Zhēnxiàng also took as his apprentices. In two years time, Los Bandidos reunited in an attempt to oust the sorcerer and his scheme once and for all. Howevever, the confrontation caused a device of the sorcerer's to malfunction, and several rifts opened, scattering Los Bandidos across the multiverse.

Jaden must now locate his comrades, and find a way home.