In Japan, before the first Street Fighter Tournament, Ryu lived and trained under his master and foster father, Gouken, in the art of Goutetsu Shotokan Karate. In these early years of his life, he trained with Ken, an American boy sent to Japan by his father in hopes of instilling discipline in his son, and Retsu. Ken's father was the fifth richest man in the world, and apparently, his Japanese mother was friends with the Shotokan master. Unusually, Gouken was only interested in training Ken and Ryu in the techniques of chi; leaving out Retsu. Ryu concentrated on substance whereas his friend, Ken, fought with a flashy, flamboyant style. During these 10 years of training, Ryu proved to be the best of the students, and Ken was bitter that he was not. This fuelled a rivalry that would last far into their adulthood. After those 10 years of training, the two young men left the dojo to train on their own.
Years before he came into power as head of the Shadowloo organization, Bison and his troops happened upon a temple, deep in the Cambodian jungle. Inside, he met dark forces that offered him awesome power. After striking a deal with the spirits, he was granted what they called Psycho Power. Before he left, they warned him that the extreme power inside him may make him insane, thus "Psycho" Power. They also warned him about misusing and abusing this power. Satisfied, Bison left the temple to have it disappear...