Prolouge : The Disgraced Shadow

10 years ago....

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In the chambers of the leader of the Shadow Sect....

"Father, we have no choice. His act is unforgivable!", said by the general of the Shadow Sect.

"Eiko, I know your brother has committed an unforgivable sin to us. He's been devoured by that evil spirit of the former blood ninjas, Hanekage", replied by the leader of the Shadow Sect. "I shouldn't have allowed him to come to that mission, I-it's my fault", he added.

"Father, it's no one's fault. He have the choice to let that spirit devour him or not. It's his greed for power who caused this mess. Now if you will allow me father, let me contact the Scarlet Sect.."

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Before Eiko could finish his sentence, the general of the Scarlet Sect interfered to their conversation.

"There's no need to contact us, Eiko. Our council has already taken action"

"Hiromi?! Why are you here?", Eiko asked her. "I've come to inform you about the assasination of your brother, Hanzo", Hiromi replied.

"I see, I guess there's no stopping the Scarlet Sect's decision", the leader of the Shadow Sect replied. "I'm deeply sorry for the death of your leader", he added.

"I know that you are in deep despair right now Master Minori, but I didn't just came to inform Eiko about the decision of the council. I've also came to inform you that we also need asistance to fulfil the mission given to us. Many of us knew that it will not be that easy to eliminate such dangerous opponent", Hiromi said.

"I will grant your permission Hiromi, but in exchange you will promise me that you will put an end to my son's life and never ever leave a trace of his existence", Minori replied.

"Eiko, I will put you in charge of our troops. I'm hoping that you and Hiromi will lead this mission successfully", he added.

"I will not fail you father, I promise", Eiko replied. "Master Minori, I appreciate your assistance to this mission", Hiromi said.

Minori nodded and said, "Now go and fulfil your mission!".

"I will be waiting outside your father's chamber, Eiko", Hiromi said and left the two men alone.

"She's quite a woman, isn't she son?", Minori asked his son. "I know father,so would you please stop teasing me? I should be heading to her", Eiko replied and left his father's chamber.

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"What took you so long? Having a man to man talk with your father? Haha", Hiromi teased him. "It's not funny, Hiromi. We should get going to prepare now", Eiko replied.

The two generals left to prepare for their dangerous mission. They assembled the finest and the most elite ninjas of the two sects, the one who's got the potential to outmatch the strength of the former Shadow of Iga.

"My troops and I will be waiting outside the Great Dragon Gate", Hiromi said and left. "Ok, we'll catch up later" replied by Eiko.

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None of them knew that the former Shadow of Iga would be expecting them to come.

"I can sense an upcoming threat to you Hanzo" said by the evil spirit, Hanakage. "I know ..." replied by Hanzo.

"Then what's your next plan?", Hanekage asked. "If it's a fight they want, then it's a fight they will get", Hanzo replied.

"I can't wait to eat their poor souls" said by Hanekage. "Be patient, they didn't know that they are heading to their own death", Hanzo said.

"That's why your worthy of my power, Hanzo. I'm always here for you my dear ninja", Hanakage replied as she kept lurking the body of the fallen ninja.

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Eiko arrived at the Great Dragon Gate after 10 minutes.

"Your late, we should head to the east forest before the next sunrise", Hiromi said. "Oops, sorry about that. Yeah, we should be heading to that forest", Eiko replied.

Hiromi rolled her eyes at Eiko and commanded her troops to get going.

"We're here!", Eiko said. "I think we should camp here for the night", Hiromi replied. The two generals and their troops began to assemble their camping site outside the east forest to rest.

Little do they know that the fallen Shadow of Iga was just patiently waiting to devour their souls.

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End of flashback

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Present Day:

"Wow, grandpa! That was a nice story, can you continue the story?" asked by a young boy. "Come on grandpa, continue the story!" added by a young girl.

"Hahaha, you kids should really learn on how to be patient" said by an old man. "But we don't want to!" said by the young girl. "We only want stories!!!" added by the young boy.

"Ok, fine fine. Now shall we continue the story?" asked by the old man. The two kids happily answered "Yes, please!!!"

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Continuation of the flashback

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"Arghhhhh...."

"Stop him with all of your forces!!!".....

"No!!! Hiromi!!"...

"I guess, this will be the final fight for me.... fight.... Eiko.... fight for peace and justice....."

"You're not strong enough to kill me brother, now it's time for you to rest".....

"The Ame no Habakiri will devour you"....

"Arrrghhhh!" Eiko shouted as he woke up from his horrific nightmare. Hiromi hurriedly went to see Eiko. "Why are you shouting in the middle of the night?!", Hiromi asked him.

Eiko suddenly hugged Hiromi and said, "Please, we have to retreat. Death is waiting for us inside the forest".

Hiromi was shocked to see Eiko to be this extremely scared, It was her first time seeing him like this. "What are you talking about? What happened to you?", Hiromi asked.

"I-i dreamt about the outcome of this mission, blood is everywhere, souls are being devored by a shadow, and I saw you...." Eiko couldn't finished his answer, he's too terrified about the nightmare he had.

"I understand you, Eiko. But our great master once said "don't lose hope, in times of troubles". I'm sure that we can accomplish this mission together", Hiromi said as he comforted the frightened general.

"Yeah.... yeah... don't lose hope...", Eiko said while still hugging Hiromi.

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Morning came and the two generals assembled their troops to discuss about their plan on ambushing the fallen Shadow of Iga.

"We will seperate the troops in 3 groups, and each groups will have a specific assignment to make", Hiromi said to her troops.

"Group A and B, you are assigned at the northern part of the forest. We expect that you will encounter him there. And whenever you do, fire this fireworks up to the sky so we will be informed that the plan is successful", Eiko added.

"I will go and assist the two groups. Eiko, you should go and assist group C", Hiromi replied.

"No, I disagree. You should come with me instead" said by Eiko. "You know, I can't do that, right?", Hiromi replied. "I will never leave my troops alone", she added.

"You know I'm doing this just to protect you" replied by Eiko. "I'm not a child that you should protect, Eiko", Hiromi replied and picked up her katana.

"What if you die, what if my dreams will come true?!", Eiko shouted with anger. "If I will die, I will die with honor for my clan", Hiromi replied while commanding her troops to move forward to their assigned location.

"Hiromi!!!" Eiko shouted as his troops were telling him to move forward. Eiko couldn't do anything.......he can't bare it....

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Meanwhile.....

"Everything is going the way it should be, they didn't know that they are heading for a trap", Hanekage said. "Perfect, now I should wait for them patiently.", Hanzo replied as he grabbed his weapon.

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"There you are..... The traitor who murdered our leader", Hiromi said while holding back her anger. "Eveything I did was to make myself stronger" Hanzo replied while grabbing his weapon, the Ame no Habakiri.

"Let's put an end to this.." Hiromi said while her troops surrounded Hanzo. "Now it's for you to pay!!!" Hiromi shouted. "The Ame no Habakiri will devour you", Hanzo said and smirked.

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"Master Minori!!! Master Minori!!!" shouted by an eunuch as he hurriedly ran towards Minori. "What is it, Naoko?", Minori asked him.

"It's about the mission.... they are all....dead" answered by Naoko. Minori's eyes widen up as he couldn't believe what happened. "I-it can't be... my son.... Eiko....", Minori said as he fainted upon hearing the news. Naoko hurriedly called the guards and the servants to assist their leader.

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Meanwhile after the incident

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"They might have injured me... but this is nothing compared to what I have done to their souls" Hanzo said as he lauged hysterically.

"Well played my dear ninja, now all you need is to flee from this village and go to the continent of Land of Dawn where we can devour many souls as much as we want!", Hanakage said.

"Your right, we should be start heading to that Land of Dawn", Hanzo replied.

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End of Flashback

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"And that's how the story of the terrific former Shadow of Iga ended, or did it?" the old man as he attempt to scare the children.

"Ahhhhhh" the young girl shouted as he hid at the back of the young boy. "What's wrong Kagura, are you scared?" the young boy asked. The young girl stood up and said that "No, I'm not!".

"Oh really, then you should start practicing as the next heir of your family" the old man said. "Grandpa Nobu, there's no need to remind her. Kagura is a smart girl!" the young boy answered.

"Yeah Grandpa Nobu, Hayabusa is right. So therefore, I'll start practicing!!!" Kagura said as she hugged Hayabusa. "Yehey!" the two children happily said.

"Knock knock, Kagura...." a woman with an umbrella said. "Oh it's mom! Mom!" Kagura shouted as she ran towards her mom.

"Oh you've come to fetch her, Misako" said by Granpa Nobu. "Kagura, you should say goodbye to Grandpa Nobu and to Hayabusa as well" Misako said to Kagura.

"Bye Grandpa Nobu! Bye Hayabusa! Let's see each other again!" Kagura said as she and her mother leave the the hut of Grandpa Nobu.

"Oh! I should go home too Grandpa Nobu! Bye!" Hayabusa said as he ran towards the door. "Ok Hayabusa, farewell!" Grandpa Nobu replied.

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Meanwhile at the Scarlet Sect....

"Ha!!! Ha!!! Ha!!!"

"That's it Hanabi, very good. You're really such a fast learner. Train every day and I am sure that you will be the next Scarlet Shadow Grandmaster" a man said. "Thanks Master Inori" the girl replied.

"Just you wait Hayabusa, one day I will defeat you!", the girl added as her eyes kept burning with rage.