Ninja Gaiden: Shinju
Chapter 1: Hayabusa Ryu, Dragon Ninja!
The Dragon Ninja.
A clan of divine warriors descended from the Ryuujin (龍神, Dragon Gods) who bestowed their divine powers into a single blade made from the tooth of one of their kind.
The Dragon Sword was used to defeat the Dark Dragon whose mind had been poisoned by Vigoor, the first Deity of Evil, in an attempt to rule over the human race and reshape the universe into that of an evil one.
The Hayabusa Clan, who resides near Mt. Fuji, are tasked with carrying out their ancestors' duties of sealing away demons and fiends alike who wish to bring the world to ruin.
Ryu Hayabusa is heir to the Dragon Lineage and as his journey began, little did he know what would transpire….
The peak of Mt. Fuji has erupted.
This meant that the Archfiend Vazdah, successor to Vigoor, was indeed resurrected to full form.
"Ohh dear…I do hope Ryu and that CIA girl are alright. With Vazdah awakened, there's no telling what that blasted Archfiend will do to the world." An elderly man spoke as he store up at the erupted peak that separated the Hayabusa Clan and the Black Spider Clan on opposite sides.
In the volcano, a woman ran towards the wreckage of the explosion. It wasn't an ordinary eruption of lava but an explosion of massive power after Ryu had encountered the final form of Lord Vazdah.
"Ryu!" The woman shouted, her voice harboring deep concern for the Dragon Ninja.
Turning after calling his name for a second time, she noticed what seemed to be Vazdah himself. Seemingly petrified, she approached the remnants carefully.
The dead-looking head of the Archfiend store at her as if it longed for her flesh and blood, giving an eerie vibe that could even give the deadliest of fiends a shiver. As she approached it some more it began to budge.
"N-No! This isn't happening…it can't be alive!" The CIA woman panicked, moving back slightly as he eyes were filled with fear.
The head was then pushed aside like an annoying boulder as Ryu emerged from the destruction his final battle had caused.
He looked over at Sonia, seeing that she was fine which gave him some relief. He approached her to make sure regardless of her seemingly unharmed look and demeanor.
"It's okay…it's over now." He spoke firmly as usual while looking off into the sunrise, which shined ever so brightly. Casting out the darkness yet again.
"You're hurt, you should see someone about your injuries." Sonia proclaimed her concerns only to be denied by Ryu who shook his head.
"I'll heal. I have one last thing to do before I continue my journey. As for yourself, Sonia, you need to return to America and report to your superiors about this incident." He instructed soon after
Struck with a somewhat disappointed look, she knew he was right. Greater Fiend Alexei kidnapped her after all.
"Right…so this is goodbye then?" Sonia asked as he moved closer to Ryu
"Not necessarily. I fear that more incidents like this may occur…at least I know now that I'll have one more powerful ally on my side no matter where I may be. I believe we'll encounter each other more in the years to come." The Dragon Ninja spoke with a calm and quiet tone, his arms crossed as he looked at her.
"Maybe next time, you can use your real name, Ms. Lew. Irene fits you better."
Her eyes widened. Her cheeks were slightly flustered as she gazed at him, her eyes full of admiration which put a smile on her face.
"Definitely." She simply replied as Ryu took off, forming into a stream of energy.
The energy landed safely on the ground where the elderly man, Muramasa, stood in wait for Ryu. Forming into his physical being, Ryu stopped his movements, his back turned to Muramasa.
"Where are you going? There's a lovely lady waiting for you."
"I have something to look into…but first, I need to pay my respects."
The Dragon Ninja took the Blade of the Archfiend from it's sheath, walking towards the directions that led to the Black Spider Clan's gravesite for their fallen comrades.
One year later….
Peace ran rapids throughout the world since the defeat of the Archfiend. It almost seemed too good to be true. The world was, of course, was not aware that such an event took place. Many ninja are unaware as well, especially the one's that rule the unexplored lands that are ruled by ninja across the continents.
Ryu sat with his now incapacitated father, blinded and injured from the previous battle. Luckily, being a Dragon Ninja himself, Jo Hayabusa would make a full recovery with 2 years worth of healing.
"You summoned me with such urgency father. What could be the matter?" Ryu asked his father, curiosity showing itself from his tone
"You seem eager son…it isn't anything extreme. At least, I'm hoping it stays that way." Jo spoke in a weakened and worried manner
"An old friend contacted me… Does Hiruzen Sarutobi ring any bells? You should remember, you did a number of training there under his watch." Jo coughed immediately afterwards, the injuries still having an effect on him.
"Konohagakure…I haven't been there since my youth and…that incident."
"Yes, yes…. the Nine-Tailed Fox's assault. A tragedy, it was indeed. You were good friends with the man who died that night. It seems his village is in a state of panic." Jo replied to Ryu, catering him to perform a task emotionally with ease
"Father, I am no longer a child. I will travel to Konoha and I'll make my appearance in your place, you don't need to convince me. I'll do it because it is the way of our clan and our duty to see that our allies and comrades are safe." Ryu said in an honorable manner
Jo simply smiled, realizing how much Ryu has grown into a wonderful heir to the Dragon Lineage.
"I'll head out tomorrow." Ryu then got up, attempting to leave
"There is one more thing. Hiruzen told me that you needed three young ninja to accompany you so that they may enter the Chunin exams. The last thing he wishes is for his village to feel like they're under attack and are in need of assistance."
Ryu stopped, thinking about whom he should take.
"Perhaps Sanji is ready to start his training but he is far too young, don't you think?" Ryu asked his father
"You were younger than Sanji when you started training, were you not? Him, Sakura and Denroku shall be a perfect team. You have been training Sanji while Momiji has trained Sakura."
"And Denroku?" Ryu said, feeling a bit worrisome for the children
"Believe it or not, Ayane has given Denroku lessons in the art of ninjutsu. She trained him in Hayate's style of Mugen Tenshin ninjutsu. One last thing…Momiji is going to accompany you."
"Understood father, we'll head out in the morning. I'll be sure to tell everyone the news." Ryu said as he left the room, anticipating what was yet to come.
Within the morning, Ryu, Momiji, Sakura, Sanji and Denroku were set for their journey.
Meanwhile, in Konohagakure…
"What?!" A blonde haired, orange clad boy yelled in shock to his teacher
"These are your forms to apply as Chunin. Be warned…there will be three tests that will put you in the most dangerous situations. They'll push your limits. The choice to apply is entirely your own and once you've applied, there is no turning back." The white haired masked man remarked, showing his seriousness towards them
"If we work together Kakashi, we'll manage to defeat our opponents and become Chunin." The blue clad, black haired member of the massacred Uchiha clan too remarked
Jealous of his cocky attitude, the blonde haired boy named Naruto soon replied to his statement
"But by the end of this, it'll be me who's stronger than you Sasuke!" He yelled out, throwing somewhat of a tantrum
"Narutooooo…" The pink haired fangirl of Sasuke Uchiha and comrade of Team 7, Sakura Haruno, said as she cracked her knuckled in a fist formation
Naruto Uzumaki panicked, freezing in fear but then revolting but sticking his tongue out at Sasuke. Sasuke seemed aggivated by this and grabbed Naruto's collar
"How about you shut up you idiot!" He said with such raw fustration
Smiling and sighing, both happily and annoyed, Kakashi Hatake reflected his team as they reminded him of his youthful days.
Soon the noise was silenced, as four people seemed to be walking by their position. Strangers to most of them, they gave off a vibe that got them looks.
The Dragon Ninja had arrived in The Village Hidden in the Leaves but he left his mask off for the time being to show his friendlier side. The last thing he needed was to convince the village he was there for an assault.
Kakashi's eye widened as he glanced at Ryu himself. He had recognized him from somewhere but he couldn't put his finger on it…yet.
Guiding the children, Ryu approached the Hokage mansion with Momiji at his side.
Naruto saw the group and couldn't help but feel intimidated and yet intrigued.
"I wonder who he is?" He wondered, curiously glancing towards their vicinity.