*Sly POV*

We needed to locate Rioichi Cooper, master ninja, inventor of the Ninja Spire Jump, and master chef. According to the Cooper Clan history, Rioichi Cooper was actually the one who invented sushi. After creating this delectable dish, he opened a sushi restaurant, which, while very prosperous, also provided a perfect cover for a ninja.

When we got to Japan, it was obvious something was very wrong. What should've been a peaceful village, was now more like a heavily patrolled military base under martial law. We located Rioichi's sushi restaurant, only to find it shut down and under guard. Things got worse when Bentley discovered that Rioichi was locked up in a new high-security jail, allegedly for serving bad sushi to the shogun.

It all sounded like a pretty tough piece of fish to swallow. We needed to get to the bottom of the situation, and the first order of business was getting Rioichi out of prison.

We just didn't expect the Shigura Clan to be present in Feudal Japan as well...

Ben, Sly, Neyla, and Carmelita all left the Safe House to take recon photos of the area in order to figure out how to free Rioichi. Sly and Ben were in charge of going to the sushi restaurant while Neyla and Carmelita got the job of taking a picture of the giant industrial gate and a photo of a Boar Beastkin Guard. Once all the photos came in, Bentley quickly called.

"Guys, I'm detecting some movement by the nearby geisha house. Go there and find out who it is."

"Roger that, Bents," Ben said as he broke off from Sly and headed in the direction of the Geisha House. He perched himself on a rooftop and saw someone exiting the house. It was a Tiger Beastkin wearing a gray jumpsuit with yellow stripes, a brown belt, and red straps across his chest. On his back were a pair of katanas and he was smoking a Cuban cigar.

"This guy definitely looks out of place. I should keep on his tail, see what I can get from him."

Ben snapped a photo with his mask camera and sent it to the rest of the gang. Carmelita was heard gasping on the comms as she recognized the tiger.

"El Jefe! One of Interpol's Most Wanted! He's a ruthless mercenary general, responsible for overthrowing several small countries!"

"Oh, so he's a terrorist. Ain't that just peachy..." Ben grumbled.

"It seems my hunch was correct; We aren't the only ones with a time machine!" Bentley said.

The gang regrouped back at the Safehouse to discuss their next move on the matter. After looking over the photos taken of the guards and the industrial gate.

"From what I've been able to decipher from the layout of the area, there appears to be a prison area near one of the nearby cliffs. But it's under constant guard. It's locked down tighter than...well, tighter than something." Bentley said.

"Your database security? Murray's pants?" Sly jokingly guessed.

"Sly, this is no laughing matter. Penelope and I have both checked and there really is no way in except for the front entrance. I think there's only one option."

"The doorbell?" Neyla asked with a smirk.

Bentley gave Neyla a harrowing look. "Very funny. No. We're going to need a disguise to look like a samurai from these times and convince the guards to let us in. Then, we'll make your way to Rioichi and free him. We'll learn more from him for sure."

"I don't want to sound sexist, but Sly and I seem to be the best bets. I doubt these times allowed female samurai." Ben pointed out.

Using the techniques of Thaddeus Winslow Cooper III, Ben and Sly decked themselves out in samurai armor and marched over to the prison, where a Boar Guard was standing watch.

"You there! Open the door!" Sly barked in his best authoritative voice.

"Hmmph! A little short to be commanders, aren't you? Who are you?" The Boar Guard said as Sly and Ben stood straight.

"I am Major Muggshot!" Sly said.

"And I am Sergeant Major Rajan!"

"Hmmph! Muggshot?! I've never heard of you!" The Boar Guard said skeptically as Sly got deep into character.

"You dare question me?! Son, we've been guards since you were just a squealing piglet!"

"Wait 'till we tell the general about this. I hear he LOVES pork chops." Ben said evilly as the Boar Guard gulped.

"Wait! I'm very sorry, sir! I didn't recognize you! Please go right in!"

Ben and Sly smirked as they marched into the prison. Just as the Boar Guard was about to close the gate, a shadowy blur jumped down and jabbed two fingers into the guards' sternum, causing him to become paralyzed and fall on his back as the shadowy blur saw Sly and Ben enter the prison and snuck in after them.

"Rioichi my old friend. I am coming!"

Sly and Ben walked through the prison, still in disguise. The guards barely even registered them as they soon found Rioichi Cooper, meditating in a cage held above a perilous pit.

"Hey! Rioichi? You okay?" Sly asked.

"You guards all seem to make very poor jokes," Rioichi frowned with vinegar in his voice.

"C'mon! We're not one of those bozos!" Ben said as he and Sly removed their armor. "We're here to bust you out! We're Sly and Ben."

Rioichi perked up as he realized the two were allies. "Ah, I see. Fellow ninjas! Very good! You will need to make your way to the Dragon Bridge to reach this cage. Hurry up!"

"Okay, I'll be there soon, just... stay put!" Sly said as Rioichi scoffed.

"Very funny."

"RIOICHI!" Came a new voice as the shadowy blur that followed Ben and Sly into the prison appeared, making his presence known. He had black hair tied in a manbun, a FU Manchu mustache, and purple and gold armor with the crest of a snake on his chest. Attached to his hip was a Nodachi.

"Orochi, how did you manage to get in here, old friend?" Rioichi asked as the man known as Orochi chuckled.

"These two young warriors made a path for me to enter undetected. Allow me to bust you out of that prison you have been falsely thrown in!"

Orochi rolled through hand signs and then slammed his palm on the ground, causing the ground to form a pillar for him to walk across as he made his way to Rioichi's cage and cut the chain holding it up. Rioichi managed to break out and land beside his friend.

"I knew you would come for me, my friend."

"It is what we do. A Shigura never leaves one he considers family behind."

Ben perked up. "Wait, hold on...did you say 'Shigura'?"

"Yes. Apologies for not introducing myself, young warriors. My name is Orochi Shigura, it is an honor to meet the ones who allowed me to rescue my dear friend."

"Well, this might sound weird but...I'm Sly Cooper and this is Ben Shigura. We're your relatives...from the future." Sly introduced as Ben awkwardly did a ninja-style bow.

"Do not worry, we ninja are never alarmed. With all that has happened here lately, I believe you." Rioichi reassured while Orochi laughed.

"Ha! So the Shigura Clan has withstood the test of time! I look forward to hearing your stories, my boy!"

"How about we do that when we're at the Safe House...where it's safe?"

"Ah, a jokester as well! Very good!" Orochi bellowed jovially. "It's important for us Shigura Clan members to laugh, even in the face of danger. That is what true bravery is!"

"Okay, if you say so. I've made a lot of jokes when I was on death's door. Guess I know where I got it from now." Ben chuckled.

*Ben POV*

After rescuing Rioichi with help from my own ancestor, Orochi, we returned to the hideout. Unfortunately, there wasn't much time for "family reunions." We needed to figure out what was going on and fast.

Rioichi confirmed that the source of the trouble was El Jefe, the tiger we tracked earlier. Lucky for us that Carmelita had his INTERPOL file on standby. El Jefe had an impressive record. Over the years, he had taken over dozens of small countries around the globe. Usually, for the highest bidder. He was a ruthless mercenary and military strategist of the highest order.

One time, he boasted that he managed to overthrow a country commanding only three blind mice armed with plastic spoons. Insane? Maybe, but the Cooper Clan has handled even crazier.

According to his file, El Jefe had mysteriously vanished a while back just as the authorities were closing in. Well, we had found him and we needed to take him down. It looked like we were in for a tough battle. So, we decided to start with Rioichi's Sushi Shop.

Next Time: Adventures in Feudal Japan!

The creation of Orochi Shigura for this story is credit to my good friend, Ezio1-3. Also, Bentley and Penelope's daughter Brie belongs to my main inspiration, jumbochamploonrules.