Fresh off their heels after purifying Gilgaros from his corruption, the group has been met with the legendary ninja, Hattori Hanzo, who had recruited them into the service of Ieyasu Tokugawa with the promise to help find the Yo-kai Alliance. Their first stop is the province of Bizen, ruled by the aging, yet sharp and authoritative head of the Kuroda clan, Kanbei Kuroda…

William, Hattori, Sunset, and the group leaders sat in the meeting room of the Kuroda clan compound, being met by an old man with a walking stick at his side. Despite this sign of age, the group could see the aquamarine dragon coiled around the man's body, a sure sign of the internal strength he possessed.

"(Welcome, Hanzo. It is good of you and your friends to come)." the man greeted the ninja in Japanese.

"(We thank you for having us, Lord Kanbei.)" Hattori responded. "(What brings you to call upon us for aid?)"

"(Ah yes. Sir William, Lady Sunset, and the Hero Alliance, was it?)" Kanbei inquired. "(I am told you have certain measures of skill in dealing with yokai and monsters. It is with these abilities in mind that I have a favor to ask. My son, Nagamasa, has gone off to defeat a band of rogues, and I have not heard from him since. I would go to his aid myself, but my body is not what it once was. Will you go and save my son in my stead?)"

"(Of course, my lord. You can rely on us.)" David replied to the man. "(Where might we find the rogues he was hunting?)"

"(According to my son, they had gathered in their hideout in the mountains of Nakatsu. Hanzo knows the area well, so you can rely on him to guide you there.)" Kanbei informed the group. "(Take caution within those caves; I fear that something more dangerous than simple bandits has taken ahold of my son.)"

May 1600, Nakasu, Buzen Province…

The group and William had arrived at the cavern thanks to Hanzo and went inside as Hanzo's cat was seen walking by.

"A cat-clock. Hanzo's ways are curious indeed." William remarked.

"I know of the Guardian Spirit called Nagamasa." the cat spoke as it turned to them, surprising William.

"Well, I suppose this was to be expected." Gouto said.

"So even cats speak in these lands…!" William said.

"Not…normally." David said.

The cat then sprouted a second tail before appearing out of it was a cat spirit in clothing with an eyepatch on its right eye and a blue koi fish pattern on its hind legs as the real cat meowed and walked away.

"Allow me to possess you." the spirit said as it hopped around William before overshadowing him. "We are Nigitama. Guardian Spirits, born from the light of human faith and belief. The Aratama, fiends, are born from the darkness of human grudge and anger. The world of the living perches atop this delicate balance between light and dark. Long years of strife have fueled the fiends' power and now yokai prowl the Earth." he explained before separating from William. "Now you should thank me for allowing you to converse in the tongue of this land."

"Not very humble is he?" Gouto asked as the group then proceeded on.

"I sense the presence of a strong one. If you follow it, it may lead to Nagamasa." the spirit said.

"Then let us descend into the dark." Sir Saiyan said.

As the group made their way through the cave, they encountered the group of rogues Nagamasa had come to deal with, overhearing a conversation between two of them.

"I tell you, that man, Kuroda, is dead." one of them said. "I saw it with my own eyes! It was a winged yokai! It carried him off deeper into the cave!"

"You speak nonsense, fool." the other scoffed. "You jump at shadows."

"I tell you, it's true!" the first said frantically. "The group I was with…they were torn apart by a monster with one eye! This cave is cursed!"

"Enough of your ramblings!" the second shouted. "The boss has locked the way down. Even if there were any monsters, they couldn't come up. So pull yourself together and get to your post!"

"Winged yokai? A one-eyed monster?" Double D said. "Seems Lord Kanbei was right to send us here."

The group continued on, dealing with any rogues along the way before reaching a dead end.

"We're not alone." Kagane said as he pulled out his revolver.

"What're you talking about? I don't see anybody." ZS asked.

Kagane fired at a hole on a part of a wall as it was revealed to be a being made of stone as arms were formed from debris.

"Nurikabe!" Emo warned as the yokai attempted the crush the group under his arms.

Kagane struck at its lower body as it then disappeared.

"Hey, look!" Frosta said, seeing a path where the Nurikabe once was. "It was blocking another pathway."

"Now we can continue on." Klonoa said.

The group continued on as the cat spirit materialized once more.

"This looks like a bat cave. Normally, they're afraid of people, but things are different now…" the spirit said.

The group trekked through the bat cave, soon stumbling upon an underground spring teeming with corrupted Yo-kai, most notably a large oni with a single horn and eye.

"These yokai feel different than the ones I've encountered." the cat spirit said. "It is as if their souls are crying out for help."

"Kelly is behind this." Miriam said. "He's using Amrita to corrupt these Yo-kai, turning them into what we see now. But we can still save them."

"Speaking of which… I have a good feeling about that big oni down there. Could be one of the classic Yo-kai." Hope said.

"Only way to find out…take him down." Jexi said.

Miriam materialized Grand Izayoi. "Let me handle this. I've had more than enough of Kelly's evil machination in his alchemy."

Miriam walked further into the spring. Which got all the corrupted Yokais attention, including the large one eyed oni, as he roared furiously at the Shardbinder.

One Eyed Oni- Hitotsume-kozō

"Huh?" Miriam said as the oni stared right at her as her vision of reality started to blur.

"I don't like the sound of that 'Huh'." Scarlet said as he jumped down to the bottom level. "Hey! Eyes on me!" he called out.

"S-Scarlet?" Miriam asked. "This oni's gaze…"

"Just try and get your head in order, I'll-" Scarlet started, before noticing that Miriam's stance, while confused, was perfectly stable: no signs of fatigue or disablement. "Wait…do you feel anything off?"

"No, but…my vision's blurring…" Miriam said.

"I get it! This Yo-kai can make people's vision blurry!" Scarlet realized, as he punched a corrupted Yo-kai looming behind him.

"Oh, is that right? Help's on the way, fellas!" Peacock said as she came in for assistance.

"Peacock wait, your vision will be- hold on…" Noel said as Peacock was able to dodge and hit Hitotsume-kozō perfectly while Miriam and Scarlet dealt with the rest of the Yo-kai.

"This big oaf's power can't work on somebody who's got no eyes, y'know?" Peacock said, referring to her former human eyes. "Besides, I got lots more!" she said as she used her Argus system and stockpile of weapons to wear Hitotsume-kozō down.

"Let's see if this will…" Sunset said as she focused the light on the large oni before the darkness on it faded away to show a small one eyed Yo-kai in robes with a straw hat.

Boyclops

Classic Yo-kai

Charming Tribe

"Ugh… finally. That was a nightmare." Boyclops said. "Thanks Sunset."

"No problem. There was a group of wall-like Yo-kai blocking the way and…" Sunset said.

"When you see Yo-kai like that, don't do away with all of them. Three of them are Noway, Walldin and Impass." Boyclops said.

"We'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the tip." Scarlet said. "Anyways, we should keep moving. Nagamasa can't be that much farther."

"Hmm… I may have an idea on who kidnapped the kid, but it's too soon to say." Gouto said.

The group continued on before reaching a large area in the cave and came upon a shocking sight as there were corpses strung up in webs on the cavern's ceiling. They then heard the sound of a woman as they saw her feasting on one of the corpses before she raised her head off it and looked at the group, revealing a pale woman with yellow pupils and black sclera as she wore black robes before she jumped off the corpse and sprouted a pair of vampiric wings as she swooped down to the ground.

"A Hinoenma!" Kagane said.

"Looks like we've found our kidnapper." William said.

"Look, over there!" Kieran pointed behind the yokai, where two figures lay unconscious, slumped against the cave wall. One was a man in armor, the other a version of Tenguriginal with pale skin, hazelnut hair tied with a light green infinity band with its end resembling that of a bird's tail, round eyebrows and brown eyes.

Tengulightened

Classic Yokai

Charming Tribe

"Looks like we found Nagamasa. But what could he be doing trapped with Tengulighted by this monster lady?" Hope asked.

"Clearly you don't know your japanese mythos. Hinoenma are vampire yokai that suck the blood of men at night until there's not a drop left." Gouto said.

"Ugh… Vampires. Never really did like them." David said.

"And since we got a lot of men in this group, I'm thinking we may have brought this woman an all you can eat buffet." Hope asked.

"Why do you have to make everything sound so kinky?" David asked.

"All the more reason to take her out as quickly as possible so we can stop talking about it." Sectonia said.

"Agreed." Kagane said.

Paralyzing Beauty - Hino-Enma

Weaknesses: Lightning

Resistances: Wind, Paralysis

(Cue: Ayakashi II - Nioh)

With an inhuman laugh, the Hino-Enma dashed towards the group, attacking them with diving sweeps, twirling strikes with her wings, and powerful kicks. Not to say that she was helpless at long-range: the paralyzing waves she unleashed with a wave of her feathers saw to that.

"She's weak to lightning, just like Gilgaros was when he was berserk. Shock her out of her dress!" Vashryon said.

"Vash, don't say it like that…" Mark groaned.

"Hahaha! Then allow me to cast my magical might onto this demoness!" E. Constance said. "Bolting!" she called as a bolt of lightning struck down onto the vampire.

"Nice hit. Oh, here she comes!" Izuku said as Hino-Enma flew right towards them once more.

Once she was in range however, all it took was a few lightning strikes from the lightning users to get her down on the ground.

"Phew… That takes care of that." Sectonia said.

"(I need more. Bring more men to me.)" the Hino-Enma spoke.

"...Sunset, please tell me we can kill this one." Mark practically begged.

"It's not a Yo-kai I recognize." Sunset said.

"Good enough for me!" Mark replied as he transformed his pistol and shot the Hino-Enma three times in the head, killing it. "There. One less questionable yokai out in the world." he said, dusting his hands.

"Now we can tend to these two." Gouto said.

The group approached the two kidnapping victims, who were slowly coming to. The human was the first to stir, looking up at the group. "I thank thee, truly! I have always been confident in my spear-work, but this marks the first time I've faced a yokai." he said jovially.

The man, who could only be Nagamasa Kuroda, was offered a hand by William. Grasping it, the group soon bore to the sight of Nagamasa's guardian spirit manifesting before them, a large purple bull spirit as it hooved towards William.

Years of war have ravaged my homeland, and now it is infested by yokai. Now the country is riven in two, and battle looms between the clans Ishida and Tokugawa. For the sake of this land and its people, we must make it our last.

"Looks like William's got a new helper." Lei noted. Indeed, she was right. Nagamasa's guardian spirit, Fuse-Ushi, had reappeared at William's side, vanishing with a bellow.

"What about Tengulighted?" Fluttershy-2 asked, as the group watched the Classic Yo-kai wake up.

"Ugh…for the last time, I don't wanna-" Tengulighted groaned before he saw who he was talking to. "Oh…oh! It's you guys!"

"Thought you could be helped." Sunset said.

"Yes…and I am forever grateful. You shall always have my aid." he said.

"Well, now that the monster's been dealt with, let us return to my father." Nagamasa said with a smile. "We'll be sure to break out the good sake for you all!" he laughed.

Later that night, back at the Kuroda clan compound…

"Drink! Drink! Drink the night away!~" a performer sang and danced as the group and several of the clan's higher-ups were gathered in celebration with sake to go around for everyone… at least those who wanted it.

"Damn that Ishida, and his schemes that pulled my father down!" Nagamasa said, clearly having a bit too much sake. "I will join Master Ieyasu and make him pay!"

"Nagamasa!" Kanbei lightly chided his son. "Calm yourself. We have guests."

"Well…it's not like we're being any less enthusiastic." Mark said, looking at the several antics the group members were getting up to.

Despite all that though, Kanbei remained focused and stoic, as the group could see a blue eastern dragon appearing at his side. This was his Guardian Spirit, Mizuchi.

"Nice party, huh?" Eddy elbowed William, who looked as though he wanted to be anywhere but there.

"...I don't have time for this." the Irishman said.

"Calm down. Everything has been taken care of." Hanzo assured while accepting a drink.

William watched as some soldiers danced and partied, some of the group fighting and causing trouble, and several group members laughing as the cat spirit (whose named they had learned was Nekomata), led several cat Yo-kai in imitating the dancer's moves. Letting out a grunt, he got up and left the room.

"William…" Miriam said.

"Mmm…I think I'll go get some air too." Bardock said, getting up and following William out.

"Yeah. M-me too." David said as he and a few others went out as well.

"Lord Kanbei, I suspect you knew the yokai did it all along." Hanzo said to the old clan leader.

"You suspect correctly." Kanbei confirmed. "Several men have been disappearing from around the mountain area for several months. Were I a stronger man, I would have vanquished the monster myself. Yet…my time is short. I fear this old body will reject me soon enough. Even so, you may inform Lord Ieyasu that he has the support of the Kuroda clan."

"Y'know.. When the Old Man decided his time was up, he passed the mantle down when he thought someone was ready for it." Lei spoke up.

"Oh? You speak as if you have experience with elders like myself." Kanbei stated.

"Heh… I guess you could say that." Lei said. "I used to be a bandit just like the ones causing trouble. But then I was picked up by the Old Man, and then..everything changed. Now I'm carrying on his legacy."

"Tell me… what's your goal?" Kanbei asked.

"To become a great martial artist. One who can bear the title of Shifu." Lei said.

"I see. Then you are filled with ambition." Kanbei remarked with a smile, before Mizuchi uncoiled itself from Kanbei and flew towards Lei…

Twenty years since being held captive in that pit… Overlord Nobunaga, killed sixty thousand without mercy. And Overlord Hideyoshi's lust for power. Must rulers always abandon reason for madness? And next is either Lord Mitsunari, or Lord Ieyasu. Yet my time is short. I fear I may not live to see Nagamasa triumph…

"If we help Ieyasu win this war…you will." Lei said to herself.

At the same time, the group outside approached William, who was sitting on the edge of the engawa.

"I'm not one for parties myself, but if there's one thing I've learned, it's that you shouldn't be on edge all the time." Bardock said.

William clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Tch. Way I see it, your lot's getting plastered, roughing it up between each other, and distracting themselves while Saoirse's still out there. I feel I have quite a bit to be on edge about."

"Yeah, but you'll end up exhausting yourself before you even have the chance to." Ace said.

"You really care about this Saoirse, huh?" Eddy asked.

"I ought to. She saved my life." William said. "Would be dead several times over if it weren't for her."

"Look. We're going to get her back, but we need help. Help that these people can give us." Bardock stated. "We help the country, we help your little friend."

"...I suppose." William grunted, before he caught sight of something in the compound: a glowing yellow rabbit. "Huh? A Guardian Spirit?"

The group tracked the rabbit's path, before it came to a stop in front of a young woman wearing a blue kimono jacket with flowers on the bottom over a black gi.

"A golden-haired samurai? Rarer a sight than a yokai." the young woman replied with a tone of sarcasm. "Inform Master Hanzo that strange things are afoot in Tachibana of Bizen."

"Who are you?" William asked.

"...I dislike the company of drunk samurai." the woman said, before she leaped onto the top of the outer wall.

"H-hey! I am no samurai!" William countered.

"And we're not drunk." David added.

"...So the Anjin is a common drunk then. Even worse." the young woman stated as she leaped off of the wall and disappeared from sight.

"You walked right into that one, William." Kokichi said with a chuckle.

"Interesting girl." Simon said sarcastically.

"Anjin…?" William said in questioning.

"I believe it means pilot in Japanese, Sir Adams." Double D informed the man. "I assume it must refer to your seafaring."

"Hm…it could work as an alias." William mused. "If word gets out, it'd be better to use names that Kelly doesn't know."

"Rude as that girl was, I think she may have had a clue to our next mission. Said something about strange things in Tachibana? We should get this to Hanzo once the party's over." Hope said.

"Looks like we've got another lead." Bardock said. "Happy now, Anjin?"

"...Let's just go back inside." William said.

The group has earned the favor of the Kuroda clan, ensuring their allegiance to Lord Ieyasu. With their next mission in Tachibana on the horizon, the group spends the night celebrating their small victory. However, how many must they have before they reach their goal? One can only imagine…