Hey, everyone!
Welcome to chapter 15 of Senran Kagura: Shinobi Chronicles.
Hope you guys enjoy it!
"Speaking"
'Thinking'
*Sounds*
[Shinobi Driver]
Special Attacks
Later that night…
Asakusa - Shopping District
Yukio approached Junpei's food truck, which was warmly lit in the cool night air. The inviting aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air as the older man busily served a small line of customers.
As Yukio stepped up to the truck, Junpei's face lit up with a welcoming grin.
"Hey, Yukio! Good to see you. It's been a while! How's it going?"
Yukio returned the smile, though his eyes held a mixture of pride and exhaustion.
"Hey, Hanamura-san. I got something to show you." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the newly obtained Tsuchi Ride Shuriken, holding it up for his friend to see.
Junpei's eyes widened in surprise and delight.
"Oh, a new Ride Shuriken!? That's amazing, Yukio. How did you manage to get it?"
Yukio recounted the events of the day, explaining the challenges he faced and how he finally succeeded in obtaining the powerful artifact. Junpei listened intently, nodding along as he took in the details.
"Sounds like it was no easy feat," Junpei remarked, his admiration clear. "You've really outdone yourself this time."
Yukio nodded.
"Yeah, it wasn't easy. But it was worth it."
Yukio and Junpei sat around a small, foldable table set up next to the food truck. The night air was cool and pleasant, the stars twinkling above.
The Café Hana's owner handed the Rider a plate of freshly made dangos, their sweet aroma mingling with the scent of grilled food from the truck.
"Here, have some dangos," Junpei said with a grin. "You deserve it after everything you've been through."
Yukio accepted the plate with a nod of gratitude.
"Thanks, Hanamura-san. I appreciate it. Itadakimasu."
As they ate, Junpei's eyes twinkled mischievously.
"So, Yukio, I hear you've been spending a lot of time with Asuka lately."
Yukio looked up, slightly taken aback.
"Uh, yeah. We've been training together. Why?"
Junpei chuckled, leaning back in his chair.
"Oh, come on. It's more than just training, isn't it? Even I've seen the way you two look at each other."
Yukio felt annoyed as this made him remember his earlier talk with Katsuragi.
"C'mon, man. We're just friends. And she's a great kunoichi in the making, that's why I'm training her.."
"Uh-huh," Junpei said, his grin widening. "Sure, just friends. And that lucky charm you gave her? That was just a friendly gesture, right?"
Yukio sighed, knowing he couldn't win this one.
"Alright, fine. Maybe there's something more. But I don't think I'm the right person for her."
Junpei raised an eyebrow.
"Why not? You're a good guy, Yukio. A little rough, sure, but a decent guy once people get to actually know you.."
Yukio looked down at his dangos, his voice quieter.
"I've got a lot of crap, Hanmura-san. I'm not sure I deserve someone like her."
Junpei leaned forward, his expression serious now.
"Listen, everyone has their issues. But you've got a good heart, and you're strong. I think Asuka sees that in you, just like the rest of us do."
Yukio nodded slowly, processing Junpei's words.
"Maybe, but I'm not sure if I really want to venture this route. I don't want to drag her into my mess.."
The two friends continued to talk and enjoy their dangos, the bond between them strengthening as they shared their thoughts and experiences under the starry night sky.
Deciding to change topics, Yukio leaned back and asked,
"So, how's that personal project of yours going, Hanamura-san?"
A broad smile spread across Junpei's face.
"It's ready," he said, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
Yukio's curiosity was piqued.
"Really? When do you plan to use it?"
"The next time you meet the Serpent Society." The older man explains, his expression briefly darkening. "Just call me. I also want a piece of them."
Yukio nods, looking equally serious.
"Got it;"
After finishing their conversation and enjoying the dango, Yukio and Junpei stood up.
"Well, I guess I should get going," The teenager said, stretching his arms. "Thanks for the dango and the chat."
Junpei nodded, giving Yukio a friendly pat on the back.
"Anytime, Yukio. Take care of yourself, and keep an eye out for my surprise."
"I will," Yukio replied with a grin. "See you around, Hanamura-san."
With that, the boy turned and began making his way towards the other place he needs to check tonight - Mr. Chan's antique store...
The night was quiet, and the streets were mostly empty, offering a peaceful walk as he headed toward his next destination.
The thought of what Junpei's little project might be fully capable of lingered in his mind, but he pushed it aside, focusing instead on the tasks ahead.
Senran Kagura: Shinobi Chronicles
NinPow 15: Hurricane Ninja
Meanwhile, back at Hanzo Academy, the Hanzo Squad's dorm was lively with conversation. Asuka, Katsuragi, and Ikaruga were gathered in the common area, discussing their special training session from earlier in the day.
"I still can't believe how much Yukio knows," Asuka said, her eyes wide with satisfaction. "His techniques and the way he taught us about elemental affinities... It was pretty nice."
Katsuragi nodded, a thoughtful look on her face.
"Yeah, I have to admit, he's got skills. I didn't think I'd actually learn something new today, but his kick techniques were on point."
Ikaruga, who had been quietly listening, added,
"His knowledge about sword styles was impressive. Makashi has already helped me see some of my weaknesses. It was... humbling, but necessary."
Asuka smiled at her friends, grateful for the training and the insights it provided.
"I'm just glad we're all learning and getting stronger together. Yukio's been a huge help."
Katsuragi grinned, leaning back in her chair.
"Well, he better not get too cocky. We've still got a long way to go, and I'm not letting him outshine us that easily again."
Ikaruga chuckled softly.
"Agreed. Let's keep pushing ourselves. We've got a lot to prove, to ourselves and to our mentors."
Ikaruga and Katsuragi exchanged glances, then turned to Asuka.
"You know, Asuka-san," Ikaruga began, "we're starting to see why you wanted us to get along with Kamui Yukio."
Katsuragi nodded, adding,
"Yeah, we each had private talks with him today, and it was... mind-blowing. Hearing about his past, his struggles... It gave us a new look on him."
Asuka's eyes widened with curiosity.
"Really? What did he tell you?"
Ikaruga spoke first, her voice softening.
"He told me about his sister and how he left his hometown to become a shinobi. Despite everything he's been through, he still cares deeply for his family. It made me realize that he's carrying a lot of burdens, just like we are."
'Yukio has a sister?' Asuka thinks, briefly curious as she saves this information to ask her male friend about it later.
Katsuragi sighed, her usual bravado subdued.
"And he asked about my parents. It was tough to talk about, but knowing that he also misses his family and understands that pain... It made me see him differently."
Asuka smiled, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"I'm really glad you two are starting to understand him better. I guess this is the first step to getting us all closer as a team. But it's also sad that it took your painful memories to bring you three together."
Ikaruga placed a comforting hand on Asuka's shoulder.
"Painful memories or not, it's important that we're building trust and understanding. We'll become stronger as a team because of it."
Katsuragi grinned, her usual spark returning.
"Yeah, and we'll make sure that Kamui knows we're here for him too. Nobody deserves to go through what he and the other kids suffered at the hands of those Serpent Society bastards. You bet we're all in this together now."
Asuka nodded, feeling a mixture of happiness and melancholy.
"Thank you, both of you. Let's keep moving forward, supporting each other through everything."
Katsuragi smirked, leaning back in her chair.
"By the way, Asuka," she began, her tone playful, "Do you actually like Kamui? You two have a pretty unique relationship."
Asuka's cheeks turned a light shade of pink.
"W-What? No, it's not like that!" she stammered, waving her hands defensively.
Katsuragi laughed, enjoying the reaction.
"Oh, come on! It's pretty obvious that he cares about you. He even said he talked to Ikaruga and me for your sake."
Ikaruga nodded in agreement. Surprisingly, she couldn't help but break her serious persona this time as she briefly adopted a teasing expression as well.
"It's true. He mentioned that making you happy was a bonus for him. He wants us all to get along, and it seems like you're a big part of why he's making the effort."
Asuka's blush deepened, and she looked down at her hands.
"I just... I think he's a good person. He's been through a lot, and he still tries to protect everyone. I admire that about him."
Katsuragi leaned in closer, her grin widening.
"Admirer, huh? Sounds like someone has a little crush."
Asuka's eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly shook her head.
"It's not like that! I just respect him, that's all."
The brunette then took a deep breath, her expression growing serious.
"More than anything, I want to help Yukio heal from the emotional wounds he suffered while being tortured and experimented on by the Serpent Society." Her voice was filled with earnestness and compassion.
Katsuragi and Ikaruga exchanged moved looks, their usual teasing demeanor softening.
The blonde 3rd Year nodded, her eyes reflecting newfound respect.
"That's really noble of you, Asuka. It takes a lot of strength to want to help someone else heal, especially when they've been through so much."
Ikaruga smiled warmly, her admiration for Asuka evident.
"You truly have a pure heart, Asuka-san. Your kindness and empathy are what make you such a wonderful friend."
Asuka blushed slightly, feeling both touched and a little embarrassed by their praise.
"Right, thanks. But I just... I just want him to know that he's not alone. That there are people who care about him and want to see him happy."
Katsuragi's expression softened with pity as she listened to Asuka's heartfelt words.
"You know, Asuka," she began, hesitating for a moment before continuing, "Kamui told me something when we talked. And I also asked him if he had a crush on you."
Asuka's eyes widened, curiosity piqued.
"And what did he say?"
Katsuragi sighed, her tone gentle.
"He admitted that he sees himself as a broken person, beyond salvation. He thinks he's unworthy of finding love, especially from someone like you."
Asuka's face fell, her heart aching for Yukio.
"What? He really thinks that?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion. "That he's not worthy of love?"
Katsuragi nodded.
"Yeah, he does. It's clear that his past has really messed with his sense of self-worth. He doesn't see himself the way we do."
Asuka clenched her fists, her eyes filling with determination.
"That's not fair. Yukio deserves to be happy. He deserves to know that he's not broken, and that he's worthy of love and care, just like anyone else."
Her expression grew more somber as she confided in her friends,
"There's something else that's been worrying me. I'm scared… I'm scared that Yukio might be rushing towards his own death. He doesn't seem to care about his own well-being, and I think he might even be willing to sacrifice his life if it means destroying the Serpent Society."
Katsuragi and Ikaruga exchanged concerned glances.
"I've seen him heavily injured and utterly exhausted so many times," Asuka continued, her voice trembling. "I don't want him to end up sacrificing himself. I want to help him heal and live a happy, new life. He deserves that, doesn't he?"
Katsuragi nodded, her eyes serious as she inhaled sharply.
"Of course he does, Asuka. Kamui has been through so much, and it's clear that he's driven by a sense of duty and vengeance. But yeah, I also think that he shouldn't throw his life away."
Ikaruga added,
"You need to show him that there's more to life than just fighting and sacrifice, Asuka-san. He has a future, and he can find happiness beyond his mission. But you have to help him see that."
Asuka took a deep breath, feeling a bit of relief in sharing her fears with her friends.
"Thank you, both of you. I really want to make sure Yukio doesn't lose himself in this fight. But… I don't think I can do this alone."
Katsuragi smiled, her playful demeanor returning for a moment.
"We'll do it together, Asuka! We'll make sure that jerk knows that he's not alone and that he has a future worth fighting for."
Ikaruga nodded in agreement.
"We'll support him, just like he's supported us. We're a team, and we'll face this challenge together."
Asuka felt a renewed sense of hope and determination. With her friends by her side, she believed they could help Yukio see the value in his own life and guide him toward a brighter, happier future.
Chan's Rare Finds
Yukio stepped into Chan's Rare Finds, the dimly lit shop filled with an array of antiques and mystical artifacts. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the faint sound of traditional Chinese music played in the background.
He approached the counter, where Mr. Chan was busy organizing a shelf of ancient scrolls. His apprentice, I-Pin was diligently dusting off a collection of ornate vases.
"Mr. Chan, I've brought the Ride Shurikens I've collected so far," The Rider announced, laying the shurikens on the counter.
The elder turned to Yukio, his face lighting up with a mix of curiosity and approval.
"Ah, Yukio, you have done well," he said, his accent thick and words drawn out. "I'm pleased. But, one more thing…" He lifted a finger, preparing for one of his signature catchphrases. "Aiya! You must be careful. The Serpent Society will not take this lightly!"
I-Pin looked up from her work, her eyes widening at the sight of the shurikens.
"These are amazing, Yukio-san! You've really outdone yourself."
The ravenette boy nodded, but his expression was serious.
"I know, Mr. Chan. That's why I need your guidance. I want to make sure I'm using these shurikens to their full potential."
The Chi Wizard nodded sagely, his expression softening as he looked at the collection.
"The power of these shurikens is great, but it is the heart and spirit of the wielder that will determine their true strength." He tapped his fingers together, considering his words carefully. "Yukio, you must find balance within yourself. Only then will you master the full potential of these ancient weapons."
The ninja nodded, taking in the advice.
"I understand, Mr. Chan. I've been training hard and trying to protect others. But I still feel like I'm not doing enough."
"Aiya! Always so hard on yourself," Mr. Chan said, giving Yukio a gentle slap on the shoulder with two fingers.
"Ouch! H-Hey!" The young man cries in annoyance.
"You must have patience, young one. True strength comes from within, and it takes time to develop. Remember, 'Even the strongest tree was once a small seed.'"
I-Pin stepped forward, her eyes filled with determination.
"We'll keep helping you, Yukio-san. Whatever you need, we're here for you. Especially when it comes to procuring stuff to summon the Seireis you're looking for!"
The Ninja Rider then asks a question that has been bugging him off for a while.
"Mr. Chan, why did you talk to Hanzo? Was it your idea for me to be placed with the Hanzo Academy shinobis?"
Mr. Chan stroked his chin thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing.
"Ah, yes, I indeed did speak with Hanzo. You wonder if this old man has meddled in your path?"
Yukio shook his head.
"No, I'm not angry about the placement. Actually, if the Hanzo Academy shinobis can help me fight the Serpent Society, then I have no problem helping them improve in return. I'm just curious."
Mr. Chan's expression softened, and he gave a slow nod.
"You have a good heart, Yukio. The reason I spoke with Hanzo is because this is a time when allies are needed. While the Serpent Society is a great threat, the issue lies within you. With the Twilight Scroll finally revealed, there are many who seek power and will target you for it. Even those unaffiliated with them."
'Both good and evil ninjas alike.' Yukio thinks in annoyance.
The Chinese elder paused, letting the words sink in before continuing.
"By placing you with the Hanzo Academy, not only do you gain allies, but you also gain protection. The academy will help shield you from those who wish to take the Twilight Scroll by force."
Yukio nodded, understanding the wisdom in Chan's decision.
It was the same as what Hanzo proposed to him before.
"I see. Thank you for looking out for me, Mr. Chan. I appreciate it."
Mr. Chan gave a small smile, his eyes twinkling.
"One more thing, Yukio… Remember, true strength comes not only from power but also from trust and friendship. The bonds you forge with the Hanzo shinobis will make you stronger than any scroll or shuriken."
Yukio wasn't sure about that, being skeptical about this.
"Anyway, the reason for my visit tonight is because I want to find a Seirei suitable for the Lightning element. I need to complete my collection of the five Elemental Ride Shurikens." The young man tells them.
Mr. Chan and I-Pin exchanged glances before Mr. Chan spoke.
"Ah, finding a Seirei for the Lightning element, eh? This is not an easy task, Yukio. Such spirits only appear during strong storms with intense lightning, and the weather here has been quite calm."
I-Pin nodded in agreement.
"It will take some time to find a Lightning Seirei. We cannot summon a storm at will."
Yukio grumbled in annoyance, his shoulders tensing.
"What? Are you serious? I can't just sit around and wait."
Mr. Chan stepped closer, placing a hand on Yukio's shoulder.
"Patience, Yukio. The storms will come when the time is right. Rushing will only bring mistakes and danger. Go back to Hanzo Academy and rest for a few more days. You will need to be at your best when the time comes."
The boy sighed, nodding reluctantly. "Fine, I'll wait. But make sure to let me know as soon as you hear anything."
Mr. Chan smiled warmly.
"Of course, Yukio. We will keep a close watch on the weather and inform you immediately when the conditions are right. Look at this the other way, trust in the process and use this time to strengthen your bonds with your allies."
Just as Yukio was about to leave, he hesitated at the door, turning back to Mr. Chan. "Actually, there's one more thing I need to talk to you about."
Mr. Chan raised an eyebrow, his usual expression of curiosity.
"One more thing, eh? Go on, Yukio."
Yukio took a deep breath, the memory of his recent experiences still fresh in his mind.
He tells the others about the blow he inflicted on Daidouji while being apparently possessed and the nightmare he experienced with the mysterious entity.
"It's about what happened with Daidouji and this… strange dream or nightmare I had. I think there's something lying within my soul, something I can't quite grasp." He tells Mr. Chan and I-Pin.
Mr. Chan's face grew serious as he listened intently.
"Aiya, dreams can sometimes reveal truths hidden deep within us. What do you think it means, Yukio?"
The ravenette's brow furrowed as he tried to put his thoughts into words.
"I think… Maybe the Serpent Society did something to me during my captivity, I guess. I keep wondering if they implanted something inside me, something that's starting to wake up."
Mr. Chan stroked his chin thoughtfully, his expression one of deep contemplation.
"Hmm… if the Serpent Society tampered with your soul, it could be very dangerous." The Chi Wizard's expression turns grim. "But it's also possible that your soul is reacting to something else, something buried in your past or tied to your powers as a Shinobi."
Yukio nodded, though the uncertainty in his heart still weighed heavily on him.
"Well, what should I do, Mr. Chan? How do I find out what's really going on?"
Mr. Chan sighed, his eyes filled with concern.
"This is not something easily unraveled, Yukio. The answers may come with time, or they may require you to face the darkness within yourself. For now, I would advise caution. Stay vigilant, and don't let this fear control you. I will need to delve deeper into this mystery, but for now, return to Hanzo Academy and keep your mind and spirit focused."
Yukio wasn't satisfied with the answer, but decided to go along with it for now.
"Fine."
With that, Yukio finally took his leave, his thoughts now burdened with even more questions as he made his way back to Hanzo Academy.
As he headed back to Hanzo Academy, he resolved to make the most of his time with his new comrades, knowing that their support would be crucial in the battles to come.
Back at Chan's Rare Finds, after Yukio had left, Mr. Chan watched him go with a thoughtful expression. Once the door closed behind Yukio, the Chi Wizard sighed deeply, his usually cranky demeanor softened by concern. He turned to I-Pin, who was busy organizing some items on a nearby shelf.
"I-Pin, finish your tasks," Mr. Chan instructed, his tone more serious than usual.
I-Pin looked up, noticing the shift in his voice.
"Yes, Master Chan," she replied obediently, quickly returning to her work.
With I-Pin occupied, Mr. Chan moved to a quiet corner of the shop. He pulled out a small, old-fashioned flip phone from his robe and, after a moment's hesitation, dialed a number.
*Beep* *Beep*
*Click!*
The phone rang twice before a soft click signaled the other person had answered.
"Hello. It's been a while," Mr. Chan said, his voice low and steady.
On the other end, the person responded, though their words were inaudible to anyone but Chan.
"It's about your son," The elder continued, his expression growing more serious. "He might be experiencing a new development."
There was a pause as the person on the other end of the line spoke again, this time with a hint of worry evident even from a distance.
Mr. Chan's eyes softened, and he nodded as if the person could see him.
"He's fine, for now," he assured, but the concern in his own voice was unmistakable.
He hesitated before adding,
"But there might be a risk that the seal inside him can finally break."
The conversation grew quieter, the exchange of words becoming more intense as both parties discussed what this development could mean. Mr. Chan's usually unflappable demeanor was tinged with unease, a rare sight for the wise and often cranky old man.
As the conversation came to an end, the Chinese Chi Wizard closed the phone with a sigh, his mind now heavy with thoughts about Yukio's fate and the potential dangers that lay ahead.
He knew that whatever was happening to the young man, it was only the beginning of something much larger and far more dangerous than any of them had anticipated.
A few hours later…
As it was now way past midnight, Yagyu is seen in her room lying on her bed and wearing her pajamas as she is staring at the ceiling.
She was still in deep thought as she remembers leaving Hibari so early during their supplemental training. The eye patch girl sits up and folded her arms as she ponders on what to do.
She then left her dorm room, and was now standing in front of Hibari's own room as she knocked on the door.
"Hibari, it's me. Are you awake?" Yagyu calls out but receives no answer, soon lowering her head and saying. "I'm sorry for leaving early earlier."
But Hibari still didn't answer, which made Yagyu look up at the door.
"Hibari?" Yagyu called the pinkette.
Yagyu opened the door and entered Hibari's room, as she walked inside the gray-haired girl saw that Hibari was gone and her window was left open.
And Yagyu was only left wondering where Hibari could've gone this late in the night...
Hibari, in her school uniform, is seen inside of Hanzo Academy's vaults as she places her hand on the hand scanner. It soon recognizes her handprint as it opens the vault doors and allows the pinkette to walk inside.
*Beep!* *Beep!*
The alarms sounded off in Hanzo Academy, and Kiriya raced to where it was triggered, eventually getting into the vaults Hibari was in.
"Intruders? That's impossible!" Kiriya said as he stopped at the vault and saw it was opened.
He was carrying a lantern in his hand and walked inside of the vault to see if everything was still inside.
To his relief, nothing was stolen.
"No sign of any disturbance...but just to be sure…" Kiriya said as he turned to the hanging scroll on the wall and did a hand seal, making a kanji appear on it before it opened a hidden safe behind it, where there was Hanzo's super-secret scroll inside of it.
Kiriya picks up the scroll and looks at it to see if it's indeed the real deal, and it was.
"It's safe." Kiriya said.
Unknown to the instructor is that Hibari was spying on him as she stood on a wooden beam on the ceiling.
She took out a smoke bomb and threw it at Kiriya as he put the scroll back to its hidden vault. The sensei sensed the bomb, as he turned around and pulled out his sword, as it exploded in front of him.
"Kn-Knockout grenade…!" Kiriya said as he accidentally breathed it in. "Oh, no…"
He could only mutter as he fell asleep on the ground.
When the smoke cleared, Hibari landed on the floor and took the scroll in her hand as she looked at it.
"..."
Next day…
It was now morning, and the students of Hanzo Academy had arrived in their classroom, but Kiriya had shared some disturbing news to them about what happened last night.
"The super-secret ninja scroll?" Asuka asked.
"It's classified but let's just say that it's our academy's most sacred treasure." Kiriya told them.
"Okay, but you said it was stolen last night?" Katsuragi asked and Kiriya nodded.
"But ever since the incident where the Hebijo Academy kunoichis invaded our school, the security here has been tightened. The only ones who could sneak into the school building, and then open the depository, are those of us who are here, myself included." The teacher told them.
The room fell silent as the implications of his words sank in.
"Then who would steal the scroll?" Ikaruga asked.
Kiriya hesitated for a moment before voicing a troubling possibility.
"It pains me to say this, but there's a chance that one of us might be involved."
The suggestion hung in the air like a dark cloud, causing the students to shift uncomfortably.
"There's no way that's possible! We would never do something like this!" Asuka exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Look, I'm not accusing anyone," Kiriya clarified, "but the fact remains that the scroll was taken, and it was taken by someone with access."
"Th-Then, who exactly was it?" Hibari asked, her voice trembling with fear.
Yagyu, who had been silent until now, glanced at Yukio with suspicion.
The tension in the room spiked as eyes turned toward the Ninja Rider.
Yagyu, her expression cold and calculating, took a step forward.
"What about him?" she asked, her voice sharp.
Yukio's eyes narrowed, his posture straightening as he met the eye patch girl's gaze.
"You think I stole it?" he asked, his voice calm but carrying an edge.
"It's not like we know much about you, Kamui," Yagyu replied, her tone accusatory. "You've been here for only a short time, and you're not even officially part of Hanzo Academy. How do we know you're not after even more power for yourself?"
Yukio's jaw clenched, but he kept his composure.
"I didn't even know about the scroll until Kiriya mentioned it today. Why would I steal something I didn't know existed?"
Yagyu wasn't convinced.
"You're skilled enough to infiltrate the academy. You could have found out about it and decided to take it for yourself."
"You're reaching," Yukio countered, his voice steady. "If I wanted to steal the scroll, why would I stay here after taking it? I could've disappeared last night and never come back."
"That's true," Asuka interjected, stepping forward to stand beside her friend. "Yukio had no reason to steal the scroll. If he was a traitor, he wouldn't be here right now, defending himself. He would definitely be far away by now."
And much to Yukio's surprise, Ikaruga and Katsuragi also moved to his side.
"Yagyu-san, you're not thinking clearly," Ikaruga said, her voice calm and measured. "Kamui has been nothing but helpful to us since he arrived. We can't accuse him without evidence."
"Besides," Katsuragi added with a smirk, "if this guy was up to something shady, why would he have made things in a way we noticed? He's the sneaky type. He wouldn't leave evidence behind."
Yagyu frowned, still not entirely convinced, but the words of her friends seemed to soften her suspicion.
"I just want to make sure we're not overlooking anything," she muttered, her gaze dropping to the floor.
Kiriya observed the exchange, his expression unreadable.
"I understand the concern, Yagyu," he said finally, "but until we have more information, we can't jump to conclusions. We need to focus on finding the real culprit, not turning on each other."
The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of the situation pressing down on everyone. Yukio glanced at Asuka, Ikaruga, and Katsuragi, a mixture of gratitude and surprise in his eyes. He hadn't expected them to come to his defense so readily, especially after how distant he had kept himself from them.
But the situation was far from resolved, and as the students tried to process the news, a sense of unease lingered in the air. The theft of the scroll was just the beginning, and the shadow of suspicion now hung over them all.
In Hibari's room, said pinkette was seated on her bed hugging her stuffed bunny.
"What should I do if I have to wait in my room? Study, I guess?" Hibari asked as she looked at her bunny, before she felt something by her feet. She looked down and saw a scroll under her bed. "What's that?"
She picks the scroll up and reads the characters on it.
"'Super-secret ninja art scroll.' Huh?" Hibari gasped in shock that it's here in her own room no less. "What does this mean? Why is it here?"
Then a whip came out of nowhere as it wrapped around the Yang Scroll and it was pulled out of Hibari's hand. She looked and saw it was Haruka as she caught the scroll in her hand.
"Nicely done. You do fantastic work." The puppeteer told her.
"I-It's you!" Hibari said.
"Just as you promised, you were my friend, weren't you?" Haruka asked.
"Your friend?" Hibari said in confusion before she remembered that time she begged the Evil Shinobi to not hurt Yagyu after she had defeated her, which she accepted and gave Hibari her earring.
That made Hibari realize something as she turned to the earring that was on her dresser.
"You don't mean…" Hibari said.
"You were an adorable puppet." Haruka told her.
"Give it back!" Hibari said as she stood up to take the Scroll back, but Haruka easily avoided her as she placed the Scroll between her breasts as it sank in.
"Oh no!" Hibari said before Haruka grabbed onto her wrist and brought Hibari's face close to her own.
"Now you have betrayed Hanzo Academy… No, all good ninjas everywhere." Haruka told her and Hibari lowered her head knowing that she's right, but the Hebijo student grabbed hold of her chin to make the pinkette look at her again. "But who cares? They were treating you like you were dragging behind. But I'm not like that. I recognized your hidden power."
"P-Power?" Hibari asked, and Haruka remembers the first time they met.
"From the first time I saw you, I was aware of it. The wariness and sharpness of instinct that comes from being timid. Those are ideal abilities for espionage work. It takes more than just strength to be a shinobi. Your power will be highly esteemed on our side." Haruka said as she ran her hand down to Hibari's rear.
Hibari manages to push herself from Haruka's hold as she falls on her bed.
"A-Are you telling me to switch sides?!" Hibari asked.
"If that's what you feel like." Haruka said as she brought out a piece of paper and threw it on Hibari's lap, and the latter picked it up. "I'll be expecting you. Oh and if you get the chance, be sure to give Kamui Yukio my regards."
Hibari covered her face as a strong wind blew around in front of her as sakura petals danced in the wind.
Hibari looked and saw that Haruka was now gone.
The 1st Year student opens the note she gave her and reads what was inside.
"W-What is this?" Hibari said.
In her room, Yagyu was reading a book but her mind went back to the time she entered Hibari's room last night and the fact that the Yang Scroll was stolen by that time.
Yagyu shook her head to shake the memory out of her head.
"What am I thinking?!"
She then heard her door opening, Yagyu looked and saw that it was Asuka who opened it.
"Yagyu-chan, something terrible happened! It's Hibari-chan!" Asuka said and that got Yagyu's attention.
The shinobi students and Yukio were in Hibari's room but saw that Hibari was gone as her stuffed bunny was on her bed.
Yagyu was reading a note that Hibari made and left them.
"I came to return a book that I had borrowed, and that letter was here." Asuka told them.
"Hibari doesn't seem to be the type to do something so bold like this." Yukio comments, crossing his arms. "Was she forced to steal the scroll?"
"That's right! It says she was being controlled by a Hebijo evil ninja, right?" Katsuragi said, checking the letter.
"But how exactly did they do it?" Asuka said as she scratched her finger on her head.
"With this?"
Everyone looked and saw that Kiriya was in the room as he was looking at Haruka's earring that was in his hand.
When Yukio saw it he recognized it.
"That earring…" The boy mutters as he remembers Haruka wearing a similar earring when they first met and when he fought against her.
Kiriya brings out a kunai and uses it to break the earring's jewel in half.
"I knew it!" Kiriya said.
The others looked and saw that the earring was hiding a microscopic scroll as it was giving off a small light around it.
"What is that?" Asuka asked.
"It's a psych-wave transmitter." Kiriya answered.
Psych-wave transmitter.
An item of ninja gear that receives and amplifies the will of a shinobi that has undergone special training. These amplified will impulses are able to control the subject without restraint.
"It's a trick that puppet masters often use. When did she manage to plant it?" Kiriya asked in wonder.
"Haruka…" Yukio mutters as he looks at the small scroll in Kiriya's hand. "She probably placed it on Hibari when they were both alone at some point."
Yagyu was reading Hibari's letter as she heard her voice in her head.
"I'm sorry. This is all my fault. What I have done cannot be forgiven, no matter how much I apologize."
Hibari is seen riding on a train as it was heading to a close location to where Hebijo Academy was. As she was seated in her seat, the pinkette had a sad look on her face as she stared at the floor.
"What I have done cannot be forgiven, no matter how much I apologize. But I swear, I will get back the ninja art scroll myself. Even if it costs me my life."
She looked up with a determined look as she wasn't going to let her friends down, as her train crossed a bridge.
Yagyu lowered hand as she raised her head.
"Hibari…" Yagyu mutters before she jumps to the window which her friends notice.
"Yagyu!" Kiriya said.
"Yagyu-san, stop!" Ikaruga calls out.
"Shinobi Tenshin!" Yagyu shouted as she changed into her shinobi uniform and jumped out of the building through the window as her friends ran up to it.
"Asuka!" Katsuragi said.
"Hai!" Asuka said she, Katsuragi, and Ikaruga jumped out through the window to chase Yagyu. "Shinobi Tenshin!"
Yukio sighs as he goes after the girls as well.
"That idiot..."
Asuka, Katsuragi, and Ikaruga split up as they headed in different directions in the city to search for Yagyu.
Meanwhile, Yukio is seen on his motorcycle as he raced down the streets to look for Yagyu.
"Where are you, Yagyu?" Yukio said as he looked around for her.
Asuka was now standing on the street as she looked for Yagyu.
"Yagyu-chan!" Asuka calls out and soon spots Yagyu as she jumps to a rooftop, and the hazel-eyed brunette jumps to that very roof to follow her.
Yagyu continues to jump from rooftop to rooftop before she senses Asuka, eventually stopping on her next rooftop as the older girl appears in front of her.
"Where do you think you're going?" Asuka asked.
Yagyu was about to turn around to jump to the rooftop behind her but…
"Henshin!"
[Dare ja!? Ore Ja!? Ninja!]
*Poof!*
[Shinobi Kenzan!]
Yagyu soon saw Shinobi jumping in front of her as he landed on top of the roof they were on.
"Looks like I made it just in time." The Kamen Rider said.
"Kamui…" Yagyu said, glaring harshly at the masked teen.
"Don't do anything stupid, Yagyu." Shinobi warns her. "Rushing ahead without a plan will get you killed."
"Don't get in my way, you two! I'm going to find Hibari!" Yagyu told them.
"I know you're worried about Hibari, but you're not thinking clearly right now." Shinobi stated.
"Yukio's right. We don't even know where she went." Asuka told her.
"Whether we know or not, I'll find her, no matter what." Yagyu told them.
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that." Asuka said.
"Same with me too." The Rider said next.
"Fine...If you're going to get in my way!" Yagyu said as she readied her umbrella.
Asuka and Shinobi flinched before they assumed their combat stance as they were ready for her attack.
Ikaruga and Katsuragi soon meet up with each other after looking for Yagyu.
"Did you see her?" Katsuragi asked.
"No. She's not at the academy." Ikaruga shook her head.
"Damn it! She always gets so reckless when it comes to Hibari." Katsuragi said as she rubbed her hand on her head.
Yagyu eyed Asuka and Shinobi, she knew the Rider wasn't someone she could easily beat, and not to mention he was quick on his feet.
So the easiest opponent for her to face is Asuka as she jumps at her and thrusts her umbrella at her upperclassmen, with energy surrounding it.
"Asuka!" Shinobi cried as he was about to fire some shurikens at Yagyu to stop her.
"Move!" Yagyu demanded as she thrust her umbrella at Asuka.
But Asuka then jumps over her umbrella as she places her hands on it, next landing behind Yagyu and wrapping her arms around her.
'She got behind me?!' Yagyu thought in shock.
"Oh…" Shinobi mutters in interest as he stops running.
Yagyu struggles to break free but Asuka's hold on her is strong.
"Calm down, Yagyu-chan!" Asuka told her.
"Let me go!" Yagyu demanded before she turned to Asuka. "Leave me alone, would you?!"
Ikaruga and Katsuragi had soon arrived.
"Yagyu-san." Ikaruga said.
"So this is where you were." Katsuragi said.
As Yagyu struggles to break free she manages to get her arm loose but then…
"Yagyu! Enough!" Shinobi grabs onto her arm, and she soon looks at the Rider before he places a hand on her shoulder. "You have to calm down. Acting like this won't help Hibari."
"Kamui…" Yagyu mutters before she calms down and lowers her head. "Asuka, you can let me go now."
Asuka complied as she removed her arms and Katsuragi and Ikaruga walked to them.
"This is my responsibility." Yagyu told them, which confused her friends before she turned to them. "I knew Hibari wasn't in her room last night."
"What?" Ikaruga asked in shock as the others were surprised by this as well.
"When I heard about the intruder, I remembered that. But I couldn't bring myself to suspect Hibari." Yagyu told them in shame.
"That's only natural, right? If I had been in the same position, I wouldn't, either." Ikaruga said.
"Yeah. Nobody realized that Hibari was being controlled." Katsuragi told her.
"It's not just that." Yagyu said as she tightly clenched her hand. "After our supplementary training, I went home, leaving Hibari behind. If I had stayed with her the whole time, this wouldn't have happened. It's because of me that Hibari…" Yagyu said in sadness as she turned away from them.
"No! That's not right." Asuka replies. "It's not your fault"
"You're not the one to blame. It's those Hebijo girls who manipulated Hibari into doing this." Katsuragi told her.
"If anyone bears responsibility, it would fall on all of us. Yagyu-san, have you forgotten? We are all friends." Ikaruga said as she picked up Yagyu's umbrella and handed it to her which she accepted.
"Friends?" Yagyu repeated.
"It's not just Hibari, you have wonderful friends who are all concerned about you as well." Shinobi said before gesturing to the other three girls. "It's not just you and Hibari, Yagyu."
Yagyu looked at the Kamen Rider, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
She swallowed hard before speaking.
"I'm sorry, Kamui... I was wrong for accusing you of being the thief. I... I was so caught up in my own guilt and fear that I lashed out at you."
Yukio shook his head, a soft look of understanding beneath his mask.
"There's no need to apologize, Yagyu. I understand. You were just trying to protect your friend. We all make mistakes when we're worried about the people we care about."
His words were warm and understanding, and they seemed to lift a weight off Yagyu's shoulders.
"Thanks, everyone." she whispered, feeling a sense of relief and gratitude.
"C'mon." Asuka calls them. "Let's head back to the academy first. Then we can think about how to find Hibari-chan."
After she gets off the train, Hibari heads to the deepest part of the forest and soon finds Hebijo Academy thanks to the map Haruka has given her.
She was captured by two guards thinking she was an intruder, but after she told them that Haruka had invited her, they soon contacted the third year student as she was taking a shower.
After being told she was here, Haruka greeted Hibari, wearing nothing but towels around her body and on her head, and after seeing her tied up and dirty on the floor, Haruka apologizes to the pinkette and brings her to the baths, untying her rope so they can bathe together.
"U-Um…" Hibari mutters as she taps her fingers together.
"Don't worry. I was just taking a bath myself." Haruka told her.
"O-Okay…" Hibari said.
"You understood everything I told you, huh? I'm so glad." Haruka said as she picked up a pile of bubbles in her hands and blew them to Hibari. "But tell me, did you happen to tell Kamui Yukio of what happened?"
"N-No...I left without saying goodbye…" Hibari told her.
"Oh I see...that's a little disappointing." Haruka said in disappointment, as she wanted to know if the Rider would be involved or not in the conflict between the two ninja Academies.
"I…" Hibari said, which got Haruka's attention. "I have no place at Hanzo Academy any longer. But can I, someone from Hanzo Academy, really transfer to Hebijo Girls' Academy?"
"It's alright. We will not do you wrong." Haruka assured her as she stood up and walked to Hibari.
"So just relax, and entrust yourself to me." The older told her as she hugged Hibari and held her close.
Inside her head, Haruka was chuckling.
'The Principal's secret orders don't mean anything. All I wanted was this girl. And Kamui will be next.' Haruka thought as she smelled Hibari's sweet scent and enjoyed how soft she was.
Hibari had a determined look on her face as she told herself.
'I-I'll get the Super Ninja Art Scroll back, no matter what!'
After they were now done in the baths and putting on their uniforms, Haruka had brought Hibari to the Academy's training ground as Hibari was looking around the area.
"This is our training ground. Hebijo, using its vast evil ninja resources, scouts out all over Japan for potentially talented students." Haruka told her as they saw broken blades, spears, shurikens, and kunai on the ground which made her chuckle. "We get a lot of washouts, as well."
"Well, we have a rare visitor."
Hibari turned around and saw Homura, Mirai, Yomi, and Hikage standing behind them as Homura, Yomi, and Hikage gave her a welcoming smile.
"And of all people, she's a Hanzo Academy shinobi." Hikage said.
"The security personnel are going to be disciplined." Yomi said with a finger on her chin.
Haruka placed her hands on Hibari's shoulder and told her friends.
"As of today, she is a student here at Hebijo Girls' Academy."
Hearing that surprised them.
"I scouted her out." Haruka told them, and Mirai sighed.
"Aww, there you go again with your bad habits, Haruka-sama." The short girl shrugged.
Homura walks up to Hibari as she looks at the ground while the tanned girl stares at her, making Hibari look up at her face.
"Are you serious?" Homura asked, and Hibari nodded.
"Y-Yes, I am! I can't go back to Hanzo Academy, after all." Hibari told her.
"I see. Well then, from now on, you are our friend." Homura said with a welcoming smile and the others smiled in agreement.
"Eh?" Hibari said as she was stunned to hear that.
"What's the matter?" Homura asked.
"What's the matter?" The pinkette parroted. "Don't you suspect me?"
"Suspect you? Of what?" Haruka asked.
"After being the enemy up until now, we're accepting too easily. That's what you're thinking, right?" Mirai asked.
"Good is something that is narrow-minded and discriminatory. Evil is much more tolerant than good." Homura told her as Yomi walked up to Hibari.
"That's the difference between good and evil ninjas." Yomi told her.
"But if I betray you, what will you do?" Hibari asked as she pressed her fingers together.
"Well," Hikage said, getting their attention. "If someone commits a betrayal once, it doesn't necessarily mean they won't do it again."
Hibari was a little worried to hear that.
"Go ahead and try it, if you think you can." Homura said and Hibari turned to her. "Evil doesn't turn anyone away. However, everything is at your own risk." She said as they saw a wounded student being carried off on a stretcher.
"In any case," Mirai said as she moved in front of Hibari. "If you ignore me, I will kill you!" She told her as she pointed her finger at Hibari.
"I-I won't ignore you!" Hibari said as she waved her hands.
Mirai Shrugged as she turned away from Hibari.
"As long as you don't ignore me, I'll hang out with you like I do everyone else." Mirai told her.
"O-Okay…" Hibari said as she lowered her hands.
Yomi leans forward to get a good look at Hibari, she soon notices as she turns to the blond hair girl.
Yomi then moves around Hibari to look around her body before she stops at her back and stares at her rear. She hummed and Hibari covered her rear as she turned at Yomi.
"Middle-class, I'd say." Yomi said as she looked up at her chest and then pokes at it. "You'll do us neither harm nor good."
Hibari covered her chest as Yomi asked her one question.
"By the way, do you like sprouts?" Yomi asked.
"Huh?" Hibari blinked in confusion before Yomi stood up.
"Sprouts! Sprouts!" Yomi repeated.
"Yes. At least, I don't dislike them." Hibari told her.
"Really?" Yomi asked as her eyes turned into stars. "In that case, what do you think of the spike in the cost of sprouts lately? I think it is utterly abhorrent! Sprouts are supposed to be the food of the common people, but…"
"That's a relief." Hikage said as she watched Yomi go on about sprouts. "Someone else has come along to talk to her about sprouts."
"Well, it's just about time for training. Let's go." Homura told them as she walked forward.
After their talk with Homura and the others, Haruka had given a Hebijo uniform to Hibari as she was now wearing it, she then began to give the 1st Year a tour of the Academy.
They were overseeing a class session as the teacher was giving them his lecture.
"The word 'shinobi' is written as 'heart' under 'blade'. One must always carry a blade within one's heart!"
"What's wrong?" Haruka asked as Hibari was quiet for a while.
"Nothing, just that there are so many students. At Hanzo Academy, we only had five students." Hibari told her, and Haruka chuckled before she walked in the hallway and Hibari followed her.
"The evil ninjas do not have the same consideration for bloodlines that the good ninjas do. For money's sake, or to escape from the notice of the world, there are many reasons why our students enroll." Haruka told her.
Homura is seen wearing her shinobi uniform and armed with six of her swords as she slashes on the bamboo sticks around her.
"Homura-chan came from a family line of good ninjas. Normally, she would have been one of your classmates." Haruka explained.
"Then, why did she become an evil ninja?" Hibari asked.
"I'm sure you must already be aware of this, but Hanzo Academy, being a good ninja school, requires that one have no prior criminal behavior to be admitted." Haruka explains as Homura slashes had cut down several bamboo into pieces as they were falling around her.
"Criminal behavior?" Hibari asked.
"I heard she stabbed someone." Haruka told her and Hibari gasped to hear that. "She didn't have any other option but to become an evil ninja."
Mirai is seen firing her gun umbrella.
"Mirai was supposedly someone who was bullied. She becomes an evil ninja to bully the rest of the world back." Haruka explained.
Hikage is seen with a grin on her face as she was fighting against as she easily slashed and tore them apart.
"Hikage-chan was raised on the battlefield since she was a child, which forced her to become a fighting machine."
Yomi is seen swinging her sword on the ground which created a shockwave that was heading towards a hill which smashed it into pieces.
"Yomi-chan, who grew up in a ghetto, and lost her parents in poverty, hates the structure of the world itself."
Haruka and Hibari were now outside as they were standing on a balcony so she could show Hibari the outside of the main building.
"Here at Hebijo Girls' Academy, we five have been recognized for rising on our own strengths. We work on a whole different premise than you did." Haruka told her, and Hibari lowered her head as she pondered about this.
After the tour, Haruka had brought Hibari to Suzune's room so she could meet her teacher in person. Hibari was seated on the floor as she was waiting for Suzune, and as she was waiting, Haruka's words were still ringing in her head.
"We work on a whole different premise than you did."
'Yagyu-chan… And everyone…' Hibari thought as she closed her eyes.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Hibari looked and saw Haruka and the armored Suzune had entered the room as the two walked out of the shadows.
"This is Suzune-sensei, our advisor." Haruka introduced the masked and armored woman as she walked in front of Hibari.
"I-I'm Hibari." Hibari bowed her head.
"It sounds far-fetched that you would change sides from Hanzo Academy." Suzune stated, and Hibari turned away from her before Haruka walked to her side and placed her hand on Hibari's shoulder.
"It isn't as though this is without precedent." Haruka said as she faced her teacher. "It's possible that by changing sides, she can become an even greater shinobi. Right?" She asked Hibari as they turned at each other.
"Haruka," Suzune said and both students turned to her. "I leave her to you."
"Affirmative." Haruka said as she and Hibari bowed their heads.
"Hibari, was it?" Suzune asked.
"Y-Yes!" Hibari said as she raised her head.
"It takes resolve to turn from good ninja to evil ninja. Enough that you have to forsake yourself, body, and soul." Suzune coldy told her.
"Body and soul…" Hibari repeated before the masked and armored woman left as she walked into and disappeared into the shadows.
"Suzune-sensei was once a good ninja." Haruka told her and Hibari was shocked to hear that.
"Huh?" Hibari gasped.
"This is top-secret. I'm just telling you this because I want you to know that there are others like you, too." Haruka told her, and Hibari was even more curious about the mysterious Suzune.
"That woman…? What is this feeling?" Hibari mutters as Suzune's presence feels familiar to her, and remembers that written message during her time on the training island trip.
"Huh? Did something just…?"
After they brought Yagyu back with them, Yukio and the others decided to hold a strategy mission to find and rescue Hibari, and to take the Yang Scroll back from Hebijo.
Seeing that it might take a while, the Rider and Asuka had gone to Café Hana to get some snacks and drinks to keep their energy up.
After fulfilling the requests from Ikaruga, Katsuragi, and Yagyu, they picked out their own favorites from Junpei's food truck.
And as they paid for their supplies, Yukio made a certain special request from Junpei.
The brunette man, with a knowing look, handed Yukio a folded map.
"You'll need this," he said, his tone casual, but his eyes held a hint of seriousness.
Asuka watched with wide eyes as Yukio took the map, slowly unfolding it.
"Wait a second… That's a map... to Hebijo Academy?" she asked, her voice a mix of surprise and concern.
Yukio nodded, not surprised by the contents.
"I figured Hanamura-san might have something like this," he said, his tone calm. "He's been in contact with Hebijo Academy before, when he was posing as that masked man, 'Ao'."
Asuka's shock deepened.
"What!? You're Ao!?" She questioned the food truck owner, earning a simple nod from him.
Once she was rescued from Yami Shibai, the girl was informed about the masked individuals known as 'Ao', 'Midori' and 'Shirogane' from her friends.
Yukio gave Asuka a small, reassuring smile.
"Hanamura-san is resourceful. I had a feeling he might have some intel that could help us. We're going to need every advantage we can get."
"I see." The girl simply says.
Junpei then drags Yukio to a corner to have a quick word with him.
The owner of Café Hana took a moment to look at Yukio, his expression thoughtful.
"So, you really plan to go to Hebijo Academy with Asuka and her classmates?" he asked, his tone more serious than before.
Yukio nodded without hesitation.
"Yeah, I do," he confirmed.
Junpei raised an eyebrow.
"Even though you technically don't have a personal reason to? This could make you an enemy of Hebijo Academy and the rest of the evil faction."
Yukio paused, glancing at Asuka, who was busy gathering the supplies.
"Well, I'm technically already their enemy since they sent Homura and her squad after my head. But to be honest, I'm not doing this because Hibari is my friend," he admitted, his voice steady. "I don't really know her well enough for that."
Asuka actually heard his words and felt a small pang of disappointment.
It made sense—Yukio and Hibari hadn't interacted much, so it wasn't surprising that they hadn't formed a bond yet. But she missed the silent exchange between Yukio and Junpei, the look that passed between them saying more than words ever could.
Yukio then glanced back at Junpei with a slight, fond smile.
"Besides," he added in a more lighthearted tone, "Asuka's my watcher. I have to stick with her."
Junpei chuckled, understanding the deeper meaning behind Yukio's words.
"Well, in that case, good luck, my friend," he said, clapping the ravenette on the shoulder.
The silver-eyed boy nodded in appreciation before turning to Asuka.
"You ready, Asuka? C'mon, let's get back to the others. We've still got a mission to prepare for."
Asuka smiled at him, feeling reassured by his presence.
"Right!"
As Yukio and Asuka were about to leave with the supplies, the atmosphere around them suddenly shifted…
*Flash!* *Blink!*
The air grew heavy, and the scenery began to distort, warping in on itself as if reality were being twisted. The three of them felt an unsettling sensation wash over them, as if they had been plunged into an entirely different world.
Yukio immediately stiffened, his instincts kicking in. His eyes darted around, scanning the altered environment.
"This... isn't good," he muttered, recognizing the telltale signs of a Shinobi Barrier.
Asuka's eyes widened in alarm, her grip tightening on the bag of supplies.
"A Shinobi Barrier? But how—when did they set it up?" She could feel her heart racing, the sudden change catching her off guard.
Junpei, usually calm and collected, found himself glancing around with a mix of confusion and concern.
"Oh boy, this isn't good, is it? Someone must've planned this in advance," he said, his voice carrying a hint of unease.
He had seen Shinobi Barriers before, but to be trapped in one so suddenly was unsettling, especially given the circumstances.
Before any of them could fully grasp what was happening, shadows began to move at the edges of the distorted space.
Figures emerged, surrounding the trio from all directions!
The unmistakable forms of Hoshizuku Ninja Dustards appeared, their dark, featureless bodies exuding a menacing aura.
Their intent was clear: to attack and kill.
Yukio's gaze hardened, and he instinctively reached for his transformation device, ready to shift into his Rider form as he manifested the Shinobi Driver around his waist.
"Looks like we're not getting out of here without a fight."
Asuka quickly adopted a fighting stance, her resolve steeling as she prepared to defend herself and her friends as she pulled out her Secret Ninja Art Scroll.
"We need to stick together. They're not going to get away with this!" She tells her two companions.
"Henshin!" Yukio cries.
"Shinobi Tenshin!" Asuka chants.
*Poof!*
[Shinobi Kenzan!]
As both teenagers finished transforming, they got into a fighting stance, ready to face the Dustard minions.
The enemies circled them, dark and menacing, ready to strike at any moment.
"Hanamura-san, stay behind us!" Shinobi ordered, his voice firm. "We'll handle this. Just stay out of the way."
Asuka nodded in agreement, her focus never wavering from the enemies.
"We will protect you. Just trust us."
But instead of complying, Junpei took a step forward, a determined look in his eyes.
"I appreciate the concern, but I'm not sitting this one out."
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a certain lime-colored device with a pink handle, placing it around his waist like a belt. The device clicked into place, and a faint hum of energy could be heard.
[Gamer Driver!]
Under his mask, Shinobi's eyes widened as he remembered their conversation from earlier.
"Hanamura-san... is this your secret project?"
Junpei gave a small, confident smile as he activated the device, pulling out a game cartridge with the words Hurricane Ninja imprinted on it.
This is the Hurricane Ninja Rider Gashat.
[Hurricane Ninja!]
The small item announces as Junpei presses its start switch.
Activating a Gashat will summon a Game Area with Energy Item containers based on the Gashat's game in a wave of digitization.
In this case, it was a dark blue and orange-colored wave of digitization that hits over the area.
A game screen with the title and elements of 'Hurricane Ninja' and the words 'Game Start' appears behind Junpei, also spawning the Energy Items across the area, each one of them being hidden inside several ninja wood decoys that appeared around as they served as the power-up containers for the ninja-themed game.
"It's about time I joined the fight properly. You're not the only one who can protect people, Yukio." Junpei told his friend.
His lime-colored device began to glow, emitting a powerful energy as Junpei prepared to transform.
As for Shinobi, the realization hit the young man.
Whatever Junpei had been working on, it was more than just a support tool—it was a full-fledged combat system. This was what he had hinted at earlier, and now Junpei was ready to reveal it in battle.
Asuka glanced at Shinobi, her eyes questioning but also filled with trust.
She knew this wasn't the time for doubts…
"Let's do this together!" she said, her voice resolute.
Shinobi nodded, a small smile forming behind his helmet.
"Right! We fight together."
"Henshin!" Junpei announces as he inserts the Hurricane Ninja into the left slot of his Gamer Driver and then pulls out its pink handle.
[Gachan! Level Up! Makimaki! Tatsumaki! Hurricane Ninja~!]
The final scene of the chapter shows Kamen Rider Shinobi's Tsuchi Ride Shuriken, Asuka's Omamori lucky charm and the Hurricane Ninja Rider Gashat, side by side, while the Twilight Scroll and the Shinobi Saber glow strongly behind these items.
- Shinobi Chronicles -
NinPow 15: Hurricane Ninja
- End -
Author Notes:
Thank you for reading!
So yeah, I finally managed to get to the part where Junpei is about to finally transform into Kamen Rider Fuma.
I checked Senran Kagura's wiki and found out that there's also a character in the franchise named Fuma. She and Junpei will eventually come across each other in this story and I decided to make them have a special connection that will be later revealed.
For now, I also decided to confirm which ninja-themed Kamen Riders will officially appear in this story at some point.
1- All ninja-themed Riders that belong to the Kamen Rider Shinobi's Rider Time spin-off: Kamen Riders Shinobi(Done), Hattari and the four unnamed ones.
2- Other Ninja Riders that will appear: Fuma(Done), ZX, Kenzan, Tyccon, Build NinninComic Form and Desast.
Heck, I might even make use of ninja-themed Super Sentai characters, like Don Murasame for example.
If you guys have any ideas or suggestions that I could use for this story, you're free/welcome to share!
If possible, I would like all guest reviewers to identify themselves since this will make it easier for me to reply and for you all to check what I typed in response for each of you.
And please, stop asking me about updating my other stories in the review section!
Request Corner!
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Review Time!
Guest DCDGojira: Glad you liked the chapter! When two bad guys are making a deal, one will obviously try backstabbing the other.
itspowertime: Glad you liked the chapter! I will contact you in case I need new ideas.
Dr. Exposition: No, no ideas for now in regards to that.
Tenzalucard123: Hope you liked the chapter!
yogaratw607: Ok, I will check it out later. No, I never played BlazBlue nor have heard about it.
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DawnYugo: Thanks! Glad you liked the chapter!
Just like Yukio's parents, his sister will also appear later in this story. I'm thinking about a possible arc where his whole family comes to pay him a visit.
I will go with the following: While Yukio has a natural affinity with all elements, he still needs a medium of sorts to fully channel his elemental powers' potential. Hence, without the Ride Shurikens, his elemental attacks will be very weak in comparison to the other ninjas.
As for the real source of his power, his true 'potential', it all comes from his heritage(a small spoiler for something big I have planned for the MC's background) and the 'mysterious entity' that resides within his soul.
#2nd review: I will give Yukio the ability to later combine the five natural elements to create new ones from their combinations.
Enton is not a combination of fire and lightning, is actually Sasuke manipulating the flames of Amateratsu and naming it Enton/Blaze Release.
Maybe I will create Enton later by making Yukio somehow combine fire and darkness into one.
So, what do you guys think? Please give me some reviews if possible.
If you are interested, please go check my other stories.
Also, thanks to everybody that followed, favorited the story and gave reviews.
See You Next Time