Hey, everyone!
Welcome to chapter 16 of Senran Kagura: Shinobi Chronicles.
Hope you guys enjoy it!
"Speaking"
'Thinking'
*Sounds*
[Shinobi Driver]
Special Attacks
"Henshin!"
Hanamura 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~!]
A swirling ring of orange and dark blue energy formed around Junpei's waist. It shimmered briefly before transforming into a black rectangular projection with an orange frame, its center marked by a glowing dark blue ninja silhouette. The projection phased through Junpei's body, enveloping him in a bright, pulsating light as his body transformed.
*Flash!* *Blink!*
Once the process was done, Junpei was now in an armored state similar to that of Kamen Rider Shinobi.
His armor was sleek yet powerful, blending traditional ninja themes with advanced technology. A spiked white crown-like headpiece adorned his helmet, evoking the image of a ninja lord, while his orange-colored, cartoonish visor eyes gleamed with a playful yet intimidating glow.
The suit's primary colors—dark blue and orange—formed a striking contrast. Intricate hexagonal patterns etched across the armor shimmered faintly, giving it a high-tech, almost VR-inspired aesthetic.
In each hand, he wielded a katana-like weapon(a pair of blades known as Fuma Sozanto), their polished edges glowing faintly with an orange hue that crackled like contained lightning. Every movement he made radiated a sense of precision and strength, the kind only a true ninja master could command. These blades would be stored on the masked man's back armor whenever he isn't using them.
Junpei rolled his shoulders, gripping his glowing blades with ease.
"Not bad. Looks like I'll finally get to show you two what I can really do."
Asuka, her eyes wide with excitement, grinned despite the tense situation.
"Junpei-san! It's amazing! You look kinda like Yukio!"
The older man simply chuckled, spinning his dual blades in a dazzling arc of orange light before settling into a ready stance.
"Alright," he said with unwavering confidence. "Let's show these guys why they shouldn't have messed with us."
One of the Dustards, breaking from the formation, hissed in a raspy voice, its glowing eyes narrowing as it pointed a jagged blade toward Junpei.
"Who... are you? Identify yourself!"
Junpei tilted his head, his orange visor gleaming mischievously under the faint light of the Shinobi Barrier. He casually spun one of his katana-like blades, letting its edge hum with energy before resting it against his armored shoulder.
"Me?" he said, his voice calm yet dripping with confidence. "Hmm... Well, since I'm dressed for the occasion…"
He lowered the blade, holding it firmly as he stepped forward. His armor glinted menacingly, and the spiraling orange emblem on his chest seemed to pulse with power.
"You can call me… Kamen Rider Fuma."
The declaration echoed across the battlefield, momentarily halting even the Dustards.
"Kamen Rider?"
"There's another one?"
The Dustards started talking amongst themselves.
"Kamen Rider... Fuma?" Asuka exclaimed, her eyes wide with astonishment.
She turned toward Shinobi, her voice a mix of confusion and excitement.
"Yukio, did you know about this?"
The purple Kamen Rider, still poised for battle, merely shrugged in response.
"Not really," he replied, his tone amused. "But I had my suspicions when he started talking about a 'secret project.' Leave it to Hanamura-san to surprise us all like this."
Fuma glanced back at his two allies, offering a quick nod and a confident grin under his helmet.
"Surprised? Good. Now let's show these creeps what we can really do!"
The Dustards hissed in agitation, their ranks tightening as they prepared to charge. Whatever curiosity they'd felt at Fuma's sudden appearance was quickly overridden by their murderous intent.
"Alright, then," Fuma said, stepping into a combat stance alongside Shinobi and Asuka. His twin blades crackled with energy as he tightened his grip. "Let's dance."
The battle was on, and with Junpei now fighting under the moniker of Kamen Rider Fuma, the trio's combined strength promised to turn the tide against their enemies.
Senran Kagura: Shinobi Chronicles
NinPow 16: Shadows of the Past
The trio clashed with the group of Dustards, their movements synchronized like a well-rehearsed dance. Asuka's agility and precision complemented Fuma's fierce twin-blade techniques, while Shinobi's strikes delivered swift and decisive blows. One by one, the Dustards faltered under the onslaught, their formation breaking apart.
Amidst the battle, Shinobi leaped back, creating some distance between himself and the enemy. Reaching into his arsenal, he pulled out his newly acquired amber Tsuchi Ride Shuriken, its design showcasing the image of the Earth Seirei, Gotsumon.
"Enshrined by earth! The amber stone!"
Shinobi chanted, his voice brimming with energy as he inserted the Tsuchi Ride Shuriken into the open slot of his Shinobi Driver.
[Tsuchi! NinPow: Rock!]
Amber-colored rocks, brimming with mystic energy, began to rise from the ground, swirling around Shinobi in a glowing vortex.
The Dustards hesitated, momentarily blinded by the brilliance of the transformation. As the rocks gathered and solidified, the Seirei Gotsumon materialized beside the masked ninja, his rugged, stone-like form radiating power.
"Let's rock, Gotsumon!" Shinobi declared, spinning the amber Tsuchi Ride Shuriken.
"Right!" Gotsumon agreed, his body breaking apart into a cascade of stones that flowed toward Shinobi. The stones merged with his armor, encasing him in a layer of earth.
Shinobi's armor shifted dramatically. His default purple tones were replaced by an amber hue that shimmered like polished rock. The kunai designs on his legs and the shuriken emblem on his chest vanished, replaced by intricate, jagged rock-like patterns.
His armor bulked up significantly, and on each arm, he now wielded massive gauntlets forged from Gotsumon's stone.
As he completed the transformation, the Shinobi Driver announced:
[Tsuchi no Ninja! Rock Shinobi!]
This was Yukio's new form — Kamen Rider Rock Shinobi!
Though the new armor limited his agility, its defensive capabilities were unmatched, and the sheer strength of the stone gauntlets promised devastating power. Shinobi clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the rocks and the surge of energy they brought.
"Alright," Rock Shinobi muttered as he turned to face the remaining Dustards. "Let's see how you handle this!"
*Thud!* *Thud!* *Thud!*
The ground trembled slightly as he stomped forward, his every step echoing with a solid, resonant thud. With one swing of his gauntlet, he shattered a Dustard's blade, sending the minion flying into its comrades. The sheer force of his strikes began to push the enemy further back, their advantage crumbling like brittle stone against his overwhelming might.
Asuka and Fuma paused briefly, marveling at Yukio's new form.
"So that's how Yukio is using the earth element!" Asuka called out with a grin as she flipped over a Dustard and struck it down.
"Big, bulky, and a total powerhouse," Fuma added with an approving nod, slashing through another minion. "You're a walking fortress!"
"Less talking, more smashing!" Rock Shinobi replied, his voice amused yet focused. With his newfound earth-based strength, the battle had turned decisively in their favor.
*Bam!* *Bam!*
The ninja Rider's powerful gauntlets slammed into the ground, sending shockwaves rippling through the earth. The Dustards scrambled to maintain their footing as jagged stone pillars erupted from beneath them, scattering their formation further.
"Doton: Chidōkaku!" Shinobi chanted, his voice reverberating like the very tremors he created.
The earth shifted and rose, creating an uneven battlefield that forced the Dustards into disarray.
He spun on his heel, slamming both gauntlets together with a resounding clang.
Rocks formed into a massive boulder that hovered before him, glowing faintly with amber energy. With a powerful throw, the boulder hurtled into a cluster of minions, shattering upon impact and reducing them to nothing.
"Doton: Ganban Kyū!" he cried, the remnants of the boulder reforming into smaller projectiles that rained down on the remaining enemies.
The Dustards regrouped and lunged at him from all sides, but Shinobi was ready. He stomped hard on the ground, creating a circular barrier of stone spikes around him.
"Doton: Doryūheki!" Shinobi declared as the barrier protected him from their attacks.
The spikes then launched outward, taking down several enemies in one swift move.
Fuma slashed through a nearby Dustard and whistled.
"Man, Yukio, you're like a one-man army right now!"
"Don't get too impressed," Rock Shinobi replied, swinging a gauntlet to send a group of minions flying. "I'm just getting started."
With one final move, he raised both gauntlets above his head, summoning an enormous rock hammer from the earth. As he swung it down, the ground quaked violently, creating a fissure that swallowed the remaining Dustards in one fell swoop.
"Doton: Daichidōkaku!"
The battlefield went still as the last of the Dustards disintegrated into shadows, leaving the trio victorious.
Shinobi dusted off his gauntlets and turned to his allies with a confident look.
But just as the trio finishes fighting off their enemies, a new foe appears before them through the rippling of space distorting before their eyes.
A sickening noise, like nails dragging against steel, fills the air as the distortion intensifies, giving way to an enormous, grotesque creature.
Standing before them is Guran Gyo-tori, the latest Majin sent to claim Shinobi's Twilight Scroll.
Its monstrous form towers over them—a nightmarish amalgamation of features. Its massive hamster-like body is covered in coarse, dirty fur that bristles with every movement. Red, bird-like claws extend from its grotesquely oversized hands and feet, gleaming dangerously in the faint light. Most unsettling of all is the red tentacle-like limb dangling from its forehead. Its tip bears an eerie, human-like shape, morphing and twisting before their eyes as if alive.
"You've done well to make it this far, but your journey ends here," Guran Gyo-tori growls, its voice a low, guttural rumble that reverberates through the air.
Its crimson eyes gleam with sadistic delight as it observes the trio, its tentacle swaying hypnotically like a predator sizing up its prey.
"What in the world is that?" Fuma mutters, gripping his twin katanas tightly.
"It's the Majin they sent this time after." Shinobi replies, his amber-toned armor glowing faintly.
"Well, it's not getting what it came for," Asuka states firmly, brandishing her dual blades as she steps forward to stand beside the two Riders.
Guran Gyo-tori chuckles, a sinister sound that sends chills down their spines.
"Ah, brave little warriors. Let me show you the true meaning of despair!"
Without warning, the Majin's tentacle shoots forward, extending unnaturally toward them. Shinobi and Fuma quickly dive out of the way, but Asuka barely manages to block it with her blades, the force sending her skidding backward.
*Clash!*
"Watch out! That lure isn't just for show," Shinobi warns.
The Majin smirks, retracting its tentacle before slamming its claws into the ground.
"You'll find I'm full of surprises!" it roars as its fur bristles and extends outward like thousands of spears, attempting to impale the trio.
"Doton: Doryūheki!" Shinobi shouts, slamming his gauntleted fists into the ground. A massive wall of stone erupts in front of them, blocking the attack.
Fuma takes the opportunity to dash forward, his twin katanas flashing as he aims for the Majin's limbs.
"Let's see how you handle this, asshole!"
However, Guran Gyo-tori moves with surprising agility for its size, leaping back and swinging its tentacle. The lure morphs into the visage of Junpei's brother - Touma, his wide, fearful eyes staring directly at the new Rider.
"Nii-san…"
"What the—?!" Fuma hesitates for a split second, his attack faltering.
"It's an illusion!" Shinobi calls out, but the Majin takes advantage of the pause, sending another wave of fur spears toward the distracted Rider.
"Hanamura-san, move!" Asuka yells, intercepting the attack with her blades.
Regaining his composure, Fuma growls.
"Shit! Damn you!" He curses the monster.
Guran Gyo-tori then shifted its attention to Kamen Rider Shinobi. With its tentacle lure swaying menacingly, the Majin sneered,
"Let's see how resilient you truly are, Shinobi."
The younger Rider lunged forward, his amber gauntlets gleaming as he prepared to deliver a devastating punch.
"You won't get away with this!" he roared.
But just as his strike was about to connect, the Majin's lure suddenly morphed. The grotesque, tentacle-like limb twisted and reshaped itself into the figure of a six-year-old girl.
The transformation was instantaneous yet vivid. The girl had short brown hair and large, tearful eyes that shimmered with fear. Her frail body was clad in tattered, dirty white clothing, and she clutched at her own arms as if trembling in terror.
"Yukio…"
The 'girl' whimpered softly, her voice cracking with sorrow.
Shinobi's gauntlet stopped inches from the Majin's body. His eyes widened behind his visor as he froze, paralyzed by the sight before him. His breathing hitched, and his mind raced, trying to comprehend the surreal image.
The hesitation was all Guran Gyo-tori needed. With a sadistic grin, the Majin capitalized on Shinobi's moment of vulnerability. Its massive clawed hand swung forward, connecting with the Rider's torso with bone-crushing force.
*CRACK!*
Shinobi was launched backward like a ragdoll, his amber-toned armor scraping against the ground as he tumbled and skidded to a stop several meters away. Dust and debris flew up around him as he groaned in pain, struggling to push himself to his knees.
"Yukio!" Asuka cried out, rushing toward him while keeping her guard up.
Junpei's eyes narrowed as he turned his gaze back to the Majin.
"You son of a…!" he growled, his grip on his katanas tightening.
Guran Gyo-tori chuckled darkly, retracting its lure, which reverted to its tentacle-like form.
"The human heart is such a fragile thing, isn't it?" it mocked. "So easily manipulated. How pathetic."
Asuka knelt beside Shinobi, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Yukio, are you okay?"
She could see him trying to stand, but something was clearly off.
Shinobi appeared dazed and distracted. His breathing was shallow and rapid, his movements jittery as if he was unsure of his surroundings. His fists clenched and unclenched rhythmically, betraying his struggle to regain control.
"Yukio?" Asuka repeated, her tone softer but more urgent.
The young man didn't respond immediately. His helmeted gaze remained fixed on the ground where the lure had transformed into the image of the little girl. His entire body seemed tense, his shoulders hunched as if burdened by an invisible weight.
Asuka placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling him flinch under her touch. It was subtle, but it was there.
She frowned.
'This isn't just the shock of the battle,' she thought, observing him carefully.
The teenager's symptoms reminded her of something she had read about recently—post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Looking at him, Asuka's mind wandered to a grim possibility.
'Could this have something to do with his time in captivity with the Serpent Society?' She remembers having heard snippets from Yukio himself about how he had suffered under their cruel experiments, but he rarely spoke of it in detail.
The image of the little girl—innocent and frightened—seemed to strike a nerve deep within her friend, pulling something painful to the surface. Asuka couldn't shake the feeling that the Serpent Tragedy was indeed the reason for this sudden change in her friend's behaviour.
'Yukio did say that they used children in their experiments. Did they also force him to do something horrible? Is that little girl another of their victims?'
The thought made her stomach churn.
Guran Gyo-tori eyed Kamen Rider Shinobi with a predatory gleam. Determined to break his spirit, the Majin decided to employ a new, sinister tactic. With a swift motion, it shifted its tentacle lure once again into the form of the six-year-old girl, her short brown hair disheveled and her eyes filled with unshed tears. Her white, ragged clothes hung loosely on her frail frame, enhancing the eerie resemblance to an innocent child.
"Yukio…"
The little girl whispered, her voice trembling with fear and sorrow.
Shinobi's fists froze mid-punch, his eyes widening as the apparition of the girl pierced through his defenses. The sight of her tearful expression triggered a deep, buried past trauma within him. His body reacted involuntarily, trembling and his grip on his gauntlets loosening.
Asuka watched in horror as Shinobi faltered, the weight of his past manifesting before her eyes. She immediately knelt beside him, placing a comforting hand on his armored shoulder.
"Yukio, snap out of it! Don't let it control you!"
But before she could fully reach him, Guran Gyo-tori seized the moment. With a swift, powerful motion, it launched a devastating punch directly at Shinobi, sending him hurtling backward. The impact sent shards of stone flying, and Shinobi crashed to the ground, his armor dented and cracked from the force.
"Yukio, why did you leave me behind?" The lure-turned-girl sobbed, her voice echoing ominously through the distorted space.
"I'm dead because of you!" It continued, the voice dripping with malice and anguish.
Shinobi struggled to rise, his body battered and his mind in turmoil.
Asuka knelt beside him, her eyes filled with concern and determination.
"Yukio, c'mon! We're here for you" Don't let this Majin break you!"
'Shit, at this rate Yukio will completly lose the will to keep fighting.' Fuma notices.
Guran Gyo-tori laughed, a harsh, grating sound that resonated with dark energy.
"Such loyalty, such foolish friendship. In the end, your emotions will make you weak."
Fuma, observing the chaos and Shinobi's vulnerable state, made a decisive move. His eyes locked onto one of the wooden decoys scattered amidst the battlefield.
*Slash!*
With a swift strike of his dual Kodachi, the decoy splintered, revealing a glowing red Energy Item medal within its core.
Energy Items are medal-like power up items created by Game Areas, whenever any person activates a Rider Gashat, and are hidden in certain containers or places within the 'Game Area'.
The medal in question was the Muscular one. It was shimmered with energy, depicting a Rider flexing a muscular arm—a clear symbol of raw strength. It gives its user a boost of raw physical and attack strength.
Without hesitation, Fuma reached out, allowing the medal's power to surge into him.
[Massuru-ka!]
A crimson aura erupted around his body, washing over him in a fiery wave as the Muscular medal's energy was absorbed. The boost was instantaneous. Fuma's stance grew more imposing, and his muscles seemed to radiate with explosive power.
"Asuka, take care of Yukio! I will finish the Majin now!" Fuma declared, his voice laced with determination.
"Ok, Hanamura-san!"
The brunette girl in question simply nods at this, taking Shinobi away from there.
With newfound vigor, Fuma removed the Hurricane Ninja Gashat from his Gamer Driver and smoothly inserted it into the Kimewaza Slot Holder.
[Gashun!]
[Gashat!]
*Click!*
[Kimewaza!] The Gamer Driver announces.
The Kimewaza Slot Holder is a Rider Gashat holder and has a special slot to activate a Rider Gashat's Critical Strike finisher. This slot is attached on the left side of the Gamer Driver.
When an active Gashat is removed from the Gamer Driver and inserted to the Kimewaza Slot, with the Holder Switch pushed, energy will be gathered at the Rider's right leg, and when the Switch is pushed again, a "Critical Strike" finisher will be performed.
Fuma pressed the Holder Switch button, and the red aura around him intensified, melding with the hurricane energy from his original form. His dual Kodachi began to glow, spinning with incredible speed, creating a small vortex around him.
*Click!*
[Hurricane Critical Strike!]
As the energy built up, Fuma pressed the Holder Switch once more, triggering the final stage of his empowered attack. With a battle cry, he dashed forward, his Kodachi twirling with tornado-like precision.
The new Ninja Rider unleashed a flurry of devastating slashes upon Guran Gyo-tori.
*Slash!* *Slash!*
The Majin screeched in agony as the Kodachi's energy-infused strikes cut through its tough exterior, leaving glowing red gashes across its body. Each slash tore deeper, the combination of Fuma's enhanced strength and the medal's power proving too much for the creature's defenses.
"Argh!" Guran Gyo-tori cried out, staggering backward as it tried to shield itself from the relentless assault.
[Kaishin no Ippatsu!]
Reeling from the devastating onslaught of Fuma's empowered attacks, Guran Gyo-tori staggered backward, its grotesque form visibly damaged. The gashes across its body pulsed with an ominous energy, each wound glowing faintly as the Majin struggled to maintain its footing.
It snarled in frustration, its piercing eyes darting between the three humans—Fuma, Asuka, and the recovering Shinobi. Despite its earlier taunts and confidence, it was clear that the tide of battle had shifted entirely against it.
"You insignificant pests!" Guran Gyo-tori hissed, its voice dripping with venom. "This isn't over… but you'll wish it was."
The Majin raised one of its grotesque red claws, raking the air to create a rippling void of darkness. The portal swirled ominously, a chilling wind emanating from it as the creature prepared to flee.
"Wait! You're not getting away!" Asuka shouted, lunging forward with her swords at the ready.
But Guran Gyo-tori was quicker, its remaining strength focused entirely on escape.
"Foolish girl," it sneered, stepping into the portal. "Next time, I'll make sure you all regret crossing me!"
Fuma tightened his grip on his Kodachi, resisting the urge to rush after the retreating foe. "Coward," he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with disdain.
With one final glare, Guran Gyo-tori's form disappeared into the swirling void, the dark portal sealing shut behind it with a resounding whoosh.
The battlefield fell silent, the oppressive energy of the Shinobi Barrier dissipating. The trio stood amidst the debris, their breathing heavy but their spirits undeterred.
The area around them finally turns back to normal as the trio call off their respective transformations.
'Yukio…'
Asuka looked at Yukio in concern as he remained quiet, his gaze fixed on where the portal had vanished.
"..."
The haunting image of the lure still lingered in his mind, but Asuka knew one thing for sure—this was far from over, and Yukio would need to be ready for whatever came next.
(Meanwhile)
Suzune was in Dogen's room as he was reading the Yang Scroll while Suzune was informing him of Hibari's transfer to their Academy.
"A transfer student? At a time like this?" Dogen said as he turned to her.
"On the recommendation of one of the students. Her abilities as a shinobi are appreciable. However, this student is…" Suzune said.
"No matter." Dogen said, stopping Suzune from finishing. "The administration of the students is your job."
"Understood." Suzune bowed her head.
"Are you upset that I took it upon myself to acquire this, without speaking to you first?" Dogen asked.
"It is not that. As I said before, simple acquiring it means nothing. It is no more than an act of folly." Suzune told him.
"Do not get the wrong idea, Suzune. Who do you think it is that makes it possible for you to be here? When you failed your mission as a good ninja, and were near death, I am the one who took you in and supported you for this long." Dogen told her.
"I am mindful of that." Suzune said while secretly hiding her disgust and shame for the headmaster of Hebijo.
After her talk with Dogen, Suzune is seen staring at the night sky while standing on top of the roof of a building.
'You are also the one who used me to get where you are now, are you not? I cannot afford to delay any longer. The time to stain what lies in this moonlight in blood has come.' Suzune thought.
With the Hanzo Academy girls'...
After their intense battle with the Serpent Society's forces, Asuka and Yukio returned to Hanzo Academy, a quiet tension lingering between them. The Shinobi Classroom buzzed with activity as the rest of the girls were gathered around, discussing their next steps.
The room fell silent as Asuka recounted the events of the battle, from the ambush by the Dustards to the appearance of the Majin, Guran Gyo-tori.
She omitted Junpei's identity as Kamen Rider Fuma, choosing instead to preserve the secrecy of his double life. However, she did mention that an ally—the one referred to as "Ao"—had provided critical help.
When she pulled out the map Junpei had given her, revealing a possible route to Hebijo Academy, the reactions were immediate.
"Wait, you're telling me you have a map to Hebijo?" Katsuragi exclaimed, her eyes wide as she leaned forward to inspect the parchment. "Where did you even get this?"
Asuka hesitated for a moment, her mind racing for a plausible explanation.
"It was… given to me by someone Yukio knows," she finally said, her voice steady. "Ao. You might have heard of him—the blue-masked individual who's worked in the shadows before."
The room was filled with murmurs of shock and curiosity.
Ikaruga placed her tea cup gently on the table, her elegant demeanor masking the urgency in her voice.
"Well, this changes everything. If this map is accurate, we may finally have the upper hand in locating Hebijo Academy."
"Still, I gotta wonder about this 'Ao' guy," Katsuragi said, biting into a donut with her usual casualness. "He's been helping out, but what's his deal? Why is he so interested in us finding Hebijo?"
"I don't think it matters right now," Yagyū interjected, her gaze sharp. "If this map can get us closer to saving Hibari, then we use it. We can question motives later."
"Yagyū is right," Katsuragi agreed, unfurling the map fully on the table as the girls crowded around. "From the looks of it, Hebijo isn't hidden in plain sight like Hanzo. It's likely in a remote location—possibly a desert island or deep within the mountains."
"It also lines up with the idea of chi flow and feng shui," Ikaruga said, nodding as she reached for another donut. "A shinobi academy like Hebijo would've picked a place with strong energy flows. You don't build a hideout just anywhere, after all."
"Even with this map, it won't be easy," Yagyū pointed out, her tone cautious. "Hebijo won't let us waltz in without a fight. We'll need a solid strategy."
Asuka clenched her fists, determination burning in her eyes.
"We'll do whatever it takes. We're going to save Hibari-san and stop whatever they are planning. That's a promise."
The girls nodded in unison, their collective resolve cemented.
"Let's get to work," Ikaruga said, her voice steady and commanding. "We don't have any time to waste."
Yagyu then went to the other side of the room to talk with their sensei.
"You seem to have calmed down." Kiriya told the first year student.
"I'm sorry." Yagyu said as she bowed her head to her teacher.
"It's not me you should be apologizing to, right?" Kiriya told her before they turned back to Asuka and Yukio.
"If Asuka and Yukio hadn't located you…" Kiriya said.
"At the time," Yagyu said as she remembered that time Asuka dodged her attack with such skill and speed. "I was so preoccupied, I couldn't hold myself back. Asuka still managed to avoid my full-power thrust. The same thrust that not even Hebijo's evil ninjas could dodge."
"Asuka's skills are improving dramatically. Is that what you're saying?" The teacher asked, and Yagyu nodded.
"I believe that's the size of it." Yagyu said.
Kiriya then remembers his talk with Daidoji about Asuka's hidden potential.
"Latent strength is unconscious strength. As such, she is a double-edged sword. If she takes the wrong path, she could arrive at the same place as the other."
"A double-edged sword, huh?" Kiriya said as he held his chin.
He then heard a faint bell sound, and Yagyu noticed the look on his face.
"What's wrong?" Yagyu asked.
"Nothing." Kiriya told her before he heads to the door. "I remembered something I need to do. Wait here until I return."
The others notice as they turn to the white haired man.
"Understood." Ikaruga said.
Kiriya opens the door to leave the room as it closes behind, and the girls blink to see that as Katsuragi cupped her hand on her chin.
"That's strange, huh?" The blonde realizes.
"What's wrong, Katsu-Nee?" Asuka asked.
"Well, when Kiriya-san usually leaves, doesn't he usually do it in a burst of smoke and disappear?" Katsuragi asked, and the others blink in realization as they know he's right.
Aside from Asuka, the other girls soon noticed that something else felt amiss in the room. They began to pick up on it almost simultaneously.
"Wait a minute," Katsuragi said, narrowing her eyes as she scanned the classroom. "Where's Yukio? Shouldn't he be here too?"
The realization struck the group like a wave. Despite the gravity of the situation and the critical information they were discussing, Yukio was conspicuously absent.
"That's strange," Ikaruga remarked, her brows furrowed as she folded her arms. "He would never ignore something as important as this. Where could he be?"
The attention shifted back to Asuka, who now sported a visibly concerned look on her face. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and her hands fidgeted with the edge of her skirt.
"Asuka?" Yagyū's voice broke the silence, her gaze steady and sharp. "Do you know where Kamui is?"
Asuka hesitated, glancing down at the floor before finally nodding.
"I… have a feeling," she admitted. "Something's bothering him. I noticed it during the fight earlier, but I didn't have a chance to ask him about it."
"Then you should go talk to him," Ikaruga said, her tone gentle yet firm. "Whatever he's dealing with, it's better to address it now than to let it fester. We'll handle things here. You're the closest person to him out of all of us."
Asuka nodded, her resolve firming.
"Thanks. I'll be back soon."
Without another word, she turned on her heel and left the classroom, the door sliding shut behind her.
The remaining girls exchanged concerned glances, each silently pondering what could have unsettled Yukio so deeply.
Kiriya is seen standing outside of another area of the school as he looks around the area.
"The sound came from around here." Kiriya said before he heard the same bell sound behind him.
He turned around and saw Suzune standing behind him.
"Who are you?!"
"Hebijo Girls' Academy - Shinobi Instructor Suzune." She answered.
"Suzune?" Kiriya repeated.
"Hanzo Academy Shinobi School Teacher Kiriya…" Suzune started before she flicked her cloak and brought out a katana. "I challenge you to face me."
Seeing there was no way out of this, Kiriya brought out his own sword in a reverse grip style as the two shinobi instructors faced each other.
They soon jumped and slashed at each other as they passed by the other's side before they landed on the ground.
Kiriya placed a hand on his shoulder as it had a cut on it, but thankfully it wasn't deep. He then turns to Suzune as she stands up.
"Did you come here to show me your swordsmanship?" He asked before Suzune's chest armor was shattered into pieces because of Kiriya's attack, exposing her large chest that was covered by a tight sleeveless shirt that exposed her stomach, and then her helmet and mask shattered into pieces as Kiriya stood up and faced her as he said...
"Rin!"
Suzune chuckles as she puts on red frame glasses on her now exposed face, as it was indeed Rin, Kiriya's student, now a young woman in her 20s and her hair was tied in the back of her head and was wearing lipstick on her lips.
"Upon seeing your face, I kind of wanted to test you. Imagine, exposing myself after just one exchange. That's my master for you." Rin said.
"As thought I'd forget my student's swordsmanship." Kiriya tells her and Rin grits her teeth to hear that but soon smirks at him.
"Ah, yes, speaking of students, one of your own is now in the care of Hebijo Girls' Academy." Rin told her master, and Kiriya gasped to hear that.
"Then Hibari really did go to Hebijo?" Kiriya asked.
"Right now, we are both in positions of responsibility. I came here to inform you of that." Rin told him.
"Why, Rin? Why did you become an evil ninja?" Kiriya asked his former student.
"The answer to that…" Rin said before she threw a kunai at him, and Kiriya caught it between his fingers and saw that it had a note tied on the bottom of it. "...I will give it to you there!"
Kiriya caught the map but didn't open it. Instead, he sighed and shook his head.
"You're a bit late, Rin. My students already have one."
Rin blinked, her calm demeanor slipping into irritation.
"What?"
"One of their acquaintances—a certain blue-masked individual—already provided them with a map," Kiriya explained, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly as if holding back a smirk.
'Ao…!?'
Rin scowled, visibly annoyed by the revelation.
"Well, isn't that convenient? All my effort, wasted on amateurs. But if you think that map is all you need, you're mistaken," She continued. "Your students should think twice before setting foot in Hebijo Academy."
Kiriya narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean?"
Rin's smirk returned, more sinister than before.
"Hebijo Academy has joined hands with the Serpent Society. Do you truly understand the enemy you're up against, Kiriya-sensei?"
What?
The words struck Kiriya like a thunderbolt, his mind racing to comprehend the implications.
"I'll be expecting you, Kiriya-sensei." Suzune said before she created a cloud of smoke around her.
*Poof!*
Kiriya quickly ran to her but soon saw that Rin was now gone as the smoke cleared up.
"Rin!" Kiriya calls out as he looks around for her.
Under the dim light of a solitary streetlamp, Yukio sat on a wooden bench, his body hunched forward, arms resting on his knees. The faint rustling of leaves and distant chirps of crickets were the only sounds accompanying the eerie silence of the park.
Asuka walked along the paved path, her steps slowing when she spotted him. Her heart sank as she noticed his forlorn posture and the sorrow etched onto his face.
"Yukio…" she called softly, breaking the stillness.
Yukio raised his head slightly, glancing toward her. His eyes were dull, weighed down by emotions too heavy to conceal.
"Hey, Asuka," he replied in a flat tone as he nodded lightly to her.
Without hesitation, Asuka approached and sat beside him on the bench. She tilted her head, studying his expression with genuine concern.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently, her voice laced with worry.
Yukio didn't respond immediately. He leaned back against the bench, his gaze fixed on the ground. After a moment, he let out a deep sigh.
"I'm fine…"
Asuka frowned.
"No, you aren't. You definitely don't look fine. Please, talk to me. What's wrong?"
Yukio hesitated, his fingers curling into fists. He struggled to meet her gaze, his thoughts seemingly locked behind an invisible barrier.
"It's nothing, Asuka." he muttered. "You don't have to worry about me."
"But this just makes me worry more, Yukio," She pressed gently. "You've been acting strange ever since we fought that Majin. You're not yourself. I can see it."
"..."
Yukio closed his eyes, his body tensing.
"It's… complicated, Asuka. You wouldn't understand."
"Then help me understand," she said, leaning closer. "You don't have to go through this alone. Please, tell me what's on your mind."
Her earnest tone seemed to chip away at his defenses. He clenched his jaw, his voice barely audible as he finally spoke.
Really, how exactly was she able to make him open to her? Was this some ability of hers?
The young man takes a deep breath before explaining.
"Back there… that thing, it—" Yukio paused, his voice trembling slightly. "It showed me her… That girl. She looked like someone I… someone I couldn't save."
Asuka's eyes widened.
"Yukio…"
The brunette girl watched Yukio carefully as he lowered his gaze to the ground again. A long silence lingered between them before he spoke, his voice tinged with pain.
"You remember what I said about the Serpent Tragedy, don't you?" He began, his tone low and almost hollow.
Asuka nodded, her expression somber.
"Of course. It's the incident that harmed you and Hanamura-san's brother."
Yukio's fists clenched, his knuckles turning white.
"I still have nightmares about my time there, Asuka. Captured, thrown into that hell they called Yami Shibai. I was just a kid, like all the others… and she…" He paused, swallowing hard as he tried to steady his voice.
"She was the first real friend I made in that hell. Just like me, she was a prisoner." He closed his eyes, his breath shaky.
(Flashback)
Yami Shibai - Serpent Society's Headquarters
The scene shifts to a dimly lit dungeon, deep within the foreboding castle headquarters of the Serpent Society.
A cold, oppressive atmosphere hangs over the place, illuminated only by the flickering flames of sparse torches mounted on the walls.
Inside one of the cramped, damp prison cells, a younger Yukio sat shackled in chains. His body was small and frail, clothed in tattered white garments that had long since lost their brightness. His face bore an empty expression, eyes hollow, as though his soul was drained by the despair surrounding him.
All around the cell, his fellow prisoners—children just like him—were scattered. Their ages ranged from six to ten, but their youthful innocence had been robbed.
Cries of anguish echoed through the dungeon.
"Mommy… Daddy… please save me!" wailed a boy, clutching his knees as tears streamed down his cheeks.
"I wanna go home!" sobbed a girl, her voice hoarse and trembling.
"Please… someone help us…" whispered another, their voice fading into despair.
Some children were too broken to cry, their faces devoid of emotion as they sat in silence, staring at nothing. Others hugged one another in a desperate attempt to find comfort in the unrelenting darkness.
The sound of heavy footsteps reverberated down the corridor. The children flinched, fear flashing in their eyes as they scrambled to retreat to the farthest corners of their cells. A Dustard guard—a towering figure clad in black armor, with glowing red eyes peering out from its helmet—approached Yukio's cell.
The clinking of its metal boots against the stone floor was a sound all the prisoners had come to dread.
The Dustard carried a tray with a single piece of stale bread. It tossed the food through the iron bars, landing it near Yukio's feet with a dull thud.
"Eat, worm. You earned it," the guard sneered in a guttural voice, its tone dripping with contempt.
Yukio stared at the bread for a moment before slowly picking it up. His hands were trembling—not out of fear, but weakness. The bread was hard and dry, barely enough to sustain him, yet it was a luxury compared to what most of the other children received.
As he took a small bite, he glanced around at the others. Some kids, their stomachs growling audibly, watched him with envious eyes. The unlucky ones—those who hadn't been "useful" enough to the Serpent Society—were left to starve.
One boy, gaunt and pale, crawled to the bars of his cell.
"Please… I haven't eaten in days…" he murmured weakly, his voice barely audible.
The Dustard guard noticed him and growled.
"Back away, brat!" It raised its whip and lashed the boy through the bars.
*Crack!*
The boy cried out in pain, collapsing onto the cold, stone floor. None of the other children dared to move or speak; they knew what would happen if they did.
Yukio clenched his fists, his body shaking with a mix of anger and helplessness. He hated the guards. He hated the Serpent Society. But more than anything, he hated himself—for being one of the few who got to eat, while others suffered and starved.
A sudden sound broke his thoughts: the heavy creak of an iron door opening at the far end of the dungeon. Two more Dustard guards entered, their evil eyes scanning the cells.
"Time for the next batch," one of them said gruffly.
The children shrank back in terror as the guards began unlocking random cells. They dragged several children out, ignoring their screams and pleas.
"No! Don't take me! Please!"
"Let me go! I'll be good, I promise!"
"Mama! Help!"
Yukio watched in silence, his stomach twisting as the guards hauled the children away. He knew what happened to them. They were taken for experiments, rituals, or worse. Most never returned, and those who did were often broken in ways that couldn't be fixed.
He gritted his teeth, his nails digging into his palms. He wanted to fight back, to stop the cruelty—but he was just a child. What could he possibly do?
As the guards disappeared with their captives, the dungeon fell into an eerie silence once more. Yukio slumped against the wall of his cell, the bread still in his hand. He glanced at the crying children around him, at the ones too weak or broken to move.
But suddenly…
*Growl~!*
A faint rumbling sound broke the oppressive silence—a stomach growling?
He turned his head to see the girl chained next to him.
She looked worse than most of the other prisoners: bruised, battered, and barely able to sit upright. Her white ragged clothes barely clung to her frail frame, and her hands trembled against her chains. Her face was pale, her lips cracked, but her eyes held a quiet resilience.
She has short brown hair and eyes.
"..."
Yukio glanced down at the remaining half of the bread in his hand. For a moment, he hesitated. He needed this to survive—everyone here did. But the sight of her hollowed-out eyes and desperate expression gnawed at him.
With a reluctant sigh, he broke off half of what was left and tossed it toward her. The piece landed on the ground near her feet.
"Here," he muttered, looking away.
The girl's eyes widened as she saw the bread. Slowly, as if afraid it was a trick, she reached out and took it with her trembling hands. She brought it to her mouth, taking small, cautious bites at first.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she ate, her hunger momentarily sated.
"Thank you…" she whispered, her voice cracking. "Thank you so much…"
Yukio didn't respond, keeping his gaze fixed on the floor.
After a few moments of silence, the girl spoke again.
"What's your name?"
Yukio frowned, reluctant to engage.
"Why does it matter?"
"I just… I just want to know the name of the person who helped me," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of warmth that felt out of place in the desolate dungeon.
He sighed.
"Yukio," he finally muttered.
She smiled faintly, despite her battered condition.
"I'm Asuna. It's nice to meet you, Yukio."
He didn't respond, his expression remaining cold and distant.
But she didn't let the silence deter her.
"You know, I believe we're going to get out of here one day," she said, her tone light, as though she weren't chained in a dark, miserable cell.
Yukio scoffed, shooting her a sharp glare.
"You're stupid." he said bitterly. "No one escapes from here. They take us, they use us, and then they kill us. That's how it works."
Asuna's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Maybe… but if we give up now, they've already won."
Yukio clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.
"Hope won't save you. It's just another way to get hurt."
"I'd rather hold on to hope than give in to despair," Asuna replied gently. She shifted as much as her chains would allow, turning to face him fully. "And I think, deep down, you feel the same way. If you didn't, you wouldn't have shared your bread with me."
Yukio flinched at her words, his jaw tightening.
"I gave it to you because I didn't want to hear your stomach growling," he said defensively.
"Maybe," Asuna said with a knowing smile, "but I think you're kinder than you want to admit."
"Shut up." Yukio snapped, his voice rising slightly as he looked away from her.
Asuna fell silent, but the smile never left her face. Despite the dire circumstances, she seemed determined to connect with him, to break through the wall he'd built around himself.
For the rest of the night, Yukio tried to ignore her, but he couldn't shake the faint warmth that her presence brought—a tiny ember of hope in the cold darkness of their reality.
(Flashback ends)
"Asuna was the first real friend I made in that hell. Just like me, she was a prisoner." He closed his eyes, his breath shaky.
"At first, I thought she was a nuisance. But we soon started to look out for each other, she was the one who gave me hope back during those hellish days. She was brave, so much braver than me. Even when things got worse, she never gave up. She'd tell me stories, talk about the life she wanted to have when we got out of there. It kept me going."
Asuka's heart ached at his words.
"What happened to her?"
Yukio hesitated for a moment before answering, his voice barely above a whisper.
"She… That girl had this way of smiling, even when everything was falling apart. She believed we'd both make it out someday."
He leaned back against the bench, staring up at the faintly twinkling stars.
"But unlike me, she didn't get that chance. When I escaped… when I was rescued… she was still there. Still trapped. I thought maybe—maybe someone would save her too. But no one did."
Asuka's breath hitched.
"Yukio…"
"Out of the hundred kids the Serpent Society took, only six of us survived," he continued, his voice breaking. "Asuna wasn't one of them. Ninety-four lives were lost, Asuka. Ninety-four innocent kids. And Asuna… she was the ninety-fourth. She didn't make it."
The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. Yukio's shoulders slumped as though the memories themselves were crushing him.
"She… she trusted me," he said, his voice trembling. "And I left her behind. I escaped while she… she died alone. I'll never forget that. Never."
Asuka placed her hand on his arm, her grip firm but comforting.
"Yukio, you can't blame yourself for what happened. You were just a kid. You were a prisoner too. There was nothing you could've done."
"But I survived," The Rider said bitterly, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I survived, and she didn't. How is that fair? How can I live with that?"
Asuka's gaze softened.
"You live by honoring her memory. By fighting for those who can't fight for themselves. That's what she'd want, isn't it? For you to keep going?"
Yukio stared at her, her words striking something deep within him. His expression wavered, a mix of guilt and sorrow, but also a flicker of resolve.
"I… I don't know if I can ever make up for what happened," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "But maybe… maybe I can try."
Asuka nodded, a gentle smile on her face.
"You're already trying, Yukio. Every time you stand up and fight, every time you protect someone from the Serpent Society, you're honoring her. You're making sure no one else has to go through what she did."
The ravenette looked away, his hands unclenching as he exhaled slowly.
"Thanks, Asuka. I… I'll do my best. For her."
"I know you will," Asuka said warmly.
But the two were not done talking…
Yukio still sat on the bench, his hands clenched into fists as he stared ahead, the dim light of the streetlamp casting shadows across his face. Asuka, seated beside him, was watching him carefully, her concern deepening with each passing moment.
"The Majin's ability… it used Asuna against me," The Rider said finally, his voice low and bitter. "It made me hesitate. I won't let that happen again. Now that I know it was just a trick—a twisted, cruel imitation—I won't fall for it."
His fists tightened further, his knuckles whitening.
"And for daring to use her memory against me… I'll make it pay. I'll make them all pay."
As he spoke, a strange change came over him. His irises briefly glowed a deep, blood-red hue, and a dark, ominous aura began to seep out from his body, swirling faintly around him. Asuka gasped softly, her eyes widening as she instinctively recoiled slightly.
"Yukio…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
But the boy didn't seem to notice the transformation. His focus was entirely consumed by his anger, his voice growing colder, sharper.
"They have no right to invoke her image. No right to use what little light I had back then as a weapon against me."
"Yukio!"
Asuka's voice came more forcefully this time, breaking through his storm of thoughts.
He blinked and turned to look at her, confusion briefly crossing his face. He noticed the fear and concern in her eyes but couldn't understand why.
"Don't be like this," Asuka pleaded, her voice softer now, but no less urgent. "Please. Not like this. Don't fight with anger and hatred in your heart. It'll only consume you."
"Consume me?" He repeated, his tone defensive. "After everything they've done? After everything they've taken from me? How can you ask me not to want revenge?"
"I'm not saying you can't feel angry or sad," The kunoichi said gently. "But if you let those feelings control you, they'll turn you into something you're not. Something I know you don't want to be."
Yukio stared at her for a moment before sighing deeply, the weight of his emotions still heavy but no longer overwhelming. He looked down at his hands, his voice steady but subdued.
Yukio's gaze wavered as her words sank in. The faint red glow in his irises faded, and the dark aura dissipated like smoke caught in a breeze. His posture relaxed slightly, the tension in his shoulders easing.
"Asuka…" he began, his voice quieter now, almost uncertain.
She smiled at him, a gentle warmth in her expression that seemed to cut through the gloom.
"I told you, didn't I? You're not alone, Yukio. You don't have to carry this anger by yourself. We'll face the Serpent Society together. That's what friends do."
Yukio stared at her for a moment before sighing deeply, the weight of his emotions still heavy but no longer overwhelming. He looked down at his hands, his voice steady but subdued.
"Alright." He simply says.
"You deserve to heal, Yukio. And I'll be here to help you every step of the way." The brunette assured him.
Asuka noticed Yukio's trembling hands and gently placed her own over them. The warmth of her touch seemed to ground him, pulling him out of the dark spiral he had been caught in. Yukio looked at her, his stormy eyes softening as the tension in his shoulders eased.
"Asuka…" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
She gave him a reassuring smile.
"We'll get through this together, Yukio."
"Oh, is that so?"
Just as the heavy atmosphere between them began to lift, an unsettling sound filled the air—a low, distorted chuckle that seemed to echo from every direction. The temperature dropped suddenly, and the dim light from the streetlamp flickered ominously.
Yukio and Asuka shot to their feet, their senses on high alert. In front of them, the space began to ripple and distort, as if reality itself were bending under some unnatural force.
From the center of the distortion, the Majin Guran Gyo-tori emerged, its monstrous form illuminated by the flickering streetlamp. Its glowing red eyes locked onto the pair with a predatory gleam, and its grotesque lure now flickered between its monstrous shape and Asuna's visage, her tearful expression mocking Yukio's resolve.
"Did you think I'd let you rest?" the Majin sneered, its voice a chilling mixture of Asuna's voice and its own guttural tone. "You should have known I'd come back for round two, Kamenr Rider!"
Yukio's fists clenched, and his jaw tightened as he stepped in front of Asuka protectively. The faint glow of anger flickered in his eyes, but Asuka's calming touch earlier seemed to have tempered it.
"You made a mistake coming back," Yukio said coldly, his voice steady but filled with determination. "This time, I'm ready for you."
The Majin laughed mockingly, its lure transforming fully into Asuna again.
"Are you sure, Yukio? Are you sure you won't hesitate again when you see this face?" it taunted, taking a step closer.
"Damn you! I won't fall for your tricks anymore!" The young man shouted, stepping forward, as he manifested his Driver.
Asuka grabbed his arm.
"Yukio, be careful! It wants to provoke you again."
Yukio nodded, glancing back at her briefly.
"I know. But this time, I'll end it."
Asuka was standing by his side. And despite the fear creeping into her heart, she refused to let it show. She wouldn't leave Yukio to face this monster alone.
The Majin lunged toward them, its claws glinting menacingly under the faint light. Yukio placed his Driver on his waist and activated it, the transformation sequence beginning.
"Shinobi Tenshin!"
"Henshin!"
The Majin stepped forward, its grotesque form towering over the two. Its glowing eyes narrowed, and a twisted grin stretched across its monstrous face.
"So, we meet again, Kamui Yukio." the Majin sneered, its voice dripping with malice. "It took me a while to recognize you, but now it's all clear."
Shinobi stiffened, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
"What are you talking about?" he demanded, his voice sharp with suspicion and rising anger.
The dark creature let out a low, guttural laugh that echoed through the empty park.
"Oh, how deliciously ironic. But I suppose it would make sense that you wouldn't remember things properly. After all, it's been 10 years since we first met?"
Asuka narrowed her eyes on this.
"10 years?" She repeated as her eyes suddenly widened in realization. "Wait! Are you…!?"
"Yes! I was the one who snatched Kamui Yukio away from his safe, little world all those years ago. He was just another nameless brat for the Serpent Society's experiments. But now… now, you've grown up and become a thorn in our side. How poetic."
Asuka's gasped in shock, and she instinctively took a step closer to the Ninja Kamen Rider, her hand brushing against his arm.
"Yukio… is he telling the truth?"
Shinobi's breath hitched, and his mind reeled.
"Urgh! My head…!"
A searing pain suddenly pierced through his head like a bolt of lightning. He staggered mid-step, clutching his helmet with both hands. His vision blurred, and the world around him seemed to warp and twist.
Memories of that fateful day began to surface—blurred images of a dark figure snatching a young Yukio from his home, dragging him into the suffocating darkness of the Serpent Society's lair.
"It… it can't be," The Rider murmured, his voice trembling. "So you were the one who—"
"Brought you to Yami Shibai? Oh, yes," Guran Gyo-tori interrupted, its voice oozing with sadistic glee. "You were such a feisty little one, always trying to resist. But even your spirit was no match for the horrors of that place, was it?"
Asuka gasped, her heart breaking for Yukio. She looked up at him and saw the storm of emotions swirling in his eyes—rage, pain, and a deep sense of despair.
"You…" Shinobi growled, his voice low and dangerous.
His irises flickered blood red again as the helmet's visor changed from yellow to crimson, and that dark aura began to seep from his body, swirling like a menacing shadow.
"You're the reason my life became a living hell. You're the one who destroyed everything I had!"
The Majin chuckled, unfazed by Yukio's growing fury.
"That's right, boy. And now, I'll destroy what little you have left. The Serpent Society never forgets its subjects… or its enemies."
"Yukio, don't let him get to you!" Asuka pleaded, grabbing his arm tightly. "He wants you to lose control!"
Shinobi shook her off, his focus solely on the Majin.
"I don't care! He'll pay for everything he's done! I'm gonna kill him!"
But before he could charge, Asuka stepped in front of him, her eyes filled with desperation.
"Yukio, please! Don't let your anger consume you. You're stronger than this!"
Her words reached him, cutting through the haze of his rage. His breathing slowed, and the dark aura around him began to dissipate. His eyes returned to their normal color, though they still burned with intensity.
Guran Gyo-tori tilted its head, as if amused by the scene.
"How touching. But it won't save you."
Shinobi took a deep breath, regaining his composure. He placed a hand on Asuka's shoulder and gently moved her aside.
"Stay back, Asuka. He's mine!"
Asuka shook her head, her eyes filled with worry.
"No way! I'm fighting with you, Yukio!"
"Fine…!" The Rider reluctantly agrees, not wanting to get into an argument with the kunoichi in the middle of a battle.
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 16: Shadows of the Past
- End -
Author Notes:
Thank you for reading!
I've been quite busy lately due to college and work, making it really challenging to write my stories because of that.
Anyway...
I was inspired to create Kamen Rider Shinobi's new form after seeing the Gurucan form of Kamen Rider Gavv. The idea that the earth-element form needed to be associated with something large, bulky and sturdy came shortly after.
And Junpei finally gets into action as Kamen Rider Fuma. Aside from the ability to use the Energy Items, I will probably give him some of the other Rider Gashats, such as Bakusou Bike, for him to have access to a Rider Machine, and the Giri Giri Chambara one to let him use the Gashacon Sparrow.
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!
[No requests at the moment.]
Review Time!
Guest DCDGojira: Thanks! Glad you liked the chapter.
#2nd review: Sorry, I can't comment much on any of those things you mentioned in order to avoid giving possible spoilers.
Tenzalucard123: Not sure yet how I'm supposed to start developing the romance part between Yukio and Asuka. I might need some help with that later from someone.
BlazeBlade: I will have someone else become Hattari, I already have an idea in mind. Hope you liked the chapter.
JGResidentEvil: Yes, I'm aware. However, I admit I'm kinda too lazy to use the first game's whole content in this fic. I really want to focus more on what comes after it. This current first arc is kind of necessary to introduce the characters first and their respective roles before preparing them for what comes next.
Bia1230: Yes. Hope you liked the chapter.
yogaratw607: Thanks! Glad you liked the chapter.
Unfortunately, I'm currently not interested in making a crossover with Kamen Rider Saber. But I might watch Wistoria: Wand and Sword and Mashle for possible fanfic ideas.
Thank you for your suggestions, I will check the things you mentioned later and try to make use of them if possible.
dariuscrawford482: For now, I only have plans to make Hattari debut after I finish this current first arc of the story.
No, I'm currently only planning to focus on one pairing: Yukio and Asuka. Maybe you can send me suggestions once the other Ninja Riders appear in this story.
silverstudent: Ok, I will think about it.
Brolyk445v2: I might make use of Hurricanger elements in this story.
Nextinfinite50: No, that won't be the final form. But I do plan to maybe give Yukio an upgraded form that consists of the combination of the five elements first. And then another one that consists of combining the five elements with the attributes of light and darkness.
#2nd review: Yes, it's the same Pokémon in question. I already explained that I will make use of characters from other franchises as I write the chapters of my story.
#3rd review: Not really in the mood to try writing something involving these characters because I didn't watch any of their respective shows.
#4th review: I plan to make Hattari debut after I finish this current first arc.
DawnYugo: Thanks! Glad you liked the chapter.
No, all the mentioned Kamen Riders are not from their respective worlds/series. They will all be original characters that belong to this story's world.
#2nd review: That's certainly a cool concept. I might do that when I eventually make a crossover arc featuring Shinobi and Dark Drive.
FlameFireZero X: Yes, I have made a debut for Kamen Rider Shinobi's Ground form in this chapter.
I currently have no intention of shipping Hattari with one of the Senran Kagura girls. However, I might do that in the future.
ZZZccZZZ: That's an interesting suggestion. I might do that depending of how this story progresses.
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