DAKU HINOTORI
The Shadowy Entity unveils itself as Kosuke's mentor, Daku Hinotori.
Collapsing to the floor, Kosuke inquires of Daku about the circumstances that led to his current state.
Daku responds by stating that in his duel with Haru Yaskue, he utilized a method that combined spiritual and dark forces to trap him inside the shadows, effectively causing his essence to take on a shadowy form.
He also reveals that Itami had betrayed him prior to the onset of the war.
Kosuke emits a grunt and conveys to Daku that Itami has assumed the role of the New Grandmaster within Kuraymai, expressing his disdain for Itami and the Yaskue clan for their actions towards Daku.
This has fueled his resentment against the Land of Light and towards Itami.
KOSUKE REVENGE
Daku informs Kosuke that he has his permission to pursue his vendetta, concurring with that proposition, but he also has a critical task for him that entails his involvement to achieve his true dream.
Kosuke, displaying a look of astonishment, responds, "Is there a method for his return?" Daku, giving him a frosty gaze, answers, "Indeed, resurrection is feasible, but for this to occur, Your assistance will be necessary."
Kosuke asks what steps are necessary to bring Daku back to life.
Daku explains that during their journey across the shinobi world with Haru, before they reached the status of Grandmasters, they stumbled upon a scroll tied to a legendary tale involving an ancient shinobi from the Hotoke Clan, known as Odinsu Hotoke, also referred to as "The God of Wisdom".
He offered his life to a shadowy figure in exchange for wisdom and might, receiving in return a curse mark named "Havamal", which embodies the data, DNA, and soul of the one who initiates the curse. This gift of power, however, came at a cost.
Odinsu went to a tree symbolizing the cosmos's heart, the link between all life forms, and the survival, as it is fated to protect the last of humanity following Ragnarök.
There, he pierced his chest with a spear and suspended himself from the tree.
Kosuke inquired of Daku the location of a certain tree.
Daku responded that it is situated in the Land of Water, where one must journey to the Mountain of Tatsu to find the Tree of Odinsu.
He warned that not only is it off-limits, it also bears a forbidden seal, is encircled by traps laid by Odinsu, and is protected round-the-clock by Elite Class Shinobi.
Daku recommended to Kosuke that it's essential to form a team because the Dragon vessel contains a vast aura and possesses significant powers.
He indicated that there is a former ally nearby, known as Madasa, recognized for her impressive skills.
He cautioned Kosuke to avoid eye contact with her, as she possesses the power to turn individuals to stone
Kosuke was mind blow because of someone who possess such power.
In this process, revival comes to pass on the ninth day, imparting the sagacity of the serpent gods along with unlimited powers.
For this to occur, it's crucial to utilize the powers of both the Light Dragon and Dark Dragon, along with all the elemental Dragons.
Furthermore, this ritual must be carried out by either a dragon entity or someone who holds the Butsugan.
This must all be done while ensuring the complete structure, formatting, and content remain intact.
Kosuke reveals his awareness of Itami Hinotori's daughter, Kurai Hinotori, who has become the vessel for the Dark Dragon, and of Haru Yaskue's son, Inochi, who now embodies the Light Dragon.
Daku instructs Kosuke to complete his task and, until he comes back, to proceed over there and vanquish their enemies.
Kosuke acknowledges the orders, questioning Daku on his whereabouts during this time, to which Daku responds that he will be observing from the shadows.
Daku vanishes, and upon awakening, Kosuke opens his eyes, rises, and starts to walk, with shuriken whizzing by his face.
The Shadow Ops Shinobi encircle Kosuke, informing him that he must resign himself to his fate, which is death.
Kosuke flashes a smile and activates the seal, causing symbols to spread across his face and turning his right eye a crimson shade as a sinister aura envelops him.
POWER OF DARKNESS
The Shadow Ops Shinobi charge at Kosuke, who nimbly evades by using a body flicker technique, reemerging in the air with a dark class Bojo weapon in hand.
He plummets to the earth and launches an attack against each of the Shadow Ops shinobi, methodically overcoming them one after another.
Upon defeating the shinobi, Kosuke senses Daku's essence coursing through him.
Clenching his fist firmly, he emits a sinister laugh and exclaims with delight, "The power coursing through me is magnificent."
Kosuke starts to make his way back into Kurayami, heading towards the entrance.
Upon reaching it, Kosuke employs his skill to discreetly bypass the shadow ops shinobi as he proceeds to Itami's Home.
Kosuke arrives at Itami's Residence just as Hikari and Kurai are engaging in a game of tag outdoors.
By making his presence known, kosuke disrupts their playtime.
The shadow emblem on Kosuke's apparel catches Hikari's eye, yet it's the visible change caused by his curse mark that grabs her attention.
Starting to feel scared, Hikari instructs Kurai to stand behind her while she confronts Kosuke about who he is and the purpose of his visit.
Kosuke, with an icy stare, informs Hikari of his intentions to assassinate her and take her cherished younger sister captive.
Brandishing her kunai, Hikari experiences the awakening of her Kokkorogan for the first time, driven by her emotions and the desire to shield her sister.
She warns Kosuke, with a firm resolve, to refrain from harming Kurai.
Kosuke, sporting a wild grin, furiously surges forward, his aura intensifying as he dashes towards Hikari at full speed.
Just as she stands immobilized, Kosuke is abruptly propelled backward by a kick.
At that moment, Itami makes an entrance, having utilized his teleportation ability, and declares he sensed a familiar aura emanating from this vicinity.
Itami recognizes that it's Kosuke and inquires about the recent changes he's observed, specifically the curse mark Daku inflicted on him, noting the symbols surrounding his eyes and the alteration in his right eye's color, alongside questioning the sudden surge in his strength, pondering on Kosuke's nature, whether he remains human.
Kosuke, however, tells Itami that his concerns are misplaced, stating his intent to kill him and take his daughter captive.
Itami inquires of Kosuke what his intentions are concerning his daughter, to which Kosuke replies that he seeks the power contained within the dark dragon to accomplish his objectives.
When Itami probes further about his specific plans, Kosuke begins to grin, soon escalating into a malicious laugh.
Kosuke gazes into Itami's eyes with a chilling intensity, his disdain for him fueling a surge in his power level and causing his aura to increase impressively.
Itami is taken aback by fear upon realizing that Kosuke bears an uncanny resemblance to Daku Hinotori and that their aura are remarkably similar.
Kosuke acts in a spiteful manner, trying to unsettle Itami by commenting, "What's with that expression on your face, you are the Grandmaster."
Itami looks back with a visage filled with apprehension, his body starting to perspire and tremble, yet his commitment to his responsibilities means he refuses to yield to Kosuke.
Itami instructs Hikari to grab Kurai, escape, and seek refuge with the Shadow Ops ninja, ensuring they remain under their protection.
Hikari seizes Kurai and flees as Kurai cries out for her father.
Itami peeks, creating a gateway between dimensions and hurls a spear that travels through, emerging from another portal aiming at Kosuke.
Kosuke deflects the attack and swiftly moves aside, then rushes towards Itami, his Bojo colliding with Itami's sword.
Itami acknowledges that Kosuke's strength and agility have significantly improved as they exchange strikes with their weapons.
Itami executes a swing with his sword, while Kosuke retaliates by employing his bojo, pushing Itami backwards.
Recovering quickly, Itami readies himself in a combat stance.
Kosuke then forms a symbol, deploying a fire class technique skill that unleashes a vast, splendid blaze.
In response, Itami uses a water class technique to neutralize the attack.
Kosuke then brings his palms together, conjuring a massive serpent of a dark purple hue, with eyes of green and a menacing aura.
The serpent lunges towards Itami, who skillfully dodges, leaving the creature to wreak havoc on the village structures.
Seeing the chaos as an ideal moment and chooses not to continue with Itami because it would waist time on his mission, Kosuke decides to chase after Kurai, leaving Itami to contend with the snake.
Itami casts a look towards the serpent as he thrusts a spear into its central section.
He surveys the scene once more before creating a portal to the Space-Time Void, through which he transports the snake's form, ensuring its complete integrity, structure, and essence remain intact
Itami falls to his knees, clutching his eye, experiencing the side effects from his continuous use of his Kokkorogan.
This results in intense pain, leading to a severe migraine attacking his head.
Hikari and Kurai reach the Shadow Ops Shinobi, where Hikari reports that a ninja they once allied with attempted to abduct Kurai.
The Shadow Ops Shinobi request a description of this individual, and as she details the ninja, they realize it was Kosuke.
They then inquire about the location of the event, to which they respond it happened at their residence.
As Kosuke makes his appearance known, standing atop a rooftop and locking eyes with Kurai as she stares in fear, the Shadow Ops Shinobi, unleashes a elemental techniques directed at Kosuke.
Deftly dodging, Kosuke chuckles maliciously and remarks, "what do you think, that such a feeble attempt could actually kill me when you're all merely subpar shinobi? My strength has evolved to surpass that; allow me to show you and suggest that your Grandmaster come to your rescue."
Kosuke then conjures a massive orb of dark purple hue, encircled by violet lightning, and hurls it downward, aiming to annihilate them.
In an instant, a space-time portal intervenes, whisking away the destructive blast from the village, yet leaving its structure entirely intact.
Gasping laboriously, Itami fixes a chilling gaze on Kosuke, who grows agitated by Itami's persistent appearances, driven solely by his desire to apprehend Kurai.
As more Shadow Ops Shinobi materialize, Kosuke opts for withdrawal, using a rapid bodyflickering technique to escape planning a better strategy for the next time he appears.
Itami instructs the Shadow Ops Shinobi to relay to Lora that Kosuke has fled and that he will rendezvous with them there.
Subsequently, they, obeying his directives, depart, whilst the remaining shinobi escort Hikari and Kurai to a secure location.
When Hikari and Kurai share with Itami their fears, he reassures them that they are now in a safe place and will soon be reunited with their mother.
ITAMI AND LORA
Upon returning to the office, Lora exploded in fury, vehemently expressing her desire for Kosuke's demise, questioning his motives.
In response, Itami explained that during his confrontation with Kosuke, Kosuke had revealed his intention to seize his daughter and gain control over the dark dragon, the reasons for which were unclear to him.
PROBLEMS
Lora informs Itami that Kurai's power is the source of disturbances in the village, and as long as Kurai is present, Kosuke will perpetually return, searching for her and bringing turmoil.
Lora proposes confining Kurai in a cave, releasing her only during times of war due to her power.
Itami disagrees with this, asserting to Lora that he refuses to treat his daughter as a tool for conflict, insisting she is entitled to a tranquil existence.
Itami reaches a decision and informs Lora that Hikari and Kurai will reside in the Land of Light, safeguarded by the Grandmaster.
Lora responds, acknowledging that she understands it's a difficult decision for him, but emphasizes that for the well-being of Kurayami, he must fulfill his duty and carry out his responsibilities as the Grandmaster.
Itami comprehends this, so he delegates the task to the Shadow Ops Shinobi, ensuring that Hikari and Kurai are safely transported to the Land of Light.