KURAI GOES HOME
Following the observation of the moonlit sky, Kenji escorts the rest, including Inochi, back to their residences, instructing everyone to present themselves at the dojo come morning.
Upon arriving home, as Hikari is opening the door, she exclaims "Big Sister," leaping into her arms for
Hikari expresses her admiration, telling Kurai she finds it incredible and expresses gratitude to Kenji for ensuring Kurai's safe return.
She advises Kurai to take a shower while she gets dinner ready.
Subsequently, Kurai acknowledges with a wave and bids "Kenji Sensei" goodbye until tomorrow, with Kenji offering a wave in return before he departs.
Kurai approaches the dining table and notices the sumptuous meal Hikari has prepared, commenting, "This looks incredible."
However, once Kurai completes her dinner, she informs Hikari of her intention to sit in the yard and gaze at the moon.
Hikari advises Kurai not to stay out too long as they both need to wake up early in the morning.
THE MOONLIGHT
Kurai finds herself standing in the yard, gazing at the stars scattered across the sky and looking at the moon, as the breeze picks up.
This moment prompts her to reflect on the time when Kenji queried her and her team about their dreams.
It leads her to ponder and question herself, initiating a deep introspection.
She begins to think of her mother and father, friends most importantly her sister, Hikari means everything to Kurai she is the candle that is lit in her life.
She begins to convince herself that she aspires to evolve into an exceptional Kunoichi, devoted to safeguarding those dear to her.
She starts reflecting on Inochi, his ambition, and his vow, allowing a smile to cross her face in solitude.
KURAI GETS CAPTURED
The breeze picks up, and verdant foliage starts to drift in the air, all because in the Land of Sakura,
Sakura trees are the only flora present.
Kurai begins to experience unease in her gut and makes the decision to head indoors.
RETALIATION
As Kurai spins around, she catches sight of Shinobi clad in red garments, donning black samurai armor and oni masks from the Land of Fire infiltrating the village.
In an effort to call out to Hikari for assistance, her attempt to scream is cut short as the unidentified shinobi swiftly capture her, initiating their escape.
The Delta Forces from Sakura's Village, serving the village's ruling class, do not know the shinobi quietly bypassing them to enter the forest of Sakura trees
One of the shinobi forces Kurai to the ground, eliciting a loud plea for help from her.
They then produce a roll of duct tape, sever a strip, and affix it over her mouth to silence her screams.
One of the shinobi secures her with a rope, placing her over his shoulder, and they start to move.
Kurai starts weeping, and the shinobi informs her that this is retaliation for a shinobi's death in their territory.
THE AFRO DRAGON
Regrettably, two shurikens were launched from a tree, striking two shinobi in the back of their necks, causing them to drop to the ground.
The remaining five shinobi cautiously surveyed their surroundings, when suddenly two hands emerged from the ground, seizing two of the shinobi and pulling them under.
Next, the swift motion of a sword was seen, cutting down two more shinobi who then fell.
The final shinobi, as he let Kurai slip from her grasp and hit the dirt face-first, staining her pajamas, demanded that the unseen assailant reveal themselves.
Suddenly, out of the darkness, a samurai with a dense afro hairstyle appears, his eyes burning with an intensity matching that of fire, and another individual whose face is marked with a design reminiscent of a dragon, gradually emerges from the shadows to make themselves known.
Kurai glances upward, though her sight is fogged, and the ninja reacts with terror, exclaiming "No way The afro dragon."
The Afro samurai then slowly unsheathes his blade and surges towards the ninja, cleaving him in two swiftly.
INOCHI SAVES KURAI
As Kurai's vision starts to clear, she lifts her gaze once more and sees Inochi standing by her side while she lies on the ground.
With his eyes shut and a smile on his face, Inochi assures her, "I said I promise I will always be here to protect and support you right?," causing Kurai's eyes to well up and tears to stream down her cheeks like a cascade as she starts to weep.
Tosuke then makes his presence known, saying, "We came to rescue you."
Inochi lifts her, and together, they sprint and leap from one tree to another, making their way back to the village, then proceed to the mountains, situating themselves by the Sakura tree under the bright moonlight.
Watching from afar, Tosuke observes as Kurai inquires of Inochi, "How did he know she was in distress?"
Inochi responds that his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of her and their recent discussions, which evoked a feeling in his stomach he couldn't quite describe, giving him the impression that she was in distress and signaling for help.
Inochi, who holds the Light Dragon, is oblivious to his capability to detect dragon aura because Kurai holds the Dark Dragon.
This intuition led him to believe she was planning to leave the village for some reason, prompting him to fetch Tosuke, and together they set out to her aid.
She emotionally questions why he would vow to find her and actually do so, well aware of the conflict that has transpired between their families, and considering she isn't native to Sakura, which positions her as an outsider.
INOCHI WORDS
Inochi conveyed that his adoptive father, Shukumei, had instilled in him the ideals of his biological father's vision of light and the eventual unity and peace it would bring to the shinobi world.
He emphasized that anyone within the village is considered part of their fold, thereby including her in their community, and most crucially, he expressed his deep fear of ever losing her.
KURAI FALLS IN LOVE
He starts to grin, and Kurai's tears begin to fall in greater volume as she gazes at Inochi and her Kokkorogan awakens for the first time off the deep emotion of feeling of love.
The emotional sensation stemming from her PTSD, linked to her abduction experience and the belief that she would not be rescued, coupled with the comfort of being saved and the assurance given to her that he would perpetually be by her side, ignited a mental response.
This response generated an aura that enveloped her brain, leading to the activation of the Kokkorogan.
For the first time, she experiences an outpouring of emotion, finally comprehending her feelings for Inochi.
She feels as though she has known him all along, recognizing the origin of her deep affection for him.
She has become smitten with Inochi and made the choice that he was the person she desired to spend eternity with, hence she believes she has discovered her dream boy, Inochi Yaskue.
KURAI'S DREAM
She ultimately convinces herself that she aspires to stay with Inochi eternally and safeguard him, as well as her friends and sister.
Inochi brought his face near to Kurai, studying her eyes and noticing the Kokkorogan, he was taken aback and started to mention her eyes, but Tosuke interrupted him.
Tosuke grins, observing the loving bond between Inochi and Kurai.
He mentions that it's time they returned home lest their parents start to worry.
Before their departure, Inochi inquired about the reason the shinobi had attempted to seize her.
Kurai responded that one of the shinobi claimed the act was in retribution for the slaying of a shinobi from their territory.
Inochi and Tosuke then accompany Kurai back to her place, saying goodbye with promises to meet again tomorrow.
Kurai reenters the house, and Hikari notices her pajamas are soiled.
She questions Kurai on her prolonged absence and the state of her attire, emphasizing that she ought to have been in bed.
Kurai explains to Hikari that she stumbled in the soil outside.
Hikari cautions her to be more careful and proceeds to prepare a bath for Kurai.
As Kurai is being bathed, she shares with Hikari her thoughts on Inochi, mentioning how caring and kind he is towards her and how he has fulfilled his promise.
Hikari then observes Kurai has affections for Inochi and remarks, "oh so you have a liking for Inochi." Kurai responds with a blush and admits, yes, he evokes a sense of familiarity and comfort in her as if she already knows him.
Hikari expresses her joy for Kurai, mentioning her desire to meet Inochi.
Kurai hesitantly refuses, citing her embarrassment.
Hikari chuckles, reassuring her that everything will be fine.
She then notes that it's getting late and time to sleep because they have an important day ahead.
As they prepare for bed, they soon drift off to sleep.
The following morning, Inochi awakens and proceeds to brush his teeth.
Shukumei, having risen early, greets Inochi with a "good morning," while Hamari, who is preparing breakfast, instructs Inochi to hasten his meal so he can arrive at the dojo on time.
After finishing his teeth cleaning, Inochi dresses up and starts to devour pancakes for his breakfast.
SHUKUMEI'S CAUTION
Shukumei watches Inochi intently through his Butsugan, detecting an oddity.
He then questions Inochi with a haunting intensity in his gaze, "Did anything unusual occur last night?"
Inochi starts to perspire, realizing he can't deceive, and discloses to Shukumei the reality that a shinobi attempted to abduct Kurai and he intervened to save her alongside Tosuke.
Shukumei emits a grunt, and Hamari questions Inochi on his reasoning for engaging in such perilous activities without informing an adult.
Inochi mentioned he encountered someone and made a commitment to his friend Kurai, promising to always stand by her side through anything, no matter what.
He expressed a peculiar sense that he's somehow familiar with her from before and also admitted his affection for her.
Shukumei informs Inochi that his actions were incorrect and that he should have notified an adult because the situation could have unfolded differently.
However, he recognizes the sincerity in Inochi's words and understands that he mirrors his father, always ensuring to uphold his commitments without fail.
Shukumei begins to grin and expresses to Inochi his pride, mentioning that he is advancing quickly for his young age and is evolving into an excellent shinobi.
Inochi grins and expresses his gratitude to Shukumei for finishing the pancakes.
After expressing his appreciation, he mentions to Inochi his desire to visit the Sakura forest following their time at the Dojo.
In response, Inochi gives a respectful bow.
Suddenly, there's a knock on the door. Hamari opens it, and Tosuke inquires about Inochi's presence.
Hamari informs Inochi that Tosuke is here for him, and they are both ready to make their way to the academy overseen by Tosuke.
They exchange a fist bump as they prepare to depart.
However, just as they are about to leave, Shukumei pauses to inquire from Inochi what emblem these shinobi bore and whether they disclosed their intentions.
Inochi revealed that the ninja hailed from the Land of Fire and informed Kurai that they arrived to avenge the demise of a Land of Fire ninja.
Shukumei voices his surprise and gratitude towards Inochi, vowing to further investigate the issue before quickly making his way to the academy.
In the meantime, as they get ready, Rai is present in the Dojo, and upon dropping off Kurai, Hikari encounters Inochi and her teammates.
INOCHI MEETS HIKARI
She gazes at Inochi, smiling, and remarks, "You must be my sister's boyfriend, Inochi, correct?" In response, Inochi colors with surprise and stammers, "Wait, it's not what it seems; we're merely friends, I assure you," in a flustered manner.
Hikari gently shuts her eyes, emitting a chuckle as she expresses to Inochi that he is an ideal match for her sister, informing him of the immense joy he brings to Kurai.
In response, Kurai's cheeks redden with mortification; she tightens her grip on Hikari's attire, imploring her to cease.
Hikari chuckles and requests Inochi to swear he will always keep her joyful and never make her shed a tear.
Seeing Hikari's brightness, Inochi swears to her.
INOCHI PROMISE TO HIKARI
She then embraces Kurai, promising to come for her after her training.