7. Past of the ninjas

"We're almost there." Says Hayabusa as we walk through the jungle.

After a long walk, we reached a place where it looks like a perfect place to camp.

I see a slim, average heightened figure, standing in front of us, with long white hair, fair skin, and a cheerful look on her face. Somewhere in her late teens. She is wearing aquamarine sleeveless skirt kimono with detached sleeves, white tabi with geta sandals, and a light blue crown without any decorations but having an embedded blue stone inside. Also she's holding an umbrella with yin yang design on the canopy of it.

"You're back!"

"Kagura, what's the situation?"

"It's safe here. Oh? Who's this?"

"He's Lucifer, he met an accident and came to Land of dawn from the other realm"

"I'm Kagura! Nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you too"

It was starting to get dark, so we made two log benches before sunset and set a campfire between two benches. Then we grilled fishes on it which Hayabusa caught earlier. After eating we talked about the current situation of this world, seems like Land of Dawn is in a huge danger as well.

After a while, they gave me a tent, we built our tents and went to sleep.

I woke up after a few hours, couldn't sleep anymore so decided to walk around a bit.

As I got out of my tent I saw someone sitting near the river. I get closer to see who it is, it was Kagura, maybe she's having trouble sleeping as well.

"Can't sleep?" She asked as I was going back.

"Yeah" I replied.

"Come over here! This river is beautiful"

I did as she said, "indeed it does, the moonlight makes it better"

"Yup"

"Are you a ninja? Because you don't look like one" I ask.

"Ahaha.. I'm not a ninja, but I'm a mage!"

"Woah that's cool, what kind of spells are you specialized in?"

"Hmmm, it's not exactly spells. It's my umbrella,

Seimei umbrella. It is said that the umbrella had been sealed with a hundred ghost of the power of refining, have their own wisdom and life, only by the owner's drive and control. I can harness the power of the Seimei Umbrella - a divine artifact - to control the spirits trapped within it."

"That sounds amazing, you must be a really powerful mage!"

"Not really, hope there will be a time to use my powers."

"I'll be looking forward to it."

"Do you know about Hayabusa's mission?"

"Nope, he did told me about the mission but I don't know the details"

"Do you want to know about it?"

"I'd love to"

"It's a long story"

"Don't worry, I'm a good listener"

"Okay then"

"Many years ago, the god of the very first ninjas created the Order of the Scarlet Shadow, formed of countless outstanding disciples. Over time, beliefs within the order diverged, and the Scarlet Shadow split into two factions -- the Scarlet Sect and the Shadow Sect. Conflict between the two sects gradually intensified, even to the point of drawing swords on one another. In order to avoid bloodshed, the two sects decided that every ten years they would select the best Scarlet ninja and the best Shadow ninja to duel. The winner would inherit the title "Scarlet Shadow Grandmaster", under whom the two sects would study according to the ninja code left behind by their god. Ten years ago, a Shadow emerged possessing the kind of exceptional ability one sees only once in a hundred years. Even the Scarlet sect recognized his talent, but as they anticipated the day this Shadow would inherit the Scarlet Shadow title to unite the two sects and resurrect the glory of the Order of the Scarlet Shadow, heinous events transpired that would change the ninja world forever."

Kagura takes a small pause, and continuing again.

"About that heinous event, long ago, the House of Akakage, also known as scarlet shadow. Was hailed as the Gods of Ninja Arts. For generations, the Akakages researched and taught advanced ninjutsu. In order to achieve the pinnacle of ninja arts, the Akakages used a forbidden ninjutsu to rid their hearts of evil, anger, and greed by condensing them into a demon called Hanekage. No one expected that Hanekage would have consciousness despite lurking within their bodies."

"When the legendary One Hundred Ghosts attacked the House of Akakage, the demon within them merged the ghosts to become a single entity. Thus began a bloody feud between the Akakage and the powerful demon. Hanekage. At a grave cost, the Akakage used the ninjustu, Blood Shadow, to temporarily seal the demon. In order to permanently seal Hanekage, the Akakages used their sacred tools to create a legendary sword, known as Ame no Habakiri. Not long after, the forefathers of the Akakage perished from the world. Their grieving disciples hid Ame no Habakiri in an unknown place that only member of the Akakage family could reach. Little did the Akakage know, the cunning Goddess of Death, Izanami, observed these events and secretly inserted a art of her soul in one of their progency to one day resurrect Hanekage."

"After many generations, the House of Akakage was divided into the Scarlet and Shadow factions. The Shadow Faction gave birth to the strongest Akakage the clan has even seen — Hanzo. As one would expect, Hanzo became the head of the Shadow Faction."

"However, one day, Hanzo's team discovered his secret. All this time, Hanzo secretly fused Hanekage's power with his own body, feeding the demon with blood of his enemies. When confronted by the Akakage's Crimson Faction, Hanzo killed them all in cold blood. Absorbing the blood of such powerful people, Hanekage regained consciousness once again."

"Hanekage told Hanzo that his noble clan hid the powerful Ame no Habakiri, as well as sacred ninjustu, in a secret location only the Akakage could reach. The power-hungry Hanzo abused his blood right to acquire the forbidden ninjustu and the fabled sword, Ame no Habakiri. The remaining members of the Akakage furiously chased after the clan's traitor."

"Emboldened by the power of the Hanekage, Hanzo used his own clan's sword against them and tore the powerful energy from their flesh. Desperate, the two Akakage factions came together once again to take on Hanzo as one. Heavily wounded, the final members of the noble House of Akakage could only watch Hanzo escape."

"Hanzo secretly takes refuge recovers from his injuries. Night and day, Hanzo practiced the Akakage's forbidden ninjutsu with Ame no Habakiri. After a decade, Hanzo could not achieve the pinnacle of ninjutsu like his forefathers. Hanekage consumed the flesh and blood of fallen ninjas and transformed into a magical armor for Hanzo. Hanekage struck a deal with Hanzo. In exchange for feeding Hanekage more blood, the powerful demon will help Hanzo reach the pinnacle of ninjutsu. Possessing the ability to reach the pinnacle of ninjutsu and the Ame no Habakiri, Hanzo brought a blood bathe to the world."

"Betraying one's companions is the most unforgivable sin among ninjas, and the infuriated ninjas of the two sects decided to take action. They sent the foremost elite ninjas from the two sects to encircle the Shadow. The ensuing battle was the most chaotic in the Scarlet Shadow's history. The two groups of elite ninjas were all slain, and the injured Shadow fled the Scarlet Shadow with his life. This battle greatly weakened the sects, bringing shame to them both, and cracks between the factions emerged once again. In the end, the two sects agreed that whoever found and killed the disgraced Shadow would become the Scarlet Shadow Grandmaster. The patriarch of the Shadow Sect selected the young Hayabusa to undergo training to this end, teaching him the secret methods of shadow manipulation without reservation, and as fate predicted, ten years later he became the strongest ninja the Shadow Sect had ever seen, and their new rightful Shadow. However, Hayabusa knew in his heart that his only purpose was to kill the former Shadow. When the former shadow re-emerged in the Land of Dawn, Hayabusa knew that the day of reckoning was not far off..."

"That's it! Sorry for making it too long"

"I like stories so it's all good! Also it was really interesting. And now I see Hayabusa in a whole new light, hope I won't be a drag."

"Glad you liked it, Don't worry you won't be!"

"Thank you"

"I'll be going back to tent now, good night!"

"Good night"