HIERARCHY OF KURAYAMI
Following Kosuke's defeat, Itami escorts Kenji and Smoke into the Land Of The Shadows' Hierarchy.
Upon arriving, Itami taps on the door, which is then opened by Koba, a high-ranking official within the hierarchy, who welcomes Itami warmly.
Itami informs Koba that he has brought shinobi from the Land of Light bearing a message from the Grandmaster of Light.
Koba gazes at Smoke and Kenji, offering them an icy look.
Koba inquires of Itami whether these shinobi can be trusted to be brought inside, to which Itami assures Koba of Kenji and Smoke's reliability.
Koba then instructs them to enter, while Itami reminds Kenji and Smoke to show respect and follow the Hierarchy.
Kenji nods in agreement, but Smoke responds with an icy glare.
Kenji asks Smoke if he's okay, to which Smoke quickly retorts that he's alright.
Itami instructs Kenji that upon entering the room, he should be the one addressing the Hierarchy.
ENTERING THE SCENE
Itami guides them along the brick corridor, illuminated by wall-mounted fire torches.
Upon entry, they observe the 5-tier hierarchy of Kurayami seated and looking in their direction.
Upon entering, Koba ensures the door is secured, which then leads to the appearance of several ninja from hidden locations.
These ninjas, referred to as the Shadow Ops shinobi, are dressed in black garments and adorned with grey oni samurai armor, their faces obscured by ninja masks.
Upon noticing this, Smoke begins to form a hand sign, yet Kenji intervenes by seizing Smoke's wrist, advising calmness.
Both Kenji and Smoke, baffled, turn to Itami seeking explanations.
In response, Itami reassures them, indicating that the presence they observe is merely that of the Shadow Ops, a faction serving beneath the village's hierarchical structure, asserting that all is in order.
LORA OF KURAYAMI
Itami informs Lora, the apex of their societal structure, who has red hair and gold rings holding her hair in pigtails, that Wears a white robe that there's a communique from the Grandmaster of the Land of Light.
Lora prompts Kenj to come forward, present himself with a bow, and then divulge his identity and purpose.
As he steps forward, Kenji reveals to Lora the death of Haru Yaskue, which concluded the Dragon Conflict involving the Hinotori Clan and the Yaskue Clan.
Furthermore, Kenji discloses the ascension of a new Grandmaster for the Land of Light, identifying him as Shukumei Hotoke.
Shukumei intends to embrace the Will of Light by fostering peace across their nations while ensuring the preservation of their entire structure.
Lora observes and declares that Kenji is not telling the truth and that Haru Yaskue did not desire harmony between their countries.
Upon hearing this, Kenji wears an angry look and insists he is being truthful and not deceptive. Lora instructs Kenji and Smoke to exit the building, yet Kenji attempts to justify his righteousness.
ITAMI TESTIFIES
Lora raises her hands and the shadow ops shinobi draw their swords.
Itami turns on his Kokkorogan and tells the shadows ops shinobi to lower their weapons.
Lora says how dare Itami order them when she gave commands but Itami steps in and testifies that Kenji is not lying and he has spoken to Haru Yaskue before the Dragon War.
Itami stated that he is alive because of Haru Yaskue and that Haru has ended the war between the Hinotori and the Yaskue Clan.
HARU'S WORDS
Lora comments on Itami's belief in the genuine peace existing between their nations, mentioning that Itami had discussed with Haru their plans to alter the history of the Yaskue and Hinotori clans.
Itami shares his commitment to reviving his clan, noting his two daughters, Hikari and Kurai, a fact Haru was aware of before his demise.
Lora questions how the restoration of the Hinotori Clan might affect the revival of the Yaskue Clan, to which Itami reveals the existence of his son, Inochi Yaskue, the clan's sole surviving member.
Lora comprehends the scenario and informs Itami that he is an exceptionally smart shinobi from their Village and it's evident that he is earnestly striving for peace between their nations.
Lora lowers her hand and the Shadow Ops sheathe their blades.
Lora expresses her belief in Itami, acknowledging his honesty, and then requests Kenji to fetch the treaty.
Moving at a slow pace, Kenji approaches with the treaty and hands it to Lora.
After perusing the document, Lora instructs her assistant, a member of the ruling quintet, to pass her a pen.
Having signed the document, she then returns it to Kenji, who reciprocates with a bow, demonstrating his respect and veneration.
As Kenji and Smoke are about to depart, Lora interjects, insisting they stay momentarily as she has an additional message for them.
They turn their attention towards her just as she rises and approaches them.
Pausing, she declares, "Should the Land Of The Light fail to uphold this treaty, Haru's assurances will be deemed falsehoods.
PEACE AMONG NATIONS
Kenji and Smoke turn their gaze towards Lora, with Kenji inclining his head in respect before assuring Lora of his commitment to foster peace between their lands.
Gratefully, Lora responds to Kenji's gesture, acknowledging his generosity and remarking on the significant destiny that lies before him.
ITAMI THE GRANDMASTER OF DARKNESS
Kenji and Smoke exit as Koba holds the door open for them.
Following behind, Itami is halted by Lora, who expresses her desire to discuss an urgent matter with him.
With the door closed by Koba, Itami approaches and respectfully bows.
Lora reveals that since Daku Hinotori is no longer present to wield control over the village or pose a threat, she believes Itami should be appointed the new Grandmaster of the Shadows.
Visibly astonished, Itami lifts his head and inquires if Lora is earnest in her proposition.
The rest of the Hierarchy concurs, voicing their belief that he is indeed the ideal candidate for the role of the Kurayami, while ensuring the organization's holistic integrity is maintained.
BALANCE FOR SHINOBI
Lora inquires if Itami would be willing to accept the role, to which Itami agrees, vowing not to follow in Daku Hinotori's footsteps.
Instead, he commits to safeguarding the village and shaping a brighter future for Kurayami, also altering the legacy of their Clan.
Lora, along with everyone else, praises Itami for his decision and mentions they will organize a celebration in honor of his new role.
Then, Itami pauses to share a crucial piece of information with Lora.
As they give him their attention, Itami reveals that prior to Haru departing from the village, he had a discussion and then went on to confine the power of the Dark Dragon inside his daughter Kurai.
This act was to ensure she would maintain the balance of darkness in the ninja world while still upholding its entire framework.
Lora's inquiry was filled with danger due to her wielding such power; Itami noted that Haru had told him about seeing her destiny as a Ninja meant to embody the darkness within the Shinobi world.
JEALOUSY
Lora states her confidence in what Haru says is due to Itami and affirms her trust in him.
Itami then expresses his respect with a bow before departing.
Regrettably, merely three minutes after Itami's exit, Kosuke employs his powers to suddenly materialize next to Koba.
Upon seeing this, Koba demands to know Kosuke's intentions, yet Kosuke disregards him, continues forward, and gazes at Lora who is seated among the others.
At that moment, the Shadow Ops ninjas reveal their presence, and Lora inquires of Kosuke about his desires and the reasons for his presence.
Kosuke responds that he was eavesdropping and had been in the room throughout the entire discussion when they chose Itami as the Grandmaster of Darkness.
KOSUKE'S PATH
Kosuke declared that Daku Hinotori was his Grandmaster and he was destined to follow in the footsteps as the Second Grandmaster of Darkness.
Lora mentions she has already made up her mind and believes Itami is the right choice to take over the position.
Kosuke argues that he was the rightful candidate to become the Grandmaster instead of Itami, pointing out that his own daughter possessed the Dark Dragon, labeling the decision as foolish.
Lora warns Kosuke to depart or face imprisonment.
KOSUKE'S GOES ROGUE
Kosuke issues a warning, stating that unless he secures the position of the Grandmaster of Darkness, he will obliterate the Village, reconstruct it, and appoint himself as the Grandmaster.
Upon Lora's signal, a shadow ops ninja rushes towards Kosuke.
He leaps up, forms a seal, and unleashes a lightning bolt using a Lightning-class technique, aiming it straight ahead.
Swiftly, one of the shadow ops shinobi takes hold of Lora, and they dodge the assault, while another shinobi employs a Wind-class technique to neutralize the lightning strike.
Kosuke lands near the doorway and realizes he is greatly outnumbered by shinobi.
He swiftly opens the door, employs his invisibility technique, and escapes.
Lora commands the Shadow Ops shinobi to pursue Kosuke with orders for his execution and to notify Itami as well.
She instructs the other Shinobi to inform all the guards, ensuring they fortify and block every exit in the Village.