In the north of the Cadia Riverlands there lies a thick forest within a canyon. All around is aesthetic beauty, yet with a harsh and dangerous air. Myriad waterfalls flow like lengths of white silk, the water resounding throughout the area as it's splashed high into the heavens. When the wind picks up, fog and cherry blossoms float in the air—this is the home of the ninja, the Scarlet Shadow.
Many years ago, the earliest disciple of the Cadia Riverlands defender known as the Great Dragon, arrived in Scarlet Shadow. He was a ninja master, and through his training achieved a great endurance allowing him to surpass the limitations of his physical form. Thus, he brought forth a special skill combining both physical and spiritual energies—ninjutsu. Those who followed under him also traveled to the canyon deep in the mountains, and there they built a village, naming themselves 'ninja'.
After the ninja master passed away, the ninjas of the Scarlet Shadow split into two factions on account of their differing understandings of ninjutsu: one became known as the Scarlet Sect and the other, the Shadow Sect. The former advocated using all kinds of ninja equipment, while the latter focused on intent study into ninjutsu itself.
is a ninja born into the Shadow Sect, second son of the Shadow Sect leader. He was sent to the Scarlet Sect head to study as their disciple, in an educational exchange between the two sects. They arranged for and to grow up together, and if all went well, for them to marry once grown. Together they would become both links between, and hostages held by, the Scarlet and Shadow...
When was sent to the Scarlet Sect, he had no idea that his family already had his life planned out for him. His father told him sternly: "From this day, you're a disciple to be raised by both the Scarlet and Shadow sects. You should be every bit as outstanding as your brother; as my son, you cannot afford to fall behind!"
The greatest leader of the ninja had always been known as the 'Akakage', and 's brother was widely considered to be in the running for the next strongest ninja, the next Akakage. To the young , the shadow cast by his brother was as great as a mountain and just as hard to climb out from. But he swore to himself: "I'll follow in my brother's footsteps!". To achieve this goal began training in earnest, and soon stood head and shoulders above the other disciples. This also placed a lot of competitive pressure on the proud .
From the first time beat in a trial competition, he gained himself a rival that would last the entirety of his childhood. would usually greet with a confrontational scowl, and on the eve of each full moon do her utmost to provoke a fight between them. started out a little tense, but soon gained self-confidence after a series of victories. Each of 's challenges all ended in defeat.
Whenever a day of rest rolled around, would always rush off home, as gazed on coldly. Whenever his father was away, would cause a racket and insist his brother take him mountain-climbing or fishing. He was usually completely fatigued having returned from a mission, however. Yet 's brother's heart was kind, and he'd always get together the strength to take him on a trip—and when would come to visit, she'd always tag along and cause mischief for them, too.
It was only with his brother that ever seemed like a carefree child. That was, until one day when they were on the road home and he told : "I need to head out. It may be a long time before you see me again..."
understood that you didn't question a ninja on their mission. He looked up at his brother's ever-present smile, and nodded.
And so the days passed, one by one. Days off came, and went, but saw no sign of his brother. He slowly grew used to living in a home now short a family member, grew used to being the big brother that would take care of . But deep in his heart, he'd always be yearning for his brother's return—"Come back!", he'd think; "Look how much I've grown. I'm getting almost as good as you are, now..."
One day, was suddenly summoned home. His father's face was haggard as he told : "Your brother's mission is now yours to bear. You are now my only son."...
It felt like his whole world was spinning, but became aware of a scandal in Scarlet Shadow: the first Akakage had used secret arts to create the Demon Pneuma, an existence created to act as a shadow-opponent for use in training. Yet it grew sentient, and devoured him; disaster followed. Eventually the Demon Pneuma was sealed away, yet a part of its conscious managed to escape, and it ended up assuming control over the ninja prodigy, —the Shadow of the time. became a demonic form of his prior self, stealing away Scarlet Shadow treasures and causing a massacre, then fleeing.
This betrayal of 's came to be a great shame of the Shadows. Countless ninja elites were ordered to eradicate this dangerous target yet each met with failure—and 's brother was the latest sacrificed to that end.
By this time, was already a teen. On the eve of the full moon each month, when the competition was held, he and would lie upon the tall rooftops together and gaze at the moon. Sometimes would shoot a glance at him, saying "I'll become the Scarlet leader". And would say, too: "I'll find that guy"—find that devilish , complete his brother's mission, and become the Akakage in his place!
The day of the coming-of-age ceremony just so happened to coincide with the full moon's eve. caught wind that had appeared beyond the Cadia Riverlands, and knew that it was time for him to bid Scarlet Shadow farewell...
As had become convention, this was the night that he and would test each other upon the rooftops. Yet it was her coming-of-age ceremony; would she come at all? Given she was a childhood friend, he felt he should give her his farewell...
With his bag packed, headed out with his emotions in turmoil. He hadn't walked more than a few steps when the heavy rain and fog suddenly stopped, blocked by a Seimei Umbrella. pressed close to him, saying ", I want to go with you, too!"
waved a finger at her—"Listen here! This isn't a game, I'm not heading out for fun!"
Just then, lit up by a blinding flash of lightning, caught sight of stumbling over. Her face was as white as a sheet. Without a second thought, he handed the sodden the umbrella, yet she walked past hurriedly as if she hadn't seen him at all. He could do naught but swallow the goodbye he'd prepared. It was on that night that bid his childhood farewell: "Goodbye, . Goodbye, Scarlet Shadow... I'll embark on my journey, forcing myself through the most grueling training, for I must become stronger than any of my line before me—! I will find you, and defeat you!
"I must become the Akakage!"
