DAKU HINOTORI REVEALED
Within the depths of his own consciousness, Kosuke stood in a void of endless darkness, his breathing unsteady as the shadowy figure before him slowly took shape.
The figure's presence was overwhelming—ancient, suffocating, and undeniably powerful.
"I am your master…"
A pause echoed through the void.
"Daku Hinotori."
Kosuke's eyes widened in disbelief as his body dropped to one knee.
"…Master…?"
His voice trembled.
"How are you… alive?"
Daku's form flickered like living darkness, his aura pulsating with a sinister calm.
"In my final battle with Haru Yaskue," Daku began, his voice deep and echoing, "I used a forbidden method one that fuses spiritual energy with the very essence of darkness."
His glowing eyes locked onto Kosuke.
"I bound my soul to the shadows themselves… preserving my existence beyond death."
Kosuke clenched his fists tightly, rage beginning to boil within him.
"And Itami…" he muttered.
"He betrayed you."
Daku remained silent, but his gaze alone confirmed the truth.
Kosuke's anger intensified.
"Itami has taken your place… as Grandmaster of Kurayami."
His aura flared violently.
"I refuse to accept that."
KOSUKE VOW OF REVENGE
Daku observed him carefully, a faint smirk forming.
"Good."
Kosuke looked up sharply.
"I grant you permission to pursue your vengeance," Daku said coldly. "But understand—revenge alone is not enough."
Kosuke's expression shifted, curiosity mixing with rage.
"…There's more?"
Daku stepped forward, his presence growing heavier.
"There is a greater purpose… one that will reshape this world."
Kosuke's eyes narrowed.
"…You mean… there's a way to bring you back?"
Daku's gaze turned icy.
"Yes."
"Resurrection… is possible."
Kosuke rose to his feet, his heart pounding.
"Tell me what I must do."
THE LEGEND OF ODINSU HOTOKE
Daku raised his hand, and the darkness around them shifted into visions of the past.
"Before Haru and I became Grandmasters," Daku began, "we discovered a forbidden scroll."
The air shimmered, revealing ancient runes and forgotten symbols.
"It spoke of a shinobi from the Hotoke Clan… known as Odinsu Hotoke—the God of Wisdom."
Kosuke watched as the vision unfolded.
"Odinsu sought power beyond human limits," Daku continued. "He offered his life to a shadow entity in exchange for knowledge and strength."
Kosuke's brow furrowed.
"And what did he receive?"
"A curse," Daku replied. "A mark known as Havamal."
The vision zoomed in on a glowing symbol etched into Odinsu's body.
"This mark contains everything—memory, DNA, and soul. It is not merely power… it is existence itself."
The scene shifted again.
Before them stood a massive, ancient tree its roots stretching endlessly into the void, its branches touching the heavens.
"The Tree of Odinsu," Daku said. "The axis of life… the bridge between all realms."
Kosuke watched in silence as Daku tells him Odinsu drove a spear through his chest and suspended himself from the tree.
"For nine days, he endured suffering beyond comprehension," Daku continued.
"And on the ninth day… he was reborn."
Kosuke's eyes widened.
With the wisdom of gods… and power without limit."
THE PATH TO RESURRECT
Kosuke turned back toward Daku.
"Where is this tree?"
"The Land of Water," Daku replied. "At the peak of the Mountain of Tatsu."
His tone darkened.
"But reaching it is nearly impossible."
"It is sealed… protected by ancient traps… and guarded by elite shinobi at all times."
Kosuke smirked, confidence returning.
"Then I'll crush anyone who stands in my way."
Daku shook his head.
"Brute strength alone will not be enough."
Kosuke paused.
"…What else do I need?"
Daku's eyes glowed brighter.
"To revive me, you must gather power beyond imagination."
"The Light Dragon… the Dark Dragon… and all elemental dragon forces."
Kosuke's mind raced.
"Inochi Yaskue…" he muttered. "The Light Dragon…"
"And Kurai Hinotori…" Daku added. "The vessel of the Dark Dragon."
Kosuke smiled darkly.
"So it begins…"
Daku stepped closer.
"The ritual must be performed by either a dragon… or one who possesses the Butsugan."
Kosuke clenched his fist.
"Then I'll take everything I need."
THE CURSE AWAKENS
The void began to collapse as Daku's form faded.
"Complete your task," Daku said. "Until then… I will watch from the shadows."
In an instant, Kosuke awoke.
His eyes snapped open as reality returned.
The forest surrounded him once more.
Suddenly…
SHING!
Shuriken flew past his face.
Shadow Ops shinobi surrounded him from all directions.
"Your escape ends here," one of them declared.
Kosuke slowly stood up, a twisted smile forming on his face.
"…You're too late."
He activated the curse mark.
Dark symbols spread across his face like living ink, and both his eyes turned a deep crimson.
A sinister aura erupted from his body.
POWER OF DARKNESS
The Shadow Ops charged.
But Kosuke vanished.
In an instant, he reappeared mid-air, wielding a dark-class bo staff infused with shadow energy.
He descended like a storm.
One by one, the Shadow Ops shinobi fell.
Their attacks were effortlessly dodged, their defenses shattered.
Kosuke moved like a phantom unseen, unstoppable.
Within moments, the battlefield fell silent.
Kosuke stood alone among the defeated.
He clenched his fist, feeling the overwhelming power surging through him.
"…This power…"
He laughed.
"It's incredible."
RETURN TO KURAYAMI
Using his enhanced abilities, Kosuke slipped back into Kurayami Village undetected.
Like a shadow among shadows, he bypassed guards and surveillance with ease.
His destination was clear.
ITAMI RESIDENCE
The Target: Kurai
Outside the home, Hikari and Kurai played innocently, their laughter echoing through the air.
Then Kosuke appeared.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Hikari's eyes locked onto him, her expression tightening.
The curse mark… the aura… the intent…
Danger.
She stepped in front of Kurai.
"Stay behind me," she whispered.
Kosuke stared at them coldly.
"I've come for two things," he said.
"Hikari… your life."
"And Kurai… your power."
Fear gripped Kurai as she clung to her sister.
Hikari drew her kunai, her determination igniting something within her.
Her eyes changed.
The Ultra Kokkorogan awakened.
"Don't come any closer," she warned.
Kosuke grinned.
Then vanished Reappearing instantly as he lunged forward at full speed.
Hikari froze…
But suddenly…
BOOM!
Kosuke was sent flying backward.
ITAMI ARRIVES
A figure stood between them.
Itami.
" sensed your aura…" he said calmly. "I should have known."
His eyes narrowed.
"Kosuke… what have you become?"
Kosuke stood, wiping blood from his lip.
"You should be asking what I've become capable of."
Itami's gaze sharpened.
"That mark… that power… it's Daku."
Kosuke smirked.
"Very perceptive."
He stepped forward.
"I'm here to kill you… and take your daughter."
Itami's expression hardened.
"Over my dead body."
BATTLE OF SHADOWS
The clash began instantly.
Weapons collided Kosuke's bo staff against Itami's blade.
The force of their strikes shook the ground.
Kosuke's speed had increased drastically, forcing Itami onto the defensive.
Fire techniques erupted Itami countered with water.
Kosuke summoned a massive dark serpent that tore through nearby structures.
Seeing the destruction, Kosuke smirked.
"…You're wasting time."
He vanished.
Heading straight for Kurai.
THE COST OF POWER
Itami quickly eliminated the serpent by trapping it within a space-time portal.
But the strain was immense.
He dropped to one knee, clutching his eye.
The Ultra Kokkorogan's power was taking its toll.
A searing migraine pulsed through his mind.
THE ESCAPE
Meanwhile, Hikari and Kurai reached the Shadow Ops.
"Someone attacked us!" Hikari shouted.
"It was Kosuke!"
The shinobi reacted immediately.
But before they could act Kosuke appeared above them.
"Too slow."
Attacks were launched at him from all directions But he dodged effortlessly.
Laughing, he formed a massive orb of dark energy crackling with violet lightning.
"Let me show you true power."
He hurled it downward.
At the last moment aportal opened.
The attack vanished.
Itami stood behind it, breathing heavily.
Kosuke clicked his tongue.
"…You're persistent."
Seeing more shinobi arrive, he smirked.
"I guess I'm gonna have to come up with a strategy I'll see you next time"
And vanished.
A DANGEROUS DECISION
Later, before the Hierarchy, Itami explained everything.
Lora's fury was immediate.
"He must be eliminated."
But the real issue remained Kurai is the target," Lora said. "As long as she remains here… the village is in danger."
She proposed sealing Kurai away.
Itami's expression hardened.
"She is my daughter not a weapon."
Silence filled the room.
Finally, Itami spoke.
"I'll send them to the Land of Light."
"They'll be safer there."
Lora closed her eyes briefly.
"…Do what you must."
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
Orders were given.
The Shadow Ops prepared to escort Hikari and Kurai.
As they departed, Itami watched silently.
A father… forced to choose between duty and love.
And far away In the shadows Kosuke watched.
Smiling…