Legends say the helmet once belonged to a God. Others believed it was wielded by a demi-god. But the true history has been hidden from everyone, including those who lived in ancient times. There's only one story that describes how the helmet came about.
Long before the modern world, an ancient Japanese empire rose and conquered all the continents in Asia. This rise of power made the empire an enemy to its neighbouring lands. War soon broke across all borders of the great empire's castle. The Nations fought back, unable to tolerate the cruel treatment they had endured. Countless lives was lost on the battlefield. Many were injured, some lost their minds, unable to bear watching their brothers being slaughtered before their eyes.
The Japanese Empire had lost thousands of soldiers. If they were to win the war, they needed new manpower. A general meeting was called, summoning all strategists and commanders to decide their next move.
The room was silent. Even the general's were quite. A man cleared his throat and began to speak. "My lords and honoured men, sitting here in silence won't win this war!" Another man snapped back, "Do you think we're fools? We've been fighting this war for a week now. it's a miracle we even have soldiers left. They should have been annihilated long ago!"
One of the general steps in." Enough, both of you. We came here to find a strategy, not to argue over the past." A man named Shouto stood up to speak. He was one of the most intelligent minds in the Battle Intellect Squad. "if I may, generals, you're all talking like children," he said boldly. They stared at him, fury rising on their faces. He didn't flinched.
"Listen" he continued." This isn't about weapons or numbers. It's about strategy.Yes, we lack manpower, but we can't ignore the importance of a plan. And I know just were to find what we need. There's one town in the empire, that holds the strongest soldiers in our history."
"Yet for some reason we discarded them." A general stammered nervously. "You mean...those barbarians?" "Yes," Shouto replied with confidence."The most feared infantry in all of the Kingdoms: The Kawasaki Ninjas."
Silence fell upon the room. Another man asked, "Do you believe bringing them back will help us win?" "They are known for their deadly sneak attacks." Shouto explained. "With them striking deep into enemies territory while our forces distract the borders, we can win."
The head of the generals nodded slowly."Shouto this is an excellent plan, but those inhumans won't stay in the infantry after the war. Once it ends, they will be cast aside." It was concluded, the Kawasaki Ninjas would be summoned to strike deep behind enemy lines. After the meeting ended, everyone began to leave.
But lead general stopped Shouto."Shouto, a moment of your time." Shouto turned. "You want to talk to me?" "Yes, sit." Shouto nervously sat, wondering what more the general wanted. "This may go against your role," the general said."But I need you to go speak to them. Convince them to return."
Shouto eyes widened."Why me? Anyone else could do it. I need to begin preparing strategy." "No one can pull this off," the general insisted."You used to be friends with their leader, use that connection. None of our soldiers can even approach them, without risking death. But you, you have a chance.That's all. You may leave."
Shouto left in haste. A storm brewed on his chest. They were using him to do things he doesn't want to do. In the heart of the empire, uncertainty loomed like a dark cloud. Citizens were considering fleeing. This city had once been the home to the Kawasaki clan, until they were banished from the city. For five years, their whereabouts remained a mystery.
Shouto filled with anxiety and regrets, began his research. He asked around in various towns. In one busy market, he found a merchant. He whispered ,"Mister, do you know whereabouts of the Kawasaki clan?" The man narrowed his eyes."Who are you, and what do you want with them?"
Shouto handed him a folded letter and vanished into the crowd. The merchant nervously opened it: "Meet me after you're done selling your goods or you will never see your family again." Terrified, the merchant followed the instructions and met Shouto behind the market. Shouto appeared in a black outfit, face covered.
"What's the meaning of this?!" the man screamed. "Relax," Shouto said calmly. "Do what I ask and your family is safe." Furious the man shouted again, until Shouto brought forward a young girl. "Your daughter, correct?" The man gasped,"Weifu!"
Now, you understand," Shouto said. "I want you to locate where the Kawasaki clan's hideout for me." The man terrified, marked it on a map."They moved through the mountain tunnel and now live beneath the mountain."
Shouto released the girl. The merchant and her daughter embraced. The merchant requested the release of his daughter. "Take this gold is to apologise for my rude behaviour, I needed to do what I needed to do to get what I needed."
The man was surprised. The stranger is apologising, after threatening to kill his family."I can't accept this," the merchant said. "But I accept your apology. Just...be careful" The merchant took his daughter away. Shouto was relieved y to finally reached the outskirts of the Kawasaki Clan's territory. But doubt lingered in his mind." What will happen if they saw him?"
At sunrise, he packed his food supplies, strapped on his protective gear, and began the long journey. After walking a mile, he stopped to rest near a small pile of rocks by the riverbank. As he drank from the cool stream, a strange filled the air, a sense of danger creeping from the nearby woods.
Then came a sound, loud, stomping chaos tearing the forest. Shouto instantly climbed a near by tree.Whatever it was, he wasn't going to wait and find out on the ground. Suddenly, a herd of wild bulls stormed out the woods, crashing through trees with their massive horns.
One, of the bulls rammed the very tree Shouto was clung to, snapping it into a twig. He fell. The world turned black. When he finally opened his eyes days later, everything was unfamiliar. A dim tent surrounded him.
Voices murmured outside in a language he barely recognised. His body ached. His mind spun. Shouto had unknowingly, entered the Kawasaki Clan's hideout. Built like a fortress hidden from time, the Kawasaki hideout was said to be impenetrable. Despite he's a stranger, Shouto was treated kindly.
In a chamber deep within the hideout, the clan leader, Zaki, gathered his warriors. "Warriors of the Kawasaki Clan," Zaki said, "I called this meeting to speak about the outsider you've brought in."
Two warriors stepped forward, heads bowed. "Sir, we were the ones who found him," one said. Zaki narrowed his eyes."Weren't you the same hunters who once rescued a wounded hunter, treated him, then send him away? Why is this one different?"
The warriors hesitated." Yes, sir, that's true but....this one is different. When the bulls charged, he climbed a tree. He climbed at least an hour before the bulls could reach there. That's not something any normal man can do." Zaki paused.
He understood what they meant. "A high-level sensory," he muttered. "Has he awakened?" "No,sir." "When he does, bring him to me."Later that day, Shouto was escorted to Zaki's private chamber. The warriors cleared the path, stepping aside as he walked through the crowd. As their eyes met, Zaki raised a hand.
"Everyone out." Only Zaki and Shouto remained. Shouto gave a slow, knowing smirk, "Hello, old friend. Miss me?" Zaki's jaw tightened. "Tell me, did you come here on purpose, or you lost your way home?" Shouto chuckled softly. "Oh Zaki.... still don't trust me, do you?"
Zaki's expression darkened."Haven't you done enough to us? You let those stray dogs treat us like trash, drag us into the town and banished us from the city! Do you know how it feels, not knowing where to go? Do you know how it feels to feed this whole clan, huh? Tell me Shouto! tell me!" Shouto's smile faded.
He exhaled, steadying himself, " I know what I did was unforgivable. But it was either betray you or let the entire clan be killed! Is that what you wanted? They planned to release poison into the center of your town while you all slept. I had no choice."
" I know it sounds like a lie, but it's the truth." Zaki stared, still unconvinced. "So tell me Shouto...what's your real mission here? Come to finish what you started? Shouto's voice grew firm."Zaki... the empire needs your help." "My help?" Zaki replied."If that's why you came here, then you've wasted your time."
Just then, a familiar voice interrupted from outside the tent."Zaki! I thought we were going to meet the stranger. Why are the warriors standing outside?"
She entered, her eyes lighting up. "Oh! it's you, Shouto, so you're the stranger.Haha." Zaki looked embarrassed. "Himara, why are you here? I told everyone to stay outside." " Oh, Zaza," she smirked. "You forgot, I know Shouto too." She turned serious."I heard what he said, and I want you to listen." Zaki frowned,"You support what he did to us." She sighed."I knew about the plan to kill us. Shouto told me everything. I couldn't say anything... You were too angry."
Zaki gave a cold smirk."Thanks, Hima. Thanks hiding a secret like that from your husband." Himara's face fell. Shouto stepped forward."Zaki, we both know what it's like to be fugitives, if we don't act, the empire will fall. Your children won't even have a home left."
Zaki let out a heavy breath.
" Fine...we'll join you. but not for the empire, for old times sake." The two men shook hands. Zaki called all his warriors into the tent.
Shouto stepped forward and revealed the full plan. "Your job is to infiltrate into the enemy's base and eliminate their archers. Meanwhile, our infantry will act as a decoy." The plan was clear. Preparation for war begins immediately.
Three days passed. The warriors stood ready, dressed in their famed uniforms, their polished helmet gleaming beneath the morning sun. At down, Zaki climbed the sacred hill to pray for victory. He drew a small dagger and sliced his palm, letting his blood spill onto the stone altar of the gods.
"God's who has protected our clan for generations" he shouted. "This blood is my sacrifice. Grant us victory in this war! " His voice echoed across the temple walls.Suddenly the air thickened. The wind stilled. A blinding light burst from above, and the stone altar began to vibrate. A deep, resonant voice thundered from the skies, calm yet terrifying, echoing with power that made the ground tremble.
"Zaki... son of Fugiguro...we have heard your cry. Your sacrifice is accepted. Your courage has reached the heavens. We grant you our power, use it to protect your people and lead them to victory."
A swirling storm of blue energy started erupted from the altar. It wrapped around Zaki, lifting him into the air. Light surged through his body.
His eyes turned radiant blue as divine power flooded every inch of his body. Zaki wasn't just a warrior anymore. He has been chosen by the gods.
On the other hand, the Ninjas had already infiltrated enemy territory. The war began early in the morning. Screams of pain echoed across every battlefield. Blood soaked the lands and borders of the Empire and it's enemy nation.
One of the soldiers raised the alarm to the commander "Sir!!! we are been overwhelmed!!!" The commander bear the ugliness of the situation. He taught grimly."If this continues, the Empire will fall..." Just then, another soldier shouted. "Something is coming from the sky!!!!"
A streak of blue light shot down rapidly towards the battlefield. In seconds, it slammed into the heart of chaos. Dust and debris filled the air. As it was cleared, a mysterious figure stepped forward, his eyes glowing blue. With a single swipe of his blade, nearly half of the enemy forces were blasted away.
He moved at an incredible speed, slicing through enemies like a phantom of war. Terrified, they began to flee in all direction. He formed a hand sign, and glowing, unknown writings appeared before the sky. Then he uttered the word: " 殺す" ("Kill.")
Instantly, the characters transformed into thousands of glowing blades that rained down upon the enemy like divine judgement. He turned towards the Empire's soldiers. One shouted in disbelief,"He's.... a Kawasaki Ninja!" A wave of fear swept over the battfield. "If just one Kawasaki Ninja was this powerful...what would happen if all of them was to show up? Zaki's new abilities had not only defend the Empire's borders, but also turned the tide of the war. He returned directly to the enemy base to finish the fight himself.
The other Ninjas began to respect him even more, awed by the sheer the power he now commanded as leader.The battle ended in victory. The Empire stood tall once again. Zaki became a living legend, known for his devastating strength and heroic leadership.
But as the years passed, his power became a threat. Three years later, countless hunters and bandits sought to kill him. Even the kingdom he had protected began to fear him.
Zaki could no longer bear the burden. He made a fateful decision: to store all his power and consciousness into the helmet. He hide it in a secret, unreachable place, praying that one day, a worthy member of the clan would find it. And then, Zaki, the warrior who once shook the battlefield, vanished. His body turned into dust, and the wind carried him away.