Old Man

[Kuuga Gai]

You don't need to carry so many things.

You are not in the clan of the Ninja.

An old man looking hale and hearty is sitting and gazing vacantly.

[

Excuse me...

You tried to talk to the old man but there is no response. Just when you are about to turn away...

[Old Man]

At last, a customer! Hmm... and a live one, too!

He keeps talking and doesn't stop to answer your question.

There once was a quiet clan living in ancient Amatsu times that is never mentioned in history books or stories.

They lived beneath shadows but always yearned for the bright sun, like a sunflower.

A clan that was loyal to their lord who they served as their bright sun.

...a very trustworthy clan...

....loyal to their core...

...a clan of integrity...

The old man looks at you with a melancholy face.

Why are you interested in a clan that was abandoned by their lord and disappeared from history itself?

Was nice to meet you.

Ninja! There was a time when the clan was called ninjas, too.

You'll have to lend me your ear for I have so much to tell you about the clan story.

The Old Man starts the story with a very soothing tone as if he is telling his grandchild a story.

This goes way back to ancient times and nobody in Amatsu remembers about it.

The clan worked behind the scenes and basically lived their lives for their lord.

They were very loyal doing whatever deed their lord asked for.

Ninja, the clan was known as the dark clan but that doesn't mean they wanted to be hidden in the darkness.

They were loyal enough to be satisfied as the lord's servants but their loyalty became the problem.

They are a secret organization that even the lord didn't know much about.

The few that knew about the clan's existence, tried to investigate them but nobody was able to reveal their true identity.

That is why this clan has grown from loyal servants to a group feared for its secrets.

The lord shunned the clan and didn't call them for their service any more but they never betrayed him.

Yes, they were. Very loyal.

The old man looks even more forlorn.

The clan has been living in hiding for so long since the old days. The current lord didn't even know of their existence.

I'm Leader Gion, the last of the dark ninja clan.

[Leader Gion]

Are you an assassin to end this old man's life?

So that is why you've shown interest in my clan. I won't give up easily.

Pow!!

You lose conscience with the great impact.

Teaching...

Been a long time since I last heard that word.

I guess this little visit was not by coincidence but a start of a connection.

Sorry I am not a teacher. But!

I can help you on the path you've chosen, the

You hear Leader Gion's voice faintly as you slip away.

If you are prepared to follow me, Leader Gion, on the

I thought you were afraid of the path of the

But from the look of your eyes, I guess I misjudged you.

You will have to train your mind and body to walk steadily in the unknown world and never fall into temptation to stay on the path.

Our ancestors had 4 tests to train our people.

Yes, there are 4 tests.

My ancestors trained my people with 4 tests that involve knowledge, survival, weapons, and battle.

I know you are curious what these tests are. Let me explain one by one.

We need to be knowledgeable in order to assist the lord. This test is for this purpose.

You can pass the test if you successfully solve more than 9 out of 10 questions.

The test will be easy to pass if you've been steady in your studies. Now what other test are you curious about?

Missions aren't always easy and safe. That is why survival instincts are vital to us.

My ancestors call this test the dice test. It is a test to advance forward depending on the dice results.

Think of it as the simple dice games people play.

But never let your guard down during the test because it isn't called the survival test for nothing.

There will be blocks that help you while there are blocks that will interrupt you.

If you deal with various situations wisely, you will be able to pass the test. Now what other test are you curious about?

My clan was famous for using unique weapons that we created.

You would be considered blessed if you created your own unique weapon.

Creating a weapon for yourself and refining it is the purpose of this test.

I hope you will be blessed and find the best weapon for yourself. Now what other test are you curious about?

Missions are not always done alone. You will often work in teams of 2 or 3 for a common goal.

The battle test is only for those that pass that knowledge, survival and weapon tests. So! It is the very last test.

Unlike the other three tests that are done alone, you will have to compete with others in this final test.

There is only one target!!

And only the first to get to the target passes the test.

You'll be lucky if you have no competitors during your test.

A challenge is better than explaining it a hundred times. It's the actual experience that makes you better.

Seeing is believing, so go on and take the challenge.

Let's start right away after you are done with preparations.

It's been a while.

Since I felt happy like this. I feel young and energetic seeing young people like you challenge themselves with a new path.

We're done with explaining about the tests, now should I tell you my clan story?

My clan started from two warriors.

Kagerou, a warrior like the dancing flames of the sun.

Oboro, a warrior like the misty moonlight.

The Sun and the Moon.

The sunlight that lights up the world and the moonlight that lights up the night. Both were very similar but different warriors.

There was a time there was an enmity between both warriors.

But it didn't take long for them to become one as a clan.

Ha ha ha. It is never fun to listen to the whole story all at once, no? Come back after passing a test and I'll continue my story.

Which test will you select as your first test?

You've passed the Test of Knowledge.

My friend doesn't approve of others that easily but I guess he liked you.

You've passed the Test of Survival.

Looks like you went through hell with this test.

You've passed the Test of Weaponry.

I wonder if Joe is satisfied with your performance.

Looks like you are pretty eager to hear more. Where did I leave off... Ah! I remember.

Both warriors weren't close at first, because personality and everything else was completely opposite of each other.

The first place they met was the battlefield. And you know how enemies greet each other on a battlefield.

They ended up injuring each other badly.

But what can you do? War is a war.

The friend you've laughed with yesterday is a foe that you have to fight with in a war today.

So nobody can get along with anyone during a war.

I'll continue the story after you pass another test.

Which test will you choose for the second test?

You've passed the Tests of Knowledge and Survival!

You've passed the Tests of Knowledge and Weaponry!

You've passed the Tests of Survival and Weaponry!

You are already done with two tests. Hope you've learned a lot from them.

Shall we continue with the story?

I think I left off when the two warriors met at the battlefield as enemies.

The long war ended eventually but the wounds and pain of those that survived had just started.

So these two warriors started to embrace and heal the war wounds together and became one.

There is a backstory of a man appearing in front of them and winning the loyalty from both warriors.

There isn't much known about this man. Only a short mentioning of the two warriors pledging their allegiance.

Maybe current generations like me are the ancestors of the current Amatsu lord? But this is only an assumption.

I'm almost at the end of my clan story. Come back after you've passed the third test and I will tell you the rest.

You've gone through three tests leaving only one to pass.

As I've told you before, the last test is different because you have to compete against others.

Ha ha ha. I will finish the story.

It is told that the man that earned the loyalty of the two warriors was a humorous person.

He like the jokes and conversations better than quarrels and he liked women over men.

Hmm... I don't know why this part of the story was kept alive all these years but this man wanted to bring these two warriors together.

Both warriors did travel together after the war but kept an awkward distance from each other.

They must have had their reasons but their lord would send them out to a difficult mission together, put them in a secret room together and all sorts of situations together.

Yes, he was. And his efforts didn't go in vain since the two warriors eventually got acquainted and married.

This is how the clan started.

Sadly, the next part of story was purposely discontinued.

I think it's because someone wanted us to let go of the past and move forward.

That's that. Now shouldn't you be preparing for the last test?

But you must be tired from all the tests so far. Take a rest.

Weren't you taking the Test of

The Test of

The village is over here.

You've come back already? You could have rested more. Is there a reason to hurry?

Because of

I have to admit, I don't understand you now.

But since you've gone through much, I'm sure you will do good with the final test.

Now! No more small talk. I'll let you know what the target is for the Test of Battle.

The target is a monster called the Clan Secret.

You will have to be careful because there are many similiar shaped and named monsters in test site.

And if you are lucky, there will be others targeting the monster.

May the blessings of '

Then let's go to the battle test field.

I see you are in the middle of the Test of Battle. Will you go back to the test site?

The test site is over here.

You should not be here. Leave!

Ha ha ha. You'll know when we get there. The Test of Knowledge is taken over here.

But I believe you can handle it. The Test of Survival is taken over here.

You receive 5 Iron Ore and 1 Phracon.

You will find these useful. The Test of Weaponry is taken over here.