During a time when feudal conflicts were raging, two members of the Azuma Ninja Clan named Rikimaru and Ayame performed a service for Lord Gohda by rescuing his most prized possession, Princess Kiku, from the custody of Lord Mei-Oh. Rikimaru was attempting to save Ayame and Princess Kiku when he was caught in a tragic rockfall during his escape and has not been seen or heard from since. After Lord Mei-assault, Oh’s realm of Gohda returned to its previous state of tranquility, and Ayame, in his capacity as an agent of Lord Gohda, continued to monitor the vast territory.
Ayame happened upon a demolished ninja hamlet throughout the course of her travels at one point. She arrived too late to find any survivors, despite her hopes of doing so. The last words that the Hagakure ninja spoke were “Kuroya,” and they did so as they breathed their last. A young ninja woman blocked Ayame’s path just as she was ready to leave. Rin had just returned from her training and was heartbroken to find that her town had been completely destroyed. She believes that Ayame is the only person who survived the attack on her community, and she holds her responsible for its destruction. Rin eventually comes to the realization that Ayame was not the one responsible for the destruction of her village. The two work together to identify those guilty of the crime.
