Act IV - Legend of Kumorigachi

(On a warm summer night in 1614, year nineteen of the Keicho era, three men sit in a wooded area just inside the village of Ikaruga in the northern part of theNada Prefecture. The only light is that of the campfire they set. They seem apprehensive as they sit in conference; one of the men appears to be of nobility as he sits anxiously waiting, while the other two men begin to spread out on either side of the nobleman in attack formation. The two guards are dressed in matching Samurai kimonos and have their blades at the ready, as they peer into the darkness. They are physically imposing twin brothers, widely renowned for their swordsmanship, yet one of them appears frightened.)

[The men start to walk in a circle several yards away, around the seated man stopping intermittently to assess the area]

Ist Guard: (frightened and in a low tone) Kazuma, I can’t see a thing out here. Can you hear anything?

(A close up of Kazuma’s relaxed face can be seen with his brother, Hyoma, trembling behind him in the background)

Kazuma: Relax, Hyoma! This is the deadliest Shinobi to have ever come out of the Iga. We won’t see or hear him, unless he intends us to.

(The young nobleman is seated at the fire with his eyes closed and in deep thought)

Hyoma: (Shaking) I hear that he is no mere ninja. They say he blends with the shadows. Some say he is a water demon of the ancient world. That he is only capable of manifesting in rain and that his blade can cut the sky open at will…

(The nobleman interrupts)

Nobleman: Kumorigachi, is but a man! A highly skilled and utmost dangerous one, but he is of this world and of this time. And as such, he can be bartered with…

Voice: (Deep) And what makes you so sure of that?

(A man dressed in black suddenly appears behind the seated nobleman…startled he falls to the floor. The brothers converge on the black unmasked ninja, but are ordered to stop!)

Nobleman: Stay where you are! (Getting up and dusting himself off, he bows to the Shinobi) Kumorigachi-Sama, it is an honor and a privilege!

Kumorigachi: (Looking back and forth at the brothers) You must be the famous Twin Dragons of the Oda Clan. Master Swordsmen and protectors of Toyotomi Hideyori… the rightful Ruler to the Throne of Blood… (Turns slowly to the nobleman) I wonder if they are worthy of such distinction.

Hideyori: (unafraid) Kumorigachi-Sama! For granting us audience, I thank you!

Kumorigachi: (stern) Your reputation precedes you well, Young Master! Why would you request an audience with me?

Hideyori: (smiling) Because I know more about you than you think. I want you to kill the man, who destroyed both our lives…

Kumorigachi: (Jolted) Enlighten me…

(Hideyori begins to tell the tale of the Legend of Kumorigachi or Broken Cloud. But, to Kumorigachi’s surprise, Hideyori offers previously unknown details as to the origins of the deadliest ninja in Japan. Broken Cloud listens intently, as his past comes to life)

Hideyori: 14 years ago shortly after the Battle of Sekigahara, a former Master Samurai, was forced to commit Hara-Kiri for dishonoring his Lord and refusing to carry out an order to kill all those loyal to the Toyotomi-shi, including the infant son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi…

(Hideyori’s voice breaks a bit at the thought that the ninja who stood before him was that same Master Samurai and that the infant son, he so nobly refused to kill was in fact, himself. His grief turns to guilt at knowing all that Broken Cloud gave up for sparing his life. He continues…)

Hideyori: At the seppuku ceremony, held in Fushimi Castle, the samurai went insane and took up arms against his brothers. In total 1 Lord and 25 samurai lay dead in a matter of minutes, a testament to the skill of the Kogan.

Kumorigachi: (curiously) What happened after the massacre?

Hideyori: On orders from General Leyasu, a bounty was placed on his head and a manhunt was carried out over many territories, yet no one knows whatever became of the disgraced samurai known as Gennosuke Razio. He was denounced as a Toyotomi spy and a mad man, who faded from existence.

Kumorigachi : And what does any of this have to do with me…

Hideyori: I believe that Kumorigachi was born from the blood spilled in the massacre of Fushimi Castle. The disgraced samurai became a Ronin and traveled south to avoid capture and as fate would have it, ended up at the door steps of the Iga Ryu. There he was sheltered by the very man, who was sent to capture him, Hattori Hanzo! Under the tutelage of the Iga, Raizo endured harsh training and was instructed in the art of Ninjutsu.

(A montage of Broken Cloud being trained play out. Images of him meditating and wielding a kusarigima are seen. Kumorigachi teleporting in and out of shadows, while avoiding shurikens (ninja stars) play out. Him falling in the air and landing as light as a feather before his feet touch the ground is seen. An image of his imposing stature is seen as he slowing puts on a ninja mask)

Hideyori: Thus, the once former Master Samurai turned Ronin, Gennosuke Raizo was reborn, Kumorigachi!

(Hideyori stands with a proud look on his face)

Hideyori: (continues) I am Toyotomi Hideyori, leader of the Toyotomi Clan and I will take my rightful place, as Shogun. Tokugawa Leyasu’s reign of tyranny will not survive next winter! Do I have your allegiance?

Kumorigachi: (interested) What do you have in mind?