After the battle was over Smoke and Kenji continued their mission, they made a shortcut through the land of fire leading to the land of darkness.
REPEATED CYCLES
Kenji halts Smoke and poses a question, inquiring what would happen if the shinobi he killed sparked a conflict between the land of fire and the land of light.
Responding, Smoke reassures Kenji, mentioning he has disposed of all evidence that could trace back to them. Kenji then wonders what would occur if the fire's Grandmaster reaches a verdict, noting that the Grandmaster of Light has the Butsugan, a tool capable of mind reading.
Smoke reveals the method to dispute a Butsugan involves merely refraining from harboring any thoughts - empty your consciousness before engaging with the Grandmaster.
Kenji informs Smoke that this approach might lead to another dispute between the Land of Fire and Light.
Smoke counters Kenji by saying that conflicts are inevitable in the shinobi world and that absolute peace is an unattainable dream.
Kenji argues that Smoke's viewpoint is misguided and points towards a grim path ever since Koba, Smoke's father, passed away.
Smoke assures Kenji that everything will be okay, emphasizing his good performance, and advises Kenji to focus on his own matters. They continue their journey towards the Land of Shadows.
SMOKE VS KOSUKE
Smoke and Kenji venture into the realm of shadows, making their way toward Kurayami Village.
Kenji mentions to Smoke that he feels the presence of someone close, yet remains unable to spot them.
In response, Smoke instructs Kenji to step back, employing an earth element maneuver.
He performs his hand gestures and declares, "Earth class mud trap."
As Smoke elevates himself, the ground beneath turns to sludge, ensnaring anyone who treads on it until a Shinobi, using his stealth skill, makes his appearance.
This Shinobi is Kosuke from Kurayami village, who inquires why Shinobi from the Land of Light have arrived.
Kenji claims to possess a pact from Shukumei, the Grandmaster of the Land of Light propounding his desire for the Kurayami Hierarchy to endorse the document as a demonstration of peace between their domains.
Kosuke expresses skepticism over the emergence of the new Grandmaster of Light, questioning Haru's whereabouts, yet Smoke interjects, urging him to mind his own matters and proceed with escorting them to the Hierarchy.
In an effort to maintain harmony, Kenji attempts to soothe Smoke, but Smoke rebuffs Kenji, demanding his silence.
Kosuke tells Smoke he wants a fight in response to Smoke's remarks.
Smoke replies by demanding that Kosuke escort him and Kenji to the Hierarchy, warning that failure to comply could lead to dire consequences.
Kosuke, irked, challenges Smoke with a defiant smile "let's see what you've got," and signals the start of their duel.
With his kunai in hand, Kosuke charges towards Smoke and then suddenly disappears.
Smoke watches intently, his face showing surprise at witnessing such a capability, as Kosuke vanishes in the blink of an eye.
Kenji, detecting Kosuke's energy signature, advises Smoke to watch his back.
However, before Smoke can react, he is propelled backward into a tree by a powerful kick.
Smoke vanishes into a smoky form and materializes next to Kenji, promptly understanding Kosuke's skill.
Smoke elucidates that Kosuke possesses the capability to essentially become invisible or merge with his surroundings, known also as the camouflage technique also he is not just going invisible he is also body flicking.
Kosuke offers a smile, acknowledging Smoke's quick wit for recognizing his method merely after a single encounter, remarking, "Smoke is quite astute because he grasped my technique instantly upon our first interaction."
Kosuke launches himself into close combat and delivers two swift punches towards Smoke, who counters with his own set of two punches.
However, Kosuke evades and grabs Smoke's arm, tossing him over and forcefully slamming him to the ground.
With an ominous grin, Kosuke raises his foot, intending to stomp down on Smoke's face.
Smoke, however, quickly dodges by rolling away and springs back to his feet, ready to confront Kosuke anew.
Smoke then propels himself into the air and executes a double 360 spin kick aimed at Kosuke, who manages to block the assault.
In retaliation, Kosuke advances with a flurry of punches and a kick.
Kosuke chuckles and gazes at Smoke, taunting him to see if that's the extent of a light shinobi's power, voicing disappointment, especially considering the demise of Daku Hinotori.
Smoke, hacking, tells Kosuke to be silent and hurls shuriken at him.
Following this, Smoke executes a hand sign and declares, "Fire class 3 headed Dragon Technique."
Emitting three fiery dragons, Kosuke then swiftly draws his blades to deflect the incoming shuriken and leaps upwards.
Smoke employs his lethal fire class assassination technique, soars into the air, and launches himself at Kosuke, targeting his heart with his strike.
However, Kosuke quickly forms a hand sign and declares, "Lightning Class shockwave," sending a jolt that knocks Smoke back onto the ground.
Kenji rushes over to Smoke to inquire about his well-being.
Smoke warns Kenji to keep his distance because Kosuke belongs to the Elite-Class of shinobi, making him exceedingly more powerful than the two of them combined.
Kosuke inquires of Smoke if he has any parting words for the Grandmaster of Light, but Smoke retaliates with a different Pyro Technique, declaring "Fire Class 4 headed dragon Flames," as he launches a barrage of dragon-shaped fire projectiles at Kosuke.
Kenji feels Kosuke's presence, then gazes upwards to witness Kosuke gesturing and declaring, "Fire Class Royal flame Technique," unleashing a massive fire in the shape of a tiger towards Kenji and Smoke.
In response, Kenji employs a technique from the metal class, articulating, "Metal Class Metal Barrier Technique," creating a barrier to divert the flames from striking them, all the while keeping its integrity intact.
Kosuke lunges towards the ground, breaking the protective layer with a technique from the lightning class, but finds his hand immobilized within the barrier. Smoke, with a grin, remarks, "Just as I expected, I was hoping you'd do that.
" He then performs a gesture to invoke the "Earth Class Mud Trap," causing Kosuke's feet to sink into the ground.
Smoke advises Kenji to clear the area.
Following this, he brings his hands together, declaring, "Smoke Art Ash Fog," and generates a dense smoke fog.
Struggling within the fog, Kosuke finds himself unable to speak, breathe properly, or move.
Smoke ascends into the air and declares to Kosuke, "YOU'RE DEAD," Kenji yells and tells Smoke not to kill Kosuke through the formation of his gestures and proclaims, "Fire class Burning Ash Fire God Flames," unleashing flames all around Kosuke, nearly setting him ablaze.
Kosuke is in shock, unable to believe he is being overpowered by a superior Shinobi.
ITAMI SAVES KOSUKE
Abruptly, a dark void in the fabric of space-time materializes, whisking Kosuke away from the engulfing flames and depositing him through another portal onto the ground.
Smoke is stunned by the sight of such a maneuver and exclaims, "What the hell".
As Kosuke lifts his gaze, he encounters Itami Hinotori's intense stare piercing through him with his ocular ability, and hears him declare, "This battle is over," before probing Kosuke for explanations regarding the unfolding events.
Kosuke claims that he was attacked by a Shinobi from the Land of Light, who was looking to cause trouble in their village.
Surveying the aftermath of their clash, Itami extinguishes the blaze left by Smoke, notices the metallic barrier, and upon seeing Kenji with his silver hair and stormy eyes, recognizes him, exclaiming, "You're Kenji from the Midori Clan." Kenji, taken aback, realizes with astonishment that a member of the Hinotori Clan has survived.
Itami gazes at Smoke, as Smoke locks eyes with Itami, with Smoke circling his form.
Itami inquires of Kenji about the ongoing hostility and the reasons behind it.
Kenji informs Itami that Kosuke is deceiving them and reveals the agreement that the Grandmaster of the Light insisted the Kurayami Hierarchy sign, declaring that peace reigns between their territories following Haru's cessation of the war.
Itami trusts Kenji's side of the story and informs Kosuke that he will face repercussions for his deceit and plans to inform the Hierarchy, which will lead to turmoil and upset in the village.
Kosuke retorts, claiming that Smoke tried to assassinate him and that he is an ex-member of the Kurayami village, asserting he is within his own domain.
Itami counters by stating these ninja were not intent on wreaking havoc in the village, and Kosuke's decision to confront Kenji and Smoke was based on falsehoods.
Kosuke strikes the ground in frustration and offers his apologies to Itami.
Itami informs Kosuke that without sensing his certainty, he wouldn't have arrived in time to rescue him, potentially averting another conflict between their countries.
Kosuke expresses his regrets to Kenji and Smoke, committing to guide them to the Hierarchy.
Itami inquires about Haru's well-being post-war from Kenji, to which Kenji reveals that Haru has deceased.
Kosuke gives a stoic glance yet pays attention.
Itami, faced with disbelief at the news of Haru's passing, questions when this occurred, and Kenji discloses it was the day the war came to an end.
Itami contemplates that perhaps it relates to the method Haru utilized to contain the dark force in his daughter.
Itami expresses his gratitude towards Kenji for sharing this insight and inquires about Smoke's condition.
Smoke assures him that he is alright and is eager to accomplish the task at hand.
Understanding this, Itami takes the initiative to guide them forward.