The King of Fighters Side Story: The Origin of Flame - Shingo Travels Through Time! Let's Go!

'The King of Fighters Side Story: The Origin of Flame - Shingo Travels Through Time! Let's Go! (, lit. "The King of Fighters Gaiden: "The Origin of Flames" Shingo Time Slip! Let's Go!'"), is a new manga adptation based on The King of Fighters series. It is released by SNK and is published bi-weekly on Pocket Shonen Magazine online starting on July 19, 2021. A printed version is also published on Monthly Shonen Sirius Magazine. The publication is illustrated by Kyoutarou Azuma, who also wrote the manga series The King of Fighters: A New Beginning, focused in the KOF XIV tournament.

The story focuses on Shingo Yabuki right after the events of The King of Fighters XIV and before the events of The King of Fighters XV. By unexplained reasons, Shingo Yabuki is sent back in the time of 660 years ago, the ages where the Kusanagi and Yasakani clans are still united by trust.

CHAPTER 1: SHINGO TRAVELS THROUGH THE TIME!

 * Released in July 19, 2021

Antonov Super Arena, Russia. Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami, members of rival clans, fight fiercely in another KOF tournament, and use their flames, family heirlooms. The fight is exhibited in a tablet, whose owner is a big fan of the Kusanagi clan, especially Kyo: Shingo Yabuki. He uses the video to improve his martial arts training. And he tests his movements on a tree, which he bumps into the face, hurting himself. But he doesn't give up.

The night falls in Japan. In the way to home, Shingo regrets the fact of not having flames as his idol. But he says that soon he will. He announces her arrival at home, and is immobilized by his older sister. Shingo asks what she came to do there. She asks if her brother is still training for KOF, but is interrupted by her younger sister, who shows support for her middle brother's dream. The older sister counters, saying that the younger sister only supports Shingo to brag among her friends, starting an argument. Shingo sneaks out.

He stays in the bathroom alone for a while, until his older sister yells that the conversation isn't over yet. She claims that every time he enters the KOF, he always gets hurt a lot (Shingo is covered in scratches), and that he still hasn't fully recovered the last time he entered the tournament. The young man says he is doing something he enjoys, and the sister says she cares about him. The younger sister appears once more to interrupt the conversation. The older sister prepares dinner as their parents will be late. She goes on to say that she won't stop him from training, but reminds him that the Yabuki family are ordinary people, and that Kyo is very different from him. She even says that her brother must pursue his objectives and goals, but without exaggeration and regrets. Shingo says that he will surpass Kyo, ignoring his sister.

Following day. Saisyu Kusanagi, head of his clan, welcomes Shingo for another day of training. He asks if the young man has improved from his injuries, and he confirms enthusiastically. Saisyu complains about his son, saying he wanted him to be as hardworking as the disciple. Shingo asks about Kyo, and the clan leader says that the heir is traveling the world, enchanting him. In this, a female voice greets Shingo, who is amazed. The voice belongs to Chizuru Kagura, heiress to the Yata clan. The young man asks if she has come to see him, and the manager says that she has come to see Saisyu, awakening lewd thoughts in Shingo. Saisyu dispels the misunderstanding, saying that he is still married to Shizuka Kusanagi, Kyo's mother.

The training starts. Shingo starts with a few blows, which leads to Saisyu's disapproval. The leader of the Kusanagi clan shows a more advanced move, which the disciple tries to reproduce, without success. Saisyu orders the young man to hit the punching bag as many times as necessary, so that he can master the technique, and that he doesn't underestimate the Kusanagi style.

While Shingo trains, Saisyu talks to Chizuru. She admires how hard Shingo is, and asks if Kyo was trained in the same way. Saisyu denies it, saying that the son managed to be strong without anyone's help. Chizuru reiterates that the Kusanagi's flames are of blood origin and that however hard Shingo tries, he can never create flames. Saisyu questions Chizuru's claim, saying that everything has a beginning and that there is a reason why things are what they are. He still says that the flames are, yes, family heirlooms, but that he had them from the beginning, they didn't inherit from anyone. He also points out that the bearers of this type of flame triggered them in a moment of despair, and that, to awaken them, it is necessary to have courage and reason strong enough to do so. Chizuru says this is a bit over the top, and that they would both regret it if Shingo's training was wasted.

Saisyu asks the heiress of the Yata clan what brings her to the Kusanagi residence. Chizuru says it's because of the evil entity known as Verse, who appeared at the tournament Antonov hosted. She says that since the creature's appearance, she has felt a distortion in the air, and that she felt the same thing when Orochi was about to resurrect. She thinks that maybe this is her imagination, but she points out that it's good to be ready for a battle. Saisyu says she isn't feeling anything, but she trusts Chizuru's intuition and will take note of it. The conversation is interrupted when Shingo passes out after overtraining. Chizuru and Saisyu warn the young man of his over-enthusiasm.

Later, Shingo keeps training and believing he can improve his techniques. He pauses to look at other videos. Soon after, he goes back to training, as he still doesn't produce flames and wants to reach the level of his idol. Shingo remembers the lines of his sister and his master, and says that his goal may seem impossible to most, but that's what satisfies him. And that if he defeats Kyo, not even Iori Yagami can defeat him again. Shingo wonders why Iori wants to defeat Kyo, and concludes that it shouldn't be anything important. He still thinks about the fact that creating flames out of thin air isn't a normal thing, and wonders if they come from the heart. He also thinks that if he developed his flames, they would be a different color. At that moment, a strange hole opens up, carrying Shingo into a different dimension, and making him pass out again.

When Shingo wakes up, he finds himself in a bamboo forest at night. It is when a creature that resembles a snake, a wild boar, a raccoon and a bear, releasing fire through its nostrils. Shingo is startled, but imagines it's a delusion in his head. He is awakened from his reveries when the creature roars and chases him. He runs and thinks about his training. At one point, he tries to attack her, without success. The creature corners Shingo and tries to kill him, but is stopped by a flame coming from the other side of the forest, igniting it. Shingo thinks that it's a Kusanagi flame. The creature runs away. The owner of the flame babbles to Shingo, saying that the young man will be easy prey for the forest bears if he keeps walking alone.

The man tells Shingo to return home, as the creatures may appear again, and says goodbye. The young man calls the stranger Kusanagi, thinking it is a joke, as he woke up in an unknown place and something strange attacked him, and he still thinks the creature was a fantasy. Shingo even asks the stranger to stop with these attitudes, as he has already figured out what is happening, and that, for him, only a Kusanagi would use a red flame like that. The man then reveals himself, and says his name is YASAKANI. Shingo then realizes that he is in a place 660 years ago, and that he was facing a descendant of Iori Yagami.

Part 1

 * Released in August 2, 2021

Shingo follows the man through the bamboo forest. He asks the stranger about the creature that almost attacked him. Yasakani confirms that the creature was transformed by Orochi. The clan member asks about the young man's lack of knowledge about the evil entity's transformations. Shingo says he has never heard of it. The young man asks how the Yasakani give off flames, and points out that, so far, he has never given one. He points out that although he has trained with Saisyu, he is still not fit. Yasakani's eyes widen when he hears the name of the rival clan, and asks Shingo to keep quiet and follow him.

Shingo tells himself that the man in front of him was scary. He immediately associates this feeling with the same feeling Iori Yagami causes and erroneously deduces that he is a fan of Iori more advanced in training, due to the fact that he releases flames. His delusions come to a halt when he comes across a construction typical of the Nanboku-chō period. Shingo asks where he is, and wonders about the houses around him. Shingo realizes he forgot his backpack and cell phone, and asks Yasakani what time it is. He doesn't understand and deduces that he was asking about the ox's time. The young man asks if he can't see the time on his cell phone and the man threatens him, saying he will kill him if he keeps saying things he doesn't understand. Both stop in front of the Yasakani clan gate. Shingo is amazed and chatters that their house is much bigger than the Kusanagi's. It's enough for Yasakani to apply a rear naked choke on the young man, who is unconscious.

The next day, Shingo wakes up, and quickly realizes he is in a cell. Yasakani speaks to him, and reveals his first name: Magai. The young man asks why he was arrested, and Magai says that Shingo looks suspicious. He asks the young man to calm down and answer his questions. He shows what he found in his clothes, which is a notebook and a pen, comparing it to an unpainted brush. Shingo asks to cap the pen, so as not to dry the ink. When Magai talks about the glove, he says that even though he passed out, he couldn't get it off Shingo, and asks him if it's that important to him. Shingo says he got them from the Kusanagi clan, and Magai concludes that the young man is an aristocrat, from his clothes and belongings. He still says he's never seen a paper of that quality nor such a convenient brush, and stresses that it's something commoners can't have. Shingo says he's just an ordinary high school student. Yasakani is unaware of these words and has never heard of the Yabuki surname. He considers erasing the young man again, thinking he is hiding his real identity. The conversation is interrupted by another member of the Yasakani clan, whom he calls out to Magai.

Part 2

 * Released in August 23, 2021

Magai leaves the cell. Shingo begs to be released and return home, but clan member Yasakani says the young man will be held in prison until the group learns his identity, and if true, he will be released for his home. Shingo takes his notebook fallen from the ground and starts to write his stay at the site. In the first three days, he reports that he is tired of the temporal shock. He also reveals that he ate only brown rice, without any side dishes, and that he took his physiological needs in a wooden bucket. In addition, he also reports difficulties in conversing with Magai, as he does not understand his words. He realizes that he has gone back a few centuries in the past, and goes to ask Magai directly.

He, at first, does not understand the question, says he does not know the young man directly, but responds to the question, saying that since the fall of the Kamakaura Shogunate, disputes have been dominating Japan, and the number of outcasts has increased. Shingo, at last, finds a familiar word, realizing he is well before the Edo Period. He gives the start date of the Kamakura Shogunate, but cannot know when it ended. The young man realizes that he cannot stay there for long, and yet, excited, he rewrites in his notebook.

Day 4. Shingo is not so excited anymore. He wonders what to do, as no one knows him in the past and this is necessary to get out of his cell. He concludes that thinking about it only makes him feel worse, and he does his practice punches inside the cell. Magai observes from the outside, called the bogus imitation technique. Shingo is amazed. The clan chief asks if she is a Kusanagi clan-style aragami, and the young man asks if she is doing well. Magai says that he only sees an imitation, and that Shingo won't be able to kill anyone with it. The young man says he doesn't want to kill anyone. Magai asks Shingo to follow him.

In the backyard, Shingo finds the sunlight strange. Magai challenges him to a fight, as the young man claims to be a disciple of Kusanagi. The young man remembers how strong the boss of the Yasakani clan is, as he defeated the creature in the forest with one hand, and, as a competitor in the KOF tournament, he wants to test his version of the fighting style. Magai says Shingo's posture is not the standard Kusanagi style. The young man says that it is not just that, but what his master taught him. The Yasakani style master starts the fight by throwing a flame towards Shingo, who dodges. Distracted, he thinks about the Yasakani-style flames, until he is smothered by Magai's hand, bringing him to the ground.

Magai calls Shingo weak, for having easily defeated him. Shingo says he is still recovering from some injuries, and the clan chief says this is nonsense, adding that losing a fight means death and that he will only be able to make excuses after his death. Magai goes on to say that Shingo is a pampered bon vivant, and that everything will remain as it is for a while longer. The young man whimpers, and begs for Kusanagi. Magai listens to him, and says he's going to take him to him. Shingo is surprised by the possibility of meeting an ancestor of his idol.

Part 1

 * Released in September 13, 2021

Magai says that them will visit Kusanagi after a few days, as he is very busy at the moment. Shingo continues to report what is happening with him during the period he is in, and says he needs to go back to the contemporary period, as he misses his technological gagdets, as well as a bathroom. He takes the opportunity to continue training, under Magai's eyes. He at first refuses, but Shingo hysterically begs for training. Magai trains him, dissatisfied with the young man's performance. He notices the boy writing in his notebook. Shingo asks to train again, when suddenly a woman appears carrying a child in her arms. The young man greets her quickly, and she introduces herself by the name Kaya. Shingo pampers the baby, and discovers that the child is the son of the two, Magai and Kaya, disappointing him inside.

The training continues, with Magai's suspicions that Shingo wants the secret of the Yasakani's ancient martial arts. The young man feels he is not moving fast, and asks the clan leader what is wrong. Magai says the boy's fighting pose gets in the way of his physique. Shingo says he won't change her as his idol does this pose. Magali asks if it's Kusanagi, and the young man confirms.

Kaya stops the training again, and admires their efforts. Magai says he only does it under pressure from Shingo. The clan chief asks what his wife is doing there. She replies that she already feels fine, and examines Shingo. The young man is suspicious, but Magai asks him to trust her. She presses her fingers to the young man's forehead and after that she writes the acronym KOF. Magai realizes that they are letters, and Shingo marvels at Kaya's abilities, which resemble Athena Asamiya's powers.

Magai demands Shingo say what those letters mean. Kaya tries to break up the fight. Both end up revealing the young man's scars, accidentally. Kaya feels them hurting, and interrupts the conversation at this point. Shingo asks to find Kusanagi, and Magai takes him. Upon reaching a large wooden gate, the clan chief asks the young man to wait outside. He waits until he hears the word START! Barely holding his curiosity, Shingo climbs the wall and witnesses a fight with the audience, where several clan members are gathered.

Part 2

 * Released in September 27, 2021

The fight starts. The competitors are the leaders of Kusanagi and Yasakani clans. Both start throwing their flames at each other. Shingo is amazed by what he sees, and remembers the fights between Kyo and Iori in the KOF tournament. The fight gets more explosive, until it ends with the leader of the Kusanagi clan pushing Magai against the big gate. Shingo, who was at the top, loses his balance and falls inside, causing the surprise of those present and the embarrassment of the young man.

Magai gets annoyed with Shingo. The rival clan leader reaches out to him, and comforts him after defeat. He then notices Shingo, and says that Magai talks a lot about the young man, who claims to be a student of Kyo Kusanagi. The Kusanagi clan leader doesn't understand a word of what Shingo does, and questions him about Kyo and about saying he's Kusanagi's student. Shingo says that this is no pretense and that he is a student of the Kusanagi from the future, causing laughter from the Kusanagi leader. It is then that a voice rises, asking to speak.

The voice belongs to Yakumo, member of the Yasakani clan. He asks why Magai left Shingo alive. The clan leader says the young man wears Japanese upper-class clothes and customs. And he adds that, although we do not take sides in the current war, although they would like to, they cannot take hasty moves, as they are not well regarded by the shogun or the imperial court. Yakumo says, based on his clanmate's speech, that he might be hiding his identity, wonders if there's a reason for this, and suggests getting rid of Shingo. Magai says that getting rid of the young man would give the clan a lot of trouble, and suggests discovering his real identity.

Yakumo points out that Shingo knows about the secret of the Yasakani clan's flames and deduces that the young man may be Orochi's ally. Magai says his wife Kaya might have noticed. The other member says that the evil entity's power is beyond human comprehension, even that of priestesses. Shingo wonders who Orochi is. Yakumo says Magai is being too nice and too complacent. The leader says no, and the member says he doesn't know if he will give confidence to a fake, under the sly laughter of the others. The leader of the other clan becomes angry, under the intervention of Magai. Kaya appears, and says that, regarding Shingo, it's better to give it time. Yakumo questions her sacredistic view, and she adds that it's just intuition. The clan Yasakani member says that the words of a priestess matter a lot, but the same cannot be said of her intuition. Kaya regrets.

Suddenly, something strange happens in the sky. Presents look. It's a flock of crows, warning that there will be a pandemonium. Magai shouts that everyone must go south, causing a general stampede. Just before leaving, Yakumo stops in front of Shingo and says he won't bother him for now, but points out that if the young man does any harm to his clan, he will have no mercy. Shingo gets lost and runs after the mob. Kaya thinks about Shingo, telling herself that the young man is not of any of the clan bloodlines, nor does he belong to the Orochi clan, but his scars reveal marks of the Yasakani and Orochi clan at the same time. She wonders who the young man is.

Part 1

 * Released October 11, 2021

Shingo reports in his notebook all the events that took place after the fight and the pandemonium. The members of both clans quickly run south, and the common inhabitants of Japan realize what is happening. Shingo chases wildly. As he runs, he observes smoke in the sky, and realizes that the birds have come from there. He enters the forest, until he comes across the destroyed village and strange creatures ready to attack: the Yōkai. Shingo then remembers a conversation he had with Magai about the creature that almost devoured him. The leader of the Yasakani clan says that Orochi's power invades the bodies of dead animals, awakening them and causing them to hunt humans until they collapse. The young man says he doesn't know what Orochi is, but he thinks he's witnessing the transformation the entity makes to these corpses.

He watches members of the Yasakani and Kusanagi clans attacking the Yōkai. Suddenly, another creature, which resembles a giant slug, comes towards him to attack him, but two clansmen are faster and burn the creature. Both ask Shingo what he came to do there, as he was a prisoner of the Yasakani. The young man says he only ran because the clans were running. The two reprimand him and expel him, saying that the young man is hindering the fight against the creatures. Afraid, Shingo runs back. Looking back, he sees that they both use flames, and wonders what their training method is, until he hears a scream.

Part 2

 * Released October 18, 2021

Shingo turns, and notices two children (a boy holding a piece of wood and a cornered girl) and an injured teenager facing a creature that resembles a giant frog. The young man realizes the danger and runs to help them. When he gets close, he notices that the boy looks like him and concludes that he is facing his ancestor and the ancestor of his sisters. The girl begs someone from the Yasakani and Kusagani clans to help them, the eldest asks the brothers to leave, and the boy faces the yokai, trembling with fear. Realizing that the clans are busy with other creatures, Shingo attacks the yokai with his bare hands, and asks the young men to flee quickly. The girl says that her older sister hurt her leg and cannot run. The young woman insists that they go, but the boy continues. Shingo keeps grabbing the creature, until it revolts and throws it away until it crashes into a tree.

The young man feels his arms and hands aching and thinks that if he is hit one more time, he might faint. He wonders if there's nothing he can do. His ancestral boy says he will defend his sisters, no matter how strong the creature is. Shingo gathers his strength and persistence and, at the same time as the boy, runs and attacks the creature; the boy with the piece of wood he was holding hits the eye, and the young man with a kick, hits the skull. With such fatal blows, the creature dies and Shingo faints, hitting his head on the ground. Kusanagi and Magai run to see what happened. Both are impressed by the dead creature and Shingo's effort. Both brothers try to wake up the young man, who was still passed out.

Part 1

 * Released November 8, 2021

After the fight with the yokai, Shingo wakes up from his fainting. Upon waking up, he is faced with the population saved, but with part of the houses destroyed. The boy who helped Shingo defeat the creature disturbs Kusanagi to learn how it releases fire. The young man remembers how frightening it was to be in front of those creatures. The sisters who were in the yokai's crosshairs approach Shingo and thank the young man for saving them. Shingo remembers his sisters when he sees them.

He then looks at the boy who helped him kill the yokai, and wonders if he is his ancestor. The boy realizes that the young man has woken up, and also thanks him. But not before mocking Shingo's face, telling him to try harder if he wants to let go of flames. The boy adds that if it weren't for his help, Shingo wouldn't have defeated the monster. The young man is furious inside after hearing this.

The child again disturbs Kusanagi who, to get rid of him, says that the first step in getting flames is to catch rainbow-colored balls. The boy, without blinking, goes and runs after him. Shingo also goes, but is stopped by Kusanagi. Over protests, he is warned by Magai that this was a lie to distract the child. Everyone goes home.

Shingo reports in his diary everything that happened. He writes about Orochi's influence on dead creatures, about how clans use their pyrotechnic powers to help and protect people, and how his ancestors and those of the Kusanagi clan might have some connection. He goes back to his cell and notices extra things: several Japanese carpets and side dishes for the brown rice: fried fish and miso (Japanese soup). Only the bathroom remains the same.

Shingo tells himself that it looks like the clan is accepting him, and that he's on the way to developing flames. He thinks about how easily clans create flames, and reminds KOF tournament participants who also possess these abilities. He also compares Magai to Iori Yagami, the last descendant of the clan, and thinks the two must be quite different, due to the fact that Iori is antisocial and develops purple flames.

Part 2

 * Released November 15, 2021

A flame is lit, starting a meeting. Representatives of the Kusanagi, Yasakani and Yata clans gather around a bonfire. The messengers of the last clan say that the chaos in the world intensifies as the seal of Orochi weakens, given the transformations exerted by the evil entity. And they point out that the seal must be protected at all costs, as the resurrection of Orochi will end humanity. For this, the clans must cooperate so that the seal is strong and not broken again. Magai is wary of such information.

Shingo is exercising inside his cell when Kaya calls him for a walk. The young man fears that the walk will be dangerous for both of them, but the priestess assures him that there is nothing to fear. She says that in the past her husband was not as sullen as he is today. The baby fusses at the proximity of the butterflies.

Both stop in front of a giant rock. Kaya says it is the tomb of Magahito Yasakani, Magai's older brother. The priestess says he died at just 12 years old, that he was a good person and a great fighter. She complements by saying that he fought head-to-head with the leader of the Kusanagi clan in techniques and powers. Shingo asks how Magahito died, and Kaya, assuming the young man knows something, touches him on the forehead. But she is wrong, thinking he was an Orochi envoy. At this point, he notices other clan members behind him, who withdraw, confirming that the young man poses no danger. Kaya says that many in the Yasakani household are still very suspicious of Shingo, and says it will depend on whether or not the young man is a threat.

Shingo asks if Magai's brother's story is just to deceive him, and Kaya assures him that it isn't. The sacredotiza says that Magahito died trying to protect his younger brother from Orochi's transformation, which makes Magai feel guilty about it. And he adds, saying that her husband was very strong, and that if he was someone else there, he wouldn't blame himself so much. She goes on to say that the prevailing thought of most of the clan is that Magai is a cheap imitator of her brother, who for them is the true heir.

Shingo remembers some moments he spent during his time (Yakumo calling him a fake person and his possible ancestors in danger) and says that each one must protect their loved ones, but blaming the person who needed help is not right. Kaya tells him not to think badly of Magai. The young man asks if there is anything he can do, and the sacredotiza says no, because for the young man he is nothing more than an outsider. Shingo says that Kaya is outspoken, the young man asks her to reveal more about her husband's thoughts. The priestess says that when thoughts are kept too long, they can become a curse, worrying her.

Magai walks and stops in front of the Orochi seal. In front of him, he philosophizes about keeping it safe, but adds that every seal will break someday. He goes on to say that human life is so ephemeral, that the problem has passed down through the generations and if there is anything that can be done. He still regrets the fact that he never equals Kusanagi, just like his brother, and wonders if, if he were stronger, he could do something to change all that.

Part 1

 * Released December 20, 2021

A few days later, another training takes place between Magai and Shingo. And the young man reports the events he witnessed in his diary. After defeating Shingo again, Magai wonders when he will continue to resist, and that strength doesn't come without concentration. The young man says that he wants to defeat Orochi's transformations, like the others, and that he wants to do what he can to help.

Faced with these arguments, Magai frees Shingo from his cell, and asks the young man to leave and not get involved with the clan again. Shingo refuses, and adds that, now that he knows the truth, he wants to help people who are in danger. Quoting, indirectly, what he heard from Kaya, he speaks of the clan leader. Magai changes his expression to something frightening, and questions the young man about how he seems to need his help.

With that, Magai attacks Shingo fiercely, and the young man defends. Clan leader Yasakani says he was holding back because it was training, but in a real fight, the young man wouldn't lay a finger on him, and asks him not to get involved in the clan's problems. Shingo attacks and says he wants to help out of pure spontaneous will. Dodging the attacks, he brags about his progress, until Magai defeats him once more.

Faced with Shingo's body lying unconscious on the ground, Magai says that the disasters won't wait for the young man to strengthen himself. And if he wanted to, Shingo would be dead by now. He adds, with a macabre face, saying that the young man was lucky to kill an Orochi transformation, but that without strength, he would not be alive to tell the story.

Magai regains consciousness and says he shouldn't have said that to Shingo. He senses his wife's presence and asks to take care of the young man for him. Kaya takes Shingo to the clan residence, and asks the young man how he is feeling. The young man says that he is used to it, and the sacredotisa finds that Shingo is quite stubborn.

Part 2

 * Released December 27, 2021

Kaya says it's hard to find new information about Shingo, and that reading the young man's mind is way beyond his ability. But there's one thing she can still do: read thoughts. She asks him to read some more, and the young man refuses. She regrets the fact that her husband does not let her read his thoughts so as to lighten his burden a little. And the priestess realizes that Magai is opening up more with Shingo. Kaya further adds that she thought Shingo would be a suitable listener for him to report what happened to the clan, but it seems that this only caused more pain. The young man confesses that it was his fault for having opened his mouth too much.

Shingo shows his improved ability to Kaya, and she reminds him that the young man bears some resemblance to Magai and his brother, making him curious. Suddenly, the priestess senses the presence of Orochi stronger, and runs to where the presence of the evil entity is more intense. The young man runs after Kaya, and the other members of the Yasakani clan run after them after noticing the movement.

They enter the cave where Orochi's seal is hidden, and feel something on the ground, until they encounter yet another transformation of the entity: uncontrolled carnivorous plants. Shingo screams, and the clan members impatiently tell the young man to step back to set their flames. After the decimation of the plants, both find Kaya kneeling and Magai passed out, next to the seal.

Part 1

 * Released in February 7, 2022

The other members of the Yasakani clan comment on the broken seal, saying that the only ones who know about the 108 seals and the places where they are staying are the Yata clan, and that the clan leaders are also the only ones who know about the seal, which explains the current state of Magai. Shingo and Kaya check his vital signs. Suddenly, a middle-aged man appears in the middle of the confusion. He blames the clan leader for destroying the seal's protection, as well as causing problems such as his brother's death. The man is called Iori Yasakani, the patriarch of the clan.

Shingo remembers the similarities with Iori Yagami. The patriarch stands in front of the unconscious son's body and asks him to answer something. Kaya tries to stop him, but is slapped hard, knocking her to the ground. Iori tries to step on Magai, but Shingo throws his body to stop him, surprising everyone. After screaming in pain, the young man yells at Iori, saying that this is not a father's attitude. The man beats him, saying that Shingo was just another nuisance brought by Magai. Shingo says he doesn't understand why he doesn't listen to them, but the patriarch tells the young man to leave, scaring him, before burning him with his flames.

Kaya interrupts him once more, saying that she's going to read her husband's mind, to understand what's going on. Iori says that she could have done this sooner, but she didn't. The woman asks to read the patriarch's mind, who refuses as it is too scary. She complements, saying that the act of reading minds is not acceptable, as it can break the relationship between people. Iori concludes, saying that the son is beyond repair. Kaya apologizes to Magai before reading her mind, but is interrupted by a strange noise. Suddenly, men mounted on horses appear at the entrance to the seal. These are the Imperial soldiers, who came for Magai on suspicion of breaking the Orochi's seal.

Part 2

 * Released in February 28, 2022

Kaya tries to argue, saying that she will read her husband's mind. The soldier promptly refuses. He still recognizes the fighting skills and the flames, and looks at the newly opened Orochi seal, and adds that, given the entity's (yet) non-manifestation, dealing with the clan would be a greater burden than Orochi, in addition to that as the leader broke the seal, the imperial cavalry would already have a good excuse to crush Magai.

Iori asks if his son didn't show up as expected, adding that it's just humans fighting each other. The officer resumes saying that he received an anonymous tip reporting that someone from the Yasakani clan was acting suspiciously, having been watching his steps lately. Iori wants to know who, but the officers will only reveal the person on one condition: that they use the clan's power in the service of the shogunate, in addition to forgetting about breaking the seal. Otherwise, the emperor will decide. Negotiations will only continue after Magai wakes up. And with that, the imperial cavalry leaves the place. Annoyed, Iori laments the fact that Magahito, his eldest son, is not there, under Shingo's disapproving gaze.

Accelerated footsteps are heard in the direction of the Yasakani house. When they cease, Kaya checks to see if her baby is okay, which comes to fruition.

Complete silence. Kaya and Shingo talk about what happened. The priestess says that the young man does not need to know in depth about what will happen. Shingo revolts, saying that Magai is not a bad man, and blames his father for this. The woman adds that this did not happen in the past, due to the existence of Magahito for the clan. Shingo complements, saying that the clan must not look to the past, and that they must move on, for those who are gone, and decides that he will go after Magai, to ask him personally about the breaking of the seal. Kaya asks if he knows where he is. The young man is quiet. The priestess thanks him and asks if Shingo really came from the future. Knocking on the clan gate is heard, from two women begging for help.

Part 3

 * Released in March 14, 2022

The clan members find the knocks strange at that time of night. They deduce it to be either thieves or one of Orochi's transformations. Kaya says she understands why Shingo is there and says that changing the past will change the future and cause a time paradox. She adds that this cannot happen, as both worlds are different, and that a great force has temporarily connected them. She still realizes that this power is getting better and better since her husband was captured. Shingo finds the conversation strange, and Kaya finishes, saying that, even though they are from different worlds, it's the same world they both live in, and that Magai wants for her son.

Suddenly, two shadows hover over the roof of the clan residence, the same ones that slammed into the gate and attacked the clan members, and land on the ground. These are two women, servants of Orochi, very similar to the other two ladies that hover over this world today. They perceive their target. The blonde complains that it could be a better corpse, and the redhead complements saying that it was the only possible option at the moment, as their master's resurrection will take time. With that in mind, they aim for their target. Shingo tries to stop them, saying he won't let them through. The redhead says she doesn't need him, just the woman. At this moment, the blonde scratches the young man's back, who groans in pain. The second throws Shingo to the ground with all his strength, and tells him not to disturb them, as they have little time. Kaya walks towards them, offers no resistance and says that there is no point in hurting Shingo. The women say he started it, trying to stop them, and that they would involve the priestess's baby if she didn't cooperate. The redhead looks at Shingo's body on the ground trying to hold her, and she says that he can't win anything just with courage.

Before leaving, Kaya reads Shingo's mind. He notices the priestess walking away. She tells the young man not to worry, and that this is something that has already happened. She complements, saying if he sees hope in the future, and that what happened must not change, so that Magai has hope. And just like that, she disappears. Shingo calls out to her. Back in reality, Kusanagi touches the young man's body to wake him up, holding Kaya's son, who is crying.

Part 1

 * Released in March 28, 2022

Moments after the attack, Kusanagi enters the Yasakani house and notices the gate is open. He sees the clan members lying on the floor, and asks what happened. The man says that two women attacked them by surprise, with a power beyond the comprehension of any clan. It also indicates where they fled to. Kusanagi screams, signaling an enemy attack, and also notices Shingo on the ground and Kaya's baby crying. The young man wakes up screaming, and notices the cloth that is left of Kaya's clothing, and punishes himself, calling an idiot.

At this moment, Iori appears, and says that he sent for the priestess. He points out that Orochi's transformations don't move as fast or attack by surprise. The young man says that the Hakkesshu women came after Kaya. The chieftain of the Yasakani clan says that Orochi's servants are too powerful, and that it takes time for them to find a suitable body to possess. Kusanagi disagrees, stating that Orochi's transformations can materialize into corpses, and that history about the entity has been repeated since immemorial times. He says it's better to understand them, to react in a certain way.

Suddenly, Iori tries to attack Shingo, but is stopped by Kusanagi. The gentleman protests, saying that the young man is an intruder, and that he may be an informer of the entity. The head of the other clan says that the best thing to do is to leave Shingo alive to listen to him, and points out that the situation is bad enough, given the burden Magai carries. Iori says that the young man doesn't know how to take care of his life, calling him Yamato. He asks Shingo to hold Magai and Kaya's son, to continue the fight.Yamato lands an accurate blow on Iori, who falls to the ground. He tells the defeated man that he may not recognize his son as someone important and that he has become stronger, because the lord was stuck in the past, and calls Shingo to go with him to the Kusanagi house, and adds that if the baby feels hungry, the young man can stay with him and ask his wife to give him milk. Under Iori's authorization, they depart. Moments earlier, in the Imperial house, Magai is presented to the Emperor for his likely punishment.

Part 2

 * Released in April 11, 2022

Before the Emperor, Magai swears that he did not break the seal and also does not know who did. The Japanese representative says that, in the face of the Yasakani clan chief's refusal to cooperate, he offers a proposal: offer the clan's flames for royal benefit or be annihilated by the court. He also points out that keeping the seal protected is costly. Magai tells what the royal court will do in the event of the evil entity's transformations, which the emperor confirms he has heard rumors about. Magai says that these phenomena disappear in a matter of half a day, along with the rotting bodies possessed by her, and that they are destroyed as soon as they are seen. The royal chief says no, as he thinks it's something similar, and says he's more concerned with the war now, and that's why he wants the clan's flames. He asks Magai to think about the proposal presented in his cell.

In the cell, Magai sees a person approaching from outside. It's Yakumo, one of the clan members. Back when the seal is broken, the Yasakani chief checks on his situation, until he is surprised by a gust of wind from behind. The man admits that he wanted to blame his leader, so he set everything up. Magai asks Yakumo if he made a pact with Orochi to have such power. He explains that it is not Yakumo who is there, but an envoy of the evil entity that possessed the dead body of the Yasakani clan member, at the time of the breaking of the seal. Magai asks why his subordinate broke the seal, and the possessed man says that Yakumo thought the artifact's protection was "a sham and a stupid reason". He also points out that millennia are useless for the Hakkesshu, but they are enough to turn reality into fairy tales, and he adds that the Emperor is more interested in killing the Yasakani clan. Yakumo even points out that if he hadn't been the one to break the seal, either Magai or Iori would have, as no matter the human efforts, they always make mistakes. He even says that there are people who can better handle the flow of energy in the world, the so-called priestesses. One priestess, or 8, is enough to be a receptacle for an intangible being called Orochi.

In the cell, Magai rebels and breaks the wooden bars, but is restrained as he tries to attack Yakumo, who throws a gust of wind and pins him to the wall by the throat. He asks his leader to save his strength, as the rotting body, despite being well formed, is gradually collapsing. The possessed still points out that Magai was the only one to understand everything (even the power of his late wife, Kaya), but preferred to deceive himself. Magai asks what Yakumo is talking about, and he adds that the possessed soul, even when sealed, was able to perceive Orochi's transformations, and points out that Magahito, the older brother of the Yasakani, was killed by the Hakkesshu.

Part 3

 * Released in April 25, 2022

In a flashback, Magahito says that his brother is already able to understand Orochi's transformations, and that if something happens, stay close to him. He then burns some evil entities, and Magai looks on in awe. Suddenly, he finds his brother standing in front of a female human silhouette, which reveals itself to be an Orochi transformation. A ragged lord begs Magahito not to kill her, saying that she is the mother he swore to have died two days earlier, and asks not to kill him, as they do with monsters. The heir of the Yasakani clan irreducibly asks the man to leave. The creature attacks with everything, but Magahito takes a fatal stab from the creature's son and falls to the ground. The ragged man tries to talk to his mother, without success, as he is killed by her, and with a fatal blow, Magahito, even wounded, kills the creature.

On his deathbed, Magahito tells his brother that it is rare for a human to be an Orochi transformation, as the entity hates humanity. He still considers the victims, as he thinks the woman was a being who loved nature, and the son for the suffering he went through. Magai revolts at the defense, and the brother says that it won't help to have resentments without reason. The clan leader asks his brother to say that his death was the work of an Orochi transformation, as death through a person would shake the clan's faith, and that protecting the Orochi seal is protecting people. And with that, Magahito dies.

The Yasakani clan mourns Magahito's death, and finds it absurd for him to die for a transformation. They ask Magai what happened, and the young man says he was cowed in the face of the facts, and adds that his brother died to protect him.

Back in the cell, Yakumo strangles and questions Magai, saying that his brother was a great leader, and questions the real reason the current leader of the Yasakani clan fights. He further says that the immortality of Orochi and his servants puts all the protectors of the ground in conflict, and that liberation will always come, and points out that Magai hates humans, due to the death of his brother Magahito. And so Yakumo awakens the Riot of the Bloodin him.

With that, a great abyss opens within Magai.

Part 1

 * Released in May 9, 2022