Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage (drama)

Kenkaku Ibunroku - Yomigaerishi Sōkō no Yaiba - Samurai Spirits Shinshō Drama CD (剣客異聞録 甦りし蒼紅の刃 サムライスピリッツ新章 ドラマＣＤ) is a dramatization of the events predating Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage. It was broadcast on Game Dra Night before its Scitron And Arts release on February 19, 2000. Unlike most drama CDs from SNK, the tracks tell one story with an extended three-track prologue.

Prologue
In her thoughts, Mikoto is trying to find an explanation behind her actions. Her dormant good side is remorseful while her devil side is slaying anyone who opposes her. The track then skips back to before these events, where Tohma and her are along the edges of mainland Japan. Their destination is the island of refugees and criminals, Ritenkyo. While he revels the thought of arriving in a land finally fit for him, she expresses her concerns for Tohma's standing with his family. He confirms to her that he is an avenger who only lives to kill, thus having no need for kin.

They arrive at a shady boat shop where the owner refuses to hand out a boat for free, as he fears punishment from the government. Tohma responds by showing his sword, Kohoh, as possible payment. As the shop keep marvels at the sword's crimson tinge, the swordsmen slays him and goes to secure a boat for them. Mikoto, shocked by his brutality, asks why he did this, which he takes as a sign of disloyalty. She dispels this by affirming her oath to follow Tohma and promises to do his biding. When the boat keeper's gang rushes to avenge him, Mikoto, due to Tohma's order and his dissatisfaction with her reluctance, meets and slaughters them. As she does so, she slips into her other persona.

Rimururu, in a magical prison, senses some evil energies and wonders when she can be freed. She cannot hear, see, or touch anything yet Nakoruru is able to converse with her. Her elder sister tells her that a dark power prevents her from saving Rimururu. However, Nakoruru pleads her sister to withstand her state a little while longer so she can find the means of releasing her. Her sister agrees and they lose contact once more. Alone and remorseful, Nakoruru prays to Kamui to send her someone with a strong samurai spirit.

The scene shifts to two women, one that sings a lullaby and the other who is looking outside. The latter points out an auspicious group of clouds and wonders if a storm is brewing. The scene shifts to underneath the cloud gathering where fighting and shouting can be heard. Watching from a distance, Saya cannot fathom the joy in the bloodsport. The man behind her agrees and begins to fondle her. She moves away from him and, after readjusting her clothes, playfully says that she needs information for a job. At first, he thinks she's joking until Saya draws one of her blades to his throat. He struggles to tell her what he knows as that "fearsome woman" will come to slay him. Two bells ring -almost like a wind chime- and the man begins to panic. They ring once more until Mikoto charges into the room and slays him. Saya tells her intruder that it was a waste to kill him and, when asked by her assailant for a fight, cheerfully replies that she's trying to concoct a way out. To Mikoto's distaste, Saya throws explosives towards her and escapes.

Near a crackling fireplace, Jushiro hums the same song heard earlier. He stops once he senses someone at his door and demands the person to identify themselves. Nervously, Rinka announces herself, which relaxes Jushiro's senses. He opens the door to see her, a harsh wind blowing as she asks if Saya has returned. She is worried to hear her still out but Jushiro says that Saya's just doing "things that adults do". Rinka screams with fright when lightening strikes around them, which gets a tease from her older partner. She takes his jokes as insults -suggesting that she is too scared of the storm to look for Saya- and leaves.

On a beach, Haohmaru plans to go where he thinks his niece could have gone. He can only think of Ritenkyo but wonders how he can slip past the government's eye. In a room on a boat, a man calls for Seishiro and is displeased to see him napping. Seishiro asks if they have reached Ritenkyo but his attendant states that they're still preparing to sail. Although his follower states otherwise, Seishiro, wanting to find his younger brother, is actually looking forward to landing on the island. They hear a thump coming from another quarter of the ship and Seishiro rises to investigate.

When he arrives to the spot, the stowaway is Haohmaru. Although he warns him of their destination, the old man is confident that he can handle it. Seishiro draws his sword, states that he wants to end their encounter peacefully, and asks his reasons for sneaking on board. Haohmaru replies that he's simply looking for a troublesome yet good-mannered girl and asks Seishiro to aid his search, giving Mikoto's name in the process. The government samurai recognizes her name as one of the members in the "League of the Three Blades of Domination", whom rebel against Japan with Ritenkyo as its base. Haohmaru begins to deny that she would do that but the damage has been done and Seishiro's suspicions are perked. They begin their duel and the veteran complements the younger fighter's abilities. However, their fight has alarmed the other passengers, so Haohmaru flees from the ship. Seishiro, knowing of Haohmaru's skill and legendary status, is impressed with being able to encounter such a strong opponent.

Cast

 * Seishiro Kuki - Naoki Oikawa
 * Tohma Kuki - Tetsuya Sakai
 * Mikoto - Yumi Kakazu
 * Jushiro Sakaki - Kunihiko Yasui
 * Saya - Kyōko Hikami
 * Rinka Yoshino - Yōko Asada
 * Haohmaru - Daiki Nakamura
 * Nakoruru - Harumi Ikoma
 * Narration, Rimururu - Keiko Kamitani
 * Man - Tetsuji Morita
 * Government official - Kazunori Sekine