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Appearing in Shades of Green, chapter 3[]
Major characters[]
Minor characters[]
- Neko Ninja
- Villagers
Locations[]
- Usagi's world
- Farming village
- Neko Ninja hideout
Objects and Vehicles[]
Summary[]
At the Neko Ninja’s temple hideout, Gunji gloats over having captured Kakera, telling Chizu that even she will have to concede the success of his plan. Chizu reminds him that they still have to get Kakera out of these lands and within their borders and that there are still his guards to contend with. Gunji scoffs, saying that they failed to protect the rat and will soon abandon the area. To this Chizu replies that she is concerned because there are only a few dozen of their operatives left here. Unconcerned, Gunji says that’s only because their agents scattered after the attack to avoid being followed back to the hideout. He tells Chizu not to worry because only their most skilled Genin are here. He says that six of them, disguised as peasants, will take the rat back to their province. The remainder will stay and destroy all traces of their presence.
Chizu stares at him, stating that he thinks he’s got it all figured out. Gunji says he does, and with his success, the clan will call upon him to take the place of her dead brother, Shingen, as Jonin of the Neko Ninja. He adds that as for her, she can find favor as his consort. With a sly grin, he pats the ground next to him and tells her to take a seat. Instead, she scowls at him and leaves the room, walking away from his laughter.
Out in the forest, Usagi, Gennosuke and the Turtles make their way to the Neko Ninja hideout, with Leonardo guiding them. At the top of a hill, Leo has to pause to catch his breath, leaning against a walking stick he’s using to aid him. Donatello notices that his bandages are soaked through, and Raphael says he’s lost a lot of blood. Mikey asks if he’s sure he’s well enough to go on. Leo states that they will stick together, and besides, they need him to lead them to the Neko Ninja. Raph wants to know why they have to go after Kakera anyway. Mikey reminds him that they’re the good guys, and besides, he’s the only one who can send them home.
While Usagi ministers to Leo, getting him to drink some water, the other Turtles are concerned that their brother is not looking too good. Don promises to partner with Leo and to try to keep him out of the action. Raph wishes him good luck with that. They continue on, but after hours of walking, Gen insists that they are lost. Raph tells him to watch his mouth, that Turtles have an unerring sense of direction. To himself, Raph thinks that Leo is lost. Gen thinks it’s crazy to follow Leo, but then sets off a trip wire. A multitude of tiny, bamboo darts shoots out, but Raph tackles Gen to the ground, saving him from being hit. Don goes to help Gen up and the rhino admits that they are on the right trail after all. Usagi tells all to be quiet and keep an eye out for sentries.
They shortly reach the Neko Ninja hideout. A sentry perched in a tree lookout spots them, but before he can call out, Gen shoots an arrow into his forehead. Mikey knocks out another who is walking past their hiding spot in the bushes. Thinking they heard something, two other sentries approach, but are permanently removed by Usagi and Raph. Having removed all of the sentries, the group approaches the compound, with Raph commenting that maybe the ninjas aren’t so tough. But as soon as they enter the grounds, they are surrounded by Neko Ninja and one of them shouts at his clan to kill the intruders.
The fight begins, with Raph leaping into battle first. Don stands in front of Leo, telling him to stay back as he battles attackers. To himself, Don says he’s got to lead them away from his injured brother, but in doing so, crashes through a door into a building, where he is quickly surrounded. He manages to dodge several shuriken but is now without his bō and knows he’s in deep. Suddenly, Leo bursts into the building and chops down the ninja, saving his very surprised brother. Leo asks if Don’s okay and receives a thank you in response. Leo says they’ve got to find Kakera.
Elsewhere, Usagi notices wagon tracks leading away from the compound. The others have searched but found no sign of Kakera and Raph informs them that the ninja would rather die than give out any information. Then Gen asks after Usagi, noticing that he’s missing.
In the forest, the remaining Neko Ninja have disguised themselves as peasant woodcutters and are pushing and pulling a cart of “wood”. One of them complains at the lack of a horse to pull the thing, but Gunji silences them. They stop when they reach a stream fed by a nearby waterfall and Gunji says that it’s as good a place as any to rest. Chizu walks across some rocks and dips her handkerchief into the water in order to clean her face. Suddenly, Gunji orders his men to surround her. Chizu finds herself encircled by the men, all with their swords drawn, and demands to know the meaning of this treachery.
Gunji tells her that he’s just ensuring the leadership of the clan. Unseen by them, Usagi has followed the tracks and advances. Meanwhile, Gunji tells Chizu not to resist, that the four ninja with him are loyal only to him. Then one of the ninjas spots the approaching samurai. Gunji orders his men to deal with Usagi while he takes care of Chizu. The Neko Ninja attack, but Usagi makes short work of them. At the stream, Gunji strikes at Chizu, who uses her walking stick to deflect the blow. It is cut in half by the sword and Chizu dodges the next strike. Gunji comes at her, yelling that she will die now, but Chizu asks if he thought she would be so unprepared. A blade pops out of the end of her walking stick and the pair do battle. In his rage, Gunji stabs at her, but Chizu moves too quickly and stabs him as he passes her. Gunji falls dead into the water.
Chizu walks out of the stream and approaches Usagi. She asks if he is Miyamoto Usagi who aided their clan against Lord Tamakuro in the Dragon Below Conspiracy. He says that he is. She tosses aside her blade as she walks up to him, saying that her brother spoke most highly of him and that his praises did not do justice to his skill. Suddenly, she plants a kiss directly on his mouth. Stepping back, she introduces herself and then turns to walk away. As she leaves, she says that Kakera is his and that they have no more interest in him. Chizu bids Usagi farewell and says that they’ll meet again.
Usagi stands still for a moment and then shakes it off, as there is no time to concern himself with her. He goes to the cart and removes the top layer of wooden posts, finding a hidden chamber in the wood pile. Usagi takes the top off and finds Kakera inside. The old rat has apparently been drugged but is otherwise all right. Just then, Gen and the Turtles catch up to Usagi, having also followed the wagon tracks. Usagi tells them he found Kakera and that he’s safe.
Epilogue One: The Turtles bid good-bye to Usagi and Gen. Leo tells Usagi it’s been fun as usual and Usagi says he hopes Leo’s wounds heal quickly. Raph tells Gen that he’s okay – for a Rhino. Gen replies that Raph’s not too bad either. Usagi hopes to see them again and Don says he’d love to explore their world. However, Raph insists that “Next time… Our place!”. Kakera asks if they are all ready. Soon he is performing his ritual and the spell returns the Turtles to their home, leaving behind the four small turtles previously collected from the river, though one now has bandages wrapped around its middle.
Epilogue Two: Gen and Usagi leave the village. As they walk along, Gen comments that the Neko Ninja are still out there and asks what it is that makes Usagi think that Kakera will be safe now. Usagi tells him he’s had an assurance from Shingen’s sister. When Gen asks if she’s as wily a character as Shingen was, Usagi clears his throat and answers that she may be even craftier. Gen hopes he never runs into her. Then he says he has to get back to earning a livelihood. He’s heard that there’s a bandit with a fair bounty in the province to the North. He asks if Usagi wants to come along. Usagi says no, that he will travel East for a while, but he’s sure their paths will cross again. The pair bid each other farewell and part ways.
See also[]
Trivia[]
- In the letters column, Sakai reveals that the plot for “Shades of Green”, an homage to Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai”, was created two years prior to Usagi Yojimbo’s switch from Fantagraphics to Mirage. Originally, the part of Gen was to be played by Tomoe-Ame.
- This issue was collected (albeit in black and white) by Dark Horse Comics in Usagi Yojimbo Book 8: Shades of Death.