The Dark Assassins worked for Drako and the Ultimate Ninja in the 2003 TV series. Drako first used them to attack Splinter after he lost a Battle Nexus match to him. But Splinter was assisted by Miyamoto Usagi and the Daimyo, who chased Drako and his assassins off with his War Staff. Later Ultimate Ninja used them in an attempt to kill Leonardo, the Daimyo blamed Splinter, and install the Ultimate Ninja as Daimyo.