Fourth Nin - A Shinobi Revelation...

Fourth Nin - A Shinobi Revelation... is the fourth episode of Hero Retold: Kamen Rider Shinobi. This episode features Rekka Ayano's first transformation into Kamen Rider Kurenai, as well as Rentaro Kagura's reveal as Kamen Rider Shinobi to Isamichi Konjo. This episode also explains the Blood Storm and Crimson Year events, as well as their relations with the Nin-Ju.

Plot
The police continue firing at the Blue Nin-Ju as the others restrain Shinobi. When the Nin-Ju’s belt starts blinking, Shinobi yells to stop, as Yabe finally shoots the beast down on the head. Isamichi arrives to stop the police from shooting as Yabe celebrates in killing the monster. Isamichi pulls him aside and he performs the Sanzu Sealing Technique on the Nin-Ju, draining its waters to his Hyoutan to reveal the cabaret hostess, dead from a gunshot wound to the head. The police suddenly panic over what happened while Yabe suddenly drops to his knees, screaming with terror. Isamichi looks at Kamen Rider Shinobi, only to see a straw dummy in his place, the Rider performing a substitution technique to escape. As the commotion grows in the area with media drones and projectors coming in, a scarlet Kamen Rider stands on top of a building watching the events unfold. Separately, Rentaro flees to an undisclosed alley, cancels his transformation, and punches the wall in resentment and fury, cracking it using his bare hands."“The beasts of the crimson moon; filled with malice yet are of spirit and life. Though feral and dark, they are still of flesh and blood, worthy of love and protection. Through the royal gifts they are given new breath, for they are part of the nature. Destruction only brings destruction; we fear yet not engage, lest we become beasts’ others fear.”""- The scroll's text, as read by Rentaro Kagura"Three days later, Rentaro has been on a depressed mood in his home. While Iroha prepares for work, Akane visits them, bringing food to try and cheer up Rentaro. Iroha, however, chastises her brother even further, saying that there are problems that ninjutsu cannot solve. As Iroha leaves, Rentaro tosses the Silver Hyoutan back, which Akane catches. She tries to comfort him, saying that deaths are part of the natural life, and she’s even holding the proof of that. Rentaro fires back that the situation was different, that he could have saved the woman if other people weren’t so involved, or if they only knew better. Akane retorts, saying that knowing something can also lead to other unfortunate events, but Rentaro snatches the bottle back, saying that he at least needs other people who can fulfill this task like him. He points out Isamichi, only for Master Gamano to ring and question him, saying that Isamichi can also be a liability. Rentaro states that Isamichi was able to seal the Sanzu waters on his own, and that working with him can be an ideal situation. Gamano says that Icchy’s not ready for the ordeals ahead, and that he was chosen for a reason. Master Gamano persists that he should drive the Nin-Ju back to the shadows, where he can save them all. Akane suddenly remembers her visit, saying that the media was silent about the Nin-Ju event once again, which also causes concern to the rest.

In the Konjo Group, Iroha tries to conceptualize an upcoming public event when Tsunayoshi notes that he hasn’t seen the Vice-CEO for a while. Mina also asks about it and tries to grill Iroha about it though the latter says that it isn’t weird for a busy person not to be in office. Though she tries to focus the group back to the event, the others keep badgering her, only to stop as Isamichi passes by. He asks Iroha to talk in private, where Isamichi confesses that he might take up arms once again as Kamen Rider Hattari, something that Iroha objects. She asks if it is because the beast tried to attack her, but Icchy sternly replies that it’s because this is something that only he can do, saying that the issues with the Nin-Ju are more complicated that it seems. Iroha tries to reason against Icchy’s decision, but Ayame calls their attention, telling the Vice-CEO his appointment. When Icchy leaves, Iroha confronts Ayame about forcing him to become a Rider again, but Ayame smiles, saying that like her joining the Konjo Group despite her animosity with the company, Isamichi is also doing something he doesn’t like for the sake of others. She notes that the end of the day, the choices people make can bring positive change, despite it being difficult to bear or accomplish. This makes people stronger, and that one day, she will also make the same choices as well.

At the Tokyo MPD Office, Chief Takajo calls every officer for a top-secret meeting regarding the last event. He asks about Yabe’s condition, where Hayase states that he’s still in detention for killing a cabaret hostess, before presenting a detailed explanation of the Blood Storm that happened in 2011, the Crimson Year that is currently happening in 2025, as well as their connection to the Nin-Ju threat. Chief Takajo then issues an order to shoot/apprehend Shinobi on sight, as he thinks he’ll prove to be a nuisance to the task force they are putting together in handling the Nin-Ju.

Meanwhile, at the detention center, a remorseful yet emotionally broken Yabe is visited by an unknown entity, who uses an illusion technique to make him recall the event where he shot the young woman. Filled with grief, the entity uses a technique to make the walls see-through, so that the red moon can reach him. As waters pour out of Yabe, the entity is attacked by a disguised Rentaro. He fights off the figure who escapes before seeing to it that he seals the waters before Yabe turns into a Nin-Ju.

Back to the meeting, Hayase notices something at the back of the room and calls everyone’s attention. Rekka throws a kunai at a distance, which reveals a ninja recording their conversation while using a cloaking jutsu. Hayase rushes at the escaping ninja and as he tries to chase down the intruder, he sees Rentaro before he could seal the Sanzu waters. He calls his attention and tries to arrest him, but Yabe gets enveloped by the waters and turns into a Red Nin-Ju, rampaging in the police station before escaping, followed by Rentaro. Hayase tries to give chase but Rekka tells him to focus on the other one while she jumps out to follow the two.

Rentaro transforms into Kamen Rider Shinobi and engages the Red Nin-Ju in battle, though the beast proves to be tougher than imagine Shinobi gets a few hits in before ultimately getting knocked back. Two shurikens fly past Shinobi to hit the Nin-Ju as he sees Rekka attack the beast. Rentaro tells her to get back, but Rekka also pushes him aside before pulling out her Scarlet Hyoutan and transforming to Kamen Rider Kurenai, surprising Shinobi. She then starts fighting off the Nin-Ju and easily knocks it down using her speed. Shinobi tries to assist but Kurenai also starts attacking him, being able to hold him down while also dealing damage to the Nin-Ju, bringing it to its knees. She then activates her Fastest Ninpo Rider Slash technique to defeat the Red Nin-Ju and seal its waters into the Scarlet Hyoutan, reverting it back to an unconscious Yabe.

Meanwhile, back at the police station, Hayase finally catches up and apprehend to the ninja intruder, revealing himself to be an ordinary journalist. Hayase searches for the reporter’s phone and finds it, only to see the recording of their meeting uploaded to the Internet.

When Shinobi tries to approach Yabe, Kurenai attacks him, saying that the order is now in effect, forcing him on the defensive. Kurenai also summons Kurogane Retsutaka to bring Shinobi back down when he tries to jump away, totally outclassing him in every move. Before Kurenai could activate Fastest Ninpo again, Master Gamano forcefully summons many dummy ninjas to distract Rekka, allowing Rentaro to escape.

In the Konjo Group, Isamichi enters his office, only to see Shinobi groggily wait for him and ask for his help. When Isamichi instantly refuses, Shinobi cancels his transformation and reveals himself as Rentaro for the first time.

Fan Casting

 * Rentaro Kagura: Hideya Tawada
 * Isamichi Konjo: Takuma Zaiki
 * Iroha Kagura: Asuka Hanamura
 * Rekka Ayano: Kazusa Okuyama
 * Master Gamano: Nobuo Kyō
 * Ayame Suzumi: Kana Oya
 * Chief Takajo: Masahiro Takashima
 * Akira Hayase: Yukihiro Takiguchi
 * Yabe: Yohei Komatsu
 * Akane Egusa: Mana Konno
 * Mina: Reiko Fujiwara
 * Tsunayoshi: Ataro Dojun

Guest Cast Edit

 * Unnamed Hostess: Nanami Kawakami
 * Ninja Reporter: Ryosuke Miura (cameo)

Suit Actors Edit

 * Kamen Rider Shinobi: Yuji Nakata
 * Kamen Rider Kurenai: Ryoko Gomi
 * Blue Nin-Ju: Mizuho Nogawa
 * Red Nin-Ju: Tetsuya Aoki