It seems to be a normal, nice day in Touyama, when a cloud gathers overhead and casts a strangely shaped shadow on the buildings below. Demonic laughter resounds. In a room at a university nearby, Mia Koji is busy with a computer, working for her grandfather, Doctor Koji. Her grandfather is worried. The armor of the Ronin Warriors have disappeared, which could mean that the Demon Lord Tulpa -- whom he has researched for years as a folklorist -- may be ready to manifest once again. (Unfortunately, the symbols which show up on the computer screen are so much garbage, not a real readout even in Japanese...) In Touyama's shopping district, Yuli and his parents are window-shopping when Yuli almost runs into White Blaze -- and gets a wet lick as a greeting from the huge white tiger. Then the tiger's human companion (partner more than master), Ryo, speaks with him. Yuli's parents then pull him away, fearful for his life, as Ryo and White Blaze continue about their business. But someone has
Photographs from a photo-reconnaissance satellite reveal a small circle of nothingness, where the camera refuses to pick up an image, in the area of Shinjuku. Japanese Defense Force helicopters try and move in, reporting the prescence of Talpa's Dark Castle, but their motors shut down when they reach Talpa's area of influence. When one tries to autorotate down, one of Talpa's warriors splits its fuel tank open with a spear, and it explodes. Technology does not work where the Demon Lord's power holds sway, and Talpa seems to actually absorb power from such sources. Inside the castle, the warlords are getting orders from Talpa. It rapidly becomes clear that Anubis is disliked by his fellow warlords, and Talpa's selection of him as the first to go against the Ronin Warriors is greeted with a mixture of rage, irritation and frustration as the others argue that he is too junior for the honor. Talpa shows Anubis where the Ronins, Mia and Yuli are hiding -- in the subway -- and dispatches A
