Shinobi (PS2): Stage 7-A (Hotsuma, Normal, 1/3 Oboro Coins)

Follow up on the distant flashback in Stage 2, a young Hotsuma, Moritsune, and Ageha discovered the Akujiki sword for the first time, but then Ageha picked up. It started glowing with an evil power, seemingly starting to consume the little Ageha's essence.

Moritsune had Hotsuma fetch their Master Kobushi to help, but he stayed with Ageha. When Hotsuma and Kobushi returned...

Ageha was freed from Akujiki's grip. However, it was now in possession of Moritsune, who now bared a very bloody scar across his face...

In the present, after dealing with the Yatsurao at Nakatomi Factory, Hotsuma was set up to give Hiruko more power and youth, and the silver ninja he's encountered several times before turned out the be his undead brother, Moritsune! Hiruko then takes him away and invites Hotsuma to see them again deep within Kan'ei Shrine.
----------

This level is somewhat of a breather compared to Stage 6-A, though there are still times where you need to keep on your toes.

New enemies here are undead female Oboro ninjas. They seem even tougher than the past male ones, but you can chop them to bits all the same.

But when you realize what happens at the end of this level, they may have been foreshadowing...
----------

Hotsuma gets deeper and deeper inside the cherry blossom forest, but then he is suddenly stopped by... Ageha?! But why? Why would she suddenly behave this way towards him? She then reveals a shocking truth...

The one who released Hiruko from his seal, was Ageha, herself! But again, why?!

It's because Ageha hated the Akujiki ritual that transpired four years ago. The one where Hotsuma won and had to kill his brother Moritsune, a man that Ageha had fallen in love with! From that point on, Ageha, no matter the cost, wanted to bring Moritsune back to life, after he had saved her life many years ago, and ultimately, she saw Hiruko as the one to do it.

But by doing that, Ageha was responsible for Hiruko's subsequent eradication of the Oboro Clan, but she didn't seem to care. All she cared for was to bring back Moritsune, and now she won't even let Hotsuma stop her.
----------

Fighting Ageha kinda feels like fighting herself. She can attack up close, but she can also Stealth Dash and throw shuriken that stuns you.

Although she revived Hiruko, she is not directly related to his actions as she is still completely alive compared to all of the other boss ninjas you've already beaten by this point. As such, to help with building a Tate, you will instead get some pink fire spirit-like things floating in the air after a few seconds. This is the only time they will ever appear in this game.
----------

Hotsuma had struck well against Ageha, but while she was down, she wasn't out, yet. With her remaining strength, she decided to retreat, with Hotsuma in hot pursuit. It seems like she's going straight to Moritsune, but more importantly, Hiruko.

Видео Shinobi (PS2): Stage 7-A (Hotsuma, Normal, 1/3 Oboro Coins) канала Carls493