Smoke and flames engulf the mountainside as panicked figures flee the spreading blaze. "WE CAN'T PUT IT OUT! RUN!" "IT'S NO USE! THE FIRE'S SPREADING TOO RAPIDLY!" A map inset labels the area: "ELSEWHERE, KURI, HEAD MOUNTAIN HIDEOUT OF SHUTENMARU THE BANDIT," marking Kibi, Flower, Udon, Hakumai, and Oni. In a large panel, the massive bandit leader Shutenmaru snarls with fury, "SHUTENMARU, IF WE FLATTEN BAKURA TOWN, KAIDO'S ARMIES WILL BE ON US HARDER THAN EVER!" "I'M GONNA POUND THAT GUY INTO PASTE!" "I KNEW IT! LET'S GO!" Nearby thugs recognize the arsonist: "IT'S ONE OF HOLDEN'S THUGS! FROM BAKURA TOWN!" "HE STARTED THE FIRE!" Far below, a ruined village burns as voices urge haste: "ALREADYI! WE MUST HURRY, INUARASHI!" "BOY ASHURA IS HEADING TO BAKURA!" "KINE-MON!" A sign reads "KURI, A VILLAGE RUIN."