Chapter 13: The Way of the Sword
Training Ground Lessons
The Delta Base training facility echoed with the clash of metal on metal as Commander Cruger's Shadow Saber met Jack's training blade. Despite the Red Ranger's best efforts, the outcome was inevitable—within moments, Jack found himself disarmed, his practice sword broken in half.
"Is that all you've got?" Jack asked, breathing hard but trying to maintain his confidence.
"Honestly, no," Cruger replied calmly, "but this isn't a battle—it's a lesson in swordsmanship. So I'll take it easy on you."
"Don't hold back on my account, boss. You just might be surprised," Jack insisted, picking up the pieces of his shattered weapon.
From the observation deck, Naruto watched the exchange with interest. He'd been working on his own training routines since returning from the moon, trying to rebuild his confidence without his ancestral weapons. The sight of Jack's broken sword stirred uncomfortable memories.
"Let's do this," Jack said, raising what remained of his blade.
The second round ended even more quickly than the first. Cruger's superior technique and experience overwhelmed Jack's raw determination, leaving the Red Ranger flat on his back.
"All right, I think that will be all for today," Cruger announced.
"Just one more try," Jack pleaded, struggling to his feet.
"I said that is all. Class dismissed."
Both Rangers powered down their training armor, but Jack's frustration was evident.
"You know, boss, if I had that Shadow Saber, I could probably beat you," Jack said, eyeing Cruger's weapon with obvious desire.
Cruger's expression grew stern. "No, you couldn't. Even if I gave you my sword and I took what is left of yours, I would still defeat you. Your arrogance is blinding—it has you believing that it is the sword that makes a difference and not the swordsman."
Naruto descended from the observation deck, approaching the two Rangers. "Jack," he said quietly, "Commander Cruger is right. I learned that lesson the hard way."
He drew one of the training katanas from the rack, its weight familiar in his hands despite being nothing like his lost Kyuubi Saber. "Commander, with your permission?"
Cruger nodded, understanding immediately. Both men took fighting stances, Naruto wielding the ordinary training sword while Cruger held his legendary Shadow Saber.
The battle was brief but instructive. Despite Naruto's enhanced speed and dragon-fox heritage, despite his years of experience and tactical knowledge, Cruger's superior swordsmanship won the day. The Shadow Saber's power made little difference against the Commander's skill.
"You see?" Naruto said to Jack as he yielded, setting down the training katana. "It's not about the weapon—it's about the warrior who wields it. I had to learn that when I lost my family's saber."
But Jack remained unconvinced, dismissing the demonstration with a wave of his hand. "That's different. You're not using your real weapon."
Naruto shook his head sadly but said nothing more. Some lessons had to be learned through experience.
The Samurai Arrives
Meanwhile, in the depths of space aboard Gruumm's command ship, the emperor was putting a new plan into motion. The massive alien stood before a swirling temporal vortex, his cybernetic implants gleaming in the otherworldly light.
"I have found someone capable of defeating the Power Rangers," he announced to Morgana.
"I could have found someone," the sorceress protested.
"But you didn't—so I did. The legendary protector of Kyoto, the samurai Katana."
"Samurai?" Morgana's interest was piqued.
"Yes. Katana was not always a samurai—he is an alien. His spacecraft crash-landed on Earth, where he was found by a human samurai in Kyoto, Japan. He was nursed back to health and, once healthy, took up their ways and became the first alien samurai."
"But how did he get here?"
"Two words: time portal. I brought Katana from 160 years ago to the present day. He is the perfect weapon to defeat the Power Rangers."
Through the temporal rift, the figure of Katana emerged—a warrior in traditional samurai armor, but with the distinctive features of an alien beneath his helmet. His movements carried the fluid grace of centuries of training.
Briefing and Departure
Back at Delta Base, the Rangers had gathered in the command center after Bridge's demonstration of his telepathic abilities had revealed Jack's continued obsession with the Shadow Saber.
"There's been an abnormal temporal energy reading in Kyoto, Japan," Cruger announced, pulling up holographic displays. "Someone has opened a time portal. My guess is it's Gruumm."
The viewscreen showed a warrior in traditional samurai garb moving through a forest, his movements clearly disoriented.
"This forest... familiar yet different," came the warrior's voice through the audio pickups.
"Gruumm has pulled a warrior from the past," Cruger continued. "I want you to go to Kyoto, Japan. This warrior wears the garb of the ancient samurai, so don't underestimate his swordsmanship."
"Sir," Jack said immediately, "there's no better time—let me have the Shadow Saber."
"It is not your weapon," Cruger replied firmly. "You have all you need to defeat him. Go."
But before the Rangers could depart, Naruto stepped forward with additional information.
"Commander, if I may," he said, pulling up additional data on his personal scanner. "Based on the fighting stance visible in the footage, if I remember correctly from my knowledge of past Rangers, Katana was trained under the 9th head of the Shiba family—the same person who became known as one of the strongest Samurai Ranger of his time. This won't be an ordinary opponent."
Cruger nodded grimly. "All the more reason to be careful. Rangers, deploy to Kyoto immediately."
First Contact
In the forests outside Kyoto, Katana wandered among familiar yet changed surroundings. The city he had sworn to protect 160 years ago was unrecognizable, filled with strange structures and even stranger vehicles.
When he encountered tourists in their cars, he saw only potential invaders.
"You in your armored dragons," he called out, drawing his katana. "If you try to conquer Kyoto, you will face my wrath!"
The terrified tourists fled, leaving Katana satisfied that he had successfully defended his city.
"Good. Kyoto is safe," he said to himself.
But his satisfaction was short-lived as the SPD Rangers arrived on the scene.
"Your stance indicates fierce aggression," Katana observed as they approached. "Are you warriors of some invading tribe trying to conquer Kyoto?"
"We're Space Patrol Delta," Jack replied.
"Do yourself a favor and surrender quietly," Sky added.
Katana's grip tightened on his sword. "I do not surrender my sword to anyone except my emperor. I am Katana, defender of Kyoto. Leave here or face the consequences!"
The battle erupted immediately, with the Rangers using their laser weapons while Katana relied on traditional swordsmanship enhanced by his alien strength and speed. Despite being outnumbered five to one, the samurai held his own admirably.
During the fight, Katana noticed Jack had dropped his weapon and immediately ceased his attack.
"No. You are defenseless—I have the advantage. I will not fight an unarmed opponent," he declared, returning Jack's blaster to him.
"Thanks," Jack said, surprised by the gesture.
"Now we continue," Katana replied, resuming his fighting stance.
But before the battle could continue, Broodwing intervened from his hiding place, releasing several Krybots to even the odds. In the confusion of fighting the mechanical drones, Katana slipped away.
"Good going, guys," Jack said after they'd defeated the Krybots, "but Katana slipped away during the fight."
"He won't get far—we'll find him," Sky assured them.
"What's going on, Jack?" Z asked, noticing his troubled expression.
"He had me," Jack admitted quietly. "Then he gave me my laser back. What kind of enemy does that?"
The Orange Ranger's Intervention
As the Rangers regrouped and planned their next move, Naruto had been conducting his own search through Kyoto's outskirts. His enhanced senses picked up the distinctive energy signature of the displaced samurai, leading him through narrow streets and traditional gardens.
He found Katana meditating in a small shrine, the warrior's alien features visible now that his helmet was removed. The samurai's aura radiated confusion and growing desperation.
"You are not from this time," Naruto said, stepping into the shrine's courtyard.
Katana rose smoothly, hand on his sword hilt. "Another invader. Your energy feels different from the others—more... complex."
"I'm not an invader," Naruto replied, drawing his SPD-issue sword. "But I understand being displaced, being somewhere you don't belong."
"Then you understand why I must fight," Katana said, drawing his blade.
The duel that followed was a masterclass in swordsmanship. Katana's traditional techniques, honed over decades of training, met Naruto's hybrid fighting style that combined his dragon-fox heritage with Ranger combat training. Neither could gain a decisive advantage.
But once again, Broodwing intervened, this time sending two orange Krybots along with several regular drones specifically to combat the Orange Ranger.
"Your allies are persistent," Katana observed as they both found themselves fighting the mechanical intruders.
"They're not my allies," Naruto replied, blasting an orange Krybot with precise shots from his Dragon Blaster.
In the chaos of the battle, Katana once again vanished, leaving Naruto to wonder about the displaced warrior's true motivations.
Deception and Manipulation
Katana's confusion about his changed surroundings made him vulnerable to Broodwing's manipulation when the arms dealer finally approached him directly.
"Come with me, friend. I will explain all," Broodwing said, appearing as Katana wandered the unfamiliar streets of modern Kyoto.
"What do you want, strange one?" Katana asked warily.
"You have been brought to the future by a great emperor to defend Kyoto," Broodwing lied smoothly. "Those invaders want to destroy your beautiful city. I have enlisted the help of a giant robot to protect the buildings of Kyoto from the Power Rangers. They are intent on making your city their own and have already defeated the soldiers I sent to protect you."
The deception worked perfectly. Katana's dedication to protecting Kyoto overrode his natural suspicion, and he agreed to work with Broodwing against the "invaders."
The Giant Robot Attack
The Rangers were still searching for Katana when the massive robot Moratox appeared and began systematically stealing buildings throughout Kyoto, including several ancient shrines and temples.
"Commander Kruger," Sky reported through his communicator, "the samurai has brought in a giant robot and they're stealing Kyoto's shrines."
In the command center, Cruger turned to Kat. "Can we get the Delta Base to Japan?"
"If all goes to plan, I can have Delta Base to Kyoto in less than fifteen minutes," she replied.
But Naruto put forward his concerns through his communicator "Commander, that will leave New Tech City completely defenseless. If Gruumm is orchestrating this, it could be a trap to divide our forces."
"I understand the risk," Cruger replied, "but we can't afford to let Gruumm get a foothold anywhere on Earth."
"Then let me return to New Tech City while the Delta Base is here in Kyoto," Naruto proposed. "I can provide some defense if Gruumm tries to take advantage of our absence."
Cruger considered this, then nodded. "Do it. But be careful—if this is a trap, you'll be facing it alone."
"I've faced worse odds," Naruto said, heading for his advanced car.
The Lesson of the Sword
While the Delta Squad Megazord battled Moratox and Naruto raced back to defend New Tech City, Jack faced Katana in single combat deep in the forest where the samurai had retreated to meditate.
Armed with what Cruger had told him was the Shadow Saber, Jack felt confident he could defeat the master swordsman. The duel was intense and prolonged, with Katana's centuries of training pitted against Jack's determination and what he believed was a legendary weapon.
But gradually, Jack's persistence and heart won out over pure technique. When Katana fell, defeated but not dishonored, Jack used his Judgment Scanner to confirm what he'd suspected—the samurai was not guilty of any real crime.
"Red fighter, you are an honorable warrior," Katana said, rising to his feet.
"So are you," Jack replied.
As the time portal opened to return Katana to his own era, the samurai looked at Jack with respect. "Kyoto is safe in this time with you and your tribe. I need to go back where I belong."
New Tech City Defense
Meanwhile, Naruto had arrived at New Tech City just as Gruumm's forces were beginning their assault on the iridium processing plant. The facility was heavily guarded, but the Krybots had the advantage of numbers and surprise.
"Not on my watch," Naruto muttered, transforming into his Orange Ranger form.
The battle was fierce and solitary. Naruto faced off against Broodwing personally, along with one orange Krybot, two blue Krybots, and ten regular Krybots. His Dragon Blaster and enhanced abilities served him well, but he was vastly outnumbered.
Despite his best efforts, he couldn't prevent all the theft. The attackers had planned to steal eighteen containers of iridium packed into three transport boxes, six containers each. Through his intervention, Naruto managed to prevent two of the three boxes from being taken, but the third—six containers of the valuable metal—escaped with Gruumm's forces.
It was a partial victory, but a costly one.
Aftermath and Revelations
When the Delta Base returned to New Tech City and the Rangers reconvened, Cruger addressed them soberly.
"A well-fought victory, but in our victory we have suffered a loss," he announced. "By bringing the Delta Base to Japan, we left New Tech City defenseless. Gruumm took advantage and raided the iridium plant."
"Due to Naruto's foresight in returning to defend the city, we were able to prevent most of the damage," Cruger continued, "but not all. They still managed to steal six containers of iridium."
"Isn't that the metal they add to other metals to make them harder?" Bridge asked.
"Yes. Gruumm is up to something—it is our job to find out what that is before it's too late. Dismissed."
Outside the command center, Jack was still marveling at his victory over Katana when Cruger approached him.
"Finally—the Shadow Saber is mine!" Jack said happily.
"Oh, by the way, Jack," Cruger said casually, "that is not the Shadow Saber." He revealed his true weapon. "This is the Shadow Saber."
Jack stared at the ordinary training sword in his hand. "Then what is this?"
"Just another sword I found in the storage closet."
"You gave me just any sword and I battled the strongest swordsman in history?"
"And won," Cruger pointed out.
"But I could have lost!"
"But you didn't. It is truly the swordsman and not the sword. Don't you agree?"
From nearby, Naruto called out, "I told you so, Jack. It's the swordsman, not the sword."
Jack looked between his two mentors, finally understanding the lesson they'd both been trying to teach him. With new humility, he approached Cruger.
"Ready for another lesson, Commander?"
"I thought you'd never ask," Cruger replied, drawing his Shadow Saber as Jack took up another training blade.
This time, Jack fought not with arrogance or reliance on superior weapons, but with the knowledge that his own skill and determination were what truly mattered. It was a lesson that would serve him well in the battles to come.
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Chapter 14: The Return of Ancient Evil
Chapter 15: The Sentinel's Return
Chapter 16: Dismissed
Chapter 17: Perspective
Chapter 18: Messenger - Part 1
Chapter 19: Messenger - Part 2
Chapter 20: Zapped
Chapter 21: Reflections and Departures
Chapter 22:Trials of Heritage - Part 1: The Trial of the Kyuubi Spirit
Chapter 23:Trials of Heritage - Part 2: The Trial of the Ancient Dragon