Years before the final battle of Ryuma and Masao began. Ryuken and Masao who was young boy were in a huge dark castle.
"Master, I want to be strong too," said Masao.
"I see well why do you fight for," asked Ryuken.
"To one day serve the Dark King too," said Masao. Ryuken then goes in and sits down on a throne chair.
"Then you don't want to learn from me," said Ryuken.
"Why do you hate him?" asked Masao.
"He took everything I cared for away. I only serve him because I am forced to by this curse," said Ryuken.
"Then what should I fight for?" asked Masao.
"That something you must find on your own what would fuel you to even pick up a weapon," said Ryuken.
"Then it would be the one who abandon my mother and me," said Masao.
"Revenge on your father…," said Ryuken. "Very well I will train you."
Ryuma goes for a double slash at Masao who blocks with his lance as they both start to emit energy aura.
"I will defeat you and the Dark King," said Ryuma.
"You can try," said Masao who tries to parry him but Ryuma then use his sword in his left hand and goes for another attack Masao backflips to dodge but Ryuma then release an energy blast him before he landed getting blasted back.
"When did he know what I was going to do?" thinks Masao in confusion.
"You're getting too predictable," said Ryuma getting ready for his next attacks.
"What are you mocking me?" asked Masao in anger.
"No, I have been in combat for a while now and it's like I'm starting to understand how people fight," said Ryuma. "right now it's like I'm fighting someone who doesn't want to fight me."
"So, what then?" asked Masao.
"I see," said Ryuma. He then tosses Jigoku No Ryujin in front of Masao's feet.
"What are you doing?" asked Masao.
"If that's what you want then take it. if that is what you want," said Ryuma. "I only ask if you stop fighting for the Dark King,"
"Stop fighting for the Dark King," said Masao.
"I can tell you aren't like my father who was forced to fight for him," said Ryuma. "So, what would it be?" He asked. Masao kicks the sword with his right foot back at Ryuma who catches it in his left.
"I want to fight you for it as it chose to fight with you," said Masao. "I'm not fighting for the Dark King I'm fighting for me,"
"Alright then," said Ryuma who then takes the sword and throws it to the Arena floor away from them stabbed in the ground.
"Choosing to fight without it," said Masao.
"That's right this fight is to see who can be the rightful owner of Jigoku No Ryujin so why would I use it if it's the prize," said Ryuma.
"It will be your death then," said Masao.
"No, you forget I still have this sword with me," said Ryuma getting ready.