Taro and allies fiercely battle the samurai attackers led by a formidable oni warlord. The fight is their toughest yet.
Though gravely wounded, Taro taps into new depths of power to defeat the warlord. However, the foe escapes with sinister laughter.
Back at the dojo, Izumi tends Taro's injuries and finally opens up about her clan's betrayal long ago that led to his downfall.
She reveals they joined the samurai after falling under an ancient curse, dooming her family to a half-life. Taro is moved by her tale.
Meanwhile, at the samurai fortresses, the Twelve Bloodlines converge as the warlord promises the final battle to come will avenge their ancestors forever.
Sota and Yumi make an unsettling discovery - the cultural festival artifacts are actually a map, leading to a mysterious sealed cave.
In a vision, Taro realizes the cave holds the key to reawakening his full power. But will they reach it before the samurai unleash their fury?