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Excerpt from Field Report
Subject: The Arashikage Ninja Clan
From: Agent Chuckles
To: Acting President Winters
"As we now know, prior intelligence reports, stating that the Arashikage Clan had been eliminated during the early days of the War, were, to say the least, false. True, the so-called Black Dragon Alliance, on the instructions of Serpentor, did launch a devastating attack on the Clan's temple, which lead to the murder of most of it's leadership hierarchy. However, a familiar member of the Arashikage has returned to resurrect his Clan and bring it back to its former glory: our old 'friend,' Storm Shadow. He calls himself the Phoenix Master now, and has been recruiting and training new ninja warriors at an alarming rate. I don't want to call Storm Shadow a threat just yet, though. While we know he has a history with Cobra (Cobra under Cobra Commander, that is), he has also assisted GI Joe forces on numerous occasions, including several of the initial battles during Serpentor's invasion of the United States. It seems that disapproval of the new Shadow Government is what caused our sometimes ally to go AWOL. However, for the time being at least, he seems content to focus his efforts on rebuilding his Clan. I have no doubt that his long-term goals involve revenge against the Black Dragon Alliance, as well as defense, or maybe even offense, against Serpentor. I do not believe they will pose much of a threat to us, though. That is, of course, unless Storm Shadow finds out about a certain experiment of ours...."
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Excerpt from personal communication
From: Thomas "Storm Shadow" Arashikage
To: William "Kamakura" Kessler
"I am most pleased with your progress, Kamakura. You have come a long way from the boy who was manipulated by the Baroness and Major Bludd. The students you have helped instruct are some of our most formidable warriors, and Jinx tells me that you, yourself, are often besting her in combat. I have more faith in your abilities than any other member of our clan.
It is for this reason that I bestow upon you a most important mission. We know that Serpentor's forces are working directly with the Black Dragon Alliance, and that it was under Serpentor's orders that the Black Dragon annihilated our Clan. Your father was a deeply troubled man, with a mind full of hate. Serpentor, however, is a monster. The things that has done, the millions of lives he has destroyed...all without a single thought. I am deeply ashamed that my DNA was used to create this demon, and further shamed that the brain-scan they stole from me was used in the creation of one of his ten Praetors. That is an insult which you will correct. Our spies report that Praetor Thomas will be meeting with the Black Dragon leadership in Tokyo. I want you to eliminate him. Not only do I ask this for my own honor, but for the sake of our future. Serpentor may be occupied in Europe, but once he conquers Destro's forces, I'm certain he will turn his armies towards us. Eliminating Thomas now will assure that, when that day comes, Serpentor is unable to use my knowledge and experience against our reborn Clan."
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......and now the pictures. Thanks for reading, if you read.
Storm Shadow:
Head: 25th Firefly
Arms: VvV Gung-ho
Rest of Body: 25th Storm Shadow (heavily modified)
Knee pads: VvV Snake Eyes
Elbow Pads: JvC Snake Eyes
This was my CCII project custom. You can view the WIP pics
here. I definitely enjoyed the whole process, as I usually don't take WIP pics. I like looking back on how this custom unfolded. I wanted to go for a 'free agent' look...neither Joe or Cobra.
Billy (Kamakura)
Head: Evolutions Anakin
Body: 25th Snake Eyes
Arms: 25th Storm Shadow
For Billy, I went with his DD Snake Plissken look. As Storm Shadow's apprentice, I gave Billy the Kamakura codename (Sean Collins will show up later).
) customs.
Matthew – 
