Flame of Recca

Sudden Change of Buddha (1x22)

Air date: Jan 24, 1998

Recca challenges Kukai however, the referee protested since regardless of the result, Team Hokage still wins. However, Kouran Mori appears in the screen and decided to make some changes. He proposed that all of the previous fights will be discarded, and the winner of the match will advance in the next round. Recca provokingly accepts the proposal. During the fight, Kukai warned Recca that he only has to hit the Kuu master 3 times in any method, after which, it could mean certain death for Recca. Nobody was able to comprehend what Kukai really meant except Daikoku who had a flashback of what happens afterwards. But Recca was reluctant and attacked Kukai with Nadare. Kukai deflects the fireballs with his hands. However, he missed one. Recca has two hits left, so he decided to use Saiha against Kukai but avoids it. Recca kicks Kukai in the face but later gets up and laughs. Now the young ninja only has one strike left. This time, Kukai will not move. If Recca knocks Kukai out, he wins. But if Kukai still has the strength to fight, Recca dies. Daikoku warns Recca not to do it, but Hanabishi was still persistent and gave Kukai a mighty punch. Kukai gets up and activates his madogu, Oni, a demonic necklace that activates after the user is hit three times, turning the possessor in to a perfect killing machine. Both Kagero and Genjuro explained this fact. Kukai began beating Recca up badly. Minamio, who was shocked told his teammates that everybody has a lust for killing just like everybody else, even a gentle and serene teacher like Kukai. He also told that the Urabutousatsoujin is based on killing as a sport. In the end of the episode, Kukai prepares to smash Recca's head.