Snake Eyes: Declassified #3
Front Cover Rock N Roll Flip Cover	Short Summary Snake Eyes is introduced to the Arashikage Ninja Clan, Storm Shadow's family business. Snake Eyes then progresses rapidly through the ninja training; enough to defeat Storm Shadow in an exercise. The Faceless Master is introduced as an assistant to Professor Onihashi. Master Sato leads a revolt against the Hard Master for his inclusion of Snake Eyes in the clan. Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow & the Soft Master defeat the revolt. The Hard Master banishes Master Sato and several of the other ninjas from the clan that were involved in the revolt.
	Notes of Interest Six Issue Mini Series Significant events: The divide between Snake Eyes & Storm Shadow begins. Introduction of Master Sato & the beginnings of the spin off Red Ninja Clan. Faceless Master and Professor Onihashi roles in Snake Eyes' training are clarified. Arashikage Mindset is first practiced by Snake Eyes.
	Major Players Arashikage Clan Members: Hard Master, Soft Master, Professor Onihashi, Storm Shadow (Young Master), Snake Eyes, Master Sato Affiliate Clan members: Faceless Master (Firefly), Kimi Special Appearances: Cobra Commander, Hawk
	Creative Team Story: Brandon Jerwa, Pencils: Robert Atkins, Colors: John Rauch, Letters: Steve Seeley, Senior Editor: Mike O'Sullivan, Front Cover: Emiliano Santalucia & Jeremy Roberts, Flip Cover: David Witt, Special Thanks to Mark Powers, Based on and inspired by the works of Larry Hama
Long Summary Snake Eyes is sitting before the Hard Master, the Soft Master & Storm Shadow (the Young Master) when from all around him ninjas with swords appear. This is Snake Eyes' introduction to Storm Shadow's family business, the Arashikage Ninja Clan. The Hard & Soft Masters are Storm Shadow's uncles. Directly after this meeting, Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes talk about their friendship and why it took Snake Eyes a while to finally accept Storm Shadow's offer to join the business. Storm Shadow points out that Snake Eyes is "accepting a lifetime of discipline and responsibility, the kind that you never turn your back on." Storm Shadow tells Snake Eyes that he is now part of a family, again. Storm Shadow is also embarking on the training right along with Snake Eyes. They are entrusted with the future of Arashikage Clan. The teaching is divided: the Soft Master will teach the balance between warfare and discipline, Master Sato will teach the way of the warrior, Professor Onihashi will create implements of the art, Faceless Master will assist Onihashi and the Hard Master will oversee all of their training. In an exercise lead by Master Sato, Snake Eyes defeats Storm Shadow for the first time. Master Sato reprimands Storm Shadow. In another exercise lead by the Soft Master with the Faceless Master watching, Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow are practicing the Arashikage Mindset. Snake Eyes fails to reach the peace that the mindset requires, Storm Shadow is successful. The Faceless Master says some very critical things about Snake Eyes failure. Snake Eyes talks to the Hard Master about his unsettling feelings toward the Faceless Master. Storm Shadow fires an arrow at Snake Eyes during the conversation, Snake Eyes catches the arrow in flight, and proves that his training is working. The Hard Master points out to Storm Shadow that when he fired the arrow his bow made to much noise, another failure of Storm Shadow in front of his uncle. In a corner of the Arashikage compound, Master Sato and the Faceless Master are talking about how Snake Eyes' inclusion in the Clan is troubling. Master Sato has gathered with a few of the other ninja to challenge the leadership of the Arashikage Clan and expel the westerner. So Master Sato confronts the Hard Master asking him to send the westerner away, and restore the respected status of the Clan. Master Sato believes if Snake Eyes stays it will bring about the destruction of the Arashikage Clan. The Hard Master's response "we will be sending someone away, Sato, but it will not be our most promising student." And the fight begins. Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes step into the fight, the Soft Master tells them that the treachery doesn't deserve death. So the fight becomes about disabling the attackers. After the Hard Master has disabled Sato, and Storm Shadow now holds his sword to him, Sato accuses him of bringing Snake Eyes into the Clan and causing the ruin. Master Sato gets the upper hand on Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes steps in to knock him out. The Hard Master compliments Snake Eyes in front of Storm Shadow. Master Sato and the other members that were part of the revolt are banished and disgraced from the Arashikage Ninja Clan. After the dismissal of Sato, the Hard Master gives Snake Eyes another compliment this time in front of the whole clan, including the Faceless Master. Storm Shadow walks away from Snake Eyes. The Faceless Master talks to Snake Eyes about the dissent that is happening. Snake Eyes threatens him back with "know this, the Arashikage are my family and if even for a moment, you pose a threat to them there will be nowhere you can hide from me." Summary by Josh Eggebeen
Issue Three, October 2005