The discovery of CORUM, a never seen before energy source, led to a bloody world war for its control. After years of destruction, the Lords of the Lands agreed to negotiate a ceasefire for lasting peace. The BLADE FORGERS TREATY was born from that meeting. This treaty established that the mining of Corum would be centralized through one government, led by a neutral Emperor. The Emperor would have to be a BLADE FORGER, a mystical swordsman, and claim the title in a tournament called The Tournament of the Five Rings. Every five years Blade Forgers from every corner of the Empire would fight for the possibility of becoming the new Emperor. A young Blade Forger named Owada challenges the Emperor in the name of the forsaken people. This is the story of what happens next.
The Fourth Ring match is here. Crimson Mask, bloodthirsty and unstoppable, faces Hogan, the invincible hero blessed by the gods. The winner of this epic clash will fight in the Fifth and final Ring for the imperial throne. Meanwhile, Sakima trains against the clock in the depths of Gara-Gara. She must learn to unlock the Forge of Doom before the imminent battle. The future of the empire—and her very life—depends on it.