By the time of "Tenchu Z", the Azuma Ninja Clan was reduced to being made up of only two ninja left: Rikimaru and Ayame, who treats Rikimaru only as a companion. Even though both of them show loyalty and respect towards each other, not much compassion is felt between them. In "Tenchu Z", the Ninja Master Rikimaru decides to train the next generation of Azuma Ninja and sends his newest ninja (the player's character and a companion of his choosing) to complete missions assigned to help the town of Gohda. He trained two young disciples before the events of the game, Kagemaru (male) and Shinobu (female). (Whatever the sex of the character the player chooses, the other new ninja will still die during the course of events.)