Chapter 1

The Future is in Our Hands (未来は俺等の手の中, Mirai ha orera no te no naka) is the 1st chapter of the Black Torch manga series.

Characters

 * Jiro Azuma
 * Ryosuke Shiba
 * Reiji Kirihara (cover only)
 * Ichika Kishimojin
 * Rago
 * Toshimasa Azuma

Summary
Jiro Azuma, a ninja who can talk to animals and was raised by his grandfather, meets a mononoke named Rago. Mononoke are immortal demons with extraordinary, supernatural powers. Rago is badly injured and Jiro, who has a soft spot for the animals he can talk to, treats Rago's wounds. Another mononoke attacks Rago and Jiro dies protecting him. Rago returns the flavor by fusing with Jiro, bringing him back from death but forever changing his life. This fusion gives Jiro the power to crush his opponents with Rago's power, but in exchange, he is no longer human.