After being ranked the lowest team of Makai Knights in training Yamabuki Squad, a group of four boys named after the colors of their bandanas due to mandate, are placed under the watch of Wataru Shijima, who is known for his draconian methods. After Wataru introduces himself to the boys, he proceeds to train "Yamabuki" (Kerria yellow), "Shiro" (White), "Murasaki" (Purple), and "Akane" (Madder red) for ten horrific days. Eventually, unable to deal with the mental and physical strain of their training, Akane considers quitting but a unexpected visit a Makai Priestess wanting to be a Makai Knight and the encouragement of his team convinces the boy to continue. Eventually, having improved greatly over time, the Yamabuki Squad talks about their upcoming match with the Kuro (Black) Squad while showing off their scars from training. The next day, during the Bell-Slashing match, Murasaki is forced to use his Mad? Brush to save Akane but they still lose the match. Though they lose to the Kuro Squad and are now at the bottom rank due to Murasaki's action, Wataru praises the Yamabuki Squad for learning a valuable lesson in comradery and awards them each with a trinket to remind them of their friendship with each other. That night, feeling better in themselves, the four return to camp when the Horror Raizon attacks. Before Wataru can transform into Baron to scare the Horror off, Kuro and Yamabuki are killed instantly, and Murasaki sacrifices himself in vain to save Akane who still ends up being killed by the Horror, leaving Shiro the only one of his squad alive. Many years later Kouga, revealed to have been the child nicknamed Shiro, finds Raizon and swiftly destroys the Horror as Garo. After recanting the tale of his training to Gonza, Kaoru, and Reo, Kouga bids farewell to the spirits of his childhood friends, who cheer him on and tell him to continue in their stead as Garo.