Student by day, ninja by night

Pirate Rants are good for many different reasons.

Students can anonymously let out complaints about peers, write cute little love notes or point out bizarre things that go on around campus.

Over the past few months, several Pirate Rants have given students a reason to speculate a peculiar event that takes place at night at the North Campus Crossing apartment complex.

The event has brought about a question that is on everyone's mind--who or what is the NCC Ninja?

Although many claim that they have met the mysterious ninja that dresses in all navy blue, very few actually know his true identity.

Stephen Johnson is one of those who met the ninja.

"When I met him, I didn't know who he was," said Johnson. "A friend told me he was a pretty big deal and then I read the rants about him."

Johnson met the anonymous ninja through a close friend.

The young man, who is an actual student at ECU, changes his persona by night and goes by the A-list name, Sindan Shadowblade.

Rarely revealing his true identity, he covers himself from head to toe in navy blue clothing, only allowing his eyes to be seen.

But for the ones who may see him out at night, there is rarely a chance to speak with him because he doesn't like to talk and give his identity away.

Many are curious as to why he's doing what he's doing.

"I decided one night to dress up in a ninja suit and just go around and be me," said Shadowblade. "I would just go out by the fountain lake at NCC and practice by myself with my bow staff and I would just start getting an audience."

More people started attending Shadowblade's performances, which have become popular among ECU students.

On some nights, more than 30 people line up to see him practice around the lake.

Although he has had several meetings with the local authorities, Shadowblade said he is not violent and would never attack anyone.

"I would never throw the first punch; I do have morals," Shadowblade said.

Shadowblade has self taught himself all of his martial arts skills including practices of Ninjitsu and Parkour.

Ninjitsu is the study of stealth and concealment, while Parkour teaches problem solving.

"I love doing crazy stuff … seeing what I can do to push my limits," Shadowblade said.

Shadowblade has been interested in martial arts since he was young.

"He's just into living life, getting the next adrenaline high," Johnson said.

His lifelong hobby, which he said makes him feel happy and free, has now turned an event with people wanting to come out and watch him.

He has been picking up attention around NCC since the beginning of summer, and although he likes the attention, he also admits it gets a little strange at times.

"It started getting weird because there wasn't a single night when some drunken person wouldn't try to pick a fight with me," Shadowblade said.

However, Shadowblade says that he will always continue his practices and if he ever switches apartment complexes, he will write a Pirate Rant that he has have moved.

This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.