Manta’s plan of cheering Ryu up turns upside down when he is kidnapped by the X-Laws, who want to lure Yoh into their trap, the Gate of Babylon. In his determination to be strong enough to help Yoh, Manta discovers something about his computer, and the X-Laws get in trouble when Hao intervenes in the fight.
The Fudou Myouou, an organization of monks who believe all spirits attached to Shamans are evil spirits, want to send Amidamaru to the other world. When the samurai starts to believe that he is indeed an evil spirit, Yoh has to remind him of their true relationship, and save Mosuke’s spirit and Manta’s body in the process.
The group finally makes it to Patch Village, but there's another challenge they have to face before they are allowed to enter. When they realize it's an illusion and everyone passes, Silva appears and takes Yoh to the village. For the next round of the tournament, Yoh's group divides into groups of three.
Trying to protect Manta, Yoh pushes his friend away and returns to his grandfather's house to train for the second round. Distraught, Manta embarks in a journey with Ryu of the Wooden Sword to find his friend. On their way, they're followed by Elly and Milly, two Shamans trying to eliminate opponents before the Shaman Fight.