"Episode XXXVI: Jack the Monks and the Ancient Master's Son" is the thirty-sixth episode in the third season of Samurai Jack. This episode features Jack discovering a temple of monks that belonged to the same order that Jack had once trained with before his showdown with Aku. He also discovers that the Ancient Master knew Jack in the past. When Jack was still a teenager, he was finished with a day's worth of training and a little boy gave him some water. That little boy was the Ancient Master.
Plot
While trekking through a hazardous jungle. Jack is besieged by a constant itch, upon opening his robe he is swarmed by countless biting insects that he quickly brushes away. Wandering his surroundings, he senses a presence. Out of nowhere, he is immediately attacked by two orange wearing Shaolin monks. Dusting off their first attack, they assume a fighting stance, Jack is perplexed and assumes a Shaolin stance of his own. Both study the footwork of one another. As the monks switch from one martial arts style to the next, Jack switches in response. They start verbally announcing the techniques they use during the fight and countering the others. The monks are perplexed ask as to how Jack knows these techniques; he states he is Shaolin. The monks deem this impossible given their centuries of seclusion; Jack and the Monks demonstrate the various styles including Mantis, Southern Fist, Eagle Strike, Etc. Until asking if he is so knowledgeable, Jack demonstrates the secret sign of the Shaolin (a raised index finger and suppressed thumb) signifying Brotherhood.
Confirming this the monks rejoice and announce the Grand Master must be informed. Upon opening a secret panel, revealing their temple to Jack. He enters and is beleaguered to find many monks practicing and meditating. Jack is impressed the Temple has withstood for centuries thanks in no large part to the Grand Master whose training includes practically telekinesis. Entering the Grand Master's Sanctum. He is awed to discover the Grand Master is a centuries old man who body is interwoven with a tree frozen in a perfect meditative stance. Jack states he was the pupil of master Chu, the Grand Master states he too was Chu's pupil as a child when Jack was training for his battle with Aku. Eventually Aku did attack and destroy the temples. He and the survivors rebuilt the temple in secret. Where the Grand Master has advanced to such a level, he attained the ultimate sense of awareness and is sustained by nature itself for centuries but is impressed Jack has been around for so long, believing him to be immortal or more powerful than even himself. Jack corrects him pointing out he was sent through time. Forgetting Aku's near Orwellian surveillance, he panics and attempts to leave believing he has exposed the hidden temple; but is relieved that Aku's surveillance is shielded there.
Seeking a portal to the past, the Grand Master informs them of another temple built far away one that possesses such a portal but only opens at the suns zenith (12:00 pm). The two monks volunteer to guide and assist him on his journey with the blessing of his order. Arming themselves with a broadsword and staff, they set out for the better part of a day. They reach their goal, a massive vertical temple complex; incomplete covered with bamboo scaffolding and floor boards. As they ascend, Jack cautions them....he feels a presence. In utter silence for several minutes they believe a threat is near. Jack dismisses it and continues. The Monks are instantly attacked. Stone Guardians built out of the mountain spontaneously come to life and attack the trio. They continue their way to the top as the guardian army continue to attack. They proceed to fight their way up the scaffolding level after level. As the sun's zenith is coming, the monks demand Jack go inside the temple as they will hold the army off for Jack to succeed. He runs towards the entrance to the chamber containing the now active portal. The monks continue their valiant fight, weapons broken and increasingly pummeled by the stronger stone army. Jack can only listen to the cries of pain from the increasingly numbering guardians; Jack is presented with a Hobson's choice; help the monks and give up the use of the portal or go through the portal knowing full well the monks will be killed. The energy feeding the portal disappears; the monks believing Jack has completed his task cherish his success. Knowing full well they will not survive the onslaught but submit to fighting to the last and dying with honor. Jack in actuality strikes down several guardians and orders the monks inside. Climbing to the roof the topple a statue crushing the remaining guardians. The temple interior collapses and they escape through the oculus. Though thankful, they are confused as to why Jack aided them giving up his chance of returning to the past. Jack says they were willing to sacrifice everything, he was not. With the portal destroyed Jack must find a new way back, a circumstance he's all to familiar with.