As someone who has been with Ninja Gaiden since day 1 (not NES, OG xbox and up), I must say something:
You all are bat sh!t crazy for suggesting a non Team Ninja, Ninja Gaiden! That is... Blasphemy! Ninja Gaiden is Team Ninja. Sorry Itagaki, but it is what it is. Though please, hear me out folks...
Yaiba isn't NG, that crap doesn't count. So lets just forget that it exists.
Though NG3 was a serious blow, to us all. I havent lost faith in Hayashi when it comes to NG. Dude was the enemy AI programmer of NG-NGB and was Director of NGDS (best ds game, would love one for the 3ds... like they announced and then swept away). And some may hate it but yes, NGS2 was better than NG2. In nearly every way except for blood, *Your projectiles, Muramasa and some questionable empty rooms and halls. And it is polishing a turd, but NG3RE was a step in the right direction. However, depending on what they do with NG4, I may be here demanding Hayashis head in the future. But, I think NG4 will surprise us.
Also, I would rather have no online component and no extra characters, if having those features means that Hayabusa looses all of his items, weapons and collectibles. That is a lame trade off for a game that is really made for 1 player, starring Ryu Hayabusa.