It was almost time for Assembly in Shredder's headquarters. Shredder was the ninja master of The Foot Clan in New York City. His headquarters were in an abandoned warehouse in Brooklyn. Shredder's second-in-command, Tatsu, hurried to the assembly area. Tatsu was a big man, bald headed and fierce. He wore a black dogi with a small dragon emblem on it. It was the symbol of The Foot.
First he had to pass through the Beginners' section. Shredder's new recruits were having the time of their lives. They were playing video games and pool, smoking cigarettes, and using bad language. They were doing everything their parents had ever told them not to do. Tatsu knew that when they had had enough fun, they would move on.
He strode into the first-level training area. There were no pool tables and video games here. It was more like a ninja playground. Each of the boys wore a uniform belt and a headband with The Foot's dragon emblem on it while they worked in the training area. There the recruits were studying the fine art of pocket picking.
Four boys surrounded a dummy wearing an overcoat covered with little bells. In most pickpocket training exercises, the purpose was to remove the dummy's wallet without ringing a bell. That was too easy for The Foot.
On a signal from the trainer, the boys attacked the dummy. In a matter of seconds, every bell had been removed from the dummy's coat. Not a sound had been made. Tatsu grunted. He was satisfied.
In the next room, more serious work was taking place. This was where trainees, now wearing dogis like Tatsu's, studied the deadly art of karate. There were no rules here, except one: Win. Losers were carried away.
One combatant had just finished off an opponent when Tatsu entered. The teenager was pleased with his work. Tatsu thought he had more to learn. He stepped into the arena and took up where the loser had left off. Without warning, he attacked the tall teenager. The teenager blocked every punch and kick with incredible speed, almost as if he could anticipate Tatsu's next move. Tatsu was pleased. He stopped his attack, stepped back, and bowed, keeping his eyes glued to the teenager.
The teenager returned the bow, looking politely down at the floor. Tatsu attacked. In a split second he had the boy pinned.
"Never lower your eyes to an enemy!" he hissed.
It was a lesson the boy would remember for a long time.
Tatsu left the room, heading for the assembly area. The gong would ring soon; the boys would gather soon. He would be there, ready.
On his way to the assembly area, he passed a dark corner of the warehouse. Tatsu knew what was there. He didn't need to look. For in a corner, hanging by his shackled wrists, was Splinter, prisoner of The Foot Clan.