All was still and quiet before the Shredder, who's eyes cast downward heavily at Xever, who dared not to tremble under the burning gaze of his Master. Next to him, Karin and Sana always bowing on one knee in front of the dark man. Who was known to not tolerate any sense of failure, because if failure happened, the price for it was more than one could pay. Though bowing in fear more so than respect for Sana and Karin, who dare not say what her mind was thinking nor have her eyes show them.
She hated being in this submissive position, feeling like a grunt. She still question why Sasuke and his team had to partner with this, excuse for a shinobi she thought. But, then again the power he emitted sad other wise. She could sense the darkness within him, no around him that scared her to submit and cast aside her reasons about him. She often use to wonder how powerful this man was, from a different world that made so many follow and fear him. She didn't see him really engage in battle or fights, mainly his men or robots. This question always in her mind, wanting to know, then again did she really? From the way others respected him, he had to be strong to hold this much power. She just wanted to see it.
But that would have to wait, because now Xever had to give his report on their mission. Gulping hard, Karin forces herself not tremble as the words came out of the mutant man's mouth. She kept her fingers crossed that Shredder would be pleased, sliding her eyes over to look at everyone else in the Shredder's chambers. Suigetsu stood by Jugo looking them, Razor across the room casting the same look as the Shredder but it was more out of pleasure. Stockman stood not to far from him. A few feet away from them, stood Sana's team, Saya and Marmushi. Just a foot from Shredder's chair that kunochi always by Sasuke, who stood above her. Across from him stood Tigerclaw with a harden face, and at the top just a step from Shredder, the Masked Man or Tobi and sitting down in the center on a throne like seat, Shredder himself.
"Master Shredder,"Xever began spreading his arms out in respect as he continued to bow."Our mission was a success, sad to say the Foot Bots where destroyed, along with the mutant shinobis. But, the good news to all this, she has taken the bait. Just as you predicated. She is well aware of our presence now. Though do the interference of a few others, we where not able to hold her down long enough to preform what you required. Stockman's design though on improving the shinobis was fairly good, they did stand up to their task, though again their body didn't hold out, they did shut down. Other than that, Master the mission was successful."
"...And what of the girl?"Shredder wanted to know about May.
Hearing her name, Suigetsu had to do his best to not look interested or concerned about what became of the pink haired girl. Still he listen attentively whispering in his mind that she was fine and well. There was no real damage done to her, but from what the plan was he highly doubt that feeling a tight knot in his begin to harder and form, from Xever's sickly delighted words on what he was sure he saw with her. The more the mutant fish talked about how he showed her the fan, and the words he used to her. Suigetsu knew those words themselves was to damage her slightly, but from the time he spent with her, words seem to effect her greatly. That it could make her whole mood change, she took them very seriously she was just that kind of person in a manner of speaking. Since May was not really consider a person, listening back to the words, the ones that caused him to grunt silently in anger and disgust.
Sure he took thrills in killing because that was part of himself, he delighted in the prospect of killing something he took pride in which many would consider him cold-hearted, but it was him so words like that would never bother him. May though, those harsh words where bound to settle deeply, the seeds had been planted as Xever told Shredder, it was just a matter of time for them to grow. It was bad enough when May was hit with guilt, it lingered in her like a weighted anchor. The words cast upon her like throwing sharp kunais had to have pierced greatly. She would no doubt sulk about those words, trying to process them and try to figure them out.
Even though he was sadistic, to him this was just cruel. He wanted to speak up about this, but he couldn't the punishment that would follow behind it surely would kill him. Shredder seem like a man who mastered the art of torture and death. So all Suigetsu could do, was keep his mouth shut and follow along at the same time think of a way to help May. He hadn't been on any missions, so it made it hard. Toning back, Xever had finished his report and everyone waited if Shredder accepted it. Because Karin sure in hell hoped he did.
The Masked Man looks to the brooding man. With his voice as respectful as he could make it."Shredder..."
No one could tell what Shredder was thinking, that is until he spoke finally after a long tense pause."We move on to the next part."he tells everyone standing up, he looks to Sasuke who looks back to the man. Understanding he nods his head, he looks to the kunoichi who nods her head understand. She walks off with Sasuke behind her, Karin watches with jealous eyes. Telling herself she was going to kill her one day. But that would have to wait, Shredder calls to her she turns around quickly looking at him. He tells her to go with Stockman and continue their experiments. Understanding, she nods her head getting and leaves with the mutant fly.
Leaving the others."Shall I give the go, Master Shredder?"Tigerclaw looks to him, while taking out his pistol.
Acknowledging him, Shredder nods his head approving he looks to Jugo and Suigetsu without a word telling them to go with the mutant tiger. With no objects they do as he says. To the Suna-nins he tells them to rely a message to their spy and to pick up something from Stockman. Which they understand, though before they leave Saya asks when she will get her doll which earned her a harsh scolding looking from the man. Shutting her up quickly.
Xever manege's just narrowly dodge Naruto's attack, while flipping over him. He snickers at the boy's attempt to land a hit, quickly he dodges Hinata's strike from her Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists, he gives her a snarky look and aims his gun at her. Stopping when he felt a shadow above him, looking up to see Kankuro's Karasu with its hidden blade out to stab him.
Jumping out the way, again narrowly missing the blade it was clear the three of them where not going to let him leave. A fierce look in each of their eyes, Naruto though seem to have more a murderous look than the others. While Hinata had a determined and protective one, Kankuro was more serious than the other two. While at the same time formalitly a plan on how to either capture or take down mutant.
Though many in Xever's situation would most likely call it quits, he couldn't help but be delighted by this. With his clones by him, he rushes at the three of them, each clone taking on one of them while he went in trying to land a blow. Using also the Kraang's gun, he tries to get a keen aim on anyone of them, Naruto seeing this makes a massive amount of clones who rush towards him. Astound by this, never had seen this before making note to report back to Shredder. Dodging again, staying on his feet. Having enough of being chased, he inhales deeply to exhale releasing a huge torrent of water from his mouth. A simple water jutsu, but still effective none the less. It managed to get rid of some of Naruto's clones. With his back turned, it left him over.
Knocking back one Xever's clones, Hinata rushes in to strike."There!"she goes to strike, and lands the blow. Pushing the man back, not wasting time she hurries to attack the rest of him, to block his chakra. Just as she draws back to strike once again, Xever turns into smoke and in place of him a log. Realizing he had used substitution jutsu.
She is attacked, by a kick from him behind. Thankful for his robotic legs that added more power to it. She hits the ground hard.
"Hinata!"Naruto yells her name, enraged more now his vendetta against Xever increased more."You'll pay for that!" Letting his anger starting to get the best of him, that his features slowly started to change. He rushes towards Xever, with the help of one of his clones he forms his rasagean once again this time much bigger.
Xever stood there, a devious smirk slides on his face. Realizing this, Kankuro yells for Naruto to stop but the blonde didn't. Thinking quickly, Kankuro with his chakra threads moves Karasu quickly after Naruto at higher speeds. With movement from his fingers, he gets his puppet to spread it's arms out and wide and grab onto Naruto tightly. Who was surprised by this, before he could blink Kankuro yanks them both back. Just as Xever uses another one of his water jutsu.
"Water Jutsu: Whipping Blades!"Xever unleashes his jutsu by having water quickly form around his wrist in rings, he then flings the liquid at high speed, that compressed itself into a sharp arch like blades which narrowly missed Naruto but did get the trees, slicing them in have.
Shocked by the fact that could have been him, Naruto looks at mad mutant. Who focus back on them, he gets more water and flings the liquid once again in their general direction.
Quickly Naruto and Kankuro move just in time, releasing the blonde from his puppets hold, he takes out his other one. Kuroari. Xever starts to laugh with pleasure."Come now! I thought we were having a fiesta?"he mockingly yells to them."I was having fun!"
Taking cover behind a few trees, Kankuro formulates a plan. Figuring out Xever's jutsu was long range then needed to get him distracted in order to get close enough to him, he looks around seeing the itching angered face on Naruto. Who looked ready to unleash hell upon this mutant. Naruto would be a good distraction if he could keep his head in a sense cool, turning to his other side, Hinata had managed to take cover not to far from him. She would have to be the one to land an actual strike upon him, which he would then use Kuroari to entrap the mutant.
Looking Kankuro's way, Hinata seem to understand his plan nodding her head agreeing to it. The puppeteer turns to Naruto about to say something, when the brash boy made his own move and rushed once again towards the mutant. Something must have been said from Xever because Naruto charged like a bull, screaming at him.
"Don't you say that! ABOUT MAY!"he forms some more clones who charge with him. A massive army each with their fist drawn back."NARUTO!"Hinata panics, she waste no time and rushes after him, breaking Kankuro's plan.
Having no choice he follows, and hopes he could make this surprised attack work to their advantage. Xaver flings more of his water at Naruto's clones, cutting a few but that didn't stop him. A few of his clones manage to slide under the attack, coming back and continued towards their target. Seeing he wasn't stopping, Xever forms a few more clones of himself, and whips out the gun. He takes aim as his clones go to take Naruto head on. Firing a few, getting rid a couple, but it was not enough, now starting to feel overwhelmed. He knew he had to retreat.
Stepping back, he gets ready to take his leave when Hinata comes and almost lands a blow. She wasn't going to let him get away, jumping back making sure he was not struck by her blows. With an assertive look in her eyes, she demanded from him what he wanted with May.
"Why are you attack May?"she demands, as Xever manages to block her. He drops down and spins on his back coming up to kick her back a bit, but she stood her ground this time. And kept going.
Xever smirks to himself."Wouldn't you like to know, little girl."he chuckles deeply. Dodging an attack."I'm surprised really...you would even risk your life an artificial one."
Hearing what he said, stun Hinata and confused her. She gives him a puzzled look on what he meant. But Naruto and Kankuro did, a sad look came to the puppeteer. While a more enraged look came to Naruto, having enough he pushes forward his fist ready to land a blow.
"I SAID DON"T SAY THAT ABOUT HER!"he growls like an animal, jumping over Hinata he thrust his powerful punch forward. Seeing this, Xever quickly pushes Hinata away and jumps back safely missing the deadly blow from the blonde.
Chuckling to himself, the mutant fish lands a couple of feet away into the shadows of the trees. A haunting laughter escapes his lips."So you know..."he gives Naruto a surprised yet interesting look."Something that is artificial doesn't belong, in a world like this. Actual in a world at all."with his last words, he melts into the shadows before Naruto could even say anything.
Tightening his fist in anger, Naruto stands there reflecting on Xever's words that mixed with May's when she told him about her life. It angered him more, Kankuro remained silent and composed. Hinata looks at Naruto sympathetically, then the way Xever went still puzzled by what he said about May. About her being artificial life. It clear by the look on both Kankuro and Naruto's face they knew something.