"Alright you know the rules," said Billy as they made their way up the large hill to a waterfall.
"We've gone over them a thousand times. I'm not supposed to speak to anyone. If anyone asks me what element I am I answer that I haven't been placed yet. I'm not allowed to wonder off. If I have to speak to anyone I can speak to you or Cam," repeated Robert for the umpteenth time.
"You're missing one," said Billy with a stern tone to his voice.
"Stay the hell away from Sensai Watanabe," said Robert almost mimicking Billy.
"Good, now stay close to me and we'll pass through the waterfall shortly," said Billy as they made their final decent to the top of the hill.
Suddenly a group of hooded ninjas appeared all around them. They immediately took up a defensive stance against Robert and Billy. Robert matched their stance while Billy remained standing.
"What are you doing here?" asked a ninja with red piping along the center of his suit.
"We have been asked by Sensai Watanabe to train here at the Wind Ninja Academy," said Billy as he stared at the group surrounding him.
"We have not been informed of such a request. Please state the password to know that what you say is the truth," said ninja with blue piping.
"Air, Water, and Earth as one," said Billy calmly.
The ninjas looked at each other and then at the two that had spoken. Both the red and blue ninja nodded their heads. They all relaxed from their defensive positions and stood waiting more orders. However, a ninja in yellow piping was not so easily persuaded and remained in the defensive position.
"Earth Ninja, you have been ordered to stand down. Do so now," said the one in red.
"There is something off about them, one of them does not carry the energy of a ninja," said the yellow ninja.
"Stand down," said the blue ninja.
Without warning the one in yellow attacked Robert. Robert managed to dodge the attack but was caught by a surprise move from the ninja. He regained his balance and blocked the next few blows. He looked at Billy for guidance but was blasted back with a powerful beam of yellow energy that shook the ground. Robert could feel his animal spirit stirring. He knew that if he unleashed it all of Billy's plans would go to waste. He could sense Geki wanting to be unleashed. He looked over at Billy who only shook his head in disagreement. Instead of releasing Geki, Robert calmed himself and stood there. The yellow ninja stopped a few inches from connecting a punch with his face.
"Why do you not defend yourself?" she asked.
"Because I have no reason to fight you. You are not my enemy," said Robert in return as he stared into the ninja's eyes.
The ninja streaked back into formation and bowed her head. Robert slowly walked back to Billy's side and was met with a small smile and a nod.
"The rest of you are dismissed," said Sensei Watanabe as he passed through the portal in front of the waterfall. With that all the ninjas streaked back through the portal and to the Academy.
"You tested us?" asked Billy in disbelief.
"No not you William, your student. You can't honestly believe I would allow any Pai Zhuq student to enter the Wind Ninja Academy. I had to know that he would not bring conflict to this peaceful learning center," said Sensei.
"Does that mean your students know who and what we are?" asked Billy.
"No, they know nothing of you, but that you are visiting Sensei with a pupil. They think this was a simple training exercise," said Sensei.
Robert remained silent during the conversation. He still did not understand why Billy had chosen a Ninja Academy as their training location. He could have just as easily returned to the Pai Zhuq Academy and taught him there. At least there would have been other masters to assist him in animal spirit mastery.
"If I knew it was going to trouble you this much I would have not intruded on your Academy," said Billy as he bowed and faced away from Sensei Watanabe. He motioned for Robert to follow him but was stopped by the Sensei.
"No William, it is I who has to apologize to you. My suspicion of non Ninja Academies has led me to doubt your ability to choose your student. For that please accept my apologies," said Sensei as he bowed to Billy.
"All I ask is that you allow us to train here. I know that my student and I could learn much from you and your academy," said Billy as he about-faced and bowed in return.
"Please come, Cameron is waiting for you in Ninja Ops. I think you remember where it is," said Sensei as he guided them through the portal.
As they passed through Robert noticed that there was no waterfall behind them, just a thick endless forest. The giant shogun castle in the background loomed overhead. He could see students training on the open field which brought memories of his own studies at the Pai Zhuq Academy.
They made their way passed the castle and to a trap door that led into a small cavern. There Robert saw the same young man he saw on the screen a few weeks before.
"Billy! Glad you made it. I thought dad's ninjas would have driven you two away," said Cam with a large smile.
"Yeah, well Sensei has his reasons for what he does," said Billy as he embraced Cam in a hug. "So did you finally graduate high school since the last time I saw you?"
"You knew I graduated at 16. I've been taking collage courses since then and I'm looking to graduate next year at the ripe old age of 18," said Cam again with a grin.
Robert looked on as Billy reconnected with the Sensei's young son. He admired how easily it was for them to interact. They were lost in conversation when they finally noticed Robert. That is because he managed to bump into a computer console and reveal a secret wall full of scrolls.
"Sorry Cam, I would like to introduce to you my student. This is Robert James, Pai Zhuq student and my pupil," said Billy with almost a hint of pride.
Robert bowed to Cam, since he really did not know how else to great someone in a Ninja Academy. Cam returned his bow and extended his hand.
"Let me show you where you'll be staying," said Cam as he directed them deeper into Ninja Ops. "I mean since you will be staying with us, Dad thought you would be more comfortable here than up in the castle. Just so you wouldn't have to run into any of the other instructors or students who might start asking questions. I've laid out some training attire for you to change into so you may better blend in with the locals."
Robert stepped into his room to find leather training gear with deep purple color piping. The three slash marks were covered by a Wind Ninja insignia. But you could almost make them out if the light hit just right. He quickly changed and stored his things in the drawers that were provided for him beneath his bed. There was a small desk in the corner and meditation mat on the floor. He could feel that there were more similarities between the Academies than Sensei would like to admit.
Billy stood outside Robert's door. His own training gear reflecting a shade of blue not normally found on students in the Academy. He was surprised that Cam took the liberty to add his wolf insignia to the lapel, of course he also took the forethought of covering it with the Wind Ninja insignia. Billy was about to knock on the door when it slid open.
"I see you found your training gear," said Billy as he assessed Robert and his new look.
"They are a little tighter than what I'm use to, but I guess they'll have to do for now," said Robert with a laugh.
The two could be heard laughing down the hall as they made their way back to the computer room.
"I knew you'd both like them. Dad might not approve, that's why I've added this nifty device," said Cam as he approached Robert and tapped on his insignia. "Double tap the insignia and the piping will turn white. Tap it once more and it will return to your present colors. I mean it's all I could do with such short notice."
"It's fine, thank you Cam. These will come in handy in when we join the Academy's students for training," said Billy.
Robert could not believe what he was hearing. He'd be training alongside Ninjas. He wasn't sure how the masters back at his old Academy would react.
"But first I need access to your library of scrolls," said Billy as he walked to a console and activated the secret panel.
"If there is something specific you are looking for I can probably help. I've scanned most of the scrolls my father would allow into the central database. If it's here I'll be able to find it, or at least point you in the right direction," said Cam as he sat down in his chair in front of the computer.
"I'm looking for anything that might talk about the Ninjetti," said Billy quietly.
"The Ninjetti? But they are urban legends," said Cam dumbfounded.
"I know, if you could pull anything up on them I'd greatly appreciate it," said Billy as he walked away from Cam. "You and I however, have some training to start." Robert looked up as he was ushered out into the open field.
He saw how the ninjas were separated into three distinctive colors, while those who had not chosen a color wore white. Billy quickly tapped his insignia and all the color drained from his uniform. Robert did the same and watched his purple piping turn white. They hadn't made it more than ten feet when they ran into Sensei.
"Sensei Cranston, would you care to show my students your fighting style," said Sensei Watanabe with a smile. "Sensei Cranston is visiting with his student from a private Ninja Academy, please show him the same respect as you would show any of your other sensei."
Billy motioned Robert to join the other students who were already seated. He bowed to Sensei and then to the students and began with a simple demonstration.
"As you wish Sensei, I will need as many volunteers as would like to join me," said Billy with a devilish smile.
A few students from each color rose and walked to where Billy was standing. Everyone bowed to each other and assumed their natural defensive position. Billy in responses first assumed his wolf stance which placed his hands into claws that resembled a wolf's snout. You could hear murmurs from the other students as they had never seen a stance like that before. Billy then continued to move his body effortlessly as he took in the number of students surrounding him.
One red ninja decided to take the offensive and attack Billy. He was easily blocked by a powerful kick and thrown across the grounds. Two blue ninjas followed next. Billy anticipated their attacks with such effortlessness that it forced all the other volunteers to start moving. A yellow ninja managed to slip into the ground and try a sneak attack but was cut off by a powerful blast by Billy. The blast knocked the yellow ninja out of the ground and into the nearby trees.
The remaining group of ninjas decided to attack all at once, however, when they finally cleared the area all that was left was a set of Billy's uniform. A noise in the trees revealed his true location. The ninjas streaked quickly to catch him, but he slipped right through them and landed a few feet from Sensei Watanabe. Another Billy appeared in the center of the students who were sitting and a third just below the trees. The students did not know who to attack. Then all three Billys shot powerful blue beams of light at the students and knocked them all to the ground. The one in the center of the students and the one below the trees disappeared. Billy then bowed to the volunteers, the students, and finally Sensei as he motioned Robert to follow him.
It wasn't until they were past the tree line and were partially in the forest that Robert spoke.
"That was amazing! You really showed them who was boss," said Robert ecstatically.
"As a Master, Sensei and Ranger I should have never used my power like that to show off. But boy did it feel good to see the look on Sensei Watanabe's face afterwards," said Billy with a genuine smile.
"Yeah, his face was beet red. I think he started reprimanding his students as soon as we left," said Robert.
"Alright, let's get started. A three mile run followed by a full two hours of sparing to warm up, what do you say?" said Billy as he began to run.
"Yes Sensei," said Robert in dreadful tone.
"Ouch," said Billy as he picked up speed and dashed ahead of Robert. "That's going to cost you two more miles and an extra hours of sparing."