Raph groaned as his conscious returned to him with a searing pain. It came from somewhere on his arms. The turtles tried to move them, so he could rub the pain away, but he soon realized that his hands were restricted. Raph's eyes snapped open as he sprung up, the handcuff clamped tight on his wrists with a sharp sting.
- So, you're finally awake.
Raph spun to where the voice came from, and saw Tenten right next to him. She was stained with dirt and something dark, similar to dried blood. The girl also had handcuff over her hands. Raph glanced around to see they were in a prison cell. The hothead immediately jumped away and coiled to defend position, but the moment he focus on his ki, a jolt shot through his body and he slumped instantly.
- Stay still, I just want to put this ointment on to ease the bruises – Tenten held out a small cream box – These handcuffs suck every bit of energy out of you, whether it's chakra or ki so don't try to force it.
- Ya could've said that a little sooner. That explained why I blacked out when they strapped this thing on me – Raph rolled to a sitting position – How come ya switch to all buddy-buddy with me now?
- These guys in black threw me in here and you came in not long after that. I suppose they have something to do with us killing each other.
- No kidding. Listen: Yer been set up. These goons are shadow assassins. Me and my bros figured out they're behind all this the moment they ambushed us.
- So it's true. Neji-kun suspected something fishy going on – Tenten smirked, but then her face got serious – But he couldn't predict the ambush. He didn't even see them. They might think you guys set up the attack so you could kidnap me. Your brothers might be in trouble.
Raph jumped to his feet at that. With just Leo and Don, there's no way they could stand against those guys, since Neji's no pushover, and while he didn't have any information about that green boy, his guts screamed at him that he was the strongest of the team. The emerald turtle gripped against the cell bars and gave them some hard shake, hoping to loosen it a little. But his effort was to no avail. The bars didn't even budge, and Raph earned himself another jolt, this time knocked him flat on his plastron.
- Be quiet! – A voice echoed from the other side – Your struggle is futile.
From the dark far away, a door opened. The other side was filled with dime light, casting a glow on the emerging shadow assassin. He looked much bigger than the others that Raph had encountered. His black cape floated in the air as he approached them.
- I take it that you're the leader – Tenten glared at him.
- I am the head of this shadow clan – The leader spoke with a calm tone, but his voice was gruff – I had hoped that you Konoha ninja would remove these thorns from our eyes, but you can't even finish that simple task, worthless humans!
- And you think capturing me would help? – The kunoichi jerked her chin at him.
- You, along with this kame, are merely hostages and pawns in our hands. Your friends will fight to the death if they ever want to see you again – The assassin huffed.
At that moment, Raph stirred back to conscious, and another dark creature came in. He whispered something to the leader, and from the look in his eyes, Tenten guessed that he was pleased from whatever he was hearing. She doubted his good news involved them getting out of here.
- You shall remain here to wait for the news of the kame's demise… or your friends. Either way, it will be us who rises to triumph. Our plan is coming to fruition. Just wait and see.
With that, he faded into the dark, leaving the other to guard them. Tenten helped Raph back on his feet, then dragged him all the way back to a corner, far away from the guard's eyes and ears. Rested the turtle's shell against the stone wall, she asked:
- So, you heard him. What do you plan do to?
- I ain't planning anything – The hothead curled his upper lip's corner – I'm just gonna smash this cage open and go help my brothers.
- Wrong answer, tough guy – Tenten swatted his head, didn't even faze when he glared at her – I want to get out of here too, but we need to do it a little bit differently.
- Ya got any idea ta get out of this joint?
- Ugh, boys! – The girl shook her head – If I don't know some way to release us, I might as well give up being a Konoha ninja.
- … Alright! I'm listening – Raph finally paid her some attention. He still remembered how painful it was when she hit him in the chest, but if he really wanted to break out, he needed to put it aside. The girl's tougher than she looked, so who knows, she might got a few tricks up her sleeves…
:::
Leo and Don snapped out of their shock when they heard something rustled toward them. Their bodies tensed as Neji and Lee appeared, but eased a little when the white boy showed them the letter.
- I think I know the content of that letter without reading – Neji pointed at the turtle's letter – We're lucky these people were so careless in their moves.
- What do you mean? – Leo asked.
- I guess they want us to finish you off. But they made a mistake planning the ambush when we were so close to each other.
- I don't think so – Don frowned – They're professional assassins, they wouldn't make a simple mistake like that.
- True, but they're holding our comrade and, if I'm correct, your brother captive to force us into this.
- Raph's strong, he would cause a ruckus to get out – Leo said – I can't say I'm not worrying about him. But right now, we need to focus on the motives of these shadow assassins.
- It would be a good start if you tell us more about them – Lee suggested.
And so, the turtle recalled their unpleasant experience with the dark creatures. Neji and Lee paid close attention to make sure they didn't leave anything out. It explained why the Hyuuga's bloodline eyes were useless against them, since they're made of darkness itself. But with Leo and Don, they might figure out a way to retrieve their friends.
- Even though I know all that, there's still something nagging me – Neji mumbled when the story finished.
- I agree – Lee nodded – Our sensei, Maito Gai, has been acting very strange ever since we arrived here. Do you think…
- I doubt what you're assuming is true – Don shook his head – These assassins may be very good at stealth, but they can't disguise themselves as someone else.
Silence. For a moment no one said anything as thoughts swarmed through their mind. Some pieces of the puzzle were coming together, but that's not enough. The feeling of there's something deeper than the scheme was still floating around. During the thinking process, Neji and Leo's eyes met, and Leo suddenly remembered that, even though it's barely noticeable, master Splinter was also acting slightly out of himself. His brows furrowed:
- I hope I'm wrong about this, but maybe your sensei and ours know something.
- And they still keep it a secret after all that battle? – Don argued – I don't think so. Sensei wouldn't do something like that to hurt us.
- I know he never would have done that – Leo turned to him – But what about testing us? He always wants us to become stronger. Remember how helpful he was guiding us to how to use our mystic power?
- We really need to have a talk… - Neji interrupted, his eyes narrowed - … with both our senseis. Are you in?
- To save our brother? Anytime.
:::
- Ya sure that's gonna work? – Raph asked incredulously.
- I'm open to suggestion. – Tenten shrugged.
Her plan to escape seemed doable, with least risk involved, but it would require something the turtle couldn't be sure he's good at, but either that or waiting to receive the news about his brothers' deaths. Raph shot up, screaming at the girl:
- There ain't a chance I'm gonna do that!
- Hey! You're the one agreed to this! – Tenten also jumped to her feet.
- Yer plan sucks! – Raph growled, restrained himself from biting her head off – Why do I have ta stick my neck out for ya?
- Well then, good luck getting out of here without my help!
- I will, and I'm gonna kick yer friends' ass once I'm outta this hole!
- Hey! Stop it! Both of you!
The assassin guard stepped up to the cell, using nothing but his words to separate them. No effect, both the two ninjas were too engrossed in their verbal fight that they completely ignored him. It made the dark creature become a little anxious. They would be killed eventually, but not before the clan achieved their goal. If the two started killing each other and they ended up with no hostage, the turtles and the Konoha ninja would wipe them all out. The assassin opened the cell bar, resorted to force to silence these two. Neither Raph nor Tenten paid any attention to him as he approached, still at each other's throat with their mouths. But the moment the assassin was within arm's reach, Raph suddenly spun to him, swinging both his arms right up to his chin. At the same time, Tenten gave him a kick to the stomach. The creature doubled over before slumping down flat on the floor. He soon vanished in black smoke, leaving a key behind.
- Nice acting, turtle boy! – The girl gave Raph a wink.
- Don't count on me doing that again. For a moment I thought I'm gonna hit ya for real. And the name's Raphael.
- I wouldn't expect anything less, Raphael-kun. Now let's see if this is the key for these handcuffs.
With his hands free, Raph marched right up to the door where the clan leader disappeared behind. Turning the knob slowly, he peeked to the other side:
- Looks clear – He whispered.
- Even so, I don't like anymore surprise, so here, arm yourself with these.
Tenten said and threw him something. Raph brought his hands up to catch a pair of kunai and some shuriken. He looked over her:
- I thought they stripped ya off yer weapon?
- Not all the sealing tags I hid under my cloth – Tenten smirked, pulling out a rod from her sleeve – You'll be surprise what a girl can hide in her body.
For the first time Raph was glad he didn't make an enemy out of her. She would make Karai looks pathetic. Sneaking through the door, they skimmed along a narrow corridor, looking for anything that looked like an exit or at least could help their escape. Upon arriving on a door, both heard voices and something shuffled on the other side. Raph pressed his head against the wooden surface, tried to make out the sound:
- … you still can't pull anything out?
- This is her weapon. She must have had some protection measure to make sure only she can use it. See all this scribble? It must be some sort of spell.
- They have my scroll – Tenten hissed from behind.
- Then let's get it back.
Kicking the door open, Raph jumped in and immediately aimed for one startled assassin, while Tenten went for the other one with her giant scroll. With no time to even call for help, both were knocked out instantly. The kunoichi settled her scroll into position, noticing that the emerald turtle had found his sais in a corner of the room.
- Now we can go warn our comrades. Any idea of how to do that?
- We can walk around here and ask for direction – Raph turned to her, flaming mark already ran down his skin – or we can make our own way out. Stand back, this might get a little messy.
Before the turtle could put his idea to motion though, they heard shouting from the outside. Then came the sound of wind gusting toward them. Tenten turned to see a hurdle of the shadow clan emerged. One of them, seemed to be the one guarding the prison cell not too long ago, pointed at the two:
- There they are! Do not let them escape!
Raph gave the wall he had his back against a hard punch, turning it into a pile of rubble. Tenten took it as queue for them to make their escape and followed the red clad turtle without question. The angry turtle just plowed right through anything unfortunately stood in his path, while the ninja girl behind him occasionally threw out smoke bomb and exploding tag, slowing their enemies. Despite her effort, the shadow creatures still closed the gap between them.
- They're gaining on us! – Tenten panted.
- Then it's time for plan B – Raph shouted over his shoulder – No matter what happen, just keep running!
She was already running at her full speed, glancing back to see the assassins already drew out their weapons. With all the gadgets in her scroll, Tenten could take them out, but right now she only had one thought: how to escape and come back to her friends. Fighting them head on would waste too much time, and she didn't even know how many they were. With her mind occupied, Tenten didn't notice the turtle in front of her was slowly getting bigger, and something scaly spread over his skin…
:::
Gai walked calmly behind his students. If he had any concern for the female ninja of the team who went missing, he didn't show it. Lee and Neji marched defiantly right up to the Daimyo's castle. The guards opened it before they even approached it, revealing the turtle team, along with master Splinter and the Daimyo on the other side. Neither sensei gave out any sign that they knew each other, when all eyes were on every single move of theirs.
- Daimyo-sama. It's been an honor to have you granted us your audience - Neji spoke with his most respectful tone, although he didn't even bow to the Lord.
- It is your right to ask for such thing, young ninja - Came the reply – However, is the matter you wish to discuss so important that you had to summon us in the middle of the night?
- I would really appreciate it if you all stop this act - It was Leo who spoke next - Our brother is missing, so is their friend. Master Splinter, Gai-san, if you have anything to hide from us, now is the good time to say it.
Both masters looked in each other's eyes before turning to the Daimyo. It was a little too soon to reveal their plan, but the safety of their younglings were being threatened. Besides, it was part of their plan in the first place.
- Very well, young warriors - The Lord stepped up - I shall tell you what you wish to know. I trust that you are familiar with the shadow clan?
- Yes. They were the one attacking me, Leo and almost succeeded in taking your life - Don said.
- Correct. They are plaguing this sacred arena with their darkness. I planned to lure them out in the light and eradicated them once and for all. It was Splinter's idea that I use this tournament and you four as baits. After being defeated by you, they would be tempted to use this chance for vengeance.
- Allow me to guess – Neji tilted his head - You knew about them sending a fake invitation to Konoha, asking for us to eliminate the turtles, yet you kept quiet about it?
- Haven't you know, young Hyuuga, that before you wish to fool your enemy, you must be able to fool your ally first?
- Even Hokage-sama approved to this plan, Neji-kun - Gai calmly said - Everything was taken into consideration.
- Including the scenario when one of us was abducted? - Lee turned to his idol, completely confused and disappointed.
- I would never put my sons nor your comrade in danger for something such as this - Splinter reassured him - as we speak, a team of elite force was already dispatched under the Daimyo's command to retrieve them.
- Is this the elite team you speak of, rodent?
All heads turned to the direction of that voice. A column of dark smoke rose from the ground, shaping itself into the assassin leader. He held in each hands those seemed to be the soldiers that guard the arena. All of them unconscious and covered with wounds. The leader threw them in front of the Daimyo.
- You underestimated the power of our clan. Your elite force was nothing compare to our power.
Lee immediately shot toward him, but the flying kick he dished out just went right through him like air. Just as Lee's body flew pass, the assassin grabbed him by the arm, spun the green boy upside down and tossed him back to the turtles like a rag doll. They all landed hard on their backs.
- Do not attempt such reckless act again, if you wish to see your precious ones alive. Remember that well, human boy.
- What do you want, assassin? - The Daimyo demanded.
- I wish for revenge, nothing more. To be precise, I wish for these meddling kame's death. You will do exactly as I command if you truly care for our hostages' wellbeing. The matches will continue as planned. You shall fight with everything you have. Hold nothing back. And you yourself - he pointed at the Daimyo with every bit of authority in his finger - must lift the restriction rule. Our sorcerer has grown tired of altering your power. I do not care whose, but I want to see blood, I want to see heads fall. Fail to do so, and those ninjas will face the consequence.
Wrapped the cape around himself, the mad-vengeance creature disappeared, leaving behind his maniac laugh and a baffled crowd...