Flashback: A moment before the attack...
- That's... brilliant, Mikey - Don was almost speechless - Crazy, but brilliant.
- I agree with the crazy part - Leo crossed his arms, looking amused - What do you guys think?
They all nodded in agreement with the plan of the sea green turtle. The whole gang would barge in and flip the shadow lair upside down, drawing attention, while a small group sneaked in from another entrance and snatched the War Staff when opportunity provided. Raph had no problem with the role to break and smash things, so did the others. However, one of them had something to add:
- The plan would be foolproof, Michelangelo-san - Ue looked up to him - But I need to ask you all a favor: I must be the one to retrieve the staff.
- No way, kid! - Raph squashed the idea almost immediately - This ain't a school field trip. Ya gotta stay put and we'll cover for ya.
The red clad mutant was reluctant enough to have a kid accompany the team, but this was way out of line. Lee and Usagi, on the other hand, thought otherwise:
- The other entrance is far away from here, no doubt heavily guarded to prevent intruder - Usagi stepped up to Ue - Are you certain of what you wish to do?
- You will have to fight enemies who can resort to dirty trick without a second thought, and they will, by all means, try to kill you - Lee stared at him with a neutral look - Are you prepared for what to come?
Instead of answering right away, the young warrior unsheathed his katana, pointing the tip at the dark entrance. With a voice as calm as morning dew, he said:
- No matter who stands in my way, I will cut them down and move forward. I will take back my father's War Staff, or die trying.
- Geez, come on! - Raph threw his hands up in exasperation - Ya can't be serious ta listen ta this drama king, can ya?
His complain was cut short by a glare from a green ninja, a samurai, the young warrior, and his blue clad brother. Leo walked up to Usagi:
- I don't know if I should agree to this, but are you sure telling him all that would help?
- Funny, Leonardo-san - Usagi smiled - When Lord Noriyuki asked you to help him save Tomoe and confront Hebi, you agreed without hesitation. Where is that Leonardo, I wonder?
- I'm still here, but Hebi's goon are nowhere near as dangerous as these shadow assassin.
- The same goes for me - Ue countered - I doubt I'm the same as that Noriyuki you're speaking of. Can I trust you, my friend, to buy me enough time for me to achieve my goal?
Leo took a good look at his once nemesis. There's absolute purity in his eyes, but the determination to win, to move forward despite all odds still burned in them like when he was the Ultimate ninja. If he denied Ue this chance, like his father did, the boy might very well follow his old self's mistake.
- You can count on me, Ue-sama. All I ask in return is that you proceed with care.
- He won't be alone on his quest. I shall accompany him - Usagi put a hand on the boy's shoulder.
Raph could see that he had no chance to convince them otherwise, and time was ticking by fast. What's done is done. The least he could do was to go all out for his brothers and his friends...
...End flashback.
:::
The dark mage pulled his head off from where he plowed the ground with his face, throwing a disgusting look at those ambushing him from behind. Ue and Usagi were both a bit battered after taking down all the guards from the other way in, yet they both looked more energetic than ever. Ue slammed the staff to the ground, sending a light tremor through it.
- It is over, assassin! Turn yourselves in, and my father may spare your lives.
- If you assume I would quietly surrender, you are greatly mistaken, boy! - The sorcerer spatted.
- You are outnumbered and disarmed - Usagi pointed his katana at the dark creature - Do not be unreasonable and make this difficult for all of us.
- Why do ya need ta show these guys any mercy? - Raph couldn't stand the sight - They kept trying ta take over this multiverse, for God's sake!
- If we slay them, Raphael-san, we are no better than them - Neji breathed out, regaining consciousness - I thought your sensei taught you better?
- That is very generous for all of you, oh noble ones - The sorcerer mocked, his face contorted with disgust - But you should not forget who you are dealing with.
With a sudden wave of his hand, dark light erupted from out of nowhere. Seconds later, the Konoha ninjas and the turtles found themselves bound, sealing handcuff clasped tightly around their wrists.
- Not again! - Tenten gritted her teeth as she felt chakra drained from her - Guys! Don't focus your ki, you'll be knocked out!
- NOW YOU SEE? I'M A SORCERER! NOT JUST A MERE ASSASSIN LIKE MY WORTHLESS LEADER! - The dark mage roared triumphantly - Give me back the staff, or your friends will suffer!
Ue gripped on the staff as he watched his friends withered down in agony. But before he could do anything, Usagi stepped between him and the wicked wizard:
- I know you are in pain as well as our friends - the rabbit samurai whispered - But stay strong! I will distract him for you to free them. Be swift, young Lord!
With that, Usagi left the red-haired boy's side and lunged for the sorcerer. He cried out in disbelief:
- You fool! Do you not care for your friends?
- I do, but you demand for the War Staff, and I do not have it!
The blade in the samurai's hand cut a fine line on the mage's body, but just like his brethren, he quickly vaporized, flying pass Usagi and aiming for Ue. The young warrior ran as fast as his feet could carry him, one hand clutching his father's weapon, the other unsheathing his katana. He immediately went for Neji who was injured the most, face's turning as white as his cloth. With one precise swing, the handcuff was severed and color immediately returned to the Hyuuga's face. Ue was about to turn to the next handcuff when the sorcerer reached him, one hand sparking dark red flame.
- I can't have you do that, young master! I'll have you remember who you truly are!
Before the fireball could reach its target, Usagi had launched himself in between and blocked the attack with his sword.
- Out of my way, samurai! - the dark mage shouted.
- Not in this lifetime! Ue-sama, hurry!
The young warrior hadn't made any step when another force hit both him and Usagi, knocking them both to the side. To all of their shock and the dark mage's terror, the shadow clan leader rose to the air, his eye blazing with anger.
- M-master... you... you're...
- Alive, traitor! - The assassin calmly said - I would be delighted to see your head roll right now, but you have proven useful still for offering me the kames and those good-for-nothing Konoha ninja. Now help me retrieve the War Staff, and I may consider sparing your worthless life.
Usagi and Ue were still dazed by the sudden blow, but they managed to pull themselves together. Ue quickly put the staff to his back and face the leader assassin alongside the rabbit. With their friends immobilized, they were the only hope left...
... Or were they?
With their attention focusing elsewhere, neither the shadow clan leader nor his sorcerer realized a shift of movement in the corner. Neji had dragged himself close to Leo, one hand focusing chakra:
- What are you doing? - Leo hissed - Stop moving! Your wound will get torn even worse.
- I saw... what you did back there... - The boy in white struggled with his breath - You're... our only hope...
Gathering what's left of his chakra, Neji made one final chakra blade on his hand and shattered the handcuff of Leo's.
- I leave... the rest... in your hands... - Came the last of the Hyuuga's words.
The blue clad turtle caught his savior just before his face hit the ground. Neji had passed out due to the blood loss, and with a wound that big on his side, if they wasted anymore time on this battle, they'd lose him. Removing the belt, Leo tied it around the bleeding wound for a make-shift bandage before handing the unconscious Hyuuga to his friends, swiftly freeing them in the process. Turning to his brother, his voice dropped an octave:
- Let's end this, guys!