I miss my internet…
Ever since I had to move out because of my job, the apartment I had to stay in has absolutely zero means to connect to the net. Even my cellphone's been having trouble getting reception. So in case you're wondering why there's suddenly a backlog the size of the Americas lately, that's why. :P
麻の中の蓬- A Mugwort in the Hemp
How long has it been since the three turtles have been caught under his net?
The Shredder brooded while walking down the deserted hallway, a grim smile under his mask as he recalled the days that gone by with his newest "recruits."
He knew he saw much potential in Leonardo, Raphael and Donatello and was glad they did not disappoint. With the three turtles in his ranks, missions went a lot smoother for the Foot, from acquiring new weapon parts and chemicals to facilitating illegal arms trade and dealing with the gangs all over New York.
It also helped that precious few can stand up to the Shredder now that he had three of his worst enemies under his thumb.
The police weren't much of a problem. A few bribes here and some threats there were more than enough to ensure that majority of the force would turn a blind eye to his affairs.
The great source of his ire, though, was those animals playing ninja dress up.
The Mighty Mutanimals, Shredder thought with a sneer. How unfitting. Out of all the members of the ragtag team of mismatched fools, only the chimpanzee doctor, the giant tortoise and the crocodile are threatening enough to be concerned about (which was really, not by much).
What was in reality so infuriating is that these nuisances even tried, and yet the fools dared to strike at his lair more than once!
A mere handful of days after turning the turtles to his side, his ninjas caught them attempting to reach into his stronghold, either by directly attacking his front gate or sneaking in by the back doors.
He had all possible, rarely used entrances and holes in their defenses patched up and the doors guarded but the attacks from the warmongers did not let up in slightest, not even after several defeats at the hands of his lieutenants.
Dastardly weeds who don't know when to quit, Shredder scowled. But what both irked and confused him more was the fact that the littlest turtle was not among them.
Tiger Claw reported that the all-out attack the other turtles did leave the small one nearly for dead. It was immensely pleasing to know that the new brain worms were so effective in cutting the bonds that would have crippled his new ninjas and effectively turn against their brother.
Perhaps the youngest died of his injuries despite their daring escape? Or did he manage to survive, yet chose to remain in hiding? Even if it meant abandoning his brothers for good?
Whatever the answer may be, the truth hardly matters anymore…
The armored ninja's thoughts and feet paused before a pair of stone doors. Pushing them wide open, he then stepped into a dimly lit room, bare save for three plain brown rugs occupied by his new turtle warriors deep in meditation.
The smirk under Shredder's mask grew as he regarded each of them. Their old colored masks were gone, replaced by the ebony cloth that represented the Foot clan, wrapping around their heads, waists and strapped on their elbows and knees.
Their weapons also changed: Leonardo's swords were replaced by twin ninjato with black blades, silver guards and crimson handles, Raphael regained the clawed gauntlets he once used while under the Shredder's service and a black and red steel body naginata was made for Donatello. They graciously accepted their new tools, which were currently arranged neatly beside them.
On feeling a slight disturbance in the air, Leonardo's eyes opened to see the Shredder standing before him and propped himself quickly to a one kneed bow. "Master Shredder."
"I see you three are still hard at work." The man nodded once Raphael and Donatello also adopted the same position as their eldest brother. "Do you have anything to show for your efforts? Have you found what I seek?"
"Forgive us, master, but we still haven't found the location of the Hamato clan's hideout." Leonardo answered, a fist clenched to the ground. "But rest assured that we are doing all that we can to find Splinter. We will not stop until we do."
That is one of the foremost in Shredder's mind at the moment: ever since the three turtles reported back to him after failing to kill their youngest brother, they were unable to recall the location of Splinter's hideout for some reason. Donatello once said it was as if there was a wall blocking the memory from them, inferring that perhaps Splinter was responsible for it.
The thought troubled the turtles as much as it did their new master, and since then the three were doing all they can whether during patrols on the streets or meditation exercises to overcome the mental block.
But it has been three weeks, and the Shredder is steadily losing both precious time and patience…
"We are short in time, Leonardo! You know we have bigger things to concern ourselves with." Shredder hissed. "Redouble your efforts! Exhaust what you have to! Find Splinter and bring me his head if you and your brothers truly wish to be truly part of this clan!"
"Of course, Master Shredder." Raphael answered for the group. "And what of his remaining ninja, Michelangelo?"
"Do with him as you see fit." Shredder said without pause. It really didn't matter whatever would become of the smallest terrapin. He already had three of the formidable four man team under his command—the resolute leader, the brutal, muscled tank and the inventive scientific genius.
What difference could one talentless lout make?
Shredder caught the wide sneers Leonardo, Raphael and Donatello traded amongst themselves at his dismissive.
"As you command, master Shredder."
"GAH!"
April and Casey looked up from their seats on the dojo tatami mats to see Mikey skidding to a halt in front of them.
Casey let out a laugh. "Easy, little dude! Where's the fire?"
"Sorry I'm late guys. Leatherhead and Muckman found some real good juice that I just had to look into and then there's the contact I've been trying to reach for ages who finally called back! Oh boy, who knew being leader meant so much work?" Mikey said, running a hand to the back of his head.
"Don't worry about it. We haven't been waiting long." April smiled at him. In front of the two humans, Splinter nodded.
"You can tell us what you've found out later, Michelangelo." The ninja master said. "But for now, we must begin our training."
All joviality eased out of Mikey's features at his respectful bow. "Hai, sensei."
For the past three weeks, the three teens had thrown themselves into the training that Splinter set up for them. Through the intensive training, April and Casey found out in greater detail that there was so much about being a ninja that involved more than just fighting.
"In ancient times, when ninja clans were composed of several troops of shinobiand kunoichi, a ranking system exist to both indicate the level of skill and experience of each ninja and to determine which missions are appropriate for each team. While variations of rankings may exist within each clan, the core idea remains the same." Splinter once explained to Mikey, April and Casey. "Among the Hamato clan ninjas, we observe grouping members according to the three main ninja ranks: genin, chunin, and jounin.
Splinter cleared his throat. "Genin, the lowest rank, are for newly minted ninjas who have passed basic training but need either further training on his ninja skills or experience to carry out more complex missions.
"Chunin, or middle men, are ninjas who were able to prove themselves worthy assets on the battlefield both as an individual and a part of a team while demonstrating some form of leadership capability." Splinter gestured to his youngest. "Michelangelo and his brothers, for instance, have proven themselves worthy enough to earn the rank. It is unfortunate that…had this incident not occurred then…"
The rat cleared his throat at the children's darkened expressions. "And lastly, jounin are the highest ranking ninjas who are far more skilled than chunin in terms of battle prowess and handling leadership responsibilities. There are also jounin who specialize in one or more particular disciplines of the Ninja Juuhakkei such as espionage or sword fighting."
April blinked, trying to catch up with the rat's lecture. "Err, sorry, Master Splinter, but what is the Ninja, uhm, Jakei?"
"Ninja Jūhakkei, the Eighteen Disciplines for ninjas," Surprisingly, it was Mikey who volunteered the information. "They're the skills all ninja must know the basics of. Some of them are about fighting with different kinds of weapons like swords, but there are those that are really cool and stealthy like disguise techniques, breaking in buildings and even studying the weather! Sensei taught my bros and I about all eighteen, but we, or at least I, never really got past the basics of at least five."
"I did not find it necessary to teach you some of the skills of the Ninja Jūhakkei." Splinter said flatly. "For one, I do not think it is important for you to focus on Bajutsu in a city without horses."
Casey blinked. "Err, baju-wha?"
"Bajutsu.Horse riding." Mikey said helpfully. "But what about kayakujutsu, sensei? I see the point about the horses, but come on, those techniques are mighty useful!"
"Kakayu—?"
Splinter sighed. "As I have explained to you at the start of your training, your primary focus will initially be on using your respective weapons, perfecting your stealth and infiltration techniques as well as honing your physical condition.
"I also believe I told you before, in great detail and with much support from your brothers, why I thought you were not ready for explosive techniques, Michelangelo?"
"Ehehe," Mikey sweatdropped with a light blush. "My bad?"
April and Casey gaped at each other at the amount of information they've received. Who knew being a ninja was complicated?
"I do not expect you to master all the disciplines, April and Casey, but I would like for you to learn what I feel is most essential at the moment," Splinter went on. "Shinobi-iri—stealth, breaking and entering techniques—and Intonjutsu—escape and concealing techniques. If both of you would like to play a more active role in our war against the Foot, you must know how to fight and think like a real ninja. And a skilled ninja knows that direct confrontation is not always the way to complete a mission and is avoided unless completely necessary."
When the rat ninja said he would make them work, he meant every single word. After getting permission to stay at the Lair indefinitely, the trainees' mornings for the last several weeks were filled with strength and stamina building exercises including balancing practices, katas, agility training and drills.
Then, after lunch, while Casey and April engaged in spars and stealth training, Mikey had his one-on-one Chunin level exercises with Splinter. While the two humans were yet to see the full length of Mikey's sessions with their sensei, the small glimpses they managed to get during their breaks were nothing short of amazing. In all her years knowing the turtles, April had never seen their youngest look so determined, not even during previous training sessions.
"I have always said that Michelangelo had the most potential out of all his brothers," Splinter told her once. "He just lacks the focus to make it a reality. That, and I can tell that a part of him does not want to risk outshining his brothers. He will not admit it outright, but he relishes the protection his position in our family warrants."
"I also believe," The wise rat added, much to April and Casey's bemusement. "That Michelangelo understands that allowing himself to be protected benefits more than just himself."
"Leatherhead got some real good info that I just can't pass up, that's why I ran late." Mikey explained to his family they were all done training. "The Foot is mass producing the brain worms and moved them to some storage room in the Shredder's base."
"So they really are making loads of those damn things?" Casey's nose scrunched up at the thought. The information the Hamatos managed to gather about the brainworms pretty much implied that possibility, but hearing it become a confirmed reality brought a new level of unease. "What the hell will that Shredhead need all those grubs for anyway?"
"Wish I knew. One thing's for sure about that—Shredder's after more than just my brothers this time around." Mikey bit his lower lip. "Anyway, because of the Mutanimal's attacks, security there has gone up loads of notches so…"
The light green terrapin made a show of yawning and placing his hands behind his head. "Yeah, dudes and dudettes, we got out work cut out for us if we're gonna drop in for those brain worms."
"Wait, are you serious?" Casey's face brightened. While he saw the merit in Mikey's plan, his hot-blooded nature still yearned for some action.
Mikey winked mischievously back. "Operation Recon's going good, but I think it's about time for some ass kicking. Besides, if we're gonna save my bros, we'll need those worms. You guys with me?"
"You bet we are!" April's grin matched Casey's. "So what's the plan, Mikey?"
Mikey traded looks with Splinter who nodded approvingly. "I believe this will be a good opportunity for my ninjas to show what they have learned?"
"We're under attack! We're under attack! We're under a-ttaaack!"
Slash growled at the darting warthog from the corner of his vision. "Will someone shut that pathetic excuse of a pig up? He's giving me a headache!"
"You and me both." Leatherhead snarled, making his way to the annoying pest known as Bebop. Not long after he, Slash and Muckman attempted to break in the Foot's headquarters after distracting the Footbots guarding the front entrance when they just had to run into the bumbling pig and rhino duo.
"Keep yourself together!" From the left, Muckman was effortlessly dodging the bulky Rocksteady's attempts to attack him. "How is the Rocksteady supposed to drop the hammer on the garbage man if you keep doing the scattering apart?!"
"How about you try to run a little—" Muckman raised his hands and shot slime at the rhino's feet. "Faster?"
Rocksteady swore violently in Russian when he failed to regain his footing and fell onto his back.
"Come on!" Slash called to his teammates. "The door's open. Let's ditch those idiots and—"
"You're not going anywhere, Slash!"
The tortoise barely raised his mace in time to block two incoming sais. Slash's lips curled downwards. "Raphael."
"This is just pathetic," Donatello said coolly, raising his naginata at Leatherhead. "No matter how many times you try, you'll never win against us."
"Master Shredder is growing tired of these games," Leonardo added, pointing one of his swords at the Mutanimals' direction. "I say it's time we finished this once and for all."
Muckman gave a quick nod to Joe Eyeball sitting on his left shoulder. "Enough with the talk. Come at us!"
Leonardo dodged the wave of slime and trash sent his way before jumping forward and slashing at Muckman's front. Donatello and Leatherhead engaged in their own spar as well, with the gangly turtle rolling out the crocodile's fists before attempting to bat him with the blade of his naginata. Finally, at the center of the room, Raphael and Slash were having their own fierce duel, not unlike the one they had when Slash was first mutated.
"Come on, Raphael, is this really all you've got?" Slash taunted after parrying another strike from the hot headed turtle. "Been slacking off your training since you became the Shredder's dog, eh?"
"Oh I'll show you slacking off!" Raphael snarled as he sent a kick to Slash's abdomen. The tortoise reeled back but was able to brace a foot behind him in time to block Raphael's fist coming for his face, taking the smaller turtle by the arm and sending him flying to the other side of the room.
"You really gotta snap out of it, Raphael. I don't want to hurt you."
Raphael sneered, shooting up from where Slash threw him. "Heh, too bad I can't say the same for you. You should have handed that sniveling brat to us when you had the chance!"
"Ain't gonna let you do something you'll regret later." Slash said flatly. "Michelangelo is still your brother, and your brothers always come first, remember?"
The green turtle's eyes turned white and his attacks growing increasingly ferocious as his rage burned hotter from Slash's words. "That sorry excuse for a ninja is notmy brother!"
But while Raphael and the rest of the Foot were so focused on fighting away the invading Mutanimals, no one noticed a pair of Foot ninjas darting away from the commotion. The two made their way past running Footbots and fellow ninjas, going deeper and deeper into the lower levels before stopping at an empty corridor.
That was, until a metal grate fell from the top, followed by a familiar light green figure who landed gracefully next to the Foot ninja garbed pair.
"Hah, ventilation shafts. They'll never let you down!" A triumphant Mikey held two thumbs up at the two in front of him. "You guys ready?"
Behind their disguises, April and Casey gave thumbs up of their own. "Let's do this!"
Chuchi's Cultural Corner:
-Ninjato: According to some historical records, feudal era ninjas used flat short swords called ninjato (or ninjaken) in combat instead of the longer, slightly more curved blade, the katana (alhough the technique for wielding both weapons is said to be roughly similar). Still, there isn't enough information left on techniques on the ninjato, let alone if it even really existed.
Interesting to note, however, is that according to official TMNT bios, 2012 Leo's swords are actually meant to be ninjato. And judging by the way 2003 Leo wields his swords, I'd say his swords are ninjato as well.
-Ninja Jūhakkei (忍身十八形): Literally the Eighteen Ways of Ninjas, said to be the disciplines all ninjas had to be masters of before they can be officially recognized as warriors, from body and mind techniques, to weapons training to even astronomy and geography for navigation.
-Genin, Chunin and Jounin: Literally low, middle and upper man, respectively. The known ranking system for shinobi forces in the feudal Japan era, and something I'm sure Naruto fans know as well as Naruto's hair color by now. Their responsibilities within the clan, according to my research, are briefly explained by Splinter above.
-Asa no naka no yomogi (麻の中の蓬): Mugwort is a kind of medicinal plant used in Eastern, particularly Japanese, Chinese and Korean, medicine. Naturally, mugwort is a shrub that grows low on the ground. But if it were planted along with the hardy plant, hemp, the mugwort will bud tall and upright like the fellow hemp plants around it.
Figuratively, it means that even someone with no obvious talent can end up becoming very skilled if placed in a supportive environment around competent individuals. This is not to say that Mikey's got no talent, but, well you know…
Headcanons and other extras
-Yoshi and Saki are already Jounin level ninja by the time the latter betrayed and eventually destroyed the Hamato clan. Being the lone survivor, Yoshi immediately claims headship of the clan and has the right to promote ninjas under him as he sees fit.
-After educating his sons in what he saw as the essentials among the Ninja Juhakkei, Splinter promoted Leo, Raph, Donnie and Mikey to Genin and allowed them to do missions on topside. Years later, and after much challenges, Splinter believed that his sons were skilled enough to be promoted to Chunin, and hoped to make it official on the boys' eighteenth Mutation Day.
-ADHD Notes 1: Studies have found that while one trait of ADHD is the short attention span, some ADHD patients, when they do get focused on something, their focus becomes crystal clear cut rock solid, much so that they tend to focus on that one thing and just tune out of everything else. It can get amazing things done, but that kind of focus can also be, understandably, self detrimental.
There are signs of Mikey exhibiting this risky form of focus here and there. This chapter's one of them. (winkwink)
-On Bebop and Rocksteady: these two iconic characters are usually depicted as guys with more muscle power and less brain. In the 2012 version, I can honestly say that neither of them have both and are usually just around for comic relief. But boy are they funny, especially Steranko.