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Welcome back, I guess. Unfortunately, while I am writing chapters more frequently, its not fast enough, id say. But im supposed to get a lot of down time soon so, theres that. Anyways, if you havent read my other stories, perhaps you should consider doing that. Anyways, Enjoy the Read!!

Arc: Prelude to the Chunin Exams

Chapter 16: Blades and Fists: Forged in the Shadows, Return of Tetsu

The heavy oak doors of the Hokage's mansion groaned open as Might Guy, vibrant and confident as ever, marched forward with his team in tow. The air inside was cool, but not from any chill—it came from the quiet presence of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who sat behind his desk with a sealed scroll in hand. His eyes, deep and weathered from decades of war and peace alike, regarded Team Guy with the same seriousness he gave to Jonin council meetings.

"Team Guy," Hiruzen said calmly, placing the scroll on the desk. "You're being entrusted with a mission that demands the utmost discretion, vigilance, and, above all… preparedness."

Tenten and Neji stood tall, Rock Lee practically shaking with anticipation beside them. Might Guy's teeth gleamed in the office light. "What is the mission, Lord Hokage?! We are ready to prove our flames of youth burn hotter than ever!"

Hiruzen gave a small, appreciative smile before unraveling the scroll. "You are to journey to the Land of Iron. There, you'll investigate the potential reemergence of a forgotten group of rogue samurai known as… The Blades of Tetsu."

Tenten's brow furrowed. "I've never heard of them."

"Few have," Hiruzen replied, eyes darkening slightly. "The Blades of Tetsu are an enigma. They first appeared shortly after Konohagakure was founded, operating in secrecy and only revealing themselves through assassinations and duels that often left their enemies mutilated beyond recognition. Historical records indicate the group has always had four members—never more, never less. When one dies, another rises. No names. No faces. Only titles."

"And they vanished?" Neji asked, arms crossed.

"They went silent after the Third Shinobi War," Hiruzen said. "Coincidentally, it was around the time Minato Namikaze's legend reached its peak. But six months ago, a samurai named Mifune, our long-standing contact in the Land of Iron, reported a strange man preaching about a 'dark future.' Not long after, several local samurai vanished without a trace. If the Blades have returned, it must be confirmed and contained."

Neji's eyes narrowed, sharp as ever. "This mission… It's not just to investigate, is it? We're looking for the missing samurai too."

Hiruzen nodded with approval. "Exactly. Your insight does the Hyuga name proud, Neji. However, if you find the group you will not engage in combat with them."

Might Guy saluted dramatically. "We accept! The Land of Iron won't know what hit it once Team Guy arrives!"

Outside the office, the mid-morning sun bathed Konoha in a golden haze. The scent of dew-kissed earth still lingered as Team Guy departed through the northern gates, the first leaves of autumn beginning to rustle in the breeze.

As they began their trek, Might Guy turned his head to address his students. "Team Kakashi has improved considerably," he said, his voice more serious than usual. "After all they've endured on their last mission, I believe they'll be formidable opponents in the Chunin Exams."

Lee's eyes lit up like fireworks. "Neji! Tenten! Do you think Naruto and Sasuke have gotten stronger?! I bet they have! Naruto especially must be brimming with youth after that last sparring match with you Neji!"

Neji exhaled through his nose, unimpressed. "I do not concern myself with the Uchiha cousins. They are no threat to me or the Hyuga clan."

Lee gasped in mock offense. "Neji! They're our comrades! We should encourage their growth! Besides, you really think the Uchiha would let themselves fall behind you so easily?"

Tenten chuckled from behind, adjusting the scroll case on her back. "He's got a point. After Naruto lost to you back at the Land of Rivers, he said he wouldn't fall again. He's serious about that."

Lee beamed. "And don't forget! Naruto copied your Taijutsu with his Sharingan! If he's improved on that, Neji, you'll need something new to keep up!"

Neji grunted, clearly annoyed. "As I said, I do not—"

"—care about the Uchiha's prowess because fate makes them inferior to the Hyuga, yes, we know," Tenten cut in with a smirk. "But what about the redhead girl? Mito Uzumaki. She's not part of a clan, but she did land a punch on that masked man during the battle in the Land of Rivers."

Neji's expression barely changed, but his voice was clipped. "She got lucky. One hit doesn't make her a threat. She passed out moments later."

Lee couldn't help himself. "Still one more hit than you got, Neji!"

A twitch formed in Neji's jaw, but he said nothing.

As the banter faded into silence, the team continued their journey. The forests of the Land of Fire slowly gave way to misty highlands and colder winds. Birds that once chirped lively now gave way to the whistling of thin air, and the trees around them wore frosted coats of white at the tips. Their breaths came out in short puffs of vapor, and even the ever-enthusiastic Lee began pulling his green jumpsuit tighter around himself.

"Why is it so cold?" Tenten muttered, rubbing her hands together.

"The Land of Iron's elevation is higher," Neji answered. "And it's always snow covered for most of the year. It's why the Samurai there dress in armor instead of flak jackets."

"It's also why you must train your inner heat!" Guy suddenly shouted, dropping into a sprint ahead of them. "Burn hotter than the mountain winds of the Land of Iron! Feel the blaze of your spirit as we run! Let's go!"

Lee immediately followed. "Yes, Guy-sensei!"

Tenten groaned but jogged after them. "We're going to freeze before we even reach the rogue Samurai…"

Neji sighed quietly and followed, though in his mind, one thought lingered:

If Naruto has truly grown… if Mito Uzumaki has grown…

Then fate might not be so absolute after all... no thats not right, they are mere pawns in fate's cruel game.

The icy wind of the Land of Iron howled through the mountain ridges like a restless spirit. Snow crunched beneath their sandals as Team Guy arrived at the towering wooden gate that marked the entrance to the Samurai's central village. Iron-plated guards flanked either side of the path, their armored hands resting calmly on the hilts of their katanas.

Waiting at the threshold stood Mifune, his regal presence unmistakable in the white armor and flowing red scarf that distinguished him as the commander of the Samurai.

"Welcome, Might Guy," Mifune said with a respectful nod, his breath visible in the cold air.

Might Guy returned the gesture with a powerful handshake that made their cloaks ripple. "Mifune-dono! The fire of youth burns warmly despite the cold! It is an honor to stand beside warriors of such conviction!"

A small smile tugged at Mifune's lips. "Let us hope your flames remain lit through what lies ahead."

The group passed through the gates and into the heart of the village, the rhythmic sound of wooden sandals on stone echoing beneath the heavy hush of snowfall. The streets were orderly and quiet, lined with shops displaying polished katanas, spears, and armor engraved with family crests. Tenten's eyes sparkled like snowflakes catching sunlight.

"Look at those edges," she whispered, marveling at the weapons' flawless craftsmanship. "The balance must be perfect. I've only ever read about this level of forging."

Behind them, Neji remained stoic, his pale eyes scanning every shadow for threats. Lee, meanwhile, marched proudly with a puffed chest, taking in the chill air like it was a challenge to be bested.

As they walked, Mifune began recounting the tale.

"Six months ago, a man came here. He spoke like a prophet, calm, deliberate. But his words… they carried weight. He spoke of a world veiled in shadow, of destinies distorted. The most disturbing part, he acted as if he'd already seen it all."

Mifune stopped and retrieved a folded photograph from his coat. The image, black and white but recent, showed a man standing beside a frozen stream. His face was pale—deathly pale, like a wax figure never meant for sunlight. His long, rough black hair hung loose, and his piercing indigo-blue eyes stared through the lens, as if seeing beyond it.

Tenten shivered—not from the cold, but something else.

"That man…" she murmured. "I've seen him before. I swear I have."

Lee's brow furrowed. "He does look familiar…"

Even Neji's eyes narrowed in contemplation.

Guy's voice broke the silence. "Fourteen… maybe fifteen years ago, someone like this came to Konoha. A wanderer. His chakra felt off, like it belonged to an older world." He frowned, shaking his head. "But his name… I can't remember it."

Mifune nodded. "He seemed older than you, Might Guy. But he moved like a man who hadn't aged a day."

They came to a large wooden board pinned with wanted posters and missing persons notices. The wind tugged at the corners of parchment like desperate fingers. Mifune pointed to a hand-drawn sketch—an artist's recreation of the same man from the photo.

Guy froze. "That's him. No doubt. That's the same man I saw all those years ago."

Neji studied the poster. Why does this man look so familiar!

Mifune gestured toward the mountains to the northwest. "Three days ago, our scouts last detected signs of activity at Mount Coal—fifteen clicks from here. The map is old, but I've marked it with the most recent coordinates."

Tenten accepted the map and tucked it into her scroll pouch. Without further delay, Team Guy departed, ascending the slopes toward the snow-covered summit of Mount Coal. The wind grew stronger as they climbed, biting at their cloaks and faces. Ice clung to rocks like veins, and every breath left a white trail behind them.

By the time they reached the narrow cave mouth carved into the base of the mountain, snow had begun to fall again, light, but steady.

"This is the place," Tenten confirmed, cross-referencing the map with the ridge lines.

Might Guy turned to Neji. "Activate your Byakugan. Tell us what you see."

Veins bulged around Neji's eyes as his vision expanded into the distance. "There's no one inside. No chakra signatures. But… there are remnants. This place held life recently."

"Then let's move in," Guy ordered, and the team carefully entered the cave.

The deeper they walked, the quieter the world became. The snow's whisper was replaced by dripping water, echoing through the narrow stone corridor. Faint scorch marks lined the walls—perhaps from fire-based jutsu. Ash scattered across the floor like a trail of breadcrumbs.

Lee spotted something tucked between a rock and a log—a rolled scroll, faded and bound with a crimson ribbon.

"Here!" he shouted, and handed it to Neji.

"Be careful," Guy cautioned. "What does it say?"

Neji's Byakugan flared for a moment as he read the delicate, handwritten characters aloud.

"February 14th, Age 60 A.K.

My Dearest Love,

Ten years. A decade without your touch, your voice, your warmth…"

The letter's tone grew tender, poetic, heartbreaking. Tenten pressed her hand to her chest as she listened, drawn in by the sheer vulnerability.

"I saw you recently—you looked radiant. Lighter, somehow. Happier. Maybe I had something to do with that… maybe not."

"And I saw me too. A curious reflection of me, yet not quite the same. His eyes… brighter than mine ever were."

When Neji finished, there was a heavy silence.

"…He loved her. Deeply," Tenten said softly. "But he was watching her from afar."

"Sounds like he saw someone else," Lee added, scratching his chin. "Someone who reminded him of himself."

Neji slowly lowered the scroll. "This was written four and a half years ago. Whoever he was… he isn't here now."

Might Guy exhaled slowly, arms folded across his broad chest. "Such emotion… such heart. The writer may walk a path of shadows, but his youth still burns."

Lee wiped a tear. "A true love letter…!"

Neji, however, was troubled. The mention of "a curious reflection" and "brighter eyes" lingered in his mind like an echo.

"What does he mean… he saw himself?" he murmured under his breath.

And in the cold silence of the mountain cave, one truth became clear:

This mission would lead to more than rogue samurai.

They were chasing ghosts.

And ghosts often hid secrets no blade could cut.

Tenten crouched beside the scroll, her gloved fingers brushing delicately along the textured parchment. Despite the years that had clearly passed, the paper retained a strange resilience, soft at the edges but not yet crumbling.

"The fibers are durable," she muttered, her brow furrowed in thought. "I can't confirm how old it is exactly… but something's off about this texture. It feels like a blend—maybe reinforced with chakra when written."

Without hesitation, she carefully tore a portion of the paper and rolled it into a protective scroll pouch. "I'll examine it further when we return to Konoha. Might be able to match the ink or material later."

Might Guy gave her a proud nod. "Excellent awareness, Tenten. A shinobi's eyes must remain open to the details others overlook!"

With their prize secured, the team made their way out of the cavern.

Or at least, they thought they did.

The frigid wind that had once brushed their faces was gone. The rhythmic crunch of snow beneath their feet… was gone. And as they stepped beyond what they thought was the cave's edge, they saw the same icy outcroppings, the same fire pit, the same scorch marks still etched into the rock.

Tenten blinked. "Wait. This is-this is the exact same spot we started in."

Lee stopped walking, his eyes darting around. "Huh?! How can that be?! We walked straight out!"

"I believe," Tenten said slowly, voice tinged with unease, "we're inside a genjutsu."

Neji's eyes narrowed. "Impossible. My Byakugan has been active since we entered. If there was genjutsu chakra overlaying the landscape, I would've seen it." But even he couldn't hide the faint edge of doubt in his voice.

"Then explain why we haven't moved, Neji!" Lee snapped, spinning on the spot. "We've been going in circles! We're caught in some kind of loop!"

Guy raised a hand to quiet them. "There's no need to panic. We'll break it together! concentrate your chakra and disrupt the flow."

The team nodded, and in perfect synchronization, their chakra pulsed outward. The familiar feeling of tension being cut loose surged through them as they shattered the illusion.

But before the reality of their surroundings could settle in, a sharp, unnatural gleam lit the darkness.

Two glowing red eyes emerged from the cave wall itself—three tomoe in each iris, swirling slowly.

"The Sharingan?" Neji murmured aloud, stunned. "But how?"

The air around them distorted as the shattered genjutsu reformed, replaced by a far more potent illusion. The cold began to melt—not in heat, but in a slow, warping crawl, as if the ice itself was bleeding color and shape into liquid shadows.

A disembodied voice echoed through the dark, heavy and calm.

"Trespassers are not permitted to be here…"

The voice was neither welcoming nor angry—it was simply a fact, delivered with detached finality. It chilled the spine more than any threat could.

"Show yourself!" Guy called, stepping forward, hand near his pouch of nunchaku.

But no one answered.

Instead, the cave began to disintegrate further—stones turning to ash, walls bending at odd angles, and the world around them distorting like a canvas set ablaze.

Tenten narrowed her eyes. "This isn't normal… it's a double-layered genjutsu."

Lee's brow furrowed. "Double layered? What does that mean?!"

Neji clenched his fists. "It means there's a genjutsu inside the genjutsu. Even if we break the first, the second one immediately triggers to keep us trapped. It's a safeguard—used by highly skilled Sharingan users."

Guy's expression grew serious, something rare and heavy. "That level of genjutsu… only elite Uchiha shinobi can perform something like this."

Neji's eyes pulsed once again with chakra. "Hold steady, I'm targeting the flow." With a sharp inhale and a flicker of blue-white energy through his tenketsu, Neji found the second thread. "There it is."

With a sudden flash, Neji forced chakra to his fingertips and snapped his hand outward.

Release!

A shockwave burst through the illusion like a scream—shattering the false reality and finally returning them to the cold silence of the real cave.

The cold wind bit harder once the Genjutsu shattered.

Neji lowered his hands as the last flickers of chakra unraveled from his pale eyes. "It's gone," he confirmed calmly.

The team stepped cautiously out of the now-dim cave, the snow crunching beneath their sandals as they ascended the narrow mountain path. The silence was unnerving—too still, too quiet. Only the distant whine of the wind weaving through the cliffs kept them company.

"Smoke," Neji said suddenly, pointing upward with narrowed eyes. "Roughly two hundred meters northwest. Could be a campfire."

Might Guy gave a sharp nod, his voice low and serious. "Keep to the rocks. We observe first, act later."

Moving with precision and silent discipline, the team fanned out, weaving between jagged stone outcroppings and patches of thinning snow. The air was growing colder, stinging the skin and fogging their breath. Above, the thick clouds churned with impending snow. It felt like the mountain itself was watching them.

As they came upon a raised ridge, they ducked low, peering down into a clearing nestled between slabs of rock. There, a group of figures stood gathered around a flickering fire. Tenten narrowed her eyes.

"…That outfit," she whispered. "Grey body suits, white masks—just like the ones Team SevenPlus described back in the Land of Rivers."

Lee leaned closer, his brows furrowed. "They move like shinobi… but not quite."

Down in the camp, one of the masked individuals—taller, broader in build—stepped forward and addressed the others.

"Izuna-sama has stated that our training is complete," he announced. His voice was steady, bold. "We have mastered both the arts of Ninjutsu as well as Kenjutsu. We are not Samurai… nor are we Shinobi. We are evolved. We are the New Blades of Tetsu!"

The campfire crackled as his words settled into the mountain air. Around him, the others stood at attention, disciplined and deadly. The man's mask was different—a vivid crimson demon face with black lenses over the eyes. It exuded command.

"Do you see that?" Neji whispered. "That one's the leader. His chakra is… powerful. Focused. Controlled."

Might Guy narrowed his eyes, arms folded. "This isn't just a rogue cell. This is an army in the making."

Tenten's voice was hushed but tense. "Why is this such a big deal, Sensei? I mean… they're just rogue Samurai, right?"

Guy looked over his shoulder at his students, his expression darkening with rare seriousness. "Samurai are trained with absolute discipline—spirit, sword, and silence. Now imagine giving that discipline chakra, strategy, and deception. You're not just looking at warriors… you're looking at something worse. Something like an army of ANBU… usually ANBU operates without emotion, these guys carry a convinction and a bad moral compass."

A chill ran deeper than the cold.

Neji nodded. "Engaging them here would be foolish. They outnumber us at least four to one, and we don't know their full capabilities."

Guy grunted in agreement. "Our mission was reconnaissance. Now we've got more than enough to report. Lord Hokage will probably send a few more shinobi to deal with this."

The team quietly backed away from the ridge, careful not to disturb the rocks or snow. Their shadows disappeared once more into the biting wind of the mountain, leaving the flicker of the fire and the echo of the name "Izuna-sama" to burn in their minds.

The descent down Mount Coal was silent but heavy with urgency. The chill wind nipped at their faces, and the sky had darkened into a steel gray blanket, threatening snowfall. Even Lee, usually boisterous, said little. Each step they took through the snow-packed trails brought the memories of that masked man and his declaration echoing louder in their minds.

"We are not Samurai. Nor are we Shinobi. We are evolved."

The words gnawed at Neji. They weren't just declarations—they were a doctrine. And if they were being led by someone with the title Izuna-sama, then this ran deeper than simple rebellion. However, these Samurai gave up traditional in favor of strength.

By the time they returned to the gates of the Samurai Village, dusk was falling, casting long shadows against the wooden walls and snow-covered rooftops. A pair of armored Samurai stood vigil, but stepped aside without question as Mifune himself strode out to greet them, his expression concerned.

"You've returned quickly," Mifune noted, voice low and serious. "What did you find?"

Inside the village's council chamber, warmed by firewood and lined with ancient scrolls of honor and tradition, Team Guy relayed everything.

Neji stood with poise, his voice steady as he reported. "The group you feared is real. They call themselves the New Blades of Tetsu. Their uniforms match those described in past attacks near the Land of Rivers."

Tenten added, holding up the torn scroll with care, "We found this as well—a scroll with a personal message, likely from someone involved. It may not be critical evidence, but it's tied to something emotional, possibly a motivation for whoever is leading them."

Mifune took the scroll gently, eyes narrowing as he examined the script and paper. He said nothing for a moment.

Then Guy spoke. "They've trained not only as Samurai, but also as Shinobi. Their discipline, paired with chakra techniques… this is not a rogue band of warriors anymore. This is the beginning of a militia."

Mifune's brow furrowed. "Samurai trained in Ninjutsu…" he whispered. "Such a thing hasn't happened since the Warring States era. The code of the blade was meant to keep us apart from the path of chakra."

"They've abandoned that code," Guy said firmly. "And they're preparing for something."

For a long time, Mifune remained quiet, staring into the fire that crackled in the brazier beside him. The golden light danced in his eyes, but his expression was steel.

"This cannot be allowed to grow further," he said finally. "Their evolution threatens not only Iron but the balance we've tried to maintain between nations. I will draft a formal request for Konoha's aid. In three weeks' time, I will send it through proper channels."

Neji blinked. "Why wait three weeks, Lord Mifune?"

"I need time to prepare the diplomatic route. If I act too soon, I risk destabilizing relations within Iron itself. Some of our younger Samurai may sympathize with this evolution, not knowing the darkness it will bring."

Mifune then turned to Might Guy. "I want Konoha's best when the time comes. This mission… will require more than just strength. It will require conviction."

Guy gave him a respectful bow, his expression unusually grave. "Then you'll have it. We will report everything to Lord Hiruzen."

As they left the chamber, the wind outside had picked up. Flakes of snow now floated gently from the sky, dusting the rooftops and stone walkways with a soft white glow. The Samurai village was calm, but underneath that calmness stirred the winds of war.

Tenten pulled her coat tighter. "Three weeks… it's not a lot of time."

Rock Lee looked ahead, eyes burning with renewed spirit. "It's enough. Let us train harder than ever, and meet this enemy with the power of youth!"

Neji said nothing—but he too was thinking of Izuna-sama. Of that red demon mask. Of what this meant for the Chunin Exams. For Konoha. For all of them.

As the snowfall thickened, Team Guy began their return journey—hearts resolved, and shadows waiting just over the horizon.

Another chapter in the books. Abandoning tradition in favor of strength, i wonder what neji will do with that. I left it open to make this an arc some time after the chunin exams. Anyways i hoped you all Enjoyed the Read and remember to favorite me and the story to keep up with your favorite Naruto Uchiha story.

17. Hirzuen Sarutobi: Third Hokage... again

18. The Abandoned Tower of Tobirama

19. Akane: The Quiet Flame

20. IM IN THE CHUNIN EXAMS!

Post chapter: Sacrifice for Tomorrow

Evening draped Konohagakure in a tranquil hush, the village cloaked in amber hues and the faint scent of simmering meals. Lanterns flickered to life along Konoha, their glow casting soft shadows casted by the evening sun.

Inside one such home, Akane Uchiha stirred a bubbling pot on the stove. The aroma of seared fish and seasoned vegetables filled the air, rich with warmth and familiarity. Her movements were fluid—graceful, practiced—yet tinged with anticipation. Her boys, Naruto and Sasuke, were due home tonight from their mission. She had even set the table early, the plates gleaming under the dim kitchen light, the cutlery perfectly aligned. A quiet smile curled on her lips.

Knock. Knock.

The sound echoed through the house, hollow and sharp, cutting through the stillness like a kunai.

Her brow furrowed. They're early, she thought. Wiping her hands on a cloth, she moved toward the door, footsteps soft on the wooden floor. But when she opened it, the smile vanished. Her breath caught in her throat.

There he stood. The man's indigo eyes met her onyx black eyes.

A tall figure cloaked in a white haori stitched with symbols she hadn't seen in years— one she made for her late husband years ago. Uchiha seals warped and intertwined with something foreign. His black pants were worn from travel, boots caked in old dirt. His hair was jet-black and wild, a ghostly mirror of a picture she had seen of Madara Uchiha from long ago. His face was older, hardened, and his right side looked to be made of clay, but beneath it all… was something heartbreakingly familiar.

"Who…" Akane's voice cracked. "Who are—?"

"Move aside," he said coldly, his voice deep but trembling beneath the surface.

Without waiting for her to respond, he brushed past her, his presence like a passing storm—cold, heavy, suffocating. He entered the living room and sat silently on the old couch, his eyes scanning the photographs on the wall: Akane with her son and adopted son smiling. Peaceful. Whole.

Akane slowly closed the door behind her, her pulse pounding. Her hands shook as she took a step forward. "Just… just who are you? How did you get that Haori?" she demanded, her voice teetering between hope and horror.

The man didn't answer right away. He stared at the floor, his jaw clenched, his breaths shallow.

"That's not for you to know," he murmured. But as he lifted his head, a tear slid down his cheek.

Akane's breath hitched when she saw his eyes.

Two different Mangekyo stared back at her, both Mangekyo Sharingan fully activated. The left eye looked like a Tririse. But it wasn't just that. It was the right eye—the one that didn't belong to him.

It was Shisui's.

"No…" she whispered, horror dawning in her golden-red irises. "Where did you get that eye?"

The man's eyes softened, but the pain behind them only deepened. He didn't answer with words. He simply looked at her—looked through her.

Akane stumbled back a step. She had seen that expression on her own son Naruto. She imagined her son's face next to this man.

"You're…" she gasped, voice cracking. "You're not supposed to exist… not like this."

"I do hope you can forgive me," he whispered. "But the sacrifice you must make… will shape the future everyone needs and deserves."

Before she could speak again, his right eye glowed with a haunting green shimmer. The pupil spiraled once—then locked on hers.

"Kotoamatsukami."

Akane's body tensed. Her eyes widened. And then, slowly, her pupils lost focus. Her breath slowed. She crumpled to the floor, unconscious—peaceful and unaware, like a candle snuffed out before the flame could scream.

The man stood slowly. His hands trembled at his sides. He walked over to her collapsed form, kneeling down, his hand hovering near her cheek but never touching.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, barely audible over the ticking clock on the wall. "This sacrifice must be made, it cannot be done any later."

A tear hit the wooden floor.

The Mangekyo Sharingan in his left eye faded.

he stood and placed his blue mask on. He vanished into the night. Leaving behind the warmth of a hime he had long forgotten. The echo of a mothers love and the chilling fact that he had placed a short time span from now to something he wish couldve been avoided. The future would be different this time around.