The VENOM Squad : Emperor Scorpion ft. Monitor Lizard

Chapter 21

Before the sun had risen in Magical City, the Shadow Trio of the Shadow faction has arrived in the city after successfully handling Natalia and bringing her in their village. And to do their part in the pact they made with Princess Odette, they shall offer their help in the incoming trouble that decides the future of Land of Dawn, Magical City, and even the Moniyan Empire. 

"Would the princess appreciate our help? Only the three of us came here," Kagura worriedly says while they are having their rest in the lobby of the rent house. Their chief village had refused to have another ninja be deployed, he demanded that the three of them are enough help especially that they are the best among all.

Both Hanzo and Hayabusa did not respond to her for they both have their minds somewhere else. Kagura sees Hayabusa's worry in his eyes for the excitement she usually sees in them has vanished and it pains her to see him like that. She originally thought that things are already working out between them but it is just one of her false hopes. 

The wind chime rings as the door opens up. They all turned their attention on a man dressed in a purple coat trimmed with white fur on the edges, his presence somehow turned the atmosphere heavy. Hanzo raises his brow as the man approaches him and hands a letter with the golden seal of the Swan Castle. 

"The princess is formally inviting you in the Swan Castle," the man said before taking his leave. Both Hayabusa and Kagura approach their leader as he opens the letter. The sweet whiff of the letter lingers around them as they read the handwritten letter of the princess herself.

"Why does she have to be so formal when she can just come and ask us?" Hanzo says as he stands, he handed the letter to Hayabusa before heading to the exit.

Kagura immediately grabs his arm and forces him to stop on his tracks. Hanzo clicks his tongue as he glares at her but this did not stop her from confronting him. 

"Where are you going? Don't do anything reckless, remember that you are still the leader of this mission we have accepted from the Swan Princess," she reminds him and she is hoping that her words would somehow reach him.

From his actions, Kagura could feel that he's up to something and he plans on doing it himself without telling them. He has done it many times already especially when it involves Hanabi. Even though he is not vocal about his feelings, she could see how much he is worried about her. Ever since Hanabi's disappearance, he pretended to be his usual self but still, there are hints of uneasiness he leaves behind.

"No need to lecture me about such things," he replies as he slaps his hand away. He pulls the door open and leaves without saying anything else. 

Upon taking his exit, he vanishes in midair to make sure that the two would not be able to follow him. He only wants to have some fresh air and a short break from all the responsibilities he is shouldering. He has always chosen to do things that would benefit the majority and now that he starts to feel a bit empty, he is having the feeling of regret.

He decides to go to the nearest cliff where he could somehow overlook the beauty of the wild. Upon finding the perfect spot, he settles underneath the shade of a rather large tree. From his position, he could see the large mountains domineering over the city and the thick forest somehow reminded him of their home, Iga town.

His scarlet hair flows with the wind that blows swiftly. Somehow he feels at peace and he finally could get himself together. He has to bring his old self back wherein no one could be able to penetrate through the walls he had built around himself. Missions first before anything else, that is what he had always told himself. 

Just then, he hears light footsteps from behind. He slowly reaches his sword from his back and stands on both feet. The footsteps suddenly vanish which confirmed that someone has followed him. He is about to jump up the tree branch to get a better view of the vicinity but someone appears from above.