When Crossbow Meets Blade

Chapter 13

3rd person POV

As everyone settled down in the dining hall of the Shadow Scarlet Territory, everyone was awed at the food displayed on the table.

"Oh, the food here are just extras from what we had last night. After all, we werent expecting visitors today." Kagura told them, taking a seat next to her beloved, Hayabusa. Hanabi went to seat next to Wanwan, who was staring at the plate of sushis in front of her.

"I'm jealous, Hana. Seriously, you get to eat these every single day! Share some with me next time youre having these!!" Wanwan said, stuffing salmon sushi in her mouth. Seriously, this girl has many favourite foods. Hanabi smiled and replied, "Well, consider me lucky then!"

"Oh? Where's Harith?" Hayabusa asked, settling down while Kagura was clinging onto his arm. Finally, she put her darn umbrella down for once.

"He's out with the midgets, under Miya's protection." Silvanna replied. Hayabusa nodded.

"Anyways, what are we gonna be discussing now?" Hanabi asked, changing the topic. Everyone grew serious, which made the Japanese trio confused.

"Well, we said its about Hanzo. We believe he's the one behind the chaos that has happened." Alucard said, mouth full of rice. This Demon Hunter really doesnt know his table manners.

"Chaos? What happened?" Kagura asked, still clinging onto Hayabusa's arm. He didnt seem bothered by it, though Hanabi stared in disgust.

"Well, recently he attacked the Empire. Before that was Wanwan..." Silvanna said, all serious-like. Hanabi looked at Wanwan for confirmation. Wanwan nodded slowly, signaling what Silvanna said was true.

"That fucking bastard! Why is he doing this?!" Hanabi shouted, slamming her fist on the table. The impact made the table shake a little, startling everyone else.

"Well, thats why we Oriental Fighters and Lightborn came here for. We were hoping you guys have some information about his whereabouts." Zilong said.

Everyone was silent. Their faces were all serious. Then, Hayabusa was the first to speak up. "Well, like everyone knows, Hanzo once wreaked havoc upon Iga. I was given the title to take him down."

"Shouldve been me." Hanabi said under her breath. She was still furious that Hayabusa won the title  and not her. However, she understood why. Though she is a very deadly marksman, her defense was weak, and stood no chance against Hanzo.

Everyone's faces lit up. "You're  that guy? Wow, what a coincidance!" Fanny exclaimed.

"So, what do you say? We can join forces and work together to bring him down." Tigreal asked the Crimson Shadow.He hesitated, deciding whether he should accept or take Hanzo down on his own. He never wanted to let his Master down, but he felt like getting help from people he trusted was better.

"Hold on!" Kagura said before Hayabusa could answer. She seems somewhat enraged. "You cant just take his job like that! Whats the use of giving him the title to take Hanzo down if you're just going to  come in so suddenly and take it!"

"Kagura, calm down." Hanabi said sternly to the Onmyouji Master.

"Listen, Kagura. We're not trying to take his job. We want to work together with you guys. You three seem like you have useful information we could use, and we want to take him down together. Please know we have no other intentions than that." Silvanna replied calmly. However, she wasnt wearing the smile she usually wore.

Kagura took some deep breaths and calmed herself down. "I'm sorry, I just lost my cool there.. its just that Haya-kun was looking foward to it.. but I cant say. Its up to him. Right, Haya-kun?" Kagura said, turning to Hayabusa.

Hayabusa nodded and looked straight at Silvanna. "Yes, I agree. We shall work together." he said. Everyone smiled at his cooperation.

Hanabi soon lost her smile. Wanwan noticed this and asked, "Hana? Anything wrong?" Everyone's attention turned towards the Scarlet Flower.

"I've faced Hanzo in combat before... and we have to be really careful. Yes, I know hearing this from a weak marksman is kinda weird, but he's really strong. But since that fight happened years ago, he might have trained and gotten alot stronger than last time... and now that he's got these shadows fighting for him..." Hanabi's voice trailed off as she remembered her fight with Hanzo. The fight that almost resulted in her fatality if it werent for Kagura and Hayabusa joining the battle. Hanabi has been doubting her skills ever since.

"I see..." Silvanna said. Silence took place again.

Wanwan looked to her other side and saw Ling frowning, forehead creased. He looked really upset over something, and seemed like he was in deep, deep though.

"Ling? Whats wrong?" Agile Tiger asked. Ling looked at her and for a moment, she saw this look in his eyes. A look that she hass never seen before. It made her feel uneasy and somewhat afraid.

"....nothing important." he replied.

Wanwan opened her mouth to ask another question, but closed it. She doesnt want to make Ling more upset than he already is. However, she felt that something has been bothering him. Before they left the Oriental Fighters HQ, Ling seemed upset too, like this. She knew it definitely had something to do with Hanzo. Ling has been like this ever since Hanzo was mentioned.

Just then, the whole place shook. Violently.

"An earthquake?!" Kagura asked, grabbing her umbrella and opening it. 

"No... this isnt.." Hanabi said.

The shake got more and more violent. The rooftop was beginning to crumble, and rocks started to fall. Everyone immediately exited the hall and ran outside, dodging debris on the floor and tumbling rocks. They made it out safely, but the sight they saw wasnt.

Trees were down. The plants were all stomped on. Houses in the nearby village were all destroyed.

"This... cant be!" Hanabi said, imagining the worst that could happen. She didnt want to believe it, but a deep laughter made her think otherwise.

The laughter came from a figure, standing eerily on the rooftop. 

"Hahahaha... the strongest ninja... has arrived!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

shits about to go down

also sorry if this chapter is short