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The figure moved so lightly that Nathan barely registered a sound before they were already close. It was as if the person had truly mastered the art of silent movementâlike something out of a ninja legend.
Nathan muttered to himself under his breath, "So this is what a real ninja moves like? Practically no noise at all. Perfect for sneak attacks."
His gaze narrowed. "Could this be some secret technique from the Hand?"
His interest was piqued. Nathan had long heard rumors about the Hand, the infamous underground ninja clan, but witnessing their techniques firsthand sparked a new curiosity in him.
The approaching figure spoke in a low voice, "You picked the wrong place to lurk, spy."
Nathan remained calm, his tone casual. "I'm just a passerby. You've got the wrong person."
His voice was steady, giving no sign of guilt or fear.
The ninja gave a harsh chuckle. "A passerby... crouched on a shipping container at our designated meeting site? Wearing a hood and mask? Carrying a shield and armed to the teeth?"
Nathan didn't flinch. His getup was, admittedly, suspicious. A steel-gray shield was strapped to his back. His waist bulged with equipmentâlikely weapons or gadgets. But it wasn't like he could stroll around unprepared. Not in this world.
"I've got security issues," Nathan replied flatly. "I like to carry gear. Makes me feel safe."
Even as he spoke, his hand moved beneath his collar, subtly adjusting a hidden gadget. These were no amateurs. From their gait to their posture, Nathan could tell these weren't simple mercsâthey were trained killers. Their bodies were conditioned, their blades sharp, and their resolve colder than steel.
The ninja snarled, "Where are the three operatives we sent last week?"
Nathan said nothing.
"You took them, didn't you? Don't play dumb. You think we wouldn't notice their disappearance? You think we wouldn't move the drop location?"
"You're one of the True Purity Society, aren't you?" another hissed. "You've been hunting us!"
Nathan shook his head. "I've got nothing to do with any of your sect rivalries. I was just curious."
That, at least, was true. He didn't give a damn about the Hand or the so-called "True Purity Society." He was only here because there were rumors of something valuable being moved at this dock.
But the ninjas were done talking.
"Then you'll die with your lies!"
A sharp wave of the hand sent all the ninjas charging at once.
Shiiing!
Multiple blades flashed in the moonlight as the ninjas drew their katanas in unison.
Nathan didn't wait. He had already tightened his grip on the mechanical buttons hidden in his palm. If they wanted a fight, they'd get one.
"I gave you a chance," he said coldly. "You didn't take it."
As the first group lunged, Nathan launched the mechanical buttons.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The small silver discs streaked through the air like flying razors. But the ninjasâmasters of evasionâsidestepped them easily.
They smirked in disdain.
Big mistake.
Zzzap!
The buttons suddenly emitted arcs of electricity and altered trajectory midair, performing unnatural 90-degree turns. They magnetically latched onto the nearest metallic surfaceâthe ninja swords.
"What theâ?!"
Their smug expressions dissolved into horror as the buttons stuck to their blades.
They tried to drop themâbut it was too late.
Boom! Boom!
Electric surges burst from the gadgets, electrocuting several ninjas at once. Their bodies convulsed violently before collapsing to the ground in smoking heaps.
Nathan stood calmly amid the chaos, finally speaking:
"These aren't ordinary tools. They have electromagnetic tracking and shock capabilities strong enough to disable enhanced physiology."
He'd improved the design after his fight with Rhinoâadding iron cores and power coils to boost conductivity and precision.
Still, not all of the ninjas were down.
One stood further backâthe leader, likelyâand hadn't been targeted.
He stared, eyes wide. "That tech⊠you're no Shinobi. Who are you?!"
Nathan shrugged, stepping forward. "Just someone curious about what treasure you're transporting."
He intentionally left this one alive. Information was always more useful than corpses.
The ninja sneered. "Curiosity got you involved. Now it'll get you killed."
He lunged.
His blade slashed forward in a blur of silver.
Clang!
Nathan blocked it with his shield, sparks flying. The ninja's eyes widened in shock. Nathan's speed outmatched his own, even with his enhanced reflexes.
With brute force, Nathan shoved the blade down and slammed into the man with full strength.
Bang!
The ninja was launched backward, crashing into the ground with a gasp. His sword skittered away.
Nathan kicked the weapon aside and clamped magnetic cuffs onto his wrists.
"Let's talk," Nathan said, hoisting him up like a rag doll. "What did you transport? Where did the Hand move the meeting to? How do you move so silently?"
The ninja spat. "You'll get nothing."
Nathan sighed, turning away. "Let's see."
Just as he raised a bladeâthe ninja suddenly seized, white foam pouring from his mouth. He slumped.
"Suicide," Nathan muttered. "The Hand trains them to die without hesitation."
He beheaded the body to be sure, then walked over to the rest of the fallen ninjas.
Psst! Psst!
One by one, he ended their lives. He kept one aliveâstill unconsciousâto interrogate later.
Thenâ
Buzz.
His phone vibrated. Not a callâan alarm.
Earlier that day, Nathan had planted motion-sensor buttons around the dock. Now one of them had changed from green to red.
He opened a tracking app and watched a red dot blink at the far side of the dock.
Someone else had arrived.
He tapped the dot and a live feed appeared: a boat docking quietly. Several ninjas and gang members were waiting.
"So they moved the drop to the east side."
Nathan's eyes narrowed. "Time to move."
He bound the last ninja with neurotoxin-laced cuffs and dragged him into hiding. Once secure, Nathan crept toward the east dock.
He scaled a container and paused behind it.
Below, the boat had arrived. A container was being rolled off. Several Asian menâlikely Yakuzaâwere guarding it.
Atop a neighboring container stood two figures. Nathan recognized them instantly.
Daredevil. And Stick.
Stickâthe legendary martial artist. Daredevilâhis best student and greatest disappointment.
Stick believed in merciless efficiency. Daredevil believed in restraint.
Two philosophies, clashing like blades.
Nathan turned his attention back to the container.
Clang.
It opened.
Inside sat a bald child in a monk's robe, cross-legged and still. Before him was a small, ornate red wooden box.
A gang member picked it up with reverence.
"Is that the treasure?" Nathan whispered to himself. "And the boy? Who is he?"
Just thenâ
Twang!
An arrow flew from above.
Stick had fired first.
Thump! Thump!
It found its mark. Several gang members fell.
Gunfire erupted.
Blades were drawn.
Daredevil launched into battle, his red suit a blur as he danced between bullets and swords. Stick followed like a wraith, cutting down foes with ruthless efficiency.
Nathan watched with narrowed eyes.
"Their close combat is tighter than mine," he admitted. "True martial artists."
But his eyes drifted back to the wooden box. Something about it pulsed with power.
Thenâ
The monk-boy opened his eyes.
Pitch black. No whites. No irises. Just void.
And somehow⊠he was looking straight at Nathan.
Their eyes locked.
A chill ran down Nathan's spine.
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