Revenge of the Ninja, page 4
That was the moment Anastasia decided that both Destro and the Commander were tiresome old men in desperate need of a wake-up call. The trick, of course, would be to make them respect her without turning them against her.
And that might be where her new leverage over Shana could come in handy. For now, Anastasia would watch both Destro and the JOES, waiting for the perfect moment to pit them against each other. Once they’d taken each other down, she, Baroness Anastasia of the ancient noble house of Cisarovna, would be sure to come out on top. Then Cobra Commander would have no choice but to stop seeing her as some overeager teenage lackey, and instead recognize her as a formidable—and indispensable—member of Cobra.
Yes. Then she would finally have the means of achieving her goal.
CHAPTER
8
ROAD BLOCK
Back at Scarlett’s house that night, she gave her AVC contact the bad news. Not only had they failed the mission, but they’d been compromised.
Scarlett: I’m not sure how Anastasia will use this leverage, but she kind of hates me, so it won’t be good
Lady Jaye: There isn’t much we can do about it at present. And our intelligence suggests that Anastasia is not as loyal to Cobra as she might seem. First and foremost, the Baroness looks out for the Baroness.
Scarlett: Do you have much intel on her?
Lady Jaye: It’s spotty. She’s from a small Eastern European country, and her title is legitimate. But her country was annexed by its neighbor, so technically her homeland no longer exists.
Scarlett: And now she’s the baroness of . . . nothing. Maybe she thinks the only way she can restore her country is using the power and influence of Cobra?
Lady Jaye: Very possible.
Thinking of it that way made Scarlett almost respect Anastasia. Almost.
Lady Jaye: Regardless, considering you’re one operative down, it’s understandable that the mission failed. That’s why we’re sending someone in to advise and assist you.
Scarlett: Understood
Her heart sank. What Lady Jaye really meant was that she was sending an adult to fix her screw-up.
Lady Jaye: It’s thanks to your team’s efforts that we’re able to place him. Because of the bugs you planted at the faculty lounge, we learned there was a vacancy for a new Chemistry teacher before it had even been announced. Starting tomorrow, Roadblock will be your primary contact. He’s one of our best, so I hope you appreciate the opportunity to learn under his guidance.
Maybe Lady Jaye was just saying that to make her feel better. Or maybe she was genuinely invested in Scarlett’s future growth. Scarlett didn’t know her well enough to say for sure. But she decided it would be best to at least act like she believed AVC was looking out for her.
Scarlett: I’m honored
The following day, Dr. Hauser called Scarlett, Stan, and Julien into his office and introduced them to the new Chemistry teacher, Marvin Hinton—code name Roadblock.
Scarlett was pretty good at talking to adults and thinking on her feet. But even she stared wordlessly up at the mountain of a man that was supposedly their Chemistry teacher. He honestly looked more like a Hollywood action hero. If Hauser had introduced him as Dwayne Johnson’s brother, she would have absolutely believed him. It wasn’t just his size and physique. There was a majesty about him, and a gravity that rivaled even the Arashikage ninjutsu masters. What did one even say to a person like that? Her mind drew a blank.
But that sense of awe abruptly disappeared when Hinton smiled and held out a pecan pie that smelled fresh from the oven.
“I brought treats,” he declared in a deep voice with just a hint of Southern drawl. “Who wants a slice?”
Somehow, almost magically, the intimidating aura dissipated, and he was merely a Chemistry teacher who happened to be extremely tall and fit. Why had Scarlett been so intimidated?
“That’s very thoughtful of you, Mr. Hinton,” she said.
“When we’re talking AVC business, call me Roadblock.” He held out plates, forks, and napkins.
“Do you usually have pie when talking AVC business?” asked Stan as he took a plate.
“Whenever possible.” Hinton carefully laid a slice of pie on Stan’s plate.
Stan grinned at him. “Glad I joined, then.”
Julien still seemed to be struggling a little. “So . . . you’re a Chemistry teacher?”
“Among other things,” replied Hinton. “I originally took an interest in chemistry because I thought it would make me a better chef.”
Stan took a bite, then closed his eyes and chewed blissfully. “You were right. This is the best pie I’ve ever had in my life.”
Hinton’s smile widened as he dished out slices to Scarlett and Julien. “Glad to hear you say that. Now, Lady Jaye got me more or less up to speed, but I’d like to hear everything from y’alls perspective.”
“Jumping right into it, huh, Roadblock?” Hauser said disapprovingly. “Remember these are children, not soldiers.”
Hinton put a calming hand on Hauser’s shoulder. “Duke, man. We’ve been friends a long time. I know you’re worried about these kids, but I promise I will look after them. When have I ever let you down?”
Hauser sighed. “Never. Okay, fine. We’ll try it your way for now. It’s not like I’ve been able to stop them from doing risky things so far anyway. Just don’t underestimate how sneaky they can be when they decide to do something you told them not to.” He raised an eyebrow at Scarlett. “Especially this one.”
Scarlett’s eyes lit up. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It wasn’t meant as one,” he said wearily.
She beamed. “I know.”
The group sat down over delicious pecan pie and told Hinton everything that had happened, as well as the plan they meant to execute before Anastasia interrupted it. Hinton listened carefully, nodding and occasionally asking questions.
“Scarlett, why don’t you send me your plans,” suggested Hinton. “I’ll look them over and see if I can’t refine them a bit.”
That sounded to Scarlett like a nice way of saying “fix” them. But she appreciated his sensitivity. In addition to being experienced and knowledgeable, he also seemed kind. And for Scarlett, kindness was very welcome, especially while her main source was still in a coma.
“Sure thing, Roadblock.”
“Oh, and Julien, maybe I should take a look at those bugs.”
“Why?” asked Julien, maybe a little defensively.
“They are repurposed Cobra bugs, right?” asked Hinton.
“Well, yeah.”
“I just want make sure there aren’t any lingering traces of the old software on them.”
Julien looked downright offended. “I mean, sure, but you’re just wasting your time. I promise you they are totally clean and untraceable.”
Hinton held up his hands placatingly. “I’m sure they are, man, but it never hurts to have a second pair of eyes.”
Julien shrugged, still looking miffed. “I guess.”
Scarlett patted his shoulder. She understood how frustrating it was to have to constantly prove to adults that you knew what you were doing. He smiled back gratefully.
After they finished the meeting, Hinton followed them out of Hauser’s office but stopped Scarlett in the hallway. He looked meaningfully at Stan and Julien, who were just ahead.
“See you guys tomorrow!” she called and waved.
“Oh, right,” said Julien. It didn’t seem to escape him that Scarlett was staying behind with Hinton, but he waved. “Later.”
“See you tomorrow!” said Stan.
Once they were gone, Scarlett turned expectantly to Hinton.
“This conversation might get a little uncomfortable,” he said.
Her throat tightened with panic. This was where he was going to tell her she had blown the last mission and failed the JOES. That she wasn’t cut out to be the leader. She just knew it . . .
But instead, he said, “I’m worried about your involvement with the Arashikage Clan.”
She stared blankly at him. “Huh?”
“From what I gather, you’re getting really tight with them, practically family. But I don’t think you fully appreciate how serious these guys are. I won’t say they’re bad dudes like Cobra, but . . . they’re not necessarily good dudes either.”
“What are you talking about?” said Scarlett. “They’ve been nothing but supportive to me and my friends.”
Hinton sighed. “I can understand how this might be hard for you to accept, but the Arashikages are more than just old men who know ninjutsu and have a habit of taking in strays. They’re two of the most influential members of a vast shinobi clan that has the kind of power and wealth AVC could only dream about. And they do not hesitate using their resources to further their goals. They’ve killed people, toppled regimes, you name it.”
“I’m not dumb, Roadblock. I know that shinobi need to do that kind of stuff sometimes. But . . .” She wrestled with how to express what she felt about the people who had given her so much these past two years. “It’s only . . .”
“Only against bad dudes? Only when it’s for the greater good?” Hinton looked a little sad. Maybe disappointed. “Ask yourself, Scarlett, who decides what’s good and what’s bad?”
“What are you saying?” she asked bluntly, and maybe a little defiantly. “You think I should cut ties with them?”
He shrugged his broad shoulders. “I mean, at the moment, you couldn’t contact them even if you wanted to, right?”
“True,” she admitted.
“So just, while you have this break from them, maybe think carefully about how close you really want to get to a clan of saboteurs and assassins. Especially with where the Hard Master’s head is at right now.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Normally, the Hard Master is a pretty even-tempered dude,” said Hinton. “Most of the time, he does no more harm than necessary to accomplish his goals. Except when someone in his clan is hurt, and especially when it’s someone he’s as close to as the Soft Master. When that happens, his responses can get a little . . . extreme.”
“Such as?”
“Such as killing anyone who happens to get in the way of his revenge, even if they’re innocent bystanders.”
“He would never do something so reckless!” The very suggestion offended Scarlett. “I’m certain of that. I’ve known him for two years.”
“And I’ve known him for ten,” Hinton said. “I admit that raising Ichi no Zoro-me and Tomisaburo has chilled him out a bit. But at the end of the day, he’s still the Hard Master, and I’m not sure even Cobra truly knows what they’ve set in motion by making this personal for him.”
“Do you have any proof that he’s planning something so terrible?” she demanded.
He shook his head. “Not yet.”
“Then until you do, thanks for your advice, but I think I’ll put my faith in my honored sensei over someone I just met an hour ago.”
With that, she turned on her heel and stormed off.
CHAPTER
9
MESSAGE SENT VIA TIMBER WOLF
Scarlett felt pretty good about how she handled that confrontation with Hinton. She had projected confidence, courtesy, and just a hint of indignation. And really, who was this guy, coming in with his delicious pies and big muscles, telling Scarlett who she should and shouldn’t hang out with? Sure, he came highly recommended by Lady Jaye. But Scarlett had known the Arashikages for over two years, and she’d only really been in contact with the Anti-Venom Coalition for a few months. If AVC was going to make her choose between them and the family that had been her safe harbor, then she knew exactly which side she’d take. There was no question in her mind.
Except . . . that wasn’t exactly true. Because she couldn’t completely dismiss what Hinton had said. Not after she’d seen the look in Hādo’s eyes back at the hospital. The Hard Master was always a little scary, but the dark fury that rolled off him that night was like nothing she’d seen before. Could she really say with absolute confidence that he wouldn’t cut down anyone unlucky enough to get in the way of his vengeance?
She needed to talk to Zoro-me. He would be able to assure her. She might not have total confidence in Hādo, but nothing in the world could shake her faith in her best friend. The problem, of course, was contacting a ninja who had gone into hiding. She tried to message him on their private IRC channel but got no response. She tried his email address, but even after a couple of days, nothing. For all she knew, he might have gone so far off the grid that he didn’t even have Internet. But the dojo was just a charred pile of rubble, and she didn’t know where he might be. What else could she try?
There was a large timber wolf statue about a block from the Red Rocket Diner. She and Zoro-me would often use it as a meet-up place. The statue stuck out in a weird sort of way. A bunch of townspeople had complained that when DeCobray rebuilt the downtown area, they completely neglected art and culture. So DeCobray hired an artist to make a bronze sculpture and put it in a pocket park on the northwest corner of Hama Street and Noto Avenue. And that was it. DeCobray’s only gesture toward supporting the arts was a lone and somewhat random timber wolf statue. But Zoro-me had a thing for wolves, so he always suggested they meet there.
The next day after school, Scarlett walked down to that tiny pocket park. It really was a sad little thing. Just fifty square feet of flagstone with a statue and a couple of benches. Couldn’t they at least plant some flowers?
Scarlett sat down on one of the metal benches and looked up at the timber wolf. It was frozen in mid-leap, its mouth open to show rows of fearsome bronze teeth. She’d asked Zoro-me why he loved wolves so much, but he’d never really been able to explain it. The closest he got was that he felt a kinship with them, though even then he couldn’t say why. Not that he was ever much of a talker.
Scarlett sat there for a while, staring up at the statue. She didn’t expect Zoro-me to suddenly appear. But she figured it couldn’t hurt to wait a bit, just in case. And she liked looking up at the wolf and remembering all the times the two of them had prowled downtown at night, looking to cause trouble for Cobra any way they could.
I miss him so much.
The thought hit Scarlett in the chest so hard it hurt. What if this didn’t work? What if she couldn’t contact him? Worse, what if he never came back? In the last two years, she had slowly gotten accustomed to the idea that the two of them would be there for each other, no matter what, forever. Now the idea of life without him just didn’t make sense. It would be like saying, starting tomorrow, there would be no more “up.” Utter nonsense. And so was her world without Ichi no Zoro-me.
Scarlett stayed for an hour, her heart shifting back and forth between hope and worry. Finally, when the sun began to set and the sky took on a pinkish hue, she tied a red handkerchief to the timber wolf’s front paw and went home.
Would he understand? Would he know that this was a signal she needed him? That it was important? She had no idea. But she had faith in her best friend.
The next day at school, she ran into Julien in the hallway.
“Hey, Scarlett,” he said. “What did Roadblock want to tell you yesterday?”
“Oh, uh . . . nothing,” she said.
He gave her a knowing look. “Nothing you want to talk about, anyway.”
She smiled guiltily. “Yeah, I guess. Sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize for wanting to keep something private.”
“I’m just . . . my head’s not in a great place.”
“Of course not,” he said. “Your sensei’s in a coma, and your best friend has gone into hiding. You’re allowed to be a little messed up.”
“Julien, you’re always so good at articulating emotional stuff.”
“Hey, I may have the smarts of a hacker.” He tapped his head. “But I was raised by an artist, and art is the process of understanding what’s going on in here.” He tapped his chest.
“I guess I still need a little help with that,” she admitted.
When Scarlett got home after school, the house was quiet. Her father wasn’t home, and her mother was already closed off in her bedroom. Paul was, as usual, stretched out on the couch watching Crimson Guard videos. She made them both dinner, and when they sat down at the table, he continued to watch as they ate.
“How was school?” Scarlett asked.
“Huh?” Paul paused his video.
“How was school?”
“Okay.” He unpaused his video.
A moment later, he was laughing quietly at something on the screen. She had the impulse to interrupt him again but decided against it.
She used to not mind this. Probably because she could always go to the dojo. But now, there was no dojo.
After they ate, Paul went back to the couch, and Scarlett went to her room. She tried to play chess against herself with the beautiful, hand-carved feudal Japan set that Yawarakai had given to her on her last birthday. But she couldn’t concentrate on the game.
She checked her email and messages, but still no word from Zoro-me. That shouldn’t have been a surprise. Had she really thought tying a red handkerchief around the paw of a wolf statue would be an obvious indication that she needed to talk to him? Assuming he even went to the wolf statue anymore? He was being hunted by an evil corporation that nearly killed his uncle and clearly wanted his whole family out of the picture. The last thing he should be doing was strolling around downtown, hanging out at local landmarks. Was she trying to endanger him?
