𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗘𝗧𝗛.

II

(HIII BACK W A NEW CHAPTER YALL🐦🐦🐦)

.・゜✧﹒☁﹒✧゜・．.・゜✧﹒☁﹒✧

The ninjas were led into the royal chamber to discuss the matter of security that the royal family so desperately needed especially after what had happened earlier.

A man guided them there, his voice echoing through the hall as he introduced the royal figures standing before them.

Lloyd stared at the princess... she seemed familiar, but he kept that thought to himself.

The young warriors exchanged glances, unsettled by being in the presence of royalty—something far from common in their daily lives.

All bowed to show respect—except one ninja. Lloyd noticed her refusal and gave her a subtle nudge, urging her to be more courteous.

Nya, clearly annoyed at being called out, obeyed with reluctance, her scowl softening only at the princess's words— Harumi's voice gentle, full of admiration for the ninja.

The young princess spoke in a calm tone, holding her posture with grace.

   "I've read a lot about you. Your heroics will surely become legend," she said, continuing with her thoughts on each ninja.

Lloyd couldn't focus on her speech. His mind drifted to the boy from earlier.

He wasn't standing with the royal family, which struck the green ninja as strange—he had assumed the boy was one of them.

So lost in thought was he, that only when his name was spoken did he snap back to the moment.

   "And Master Lloyd, the Green Ninja. The youngest but most powerful protector—the chosen one."

Harumi's admiration flickered with melancholy.

   "I too have lost my parents..." she said. Lloyd's expression shifted into something softer, a small smile formed as he recognized the sorrow they both carried.

   "But we are both not without family." Her smile lingered, and then the queen spoke.

  "We adopted Harumi and Y/N when they were still children, and raised them as our own."

Her voice echoed through the quiet hall, soft as her adopted daughter's. Then the king's deeper voice took over.

Lloyd's curiosity about the boy grew. Their pasts felt strangely aligned—perhaps even their present.

   "When their parents passed away—" the king began, but Lloyd interrupted, wanting to show gratitude for the invitation.

   "Thanks for inviting us to your home. We truly appreciate it." He offered, hoping to lighten the mood.

The king chuckled, enough to make Lloyd wonder if he'd said something wrong.

   "No need to thank me. After all, it was my children's idea to invite you," the man replied with a constant smile.

  "They believed it best that you stay... at least until the threat to our throne has passed."

The queen's expression shifted to concern, seriousness taking the air.

   "And as long as one of the Oni Masks remains, we fear our lives are in danger."

At this, Harumi stepped forward.

   "The masks must never be reunited. Please, say yes..."

Her expression moved Lloyd. After all, heroes exist for this very reason. And if he were honest—something else compelled him to stay.