Chapter: The Shredder's Gambit
Inside The Foot Clan's Private Jet
The black-clad warriors of the Foot Clan stood motionless as their master, Shredder, sat in silence, his silver armor glinting in the dim light. The private jet was a symbol of his power—luxurious, yet deadly. A glass of sake rested in his clawed gauntlet as he lifted his mask just enough to drink, the haunting strains of traditional shamisen music filling the air.
"The flight is smooth," Shredder mused, his voice like steel. "Wouldn't you agree, old friend?"
Across from him, Karai, his most trusted lieutenant, adjusted her mask before taking a sip of her own drink—whiskey, neat.
"It's efficient," she replied. "But the music could use some… energy."
Shredder chuckled darkly. "Discipline is found in silence, Karai. Not in noise." His gaze fell upon the scattered surveillance photos of Zero on the table between them. "From these images, Zero stands at 178 cm, weighs approximately 56 kg. Agile. Precise."
Karai scoffed, snatching one of the photos and driving a kunai through it, pinning it to the table. "Numbers mean nothing when his throat is slit."
"Perhaps," Shredder conceded, swirling his sake. "But to break an enemy, you must understand them. Their weaknesses. Their loyalties." He picked up another photo—this one showing Zero rescuing Suzaku Kururugi, a boy framed for murder. "Suzaku was accused of killing his own brother. Zero took credit publicly. Most assume it was for power… but I suspect something deeper."
He stood, moving to the window, watching the clouds below. "Karai, what do we know of Suzaku?"
She flipped open a dossier. "Suzaku Kururugi. Son of Genbu Kururugi, the last Prime Minister of Japan before Britannia's conquest. Genbu's death was ruled a suicide. Suzaku now serves as an Honorary Britannian in their military."
Shredder's grip tightened on his glass. "Genbu Kururugi… I remember him. A proud man. Not one to surrender." He turned back, eyes narrowing. "Dig deeper. I want everything on Genbu and Suzaku. Zero didn't save Suzaku for glory. There is a connection."
"And if there is?" Karai asked.
Beneath his mask, Shredder smiled. "Then we exploit it. Suzaku may prove useful for Operation Kuroi Kiri."
Karai smirked. Together, they raised their glasses.
"For the Foot."
Britannian-Occupied Tokyo
As Shredder's jet touched down, a squadron of Foot Ninjas materialized from the shadows, bowing in unison.
A Britannian officer rushed forward, sweating. "Lord Shredder! The Governor-General is expecting—"
"Silence," Shredder hissed. "I do not answer to bureaucrats."
The officer swallowed hard.
Shredder turned to Karai. "Where are my… sisters?"
"Princess Euphemia is occupied. Princess Cornelia is leading a purge in the Saitama Ghetto."
Shredder went still.
"What. Did. You. Say."
The officer realized his mistake too late.
Saitama Ghetto – The Foot's Wrath
The ghetto burned. Britannian soldiers gunned down civilians—until black-clad figures descended from the rooftops.
A mother shielded her child as soldiers took aim—
"FIRE!"
But the gunshots never came. Instead, the soldiers collapsed, shuriken embedded in their throats.
The mother looked up to see a masked Foot Ninja offering her a hand.
"You are safe," the ninja said.
"W-Who are you?"
The ninja's voice was ice.
"We are the Foot."
Nearby, Britannian Sutherlands exploded as Foot Clan-modified Mechas tore through them. One pilot screamed over comms:
"We're allies! Cease f—"
A blade silenced him forever.
Cornelia's Downfall
In her command center, Cornelia li Britannia watched in horror as her forces were annihilated.
"Squadrons Delta and Rino—wiped out!"
"Half our forces are dead!"
She stood, snarling. "Prepare my Sutherland! I'll deal with this mys—"
A transmission overrode all channels.
"All Britannian forces. Retreat. Now. This is Shredder's command. Disobey, and you will not live to regret it."
Cornelia's face twisted in rage. "Him."
Outside, she saw it—a modified G-1 Base, now bearing the Foot Clan insignia.
When Shredder emerged, she stormed toward him.
"You dare interfere?! We were closing in on Zero!"
His response was a backhanded strike from his gauntlet, sending her crashing to the ground.
"Foolish girl," he growled. "Your massacre has made every Japanese citizen despise Britannia. Now, Zero's influence grows."
Guilford and Darlton stepped forward—but Karai's sword was already at Darlton's throat.
"Move, and you die," she whispered.
Cornelia spat blood. "Our plan was flawless! We recreated Shinjuku to draw Zero out!"
Shredder scoffed. "And how did that end for Clovis? Or have you forgotten his fate?"
Darlton growled. "You threaten the Princess?"
"No," Shredder said coldly. "I educate my sister." He glanced at Karai. "If he speaks again, kill him. That is a threat. Understand?"
Turning away, he added: "You fight wars with brute force. But Zero thrives in shadows—where I reign. And that title—'Goddess of Victory'? Pathetic."
The Shadows Move
Later, in his throne room, Shredder sensed a presence.
"You were harsh," a voice echoed. "She may strike back."
"Let her try," Shredder said. "The Foot Clan outnumbers her toy soldiers ten to one."
From the darkness, Tiger Claw emerged, his cybernetic eye glinting. "Want me to remove her?"
Shredder waved a hand. "Not yet. She still serves a purpose." He stood. "Are they ready?"
Somewhere in the Mountains
A lone figure sharpened his katana. Behind him, another shadow moved—silent as death.
Blades clashed in a whirlwind of steel. The duel ended with both warriors bowing.
"You are prepared," the shadow said.
The swordsman donned his black ninja garb, his mask hiding all emotion.
Together, they vanished—Hun and Rahzar, the deadliest assassins of the Foot Clan.
And now… they hunted Zero.