“No,” Aimee said, more firmly this time. “We can’t afford to screw this up. If they get Kiba, we’re all dead, not to mention everyone else here.” She didn’t think these people were planning to spare the children.
“Aimee’s right,” Iruka nodded. “We need a plan.”
All three turned to her, expectant.Fuck. She didn’t have time to make this a teachable moment, not with Kiba’s life on the line.
“Momoka, you go back the way Taiga and I came. There’s a large estate in the center of the village where they’re keeping the drug. Your first priority is to find the antidote. They mentioned they have one. It’s got to be there.”
Momoka gave a sharp nod. “The bandits probably keep a personal stash outside the lab if it’s as dangerous as you say.”
“Exactly. Then, if you can, burn the place down and bring us the antedote.”
“Any enemies?”
“They all seemed pretty eager to see Kiba-Sensei submit, so probably not, but be careful.”
Momoka hesitated for a moment, and Aimee stepped forward, pulling her into a tight hug. The girl stiffened in surprise, then hugged her back just as fiercely.
“You can do this,” Aimee whispered.
“Consider it done, Tanshi Aimee,” Momoka replied, her voice steady. Then, without another word, she vanished into the trees.
“And what am I supposed to do with the children?” Iruka asked once Momoka was gone.
“Save them, obviously,” Taiga muttered, tapping his foot impatiently.
“Why?” Iruka turned to Aimee, seeking clarification.
“They remain our primary mission,” Aimee said. “Besides, if Kiba-Sensei isn’t under their control, the first thing they’ll do is threaten the kids to use against us.”
“Okay,” Iruka tilted his head, considering. “Makes sense.”
“No good, despicable...” Taiga muttered.
“Iruka,” Aimee continued, “get the kids out and find somewhere safe to hole up. It could be for the rest of the day, maybe even the night.”
Iruka nodded but glanced at Taiga with a raised brow. “You sure you don’t want that one with the kids? I’m better in a fight.”
“Are not!” Taiga shot back, stepping toward him, but Aimee quickly moved between them, turning to Iruka.
She was honestly surprised he hadn’t pushed back harder. “I’m not questioning your skills in a fight. But for this, I need someone loud—a flash and bang to distract them while I check on Kiba-Sensei.”
Iruka snorted, his gaze flicking to Taiga. “You need someone to make a lot of noise.”
“Exactly.” Aimee nodded, then turned to Taiga, her voice steady. “And someone strong enough to stay alive against multiple elite-level shinobi.”
Taiga’s posture shifted, his indignation fading into thoughtfulness. His hands unclenched, his expression faltering as the weight of her words sank in. For a moment, fear flickered across his face, his eyes widening ever so slightly. But then, his back straightened, and his jaw tightened, his gaze meeting Aimee’s with a firm nod.
“Elite?” Iruka asked.
“At least one Ryosh level. I think,” Aimee replied.
“We need Kiba-Sensei.”
“Yes, we do.”
Iruka pressed his lips into a tight line, preparing to leave, but just before he took off, he turned back to Taiga. “This isn’t a game or a competition, Taiga. These men will kill you without a second thought. Show them the flash and the bang.” He paused. “But be careful. Don’t die.”
Taiga blinked in surprise, his usual bravado momentarily slipping, then nodded. “I won’t. You can count on it.”
