Terra was busy training as usual in the underground base.
Lately, this had become routine.
Although she didn't like competing with Thena in terms of power, the fact that the gap between them was widening every day didn't sit well with her.
Granted, it was understandable.
When you looked at Thena's lineage, it made sense,her entire family was made up of powerhouses.
Still…
Terra at least wanted to make it a little challenging for her.
That was part of the reason she chose to remain behind with Max.
And they had done a lot of training.
She had trained with almost everyone here,Pain, Ra's al Ghul, Lady Shiva, Onyx, Max, and even Zetsu, who often ended up as her dummy when testing new moves with her meta ability.
Max had even started sending her on solo tasks,taking down drug rings to gain experience fighting alone and learning to use lethal force when the situation demanded it.
Terra paused mid-kata when she sensed faint vibrations on the ground behind her. She spun sharply, staff raised, ready to strike,but there was nothing. She didn't lower her guard, standing perfectly still, trying to detect the vibrations again.
Suddenly, she lunged with her staff,but a hand caught it mid-swing. Max stood there, smirking.
"Sharp reflexes. Good instincts, too," he commented.
"Yeah, it's a trick I've picked up to detect vibrations from the ground around me. It's pretty neat," Terra replied.
"It is indeed," Max said.
"So… up for a spar?" Terra asked.
"Not today. I have somewhere to be—that's actually why I'm here," Max said.
"Okay… so where are you going this time?" Terra asked.
"I'm going very far away this time. Much farther than in Hell, and I honestly don't know how long I'll be gone. I'll need you to stay here until Nina and Thena return," Max explained.
"Alright. It's kinda boring at home without Thena and Aunt Nina anyway. By the way, have you heard anything from them?" Terra asked.
"No, I haven't. But they should be back any day now… or I could take you to them right now if you want," Max said.
"Nah, it's fine. We don't want to cause a scandal with two intruders suddenly appearing out of nowhere,especially when one of them is male, no less. I'll wait for them here. Don't worry about me," Terra reassured him with a smirk.
"Alright then. Take it easy on training,you're starting to overdo it," Max said, ruffling her hair.
"Alright then. Good luck on your trip," Terra said, pushing his hand away.
Max smirked one last time before vanishing.
Max appeared inside his hideout in the mountains to check on the progress of the Gedo Mazo.
After all, he couldn't just leave it unchecked. If it evolved into the Ten Tails, it would wipe out all human life on Earth in a matter of days. Not even Nina would be able to defeat it,at best, she could slow it down. Sealing it inside herself without possessing the Rinnegan to suppress it wasn't a viable option either; it would tear her apart.
Max walked deeper into the cave until he reached the center, where the statue remained. He glanced up at its face.
Five of its eyes were open.
The sixth was on the verge of opening.
It was happening much faster than he had anticipated.
He couldn't sense its chakra due to how well it blended with nature,but with his Rinnegan, he could see it and it was nothing to scoff at.There was a lot of it.
If there had been another way, he wouldn't be leaving at a time like this,but there wasn't. Not one he could think of.
He had no choice,hhad to find Lucifer no matter what.
Hopefully… he would be back before the Juubi awakened.
Shaking off the thought, Max activated the Time Ring on his finger. Space distorted before him, then collapsed into a pitch-black portal.
He stepped forward and pushed his arm through first, testing it.
Nothing happened.
Without hesitation, Max stepped through completely and vanished.
Behind him, the portal shrank and space stabilized once more.
Paradise island,Thymyscira.
A month had passed since Thena and Nina arrived on Paradise Island alongside Wonder Woman.
In that time, much had changed.
What had begun as cautious acceptance had turned into acknowledgment,and, in some cases, respect.
Thena had thrown herself into Amazon training, learning their traditions from sunrise to sunset to refine her combat skills, discipline, and control. Under the guidance of Queen Hippolyta and the island's seasoned warriors, she had grown tremendously.
Even Nina hadn't let her rest during her free time, often pushing her further by teaching her secret techniques.
She had even participated in the Amazon Games and emerged victorious to their shock.
Although they had enjoyed their stay, it was time to go. They had promised Terra and Max they wouldn't be gone for too long.
Now, they stood at the edge of the island.
A group of Amazons had gathered to see them off, standing in silence as Hippolyta stepped forward, her gaze resting on Thena.
"You have grown,more than I expected in such a short time," Hippolyta said. "You came here as a ninja, as you claimed… but now, you will also leave as a warrior."
A few Amazons behind her nodded in agreement.
Placing a hand on Thena's shoulder, her voice softened slightly.
"You carry our blood. Do not forget that. No matter where you go… you are one of us."
She paused,then added, more firmly:
"And more importantly… my granddaughter. The future princess,and perhaps, one day, queen of the Amazons."
For a moment, Thena stood still.
The words settled over her.
Princess. Future queen.
Her fingers curled slightly at her sides as she lowered her head, then raised her eyes to meet Queen Hippolyta's.
"I won't forget… grandmother," she said with conviction.
Hippolyta nodded, then shifted her attention to Nina.
"You have guided her well, and for that, you have my respect," Hippolyta said before pausing. "You will always be welcome on Themyscira… as a friend."
Nina gave a small nod. "I'll keep that in mind."
Hippolyta's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before she turned to Wonder Woman.
"My daughter. It seems your judgment was correct once again."
She paused briefly, then added.
"And this… Max."
Diana's eyes sharpened slightly at the mention.
"I would like the chance to meet him one day. The next time you return… bring him with you."
"I'll see what I can do," Diana replied.
Hippolyta nodded.
Nina and Diana slowly levitated off the ground.
Thena gathered her chakra and formed a few hand seals, activating the Lightened Boulder Technique she had mastered over the past month under Nina's guidance. Her body grew light as she rose into the air beside them.
She turned to Hippolyta one last time and gave a small wave.
"Bye, Grandma."
"Farewell," Hippolyta responded.
And just like that,they shot into the sky, disappearing into the clouds…
Leaving her to her thoughts.
'There it is again,' Queen Hippolyta thought as she watched Thena fly away.
She had been amazed time and time again by their capabilities.
Commanding the elements,walking on water and vertical surfaces.
Even influencing nature itself.
And the one called Nina…she could do even more.
Hippolyta recalled the moment clearly,when Nina had summoned a gigantic warrior that cleaved the sea itself in half.
And yet,she had treated it as if it were nothing.
As if it wasn't even the full extent of her power.
From what Wonder Woman had told her, Nina's father could do all that,and more.
Hippolyta exhaled slowly.
She could only imagine what kind of power he possessed…
And more importantly,what kind of man he was.
Because Diana seemed to have taken a liking to him.
She may have tried to hide it,but Hippolyta had seen the subtle shift in her expression whenever his name was mentioned.
That alone was enough to make here realise what was going on,which was precisely why,she wanted to meet him.
End of Chapter.
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