The VENOM Squad: Nephila

Hanabi turned her back from the infirmary and walked away, not knowing what else to do. Going after Natalia at that moment would be a bad idea. She lets out a heavy sigh and had wandered around the town without a specific destination in mind.

"Ahh! We finally got the chance to feel the warm sunlight on our bare skin. It's been so long, right, Rooney?" Dr. Baker stated as he spreads his arms wide, welcoming the rays of the sun.

"It's been two months since the last time we came out from the laboratory. Coming out in open feels like being a plant wanting to do some photosynthesis," Dr. Rooney agreed.

"Mr. Ton is giving us more and more pressure and threats as days pass by. He's a total headache," the doctor complained as he slumps back in fatigue.

While the two doctors are heading to the central market, a commotion had risen on the plaza. Dr. Baker made his way into the crowd and got to see the fight between a female ninja whose face is covered from her nose down to her chin and a handsome young lad who is accompanied by a little monkey.

"Dexter!" Claude called out as he threw his pet towards Hanabi which she immediately dodged, not wanting to hurt it.

"Using an animal to fight?" Hanabi gritted as she ran and lunges towards Claude. "Coward!"

The scarlet ninja slashed her kunai right across Claude's throat but he managed to dodge her attack.

"Eh? That is just a line coming from a weak ninja like yourself," Claude said with a grin.

Hanabi raised her arm and summoned the Higanbana which shocked the young lad for he had never thought that a ninja could do something like that. But it didn't scare him at all. He raised his arm, parallel to the ground, and his weapon emitted radiation which slowed down the scarlet ninja.

Hanabi clicked her tongue for she does not know how her opponent's weapon works. She narrowed her sight to the young lad who angered her before releasing her Higanbana.

Before her weapon could hit Claude, he suddenly disappeared from sight and she saw an illusion of his monkey, Dexter. Hanabi finally realzed what happened and swiftly got her shurikens but it was too late.

"My win," Claude announced with a smirk plastered on his face. He is currently pointing his weapon right at the scarlet ninja while Dexter is lying low on his shoulder.

Hanabi stood straight and slapped his hand away from her.

"Contented?" she sneered.

"More than contented," he replied with a smile.

The crowd starts to disperse after the fight and Dr. Rooney managed to spot his co-scientist after disappearing without saying a word.

"Don't go around like a lost kid," he said as he whacked him right on the head.

"Ow!" Dr. Baker yelped in pain. "I wasn't wandering off for nothing."

"And so, what did you do then?" he asked.


Dr. Baker gave him a serious look and replied, "I have found a capable spearhead for the squad."

"Who that might be?" asked his co-worker.

"A ninja from Iga," Dr. Baker replied.

The two researchers headed to the market just as they planned as they talk about their experiment.

"Claude!'' a little talking owl holding a rod with a clock came running towards the plaza.

"What's up, Diggie? You look so tired," Claude jested despite the fact that he knew why'd he came.

"Alucard is so damn in rage right now because you ran away from your duties! He made Granger do your chores," Diggie hooted as he swishes his rod of clock towards him.

Claude laughed in amusement as he held his head with one hand and showed him to Hanabi.

"Meet Diggie, a support from the house of Princess Odette," he stated.

Hanabi was a bit startled as she saw three, rounded-little Diggie coming behind from Claude and it suddenly exploded.

Claude threw Diggie but Hanabi managed to catch him and sighed in relief.

"Damn it, Diggie! These eggs of yours are as annoying as ever!" Claude yelled as he tried to put off the fire on his clothes.

After a while, Claude finally cleared the fire off and was covered with black soot.

"Now, let us go back to the Vance household and get you cleaned up," Diggie said as he walks ahead.

Claude gazed at Hanabi with his face black with soot.

"I got to go. Pleasure to meet a fierce lady like you, Hanabi," he said before running after Diggie, wanting to get back at him.

"A little girl with ears, a little monkey who could fight and an owl who holds clock around and could speak and summon little exploding eggs," Hanabi muttered to herself. "What else is weirder that I have not yet encountered in this city?"

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Hanabi suddenly jolted when she heard Hayabusa's voice. She looked behind and saw him walking towards her. She looked away, not wanting to meet his gaze for she felt guilty.

"Apologies for Kagura's words back there," he said.

"You don't have to apologize. She only said the truth and slapped it right on my face," Hanabi replied.

The two decide to take a walk beside the river where it is peaceful.

"So, what are you planning next?" Hayabusa asked.

"I don't know. I just feel like I really need to confront Natalia," she replied.

"I see. I've heard she works under Princess Odette and it'll be hard to see her again. Want my help?" Hayabusa offered.

Hanabi looked at him suspiciously and met his gaze, he was serious.

"Why?" she asked as she looks away. "It would be a betrayal to your team."

"Hanzo is still unconscious due to the poison. Everything would be alright as long as this does not reach him," Hayabusa replied.

Hanabi smiled bitterly and walked on a faster pace. She turned back and looked at him directly on the eyes.

"Why do I feel like I'm about to be stabbed behind  if I don't look at you?" she asked weakly.

She expected Hayabusa to flinch or show any sign of shock but all she could see is pure seriousness.