The laughter from farther down the beach was carried by the wind as Nina leaned back in her chair beneath the umbrella, one leg crossed over the other while she watched the chaos unfolding along the shoreline.
Thena and Terra were sprinting across the sand with Max jogging after them at a relaxed pace.
From a distance the scene looked ridiculous,two girls running for their lives while a grown man followed behind them with calm, deliberate steps.
Every so often one of them would glance back, see that Max was still pursuing them, and immediately start running again.
Nina chuckled quietly to herself.
For a moment, her smile softened.
Beside her, Diana had been watching the same scene unfold, a small smile on her own face. It was quite the peculiar sight to see Max behave like this after all.
She turned toward Nina to gauge her reaction to what they were seeing.
That was when she noticed it.
The look of nostalgia on Nina's face.
"You look like someone remembering something," Diana said.
Nina blinked slightly, Diana's words pulling her out of her thoughts.
She turned toward Diana, a faint smile returning to her face.
"I'm just enjoying the show," Nina said lightly.
"It really is interesting to watch," Diana replied, glancing back toward the shoreline. "And they seem to be adhering to your rule of no powers today."
"They sure are," Nina said.
Silence passed between them for a moment before Diana spoke again.
"You've done something like this before."
Nina tilted her head slightly.
"What makes you say that?"
"The way you're watching them," Diana replied.
Nina stayed quiet for a moment before answering.
"He's done something similar to this to me before," she said eventually. "We were much younger back then."
Diana accepted the answer without pressing further. She had already decided not to pry.
After a short pause, she asked another question.
"Was Max always like this?"
Nina let out a quiet laugh.
"Not at all."
She leaned back slightly in her chair.
"He used to be overly serious all the time. Nearly unapproachable on the surface."
Her eyes drifted back toward Max chasing the girls along the beach.
"But deep inside he's always been a softie."
She smiled faintly.
"And he's decided to reveal that side of himself more lately. I'm sure you've noticed."
Diana watched Max for a moment.
"Some might call it getting soft".
Nina gestured toward the spectacle unfolding down the shoreline.
"But I call it love," she said.
"And out of that love… this is what you get"
"I've actually noticed," Diana said, nodding in agreement.
"You know…" she began again, and Nina looked over at her.
"She laughs like you."
"I guess we share something in common then," Nina said with a faint smile.
"She might take after you more than Max and me," Diana continued. "Given enough time, she might even end up looking like you in the future."
"Now wouldn't that be a sight," Nina replied softly, watching the scene unfold.
Just then, they saw Max throw the snake aside after catching up to Thena. He held her head in his armpit, rubbing his fist through her hair while Terra kept delivering helpless punches to his back.
Nina stood up, her green aura flaring as it exploded around her, blowing the chair she had been sitting on out of the way.
"Is the curfew over?" Diana asked, also rising to her feet.
"I think we've been normal enough for one day," Nina said, cracking her knuckles as they both turned toward Max.
Max released Thena, who immediately created some distance, and Terra abandoned her assault as well.
Nina faced Thena and Terra, a sly grin on her face. "We've all been beaten up by Max when sparring," she said. "I think it's time we give him a taste of his own medicine… without holding back."
"Yeah! I'm in!" Thena shouted.
"Normally, I wouldn't agree to this," Terra said, "but today… sure, why not."
Max smirked, spreading his arms slightly. "Well, I'm waiting."
"Charge!" Thena yelled, and they all sprinted toward him. Max immediately assumed a battle stance.
NANDA PARBAT
Pain stood in the dimly lit room, methodically preparing himself. He donned his armor, wrapped bandages tightly around his arms and wrists, and carefully pried his eyelids to fit his eye contacts, concealing his Rinnegan. Finally, he lowered his mask over his face, completing his transformation.
The door creaked open, revealing Lady Shiva. She carried a briefcase, which she placed on the floor behind him before speaking.
"I've brought back what you requested," she said.
"Good. How far has the evacuation progressed?" Pain asked, his voice steady.
"Most of the Shadows have already left," she replied. "Onyx, Ra's al Ghul, and the others included. Only I and the elite remain,alongside you."
"You should join them," Pain said, his tone calm but commanding.
"If I may ask," Lady Shiva began, tilting her head slightly, "wouldn't it have been better to send the Slots to handle this? That way it wouldn't be traced back to you."
Pain shook his head. "The chances of them succeeding without me present are low. And they are not as disposable as you might think. I still have many uses for them in the future. You seem to be underestimating the intelligence of the heroes,especially Batman. After tonight, they'll come straight here to take me in. It's better that I go in person while you relocate for the time being. We'll be back once the dust has settled."
"I understand. I'll be taking my leave now," Lady Shiva said, bowing slightly before turning and walking out, closing the door behind her.
Pain opened the box. Inside lay a katana in its scabbard, along with several smoke bombs.
The ground beside him suddenly ripped open.
"Yo," Zetsu said as he fully emerged, his voice casual.
"About time," Pain replied.
"Yeah… so, we doing this tonight?" Zetsu asked.
"Yes. Let's not waste any more time," Pain said, his tone sharp and focused.
"Oki. Try to relax then," Zetsu said.
He moved behind Pain. Slowly, his body split open, wrapping itself around Pain, forming a second layer over his mask. In moments, the merging was complete. Pain's body now appeared encased in a sleek white suit. He flexed his fingers, strapped the katana across his back, and slung the string of smoke bombs and grenades over his shoulder.
Outside, Lady Shiva and the elite Shadows watched from a helicopter.
The helicopter rose slowly, carrying them to safety as the building where Pain had been stationed exploded violently. The compound splintered into fragments, dust and smoke billowing into the sky.
From the chaos, a figure in white emerged, floating above the wreckage. Jet thrusters ignited from his feet, propelling him upward. With a burst of power, he blasted away from the scene, leaving only smoke and debris behind.
End of Chapter.
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