Page 100 of The Serpent and the Silver Wolf

“It’s a pass for me, Sensei.”

“What?!” Taiga’s head snapped toward her, incredulous. “It’s our chance to show everyone what we can do!”

Poor kid’s still desperate to prove himself, Aimee thought, watching the back-and-forth.

Momoka leaned back, crossing her arms. “I’ve been doing more healing than fighting lately. I’m not interested in a blood sport, and I’d probably spend the whole time patching you idiots up anyway.”

Kiba nodded. “I thought you might say that. It’s a wise decision. Gekitotsu isn’t for everyone. I didn’t participate myself.”

Aimee’s eyebrows rose. “You didn’t?” She leaned in, curious. He’d only recently started opening up about the deeper things, but he never said much about his earlier years.

“He was already operating as a Ryosh during both of the Gekitotsu he could’ve entered. Top secret missions.” Iruka’s tone clearly showed his disapproval.

Aimee’s brows knit. That was code for assassinations, rogue hunting, and the most dangerous, covert missions, but mostly for assassinations.

“Hi Haven wouldn’t have wanted his skills exposed so publicly,” the boy added.

Aimee’s stomach twisted.They sent a child, maybe as young as twelve, on assassination missions?

She had always known the training was designed to turn them into soldiers and killers, even if they dressed it up as something more noble and called them shinobi. But this? This was so much worse. Her eyes flicked to Kiba, trying to read his reaction.No wonder he doesn’t talk about it.

“Iruka is correct,” Kiba said, his gaze deliberately avoiding hers. “The Gekitotsu is about showcasing strength among the Havens, but no one reveals their full hand. Besides, it’s generally considered bad form for a Ryosh to compete. The twenty-year age limit keeps it mostly focused on Tanshi and Jesei levels, making it less...lethal.”

“So, it’ll be me, Iruka, and Aimee then.” Taiga cracked his knuckles like he was already gearing up for the fight.

“Hold on,” Kiba raised a hand, his tone firm. “I haven’t decided yet. Most of you would qualify for the next one, too.”

Iruka leaned forward, his eyes sharp. “We should do it, Sensei. I, for one, would like to test how far I’ve come against shinobi with different training styles.”

“And I’d like to kick those other shinobi’s butts!” Taiga bared his teeth.

Aimee winced. An all-out fight like this so-called battle royal would push Taiga to his limits and likely beyond. His control over the enormous and unpredictable elemental power inside him was tenuous at best. The last thing they needed was for him to lose control in front of the entire shinobi world. This tournament could be a disaster.

Aimee’s mind flashed back to Midoriko when he had lost control and obliterated the villain Cain in a fiery display of power before collapsing unconscious. Since then, both she and Kiba had worked with him extensively, trying to help him harness the power, but it remained largely wild. It was as though the fire had a will of its own, surfacing with dangerous intensity when pushed too far.

Kiba tapped his finger on the table, then let out a slow exhale. “I will allow you to participate, Taiga.”

“Yes!” Taiga pumped a fist, his face lighting up.

“But—” Kiba raised a hand, his tone firm. “You must promise me you won’t use the fire element during the course of the battle.”

“Huh?” Taiga’s excitement deflated. “But that’s my most powerful attack.”

“It’s also the one you have the least control over,” Kiba reminded him. “It should only be used in life-or-death situations. And whiledeaths aren’t unheard of in the Gekitotsu, they are heavily frowned upon and would reflect poorly on the Haven responsible.”

Taiga frowned, pursing his lips. “What if it happens by accident?”

Kiba’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You must not let it. Consider it a test of your discipline.”

Taiga exhaled sharply, then nodded. “Fine. I promise.”

“All right.” Kiba shifted his gaze to Aimee. “And what about you? What will you do?”

She studied him for a moment, trying to read what he might be expecting from her in this situation. After a pause, she shrugged.Could be fun. With a sudden grin, she snaked her arm out, locking Taiga in a headlock and rubbing her fist into his hair, giving him a noogie while he struggled beneath her grip.

“Don’t worry, boss,” she said, her tone light. “I’ll watch out for both of them. Make sure they don’t do anything too stupid.”

“Very well.” Kiba rolled his eye as Taiga finally wriggled free from her hold, straightening his hair with exaggerated annoyance.