TW: This chapter includes mention of violence. Read at your own discretion. Also, I'm no good at writing action so apologies in advance if this chapter seems a little rushed.

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The Sasuke clan couldn't delay delivering the last strike of their plan of overcoming the League of Assassins. They knew that if they gave any time for the matter to cool down, Ra's would be able to rally his forces and take revenge on them.

So they did not have even a second to lose.

As Sayuri had recovered considerably and wanted to take part in that fateful battle that would commence in Nanda Parbat, little Kai had to be left in the Haga family's care while his parents would be out on the battlefield with the rest of the warriors.

Ryuu had managed to convince Sayuri to stay back earlier but he knew that she wouldn't listen to him telling her to stay back right then. It was probably the most difficult and significant feat of her clan that she couldn't miss.

She was their leader hence she had to be there.

They had planned to strike at the League from within and a relatively smaller squad was chosen comprising of the best fighters they had. That squad led by Sayuri and Ryuu had to infiltrate the League's base in Nanda Parbat and hold the Al Ghuls hostage soon as they got the chance.

They knew going against the Demon Head was no easy task but right then the assassins were weakened and their esteem had been struck to pieces after losing to the Sasuke clan time and again.

That infiltration would be the last nail plunged into the coffin of the demonic League and if they succeeded, they would never have to fear being wiped out by the Demon Head ever again.

Preparations had been made for that final attack and the Sasuke clan was confident that victory would be theirs.

However, there was one thing that they had not yet considered, especially Sayuri. Even among the most trustworthy of people, there could be chances of a betrayal.

Sayuri considered all of them her people hence she could not even think of doubting any person in the clan. She had fought with them and protected them while they had done the same for her.

She could not even for a second think that someone from her people would end up betraying her.

The same was the case with Ryuu.

Unlike Sayuri, he had spent his whole life with the clan and since he had become a healer at a very young age, he had been valued a lot by the people too.

He knew every single one of them by name, was aware of their problems, and cared for all of them. To him, they were one family, the many organs coming together in a body to form a healthy whole. And for a body to function well, all the organs had to be connected such that if even one of them felt pain, the rest would get affected too.

Therefore, he couldn't think of anyone becoming a traitor to the clan either.

But power and fear are two aspects that can change loyalties and the same was the case that happened with the Sasuke clan.

They reached Nanda Parbat and from then onwards Sayuri divided them into groups according to their plan. One of the groups was supposed to create a distraction while the rest would silently infiltrate the base.

Ryuu and Sayuri were not part of the same group so before parting ways, Sayuri held him back. Her heart was sinking in worry, for some reason, she felt something was not right.

Only their eyes were visible as their armor and suits concealed everything else. It was a necessary measure to keep themselves hidden in the shadows and to hide their identities as well.

But Ryuu could see that her grey eyes were frantic so he nodded at her in reassurance, silently telling her that everything would go as planned.

"Stay safe," she told him, clasping his hands tightly.

"You too," he replied and then let go of her hands after a gentle squeeze.

At her command, all of the warriors took their positions and waited for the next signal that had to be given by the first group. Their task was to distract the assassins positioned at the gates and the turrets so that the rest of the groups could get in unnoticed.

So far everything was going according to their plan.

They were able to get inside the fort and from then onwards, the countdown began. Sayuri and Ryuu had trained every single person to complete their part in the mission in as less time as possible. Swiftly and silently, they started to get through the layers of assassins positioned within to protect the Al Ghuls.

That silent battle couldn't stay hushed up for long and the clashing of swords alerted the rest of the assassins.

Sayuri had been expecting that so while her group stayed in the courtyard to fend off the assassins, the other group had to go and round up the Al Ghuls.

But then a very strange situation began to unfold. The warriors who had fought against the assassins and gotten struck by them began to collapse.

It was almost as if the enemies were aware of the attack and it had all been a setup. Their swords that had managed to strike at the warriors and cut through seemed to be drenched with a poison that seeped through them, making them come to a frozen halt.

Seeing the turning situation, Sayuri got alarmed as well, and with two swords in her hands, she spun around, battling ferociously while at the same time trying not to get struck by any of her opponents. But her group was falling and she was the last one standing.

She couldn't possibly get rid of all the assassins on her own.

And just like the rest of her people, her body began to freeze up too, that sinister poison seeping through a cut on her back. Her armor had been slashed by someone and she turned to see who it was because the strength with which the strike had landed wasn't something she could expect from an ordinary assassin.

Her grey eyes met emerald green and her grip on her swords began to loosen. Talia Al Ghul had landed that blow and the last thing Sayuri remembered before plunging into horrible darkness was the woman's hand close onto her face and ripping off the mask that hid her features.

After that, everything extinguished as she fell down too just like her whole squad that was lying helpless in the courtyard.

The only thought she had in her mind before passing out was a desperate wish that Ryuu would be able to save them and not get hurt by those lethal weapons the assassins were using. Otherwise, there seemed no way out.

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