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"The Hamato Clan has existed for centuries," Yoshi narrated. "It was founded on the principle that we had to do whatever it took to protect the good of the people— even if it meant sacrificing ourselves. From then on, The Hamato Clan has been seen as 'The Heavenly Circle', and as the years passed, their influence grew, mainly among samurais. Our clan continued to expand, forming subsidiary clans whose principles somewhat aligned with the original's."

"But we already know this story, Dad," Mikey interrupted. "You told us the day you were teaching us about the clan's history."

"Yes, Michelangelo," Yoshi said, "but what I am about to tell you is new information."

The quintet and the girls waited for the master to carry on with the next bit.

"Within the Hamato Clan, there were ninjas who did not agree with the clan's philosophy, so they defected and sought out to build another clan of their own— one that fit with their ideas. It did not take long for them to convince other subsidiary clans and even other Hamato ninjas to join them for their cause. This clan was named The Foot Clan."

The group of kids continued to listen; now they were intrigued. Once the history lesson was over, this was what they were able to piece so far: apparently, after The Foot Clan rose in power and numbers, the Hamato Clan feared that they would become too tyrannical for the people to bear, so they declared war on them. Both parties took their battles to the shadows, where each side suffered heavy casualties for many centuries to come. As the world begun modernizing, many subsidiary clans ceased to exist, and firearms and nuclear weapons replaced swords and arrows. The Foot Clan were responsible for toppling governments, assassinating famous figures, and forever changing the course of history.

"It was not until 1970 when my father, Hamato Yuuta, lead a siege on the Foot's headquarters and slew their leader at the time, completely eradicating the Foot Clan's existence as a whole. He did not leave a loose end behind. Or so he thought."

Yoshi sighed before carrying on. "Several years later, Japan was hit with a series of attacks. When I realized it was my clansmen being targeted and envelopes of black sand were left at every scene, my father and I knew it had to be the work of the Foot. We soon found out that the slaughters were orchestrated by a man named Oroku Saki— but he went by The Shredder."

Raph scoffed at the alias. "A kitchen utensil?"

"His name was not to be made a mockery, Raphael," Yoshi chided. "Even the most strongest and skilled of ninja lost their lives facing him. The very few who survived his attacks were left with scars that would never fully heal." He drew away his focus for a brief period, his expression was that of a man reliving his past trauma.

It did not go unnoticed by his children and guests, but his demeanor went back to serious again to avoid being questioned.

"Oroku Saki was only a child when his clan was massacred, and unbeknownst to my father, he somehow survived and must have sworn vengeance since then. He wanted to rebuild the Foot Clan and eliminate every Hamato ninja— and that also included me. That night, Oroku Saki struck. I managed to get away with Shen and baby Miwa. We sailed to America on a boat and never looked back."

"From then on, I knew Saki would be hunting my family like a wolf, so I made sure to do everything in my power to keep us under his radar. That is why when you three started school-" he looked at his biological children, "I had our family name changed to 'Sato', so The Shredder would not find us. I also did the same when you two were placed in my care," he then directed his gaze to Donnie and Mikey.

Having been told all of this, the quintet finally understood why they could never use their real surname out in public. They always asked their father why, but he never gave them a straight answer. In a way, the name 'Sato' had rubbed off on all of them; whenever they introduced themselves to friends or teachers, it sounded way more natural than it did several years ago. It was almost like 'Sato' had always been a part of them.

"Well, that certainly explains some things," Raph nodded. "But it still doesn't answer why the Foot attacked Talia and April."

Yoshi set his gaze on Talia. He had to divulge as much information as possible. "If you do not mind, Talia, can you answer some questions?"

Talia swallowed. "Yes, of course."

"Why were you trying to search the Hamato and Foot Clans in the first place?"

Talia played with her necklace before answering, "Like I told Leonardo, they came up during my investigation. What really led me to them was when I found the envelope of black sand hidden in my mother's office. I thought the envelope would give me a lead on who murdered my mother, so when April mentioned she knew someone who could help, I asked her if she could give the envelope to the said person on my behalf. That was how Donnie wound up with it in the first place."

"And did you find anything?"

"Donnie's analysis led us to Chinatown. There, April and I found someone who has knowledge of the black sand. Although they did not explicitly say whose calling card it was, I knew it had to be The Foot Clan's."

"Why not go to the police?" Miwa slouched in her spot. "I mean, what happened to your mother was a crime."

"There was nothing they couldn't do," Talia said glumly. "The detectives who took my mother's case said that the murderer left no evidence for forensic scientists to examine. It's also not like there weren't any witnesses; I was there when it all happened."

Mikey gasped. "So that means-"

"Yes," Talia nodded grimly. "I watched my mother's life be taken away from her."

Silence crawled up everyone's throats. Talia could feel their pity, shock, and horror penetrate her like bullets. The truth was, was that no matter what Talia was thinking, that fateful night would always be first. She never believed the image of her mother profusely bleeding out from the chest would be the last thing she would have to remember her by. What were her last thoughts? Did she even have time to pray?

"Talia, we're really sorry," Leo said solemnly.

"The loss of a loved one is never easy." Yoshi hung his head low. "Whether it has been awaited and expected, or sudden and unexpected, the journey to closure will be a difficult one nonetheless."

"Thank you," Talia whispered. What else could she say besides that?

She tried her best to control her tear ducts. "I couldn't just sit back while my mother's murderer wandered free, so April and I teamed up to find clues. When my father was hospitalized, a friend and old colleague of my mother's approached me. She herself confirmed that my mother was involved with a criminal organization, but my mother never gave a name. But now that a Foot ninja tried to kill me and April. . ."

Yoshi scratched his chin. "It's plausible that the organization your mother was affiliated with was The Foot. They have many ways of obtaining information and somehow, found out you were onto  them."

"But why would Genesis ever entangle herself with them?" Raph frowned. "I mean, what would make the evil leader of an evil ninja clan take an interest in her?"

"She was a scientist," Donnie stated. "Perhaps they needed her skills for something."

"Yeah, but didn't she specialize in genes or something like that? I would understand if she was a government official so they could steal launch codes or weapons."

"As history shows, Raph, science is a very powerful tool."

"I agree with Donatello," Yoshi said. "Whatever the reason, it is not a good one."

"Okay, let's just say The Foot were in the mood to learn about DNA and all that dominant and recessive shenanigans," Raph sighed, "why would they kill Genesis? Logically, if I knew that good help was so hard to come by, I wouldn't scheme to get my associate out of the picture."

"Because of an alleged theft," Talia piped in, causing her to earn looks from the rest. "Before she died, her murderer claimed she stole something from him. He sounded so sure that she had it. When my mother denied it, he fatally stabbed her."

"That right there is a motive." Donnie considered it. "I take it the man didn't say exactly say what he was looking for, right?"

"He referred it only as 'it'," Talia shook her head. "It was like he knew that my mother knew what he was talking about."

"Well, the item has to be of extreme importance if The Foot were willing to kill Genesis over it," Leo concluded.

"You know, when Talia and I found the envelope in Genesis's office, we also found a USB flash drive," April added. "I gave it to Donnie so he could find out if there was anything on it."

"It's a start," Leo nodded. He then turned to his father and asked, "so what do we do now, father?"

"Knowing Oroku Saki, he will not rest until he gets what he wants," Yoshi said. "He will not hesitate to kill anyone who stands in his way. Talia and those close to her are no longer safe."

"We would like to move you and your father to one of our safe houses," Yoshi told Talia. "You would be more safer that way."

Talia would consider it, but that would mean having to come up with an incredibly good reason to her father to explain their sudden relocation. "Thank you, Mr. Sato- I mean, Hamato, but how am I going to explain to my father about this? I can't just tell him we're leaving the apartment and not say why."

"After he sees the safe house, he'll forget all his questions," Mikey grinned.

"Trust us, Talia," Leo said, "it is the best option for you and your father."

It truly was in her best interest to accept it, but what worried her was her father asking questions. Once he he started, there was almost nothing that would shut down his curiosity.

"I will see what he says." Talia gave in.

Yoshi hummed. He then focused on April. "Shredder knows you are close to Talia, so it would not surprise me if he decides to send someone to hurt you or your father."

"If my father had a phrase, it would be 'seeing is believing'," April frowned. "There's no way he'll take me seriously."

After knowing Captain 'O' Neil for a long time now, he knew the redhead wasn't exaggerating.

"I'll be fine," April assured. "Unlike tonight where I only had a butter knife for protection, I know where my dad keeps the spare gun in our apartment."

Yoshi arched one of his brows. "Your father taught you how to shoot?"

"He insisted even though guns and I do not get along."

Deep down, Yoshi was not confident a gun would be enough to incapacitate warriors who were trained to evade anything with finesse, but he could not do much other than to trust April and her father would be alright.

"It has been a long night," Yoshi decided. "We must all get some rest."

"I'm not sure how much rest I will be getting," Talia doubted. "Not after today."

"Yeah, you'll pretty much sleep with one eye open and a leg out of your bed," Mikey said.

"Dude." Raph smacked the back of Mikey's head. "Not helping."

Talia rummaged through her bag for her phone. When she found it and turned it on, she saw a dozen missed calls and several unanswered messages from her father. She stood up to her feet.

"I have to get going," Talia announced. "My father probably thinks I've been kidnapped."

"You and me both," April agreed, standing up as well. "The last thing I want is for my dad to send every officer of the NYPD on the search for his teenage daughter."

"In that case-" Leo begun saying, "-let me show you guys out."

The girls followed Leo out the dojo, exiting the same way they entered. When they got to the living room, he opened the door for them in the most gentlemanly way possible.

"Tell your sister we're keeping the slippers," April reminded him.

"Will do," Leo sighed. "You're sure you don't want any company?"

"Nah, we'll take it from here, Leo," April refused. "But thanks anyway."

Leo pressed his lips shut. He didn't think it was wise to let them go alone, especially since a dangerous enemy clan had their sights on them, but he knew better than to go against their wishes. With another sigh, he nodded ever so slightly.

April walked out first. When Talia was about to do the same, Leo called her by her name.

Talia and Leo's eyes locked on each other. Leo could easily see her confidence masking great uncertainty and fear; Talia saw that while he was trying his best to look calm, she knew he was attempting to hide his worry.

Oh, how no one knew the other could actually see through their facade.

"Just take care," Leo said after a moment.

"Yeah. You too, Leonardo."

"Please, call me Leo."

"Okay. Leo it is."

She saw herself out. When she had hopped off the last step, she looked back. Leo was still standing in the doorway, the porch light illuminating his features. He lifted a hand to wave her off.

Talia did the same before jogging after April.