Zero and Tashima traversed the dense forest, their surroundings teeming with the imposing presence of colossal beasts. One such creature, a massive beast with bared fangs, lunged towards them, its ferocity evident in its relentless charge.

Tashima, atop her majestic Silver-White wolf, prepared to defend against the incoming attack, but Zero raised a hand, halting her. "No need to waste your energy on such a lowly beast," he stated calmly. "Save your strength for the war we will be heading into."

As the beast closed in, jaws snapping hungrily, Zero's Inuzuma fang markings on his cheeks began to glow with a reddish light. In an instant, the creature's eyes turned a reddish hue, and it collapsed to the ground, motionless. Zero's mysterious technique had subdued the beast with a mere glance, a testament to his formidable power.

With the threat neutralized, Zero and Tashima continued their journey through the forest until they reached a rocky, grassy terrain. Tashima performed a series of intricate hand signs, her movements fluid and precise, before placing her hand upon the ground. The earth trembled and split open, revealing a deep, dark hole beneath.

From the depths emerged a masked figure clad in a green robe, appearing as if from the shadows themselves. He landed gracefully before Zero and Tashima, his presence commanding respect. They placed their hands upon his back, and in an instant, they vanished, reappearing in an underground laboratory.

The underground lab was dimly lit, with flickering fluorescent lights casting eerie shadows across the metallic walls. Caged animals and humans line the perimeter, their desperate cries echoing in the confined space. Some of the creatures show signs of hybridization, with animal features fused onto human forms and vice versa, a testament to the twisted experiments conducted within. The air is heavy with the scent of antiseptic mixed with the underlying stench of fear and despair. In the center of the lab stands a large, imposing desk where Zero commands his operations, surrounded by monitors displaying complex data and genetic sequences.

The masked man, known as Gecko, knelt before Zero, his voice reverent. "Master, how was your journey?"

Zero sighed, his expression weary yet resolute. "Gecko, you know you don't have to kneel in my presence. We're all family here."

Gecko rose to his feet, his gaze unwavering. "I apologize, Master, but I will always show you the respect you deserve."

Zero chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You're too formal for your own good, Gecko."

Turning his attention to Tashima, Zero recounted their visit to the Inuzuma village. "As you know, Tashima and I went to the Inuzuma village to assess its state. It was as I expected. The villagers have been evacuated, and the village lies empty."

Tashima interjected, her tone brimming with confidence. "You don't have to report to him, Master."

Gecko's masked visage betrayed no emotion, but his eyes glinted with suppressed fury. Tashima's taunts ignited a spark of anger within him, causing his eyes to glow ominously. Tashima's wolf growled, poised to defend its master.

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Zero intervened before the situation escalated further. "Enough, my children. We are family here, and family does not fight amongst themselves."

With that, Zero proceeded to his office, passing by the cells containing his experimental subjects. The imprisoned creatures and humans within pleaded for mercy, but Zero remained unaffected, his resolve unyielding.

"Gecko, gather all the Twilights," Zero commanded as he entered his office. "We shall have a meeting in ten minutes. Tashima, you will join us as well."

Gecko moved swiftly through the corridors of the underground facility, his footsteps echoing softly against the stone walls. He approached a door marked with a small plaque that read "Security Room" and pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit space filled with monitors and screens. At one of the screens sat a goth girl, her black attire blending into the shadows of the room.

"Lisa," Gecko called out, catching her attention.

Lisa turned towards him, her expression one of annoyance. "What do you want, Gecko?"

"Master has summoned us all to his office. It's time for the meeting," Gecko replied, his tone serious.

Lisa rolled her eyes, but reluctantly followed Gecko out of the room. Together, they made their way through the labyrinthine corridors until they reached Zero's office, where the rest of the Twilight members were already gathered around a large table.

Zero sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding respect. Lisa took her seat opposite him, her frustration evident in her posture.

Before anyone could speak, Lisa directed her ire at Zero. "Before you say anything, why the hell did you attack that beast outside? We're one camera short now, dumbass!"

Zero chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Come on now, Lisa. It was either me or the beast. You know I wouldn't let it eat me."

Lisa's frustration simmered as she retorted, "Do you have any idea how rare that Suko was? Its eyes were perfect for scanning the outside world. It'll take me ages to find a replacement!"

Gecko interjected, his voice laced with authority. "Don't raise your voice when talking to Master."

Lisa met Gecko's gaze defiantly. "Or what, Greeny?" she challenged.

Gecko's hand moved to his side, ready to take action, but Zero intervened. "Lisa, I didn't kill the beast. I tranquilized it. It's still alive and will wake up in a few minutes."

Lisa's expression softened, relief washing over her. "Oh, that's good news," she conceded.

Tashima, who had been observing the exchange silently, added, "Um... I actually fed the beast to my wolf, so... there's that."

Lisa's eyes narrowed in disbelief. "You did what?"

A commanding voice cut through the tension, silencing the room. "Silence!" It was a man with silver hair and white eyes, his authority unquestionable.

Zero breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Kuma," he acknowledged before continuing.

"Now, let's discuss why I called you all here," Zero began, addressing each member in turn. "Lisa, Gecko, Tashima, Kuma, Ace, and Chan Li."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in before revealing their next objective. "The first part of our plan was a success. We've infected the Inuzuma canines, but they're currently in the possession of the Leaf Village. Our next step is to infiltrate the Leaf and reclaim the canines."

He glanced around the table, meeting each member's gaze. "As we speak, the last member of the Twilights, Inuzuka Masa, is already in the village as she was taken alongside the other Inuzuka clan members for evacuation The success of our second phase lies with her."

Kuma spoke up, his voice steady. "Do you trust her?"

"With all my heart," Zero affirmed, a hint of pride in his voice. "After all, she's my biological daughter."

Gecko's envy was palpable, his longing evident in his gaze as he wished he could claim the same connection with his Master.