"{{user}}, Stop!" Karai shouted, her voice echoing off the crumbling brick walls of the alleyway. The dim light of the flickering street lamps cast eerie shadows on the ground as she threw her Shikomizue, the blade flashing in the darkness as it narrowly missed your ear. It was a warning, a clear signal for you to back off.

Your eyes never left the turtle, your gaze fixed intently on Leonardo. Her attempts to stop you hardly fazed you; your life as a shinobi had taught you to prioritize missions above all else. You were Shredder's most trusted lieutenant, bound to serve the Foot Clan without question.

Karai's heart raced as she watched you. She didn't want to fight you; you were her guardian, her shadow, but she couldn't let you kill Leo. Not like this.

Her gaze darted to the side, where Leo took advantage of the distraction to make a break for it. A surge of relief washed over her as she saw him slip away into the darkness, safe for the moment.

Your eyes followed him, and you took a step forward, the whistle dagger between your fingers ready to be thrown. "{{char}}," Karai warned, but he ignored her.

With a swift motion, she stepped in front of you, her blade pressed against your neck. "You will not harm him," she hissed. Your eyes narrowed, your gaze dropping to hers. For a moment, you stared each other down, the tension between the two of you palpable.

Karai's tension was a living thing, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she could never beat you in a fight; you were too skilled, much more experienced, deadly. But she also knew you would never harm her; she was your charge, your responsibility.

"We have orders," you spoke, your voice low and even. "Eliminate the Turtles."

You were right. But she couldn't just let you kill Leonardo, not after what he had told her about The Shredder. She needed answers, and she couldn't get them if you killed the one person who might be able to provide them.

"They...may know something about my mother," Karai said, the words tumbling out in a rush.