Chapter 230: Ninja Disguise Technique
"Sorry, I didn't mean to look down on you," Matthew said, realizing his skepticism had poked at Mike's pride.
Mike waved his hand dismissively. "I don't care. Just watch how I perform tonight."
"Alright, I look forward to it." Matthew shrugged. He planned to keep a close eye on Mike anyway to prevent him from getting hurt.
"What time are we going tonight?" John asked.
"Nine o'clock," Jenny answered.
"Why so late?" John frowned. He felt it was too late; the boxing arena would be packed with gamblers by then, making it difficult to handle.
"Because my Cartoon broadcasts until nine," Jenny replied matter-of-factly. She wasn't about to miss a single episode.
"..." John was speechless. Even as a Shadow General, she couldn't escape the habits of a child.
Matthew's mouth twitched. Jenny was truly something else. On the bright side, a large crowd would make it easier to sneak in unnoticed. Mike stood to the side and remained silent; he was ready to prove himself regardless of the hour.
"Fine. Nine o'clock. We meet at the entrance of the Shadow Boxing Arena." John took Mike and left through the Shadow Kingdom.
"By the way, Jenny, it's fine to watch cartoons, but don't get obsessed," Matthew reminded her.
"Don't worry, Uncle Matthew. It's just that today is the season two finale." Jenny had her priorities. Kezli could wait; Mary could not.
"And Jenny, you're supposed to report to elementary school next month." Matthew had already arranged for her education. Despite being less than two years old, Jenny's physical appearance was now similar to that of a seven or eight-year-old girl.
"Please, Uncle Matthew, I'm only one and a half!" Jenny wanted more time to play, and she felt her age didn't fit the setting.
Matthew rolled his eyes. "Look in the mirror, kid. Do you think you look like a one-and-a-half-year-old?"
"Hmph!" Jenny pouted. She had no interest in going to school and dealing with snotty-nosed brats. She opened the Shadow Kingdom and took Matthew back home.
Time flew, and night fell. In the blink of an eye, it was 9:00 PM.
"Yes! Finally finished! That was so cool!" Jenny jumped on the sofa happily as the finale ended. "Did you like it, Little Six?"
She was holding a Shadow-Eater ninja dressed in a bear suit. She had named it Little Six, to go along with Little Five and Little Seven.
"Chirp, chirp, chirp!" Little Six squeaked in her arms, agreeing with its General.
"Alright, time to go, Jenny." Matthew put on a heavy black coat and a pair of large sunglasses. To avoid alerting the enemy, they had to slip in as ordinary people and catch Kezli by surprise. Matthew couldn't wear his Daredevil suit, but since his identity had to remain secret, he settled for this civilian disguise.
"Actually, Uncle Matthew, you don't need to dress like that. You have me!" Jenny puffed out her chest.
"You?" Matthew lowered his sunglasses, confused.
Five minutes later...
"Did my face really change?" Matthew stood before a mirror. Being blind, he couldn't see himself.
In reality, his appearance had undergone a total transformation. The mirror showed a fierce-looking man with a full, scruffy beard.
"Of course! Trust me, Uncle Matthew." Jenny's appearance had also changed; she no longer looked like a cute little girl but a plain, unremarkable one. This was all thanks to the Ninja Disguise Technique. As a Shadow General, Jenny had naturally mastered the arts of her subordinates.
"Fine, I hope this doesn't backfire," Matthew said, still feeling unsure as he adjusted his sunglasses. He could only tell from the sound reflections that he was now covered in stubble. But what good was that? If someone wore a fake beard, wouldn't their friends still recognize them?
"Hmph! Uncle Matthew just doesn't believe in me." Jenny hugged Little Six tightly and, in a huff, opened the Shadow Kingdom to take them to the meeting spot.
Alleyway near the Shadow Boxing Arena
"You are exactly ten minutes late!" Mike whispered harshly. They had agreed on nine, but the pair didn't show up until 9:10. Having the convenience of the Shadow Kingdom and still being late was irritating.
"Sorry, we were delayed by some matters," Matthew said, bowing his head apologetically. They were in the wrong on this one.
"It's just ten minutes, what are you afraid of?" Jenny, still grumpy from earlier, snapped back at Mike's complaining.
"You little..." Mike started to call her a brat.
John intervened. "It's fine. We're all here now. Let's move out."
The four of them walked into the arena Kezli had established.
"Kill him! Great Shark! Smell the blood!"
"Don't fear him! Kill him!"
"Rip his guts out!"
"Woo-hoo!"
The moment they entered, the air was thick with the desperate roars of gamblers cheering for their chosen fighters.
"Arena Five has the lowest odds. It increases from five to one. Daily, the owner fights once in Arena One," Mike recited.
"Captain, you gathered Intel beforehand?!" John was increasingly impressed. Mike was a true professional, knowing to learn the rules of the house before making a move. Matthew and Jenny also looked at Mike with newfound respect.
"Ahem... it's written on the rules board over there. You guys just weren't paying attention," Mike said, slightly embarrassed.
John and Jenny then noticed a large rules board hanging in the center of the hall. They had just been too distracted by the rings earlier. Matthew, of course, couldn't see it at all.
"So, we head to Arena One," Mike led the way.
"Stop right there!" At the entrance to the higher-tier arenas, two large armed men blocked their path. John and the others tensed. Had they been discovered so soon?
"Pay the fee," the guard barked.
It was a house rule to prevent "poor ghosts" from loitering in the high-stakes areas just to watch without betting.
"Phew~" John let out a breath of relief. Remembering the rules board, he pulled out money and handed it over.
"Heh... you even brought a little girl. Planning to sell her for betting money?" the guard sneered.
"No. Just letting the kid see what the real world is like. Toughen her up," Matthew said quickly, picking Jenny up. He knew about Jenny's short fuse; if she got angry, they'd be exposed instantly.
"Seeing the world? Careful she doesn't pee her pants." The guard stepped aside to let them through.
"Say that again!"
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