Meanwhile, at the Shredder’s secret lair, Chris Bradford—martial arts celebrity and top ninja assassin—found himself staring into the jaws of an angry Akita Inu guard dog. The beast, named Hachiko, was vicious, bloodthirsty, and very hungry. And it was snarling at Bradford as though he was its dinner.

Trying to calm the dog, Bradford slowly reached out his hand. “It’s okay, Hachiko. I’m not gonna hurt you.”

But Hachiko could feel his fear. And that made Bradford an easy target. The beast clamped its jaws down on Bradford’s hand. Hard.

Sharp pain shot through Bradford’s arm, and he yanked his hand back, but the damage was already done: Hachiko had punctured the skin and drawn blood.

At that moment, a frightening yet familiar voice came booming from the shadows. “Hachiko is not pleased with you. . . .”

Bradford lowered his head in shame as the man behind that voice came closer.

“Nor am I,” the voice continued. It was Shredder! The armored ninja warlord stepped forward into the shafts of moonlight that illuminated the lair. He looked down on Bradford with great disappointment.

Fortunately for Bradford, he wasn’t the only one in the hot seat. Xever, Shredder’s other top assassin, was also on his knees being scolded.

“I entrusted you both with the task of destroying Splinter and his loathsome Turtles,” Shredder went on, marching toward his throne. He took a moment to savor his anger, then turned his attention to Bradford. “I spent years molding you in my image, teaching you my darkest secrets. And you shame me with your incompetence.”

The look of humiliation on Bradford’s face told Shredder that his words had hurt the man deeply. But Xever found it amusing. Seeing the

so-called Golden Boy of the Foot Clan get disciplined made him chuckle with glee.

“And you!” Shredder yelled, getting in Xever’s face.

“I should have left you to rot in that prison where I found

you.”

This startled Xever into silence.

Before Shredder could say another word, Bradford spoke. “The Turtles have been lucky so far, but it won’t last forever.”

Trying to save face, Xever added, “The next time we meet, I promise you—”

“Enough!” interrupted Shredder. “I am weary of your excuses.”

The ruthless lord of the Foot Clan finally took his seat on the throne, his purple cape spilling around him. Behind his metallic face mask, he glowered at Bradford and Xever. He had already given them two chances to eliminate the Turtles—and they’d failed miserably.

The time had come for him to take matters into his own hands.

“I will now destroy the Turtles myself,” snarled Shredder.