Ini ran into the district headquarters and headed for the commander's office.
"Commander, the library is under attack," he said, barging into the office. "Vice-captain Fadau is already at the scene. He told me to inform you," Ini continued and closed the door.
"What?!" the commander yelled angrily and slammed the table. "Call Captain Dapo and go there now. Attacking the Usumi Library is an attack on Sanemi itself. The grand commander must hear about this," the commander instructed.
"Yes, sir," Ini said, bowed, and left the office. He informed Dapo of the attack and what he had seen. Dapo was said to be the strongest captain of the Usumi District. He was quite meticulous and coolheaded.
"Let's go," Dapo commanded, as they headed out of the headquarter.
On arrival at the library, most of the library walls had crumbled leaving only a small part of it. Aside from the lifeless bodies of the guards that filled the floor, it appeared that some civilians had been caught in the rumble.
Everywhere had scattered and the place was quiet. The library personnel had escaped to safety. Pieces of the wall were still falling. Dapo and Ini went up to the upper floors after they had examined the lower floors.
"Oh my. A fight must have ensued here. Ini, check around to find any clues," Dapo instructed.
Suddenly, a rumbling sound came from the edge of the floor. Ini moved closer to where the sound came from and he found a body as it tried to come out of the rumble. Large pieces of the wall had crumbled on the body.
Ini moved the pieces away one at a time till he could reach for the hand of the body. He took the body's hand and lifted it.
"Vice-captain Fadau!" Ini screamed. "Are you okay?" Ini asked as he examined Fadau's body. Fadau had suffered a lot of bruises and was bleeding from the left side of his stomach.
"I'm okay," Fadau struggled to reply.
"You are not okay but can you tell me who got you into this state?" Dapo asked. He had come as soon as he heard Ini scream.
"He used a black box as an explosive and I saw him leave with a green parcel before he escaped," Fadau answered and coughed.
"We need to get him treated," Ini said concerned at Fadau's condition.
"Take him to the hospital. I will report what happened here to the commander. You can go," Dapo instructed. Immediately, Ini carried Fadau and used his special technique to transport him to the hospital.
Dapo waited for a while to examine the library. He checked through each of the shelves. Then, he figured that a shelf was missing one of its content. He noted the shelf's location and checked the library's shelf catalogue. After he had figured out what had been stolen, he went to report to the commander immediately.
"Sir, I discovered why the library was attacked," Dapo reported. "The Toriba Mine's Map was the only thing missing from the library's shelf," Dapo continued.
"Hmm. Does Toriba not lie between Saikyu and Usumi? This is beyond our jurisdiction," the commander noted on his seat with his right thumb on his chin and his head slightly tilted to the right.
After a brief silence, he snapped his fingers and came to a decision.
"Since it's that way, it will be a joint mission. Take Ini with you to the Saikyu district. Inform her clearly of what happened," the commander instructed.
"Yes, sir. We'll do well to relay your message as well as complete the mission," Dapo said, bowed, and left the office. He went straight to the hospital where he relayed the commander's instruction to Ini. After a few hours of packing, they set out for the Saikyu district.
At about some minutes before Ini and Dapo arrived at the library, the young man arrived at the rendezvous point.
"Why did it take you so much time?" the woman asked sternly.
"I ran into a warrior that time. Don't worry, he was no match for me," the young man replied.
"Well, yeah. Since you are here alive and unscarred. So, do you have it?" the woman sighed, then asked.
The young man took out a green parcel and pointed it at the woman. The woman collected it and unwrapped the parcel as she revealed its content.
"The map of Toriba Mine. Hahaha," she said and laughed hysterically. "Let's go. We have a mission to complete," she said sternly.
"Yes, ma'am," the young boy replied. Then, the woman gestured for the young man to hold him and in the blink of an eye, she teleported both of them.
Ini and Dapo boarded the ship to the Saikyu ship terminal and completed the journey on foot. The journey lasted for five days before they reached the Saikyu district headquarters. It took them three days to reach the ship terminal and another two days to reach the district headquarters from the ship terminal. Without the ship, they would spend ten days before they reach the ship terminal for Saikyu. They arrived at the headquarters late at night.
On arrival at the headquarters, Jumoke welcomed the two visitors and invited them to her office.
"It's good to have you guys here. Have a seat," Jumoke said and gestured for them as she took her seat.
"Thank you, ma'am," Dapo appreciated as they both took their seats facing Jumoke.
"So, let's cut to the chase. What brings you here?" Jumoke asked.
"The Usumi library was attacked a couple of days ago but the main thing is what was stolen: The Map of Toriba's Mine. Our commander requests your support since Toriba lies between Usumi and Saikyu," Dapo explained.
Jumoke gazed directly at Dapo as she tapped on her desk and hummed repeatedly. She often did this if she was about to make a decision. Dapo, however, did not maintain eye contact with her. Suddenly, she stopped, stood up and folded her arms while she maintained her gaze on Dapo.
"You are a captain, right?" Jumoke asked suddenly.
"Yes, ma'am," Dapo replied, as he gazed away from Jumoke.
Ini, on the other hand, examined the whole office and was fascinated by the presence of different weapons. He was more fascinated by the gold awards that sat on the shelf and the gold stars that stood beside the shelf. What capped it all for him was the shape of the commander when she stood up from her chair.
She was curvy and busty. She had black silky hair and brown-coloured eyes. Ini instantly blushed at this magnificent reveal and sank into a world of butterflies and sweet honey.
"Tell your comrade to control himself or his eyes will be fed to the vultures," Jumoke instructed with a smug expression. "Tell the receptionist to take you to your room. The mission will begin tomorrow," Jumoke concluded and sat back.
"Yes, ma'am" Dapo answered sheepishly and snapped Ini out of his thoughts. That night, Ini received a scolding before they went to bed. This, however, did little to make Ini forget Jumoke's image.
"How can she still keep her figure at that age? Don't tell me she's still that young. It's impossible," Ini thought to himself before he finally slept.
The next morning, Dapo and Ini were joined by other warriors for the mission.
"Whoa. I never thought I'd see you again," Tobi said as he hugged Ini.
"Me too. Have you been well?" Ini returned the hug.
"I have," Tobi answered. "You look so…well,"
"Hi, I am Ebun Anikulapo," Ebun introduced as she motioned a handshake to Dapo.
"Hi, I am Dapo Soji. Pleased to meet you," Dapo said as he accepted the handshake.
"I'll leave the three of them to you. I wish you good luck," Ebun stated and bowed.
"You are not coming?" Dapo inquired.
"Yes. I have another assignment I must finish," Ebun replied, bowed again, and left.
Dapo motioned for the team to come together and gave them instructions before heading for Toriba on foot. It took them three days to reach Toriba on foot. They had to rest a few times on their way.
Toriba was an area unaffiliated with either Saikyu or Usumi. Even though it relied on its resources, it was still governed under the laws of Sanemi as it is still within the country. The area is, however, not recognized as a district. The area is under the direct leadership of the King of Sanemi. Because of the distance, he appointed one of his princes, Prince Chukwu, to be in charge. This also meant that the Royal Army would be in charge of the area's police.
The five of them made entry into the area and lodged in one of the cheap inns. Tobi had suggested that they use his privilege to stay in a better inn but Dapo refused. After they had finished unpacking, Dapo called the team together and told them some things.
"We are here for a delicate mission plus we don't know when these people will attack. We will lay low and keep an eye on the mine. Got it?" Dapo instructed.
"Yes, sir!" they all echoed.
Tobi and Ini decided to take a tour around the area and see things for themselves. They took with them small bags in the case where they bought something.
"Hey. Let me join you guys," Chioma requested as she saw the two about to leave.
"Sure," Ini answered. The trio left the lodge and entered the area. They visited the market square first.
The market square was at the very centre of the area. It bustled with people. It was rowdy and noisy, and people hurried for no reason. The square was very different from the quiet residential area. There were different stalls for different kinds of goods. The people there sold a lot of agricultural produce that ranged from tubers to vegetables to fruit. Many people were crowded at the agricultural stalls while few patronized the other stalls. The other stalls sold weapons, parcels, and books.
Tobi headed for the stall that sold books. He had always loved to read books. He examined the books on the table of the stall and decided to pick one. As he grabbed the book, another hand grabbed it. He was surprised.
He looked at the hand and looked to the side to find a girl at his side.
"When did she get to my side?" Tobi thought to himself before he took another look at the girl.
"Ahh. Sorry. I didn't know you were here," the girl said as she released her hand from the book.
"Me too. You can have the book," Tobi said and smiled with his right hand on the back of his head.
"No. You have it. You went for it first, I guess," the girl responded with a smile.
"Ahh. Thank you," Tobi replied and blushed as he took the book. The girl seemed to be his age mate. She had blue eyes that beamed, blue long hair, and slender stature. She wore a brown gown that extended to her knee and a black laced sandal.
"By the way, my name is Tobi," Tobi said, as she faced the girl.
"I'm Hannah," the girl replied. "It was nice to meet you," she said and turned to leave. As she turned to leave, Tobi noticed that her countenance changed and ran after her. Chioma saw as Tobi ran and decided to follow him.
"Hannah. Wait," Tobi called out as he ran after her.
"W-What is it?" Hannah asked as she saw Tobi run toward her. Tobi closed the distance between Hannah and him oblivious of Chioma. Chioma stopped and hid in a corner.
"Hey. Do you want to read the book?" Tobi asked politely.
"I do but that was the only one available," Hannah replied as she rolled her hair strands with her index fingers.
Tobi brought out the book and moved towards Hannah. Chioma was observing everything that went on.
"Then, should we read the book together?" Tobi requested.
"Ehh. Are you sure? Aren't you busy?" Hannah as she turned to face Tobi.
"Don't worry. I still have time," Tobi said and smiled.
Hannah's eyes beamed excitedly, and she hugged Tobi to his and Chioma's surprise.
"Thank you, Tobi," she said happily.
"What the hell? Why would she hug him?" Chioma thought to her angrily. It was written on her face.
"Are you jealous?" Ini suddenly whispered into Chioma's eyes.
"What? Why would I be jealous?" Chioma retorted.
"Then, why do you look angry when she hugged him? You are jealous, aren't you?" Ini asked and chuckled.
"I am not!" she fumed and marched angrily from the place. "He never asks me to read a book with him. I should have let him be beheaded, hmph," she thought to herself as she left.
"My job here is done. Enjoy yourself, Tobi," Ini said to himself and left.
Tobi and Hannah found a place to sit to read the book together. They read the book until it was dusk. It was time for them to part ways.
"Haa. I have to leave now. It's already late," Hannah stood up and said.
"Ok. I'll see you tomorrow then," Tobi replied as he closed the book. The two of them waved each other goodbye and left for their abode.
"Ahh. Thank you," Tobi replied and blushed as he took the book. The girl seemed to be his age mate. She had blue eyes that beamed, blue long hair, and slender stature. She wore a brown gown that extended to her knee and a black laced sandal.
"By the way, my name is Tobi," Tobi said, as she faced the girl.
"I'm Hannah," the girl replied. "It was nice to meet you," she said and turned to leave. As she turned to leave, Tobi noticed that her countenance changed and ran after her. Chioma saw as Tobi ran and decided to follow him.
"Hannah. Wait," Tobi called out as he ran after her.
"W-What is it?" Hannah asked as she saw Tobi run toward her. Tobi closed the distance between Hannah and him oblivious of Chioma. Chioma stopped and hid in a corner.
"Hey. Do you want to read the book?" Tobi asked politely.
"I do but that was the only one available," Hannah replied as she rolled her hair strands with her index fingers.
Tobi brought out the book and moved towards Hannah. Chioma was observing everything that went on.
"Then, should we read the book together?" Tobi requested.
"Ehh. Are you sure? Aren't you busy?" Hannah as she turned to face Tobi.
"Don't worry. I still have time," Tobi said and smiled.
Hannah's eyes beamed excitedly, and she hugged Tobi to his and Chioma's surprise.
"Thank you, Tobi," she said happily.
"What the hell? Why would she hug him?" Chioma thought to her angrily. It was written on her face.
"Are you jealous?" Ini suddenly whispered into Chioma's eyes.
"What? Why would I be jealous?" Chioma retorted.
"Then, why do you look angry when she hugged him? You are jealous, aren't you?" Ini asked and chuckled.
"I am not!" she fumed and marched angrily from the place. "He never asks me to read a book with him. I should have let him be beheaded, hmph," she thought to herself as she left.
"My job here is done. Enjoy yourself, Tobi," Ini said to himself and left.
Tobi and Hannah found a place to sit to read the book together. They read the book until it was dusk. It was time for them to part ways.
"Haa. I have to leave now. It's already late," Hannah stood up and said.
"Ok. I'll see you tomorrow then," Tobi replied as he closed the book. The two of them waved each other goodbye and left for their abode.