Jade took the badge, her eyes lighting up. But when she saw the bag of snacks, then the glittering golden Millennium Puzzle that Uncle had carefully put back in its box, she stuck out her lower lip.
"What? That's it?" Bitterly disappointed, she set the badge and snacks on the counter. "Uncle Jackie, you're playing favorites! That golden toy looks way more fun!"
"I told you, it's not a toy." Jackie Chan rubbed his temple and tried to change the subject. "By the way, Jade, what happened to the village? I haven't been gone that long. Why is everyone rebuilding? It looks like there was a war."
At the question, Jade's bright mood visibly faded.
She didn't answer. "I'm going to my room," she muttered, then thumped up the stairs, leaving Jackie and Uncle staring at each other.
Jackie looked at Uncle in confusion.
Uncle shrugged and bent over the ancient book and Millennium Puzzle again. "While you were gone, an organization called Nine Nether attacked the village. They specifically came for Jade. I don't know the details. You know I don't get involved in that sort of thing."
Jackie nodded thoughtfully. Quite a lot had happened in Kirigakure while he was away.
Upstairs, Jade entered her room and flopped onto her bed, burying her face in the pillow.
"What's wrong, Jade? Feeling down?" Tailmon bounded over and rubbed her head against Jade's arm.
Samehada hopped over from the other side and affectionately licked Jade's cheek, making little gurgling sounds.
"Okay, okay! That tickles." Jade laughed as Samehada licked her, then sat up. She hugged Tailmon with one arm and patted Samehada with the other. "Uncle Jackie brought back this toy, and it feels so familiar. Like I've used it before."
Tailmon tilted her head. Beneath her golden goggles, her