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Some TMNT stuff really isn't for little kids. |
Script: Stan Sakai
Pencils: Stan Sakai
Inks: Stan Sakai
Lettering: Stan Sakai
- Major characters: Leonardo, Miyamoto Usagi, Donatello, Michaelangelo, Raphael, April O'Neil, Tomoe Ame
- Originally published in: Shell Shock
- Cover date: December 1989
- Page count: 10
Synopsis
Leo is racing across the rooftops of New York, hoping to get back to April’s apartment with a fresh pizza before “The Magnificent Seven” is over. Unfortunately, he undergoes another one of the after-effects from his recent time/space adventures and finds himself zapped to the world of Usagi Yojimbo yet again.
Upon arriving, he spots his pal, Miyamoto Usagi, surrounded by a horde of Neko Ninja, demanding Usagi fork over a treaty. Leo leaps into action, much to Usagi’s surprise, scaring the Neko Ninja off (who vanish in a smoke cloud); Usagi explains to Leo that the Neko Ninja are agents of Lord Hikiji and scheme to overthrow the Shogunate. It seems that Lord Noriyuki of the Geishu Clan and Lord Fujitako of the neighboring province have been trying to negotiate peace for the following year. Lord Noriyuki has entrusted Usagi with delivering the treaty to Lord Fujitako. Lord Hikiji, however, wants to get his hands on the treaty so he can study its terms and plot a means to take advantage of them.
As they walk and talk, Leo tells Usagi about his three brothers and his Master, Splinter. He goes on to describe New York City to the perplexed rabbit, who interprets the skyscrapers as great castles and presumes that Leo, being such a great warrior, must certainly live in the tallest one of them all. The flustered Leo has to humbly explain that he and his brothers used to live in a sewer. Regardless, Usagi would like to some day visit New York. During this discussion, neither notice that they’re being followed by a mysterious woman.
Suddenly, a whirl of shuriken shower down on the pair, followed by a horde of Neko Ninja. Leo drops his pizza and a brawl ensues. The battle is cut short when a Neko Ninja grabs the mysterious woman and holds a sword to her neck, demanding Usagi fork over the treaty in exchange for her life. Reluctantly, Usagi hands it over and the Neko Ninja vanish in a cloud of smoke. Leo insists they can still catch the ninja, but Usagi casually tells him not to worry. The mysterious woman then removes her hat to reveal that she is Tomoe Ame, Chief Retainer of Lord Noriyuki and a good friend of Usagi’s. It turns out that Usagi was carrying a decoy all along and that Tomoe actually holds the genuine treaty.
As Leo wraps his head around this, Tomoe picks up his trampled pizza box, disgusted by the quality of the contents within. Taking the pizza, Leo attempts to explain that normally it’s very appetizing, but before he can finish, the time/space effects wear off and he vanishes. Usagi remarks how much he hates it when Leo does that, while Tomoe informs him that he has very strange friends.
Back in April’s apartment, the Turtles are a bit ticked that Leo’s taking so long with the pizza. Suddenly, he comes smashing through the window and lands face-first on the floor. Not only has he missed the entire movie and ruined the pizza, but now he’s broken April’s window. Leo tries to explain about the samurai rabbit to April, but once again, no one will believe him.
Trivia
- Leonardo makes reference to his past two meetings with Usagi, in Turtle Soup and Rabbit Stew and The Crossing respectively.
- Leo last met Usagi in Usagi Yojimbo (Vol. 1) #10. They will meet again in Usagi Yojimbo (Vol. 2) #1.
- For unknown reasons, "The Treaty" was originally skipped by Fantagraphics during their graphic novel collection series of Usagi Yojimbo issues. It was not reprinted until 2010, where its inclusion in the Usagi Yojimbo Special Edition hardcover collection was given special acknowledgement.