[Cha 1 Location] Lucky Tiger Casino

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

Kirinji’s glimpse over toward Ko was just that, a glimpse. A glance over toward the neck of Ko gave Kirinji insight that’d allow for him to predict the movements of the man and in turn aid him. As soon as Ko lunged into the air, Kirinji’s crimson optics reverted back toward the Old Man. He didn’t really expect that he could escape the exceptional clarity the Sharingan afforded him, did he? Kirinji could see him clear as daylight in the earth column. Not only that, but he could break down the fundamental nature and structure of the technique, even copy it if he could with the use of the Sharingan, and create a few hypotheses of what attributes the techniques granted the Old Man. Kirinji’s eyebrows furrowed as he concentrated more, his eyes flickering as if he had been hit with an overwhelming amount of data and he was ciphering through all of it. By the time the man had entered into the column, Kirinji had crunched a few possible explanations for such. Albeit, the outcome remained the same, which was that the technique afforded the user certain ghost-like attributes.

It was safe to say the initial wave of pressure caught him off-guard. It more than likely caught all of them off-guard as both Kirinji and Ko became victims to it. However, Kirinji was quick to recover after the initial wave of pressure. The battle hardened Uchiha had enough strength to resist the wave of pressure, but the next wave became trivial once he burst yang through his body momentarily, which allowed him to sharpen his body to an extent where he was invigorated by vitality. He stood there unphased by the second wave of pressure as he glanced over at his allies quickly and reverted his crimson optics back onto the Old Man. Kirinji didn’t portray any energy that may seem as hostile, really he rather just stood there staring at the man. And then without a moment's notice, Ko emerged from behind Oda wearing a Vermillion colored mask. Kirinji didn’t react, didn’t even try to make eye contact with Ko so nothing would give him away. But he did get an eerie feeling down his spine. There was no sense of disturbance in the air whatsoever, no chakra, no life force—not even a cut from the wind. It reminded him of all the times he had fought against Izanagi, never a speck of actually existing, but clearly in front of him.

Kirinji didn’t jump into the assault and rather only observed from a distance. He was an individual that wasn’t certain jumping into close quarter combat without data, especially around these parts. Kirinji made the mistake earlier at the temple with the green haired man and he didn’t plan on making it again. Most Oni he has encountered in his career thus far have all been hellishly powerful in strength. But Ko had a good plan. Something useful to counter powerful individuals. Kirinji’s crimson eyes analyzed the dense black chakra as he broke down its properties. He could tell that the makeup of the chakra was poison, but not much further than that. Had the attacks landed Kirinji would wait until Ko had stopped, crouched in a low animal like stance before striking a conversation with the Old Man. Had they not landed, would depend on how Oda would respond. If he were to simply dodge the attack and relocate himself, Kirinji would aim to talk to the man. However, had the Old Man countered and put Ko in a compromising position, Kirinji would be ready to jump in and assist.

Kirinji looked over at his teammates who had been impacted by the pressure of chakra and then back at the Old Man, trying to analyze his age, his physique, and lastly how he had responded to their initial attack. It was clear that this man before them had seen combat—perhaps even at the highest level. And that taking him down would be no trivial task. He was dangerous and he hadn’t even gotten started. But he seemed like a man of reason. This was one of Kirinji’s problems—believing that everything can be reasoned out in a logical fashion without emotion. It was why he would aim to strike a conversation, hoping that the man would be reasonable. And plus, if this battle was to be prolonged, one of them would certainly die. It wasn’t that Kirinji didn’t have faith in the others, but why risk one’s life if the casualties could be avoided?

”Look.” Kirinji spoke up trying to grab everyone's attention. His voice was calm and his body language showed no signs of hostile intention. ”We have some information that needs to be delivered to a very important individual. And the only way we can get that information to that individual is if Ka-” He was quick to catch himself, not sure whether or not Kami no Shi would like his real name being out in the public. Or maybe it already was. Nonetheless, the last thing he needed was Kami no Shi coming to end him because his name was out in the public. ”Genichiro. Is if Genichiro opens the gates for us. He said we had to fight, but he never said we had to win.” The crowd began to boo in outrage at this point, understanding where the Uchiha was taking this. ”How about we just call this a stalemate and go our separate ways. What do you say?”

The Uchiha smiled with his arms out in front of his stomach, his palms facing the man as he waited for the Old Man’s response. It was a longshot, especially since the opposer held all the cards, but perhaps he understood the cruciality of their objective.

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

It was at the moment that Sentou’s chakra would be released into the atmosphere to create a massive shift in the air that he would be met with an overwhelming force from above. Caught off guard, believing his jutsu had either backfired or had been used against them, the Kenzai male had no other choice but to succumb to the weight of whatever invisible mass had been thrown their way. A displeased grunt would leave his lips as he was forced to his knees, a discomforting sensation it was to involuntarily bang one’s knee against a hard surface such as cobblestone, ”F-fuck!” Confusion soon fueled the boy’s anger as he reared his head upwards with a fiery glare directed in the last location of their opponent. There was enough time for Sentou to witness Ko’s body descending from the sky towards the stone column before the young male was once affected by the second wave of pressure. Despite the effects of the pressure not being everlasting, there was still enough weight behind the attack to jerk Sentou’s body although he wouldn’t completely fold under its authority.

As the sensation of pressure was lifted from the boy’s body he would slowly begin to lift himself from the asphalt with that same look in his eyes at the old man who stepped out from behind the column. He looked so smug about what it was he had done, it downright pissed Sentou off. There was denying that this man had seen many of what battle had to offer, that much was a fact from how the old man appeared to be doing nothing more than playing with his food. He could have easily killed them all - one by one if not altogether- but he didn’t, was he looking down on them? Having finally made it to his feet, Sentou would readjust the fabric around his head before taking a step forward, nothing more than a simple step as a concealed smile pulled at the corners of his lips.

Down but not out, Ko reappeared behind the old man donning a mask, something he had never seen before. In the attempt to deliver some harsh blows at the male’s back, Sentou simply watched as he knew absolutely nothing about Ko other than the guy seemed like a hot head. Regardless, one of their own was currently in close combat with their adversary, it would be wise to capitalize on the moment, right? He thought, but as he turned his gaze to his teammates at his side, he could see Kirinji may have had something else in mind. Sentou wasn’t a mind reader though, but perhaps he was analyzing the battle? If Sentou knew anything of those wielding the Sharingan, they were incredible at perceiving things others would generally overlook. If they were going to make it out of this situation, he would have to put his faith in the effort of others. Had Oda chosen to retaliate and fight Ko, Sentou wouldn’t hesitate to jump into the fray, however, had the Oda Lord stopped to hear out Kiriniji the boy would only look towards his new comrade. So that was the reason they were fighting for? They were running errands as couriers? The theme of their opponent seemed a little out of place, who exactly were they trying to get information to? It was then that it started to click with Sentou, there was a high chance they were talking about Izanagi. The Kenzai child grit his teeth and the thought of the so called king of Naraka, he had always wondered what it was he would do, what he’d say when he came face to face with him. If the road to Izanagi was through this old man, Sentou wouldn’t let anything come in the way between him and his late mentor’s brother.

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

Kasami was just beginning to stand from summoning her wooden barrier and adding the seals to it when the pressure hit. Her legs buckled before they’d even straightened out fully, taking her back down into a crouched position on the first wave. The second made her hit the floor completely, falling back onto her rear. She managed to catch herself with her hands before it laid her out completely, grunting as she was assaulted by unseen forces. There was no question their opponent was going to be difficult to subdue and it made her wonder if she should take a different approach. Did they have to win the fight? But would Kami be satisfied if they talked their way out of it and there was no fighting? That’s what his crowd wanted.

As the pressure let up, she readjusted to sitting with the bottoms of her feet pressed together and her hands touching the floor in the open space between her thighs. She pursed her lips for a moment, watching Ko and the others. Her rinnegan twitched behind the white silk, almost as if it wanted to be freed from its dark prison. Only seeing with one eye gave her a blind spot and she’d never really noticed that kind of thing happened until that moment. It gave her a bit more respect for people with bad eyesight or lacking in other senses of it.

Her mind had drifted as she considered their options, not one to fool with fire when she knew she’d get burned. This man was too strong to fight and come out unscathed. But just as she was deciding on whether or not talking out of it would get them passage still and Hitoko’s freedom, Kirinji interrupted her thoughts. It seemed he had the same idea, a small smile pulling at her lips. Sometimes she didn’t approve of things he did but others their actions fell in line with one another and worked out for the better.

Shifting around again, she got to her feet and brushed herself off of invisible dirt. Crossing her arms as she stood in the background of Kirinji while he spoke for them as a team.

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

~Hitoko Okami-Uchiha~

As Hitoko's legs were reaching the limit of how long she could stand for, for now...she was snatched up into the arms of Sakuya. It seemed like a mere second had passed since the man had spoken to Hitoko and his tone made her flinch. Not because she felt as though she were being scolded, no no. Hitoko was a troublemaker and always had been. Scolding tones were apart of her life. It was the pain in his tone that made her heart wince in a way that it brought tears to the corners of Hitoko's eyes that slightly glistened.

One of Hitoko's arms was gripped around the back of Sakuya's neck while the other was in a half reach toward the man, sparks of blue illuminating Hitoko's vision. Though her voice was low and soft, she hoped that the man would be able to hear her "Come with me...!" Hitoko was so pained by his voice that she so desperately wanted to shelter and help him. Perhaps it was the nature that she claimed from her mother but Hitoko's heart told her to help and shield this man from whatever ailed him. Maybe she couldn't no matter how much she wanted to. It might be impossible, but what good is not trying?

Before she knew it, Sakuya had yelled 'hold on' and bolted with Hitoko in arms. Hito wrapped her other arm over Sakuya's other shoulder and turned her head to watch behind them. She caught a glimpse of colours for a second and shook her head because the moment her eyes caught the colours, her vison blurred which led her to believe she could have been hallucinating. When her eyes cleared up, the destructive spiral was so close to the two that Hitoko flinched as if she had just been jump scared. The blast was chasing them as if they were criminals and as such, Hitoko panicked and looked forward, flinging her arm out and extending her index finger toward a door "Just go through that one! Behind the door surely can't be as bad as what's chasing us right now!" It was obvious that Hitoko was slightly panicked. It wasn't that she didn't trust Sakuya - It was that she could perhaps die without having a conversation with her husband after being apart for months on end.

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

Cowardice and survivability are often paired with each other. Live to fight another day. Why? What did it matter if they lived or died? What did it matter if he lived or died? He did not consider himself shinobi, or samurai….or any other title given to classify or separate himself into a group that missed the bigger picture. He considered himself a warrior, and in fact weak. For a true warrior would have no use for a weapon, or weaponized ninjutsu. A true warrior’s weapon, was his body alone. Yet, in failure to meet the expectations of himself, it was that same warrior ideology that gave him strength and survivability. A warrior would face any obstacle head on, and yet they did not. That boy, the aggressive spiraling runt that had been brought down by commandment, showed his true colors. There was nothing different from him than anyone else he had faced in the past. As a moment of opportunity presented itself he would do anything possible to grasp, clench, and squeeze opportunity unnecessarily in order to complete the mission. The eagerness of the youth; he had been there, but the boy would not suffer the same fate as he did. Nothing was disturbed, there was no chakra, no source of energy, and no sense of observation. That in itself, a redundant trait he had come across, but a futile attempt to gain an advantage in yearning for succession. As long as Oda had fought, the majority of his opponents had tried to defeat him by going for his back. He expected this out of the Uchiha male, but unexpectedly it had come from the smaller aggressor who was met with what he desired; contact. The attack in which should’ve sounded like a clap, would astonishingly end up sounding like a thud. A sound usually created when a moving force comes into contact with an object that will not budge. There was clearly something off, but not just with the boy. That change was obvious, for the change in his presence went away rather quickly during his assault. In the words of his teacher, “did they see it?” Of course they didn’t, even the the scarlet eyed shinobi had no visual indication of the sort. In actuality, it was something that couldn’t be sensed until the very last moment depending on utilization in a similar fashion to the surprise attack. In this case, it was defense.

Previously stated, anything could happen for as long as he will it. But perhaps, a misdirection to the possibilities of what could happen. Since birth Oda was always a determined and strong willed individual. His will later manifested into two creations resembling that of the bodhissatva Nio. Most likely, due to his physical characteristics, they appear as aids in battle, as well as his failsafe. In this specific instance, not a single one was used, allowing it to appear as a physical manifestation when triggered by the close proximity of danger. As if it were a clad of armor, it appeared as if it was slightly engulfed around him in order to block the first initial attack. Nothing but a little space was given to Oda. It could’ve appeared towering, but to the scarlet-eyed male all he would see is a split moment of an unknown manifestation to what could be considered nothing more a long blink. Just enough time to block the attack, before something unusual happened. The male walked forward…”Hmm…there is something unusual about you boy.” Directed to the one who planned the sneak attack. ”But there is something more peculiar about you.”. And this sentence, was directed to the Uchiha. There was something about him that caught the older looking man’s interest. And he expressed it.

”To be able to end a battle without the need of weapons shows great strength. That is one of my goals. You haven’t reached it either, but your effort is commendable…Release.” Without the aid of the bokken he walked off carrying it in his right hand while creating a single seal with his left. The ogre drifted back to the cave, ceasing what could’ve been. ”I’ll be around. When you get stronger come see me. You guys lack the strength and awareness.”. There was no reaction from the crowd, everything remained silent. As if they were shocked, but in actuality, it was nothing more than the feeling of being inferior that kept them at bay. As the power of his voice weakened with distance, he disappeared back to the doors before they closed behind him.

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

=That was it. With that all illusions of any kind whether that be of the manner of genjutsu, illusions that combat against this man would end in anything more then grueling defeat or the illusion that fate in the matter of the battle could be changed - it ended right then and there. "Release" the man said, and with that the reality of what was came to pass - the man refering to Ko as unusual but Kirinji even more so. Light blue tank top was now its actual color, black - not as it were in the midst of Kirinji's genjutsu, and there was no longer a mask upon his face though...he was very well capable of it. Kirinji being the architect of the genjutsu attempted only he would know the contents of the genjutsu itself, but it was apparent that it was not to fruition against the aberration of physical force before them. Mayhap there was an influence about, that revealed the mask in a means to communicate something to the man? Who knew? Certainly not ko non the wiser that it was even revealed to him. Though there was something else here that was not revealed to him. As Ko stood there when the man released, Ko would be standing off to the side having not even gone straight in head strong against the man, no instead he was there a bit off to Kirinji's side standing upright, right shoulder rolled back behind him a bit and arm long as if concealing something he stole. There at the end of his hand, just where the thumb rolled down into the wrist there was an ominous chakra gathered at his hand. He had a very serious look upon his face but the entire time that they talked Ko simply stood there watching the man, almost as if guarding in some way - but you could tell that he was watching Kirinji's back just in case him trying to talk this through with words did not work. But as it occured....it did? Or maybe it didnt. Perhaps the man had decided already that he had enough of the intro to combat. He had begun to recoil back behind the doors - and all the while Ko did not budge or show any of the surprise that was in his chest, on his face. Soon the doors closed, and he let his arm relax - the chakra and Gedou mark subsiding from his hand as he did such He looked between everyone, and grit his teeth a bit looking around the crowd - he wasnt sure what to make of anything that had happened. Is this a win? Technically they were the "last ones standing" at least in perspective of who were in the ring. He wasnt going to complain at all - he had stepped back into that ANBU mind set of his. The objective was survival, and that guy as an opponent was a big threat to that very goal. Now that he had went back - it was no skin off his nose that this be the means in which that objective was secured. The next was getting to Izanagi, but he wasnt sure whether this would throw a wrench in those plans or not. Thinking on just that little tid bit he looked around realizing that Genichiro was nowhere to be found. At first he didnt pay it much mind due to the situation that was at hand but now it was pretty obvious. He quickly turned and looked at everyone: "We should probably get moving. No telling wh-"

....Then - there was a sudden disturbence...

=The moment that he said that there was a loud crash that shook the entire arena. Suddenly rubble and dust formed from the ceiling and spray over the crowd and arena enveloping everything in a thick blanket of dust and rubble. There was a loud screeching sound and an odd imitation of an Owl coming from the debris as it fell, and soon from no where the owl would slam down into the arena and from it would spew a figure. The Owl seemed hostile towards it and more so when noticing the others in the arena where it went to take flight, hovering there a moment before finally flapping its wings in one solid and strong gust releasing several bombs from its hatch ports along the wings. six of the eight rolled towards the small crater in the floor the figure was ejected into but the other two would go towards the current party of the group. With that done and said the owl would shoot up into the air, zipping through the hole in the ceiling only to be crossed by Genichiro. Using Hadami style - as the man descended in a moonsault from the hole and passed the Owl that was making its way to flee, he held his hand up and a burst of lava erupted from it, firing out to lash at the tail end of the gigantic Owl to no avail. He landed in the arena with grace, and very lightly for someone falling from his height and had a very displeased look upon his face as he watched the Owl flee through what must have been the skylight of the tower: "Son of a bitch, I guarantee you're gonna pay for that shit." =He was very obviously upset about the destruction to his property as well as the new breach in his external security now that the skylight was busted. That being said he looked about, looking at the conjoinment of his guests with a somewhat questionable brow raise at Sentou, whom he'd not met, as well as Ko. But then his eyes went to the bombs - and suddenly down at the spot where most the bombs went, at this mystery figure that had joined them: "Um....is there a fucking reason you are about to REIMAGINE THE TERM HOME IMPROVEMENT!?" he screamed nearly at the top of his lungs in reference to the amount of bombs that were here in the arena along with the destruction that had already been wrought. The man was obviously aside himself about damages and security concerns....but they were the least of his problems.

[sub]((Meanwhile with the girls))[/sub]

=It was like some kind of weird dream. This hallway was so dark and oddly lit by the red lightning and here she was running through a corridor that seemed to stretch as far as her legs would ever take her. She ran with desperation - not very often that she ever met something that could keep up with her that wasnt Kiyoshi or her past; the urgency was obvious in her face the way that she strained and grit her teeth till finally the girl in her arms spoke the exact thoughts that were in her head. She had been sizing up and trying to take a guess this whole time but the fact of the matter was - she was right. Anywhere would be better then being chased down here by a homicidal burst of...whatever this was. As she pointed to the door Sakuya dipped her head and leaned forward using her body weight to give incentive to her moment to be carried forward and she bullcharged straight into the door only to come out on the other side in a weirdly shaped corridor...man this place was full of them. She wasnt going to play the fool - not sure whether or not her coming out here would include that it too could come out here. She kept running as fast as she was and to the party of the newly found area this would look as if a bright pink burst of lightning just shot into the area. To her, everything was moving slow as it possibly could, and she could see it all in great clarity. First the hall, then as she emerged - towers and hills of seats in rows on her left and right, a gate in front of her - the ceiling burst and there was chunk of rock everywhere, dust and rubble snow from the ceiling and as she burst through the gate she was met with the blue, white, and red heads of . . . . Kirinji? Kasami? Ko? They were here? She glanced behind her and something must have happened as the burst hit the door - maybe it didnt agree. It had not chased her through but it did detonate when it met the threshold; a large burst of an explosion now cascading out from the corridor sending the crowd fleeing and in an uproar as if the place had just been attacked...which may have not been too far off. She came through the gates and quickly spoke to those around the vicinity of the gateway, which would be all of team 3, with the crator in the middle, and Genichiro on the opposite side of it. "Heyyeahnicereuniontheresahomicidalmassofdestructionburstingoutbehindmegetdown!" She said this very, very fast as she was still very urgent to get Hitoko out of the way as well, as she went into the arena she would take a sharp and quick turn to the right to get herself off to the side and out of range of the blast, and she would then kneel down - covering Hitoko with her body to make sure any debris or otherwise wouldnt hit her as everything around them seemed to be just either coming down, or blowing up one way or another. This....was probably not the show people paid tickets to see.=

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

Any other time, he would’ve been amused. However, this time, his expression clearly lacked amusement. His facial expression has not changed from that lifeless expression. His crimson eyes gleamed with immense hatred toward the man, even though he didn’t know him. Funny how combat makes one feel toward another. The smug old man saw through the genjutsu and, upon release, everything faded away and turned into reality. Shirts colors and ribbons reverted back to their original colors and Sentou’s headscarf remained around him. Kirinji had surely thought that the battle was going to continue, even Ko thought so as he charged something up near him. But much to his surprise, and the others, that was far from the case. The Old Man instead retreated back through the doors but left them with food for thought: “To be able to end a battle without the need of weapons shows great strength. That is one of my goals. You haven’t reached it either, but your effort is commendable.” An interesting goal and one that only Kirinji could hypothesize what he meant. It reminded him of the stories when Izanagi had arrived at whichever battlefield a War was taking place—and ended it upon arrival. Not only that, but Kirinji would pass Izanagi inciting wars with that silver tongue of his. Is that what the Old Man was talking about? To be able to end a battle without the need of a weapon. Unrealizing, it had become one of Kirinji’s goals as well. Influence. Respect. Fear. Whatever it was that got the job done.

Kirinji’s Mangekyō Sharingan downgraded into the crimson three-tomeo optics, glistening ever so lightly. The Salesman he had met previously was right. This casino, this place, Kagetsuchi—it was far more dangerous than he’d like to admit. So when Ko suggested that they head out of here, he looked over at him and nodded in agreement before being interrupted midway. An owl crashed through the ceiling? Kirinji's puzzled expression was clearly evident as debris and rubble fell from the roof, yet he stood his ground as none immediately would cause any damage to him. “It really keeps getting weirder and weirder, doesn’t it?” Something was tossed down onto the arena floor and upon impact caused a crater, Kirinji shrouded himself from the loose rock and debris by shielding himself with his bandaged arm. He glanced up immediately toward the Owl and noted Kami no Shi combating against it along with six bombs that were released from a hatch port, clearly signaling that it was not a normal Owl, but perhaps a puppet. However, that was the least of his concerns, as bombs were sent down toward them. Unfortunately, that was not all of it, but he’d trust his teammates to handle that.

It was always one thing after another.

Branded on the back of Hitoko was a Flying Thunder God and attached to the seal was a part of his consciousness that allowed to track a magnitude of things. Just as now he could tell that the two, Sakuya and Hitoko, were dashing toward them at an incredible rate. Something was chasing them, something of cataclysmic proportion. So immediately as the Owl had left, he checked in with the seal placed on Hitoko, nervous that she could potentially be in trouble. His eyes fixated themselves upon the corridor that they were going to come out of as he crouched with his hands hovering above the ground, inches away from touching. He had to time this perfectly. Too early, they’d die. Too slow, the attack would make it out. Factoring in the time that Sakuya was moving made it even difficult, but he had no choice. Just before Sakuya shot out like a cannonball from the corridor, he got a glimpse of her ever so slightly moving. His acute visual perception gave him the ever-so little data he required before his hands slammed down onto the ground. Immediately a Rashōmon gate rocketed through the ground. The timing was so perfect that as Sakuya made her final stride and her back foot was coming up and forward, the Rashōmon Gate was coming up. The speed at which it ejected itself was amazing and the height at which it grew was enough to induce Kami no Shi with a heart attack, but it stopped just before the ceiling, not adding any additional damage to the building. However, the attack landing on the Rashōmon Gate would cause an explosion in that area reducing the whole corridor and everything surrounding it to ash, causing it to collapse on itself. Better the building than them.

Once Kirinji knew his team was safe, he disappeared only to materialize beside Sakuya crouched down. He didn’t care about whatever it was that had landed in the arena, his only concern was his wife. His arms opened toward her signaling that he’d carry Hitoko now. His eyes became wet as they fixated upon Hitoko. She wouldn’t be able to tell, but only moments ago they were consumed by hatred. However, when he saw her, the darkness yielded to her light. She was his light. Kirinji waited for the pink-haired woman to transfer Hitoko to his arms and for a moment he stared at her, holding her tightly. Perhaps even a little too tightly as he tried to fight back his tears. His only resort was to distract himself momentarily, but as he spoke once could tell how choked up he was. His words directed toward Sakuya as he tried to utmost to calmly speak to her.

”Thank you. How is her condition?”

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

Kasami had started to move after the fight had begun, but Kirinji had caught her attention and told her not to move. Genjutsu were something she understood to an academy level degree, but even she had missed what exactly initiated it against the old man. Standing several feet away from all of them, she simply stood there and waited- watching. Like everyone else, part of her expected the fight to continue after he’d released himself, but all he did was leave. He expressed interest in the Uchiha among them and retreated behind the same door he’d come out of. She was left standing there kind of surprised and confused. It had been that easy, but would that be good enough for Genichiro to get them passage? And why was the crowd so... quiet?

A hole erupted in the ceiling as Ko was saying they should leave, always the timing that made their situations ironic. Debris was spewed all across the room and their sight slowly started to become clouded as dust filled the air. She focused all her attention to the owl that came down into the room and was able to see the person that it dropped fall to the ground and form a crater. Had to have been a heavy person to do that...

Her eyes narrowed, squinting as she watched and when the hatch opened to release the bombs she was quick in action. ”Sentou, the bombs!” Her footsteps followed, cursing quietly as she stepped on small rocks and rubble with her bare feet. She hopped down into the crater with whoever had been dropped, and assuming Sentou reacted fast enough to blow the bombs back up through the hole the owl had come from as soon as he’d seen them, made a singular hand seal that created a wooden barrier overhead from them, protecting them from the debris and the explosions. She had time to look at who was in the crater, eyes widening when she realized it was Eiji- and he was in bad shape too, unconscious even.

——

Everything was said and done. Everything had gotten taken care of, and the rubble was falling in small pieces now. Kasami took Eiji’s hand and pulled his arm across her shoulders, supporting his weight nearly effortlessly upon her back as she got them out of the small crater and up onto solid ground. It had been just in time to see the emotional reunion of Kirinji and Hitoko, which left Kasami feeling a little... bittersweet. They’d lost something... but at least they had each other. Right now she just had to worry about Eiji, getting him sat down against the wall of the arena so she could check him over, crouched down next to him. She was not experienced at all in medical ninjutsu so she was kind of at a loss, clearing her throat loudly. It echoed in the empty space, hopefully catching everyone’s attention. ”Does anyone have medical experience here?” Thankfully two among them would, but she was sure Kirinji wouldn’t let go of Hitoko if Sakuya could handle it.

She backed off to let whoever chose to do the work they needed and stood there for a moment in silence trying to remember where she’d left her haori. Her eyes scanned a moment until it came back to her and she walked over to the spot quietly, crouching down to clear away some debris to pick the gift up and put it over her.

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

As the genjutsu was released and the veil of illusions came to realization, Sentou simply stood there with his scarf wrapped tight around his head and concealing his facial features still. His eyes were drawn towards the older male, teeth gritting under immense pressure as he prepared himself for a serious confrontation - to see through the tactic of their Uchiha companion definitely deserved praise as Sentou personally knew what such members of the Uchiha clan were capable of. He was sure that the battle was going to resume, and just as Sentou noticed Ko was in the midst of gathering chakra for an attack he would do the same, that was until the male turned his back and proceeded to exit out of the door in which he came. ”What, you can’t be serious. That’s it!?” Sentou exclaimed in frustration watching as the doors firmly shut behind the old man as he left the stage of conflict.

He had gotten himself so worked up, anticipating a battle for survival, however it was all for nought. A tensed sigh escaped his lips as he was honestly relieved, but despite that, deep down an urge for violence continued to burn in the pit of his stomach as if it were no longer capable of being contained. Hoping to gain some sense of closure from his allies, Sentou looked over just in time to see Ko mention they should get going only for his words to be cut off by the distracting sound of the roof above them caving in, and with it an Owl that came rocketing at the floor below. The impact created as it crashed into the ground not only produced a crater, but also forced the imitation to regurgitate the image of a man prior to taking back to the skies with a screech. In Spite of Sentou’s curiosity towards who had been expelled, he was more curious about the creature that appeared to be more of a puppet than anything. Just as the monstrosity began to flap its large wings, Sentou noticed hidden compartments beginning to open and from its massive wingbeat came eight bombs that flew in the group’s general location. ”Sentou, the bombs! Kasami’s voice cried out although the young lotus warrior in training was already in motion of weaving the same signs as his illusive doppelganger in hopes of ensuring the well being of everyone present.

”Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!

Initiating the jutsu once more, albeit in the real world this time, Sentou would manipulate the air flow in their immediate vicinity and with the added effort of shape manipulation create a massive expulsion of wind that took the form of a funnel serving to act much like a ventilation shaft vacuuming the bombs from one end and leading them back out the other end through the hole in the ceiling in an attempt to not only subdue the fleeing owl in which they came from but also mitigate as much destruction as he possibly could. To utilize such a jutsu, while on top of maintaining precise control over the manipulating of its shape, Sentou had give his undivided attention and so was unaware of the lord of the pitt had jumped down to attack the owl as well, or even shout about the reimaging of home improving, until he was confident that all eight bombs were dealt before releasing the hand seal of Ram.

”Just what the hell was that about?” he mumbled to himself, his eyes glued to the ceiling until the panicked words of a woman bolting into the arena caught his attention. Diverting his attention from the ceiling to the newcomer, he noticed she was in full sprint while carrying another in her arms. What was happening? She spoke so fast it was hard for him to understand her, nevertheless it didn’t matter, it seemed Kirinji was more the wiser on the situation and he clasped his hands unto the pavement and summoned what looked to be a gate bearing a demon’s face. A devastating thud could be heard from the otherside of the gate, but from what he could tell the newfound door was an immovable object and didn’t budge in the slightest. As Sentou began to look around to make sure everyone was alright, he began to account that there were four new arrivals now since the old man from before had left; he noticed that Kirinji would immediately approach the two women, the man he never met before was staring at him and Ko still, and Kasami was in the crater with whoever the owl from before had dropped off.

He didn’t have much business with the two women, he thought, it seemed Kirinji was getting choked up on his words as he asked about the well being of the girl being held, whereas the weird looks he was getting from the mysterious man was enough to make Sentou’s skin crawl so he decided to check on Kasami having heard her ask if there was anyone with medical experience. He had none, but he wanted to see if there was anything he could do to be of help. Wasting no time to come to her aid, Sentou stood at the mouth of the small crater witnessing Kasami holding an injured and unconscious Eiji, there were so many questions going through his mind as to what had happened to him, but all that mattered to him was knowing the dude was still alive and well. It was definitely starting to feel like a reunion, ”Heh, so he is alive! I’ll be damned, is he bleeding any Kasami and do you need any help out of there?” He asked, but as he attempted to reach out to extend his hand to help her, she was already hoisting Eiji’s body out of the small basin herself. Taking over for her so she could recover whatever belonging was now lost in the rubble, the young lad knelt over Eiji watching over him to check on his condition - he was definitely in bad shape it seemed. Through unraveling the cloth around his head and allowing his rather unruly hair to be free from the fabric of his turban, Sentou would look his old comrade over to ensure he wasn’t bleeding out. Just some scratches and bruises it seemed, but he definitely wasn’t a doctor or a medical shinobi so he wasn’t qualified in this field either. Shaking his head, it seemed every time he started learning answers to some questions, new questions would pop up in their place. Just what was that bird, why was Eiji with it, and why was this stranger of a man continuing to side-eye him. Was Sentou intruding? To be quite frank the child was at a loss for words and would remain quiet so it was easier for him to observe just what was unfolding with all these strangers.

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

~Hitoko Okami-Uchiha~

Hito felt a chill down her spine that was closely followed by a single bead of sweat tracing the left side of her face from her forehead to her chin. She couldn't help but think of how lucky and thankful she was that she had Sakuya with her. Hitoko knew for a fact that if she were the one to take the lead, she would have gotten them both killed at this rate because there was no way in hell that Hitoko was out running that ball of fury. Hitoko saw the desperation that was smothering Sakuya's face and she couldn't help but feel guilty. Perhaps if she had given the man different answers then they'd be safe. Perhaps...

The moment Sakuya bullcharged through the door, Hitoko looked her up and down as if a little shocked. She knew that Sakuya was insanely strong but...that poor door. Better to be trampled by Sakuya than obliterated by the thing chasing them, though. However...another corridor now stood between the two girls and safety and Hitoko let out a slightly frustrated sigh. "Remind me to put in a complaint when this is over!" The aggressive tone in her voice said that she was serious. Upon reaching a familiar face and a few unfamiliar ones, Hitoko blinked for a moment but realised now...they'd be safe. Or were they?

The ball of doom had refused to give chase and instead made Hitoko go a little blue in the face with it's need to detonate. Sakuya spoke so fast that all Hitoko could do was nod just as fast the entire time, scared to turn back and face the destructive force. Sakuya quickly began moving again, causing Hitoko's head to slightly jerk to the left as she was ill prepared. In the next moment, Hitoko was being covered by Sakuya's and instinctively she raised her arms to cover the pink-haired woman's head.

Hitoko stayed close to Sakuya for an extra minute or so, just to be safe...her eyes that were so tighly clenched and loosened and when she opened them, her husbands face had come into sight. She immediately peeled herself from Sakuya and squirmed her way over to Kirinji. She burried herself so deeply into his arms it was almost as if she'd never peel herself away, and at this moment she never wanted to. Her face nuzzled into his chest and she breathed in the familiar scent that she loved so much. She was safe.

Hitoko was tired in all honesty. The warmth of her husband's arms had made her realise that after such a horrifying...Well, week, she needed a nap. Though, she couldn't bring herself to close her eyes and drift into sleep. The place she wouldn't be able to hear her husbands voice or see his face. Hitoko moved her head for a second after hearing Kirinji ask about her condition and everything that she had just forgotten hit her like a ton of bricks. Her mouth had slightly turned downward and her bottom lip began to quiver while water built up in her eyes. So much so that she had to put her head back down so thats he could sob into her husbands shirt. It was at this point that she had come to see how much Kirinji had been there to protect her and shield her from...Everything, really. She was simply too weak. Perhaps if she were as strong as the man she idolised so much none of this would have ever happened. Though, no matter how much she wished for strength in this moment, she had no motivation to train right now or improve anything. She was just...Done. Over it all. She wanted to stay in her husbands arms and never leave. Even the woman that shouted for someone with medical expertise had caught the sobbing womans attention and caused her eyebrows to twitch a little. Hitoko was indeed a medic, and S-ranked one at that...However, she simply couldn't bring herself to get up and help and it filled her with tremendous guilt considering she had lived her life to become someone that could help and protect people.

Though, this wouldn't last for long. Hitoko would be sure to come out the other side of all this stronger, she just didn't know it yet. It was a bump in the road that must be overcome for her to proceed.

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

Darkness, a void that surrounded the consciousness and brought about the alternate reality that was known as the realm of dreams. This darkness was a place where the unconscious Eiji Sarutobi was drifting in although the world of dreams was not his destination, his destination was the area between the realm of nightmares and memories that was where this story would begin. The darkness that once surrounded Eiji would lift revealing a vivid scene as his unconsciousness collided into this area between nightmares and memories. A scene that was so vivid that anyone, in reality, would see a constant and everchanging expression upon Eiji's face. Kasami had now placed Eiji against the wall and Sentou who would have approached him at this point in time would be able to notice if he paid close enough attention to the twitching upon Eiji's face that would contort into a face of regret, depression, and pain.

What could he be seeing in his unconscious that would cause his face to contort so vividly in front of others when he tried so hard normally to act only depressed or stern. This was a face far different from his normal depression and much closer to the face of when Kasami woke him from his nightmare but this face, this face there was no fear. No, the fear was replaced by a deep and almost overwhelming sense of regret that anyone close to him (Emotionally close) would also feel without understanding why. While they were able to see this visible face filled with emotions that Eiji had either locked away or just never experienced before, he was reliving his newest and second greatest regret.

He was once more face to face with the puppeteer from the Burning Dawn within that same forest. His eyes would widen for a moment thinking this was a genjutsu but it wasn't he had come back in time or to be more accurate this dream was so vivid that he was reliving the past. He could see how everything was playing out once more from Imperious faltering to allow Eiji to run around the young man's Xanthous puppet. This was in all in vain as Eiji had fallen for his own facade wrought by another person. When getting in range of the Burning Dawn's puppeteer, Eiji would find himself stabbed by a knife covered in a poison he had no current knowledge of but one that would one day become his ace against others. The Murakumo Toxin. This would cause immense and overwhelming pain for Eiji and the Burning dawn puppeteer as well though for what reason was unknown to Eiji.

Eiji seeing the man attempting to escape would have grabbed onto the leg of his own puppet only to be swallowed by it. As he was swallowed by the owl puppet within the nightmare, Eiji's body within reality showed visible signs and the pain from the Murakumo toxin hit another extreme. He began to twitch and shake being pushed off of the wall, his hands gripping at his chest where he was stabbed as he shivered in pain. His face so full of expression that only an idiot would not be able to tell that Eiji felt like he was dying, no, no at this point he wished he could within the dream. The inside of the owl and the Murakumo toxin combined with reliving everything was both physically and psychologically torturing him and the pain only got worse as time went on.

Even worse than the pain was the fact that the longer he was in this state the more times he would have to relive this dream, relive falling for his own and most simple trap, relive failing to think things through, and worse of all relive the smug expression upon that bastard's face which he can never unseen. The expression shown throughout the fight that Eiji wasn't even prey, he was lesser. He was something that was equivalent to a toy, a thing that won't die or be destroyed till the master is done with it. At least prey has a chance to win and has value to that of the predator but a toy, no its only value is at the moment of use after that it is thrown away till it becomes interesting again.

He had sat in the darkness within the belly of the owl for such a long time that it felt like an eternity and before he could see the light of day, the pain caused Eiji to fall unconscious. Now awaiting his death by the Burning Dawn, this was how Eiji came to reunite with his team even though he did not know it and he would be reliving this dream countless times over. As such he would be enduring the pain in reality and rolling around the attempt to stop it. He knew nothing outside of this nightmare and did not even know that he was still alive. By the time the second reliving of this nightmare happened, he believed he had truly gone to hell.

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

=Sakuya had curled over Hitoko to potentially shield her from the blast. But to her surprise there was no blast incoming from the point that she had gotten there, turning to look over her head and see that such was blocked by a gigantic Rashoumon wall barricading the way. As she came to stand upright so was Genichiro landing on the ground - bouncing on his heels as he did so and ended up placed not to far aside of her and the now joining engaged couple. Sakuya handed Hitoko over without a moments hesistation and stepped around the two, looking to Genichiro with slight disdain in her eyes as he met her with a taste of his own. They had history - and the Priestess Sakuya was a sought after asset here in Naraka. On top of this there was a part of Genichiro that wondered if it would be cutting loose ends to kill everyone here and now in one fail swoop. He frowned as he contemplated his thoughts looking around at the grouping and then he thought to himself: *No...this wasn't their fault - not entirely. It was that damned burning dawn...the audacity - to attack here of all places. They'll regret that.* And with that Genichiro turned his back to the rest of them for a moment now facing the empty stands. Just the symbolism of it made him angrier by the moment - folding his arms before he started to grit his teeth a bit. It seems now he had a bit of business to handle. Hazama. Kirinji now had bad blood for him too. And if he would be tied up repairing the casino and fortifying it - then perhaps....
Genichiro was infuriated and his wrath enkindled a'new. That made Sakuya uncomfortable - as she looked over at his back turned to the rest of them and by proxy of homicidal intent was reminded of the man that had only just fired that blast off at them. She turned back in that direction looking at the destruction from the recoiled blast and how it collapsed everything behind it, including the door way - and for a moment she felt relief, he couldnt chase them if the door was collapsed in all that rubble. But soon her attention was caught off by something else entirely - being called over for a medic when Kasami had gone down inside of the crater, she saw that she was now pulling out the body of an unconcious male. She came to promptly as such was called, but not before turning and casting out a waving hand of reassurance to Kirinji saying: "Shes fine. Stable, but it will take a bit of a moment for her body to completely heal, and I advise more so for the healing of the mind." and with that she jogged over to where they had been set at over with Kasami and Sentou. She started to observe him a moment and inspect his wounds - but the moment that she got to the stab wound in his chest her eyes widened and her hand recoiled, even so much as quickly covering her mouth and gagging as she saw it - but there was nothing there out of the ordinary to prompt this. Ko took notice of that, off a few feet away from them all still next to the gate just before the Rashoumon wall he picked his jacket back up and cast it over himself. His expression and demeanor were hard to read, emotionless - and it couldnt be told if it was from apathy of any of the situations going on or just whiplash from how quickly so much was happening. The moment that Sakuya reacted as she did - his eyes were upon her, then tracing from her to Eiji, then to Eiji's wound he would ponder a moment before it spread across his lips with a slight mumble: "Yea.., I see now."
Sakuya at the time, pulled a Vajra from her jacket and started to focus her chakra to it. In doing so the way that the vajra started to glow started to form a kind of chakra like disc around her hand. From that point she hovered it over the stab wound and as she did the odd toxin, dark purple with a slight oily pink tinged over - started to be attracted into the orb-like disc where Sakuya would remove an odd ceremonial looking vial from her jackets opposite pocket, filtering it into it before she pocketed both items. After the fact she seemed taken back a bit having to catch her breath before she hesistantly focused her Hadou over the affected area of the wound. In doing so the hadou did not just heal and increase the production rate and regeneration of the cells and tissue in the area - but created new tissue itself and replaced some parts. The healing process would go fast And after the fact Eiji's chest would seem good as new through the hole in which he was stabbed where his clothes exposed it, if not a bit off color from the rest of his skin, but he certainly wasnt dying. There was only one thing to do from this point, and that was be wake the sleeping beauty. She wasnt too sure how deep Eiji was sleep - but she knew one thoing was for sure. There was no way to find out then to just go and find out. So she did the first thing that came to mind. Taking her right hand she held it over both nostrils of his nose and squeezed it, holding it there so he couldnt breath through his nose and would be forced to wake up so he could breath through his mouth. She'd sit here like this and maintain it for the moment till she saw critical issues going on with his condition. Meanwhile - Genichiro started to walk over to the middle of the arena and from there he would address everyone: "Fine. It seems like in light of the most recent events - we have reached a point that our purposes now align. You all are going to be fighting the burning dawn in all of this, and to do this - you will need my blessing to cross the checkpoint. The way I see it, with me now having my hands full with rebuilding damages and preparing for another possible attack - the only way that I can viably wrap my hand around their throat - is if I do it by extension of you."
That being said, he pulled from his inside breast pocket six silver plates, each of the cards having a amethyst engraving of a tiger upon it. These were Genichiro's Seal Of Commerce and would allow them passage through the standard checkpoints of Naraka. He slotted them all in a stack in Kirinji's pocket and as he stood there to the man he looked at Hitoko for a moment with a blank expression seeming to contemplate something. Snapping back he would nod his head to her: "I do apologize for the lack of hospitality you were shown here on my grounds. If there is ever anything I can do to make it up to you - please give me a call." and as he did that he would open his left hand wide so that all fingers were apart and then flip his wrist - seeming to summon a business card from no where like a magic trick of sorts and handed it to the girl. It read: "Genichiro Of Seven Winds" and bore a small summoning seal upon the back of it. With that being said - Genichiro turned to move towards the gate, opposite of the one that the blast had come from, where Oda had left to. Now that the space/time doorway was destroyed there would only be the "long" was of getting to another vein of the casino from this point. He started to wave off to them in a nonchalant manner as he started to cast his eye around the room and started to really get a good look at Ko. It must have been a second, maybe two but it felt like an entire day as he stared upon theboy for that brief instance. Something bout him....just, something about him...no, it was definitely that. Genichiro's neutral expression slowly coiled into a smile in that small moment and with that, he would be off down the corridor. It was dark and soundless, and the further he got the more it seemed like he got ominously and unrealistically far away. Meanwhile, Ko stood there with his jacket on and arms folded looking in confusion, wondering why in the world did he give him that look....it was brief, but it most certainly was there and there was just....something about it. Stepping on from off to the side of Kasami and the others he knelt down focused on Eiji with that same expression that was devoid of any feeling. He looked at Eiji a moment with that look on his face and then soon after stood back up, looking off to where the Rashoumon was blocking and then started to slowly pace way around to the gate to leave as well: Man...is that it? Was it really that easy?" he thought a'loud. He looked over at Hitoko and Eiji and thought to himself it was good that they were on their way to another village, just to give a bit of evaluation and assessment as to the health of both of them and condition of whether or not they would be able to travel with them or needed a bit more health monitoring.=

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

The explosion was taken care of, the bombs were also taken care of, and the individual who had crashed into the ground was also taken care of—which turned out to be Eiji. Sakuya gave him a run-down of her current condition and he nodded once she had completed her sentence. Simultaneously Hitoko had slipped into Kirinji’s arms and as she nuzzled her face into her chest he’d hold her close. Once Sakuya had departed toward the newly arrived, Kirinji would whisper to her, ”It’s okay, Ritoruōkami. I got you. Rest now.” before gently kissing her on her forehead. He couldn’t potentially imagine the things she had been through here. Even for him, it had been damn near exhausting moving from village to village, attempting to avoid the monsters that hid within the shadows. But Hitoko, she did it alone. The face of the green-haired man devilishly smiling flashed in his mind prompting him to clench his teeth. He was going to get his revenge. One way. Or another. He was certain of it. For a moment his eyes once again empty and it wasn’t until Kami no Shi had started speaking that he’d snap out of it.

Kirinji would slip one arm under both legs of Hitoko while the other wrapped around her back and held onto her far bicep. He was carrying her horizontally and at ease at that. Few steps later, he was essentially standing next to Kami no Shi listening to him speak. They’d become an extension of him. Soon after Kami no Shi was inserting six silver plates in his breast pocket. He hadn’t had time to observe them thoroughly, but from what he saw they had an engraving of a Tiger upon it. Kami no Shi then began to speak to Hitoko and from his tone, Kirinji could tell he was sincere about what had occurred. And the more Kirinji listened to Kami no Shi, the more he watched his mannerism, he realized Kami no Shi was more and more like Izanagi. The suit, the personality, the mannerism, and even the red gloves which he noticed back in the room. Was this Izanagi? No, it couldn’t be. Why the games? That was silly of him to think. Izanagi loved games, especially mental games. For all intent and purposes, this whole thing could’ve been orchestrated by Izanagi in order to have them more prepared for the Burning Dawn. Maybe the others had noticed, maybe they hadn’t, but overall they had gotten stronger. Even Kirinji had gotten stronger from their first instance. By the time his thought had ended and Kami no Shi had given Hitoko a card with a seal on it, Kirinji would interrupt him mid-way before turning. The others were distracted, maybe they would hear, but he’d do his best to whisper and keep it down.

”Hey,” Kirinji tried to get Kami no Shi attention. ”You’re him, aren’t you.” There was a momentary pause after his next few words, but from the tone of his voice and the look in his eye, Kami no Shi would know exactly who he was talking about even before Kirinji said the name. ”Izanagi.” There were too many factors to ignore. They shared almost identical appearances, they shared the same mannerism, including a softness for the ones unable to defend themselves. This was not to say that Hitoko is weak for she was an established kunoichi within the Waking World. However, that was the thing. It was in the Waking World. Here, she was nobody. That went for the rest of them as well, Kirinji included. Whether or not he answered, Kirinji would have his answer, and soon after he followed up with his question. "What's his name? The green-haired man who did all this. Who is he?" Kirinji now turned toward the man as he waited for his answer still holding Hitoko.

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

Remaining stationary as he knelt as Eiji’s side still, Sentou watched as one of the two mysterious women ran over to give a thorough analysis over his comrade, ”Uh, who are you?” He asked quietly, not wanting to disturb her as she gasped prior to reaching for a vajra from her possession and extracting some strange fluid from Eiji’s body. There was a look of pain and torment lingering over Eiji’s unconscious face, however as the foreign substance was removed from his body, Sentou could see he was starting to calm down a bit albeit being unconscious still -- that was until the random lady pinched Eiji’s nostrils shut. It was a bit extreme, surely shaking him awake would suffice and bring less shock onto the body once he awoke, but who was he to speak. He was no doctor. There didn’t seem like much he could do to be of help, so he gradually took his time with getting back onto his feet as he looked up just in time for Genchiro to brandish a set of plates and his business card; giving the former to Kirinji and the latter to Hitoko.

There was quite a lot for him to take in, and just as the man began to depart, Kirinji would call out to him. Asking if he were Izanagi. Sentou’s eyes shot open as he stared down the man, not out of disdain but bewilderment. This couldn’t possibly be Izanagi, could it? The last time he had encountered the famed individual in question, he possessed long hair and was accompanied by a black lion. What were the odds that this was Izanagi though? It had only been a little over six months since they met on his way towards the Land of Lightning. For the time being, Sentou kept his thoughts to himself as he listened. Perhaps the man would turn around and answer both of Kirinji’s questions, and had he did, Sentou would want answers all of his own. “You want us to fight the Burning Dawn for you? None of this is making any sense for me, just what purpose do the BD have with attacking the city, or you even, if all they want is the Takahagamara? Just what the hell is that and your involvement with all this?” He was tired of not knowing anything, mind you he knew he was imposing on someone else's property but the swelling sensation of dread and being left in the dark was starting to eat away at his rationality when it came to addressing such matters.

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

Wherever they went, chaos seemed to follow them, giving them only enough time to recover. This was the second time the Burning Dawn had attacked, and this time she wasn't sure what their objective or reasoning was. Was there another idol here? There wasn't even a fight this time... so why? All of this destruction was for nothing?

She watched quietly as the bubblegum haired woman worked on Eiji with curiosity, and even moreso at the Vajra she produced in hand, but she was silent as she worked up until the point of holding Eiji's nose closed. She couldn't help but laugh at how skilled of a healer she was but her solution to waking a person was suffocation. Her amusement faded faster than it normally would for her, usually so light hearted, but something just felt really off. "That's incredible Sakuya, you must be able to help so many people with your skills. I wish I- I mean, it must feel nice to be so helpful. I hope I can help Naraka even just a little bit. Are you going to be staying here? ...Will you be okay? You didn't seem like you wanted to even come here in the first place." She offered her a smile and waited for her answer, but then she got out of her way in case Eiji needed further help.

Kasami had backed up once Sakuya came over to help with Eiji and as she stood there taking everything in, she felt this overwhelming sense of guilt. It's not as if they could have known the Burning Dawn would rear their ugly head here as well, but after what had happened in Kagane... She was starting to be wary of innocent lives being damaged by this fight. An entire village had been massacred. Was it for the idol? Or was it because the idol had been taken? She had so many questions and not enough answers, and even when she did get answers it just unraveled more questions. It was a constant cycle of not enough information. Naraka was far more peculiar than the waking world, and she didn't know if she could be prepared for this journey anymore.

Doubt was a toxic feeling. It laid eggs in the subconscious and fed off things you didn't even know you were feeling. She'd been scared from the moment she awoke in this place. She'd felt unsure, uncertain- but she had continued to push through for her team. For the people of Naraka, but now she- ... now she didn't know if there was an end to this madness that benefited these people. Even if there was, how could it be her?

She was silly to get ambitious so early. A fool for standing against the odds stacked around her. How could she, when she was so incomplete in herself?

I saw you out there in the forest. You were not in your best form. So elegant, beautiful, graceful and such potential. But you were weak.

Ko? She recognized his voice instantly, and for a moment didn't realize that this was a memory and not him speaking to her. When she looked right at him, he wasn't even looking her way. Confusion turned her expression, now standing between the group next to Eiji and the middle of the arena where Genichiro and Kirinji were. She looked at her comrade and the woman in his arms. She must be his wife...

She stepped back once and stopped again, a daze passing over her eyes for a moment. What the hell was happening? Was her eye messing with her because it was covered still? Boy, she felt crazy for thinking the thing had feelings, but she reached up and untied the ribbon to set it free. The initial light that flooded her eye caused some pain but initially she thought nothing of it. It was just bright- the light from outside coming down into the room, but then... she wasn't as sure.

You, are lovely - a work of art....but I will make you a masterpiece.

Oh right, that's what I was supposed to be...

...be my instrument of devastation?

He must be so disappointed.

The pressure in her head was starting to build. Kasami stumbled backward only slightly, pushing the heel of her right hand into her temple as if it could somehow help the pain, as she looked at the ground in front of her. Her vision started to double and then triple as the memory of Ko's torture continued running through her head.

Now. Say this for me. And don't stop.

The pain grew enough that she actually cried out once, targeted to no one in particular but it echoed throughout the empty and broken arena, choked by the sheer anguish of her head feeling like it was being crushed from the inside. These next words. She heard more than just Ko's voice. She heard others saying them too. She'd heard them so many times since she'd come to Naraka.

Kawanishi-Noseguchi, Kinunobebashi, Takiyama, Uguisunomori-

POP!

It felt like something in Kasami's head burst, and suddenly her body went limp. Her eyes rolled back and as her hand fell from holding her head, her knees collapsed and she went down. She could have sworn as she went down that she saw him standing across the room for her, as her vision faded. A dark silhouette of her haunting dreams, until the darkness consumed the light around him.

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

~Hitoko Okami-Uchiha~

Hitoko was finally in the warm embrace of her most beloved person. The only person besides her mother and her 35ft wolf companion that she had ever cherished with her everything. She had been scooped up and was being carried as though she were a sleepy princess - She was. She was so tired now that she became dazed, slowly drifting in and out. She fought to keep her eyes open, but her vision was blurred regardless. She caught the caring words of her husband and a small, effortless smile graced her lips as her body further relaxed and nuzzled into him as closely as possible.

Though she was in and out, her ears had picked up the sound of Kami no shi speaking to her. Hito lifted her arm gently and tried to outstretch it toward him, almost as if to say 'I don't blame you. It's okay.' But her arm quickly fell limp at her side and she was so sleepy that she couldn't even bring herself to keep her eyelids open any longer. Though, before she faded into the darkness of sleep, a thought had crossed her mind 'Anything he can do to make it up to me? Sounds like a favour I should keep close for now and ask for something in return when I need it.'

Then, her body had jolted slightly. Hitoko had just remembered that the sword she had carried everywhere with her...was not with her. She had left it at the Estate. The jolt was Ayako in a state of panic, though she was unable to express it because of her fatigue. However, perhaps the sentient sword would find Ayako by it's self, perhaps it was already on its way? She drifted into the darkness in her husbands arms, getting the sleep she needed and deserved so that she could recover faster.

However...The only thing that plagued her mind in her sleep was the scene of her losing her unborn child. It was so vivid that it was almost as if she was doing it all over again. The same thoughts, feelings, smells...All of it was all too real.

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

Eiji Sarutobi

Once more the cycle repeated, once more Eiji would see his own downfall, his own defeat, his worst moment so far in this god-forsaken realm. How many times had it been since he was captured? Fifty? Sixty? maybe even hundreds of times. It was so sickening that it brought out something he did not know he could understand let alone feel, pity for himself. A sense of depression different from what he's ever experienced before in his life was wafting over his mind and soul as his body fought with the pain of the poison. The outside world meant nothing at this moment, he could not even tell he was surrounded by comrades or people who were trying to save him. All that was in front of Eiji was this horrid memory; the deep sense of regret, shame, and hatred; and a dark void that he was cast into every time before he relived that memory.

*Why? Why? Why me?! What did I do wrong? Why was I summoned to this hell? What do I need to suffer for?* He cursed in the void as he thought to himself completely utterly alone in a world of nothing, however; this time was different. Very different as outside Sakuya had begun working on Eiji's body and the results would show. A sudden light began to appear before him within the void that was his own mind, a place he had no understanding of, and even worse, the light was something that would confuse him even more. The light would form into the form of a human figure, but it was the Eiji that everyone was used to seeing, no... this was different. The normally dark, distant, and aloof Eiji was replaced with another being altogether or so it seemed.

Within his mind, the ideal image of a person popped up before him. The man was worn down, beaten up seeming to have been fighting a long-drawn-out battle against someone else. He looked nothing like Eiji though actually, he did in the face his everything else was different. His expression was filled with emotions and purpose as he stared at Eiji with a look of disgust before speaking, "Ha, so you finally found your way here? Did something happen? Let me guess, failed a mission? Can you no longer hide behind your act of perfection and seek Daddy's praise from it?" The other man said as he sat upon what seemed to be ground within the void with one knee up and a hand place atop it.

The most well-known Eiji opened his eyes wide for a moment, "Y...You're not Imperious... W...W...Who are you? No what are you?" His voice trembled with confusion and the moment it exited his mouth, he noticed, *I'm...I'm scared of something in here? T...this place should be my mind if it was connected to that dream or at least a bridge to the afterlife but I'm scared... What is he?* He tried to think to himself as he looked at the other man with a look filled with even more confusion, fear, and something he wouldn't notice till later, disgust.

The other person looked back at Eiji for a moment before a long overextended laugh exited his mouth, it was not malicious like Eiji's usually was nor filled with any emotions besides disgust and pity. He stared at Eiji and smirked before retorting back, "Ha, you idiot... I'm you, I'm who you should be when you leave behind your fucking inferiority complex, get over your daddy issues, and stop trying to be perfect. You don't remember training every night till your hands bled, or breaking bones only to hide it from others except for your mother? You don't remember sweating every morning before anyone in the village woke up and taking a bath to try and present yourself? I'm the subconscious manifestation of drive, ambition, and true abilities. In other words, I'm the real you without sticking out your chest to act like your biggest and baddest. I'm the real you who does not need to hide behind a layer of fake compliments received years ago because father wouldn't give us any. I am what truly makes you strong and you are what makes me weak. I am your willingness to train till the brink of death just to get stronger even if by a bit. I'm the thing you lost long ago before coming here!"

This was a long-overdue conversation that Eiji needed and a deep look at himself without all the baseless compliments from others, and the facade of trying to be someone he really wasn't. He needed to see himself and accept himself, only then could he push forward, only then could he be of use to himself and his teammates here in Naraka. This conversation would continue for a bit before the battered Eiji looked at the normal Eiji and said, "Looks like times up... too bad we didn't get to discuss much, next time I appear will be either when I take over the body for real as the true personality and you go back to being a form of schizophrenia or when we merge together and become a truly great being. Either way, be on your guard, I don't know who or what Imperious is but he wasn't part of us to begin with but he's right about you being a weak princess. So find a way to awaken and accept me or be prepared to be removed by me when I awaken myself." His final words rung out in Eiji's mind as he was risen from his deep slumber by the fact that an unknown woman was holding his nose. He had trouble breathing and it caused him to breathe through his mouth as he looked at Sakuya with a pained expression still feeling the pain from earlier even after being healed. He was in too much shock to take in the fact that he was around teammate and simply fainted back before anything could be said.

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

=The moment that Kirinji had whispered he caught Genichiro's attention, of course he did - for the man's senses were of a level that a whisper at this range would of course be heard by him. So with that being said he stopped almost instantly in his tracks and ever slightly turned his head. He was the pitt lord after all, shady dealings and demeanors were what put dinner on the table in his line of work so needless to say something as discrete as a whisper would be met with reflexively discrete behavior. He listened to his question at first without turning back but then when he finalized it and realized what he had asked - Genichiro started to adjust his glasses...stopping himself, knowing that that is what he would do in that situation...which would further make it a questionable point. That frustrated him - for now the conscious mind was starting to intersect with the unconscious and he was starting to become self-aware again of the things that had been put into play against him and his normal grievances. Then following that he would ask about the green haired man. Genichiro at this point would turn all the way around - or rather so pivoted from the hip so he was facing them and looking back at the grouping:

"Am I, Izanagi? Tch. No not quite. But that is a valid question I suppose from the way that things are laid out here before you. I'am not Izanagi, but he's within me. His DNA I mean...a vapid thing it is. Once it gets inside of you he can control it...it starts to override you. Probably why Im like this - though dont get me wrong I do love a clean suit. But the gloves...glasses...heh, who knows? Maybe thats just his subconcious preferences influencing my tastes causing me to like what he likes and dress as he dress, feels as he feels. I think - that maybe dear Izzy may have thought that in my life as we were two different halves of a whole I was missing the things that he had. Heh, funny enough maybe its his way of telling me that I would be a better person - if I were more like him. I dont know if thats egotistical...or just plain truth in this case." **The man took a moment to think, scoffing at the thought before continuing** "Regardless....the green haired man. His name is Hazama. Though my spy network has informed me of him for some time. He's been peeking his head in and out of Naraka of his own will and causing trouble. Others as well as his followers and subordinates call him Terumi. I suspect that is his true name."

=Simulatenously as this happened Sentou had asked who the woman was. The pink haired woman's chisled frame lifted slightly as he asked, she was very disconnected from the world as a shinobi itself - the idea of how questions about ones identity could be dangerous was something that did not register with her in such a way. There was no misdirection no cleverness of otherwise, simply an answer to the question: "My name's Sakuya. Sakuya Sakurai. Im the head Sanzou Prietess of the Sanzou order here in Naraka and I've been helping your friends here. I also happen to be a friend of Kiyoshi Uzumaki so he had me see to it everything was okay along this little venture." and as she answered this he had stood up and started to walk more so over in the direction of the questionaire with Kami no Shi, so she continued with Eiji and Kasami only to find that Eiji would awaken for just a moment, enough for her to make eye contact and try to establish some vitals. Then as she did such he would evidently be fading back out - causing her to slap him a few times iupon the face in an attempt to shock him enough to simply keep him conscious. It was a rudimentry but effective medical note when someone was passing out and there wasnt much in the area to act for keeping them up and at this point she wasnt sure if medical ninjutsu to boost his adrenaline and keep him up would be a good go to. As she started to just make sure at this point that he had time to recover properly - she would start to notice Kasami was looking a bit odd...wobbly - from the corner of her eye. Ko started to notice this too and the moment that she started to remove the cloth from around her eye he would start to move in a bit. "Kasami.....hey....Kasami. Got damnit. he said as she started to collapse - flickering over to catch her as she fell and almost immedietely picked her up and brought her before Sakuya. He demanded an analysis from her - seeing as she was the one that displayed medical ability he knew that she was the closest and quickest means to get Kasami looked at right now and perform a basic diagnosis on what the issue was. But Sakuya only shook her head in bewilderment, knowing that he was pressed for answers from her but she could not provide him with any, for all intents and purposes there was nothing wrong with her on the exterior. Ko started to mumble to himself a bit looking at her, knowing now that it had to have been something more. Mental, emotional, or maybe that eye - regardless it wad something that he couldnt simply fight on his own. He hoisted her up into his arms much like Kirinji had Hitoko and started to make way over to them: "At best moment I'd rather we wrap it up here. Its becoming more and more of a better idea to get to this Izanagi quicker."

=Coming back to Genichiro and the others he would be watching as Kasami was walking about or rather, simply holding up in a kind of ghostly state. Then came forward Sentou - asking about the entire events that even has lead up to them fighting against the Burning Dawn - then it happened. He said the word. Ding ding ding ding - you have said our buzzword of the day, now you win a prize. The Takamagahara. Genichiro turned around all the way and faced Sentou straight forth when he mentioned that. "Hm. Out of the loop a bit. I'll get you up to speed. Its not that I want you to fight the burning dawn -for- me. I can kill just about anyone I need to on my own if it was really that critical. But the Burning Dawn seems to want all of you dead - expressly. So as far as it is to ya'll its more so a game of who kills who first. I just so happen to benefit from that as well. It seems you all have been drafted into a bit of a war going on here between Mikaboshi's heir, Daikokyuten, and Izanagi. One wants to keep the Mask Salesman sealed away - and the other wants to kill it outright, which would require taking the gigantic risk of fighting it straight forward and potentially being far outmatched and outclassed. Thats a pretty steep bet. Cause if Naraka loses - then everyone gets eaten alive bloody and violent. Now the reason for these bombs and such didnt have to do with me. That one very obviously by the way that he delivered that payload - was looking to kill your friend there in the hole. And judging by how they came in this was the result of a fight that spilled over into my happy home - thanks for that shit by the way. So the way I see it is this. I can kill all of you - and go rip the burning dawn limb from limb myself. Then Naraka is down an entire team of strong allies and none of us are better for wear after all of it. Or, I can let you all go attack them and support you from here as much as possible. Get you the best clothes, weaponry, and assets money can buy here in Naraka - while I rebuild and try to make this place better then when it was caved in. So if this plan goes tits up - it can be used as a fort to guard the front line in case this ends in all out war. The latter, seems to be far more beneficial to everyone. Now. I answered your question. So I need you to answer one of mine." -That being said his gaze sharpened, and the abysmal spiraling mangekyou sharingan of Genichiro spiraled into existence as he scrutinized Sentou with very apparent vigor and malice in his very demeanor.- "How do you know about that? The Takamagahara. How do you even know what that is?" =There was very apparent tension in his demeanor. In fact the way that he clenched his fist shows that there was some kind of contention behind him and the matter of the Takamagahara. In fact the way that hsi chakra built up as he clenched his fist the ground under his hand would start to compress in from the sheer pressure as he contained his reflexive action on the matter, awaiting an answer as to how Sentou knew of something that he himself had been seeking answers for so long. By that point, is when Ko came up saying that they should wrap it up.=

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

Was that sadness he was feeling for the man? Sadness for the man known as Kami no Shi, Death of God? Internally, he was baffled by such a feeling, but on the exterior, he maintained his calm disposition. The man before Kirinji was single-handedly known for his barbaric and murderous actions, but here Kirinji was feeling a bit of sadness for him. The action that made him feel this was when Kami no Shi had gone to adjust his glasses but forced himself to a stop. Adjusting his glasses, his tie, or even his gloves. It was such an Izanagi thing to do he didn’t require an answer from the man but accepted it. As he spoke, he wondered who was talking..was it Kami no Shi or was it Izanagi? Did the man even have control over his actions or was everything he did an influence? The gloves, the glasses. Izanagi’s subconscious indoctrination played much more of a factor than Kami no Shi was letting on, but he wouldn’t push the man. Near the end, Kirinji would’ve got the information he was looking for. Hazama, or rather, Terumi. Whichever it may be, he was going to make that man pay.

Kirinji had this bad habit of eavesdropping, or rather, he couldn’t pay one hundred percent attention to one thing despite clearly portraying in his body language that he was. He could never understand why, but he just could not focus on one task for the life of him. Even as Kami no Shi spoke, he was thinking of Hitoko’s health along with the other conversation that was taking place with Sakuya and the rejoining member, Sentou. There was a buzzer word in there, one that he had been thinking about since he had gotten that first scroll from the shopkeeper. But he refrained from doing such immediately as it would’ve been incredibly rude to Kami no Shi. And despite knowing that Izanagi plays some sort of influence within that complex mind of Kami’s, he wasn’t going to risk just a thing. After this time, Kasami had begun to fall down and faint. She hadn’t gotten injured, she was beside him the whole time so there was a clear expression of concern on his face. Fortunately, Ko had caught her before she collided with the floor and had taken her over to Sakuya. In that same sequence, Sentou had been talking to Kami no Shi about the Burning Dawn, all information that was important and even included something he had not heard of—Takamagahara.

Kirinji could feel the aura around the man twisting into something sickening as Kami no Shi’s Mangekyō Sharingan had spiraled into fruition. At the same time, Ko had approached him and Kirinji had nodded in agreement. ”I agree,” he glanced down at Kasami, then Hitoko, and finally Eiji. ”I’d rather not get caught with half our team down. We’d be at an extreme disadvantage.” His purple-hued eyes had glanced over at Sakuya, his facial expression clearly portraying that he had something he wanted to talk to her about, but his eyes had locked onto Kami no Shi and Sentou. He seemed defensive—for what reason? He had no idea, but it surely had piqued his interest. The Takamagahara, what was it and how did the man know about it? However, without a doubt, the man had put himself in the sights of a monster with that question.

Oni Archives · Mar 5, 2022

Despite him openly coming out and questioning the Lord of the Pitt, Sentou couldn’t help but ponder on what little information he acquired from Sakuya during their brief exchange. Sanzou Order? Why did that name ring a bell? Taking a moment to glance down at the prayer beads around his wrist, the young man couldn’t help but feel like he had a conversation similar with Totsuka during the beginning of their training... it was hard to recall something so specific from three years ago. He wouldn’t have minded continuing conversation on the matter but now just wasn’t the time, she was still attending to Eiji and he just had to open his mouth when addressing the owner of such a large establishment. Genchiro went on and talked about the dynamic Sentou and his team had with the affairs of the Burning Dawn and his own agenda even going so far as to suggest he could easily kill their group before seeking out the terrorists himself. That little comment didn’t sit well with Sentou, and as he clenched his jaw and tightened his fist he was quick to remember to watch his temper. There was no telling what this man was capable of, why take that risk? What felt like a conversation that should have came to an end sadly did not play out the way Sentou had hoped as he felt the tension in the air damn near seize the oxygen from his lungs as Genchiro activated his Mangekyou Sharingan. It seemed now the table had been turned as the Pitt’s lord was now questioning Sentou about why he knew of the existence of the Takamagahara. All it took was a simple glance for Sentou to recognize that terrifying scarlet hue the Uchiha were infamous for, was this man too another one?

Just as quick as the Lotus trainee noticed such eyes he would remember the teachings of Totsuka and take precaution, immediately disrupting the flow of his own chakra network for a moment prior to overloading his network with chakra just in case; he was fully aware of the prowess of the Sharingan having been trained by an Uchiha and surely learned how to combat against it - although with that said he only had knowledge on countering the base Sharingan and still knew not the full potential of the Mangekyou. Just for added measure he even diverted his gaze from Genchiro’s face to his feet just to keep track of his person without staring directly into the eyes of hell. He paused for a moment, not out of hesitation, no he held his demeanor. He just wasn’t sure how to answer that question truthfully. Sentou didn’t even know about the existence of such a thing until he spoke with the merchant in West Kagetsuchi, but without a name to go by there was no safe guarantee that would fly as a reasonable answer. His posture was tense, as if every fiber of his muscles had seized up, but in spite of all that the fucking kid had the audacity to chuckle to himself. Call it a nervous breakdown, but all of this was absolute madness. So what he knew about the Takamagahara? What’d it matter to him? Something crawled at the back of Sentou’s neck as he stood there trying to manage a proper way to respond without escalating the situation further. He wasn’t in battle but that sick urge clawing at the pit of his stomach was in full stride, by any means he was going to make it back to the waking world, with or without this Lord’s help. Bringing his left hand to his mouth to cover his unexplainable outburst, Sentou would clear his throat and begin unfold his side of the story having silenced his thoughts, “How do I know about the Takamagahara? My teacher was Totsuka Uchiha, Izanagi’s brother. I’ve only heard stories from him, but as you know he’s dead so I don’t know anything else beyond its name and that he was safe guarding it. I’m not sure about the others that are with me, but I’m here to seek out Izanagi so I can have closure with my mentor. I’m not looking for any secrets.” He said as he continued staring down at the feet of Genchiro having finally taken his hand off his mouth, there was somethings fabricated such as Totsuka never actually telling Sentou about such a thing as well as hidden truths such as learning everything from the previously mentioned merchant. There was no need to bring that up, it would surely only incriminate him in the long run.

So drawn into the situation with Genchiro, Sentou hadn’t noticed everything going on from Eiji waking up momentarily prior to passing out and Kasami too taking a turn for the worse. It wasn’t until Ko mentioned they should wrap things up that Sentou was snapped back to the presence of his team, he would gladly leave if he had the choice. He was definitely uncomfortable. Without another word to the Lord of the Pitt, Sentou would turn his attention onto Ko and the others, seeing Kasami passed out and being carried on his back; confused Sentou rushed over to see what had occurred or if he could be of any help carrying Eiji. “Ko? Is Kasami alright? Hold on, here lemme carry Eiji, Sakuya.” He gestured trying to make sure everyone was okay.

[Cha 1 Location] Lucky Tiger Casino

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