[RP Location] Kagane Village

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

The sense of dread in her chest hadn’t been enough to turn her away, nor was the horrific sight of what seemed to be life and death before her very eyes. It had its qualities of beauty to it as well, but primarily it looked as if it was a life lesson hidden in the chaos- death will always consume.

Foolishly, as soon as Kasami had confirmed Tatsumi was there, dangling within the grasp of the attacker, she jumped down into the room. She landed in a crouched position at first, her eyes wavering with both the rage she quelled in order to focus and the sensation of... fear...

Oh I fucked up...

She watched with the horror hidden as best she could, trying to maintain a strong visage before what was happening around her. Such a lazy way of throwing someone, and yet Tatsumi’s impact with the wall rang in her ears, and...

He turned toward her slowly, her eyes drifting away from Tatsumi and almost as if in slow motion- their gazes met. Even with a dictionary in hand she could not ever explain the sensation that washed over her with words. Her lungs seized like the air was stolen right out of them, her joints locking into place. From this point forward the commands to her body would be received, processed, and thrown out the window. This feeling was so strong, this pull towards him, that she was lost in it for but a moment. A foot moved to step forward and were it not for Tatsumi’s voice telling her to run, even as distant as it sounded in these moments among the hellacious surroundings, it made her give pause. She froze again, after taking one step toward this man whose very appearance had her eye feeling as foreign to her as the day she got it.

”.....there it is.....my power.”

Reality hit her hard, almost as hard as Tatsumi had hit the wall. Her eye, the feeling in her chest, everything felt like this because it was... Him. It was his Rinnegan, the stupid thing inside her head that had transcended her above her pitiful state of being from before... he was here right in front of her. And he was going to take it. His whole monologue about his purpose at the temple- lost to her. All she was able to do in those moments was try to force back the anxiety and dread that was threatening to take over her body. And yet even in these sensations she couldn’t run away, as her limbs only continued to try to carry her toward him against her commands. Was this an orchestration of the man that had put her in Naraka in the first place? The Mask Salesman...

A shuddered gasp finally breathing air into her lungs and as it did her composure and strength swayed. Her body almost literally- swayed, until she caught herself on readjusted feet. She hadn’t realized how long she held her breath, and it seemed like all gravity wanted to do was force her down.

Dizzy... so... dizzy.

Crippling fear did things to a person- things they had trained against for their entire lives. Her father had specifically pit her against Aiko time and time again. It was beyond just simple training, he was trying to train her resolve. Her brother was imposing. He stood nearly twice her size and was a prodigy among their clan. He’d hoped giving her such an opposing force to deal with from a young age would steel her nerves against moments like this.

Nothing could have prepared her for this.

She didn’t even realize the tears falling from her eyes, the way her lips quivered with a slight pout, the way her body trembled... Were it not a fear for her life, it’d have brought her to her knees. Mikaboshi beckoned to her, but the sensation that her eye felt gave her reason to believe the only thing being beckoned- was it. In that moment she swore if it were an entity of its own it have just popped right out and left her. Instinctively she laid a hand overtop of it, her jaw tightening to the point of being painful.

Run. I have to... run.

Her gaze cast toward Tatsumi with pain in her uncovered eye. She didn’t want to leave him but it appeared that circumstances had left her no choice. She finally got her body to move and now as the slick oil like sludge came creeping toward her feet... she’d retreat. This feeling still sitting on her chest, bordering an anxiety attack, and now hurting for leaving him to die. She couldn’t fight this. There was no way. No way she would ever be able to...

She took a few steps back and looked up at the hole in the ceiling, jumping out of it, hopefully, before he had time to grab her or do anything to stop her.

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

[[Addressing: Kasami/possibly Ikki]]

"There is no shame in what you're doing. I'll handle it - I assure you."

[sub]((Listen While Reading Critical: Intervention!))[/sub]

=These were the words that would echo through Kasami's head in the moment that she started to turn around and look up through the hole in the ceiling. The moment that she looked up before she jumped - she would find that a figure would be passing her. The voice was gentle. In her head - this communication was clearly sentient and not of her own creation, someone was speaking into her mind. Had she looked back at the direction they were going (towards Mikaboshi) she would find that the ooze around her feet would get burnt away, turned to dust immediately. The Gargonite over Tatsumi would be sliced - straight down the middle vertically and he would fall to the ground, gasping holding to his throat with wild eyes searching the room. Then there was him, Mikaboshi - who seemed to be completely calm in the moment and unphased. He did not so much as even move till the moment came that suddenly there was a loud high pitch ringing; his own gargonite encased hand - blocking a sapphire blade that seemed to clash not against each other but against pure chakra itself between the connecting points. Blue jets of light streaked off constantly where sparks should have been - casting off around the room and knocking apart bits of the architecture around them. Tracing the blade back to the holder it could be seen that it was none other then The Tengu. He was swinging the blade downwards and maintaining a handseal with his hand opposite that was crossed over his blade arm: "Come out of hiding now. Finally. At last a chance to put my soul at respite.". When he said this - he kept the blade clashed but his opposite hand started weaving a set of seals. One set finished - the boundary between where blade and claw met started to let off a loud sound of thunder and it seemed Tengu started to get the upper hand. Another set finished - Mikaboshi's feet turned to adjust for the weight. Finally - the black entities around Mikaboshi started to converge and make way for the Tengu when suddenly, he let go of the blade - and it continued on clashing with Mikaboshi of its own accord. Meanwhile Tengu weaved four handseals and it seemed that each handseal he initiated caused a gal wind to emit from his body through the room pushing them back: "Sanzou Art: Nirvana calling corridors!" As he said this, everyone in the room at the time would be subject to being hit with what would seem to be a cascading cyclone of sacred seal tags made of light - bursting through the room. The entities - exstinguished. Tatsumi - Exstinguished, MIkaboshi - Exstinguished. And had Kasami been in the room still, she would be met by the tags and find herself momentarily blinded by light - till finally her vision came back and she found herself in what could only be described as......Heaven or at least some perception of what it must look like. Bright golden clouds through diamond sheet windows - finding herself standing upon a corridor of beautiful alabaster pillars with red bamboo trees (much like when they first appeared here) lining the sides of the corridor. Had she been here, she would find that the corridor would tilt, tilt, tilt, the sinking of the stomach growing - till in her throat and finally she would go tumbling down a now slanted corridor falling into a bright nexus of light, kin in appearance to a silken pool of honey and spat out, next to Ko. But why next to Ko? One would ask? The jutsu that Tengu had used was one of the reasons that he was referred to as: The Tengu. Shepards to heaven - they were said to be. This jutsu was said to only be capable of being mastered by someone that has been conscribed to the Sanzou order and mastered both The Path Of Cruelty and The Path Of Mercy. A true - Sanzou Master, one could even say the Sanzou Lord. This jutsu was combined with pure and exuberant amounts of yin and yang combined with both Hadou of cruelty and Hadou of Mercy to temporarily spirit one away to a sacred place, in which the corridors send the target of the jutsu, to the one place that their life focus seemed to be taking them...some rumored this jutsu to be the "Meaning Of Life" technique - in thought that it would take you to where your lifes purpose was meant...but it was subjective to everyone in truth. She ended up next to Ko, who would have caught glimpse of the portal and caught her in his arms, quickly casting his now recovered jacket over her before constantly asking if she was okay - for once, showing legitimate worry and irritation that she wandered off in the first place - from Ko, concern was not something that was so openly displayed. However had she jumped out the hole and cast herself off, then of course - she would be out and about on her way to the group again on her own time. Unaware of the machinations of what went on inside with the exception that the bright blast of light would be visible and the extreme disruption and immensely powerful chakra - would be able to be felt even by those that did not have sensory ninjutsu.

[[addressing: Kirinji & Eiji]]

=The moment that the Sarutobi male that utilized the water attempted to use water body to avoid the physical attack that was coming at him. He would find himself in a situation that to anyone else in this scenario would have been so jarring, and so surprising that it would shock someone enough to nearly make them have a heart or panic attack. The snack - would latch down on his shoulder just where it connected to the neck and ride him down to the ground. It delivered a hellacious bite, that would inject him with a very particular toxin that would leave the boy with a mark upon his body - that would bleed and pool out into a seal. Once there, it would wrap its lower body around him and jump up towards the ceiling, seeming to have the desire to get the boy off alone to itself, perhaps for a meal? This thing....how did it hit him? How did it strike him even regardless of this jutsu? This creature was a thing that only looked like a snake. It infact - was a comstruct of yin and yang along with pure Hadou Of Cruelty. When it struck things - it negated the effects of ninjutsu much like truth seeking orbs would, and rendered it back down to its most infirm - base form. This was also a reason that neither the snake, or the man in the hat and suit were phased by any of this, including the sealing of the slime. The time that the seal should have struck him - it would be a highly evident disruption, as if a computer saying: "Invalid action." Kirinji would find himself in a situation much like that of Eiji where he could have had a heartattack due to shock - for when he came to strike with his punch the exact thing the man was trying to do, would happen. His punch would go un-landed and his arm would be broken at the elbow. When this happened, the man would simply smile - lifting him up off the ground by the very arm that he broke, letting him feel the weight of his body upon the lower half of his broken appendage as he spoke: "You saw it, I could tell. Hmhm - Uchiha boy, should have known. Maybe I should go to the waking world and finish that little genocide before another Izanagi is born. Heh - another time. You boys have to learn to not eat so - QUICKLY!" and with that being said as he held him there he would bend his knee and toss Kirinji up a bit - only to strike his leg with immense strength and speed inwards and up at his chest, right at the sternum. It wasn't meant to put him out, knock him unconscious or even kill...no - despite the sheer strength in the kick, this was meant to send Kirinji up through the roof and onto the outside just a bit before Ikki and the others...this was meant solely to hurt. To torment. And had it struck - he would place a hand in his pocket and finish his sentence: "You're gonna bit off more than you can chew - it'll spoil the main course." and with that he snapped his fingers...and the coffin lid popped open:

"Darkness seaped from it. . .
. . . there was nothing there. . .
There was literally nothing there
. . . it felt like. . .
. . . Nothingness . . .
. . . Hopelessness. . ."

***WARNING: Critical Battle Incoming!***
Strategics among your peers is highly recommended!

=After the moment came, whether or not things happened as they were set to in the moment or not one thing was certain. The coffin lid would drop....and something horrible was a'mist. Holding Kasami or not, Ko would have a moment of heightened senses. Anyone with heightened senses would share it but depending on your tolerance your reaction would be different then the literal vomit that spew forth from Ko's mouth. He'd gasp for air afterwards, stumbling - grabbing Kasami by the arm and yelling: "Hgn- GET BEHIND ME! No matter what happens, stay close!" He was looking for something. His eyes were darting everywhere but he could not find it. He was.....

.....He was trembling.....

as he looked around everywhere he would close his fist and focus, his rinnegan spiraling out from his pupil as he would toss caution to the wind, looking to snatch Eiji from the clutches of the fleeing serpent and as well the (possibly) injured Kirinji with universal pull. He was looking to get them all close. He would then start to look over his shoulder at what seemed to be Ikki and call out: "I - I dont know whats going on do you feel that!? We've got to go! - We have got to go n-"

[sub]((Listen While Reading Critical: The Path Of Destruction))[/sub]

=An explosion came through the floor directly underneath Ikki - no not an explosion, a cataclysm. There was no actual explosives but the sheer force that whatever it was that came out did so - was immense, unbelievable. From the shattered roof beneath him emerged a gloved hand, and the torn sleeve of an akatsuki robe. What he would be faced with would be that of a shinobi with no face, there was nothing there but darkness...and there was a very risky price to pay if you were to look directly into that maw of darkness - ventablack! Thats what his face was...no features at all. When he came up it was with the speed of a cannon ball - he was so fast...and so strong, had he gripped Ikki's face it would be with a hand well over big enough to ensnare him and a grip that would feel as if his head would be crushed to mulch. He would fly high into the sky with the male if he gripped him and spin - slinging him down like a bullet towards his compatriots before with an almost demonic howl he pulled none other than - The executioner blade, from his back. He would then come down doing front flips towards them swinging with such a force that had he struck through and missed everyone in the first place, the impact wave would be more then enough to cast everyone aside. This man...the black face, the tattered and battleworn akatsuki robe, the executioner blade....it had always been believed to just be another myth...but tonight the legends come to life. This had to be it. This man...this thing - was none other than: Zaku Oda the missing Oda Clan lord - youngest brother to Izanagi Mikoto...the True Profligate Of Jashin. Dul Incarnu. This is what Eien had been holding in that coffin. Protecting. Keeping out of the hands of others. This....is why he was so aside himself - with having lost the casket.=

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

It wasn’t fear or shock that Kirinji felt, but intrigue. It was an odd feeling but for the first time in ages he’s felt intrigued by someone he was in combat with. Given the circumstances, the majority of the shinobi would not feel this and instead opt for the former and would go spiraling down a rabbit hole of fear, shock, and insecurity. Kirinji on the other hand would remain calm, or try his best to remain calm despite the pain.

The pain - was excruciating. A broken elbow will do that to you. His punch went un-landed and Kirinji could immediately hear the snapping. Kirinji could also feel the throbbing in his elbow as it hurt to even move it the slightest. It hurt even more when the man picked up him by that arm - amplifying the pain all over - causing him to wince. Kirinji was slightly dazed but through sheer will he forced himself to - forced himself to - he didn’t know how to describe it other than making sure he didn’t die here.

The man picked him up by the arm and started talking to him, "You saw it, I could tell. Hmhm - Uchiha boy, should have known. Maybe I should go to the waking world and finish that little genocide before another Izanagi is born. Heh - another time. You boys have to learn to not eat so - QUICKLY!" This only confused him and even attempted to ask the man what he meant - but unfortunately he did not get the chance to. The man tossed him up and sent a vicious kick aimed at his sternum, luckily Kirinji reacted and formed and “x” over his chest with his arms, but it didn’t help much. The kick sent Kirinji crashing through the roof toward where the others were - he was in the air only shortly before he was universally pulled by someone - not Kasami, but Ko. He landed near Ko and Kasami with his knee and left hand down breaking his fall and immediately began processing a new game plan, even started healing his arms as a green glow radiated around his spots of injury - and then he felt it.

That … radiating presence of - he didn’t know what he was but it was bad. It reminded him of the constant nightmare he had where he was in Konoha with Izanagi, the very man he was searching for right now. Kirinji’s body became hot and he started to sweat - you know that disgusting feeling when you have a lot of hair on your head and your sweating - this is what he felt all over. Kirinji looked up at Ko’s back and then the others who were near him, he tried to stand up but it was not with great resistance. His body for some reason wanted to stay kneeled and was not cooperating with him. Was this fear he was feeling? It had a similar feel to his nightmare all over again. He began to weigh his options in his mind; was he going to have to summon it - Bentaburakku? Here of all places? It worried him because he hadn’t even used it since it devoured Eikou Uchiha and Kirinji wasn’t even sure if he could control it. Midway through his thought it happened,

An explosion of sorts occurred under Ikki - he thought of sorts because the feeling he felt from the coffin open to this 'attack' didn't match up. This didn't feel like an attack at all rather than announcement. An announcement that the real batter was about to begin. After the debris from the explosion settled down Kirinji would see where it originated from, he observed the man who had a black face, the executioner blade, and torn akatsuki robes? He thought that organization had died down, but here was the man wearing them. Only one thought echoed throughout Kirnji’s mind, Who was this man?

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

As Eiji had believed his water body technique had countered the snakes strike, the next piece of the show would startle anyone watching but basically caused Eiji to almost lose his ability think in general. The water body technique which was supposed not only to avoid the attack from the snake but also attempt to disable it would have failed heavily to the point that the snake latched onto his non-physical form turning it back to a physical one. Eiji was then ensnared by the snake and dragged off towards the ceiling of the room they were in. The whole time Eiji's face looked like someone who saw their own life flashing before their eyes and the inevitable death which was to come next.

Eiji's completely startled face and almost limp body which was ensnared by the viper and dragged off towards the ceiling became more and more lifeless though constant pain surged through his body from the cursed seal mark which the snake placed upon him. The immense pain from this mark brought him in and out of a coma-like state as he continued to see his life flash before his eyes. He saw the first time he did ninjutsu at the age of 6 to when he became a genin, every accomplishment he achieved his father never once seemed proud, no he only heard, "Your grandfather Azuma, your great-grandpa Hiruzen, your uncle Konohamaru... He was always compared to one of the greatest if not the greatest Hokage's ever, his uncle and his grandfather who achieved such amazing feats in their life it was almost like telling a child to fly through the skies like a bird for acknowledgment. These flashbacks tormented Eiji until he reached the point he was at now staring the snake in the face, he saw this as his father is right. No matter how good he was, he could never be good enough to match up to his ancestors.

Right before the snake could do anything to Eiji his lifeless limp body was seemingly pulled away from its grasp towards Ko of all people whom would save him. Eiji's mind slightly broke though he heard Ko telling Ikki that they needed to leave or at least that's what he assumed from the context before what would happen next and coffin opened releasing a storm of destruction upon the area.

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

Ko was right in those instances even as Kasami was delivered upon him it was cataclysmic between the lot of them. By the time things had finally settled down for even a moment their eyes rattled within their heads darting from place to place. However the very moment Ko had even mentioned staying close to one another Ikki’s mind was fast at work. Despite the evident strain it was going to cause on himself it was far better than simply losing everyone in the here and now. Had Kirinji joined Ko in his preemptive huddle he too would effectively be swept up in what was to come from Ikki. His own Sharingan would begin to bleed by the time Ko had looked at him. Had this gone according to plan what remained of the rooftop in their immediate section would be engulfed as if it were a shark striking from below in hopes of clutching its next meal. One could very easily consider this momentary sacrifice taking one for the team as he opted to remove them from harm’s way first. This was indeed one of the things he prided himself on when it came to using Kamui let alone its ability to imbue an object or an area with enough focus. This of course meant that had their been no immediate objections before the arrival of another Ikki would be the last to evacuate the immediate area. His sharingan would’ve dialed in and then back out in less than the time it took to blink. Had Ko, Kasami, or Kirinji taken a moment to gaze at the portion of the roof they had been standing on it would consume them. They collectively would fall into a void of Kamui expedient and without hesitation was how it came. Had this gone according to plan that would mean that Ikki would be left with the subsequent upheaval of sheer speed as well as explosive force that came with the arrival of this individual.

His choices were already narrow when things were said and done. Had they all gone without resistance it would’ve been much better as he imbued the entirety of their rooftop position with the use of his kamui. As a result however Ikki’s eyes would be under an immense amount of strain, not only did he remove a chunk of the roof but he brought along 5 extra people. It was just like moments ago the moment when another figure joined the fray to break up their collective confrontation within. It was simply a lot to take on even for the sharingan in all its might. His left eye in particular was ripe with pain and had they all gotten out of harm's way he would be doubled over. Not a sense of sheer physical pain in the entirety of his body, but it would come across as if someone had taken time to perform a lasik surgery without caution. His form along with the roof and the group of 4 would be dumped in the northern section of the medical ward. Much like Ko when he witnessed Ai’s technique in action Ikki could be seen grasping his face with blood seeping through his fingers and steamy breath escaping his lips. It wasn’t often he even had to use his Kamui let alone actively put his sharingan to work, so even amdist his training dragging along 4 other people along with himself was a feat to be marveled at. He and Ko had much to discuss in terms of being owners of their respective mask yet that could wait. The beast known as Zaku Oda a name he hadn't heard in years was upon them and they were going to have no choice but to deal with it.

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

There’s no shame in what you’re doing. I’ll handle it - I assure you.

These words gave her pause, eyes widening as a blur of a figure passed by her. A blur not hard to recognize by his voice, which eased the ache in her chest. She knew that he would be okay- with the arrival of the first voice that had greeted her to Naraka. Her feet pivoted as she turned back toward the unfolding events in the room. The ooze at her feet burning away into dust was the beginning of what would become the breaking of her composure. Every second that passed, as he freed Tatsumi and went up against the very man that had paralyzed her with fear, seemed as if she was teetering a very thin line. Her body was no longer held back by the fear that had gripped her, though she wasn’t fully released from it either- but instead she remained planted to her spot as she watched in awe. The Tengu was always ingrained into her mind as a very strong individual, but watching things transpire before her in full clarity only served to prove her wrong. Yet again. The people of Naraka were beyond “very strong individuals”. They were something of their own class. A class both horrifying and awe inspiring in its strength. Oni or not, it seemed that they all had achieved a level of greatness that was unreachable- but damn did she want to try.

The gale of wind shoved her back, her awareness significantly hindered by the state of anxiety she was put in when she arrived here. She staggered a few steps before catching herself. Having covered her eyes from the wind she would lower her arm only to see a tag being thrown her way. With no time to dodge it met its mark, and the light that blinded her caused her to shield her eyes once more. Both hands remained over her eyes for several moments before she pulled them away, disheartened to the scene before her when she did.

For a few moments she thought herself dead. Considering the place that she had opened her eyes to, it wasn’t a far fetched idea. This looked like Heaven, or a part of it at least. If this beautiful place of serenity was where she was to remain for the rest of her soul’s existence… her only gripe would be that Ko was…

Ko was…

As she stood there she started to get choked up, the tears that had threatened to fall slowly starting to pool up on her waterline before- what the hell? She blinked, her tears slid down her cheeks as the very floor she stood on started to tilt forward. And forward more. The feeling of her stomach plummeting straight out of the soles of her feet and into her throat at the same time overwhelmed her senses momentarily as she was pitched forward and suddenly her feet were sliding out from under her. All she saw of her destination was darkness. It was as if she had been sent to Heaven where they realized a mistake had been made, and she was being cast out- down to Hell on a damned slide.

She covered her eyes and let herself fall, unable to even begin to think of a way to prevent this judgment- but she landed gently. Warmth embraced her and she realized as he spoke that Ko was there. Ko wasn’t where Tengu had been so he couldn’t have died. Which meant she didn't die.

Kasami uncovered her face, her hands trembling as she looked at him with uncertainty. At first his question didn’t register, she just remained there frozen with her hands hovering in front of her face for a moment. He seemed genuinely concerned and the gesture made her want to break down and cry right there in his arms until she felt that strange sensation again. Her entire body shook, even her eye felt like it was vibrating in her head. But the Rinnegan, it was as if this organ was no longer connected to her body. It was a disconcerting feeling, to feel something that was woven into her own being, feel so sentient and foreign. Her hands moved across themselves to grab Ko’s jacket, pulling it tighter over her shoulders. As he put her downstairs her request though she’d have liked to remain in his arms forever- her lips trembled, but she finally nodded the final time that he asked her if she was okay.

“Just… a little shaken…”

Her eyes opened at the sound of him puking, alarmed by the sudden sickness. But that feeling, that feeling sent her to the edge of another spiral. Her chest tightened, and as Ko grabbed her arm and pulled her behind him, her body refused to move on its own. She came to stand behind him forcing her limbs to move and from that moment forward- she was a statue. Her eyes were wide with fear and she was so struck by it that she hadn’t even realized that Eiji and Kirinji had been pulled to their location. Her vision began to warp once, closing her eyes as she began to blink. As they closed she heard the explosion, but when she opened them again she found that they were standing on the remnants of the roof and not at all in the same location.

Kasami was almost confused enough to forget the anxiety in her chest, but unfortunately she wasn’t so lucky to be freed from the feeling so soon. It took her for a ride for a moment as she stood there holding Ko’s jacket around her, hugging herself as her knees shook. It wasn’t until she looked at Ikki doubled over behind them that she would see the blood seeping from his fingers and onto the tattered shingles. Unsteady as hell, she still approached him and knelt down by his side. Her fingers touched his shoulder ever so lightly in an attempt to keep the trembling from being noticed by him but still tell him she was there. Eiji was unconscious and Kirinji seemed to be injured as well. Now Ikki was also hurt. She was physically fine but it felt like her spirit had been wounded. She was no longer confident in the Rinnegan being hers to control.

“Are you going to be okay, Ikki? We still have to get further away. Can you move?”

They were out of the immediate vicinity of whatever had just occurred, but they probably needed to get some distance from the temple itself, all things considered. She had enough of her mind left before she had a full meltdown to assess their situation. Their best bet was to retreat completely. This temple was doomed, they couldn’t fight in this condition. Three of them were injured. She was okay but her techniques would probably lack some umph at the present moment with how she was feeling. Ko couldn’t do it on his own. Not against everyone they’ve run into on this night.

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

=The chaos rung on, the voice called from under its breath and one could tell that it was starting to become increasingly sentient as it went on - to a horrifying level. When the robed male rose he would find that where he touched down with the blade there was a crater..but not the thing that it was looking for. The man...no - the creature dropped down to a knee, tossing the executioner blade aside as it desperately probed the ground with unbelieving hands...looking for the blood, where was the blood...there was no blood. Wretching back with a full arch in its back the creature screamed - shaking the building it was upon as it snatched the executioner blade back to its hand with the alloy leash that was connected to his wrist. He caught the blade with ease and the moment it touched his hand he went to swinging at the rooftop wildly upheaving shingle and plate as he did. Soon he looked down into the garden - and weaving a single set of three handseals with one hand he opened his palm and focused his explosion release to his hand - what formed there was a ball of light, and much like one would assume he hurled ity down through a patients door like a grenade. The portion the room was in exploded violently, shaking the whole building and soon what would follow would be a series of those same explosions moving all around the ward. He was moving like a mad man..suddenly - after he had curled into a ball of destruction and landed just above a separate ward of the clinic he had begun to lift his hand when suddenly - a sound of thunder.

"Jeez, I really shouldnt have made a grocery stop should I?"

=And what stood there before the beast but only thirty feet away was none other then Kiyoshi Uzumaki. There was a cup of coffee in his hand from which he sipped, it seemed to resonate with a blue aura as he lowered it from his lips looking at the beast of a man. It was...Zaku, a previous lord of the Oda clan - brother of Izanagi whom had disappeared ages ago. Kiyoshi knew what this meant, he couldnt help but glance around looking for Eien as well but he was nowhere to be found, he couldnt even sense him where as he could sense the grouping from a'far. Soon the robed male dug deep and launched himself from the ground at Kiyoshi to which the orange haired male tossed aside his cup. In doing so the moment that the blade was about to meet with its target it found itself swiping through air - Kiyoshi now aside of him with the cup in hand. Flying Thunder God - where as Kiyoshi too knew the technique he was not near as skilled in it as Tatsumi was...he didnt need to be. After transitioning to the cup and catching it he took it and slammed it into the ground while Zaku was turning to face his new position. When he turned Kiyoshi focused his eyes upon the binding wristlet that was connecting the executioner blade to his wrist and chakra painted a seal upon it...this seal was odd - and of Kiyoshi's own make, this is where the Uzumaki in Kiyoshi shined. This was known as the "receiving" seal. A seal that Kiyoshi would manipulate at his own will. And when Kiyoshi slammed the cup upon the roof it shattered and the blue aura went to the floor before him - creating another rounded seal. This was known as the "delivery" seal - delivering a new message or purpose to the receiving seal. Kiyoshi set a handseal to his chest and spread his palm wide - turning the very formula on the seal itself rearranging it as if it was a physical thing on a roulette wheel. It set, and the moment that it set as Zaku started to larch forward his body would be striken down to the ground as if a great weight had fallen upon him...because it has. The seal that he had transformed set the one on his arm to inflict a chakra binding on the male. He struggled there and roared loudly under the weight of his arm and the blade now, and the more chakra he called to rouse the heavier he got till suddenly - a loud crash. The faceless male had fell through the floor. "Okay - that gives me some time." and with that a sound like a gunshot as Kiyoshi disappeared from that area in a flash.

[[Addressing Team 4 and Ikki]]

=A flash of light, and he was there - appearing there among the grouping of shinobi was now Kiyoshi, looking around and accessing the area he had to grit his teeth and cover his nose a moment to keep himself from being taken a'back by the latent Hadou that was resonate in the area from Tengu's arrival here. He took it all in quick, Ikki, Eiji, the Injured Kirinji, Kasami no worse for wear physically but mentally may be a different story and Ko...his eyes focused a moment on Ko perhaps longer then they should have - a passing nuance at the most that no one would be the wiser to. He came over to Ikki's side and knelt on a knee, using his bending knee as a stand to lay his back over so he was facing upwards, moving his hand from his eye so he could see fully if he allowed him to being sure to announce: "Its Kiyoshi - relax, relax - we're at war now. I'm going to help you but you need to get on your feet after. All of you." and with that being said as he lined Ikki up on his knee he would place his hand upon his collar region, centered and sparking scarlet lightning would leave him as his body vibrated rapidly and course over Ikki's. What he was doing was sharing action potential for just long enough for Ikki to benefit from his accelerated healing factor that comes with. the results would be bizarre but his eye would be healed - mis matched with his other looking as if one was sharingan and the other was his natural eye color; not a permanent side effect but only till his optical nerve readjusted enough for his healing eye to catch up. (5 posts). By this point Ikki would certainly be up and at em on his own - so he would not bother setting him down gentle or anything expecting someone of his experience to be fleet of foot in an active combat zone. He was bound to pass Kasami and Ko while moving to Kirinji and on the way he would come face to face with her and pat her cheeks over and over, not slaps but enough to let her know that he was here and keep her here with him in the moment. "Come now Kasami of six paths that all it take to shake you up? Get to it, come on I need you with me, need you both with me.", and he was off to Kirinji - examining his arm. He looked up to the male and gave him a silent and stern expression as if to non-vocally tell him "This is going to hurt like ever living hell." and as he took his arm - at the wrist and just above the elbow he would twist and pull - extending his arm out fully and nearly shattering the rest of the bones in his arm. But from this angle he could pass more action potential through his body as well - and at an angle like this with broken bones acting more malleable then normal - he could reheal and reset each of the bones in his arm till his entire arm was good as new. When the time came that it was Kiyoshi would be gritting his teeth...he used action potential as a normal suppressant for his latent fire chakra, his Uzumaki genes, and Gogandantes most of all. By this point he exhausted a lot of it to heal people - he wasnt in combat where there was kinetic energy all around for him to steal and refurnish his own action potential from it. His eyes were getting brighter and as he knelt over next to Eiji he would grab his collar with one hand and cup his chin in the other - holding his face close, almost as if to set lip to lip when suddenly he would open his eyes and reveal that they were bright, glowing green - resonate with Hadou. He would utilize one of the Sanzou abilities that he had learned from Tatsumi: Nirvana Temple: Everlasting Breath of Radiance, and from his lips would pass a cloud of bright light green mist that would seem to inflict itself upon Eiji, passing into his lips and through his lungs and from here it would stem and circulate at the center of his chakra pathway system. The male would find himself bursting up to life - on his feet and exhilarated with new found energy and power, his chakra would feel almost as if it was double - for it was increased in potency but his stores were only a bit above their normal levels. Whatever would happen after that point Kiyoshi would dash from him with hand clenched to chest and look out to the side in the direction that he had left Zaku's body in. He seemed to be focusing - as far as he could tell everything was quiet....that was not good.

"They took it? No no no - they took it, shit! Okay look, I dont have much time to explain. That thing outside is the previous Oda lord - Heir to Hakai Oda's legacy and brother to Izanagi. Or - at least its his corpse, reanimated. The Budda that was here...Tatsumi was protected a Jade Budda - its a relic of the Sanzou used to...used to maintain balance in Naraka - and they just took it which means we are now at war with Daikokuten. The son of Mikaboshi. There's a temple - not to far from here to the North, I have to stop him - if I dont stop that thing then Kagane Village will be a crater. I understand if you feel this isn't your fight. If thats the case then you need to make your way to that temple ASAP, if not - I could certainly use th-"

=That being said he darted his eye over to the side and in a blink of a moment weaved forward and spiraled around, he just barely bobbed out of the way of a massive haymaker from the creature - rolling his upper body out of the way like a professional boxer and with the last of his action potential in his body sent a devestating haymaker at the jawline of the creature - making damn sure not to look at his ventablack face as he delivered the blow and sent him reeling into the distance. His body flickered and like a bulb popping and going out the lightning around him dispersed as he exhausted his action potential. He chuckled and nodded his head as if to say *Hm - alright, okay.* and with that he clapped his hands together and weaved handseals: he uttered the name under his voice as if resentful of using the jutsu itself. There was a reason that Gogandantes did not use ninjutsu when he was separate from Kiyoshi. His ninjutsu...was too strong to be used in open scenarios around allies. "Profligation Of The Inferno: Wyrm's Cataclysm" and the moment that he said this his right arm began to ignite on fire - just the fire there on his arm was hot enough to be felt by those around him, then soon those around him would not be able to recognize what it was in the moment - but Ikki would know...it would be subtle but if he paid enough attention he could see it:

[sub]((Listen while reading: Non-immersive))[/sub]

=There was something...cold there. The seams between Kiyoshi and Gogandantes were starting to blend and fade and for a moment as he did this jutsu....it wasnt just to protect them and do away with the creature, no....it was malicious...it was to kill, erase, destroy - and he didnt care who it was. Kiyoshi threw his hand forward and as he did a spiral hose of flame big as a corridor left his hand and struck Zaku - casting him back dragging him across everything in his path and glassing the solid material that it touched on the way till he tilted his hand down and the hose bent as if he was turning and angling a waterhose. It arched him up in the air and through the sky a moment before casting him back down into the ground and the rest of the hose of flame leaving his hand to follow - reaching the point that the entire line would cast over and strike Zaku only to emit a bright flash of light and a quick heatwave that was hot enough in itself to threaten to singe the hair on your head. Standing in the vicinity of Kiyoshi as he did this was almost unbearable, like feeling the heat from a fireworks show in concert right there standing next to it - all collected in one. The hall, roof, building itself was carved out a path straight towards Zaku, you could see all the way through the expanse of the ward and a bit of the village where the flame had erased everything in its path...ravenous....malicious...ever hungering and unstoppable as it were....Kiyoshi compared to this male - was horrifying in his own right. But as one would look down the path they would find that were there eye sight good enough; they could see the creature standing right back up, Akatsuki cloak burned - charred and falling off his chiseled body, wearing typical shinobi pants underneath as he held now - a spike typical of a jashinist like Hidan in his hand....he had no wristlet on to connect him to the executioner blade. Obviously he had to discard it from his body so that he could escape and continue pursuit...should thy hand offend you - cast it away from thee. The creature let out a loud roar and started to walk its way down towards Kiyoshi, and with that Kiyoshi smirked - not helping but make a correlation between this beast and the Zaku that he knew in his life; licking his lips at the chance to fight that again. He started to march down towards him as well. As he left he addressed the group behind him: "Stand together - or head to the temple. It is your choice.", and with that he continued on down the path - very well a path that no other could follow. But that would be left to be seen by the way the events shall unfold now before them.=

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

Kirinji would glance over toward Eiji through his peripheral analyzing the man’s reactions. While the glance was brief, it gave a lot of information. Evidently, they were in a terrible situation but they’d make it out alive. Call it blind hope, but without hope there is nothing. Kirinji moved his uninjured arm toward and put it on Eiji’s shoulder, squeezing it lightly, and if Eiji looked over toward Kirinji he’d see him making eye contact with him and giving a slight smile - hopefully reassuring the individual without needing to say anything. Kirinji then glanced over toward Kasami, who had just finished speaking, and did the same to her. In a way this did two things, one was absolute while the other was not. The first thing was as aforementioned - in hopes to keep their confidence up as best as he could. The second thing it did was allow Kirinji to “tag” the both of them with the Flying Thunder God Seal, which may be necessary in an unwelcoming situation.

By the time Kirinji was done tagging them, he’d feel chakra around him and the surroundings would begin to fold and create a rupture in the space around them. Kirinji swiftly turned his head toward its origin, noticing it was coming from the white-haired individual. And the first thing that came to his mind was something someone would not be thinking about currently, in this unwelcoming time, but it was quite humorous. ”So that’s what it feels like”, he thought to himself as his whole body would vortex into a sphere and fade away only to arrive at medical wards.

Kirinji would stand up once they had teleported and looked over at Ikki, who was most likely agonizing from the teleportation ability. Kirinji kept looking around to make sure no other bad surprises were to come. He was worried, but he couldn’t show it during times like this. Him worrying would cause him to hesitate. Hesitation would lead to death. And that simply something he could not do. They were shortly joined by another individual, Kiyoshi Uzumaki. Who was going from person to person and aiding them,

”AH! FUCK! -”

Kirinji yelled in pain as he took a knee once again grabbing his elbow, wincing in pain. The abrupt snap would cease his focus of medical ninjutsu he was applying to himself as he would continue to make noises signaling he was in pain, but it was gone just like that. It was weird, but he wasn’t in the pain he should have been. Kirinji would hesitate and move his arm slightly, making sure the pain was gone, and when he noticed that there was no pain he would begin to smile slightly and move it freely. As if he was impressed by Kiyoshi’s ability. Kirinji would slowly begin to stand up and while staring at his arm as he moved around and by the time he had gotten up Kiyoshi would be done with Eiji and talking to them all.

From his tone you could tell that he was worried - shit - so was Kirinji once Kiyoshi said that the man in the coffin was Izanagi’s brother. No wonder his presence was foul. Suddenly, near the end of the sentence Kiyoshi cut off as he dodged Zaku’s attack and then recovered with his own. Kirinji could feel an odd sense from Kiyoshi, but was not quite sure what it was. It was brief and only felt by him when Kiyoshi used his technique - something he couldn’t really describe. Speaking of the technique, Kirinji could feel the heat radiating from the technique Kiyoshi was using. It was clear from the feeling that this technique was unlike others, and far more advanced. And a hit from this would without a doubt cause severe damage to anyone. Or so he thought. The creature rose. Almost as if he was unfazed by the hit. It let out a roar that would cause Kirinji to hesitate. Was this fear he was feeling? Kiyoshi looked over at the group and spoke again, "Stand together - or head to the temple. It is your choice.", and with those words he looked around at the others to see their reaction. Did Kirinji want to leave? Yes. But if the group had decided they wanted to fight, Kirinji would help them without a doubt. Why? He didn’t know why, but in their short time he had created some sort of bond with them. Perhaps it was due to the dangers they were all facing toward.

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

Kasami was still knelt next to Ikki when the flash of light alarmed her. She stood up defensively in front of the man who had come to their aid, when she saw...

”Kiyoshi?”

Her confusion was evident in her shaking voice. She was both relieved to see him and afraid for a multitude of reasons. If he was here, if Tengu had shown as well, that meant this was as bad as she feared it was. She lowered her guard again and moved out of the way as he moved to Ikki, returning to Ko’s side as she crossed her arms over her chest and gripped his jacket at her shoulders. There was so much going on- so much that she couldn’t fight against and Mikaboshi... her jaw clenched tight. This was bigger than them, bigger than all of them. This was what Tatsumi had talked about when they arrived at the temple. The New Burning Dawn. The end of what Izanagi was trying to protect from the sound of it, but maybe... maybe if they stuck together?

No... don’t be an idiot. You’d die.

Would they though? Even standing among Oni, they could be no match for their foe? She had a hard time believing it, and yet she witnessed the destruction of this temple with her own eyes. Kasami was lost in thought, staring at the ground in front of her when Kiyoshi stepped into view. She blinked once before looking up at him. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise as he pat her cheeks, his words digging into her skin and latching on for the ride her mind was about to take her on.

It was a good question, one he had a right to ask and she could tell what his intention with it was as soon as he did. The attempted smile that touched her lips as he moved on from her didn’t reach her eyes, but he should be satisfied that he seemed to have reached her heart. So there was that question. Was this all it took to shake her up? Her thoughts drifted to all of the things she’d faced over the years. Her accident, losing her hearing, her childhood and training. But there was one thing she was forgetting, one thing that slipped her mind right up until the snapping of Kirinji’s bones brought it to the forefront of her mind.

Ko had literally tortured her, and she was getting shaken up by running into Mikaboshi? Had he so much influence over her that she’d actually be a mess? No, this isn’t what he made her for. This wasn’t the vision he’d had of her, being a coward and running away. He created her to be his weapon, and she’d be his god damn weapon.

As the spark returned to her, her eyes lit up with the flames of determination. Her knuckles, white as snow from how hard she’d been gripping Ko’s jacket, finally returned to her fleshy color as she relaxed. She’d cower no longer, and would look upon this scene with full clarity once more- just in time to see Kiyoshi literally breathing life into someone. Whether Eiji moved or not afterward was unclear, as she turned her back to him to look at Ko from the corner of her eye with a loving smile as she always did. She slid his jacket off her shoulders and offered it back to him. As much as she wanted to keep it- it was big on her and would get in the way if they ended up getting into another fight. As she did this, Kiyoshi was explaining to them how dire the situation was.

As he was about to ask them for his help, she was turning toward him again with a smile that quickly disappeared as a fist came into view. He dodged it expertly and even retaliated in response without need for much thought, which she found to be beautiful and was envious of as well. She didn’t even need to think about whether or not she was going to stay or go- she was staying. She was committed to Naraka’s protection now- she was already there and the only thing that mattered to her was right by her side. She had no reason to return to the shinobi world. Kasami noted that Eiji hadn’t moved yet, so she cast a barrier of wood around him to protect his body as he recovered. Kirinji was healed now and would decide for himself if he was going to stay- and Ikki was probably more bound to this cause than them. He seemed to know people here, as well as the area.

The heat wasn’t unbearable yet, but it was a few degrees from being so. Her eyes burned from proximity, as she raised her arm to protect it from the heat waves as she took several steps back and paused. She watched from overtop her forearm in awe and stars in her eyes. This was what she wanted to achieve. She wanted to be like Kiyoshi and Tengu. The beauty to their styles were individual and yet they rivaled one another so harmoniously. The creature still rose but to the same effect, he was getting a beating. And she’d help Kiyoshi try to protect what was left of this temple and the village surrounding it.

“I’m with you.”

Kasami stepped past Ko for a moment before she turned around and grabbed his neck. She gave him a kiss on the lips that was clearly not a goodbye and a promise that everything would be fine. She knew it would be, and that wouldn’t be their last kiss. As she pulled away, she eyed him with a grin before she turned and walked after Kiyoshi toward their adversary. This creature was not something that they could avoid, but she made sure as she always tried to practice that she kept her gaze on the most insignificant part of a person’s body. One they probably wouldn’t use for genjutsu and would be hard to notice unless in close proximity- their feet.

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

He was fine even before Kiyoshi arrived, when Kasami asked he was still just kind of laying there with his now bloodied hand in the dirt and the now damaged eye closed. The bloodied hand was at work even upon Kiyoshi’s arrival as when the aforementioned came upon them a seal would’ve been in place. This of course was only going to matter after Kiyoshi had gone to work with action potential. Ikki's body was still sluggish from such an escape, meaning he still needed to collect himself, let alone his thoughts. The last thing on his mind at the moment was retaliating to the one person he knew could actually help him. When Kiyoshi relinquished Ikki from his grasp he brushed his snow white hair back with his fingers revealing his mismatched gaze. However what remained of Ikki as he was somewhat far more serious than his interaction with Ai on the roof of the ward. His gaze was fixated in a way that when he looked at Kiyoshi even he would recognize the change in demeanor. It gave off the same sense of rage that a bear would have in the event their cubs had been endangered and while they weren’t his kids by any means but they were under his care. This in turn led up the point that Kiyoshi was tending to the and that seal that Ikki had been drawing in the dirt with his blood came to fruition. It was like putting a key into a lock in those moments as Kiyoshi was tending to the others. Ikki brought the half tiger hand seal to his chest. In a matter of moments that spot on the ground erupted into a cloud of smoke and out came a single hilt. Its form was wreathed in red wrappings with a golden pommel engraved with a similar looking mask to his own seiryu mask. Ikki plucked the aforementioned from the earth and with that began to twirl over his hand a few times as if getting accustomed to its weight. It was what remained of his former weapon which had now been broken down into several pieces and repurposed to more so fit his needs. As things continued and even Kiyoshi came to realize what Eien had lost in those moments Ikki simply agreed. There was no point in leaving this place behind if Eien nor Tatsumi were around to aid them that meant it was up to them to protect the people of the land. In the midst of this all the look on Ikki’s face would’ve answered Kiyoshi’s question before he even thought to ask if they were going to stand with him.

Ikki’s eyes, even the one that lacked Sharingan was already upon Kiyoshi and the beast that wore Zaku’s corpse. This interaction was different than all these years ago, what laid under that vantablack veil was troublesome as they came to trade blows. It became clear even Kiyoshi was aware of the circumstances as he and Zaku traded thunderous blows. Of course Kiyoshi agile and light on his feet was quick to dodge, yet the thunderous blow that followed and the heat that began to radiate from Kiyoshi’s form was a familiar taste, something he could relate to in those moments thinking of his own techniques. However the sheer violence that came from this level of heat, let alone the respective presence that came from it could only mean one thing. The two of them traded places, Kiyoshi and the beast that dwelled within; Gogandantes. Even as Kirinji screamed moments ago and his eyes filled with the stench of cowardice in a moment like this Ikki’s gaze was still filled with anger as he looked between them all.

When Kasami called out and said “I’m with you” that was all Ikki or Kiyoshi for that matter likely needed to hear. Even as they all came to be the last vanguard between the people of the village and the ward alone they were going to stand together. In passing the hilt that resided in Ikki’s left hand wasn’t going to hinder what was to come, as he weaved the clone seal forming a cross with his fingers only to produce three clones. As they poured into view from their puff of smoke Ikki didn’t even speak to them as a collective they simply went about their business. One being so kind as to remove Eiji from the battlefield as a whole moving him to the temple. Its image scooping him up and disappearing. Another stayed with the group mimicking Ikki’s stance in every way possible poised and ready to pounce at the notion of another attack on the group as a collective. However the last of them seemingly went in the same direction as the clone that carried away Eiji whether he was coherent or not. This clone and the aforementioned clone had one job and that was to gather chakra for what Ikki had in mind. Had everything gone according to plan the pair of them were set to set up shop right in front of Eiji. Had they encountered anyone there they would’ve just as easily been prepared to defend him to the best of their ability amidst their initial plans.

Had there been no resistance the position they would’ve taken up would be akin to buddha statues. Their hands pressed together as they began to soak up natural energy as a whole. Their forms taking on a similar warmth to activating the Kiln of Seiryu. While Ikki was not a true sage, his ability to call on and pool natural energy in order to convert it into senjutsu was something Ikki himself had been fond of for years since acquaintance with souzou subarashii. Things were getting underway on both fronts as Ikki and company stood before Zaku with their defenses raised and intentions set. They were going to be in for a fight for their lives whether they knew it or not. In passing Ikki and the clone that resided in the presence of the group would forge blades of golden chakra, sturdy and dense by design as well as sharp to the touch.

“Stay safe”

Was the only thing Ikki uttered to them knowing full well he couldn’t always protect them. It was up to them to decide what they were going to do as they could very well abandon him here with Kiyoshi and he would still fight to his last breath. Even as he stood before Zaku and his eyes were focused on all but his face. His mind was racing to find ways to buy as much time as possible for what was in store. Only time would tell what was to come and the clock was already ticking.

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

[[Kogaijii's perspective]]

=The kiss had broke his focus, pulled him back into a close range perspective - as he had held Kasami he had not taken his eyes off the being...off this Zaku. There was something there...he was using every sense of his body to keep track of that chakra...he wanted to watch him through the walls if he could. But suddenly his lips found that of her own soft lips and once they had disconnected he was left looking at her with slight shock in his face. Now? Right now? Was she going to do something silly? His rinnegan sub-sided and his three tomoe sharingan looked upon her at that point. He couldnt help but smirk and chuckle as she stood upon her own handed his jacket back and went to the front lines. He'd lost track of him...he had to push back the creeping paranoia in his mind as everyone readied themselves and the clone somehow relinquished Eiji of the barrier of wood, he wrapped his jacket around his waist watching them. Soon came the moment that Kiyoshi was warning them and suddenly his eyes snapped open. For a moment - a split second of a moment he caught it. To his sharingan it was like the body of the beast simply slid into perspective of the situation among them. It was too quick for Ko to adjust to for that moment - just like that he was off guard and just like that a moment occurred where it could have been his or Kasami's ass. He didn't like this. He didn't like this scenario at all and the moment that Kiyoshi started to walk the thing down with his flames Ko lifted his arm to shield himself against the heat while his mind went wild. He'd have to...it was apparent at this point. No one had questioned it at all from when it transpired before...but it was probably one of the most forbidden techniques and most powerful techniques in his arsenal...back there at the temple when he was under the influence of the miasma he had used it. *Ikigai* it rung over in his head. It was apparent to him that in the moment even with all their might this would be a struggle. They would need a good support if they were going to come out of this with all their limbs attached - and with that in mind Ko would do something that he otherwise hated doing. Sitting down there on the ground Ko gave the group one last look...one of absolute determination and absolution:

=That was all that he would give. Anyone that knew him would know this was all that he needed to give. At this point if Kasami was going to continue to help and protect these people, then so would he. Not only that...but he wasnt going anywhere until that son of a bitch that hijacked his body paid for doing what he did. As Ko sat there in meditative stance he set his hands in an odd formation, almost a'kin to the way that a chinese monk would in the middle of prayer. As he did this it was apparent that there was a chakra that started to build around his entire body - it was like watching fireworks come up in front of your face for anyone that had or was using sensory techniques in the moment, a bright crimson - vibrant in hue, vermilion. This was the chakra of Shuzaku. He sat there building it up and after it was built up to a certain proportion he would do something that was familiar only to those that had trained in or traveled the land of wind. He covered one eye with his right hand, and continued his meditative trance. As he did such a single eye ball, materialized as if it was warped by Kamui and floated above them all, watching over them. He never flinched from this - and if they were wise, they would maintain a priority to make sure that he wouldnt - flinch from it. It was unknown exactly what it was that he was doing but it would be apparent that it would be to their benefit....though there was something eerie about this power welling up inside of him all of a sudden.=

[Addressing: The group]

=In the moment that Kiyoshi started to walk towards the beast - he was looking them all over, accessing the situation...growing more and more sentient by the second and it was absolutely delicious to him. Things were starting to make sense, methods of engagement were starting to populate his mind and most of all he could feel it.....feel the excitement. The moment that each one of them rose to the occasion and stepped up to face them, he started to cough something...as insects, centipedes and larva of the like started to fall from his lips....and soon that cough started to roll upwards into a laugh. Before long the thing was laughing hysterically and seemingly choked up with the sheer amount of creepy crawlies that were filling his gullet...but it was a most robust and excited laughter as he held his arms wide and laughed high to the heavens. Soon Kiyoshi grit his teeth and lunged in, striking him with speed that was blinding even to the sharingan. First he kicked his knee out from under him bringing the mammoth of a man down to a more convenient level for the man to deliver a medley of blows. It was apparent that Kiyoshi was still in his right mind despite the sadistic hues in him, his fighting style was very distinct from that of Gogandantes - that of a boxer, light on his feet bouncing on his toes and hands high in guard. . . he wasn't playing around. Maybe even Ikki did not see him trying so deliberately to put someone down as he was in this moment. he struck him with four quick stinging blows from the right - each seeming louder, and having more impact then the last, sounding almost as if a thunderclap off the things face as he landed the blows and almost sent him right back onto his feet with the way that his punches were lifting him. He then crossed over with his left and delivered a hellacious hook - striking his target flush so well that the impact from it seemed to let off a shock-wave that blurred visibility when it landed. . .

. . . The creature laughed still. . .

And now the laughter was growing even more. Kiyoshi upturned his lip in a snarl as he laid into him even more, comboing over and over until suddenly his hands were a blur - the creatures body rocking and dancing with the way he struck him over and over till it sounded like machine guns going off..but then something happened. Soon Kiyoshi grimmaced and licked his lip before continuing in....had he? Yes, he'd saw it right. Zaku had found time between blows to strike him with one of his own. Kiyoshi laid it on even thicker - by now the display of speed was apparent as he threw in more blows but it seemed like for every twenty Kiyoshi threw...one more...then another....then another - soon Zaku was stepping back up to his feet and going at it with Kiyoshi blow for blow. Kiyoshi couldnt help but smirk...he could meet him, or at least keep on going toe to toe with his speed.

[sub]((Listen While Reading: Critical Battle 1))[/sub]

=He liked it. He'd be lying if he tried to say that he didnt. It wasnt often at all that Kiyoshi got to really go through his paces with his speed in combat with someone and when he did it was either against Genichiro in one of their disputes or Izanagi in training. Both of which put him down rather quickly if they so willed it in the first place so it wasn't like he could be completely free to really let loose. Soon the quick punches of the boxing Kiyoshi turned to a more defensive mode, weaving and then coming in with two more, a duck and weave followed by another tit tat of his left and right. They were moving so fast and he was still managing to be so evasive that it looked like they were dancing. If one looked closely they would notice that not only was Zaku starting to lose the advantage but there were crimson traces of electricity passing between the two of their bodies. Speed steal. Kiyoshi was using his action potential's ability to steal someones speed to power his own to keep himself in the defensive against his strikes. They were very close - moving very fast, conducting the static that was the action potential and he used it to his advantage. Kiyoshi had a smirk upon his lips when suddenly:

=A sudden crash down upon his cheek, he'd outpaced his speed steal...that could only be done by a sudden burst of speed that was too fast for it to keep up with, vastly faster then what was being put out in the current exchange. But that would either mean that he was holding back or something had occured that boosted him even faster then that. Soon Zaku had taken up stance and form that was far outside of what he was doing before. He was throwing full force punches, kicks, and even elbows...his chakra wa......his chakra was COMPLETELY flared. It blurred the area around them just to be in its presence. He'd used the hachimon. Kiyoshi had almost forgot, he'd been dead for so long that he hadn't had to deal with it. The reason that Zaku had ever been so well suited for Oda clan lord was he was a monolith before he was an Oni. He was extremely well trained by Izanagi in the use of the Eight Gates, and he was utilizing them right now...he needed not announce it - he did such on the fly. Soon Kiyoshi was overwhelmed. Going from dodging and countering to full on defense blocking each blow that came at him - and even while blocking each attack seemed to send him reeling backwards towards the rest of the group until soon his eyes widened as he found himself shocked. He tried to budge but couldnt, tried to spin his body around but was wrestled back into position. He found himself in a clench (muai thai), and he knew what was following. His hands shot up almost too slow...even for him. The knee followed swiftly like a gunshot and when it connected his blocking hands made a sound kin to such. Another followed, each time that he blocked coming up off the ground and going backwards towards the rest of the group till finally one crashed through his guard. The impact was sickening and when he struck he let the male go and sent him flying into a wall aside the long tunnel that Kiyoshi had previously burned out. After such he stood there, then struck his chest over and over with his fist before the best let out another roar. He then looked over at the rest of the group....sizing them up so it would seem...looking at Ikki....the ground he had been on before, Ko, Kasami, Kirinji...then suddenly there it was through the ventablack..it was as if he simply blinked it into existence and lifted the veil of his eye lid from over it...crimson red sharingan...he only had one...but he knew it well and this body had been trained by the best with it...Izanagi. Soon to be exemplified in the way that he suddenly appeared before Ikki, the shakey image of the male already in motion, back turned towards the new Seiryu in the manner of throwing a spinning back elbow towards his face - aimed to send him into the side wall of the room...but all in that moment so much happened. There would come another image...an afterimage imprinted with physical energy and exerted with one motion that would shoot out towards the three, Kasami, Kirinji, and Ko - and jump up to the air to kick Kasami and Kirinji the to standing ones in the face in a jump split...that would be all that was put into that after image so whether or not it connected or not it would disappear from that point after. Then the last - Zaku, sliding through with horrifying speed, upturning debris as he approached, he would be making his way around them all, going straight to Ko planting himself with a hand in the ground - directly over where Ikki had bled onto the ground, saturating his hand in the males blood and almost as if using it as a lubricant, sliding in a spin to kick Ko directly in the back of the head. Should such connect, his meditation would be broken, and he would find himself left with a crucial blow to the back of the neck that would stun him.=

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

It seemed as if their minds had been made. They would stay together in order to help aid Kiyoshi in this battle, but from appearances it appeared they were off to a bad start. His crimson optics observed the snow-haired individual, who appeared to be using a lot of his chakra. Not only did he use Kamui in order to buy them some time to rest, but he also summoned shadow clones, essentially splitting his chakra into pieces. Kirinij was skeptical about his approach, but he didn’t say anything. His optics shifted over to Kiyoshi who appeared to be having the upper hand, yet there still seemed to be an odd feeling lingering around them. As if they were not in control. And this feeling only solidified when the creature began to laugh.

What initially seemed to be a one-sided exchange of thunderous blows, the beast was slipping some in his own. Until suddenly the man himself was going blow for blow with the speedster. Was he holding back this whole time, or had he evolved in order to match his speed? There was one more thunderous clap his crimson optics noted the flaring chakra - the Eight Gates. It now made sense why he was able to augment his capabilities and force Kiyoshi into more of a defensive position. Kirinji wanted to jump in, but right now - it wasn’t .. it wasn’t the right time. Kiyoshi was sent flying, the beast roared, striking his chest over and over as he turned his attention toward the group. He could see it briefly, the Sharingan, as if the veil had been raised - probably done intentionally, in order to size them up. And it appeared he had no choice.

Kirinji’s skin began to shift into a sickening purple .. slowly and slowly .. until it was vantablack. There would be a radiating energy that began to emit from his body, and the nuances of purple danced under the moonlight. There was a roar in the sky, thunderous clouds seemingly began to coalesce together overhead the group almost immediately - blac lightning shimmering in the sky, creating a vortex.

”Come, Bentaburakku.”

His slightly raspy voice boomed as immediately the cloud vortexed downwards onto, and around them. Had Zaku, or his afterimages, come at them they’d become victims of a chakra so full of darkness, and malice, that even the strongest warriors fear its powers. The chakra was so potent, and heavy, that it gave off a repulsive smell. This was the mythical weapon known as Bentaburakku (ベンタブラック, “Vantablack”). During the Second Shinobi World War, there were rumors spreading like wildfire about another sentient blade being used in battle. Some said that they saw the weapon being summoned, and that when it is summoned the heavens rumble and roar from the black lightning coursing throughout the sky. Although, it was never verified. Yet, here it was, in the hands of Kirinji - pure black and moving slightly as if it was speaking - visible after a few seconds once the aura had dispersed. Kirinji’s skin was almost back to normal, other than the hand that he held the blade in, which was covered in that vialsome purple skin. The smell and the aura - it radiated a vile and loathsome aura, if one heard closely they could hear the screams coming from the blade; the manifestation of human negativity and greed - casualties of war.

Had Zaku, or his afterimages, decided to make their way toward them - the afterimages would be eaten up by that corrosive chakra. A magnitude of cuts would have been all over Zaku’s body, and if Zaku had access to medical techniques he’d find that these cuts - they weren’t normal - and they wouldn’t heal either. The weapon attacks the mind and the body of anyone it comes in close contact with, the consumption of soul is activated automatically upon impalement. This is what makes the weapon so unique. It never grows weaker because it only evolves from every soul it collects. Had none of that occured, he’d step out from his group, making his way past the other individuals and walking toward Zaku. The aura around the blade moved around arbitrarily, making a clicking noise as if it were communicating with Kirinji.

”I know, I know you bastard. It’s been a while.”

Kirinji chuckled insanely, the laugh of a man with a few loose screws. His chakra radiated outwards, expanding itself and covering their immediate area. His crimson optics looked up at Zaku, his sclera black and all that could be noted was that luminating crimson glow. A smirk on his face and he whistled at the beast, as if he were some sort of dog. There was something different about him, and from a simple glance you could tell that all his abilities had increased tenfold.

”Here boy.”

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

There it was even amidst their collective measures of speed as students of Izanagi let alone their skill as shinobi. They had come to trade blows, yet Ikki’s would’ve been like the arrival of high tide in those moments. While Kiyoshi and Zaku were fighting Ikki and his clone had their blades pointed forward. This only prompted what came next as Kiyoshi and Zaku traded blows, Ikki expanded his chakra with haste covering a total of five meters in preparation for what was inevitably going to come in the event that Kiyoshi couldn’t handle this alone. As such it was like a hyuuga pushing chakra from their tenketsu without hesitation at all meaning that what came next was going to come crashing down on Zaku’s head. When this image of him stepped into the striking range of Ikki there was already a retaliation from the moment things began to unfold. His image clearly responding without hesitation at all, should this be the physical embodiment of Zaku he could find both forms of Ikki taking action. The first with its blade poised just the same as the original moving to sweep clean beneath the strike aimed for Ikki’s cranium. Their bodies low and their breathing perfectly in sync as they aimed to strike Zaku’s midsection. While he was likely just as well trained physically and mentally there was something about this strike that made it different. The distortion that Zaku made when he stepped into this field of chakra gave Ikki ample time to respond, however between the both of them their movements were likely just as swift. Had the collection of blades made contact with Zaku’s midsection it would appear and certainly feel like they had simply danced across his form not seeking to deliver a seemingly lethal blow at all. Had this in fact been Zaku in the flesh upon him in those moments his form would’ve likely been met with the blow of this golden blade.

Had they even remotely traded blows at all, Ikki's body would’ve been ready to take the repercussions of his own counter attack as Kirinji seemingly called a weapon of his own. Albeit he was a little late to the party in that regard as the fight likely would’ve raged on even as he called his weapon. Of course he would’ve had some modicum of time bought for him in the subsequent transaction between himself and Zaku. However the part that was likely going to be amidst an act of folly was acting as if Zaku were a dog and calling to him. Ikki couldn’t persay fix a cocky attitude or even one filled with confidence. It was important that they all kept a level head in the end as Zaku was likely upon the trio now with Kirinji standing to protect them.

Meanwhile back at the temple

Ikki’s clones were still gathering natural energy and bottling it up inside as they continued to meditate side by side with one another. They were becoming the catalyst for something that very well could save everyone’s life or at the very least buy time for them to figure out a better plan than simply playing the defensive. Zaku was fast, a force of nature in his own right even in the presence of Ikki. Who for a period of time was the only member of the saint beast he had ever known. Then came Ko who seemed to be just as fortunate as Ikki to be bestowed a similar power all his own. They were both strong in their own fields, creative no less and with the arrival of Zaku meant they were likely going to be pushed to their limits even as saint beast. These clones continued to gather the aforementioned natural energy and with that they were preparing for their departure. Had everything gone according to plan on their originators side things would begin to fall into place like pieces of a puzzle. Even as they meditated they were on alert to jump to their creators aid even if it meant breaking the plan that had been set in place.

In the end even if Ikki had even for a moment managed to lay his blade upon Zaku’s physical form things would’ve been underway. Had he missed however he was still keeping up this retaliatory field of chakra as a means of defense. This meant that even with his back turned or his gaze averted from Zaku’s face he would still be capable of defending himself. Had anyone actually taken a look at his form they would find that the most fatigued portion of his body was that of his eyes. He was one sharingan down and that meant he was at only a mild disadvantage. As for his reserves let alone his ability to pace himself he was doing quite well. After his brief fit of rage against Ai, his composure had returned. This meant Ikki’s body was back to pacing itself keeping up with the flow of battle whilst letting his resolve steel his mind against the ongoing battle. While Ikki was no bottomless well he was more than capable of going the distance meaning this encounter was no different. As it stood, Ikki managed to strike a blow or even simply just slip past Zaku’s blow and under his means of striking he would now be standing with his blade poised once more on the opposing side waiting to see if even Kirinji was going to able to stand his ground.

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

Kasami was still walking forward when she’d heard shuffling behind her. She had no intention of stopping until she looked over her shoulder and saw Ko getting down on the ground. Her brows knit together questioningly, but she also knew that Ko had every clue on what he was doing in most situations, and she trusted his judgment in this moment as well. This was the man whose hands she would place her life in.

Rather than continue forward, she stopped and stayed near the group to avoid making herself an easy target. Instead, she stood there and waited, watching in horror as Kiyoshi attempted to manage against the monster before them. He was doing alright, not too bad but suddenly Zaku managed to break through his guard and they were all at risk of being separated from their strongest ally.

It was pure instinct, and potentially the fastest reflex she’d had since arriving in Naraka save for pulling that ice spear away from Eien. The shadows beneath her feet came alive, and she put her hands together in a single seal as a large tendril fired off at the speed of a high wind past her face. Its speed was enough to disorient the hair atop her head, blowing a few locks in her face as it launched toward Kiyoshi while in the air. It warped to form a large hand which wrapped around the male’s waist and snatched him before he was too far gone. It pulled him back to them in time for her to drop him abruptly on the ground in front of her, a squeal of shock coming from her as she dropped the hand seal.

This squeal of shock was the product of an afterimage literally kicking toward her face. She promptly forsook her hand seal to put her arms up protectively and attempt to move out of the way, though his speed was far too great for her. His feet made it past her arms, but she’d managed to avoid the full brunt of the kick and took it to the side of the head like a champ. She merely staggered, holding her ear as it began ringing loudly from the blow as she looked to try and find Zaku. He’d already moved on though, and it was hard to truly keep up with where he was.

”Ko! Look out!” Perhaps she yelled too late, but at the moment she called out Zaku had appeared and was... her eyes shifted toward the blood on the ground. That was an odd maneuver but she couldn’t have possibly deduced the truth simply based off that. She’d never seen a Jashinist before.

Everything was coming to a head now as Ikki faced off with their opponent and then... did someone just whistle? She spun around to see Kirinji- or someone who had the same stature as him. She was absolutely floored, standing there blinking for a moment before she just had to shake it off and resign to dealing with it later. Everyone was losing their damn minds apparently. She moved to where she’d dropped Kiyoshi and if he was still there recovering she would frown softly at him. She was no healer nin, and she didn’t know if she had it in him to heal himself. ”Tengu was here, Kiyoshi. He was here and faced off against Mikaboshi.” She pointed toward the building where that short showdown had happened. ”There... Should I go try to find him? I think we could use all the allies we can get... where the heck is that Eien guy too.”

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

=Kiyoshi found himself quickly whipped over back to where the others were, looking down only to see a tendril of shadow pulling him towards the rest of them - before he could take time to be astonished, wssh, wssh, wssh images of Zaku all fired off towards them. His eyes widened and he started to warn and tell them to run but as he did so a cataclysm of lightning befell the Uchiha man and dispersed the energy after-images that had been about to kick himself and Kasami, saving them both from the blow. "Bucket of tricks this group is eh?" Kiyoshi thought a'loud as he was finally set down on the ground with them. He shook it off - twisting his neck with an abrupt pop as he huffed the pain away. Then Kasami came talking about the Tengu's previous presence here, but he knew better - he could feel that man's presence a mile away and it certainly was no longer here: "No point - he's definitely not here anymore." as he looked over at Ikki just in time to see his own squabble with the previous Oda lord. Something wasn't right - he could see it in the motions that the man gave off, he had just traded blows with him after all and this was not the cadence that he had just been at....why dial it down? It seemed like such a half measure. And then there it was - transpiring before his very eyes.

The moment that Ikki avoided the spinning backfist he would find that the very thing he was fighting was too - an afterimage...it was the sight of Zaku that was zipping across the ground upheaving the very earth beneath him that was the genuine article. He had his sights trained - as he always did. It was always his way, to be an assassin. To systematically cause the collapse and downfall of a nation through absolute eradication of its core personnel. He had trained his whole life for it after all, he had been trained by Izanagi for it as well - to meet his sole goal in the shinobi world. The complete and utter elimination of Heiwa Sozo and Kami'No Shi. He had passed before his time - needless to say these were tasks that he had long since missed his mark on. That would be the only mark he missed though - at least as far as history could tell per the very moment, for his plan had worked out to the point that he wished...this creature, was showing far more sentience. The after images were all a distraction, and he could see the chakra field around Ikki with no problem and saw that it would be no consequence to him. This man before him...Kirinji Uchiha...he'd fall - but not right now, eyes on the prize. Just as he was getting towards Kirinji as he was traveling at such high speeds he would avert his expectations. Not going to attack him at all, in fact what he did do was activate the next of the Hachimon - his speed boosting even higher as the sudden increase, along with focusing his chakra - would cause a sonic boom to exude from his body just at the point that he was passing Kirinji, leaving him with not attacks but a great shockwave that would threaten to blow him against the wall after it was created. The chakra did not impress him...he'd dealt with such kinds of chakra and worse...this was Naraka after all, and he had contested Mikaboshi himself in his true form, he wouldnt blink twice. His dash past Kirinji sent him like a bullet passed everyone else that was dealing with their own particular issues, leaving him the seeming gap to strike Ko..but in fact - that was only a plus. He spun on his hand even faster then originally intended, but he wanted to secure his opening and soon his foot came hurdling towards K-....nothing? Perhaps he thought that it went unnoticed...to everyone else maybe - but this body...it knew what it looked like when the seams of reality were being toyed with. He would have struck Ko, but in the moment that his foot would have connected - Ko's body blurred away and dispersed almost like a blend of sand colored to match him...and he was several feet away, across from Kiyoshi and Kasami. He had no time to decipher that nor break it down - he needed to focus one thing at a time...knock out the bottom block, and let the tower fall. It had all come together anyway, lifting his hand to the ventablack void upon his shoulders as a long, animal like tongue breached a gate of fanged teeth and dropped itself into the pool of blood that he had caught in his palm along the slide to hit Ko. That was the goal all along - a sacrifice, to the glory of Jashin! The man stomped the ground after focusing chakra to his left foot - and those around him in a twenty foot radius would find themselves burdened down as if the ceiling of a building had just collapsed in a solid slab on top of them...this was the pressure release activated by Zaku's Proverb of Jashin: Wresting Congregation. This was activated by a seal upon his body that could only be activated once Zaku had ingested another's blood - and once done so he would stomp his foot, where there was in actuality a jashin sealing upon the very bottom and it would apply a jashin circle upon the ground around him - while using his pressure release with the intention of "dropping the congregation to their knees in prayer". It wouldnt happen yet, not just yet. True jashinism required time...it needed to be savored - this was no heretical con-artist worshiping. His eye glanced up at the same, Ko's eye floating there while he waited in meditation and he couldnt help but wonder...no matter. The creature chuckled, shifting his feet shoulder length apart and fortifying them with a great chakra. It would need time..but as well, he was no normal jashinist by any measure of the term. He wanted him to know what was coming. Taking his right pointer finger, he tapped his side, on the left rib cage a bit almost as if demanding attention. Then, he would jab his finger into his side - and the young Uchiha would find that the very same pain from this would be inflicted upon him, and not only that but it seemed to be personified in full, bleeding and all as if he had let the finger upon him with his very own hand. The creature would have started to chuckle, bursting into laughter. All the while Kiyoshi grit his teeth, trying to ponder through this...he couldnt simple subdue the man...anything that he did would be inflicted to Ikki at this point...but he couldnt use typical non-violent tactics anyway...it was a body possessed...not the real Zaku, sleeping tactics, or unconsciousness would be off the table. "Think....think you fuck...", uttered as his wild glowing eyes dashed across the area over and over just as his mind raced through possibilities...he needed to figure this out and figure it out now.=

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

The after-images dispersed upon the impact from his weapon due to the conductive polarity which dispersed the regulation of energy in the area — one of the few very special abilities granted to him by Bentaburakku (ベンタブラック, “Vantablack”). Yet it came at an unfortunate price. Kirinji’s hand would shift from his normal tan skin to a sickening purple and the weapon would begin to shift around and make a clicking noise as if it were trying to speak. And the prolonged use of Bentaburakku would poison his mind, hence the whistle in the beginning. It was unnatural, he hadn’t ever done that before — taunting an opponent, especially one stronger than him, but it just came out of his mouth himself as if he had been possessed.

Kirinji’s crimson optics witnessed in perfect clarity Zaku zooming past him and he didn’t make a move only turned over his shoulder following the beast The sonic boom would indeed push him back, but it would only skid him back a few before he stabbed his sword into the ground, stopping his movement and tearing off his shirt a bit. Evidently, Kirinji wasn’t his priority objective right now — which was unfortunate because he had only summoned Bentaburakku in order to assume the role of “tank” so Kiyoshi, Ikki, and Ko would have an opportunity to execute whatever they have planned. But regardless, this was an advantage within itself as he formed a singular hand seal. Kirinji observed the creature move at an alarming rate, spinning on his hand — scooping up Ikki’s blood — and sending a vicious kick toward Ko. It seemed as if it had connected, but at the last minute Ko’s body faded away and he had relocated himself out of arm way. Heh. Kiyoshi was right, this group is a bucket of tricks — and his fascination with wanting to know who Ko really is only grew more. His focus was elsewhere and it’d be foolish of him not to make a move.

As Zaku’s foot came up, what appeared to be Kirinji right in front of him was as quick as a blink of the eye sending a lethal uppercut with his right elbow. From what Kiyoshi had stated before, he knew a few things about the creature before him. His name is Zaku Oda — heir to Hakai’s Oda legacy, someone he knew well and was the reason his three-tomeo optics were awakened. Just that information itself would make Kirinji weary and he knew that he’d have to send some powerful blows. But that wasn’t the only reason. He was also Izanagi’s brother. All he needed to know. His blows were precise, focused, lethal, and deadly. You could see hints of black and dark purple lightning radiating off his body with each blow, uppercut to the chin. Followed by a left hook with his left elbow and a vicious right hand straight into his diaphragm with enough power that at minimum would suck the air out his lungs. But at maximum send him flying back into the wall intended for Kirinji. With each blow odd black cuts formed all around his shoulder, neck, and torso area. It wasn’t ready yet, but it’d soon be. All he had to do was stall for some time and then both of them would experience it.

For now, each blow combined with emotion and yang would be similar to being hit by a truck. Dazing, but doubtfully breaking any bones of the previous Oda Lord.

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

While Ikki and his clone came to a stand after their interaction with Zaku’s after image their exchange wouldn’t have been in vain. Their goal in actuality was to seed Zaku with some modicum of Ikki’s own chakra so inevitably when the beast came and went that would be exactly what happened. If there was one thing Ikki prided himself on to some degree it was his ability to be flexible during combat even more so when it came to close quarters interaction. This was in fact part of the reason he had even begun developing the Kiln of Seiryu in the first place, creating a defense that eventually amounted to an oppressive offense. When Zaku found himself skidding through the blood of Ikki in hopes of using it for whatever nefarious purposes he had in mind, the clone that was there with the group dispersed. This wasn’t at the lack of chakra present between their division but because he was no longer going to be needed. In short when Zaku found himself darting past Ikki and into that field of chakra only to leave behind an afterimage it was like he had run face first into a spider's web. This web of course was Ikki’s chakra coating his body subsequently leaving him with an imprint of himself upon him. This only resulted in their altercation still taking place meaning Zaku came and went only to miss his target when it came to striking down Ko. However when he found himself bringing up that pool of blood to the tongue that lurched from his mouth, Ikki could be seen with a single hand nestled in his chest. A quick motion to say the least, but he had seen much of the world in his time as a shinobi which meant that the act of drinking or merely even tasting blood was quite easy to match up with none other than a jashinist. Whether or not Zaku was a practicing Jashinist in the sense of the late Hidan was another story, yet Ikki took this as an opportunity nonetheless.

When he promptly brought that hand to his chest with a seal formed consisting of his middle finger being crossed over the index it would signal the first step in his own plans. He was thankful that the entirety of the group was there holding their own as well as tending to one another when necessary. It was apparent that they understood not everyone could be protected by a single entity. Flames of Seiryu: Azure Mutilation, the beast opened his maw to allow his tongue a taste of succulent blood Ikki saw that as an opportunity. The motions of Zaku were pristine up to the very moment that he had come to take a taste giving Ikki just the opening he needed to conduct this jutsu. The seeding of Ikki’s chakra on his body in those moments of interaction as he darted between the collective group merely boiled down to this moment as the blood that now pooled in his hand caught fire. From blood to ashes Zaku had effectively sunken his arms into an oil slick. Ikki’s blood when combined with this hand seal and chakra would function as an ignition point. The entirety of that limb and soon to be the entirety of his whole body would be met with the azure flames Ikki called his own. Had things gone according to plan Zaku’s body would inevitably begin to break down. A consumption of flesh from flames meaning Ikki wasn’t going to even let Zaku come close to tasting his blood at all. The very moment his tongue lurched from his mouth would’ve been the same motion that the flames ignited. Had he still opted to plant his tongue amidst the pool of blood anyway these flames would move from not just his arm but the inside of his body. Even if Kirinji by some chance managed to stop Zaku and interrupt the tasting of blood Ikki still set out to ignite the beast hand to in turn engulf his body.

Meanwhile at the temple

Things were underway; the clones that sat there with a seal planted firmly in his chest for meditation was topped off. They were biding their time collecting natural energy from the world around them with little hesitation and while Ikki was no sage he knew how to take in natural energy just the same in order to aid in his recovery of chakra and subsequently extend the length of his own capabilities in battle. While it was true he was already a bulwark of chakra in his own right often using his ability in jutsu in lump sums he knew how to pace himself. Any bystander at a glance would likely consider such behavior reckless under normal circumstances. However this was no reckless endeavor at all as things transpired back at the medical ward.In those moments Zaku clearly revealed himself as a jashinist and sought to partake in Ikki’s blood, a machination that would certainly lead to his downfall. The building blocks were in place as the first of two clones dispersed, yet what came in response for Ikki was a rush of invigoration. His body taking on this well of chakra in stride and without issue. His usage of Souzou Subarashii was one of the stepping stones for such a thing in a scenario like this. Had everything gone according to plan on the front end that would mean Ikki’s reserves of chakra were replenished to a degree washing over him in hopes of aiding him in a battle like this.

Among the dispersal of the first clone the second would continue its meditation taking in the natural energy that surrounded him. They were functioning as batteries per say, holding a well of energy for Ikki to consume at his behest. It was a tactic he didn’t often need to use, but with the arrival of Zaku things like this needed to be done. It needed to be done and had everything gone according to plan there would’ve been no cause for worry. As it stood amidst the interaction at the medical ward it was up to the collective to keep Zaku at bay and inevitably subdue him. Of course this implied that Ikki had successfully stopped Zaku from tasting his blood and as a result lit him ablaze like a candle. Only time could tell what was to come of the entirety of the battle but as it stood plans on both sides were underway.

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

It'd had been a while since the mark effected him removing his ability to mold chakra and his mind came to pieces at the loss of his very ability to survive in any realm of existence. His mind having shattered he barely knew what was going on he simply was lost in a void of his own thoughts. Inside his mind, Eiji's thoughts continued to wander around plaguing him deeply. Thoughts from his childhood up till now almost like his life was flashing before his eyes. A new perspective on his own outlook is shown to him through a mirror which was his own fleeting soul. Through these flashbacks and glances at himself, Eiji began to realize his own faults.

Faults no matter how small were revealed to him almost like seeing small zits in the mirror of his own soul, his own mind, or his own being. From faults of his own inferiority complex towards other shinobi to how he treated his own teammates. For the sake of looking good and becoming a mission effective shinobi he had almost cast out his own humanity and his nature became distrusting towards others. This was the biggest fault he had, something that came from his father always comparing him to the late Hiruzen Sarutobi. Eiji came to one realization from this continuous look at himself, he was not Hiruzen, he was himself and he could never become his ancestor.

With this being the case Eiji knew that he had to work upon himself and polish the skills that he was best at, not try to copy his ancestor nor his relatives. He would find his own path and the struggles he would face in Naraka would become his first step upon his new path to becoming his own person, shinobi, and valued teammate to Kasami and possibly the newcomer Kirinji. He wished to grow not only in his ninja skills but in his interpersonal ones as well. As he came to this realization almost as if Izanami had been cast on Eiji he woke up, startled to see that he was alive and well. Even the curse mark on him seemed to no longer be in effect.

He turned to see Ikki or at least what he thought was Ikki beside him, he released a soft sigh before bowing his head to Ikki in an apologetic manner, "I'm sorry for the difficulties I've caused and the problems, I created but I truly thank you for all the times you've saved me and hope we can start off on a new foot." His voice trembled and his body shook as he waited for Ikki's response. After which no matter what Ikki said Eiji would then question the whereabouts of the rest of the team.

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

She’d never seen war before. Her hands had yet to wield a blade against man, no jutsu cast to strike a down the soul of mortal creation. Yet as she stood there amidst the chaos, she realized this was the closest she had ever seen to a battlefield- and she hoped it was as far as it would ever go. In a single moment, it could be her last time to gaze upon the world and its visage was foul. Destruction and despair in its unending wake. War never stopped, not even after the battles were won by man. The world still needed to recover, and that was a war in itself.

Having stood upon the edge of the void before, knowing exactly what her heart desired in those moments she accepted her fate, it was odd to watch this fight unfold- knowing that one slip up could bring about what could take that very thing away.

Death. The avatar of the end.

There was still so much yet to do, so much to become. Ko had entrusted her with his spoils and asked of her a task she’d never thought possible, but in that moment he had given her far more than power. He’d given her hopes and desires, a stronger resolve and will to continue on the path that she’d not chosen for herself. Not because of her father, but because of fate. Ever the believer in its course and karma, as if the very concepts were gods themselves. Her mother’s death had set her on a road paved on a lake of her blood and tears, and along the way she had begun to lose her sense of purpose. For so long she had felt her existence crumble beneath expectations, only to be within a shadow of a false family. She was meant to be strong but no one had ever trained her in a way that complimented her truth. She was no Nara, and while she could try to pick up their jutsu and fit in with them there was always something lacking. She’d been pushed in the wrong way, edged toward cliff’s end- and what was supposed to be her ocean of destined greatness at the bottom, was instead full of the failure’s jagged rocks. They were the beasts that ushered her from fate, and Ko was the shepherd that lead the stray lamb back home.

Amidst her thoughts came Kiyoshi’s response to Tengu’s whereabouts and though she heard him she gave nothing further to that matter. Abandonment was an interesting feeling and popped up even in moments where it was unwelcome and unwarranted. Why had he left? He was one of their strongest allies in this fight, but she reasoned that he likely had more important things to do. Like tend to Tatsumi, or find Eien. Or maybe he’d even still be pursuing Mikaboshi. A thought which caused her to shudder.

They needed to focus. She had a plan in mind but she was unsure how easily it would follow through given the shinobi she had in company and their rather... thoughtless actions at times. A seal was formed before her- that of the tiger. With a plume of smoke kicked up around her feet, its clearing would reveal a shadow clone standing next to her. It too formed a seal, though it was such a versatile seal it was difficult to know exactly what the intentions of this clone were.

Things happened in real time at a rate which her thoughts had run rampant and she’d still been given enough space to react to events. She was somewhat prepared for the moment that Kirinji appeared before Zaku and in an instant she knew it was a grave mistake. It was seeming to become a common thing with those she kept in her party. If Kiyoshi could not withstand trading physical blows with this man, it was only logical to believe that not many would be able to. And certainly not someone who was below the caliber that the oni seemed to be. Before the flames had even erupted within his grasp, she was already in action.

The Senju growled with a ferocity that was unseemly of her, her normally passive nature being overridden with irritation. Her features distorted to the oncoming flood of vexing factors, giving this battlefield the potential for a more devastating conclusion than the giant hole that had been burned through the medical ward. Her hand shot forward in time with the flames appearing and hopefully before hands could be laid upon Kirinji, he would be snapped back with enough speed to give the man whiplash. If she succeeded her shadow clone was at the ready, as she dropped her hand seal and Kirinji came hurtling toward them the seal maintained by her clone would command the shadows writing at her feet. Much like how she had saved Kiyoshi from flying too far from their group, a shadowy arm would come forward to snake itself around the man’s waist and capture him within its grasp, returning the man to the ground- though whether it was upon his feet was entirely up to him and his own ability to retain positioning.

Whether or not this succeeded though she would continue with her plan, creating a seal like that of her shadow clone as three veins of wood sprouted about Zaku’s feet and embracing his midsection- one of them even snaking closer toward beneath his armpit and around his ribs. He could set the wood ablaze but it would only serve to condemn his body to its flames were he ensnared among them. If she was successful in capturing her audience, she would add onto his current prison. Layering wood over wood until a tree had formed and the only thing that one could see was the hand that was burning. She did just enough that it sufficed as a proper means of restraining their assailant less he had the strength of fifteen men, which wasn’t an unlikely feat for people akin to demons.

Following it up, if Kirinji was no longer in front of Zaku and in the way, would be the creation which would leave her at a slight disadvantage, putting as much Yang into a rod the size of a thin javelin as she conceivably could, without being too devastating to her stores to leave her completely spent. She wanted to still be of some use, but she had always been a more defensive shinobi and even this approach was unlike her. It was almost as if she were trying to fill a different pair of shoes, though ironically she wore none. Kasami’s posturing shifted as one foot slid behind her and her body turned sideways, reeling her arm back as she took paces backwards before she made a small sprint forward. She stopped once she met Kiyoshi’s side again, or where he had been at least, and coated the spear in chakra so that she was not just relying on her own physical strength.

It left her fingers, hurtling toward its destination of Zaku’s chest with speed akin to how quickly a serpent could strike its prey.

Oni Archives · Mar 4, 2022

There was something here that was very important to keep in mind when dealing with the previous Oda lord that was before them in this moment. Perhaps some of them were keeping that thing in mind. But on the other hand it would seem as if that was not the case at all as events transpire before the corpse. His hand full of blood...glistening - viscous, ever delicious and familiar to his pallet and hot - hot? Oh....thats fire. No not in a good way either. The blood had immediately turned to flame upon his hand. But the thing that was just as alarming was the fact that as his arm ignited - the point about fighting him would be apparent as well. This was not the Oda lord himself. But this was an aberration of his previous glory - formless corruption that inhabited the vessel that was his body and had access to his memory. When his arm ignited...his head shot back before it could taste in confusion and light irritation; however it was apparent that the pain from the flame itself was not there or at least in very minor regard. Even while its mind burned upon other matters the creature was no slacker - and the moment that what seemed like Kirinji had struck forward towards him he would be aiming to use that very trick played against him to his advantage. Before any blow could be struck - he would extend his arm, long and muscular to the face of the male looking to grasp his face in a single palm with the burning hand and thus ignite him as well. But there was something a'miss - the possibility in which he would be ripped from his clutches or potential clucthes in that regard - and from the darkness of his ventablack face there would come that one single sharingan glowing out..scrutinizing everything. It cast down upon his arm - and there at the seam would spot...a burden that need lightening. Focusing chakra and raw strength to the opposite hand - there would come a chop down on the shoulder of the male, ripping the arm straight from the socket in a crimson splatter of blood that cast into the air and all over the ground; deep arterial blood spewing off messily towards Ikki's direction as well as the body started laughing. Chuckles roar under his chest as he caught the now severed appendage in his opposite hand and held it like a club. It'd be apparent now - this was creature...beast, not the man whom it inhabited as of now. Just as it was started to larch back to get a start on running towards the prey that may have been pulled away it would find its joints snared - having already been distracted with the flame and other male the time was too late and wood interlaced between his arms and legs - pulling him together tight and soon raising him up - the beast roaring in defiance and slinging the arm at the woman with great ferocity. Soon the wood would envelop around and after setting - he was confused....darkness, thats all there was in here. It looked about - or at least tried, struggling to turn its head and motion as it was submerged in wood...this darkness....the inability to move...inability to be active...it was very familiar to the creature that inhabited the body. And it did not like that. Javelin struck - and sharp cutting of the wood only begat what would be unmistakably a deep, soft piercing sound of flesh and sinew. Then silence.....

((Listen While reading))

=That silence was only momentary - and broken by an absurd roar, very similar to the first that they had heard from the creature in the beginning but this one shook the room..and suddenly - rubble and debris that had been made from before would be pulled against the floor rattling and towards the tree till suddenly it would stop - when the roar had stopped of course. In that silence there was only a hand...the remaining hand that had been unburned bursting from the tree grabbing what was left of the javelin sticking out. Apparent - that grabbing the javelin with its own flesh would disrupt movement ...such was the way of constructs of yang that the rinnegan allowed...but what was horrifying was how apparent it was at this point that the creature was moving against it with strength that made it as if he was moving against water weight at the most. It struggled however to pull the javelin out - indication that it had indeed struck and was doing its work on him...but it was definitely slowly being worked out. The hand desperately twisted, yanked - subsequently letting another roar or two out where the creature yanked and obviously pulled something in itself the wrong way before releasing and grasping to try again...but what stood out...was the hand...it had long claws...and there seemed to be an unbelievable pressure coming from the tree. Kiyoshi's eyes widened and he sprung up from his knelt position: "You have to stop him. Its weak - but finish it now while he's vulnerable. That thing - it must be really pissed cause right now I'm sensing Zaku's body entering False Oni mode and trust me, you do not want to deal with that." =Kiyoshi pulled his glove of his right hand off, and upon his palm there was a three-pronged seal with designation kanji set in a triangle: Chih (Wisdom), Jen (Compassion), Hsin (Sincerity). He would start to hold a seal to his lips and mutter incantations under his breath while holding his palm wide, obviously very focused for some reason or another. Whatever was going on, it was evident that he was looking to end it here and now, though he kept in mind and hoped that whatever Ikki and Ko had been working to buy time for - would go into effect before he needed tor esort to this.=

[RP Location] Kagane Village

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