Caging a Demon [Akkuma]

[Miroku Akkuma]

The creature before them had gotten more then it had bargained for, its flesh torn by the undead that swarmed it. The elements were conjured to both befuddle & decimate the creature. Forcing it to go on the defensive swatting at the creatures around it. Neophyte dashed in through the cover of the elements unleashing a barrage of strikes at her foe. Akkuma was impressed with the AiT efforts unfortunately for her she had drawn attention to herself. Turning its gaze towards the AiT it ran toward her with the same intent it had previously targeted him with. With a flurry of handseals multiple demonic arms burst fourth from the demons body.

Those many hands would attempt to both slam the creature into the ground & hold it immobile allowing Neophyte time to move away. Akkuma would truly monstrous in this moment, a murderous look of bloodthirst & rage was upon his face as he spoke to the creature. "I'm not done with you yet...don't you dare turn your back on me!" he would roar at the creature beginning to walk forward & building a dangerous amount of dark chakra into his palm. Spiraling into a dangerous Perfected Rasengan that was demonically infused as he walked towards his foe "The Sunan is mine..." he would snarl as the demonic orb grew in size & power he transformed it into a demonic Odama-Rasengan dashing forward he would attempt to make the creature regret turning its attention from him.

Demonic chakra would expand out from the blast rapidly in a huge explosion of energy. Dashing back the demons hands flew into a series of seals upon completion he would leap back from the creature. His hands rose to his lips & he exhaled a massive burst of flames, using a technique known as Dragon-Flame Bomb. The massive winged creation flew towards the demons foe, intent on burning it to ash before them all. This was yet another master shinobi level ninjutsu the demon had unleashed. Even with his energy being replenished by those nearby he could feel the toll his actions were taking on him. To be battling so soon after the Exam & after his little play session with Neophyte had taken its toll. He couldn't give up yet, there foe had yet to be defeated. Akkuma was glad Reaper had yet to engage his energy reserves would be well needed if more foes came after the one before.

Those massive clawed hands flew through another blinding set of seals this time opening multiple voids in the air above the creature. Multiple comet-like demonic bursts of dark chakra rained down from the voids towards the creature. Another devastating technique known as Stardust Nova, this time as the jutsu rained down on his foe those paying attention would see his flesh tear from the strain. Chakra nearly depleted his body was starting to take the strain. At his limits he knew he wouldn't last more then a minute longer in this fight, but he would not fail the sunans...he would not lose another home. Chakra pulsed from him his demonic form, ready to make his last stand. No doubt the creatures attention would be on him, he would not falter in his attack even if the creature attacked. "Reaper I don't suppose you could fetch me some gauntlets or a blade?" he would ask the Anbu, it would seem some semblance of his sanity was returning through the maelstrom of chaos. If there were no weapons around he would have no choice but to use a technique he had reserved for a final stand scenario. Though there would be no coming back from that technique, if things got that dire at least he'd have cemented a place for his clan in a new homeland.

MFT

Actions:
Akkuma:
1: Use Gate of Enma Mastered on the Enforcer - Attempt to Bind
2: Use Perfected Rasengan - Odama Mastered on the Enforcer
3: Use Dragon Flame Bomb Mastered Enforcer
4: Use Stardust Nova Mastered Enforcer

Maintains:
1: Form of the Demon
2: Snapshot

OOC: Hopefully Gate of Enma is fast enough XD

 

[Michi]

Neophyte​

An echoing roar shuddered the subterranean space, the earth grumbled and the walls groaned. The Ancient steeled herself for whatever effect his bellowing cry might have on her. It was so loud but she did not feel pain. Her creations however, a veritable army that was not infused with dark intent crumbled away. Back to dust and crumbled bone, the dead were one more dead. She could have called them back or resurrected something stronger from the grave soil but if the monster's howl could cause them to break away, it would be a waste to pull something else back from the void. Internally she was grateful that she did not waste the time summoning an Inner World Resurrection -- the threads that bound the dead to the living with infinitesimally thin and that strand should not be carelessly broken or allowed to severed.

So she sang her mournful melody, because deepening shade that came in from the periphery and overtook its sight was likely her most disabling attack. Creatures depended on their sight, on the colors and the shapes and the edges. To know how fast and how far. To know who your friends were and more importantly who your friends are. She was not known as a taijutsuist because she was not, but she was capable much like some were malleable but she considered between the two 'capable' was the superior attribute. He seemed durable, she was of course not certain that it had greater fortitude than she had but she would know soon enough. Without minions, she had two options of attack assuming the others would buckle and fold or flee, she knew better than to depend on anyone to do what she herself was unwilling or incapable of. So she would attempt to strike the creature not once but twice, well aware that it had focused its wrath on her. She would likely be feeling it in the morning... the afternoon... in a few seconds. Yeah, it was likely going to suck.

"The Sunan is mine..."

Akkuma roared. Attached much Akkuma? Remember: you are a married man! "How sweet..." she would mutter loud enough to be heard. "...Frigg'n weirdo masochist." She would mutter again but her mind would be distracted. There was something off and the potential truthful scenario was starting the formulate. She was old, quite old and while she did not remember everything she remembered enough. She knew what creatures lived in Wind Country. She knew what monsters dwelt in the deep but she did not know this one.

Her hands started to run through a complex array, she had to take precautions before she performed her final test. She ripped the bandages from her forearm, exposing her pale flesh. It looked nearly as pale as the mask she donned. She planted her hand on her exposed forearm and grimaced beneath her featureless mask as she burned the seal onto her own body. It hurt but it might very well save her life. It was a Medical Ward, something that could reduce the damages from the monsters attack but she did not know how hard it hit. She did not know if she would be able to survive the assault. She did not recognize the creature as an ogre, an orc, a demon, or some other hell-spawn. It likely would not make much of a difference to know and it would seem that Reaper was not willing or capable of giving her an answer. That was unsettling, but she had an idea what it might be.

"...Reaper?" Her voice would echo his name several times over. "Whatever this thing is does not exist does it?" Her revelation reverberated through the space. She was not going to avoid the monster's attack, she needed to know something and the only way to know for certain. Why was he not attacking? He seemed to lack the urgency Akkuma and she felt. Did he know something that she did not. Maybe. He could be a lazy asshole letting them soften the creature up before he delivers the final blow or letting them risk themselves first before he determined if he should fight or take flight. The creature one-shotted those unknown ANBU. Was this creature strong enough to do that? If so, they were already dead but she would be able to rise at least once.

What Happened?

• 0.00 Seconds | Shiori maintains Nocturne of Shadow [Mastered] on the boss with her enthralling voice. Elemental Illusion FIRE.
  0.00 Seconds | Shiori is still wearing her weapon.
  0.00 Seconds | Shiori maintains Furuuken Stance [Mastered].
  2.75 Seconds | Shiori uses Fist of Sin [Mastered] (Pride) used to attack the creature. Her augment allows a second attack to be done using her gen accuracy on a miss and her Gen DC is HIGH.
  5.25 Seconds | Shiori places a Medical Ward on herself. (This should transpire before the second and third attack goes off.)
  5.25 Seconds | Shiori dropped her weapon.
  5.25 Seconds | Shiori stopped avoiding the creature's attacks.

 

[Senju Kazuki]

[col]

After shifting his focus toward Neophyte, the Ogre would dash forward, head down, aiming to ram her into oblivion. Outraged for the loss of attention, Akkuma would bring forth many hands from void circles to bind the enforcer. Unfortunately not all of them managed to grab the boss and so it broke free and continued his race toward the deadline, represented by the AiT. ”I’m done with you yet… don’t you dare turn your back on me!” Akkuma would roar at the same time. Despite his words, the ogre completely ignored the demon lord and pressed on. ”The Sunan is mine…” the Miroku Lord would add, only to be ignored by the boss again. Something the bandaged woman did not. ”How sweet… Frigg’n weirdo masochist.” she would mutter, loud enough for them to hear. Kazuki would almost agree with her, but his mind was not there to listen. He was solely focused on analyzing the ogre. Seeing how similar it was with one of his own creatures. What was down there? He had been so centered on said task, the Senju Overlord had failed to hear Neophyte asking him what that creature was. The silvery haired man knew what it was, although he could not say how it ended down there, or who was behind this invasion. ”… Reaper? Whatever this thing is does not exist, does it?” she would question. Upon hearing those words and checking Neophyte’s non-combat posture, the White Wolf’s focus returned to the entire battlefield. He saw as the AiT simply waited to be rammed by the boss, apparently convinced the threat was not real. How she had reached such foolish conclusion, no one knew, but she was in mortal danger. Akkuma’s binding attempt had failed. There was only one way to go forward now.

Ever since his stint as Leaf’s ANBU Sennin, Reaper had been known for never losing a man on the job. He would never sacrifice the members of his unit for the sake of a mission. The same could be said about his kin. He would never allow someone under his care to be killed if he could something about it. Unfortunately for him, she was one of those people. Merging with shadows, the Occult Sennin would reappear in front of Neophyte and he would take the full brunt of the ogre’s ram. ”When did you betray reason for madness Neophyte? MOVE NOW.” he mutter to her. His tone of voice was clear, he was very angry. But something else could be understand from the inflexion of his voice, he was in pain. The horns of the boss had trespassed his body as Kazuki used his frame and his own strength to stop the momentum of the enforcer. His feet would leave a trail on the floor as he was dragged forward by the superior bulk of his foe. How did the silvery haired man, a being much smaller than the ogre or Akkuma, managed to stop on his own, albeit by sustaining great injury, such a larger foe? Reaper was no ordinary human. His body had been elevated to light superhuman condition. And he was also fueled by his own Ancient energies. Those two combined allowed him to perform such feat. ”Reaper I don’t suppose you could fetch me some gauntlets or a blade?” the Miroku Lord would question him. If it were not for the fact that he was probably dying from multiple wounds, the Deep Court Hybrid would have chuckled. Dislodging himself from the horns, the Occult Sennin would kick the boss away from him. As the creature flew backwards, Akkuma unleashed a barrage of massive attacks that all hit with impunity. ”No weapons for you.” Kazuki answer him before turning his body to face the AiT.

He would drop to one knee as multiple wounds on his chest bled freely. ”What the hell were you thinking? Did not I say this was not a drill? What part of it did you not understand? You have disappointed me Neophyte and you did so in a grand fashion. You are an embarrassment for your kin.” the Senju Overlord would growl at her. If only how painful this would sound to the Earth Queen. Luckily he had always been a quick healer, something that had been sped up since he had awaken his dormant Ancient genes. He was not exactly ready to fight, but he should not die anytime soon either. The boss was staggered and he would endure another similar assault. ”Finish him off. I am going to call someone.” Reaper would order them. Regulating his headset into a specific frequency, he would broadcast. ”Kazekage Takahashi Sousuke. Reaper requests your immediate presence in the Obsidian Palace. A matter of the utmost importance.” Unless something extraordinary were to happen, they could finish the problem represented by Akkuma’s attempted assassination soon. But they needed Sousuke for that.

OC:
Ogre’s Life:
[progress]40[/progress]

• Massive Roar: A combination of the Jinchuuriki's Demonic Burst and Demonic Howl that instantly destroys clone sand creations and immobilizes summons - Usable every other round.
• Ram: By lowering his head, the boss will rush forward and will attempt to tackle a single target - If it hits, it will take a third of our HP.
• Grab: It will attempt to grab a single target, if successful it will unleash a series of punches on the grabbed individual - takes a fifth of our HP.

Shifted a bit how your actions took place for the sake of the narrative.

Calling Sousuke.​

|[legend="[[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEeEUPrIDao]Let the Night Fall[/url]]"]

Senju Kazuki - Occult Sennin

[/legend][/col]

 

[Miroku Akkuma]

The sunan seemed amused by his words, if only she had known he meant her life would be his. Making preparations the trainees attitude posture changed it seemed she doubted the reality of this creature. Akkuma could not blame her the possibility of it being some illusion to test them cast by Reaper, but he could discern no reason to believe so. Those limbs burst forwarding attempting to grasp the creature, but failing a full hit it continued onward towards Neophyte. Reaper appeared before her with impressive speed, asking when she had cast aside reason & demanded she move. Blood flowed freely from the wounds the shadow had received, that attack would've killed a lesser man. Unfortunately Akkuma doubted the shadow would survive another blow such as that.

When he had asked for a weapon Reaper coughed no weapons for him, making the demon chuckle. Even in his current state he forbid him from having an weapons, his will on this matter it seemed would not waver. Mustering strength he kicked the creature back from him sending it flying directly into Akkuma's attack. Unleashing his barrage of demonically charged ninjutsu the scene looked even more monstrous. All around them the earth was jagged & fractured, small fires still burned everywhere & craters from his attacks littered the battlefield. After he'd unleashed his attack he performed a series of handseals summoning a Wind Scythe. Using his chakra to condense the very air into a weapon, it seemed he hadn't needed a weapon from the Anbu at all.

"I think it's time we end this...I have no intention of losing another home & your comrades require medical aid." he would say to the two Anbu. Akkuma closed his eyes & removed the last of the mental restraints that kept his demonic powers in check. Upon doing so another massive blast of chakra burst from his body shattering the earth around him. The demon vanished re-appearing around the creature, striking with such speed it would look like there were clones of him. This was a master blade technique known as Higuma, when he had completed the series of strikes he would re-appear in front of the creature. Letting the Anbu launch their attacks at the creature he would wait biding his time for the perfect moment to strike.

When he saw the opportunity he struck with such strength & speed that not only would the creature possibly be cut in half. But the wall behind it would reveal the true scale of impact from the single blow. Collapsing a section of the wall with the strike, it was a blow that held nothing back. Between his efforts & the Anbu's he was sure the creature would be dead. Satisfied that he had not let the Anbu take all of the glory he would snarl walking up to it. With a wave of his hand its spiritual energy would be extracted from its body, into a singular blacked orb. Plucking it from the air he would proceed to devour the orb, he intended to enjoy their victory.

Actions:
1: Summon Wind Scythe - Mastered
2: Use Death Touch to get 2xTai dmg this round
3: Use Higuma - Mastered on the Enforcer straight after Grapple (if successful)
4: Use Zantetsuken - Mastered on Enforcer
Maintain: Demonic Form & Wind Scythe
(Conditional use Soul Devouring Jutsu)

Spoiler

Link to Approval: http://www.ninpocho.com/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=9620

CRPJ's Effect: Used to devour souls and absorb spiritual energy.

Requirement: Demon/Dark Sage

Reason why it cannot be used in battle:
To take someones soul they must be dead or fatally wounded. [Requires OOC permission]
Unable to maintain the focus needed to manipulate the senjutsu and demonic chakra simultaneously during battle.
Used to Raise Demonic Rank [Will be using 'Demonic Rank for personal plot reasons [demon hunting/recruiting/demon scholarly pursuits]
Ten Sinners Souls = E - Rank
Thirty Sinners Souls = D - Rank
Fifty Sinners Souls = C - Rank
Eighty Sinners Souls = B - Rank
One Hundred Sinners Souls = A - Rank
Two Hundred and Fifty Sinners Souls = S - Rank

Demon Souls Worth ~ One hundred sinner souls regardless of spiritual strength

edited

 

[Michi]

Neophyte​

Shiori steeled herself for impact, she had enough faith in her own strength and skill to survive whatever this creature did to her if it was real. She took a deep breath, her better senses screamed at her to run and in this case they were correct. Reaper's dark cloak covered her vision in the blink of an eye as the ANBU Captain stood in front of her. She was confused and alarmed. "the prisoner is getting riled up," she complained her voice begging for this charade to be over. "I--" Her next statement was cut short as the ogre's horns pierced his torso, the blood-stained ivory peering through the other side. Shiori let out a gasp and froze in a moment of shock and painful regret.

”When did you betray reason for madness Neophyte? MOVE NOW.”

Reaper demanded and his voice pulled her back to the present. She did not back away, rather her teeth grinded in her mouth filling her head with the grating sound. She attempted to grab him from behind, it did not matter if it was his throat or his waist that she grabbed as she tried to yank him off the skewer. "I cannot comply sir, my apologies," she would whisper as she attempted to peel him away. Her hands filled with a radiant light as she attempted to do so. It was unlikely that she would miss Reaper unless he maintained an unreal agility whilst attached to that monster's horns. Good and evil to her were concepts derived to maintain order because what is wicked for one is a necessity of life for the other. Her touch far from gentle if she was able to imbue him with a sliver of regenerative power, it would not be enough to heal him but it would be a start. The bleeding would not abate as he dropped to his knees.

”What the hell were you thinking? Did not I say this was not a drill? What part of it did you not understand? You have disappointed me Neophyte and you did so in a grand fashion. You are an embarrassment for your kin.”

A prideful part of her wanted to debate the sentiment but he was not wrong, these past few centuries were nothing more than a testament to her failures. "Understood," she echoed keeping her swirling emotions in check. She was angry, at him but at herself as well. A doubter doubts and she had no faith, not in him or the demonic half-breed and of course least of all herself. The ANBU were a sect of shinobi that were never intended to foster trust, they hid their identities from everyone, especially each other. There was no trust and without trust there would never be comradely between them. "But if indeed that is the case Captain, then you should never have ceased fighting, allied a trainee with a degenerate and have saved our brethren ANBU from their untimely fates before I became a concern." These words were muffled by gritted teeth and a clumsy mask as well as layers of bandages. She was vexed that she was wrong and embarrassed at the outcome, her agitation projected onto Reaper.

That thing took down four men. What chance did they have when one of them was not even fighting?

”Finish him off. I am going to call someone.”

Reaper ordered and Neophyte scowled beneath her mask. This was no time for phonecalls just like it was not the time to deny an ally, even one as lowly as a demon, a weapon. He took what she dropped and she did not stop him, she would have to deal with him after if he got any ideas. Her hands started to rush through a complex array of handseals. The wind became noise, like the buzzing of a swarm of angry bees. She closed her eyes, she did not need to gaze into the illusionary darkness to know the victim of her intent as the crystallized energy escaped her fingertips in a singular massive burst. The thrumming sound seemed to reach its deafening crescendo, her ears throbbed but her hands continued to snap into a fresh form one after another. It sounded like a gong went off and they were sitting inside of it. The walls shuddered and the floor groaned as the first clamoring bang was followed by another crashing noise. It was disorienting and nauseating, at least for someone with as keen a sense of sound as her.

”Kazekage Takahashi Sousuke. Reaper requests your immediate presence in the Obsidian Palace. A matter of the utmost importance.”

Reaper made his call, it was to the Kazekage. What the hell was he thinking calling for the Kazekage in the midst of combat. Oh wait... great plan. She had no idea what the creature had left but she knew that her chakra stores were getting depleted, casting overpowered jutsus as she had been eventually takes its toll. She suddenly has a reduced desire to see the ogre dead knowing that Sousuke might be entering the fray but she also could not simply allow it to rampage and conceivably lance her as it had Kazuki even if she was already safely sealed. She needed to slow it down, she would be disappointed if it killed the beast. Her hands ran through yet another complex array of handseals, this time she was casting a water-based attack that drew moisture from the environment and hurled a massive globule of water fixed on a singular central point directly at the ogre. "Have at it demon," he hit like a girl anyways. A butch one, but a girl all the same.

What Happened?
2.50 Seconds | Angelic Blessing [Mastered] with AE Special Move Overcharge on Kazuki using AE special move overcharge and control.
5.50 Seconds | Chakra Blast with the Special Action Psychotic Fury [Mastered] used with Jutsu Expansion and AE Special Move Overcharge and Combo as well as Hashigaki's Sound Crystallization. Additional Consideration includes the Elemental Illusion (Fire). - Cast on the ogre.
5.50 Seconds | Cast Final Chime [Mastered] with AE Special moves combo to have this attack go off immediately after the previous attack and overcharge to increase the damages of this attack. Additional Consideration includes the Elemental Illusion (Fire) and the fact that her DS passive increasing the damage done would increase by an additional 10% once the enemy drops below 30% max. - Cast on the ogre.
8.50 Seconds | Water Prison [Mastered] with AE special move Focus and Control.

 

[Senju Kazuki]

[col]

"I cannot comply sir, my apologies," Neophyte would retort after being ordered to move away. She couldn't be blamed though, he had just witness her superior being impaled in a effort of saving her own life. Kazuki would feel her hand snatching his neck while a dosage of energy would invade his body. Healing would begin even before he managed to get himself free from those nasty horns of the Ogre. All thanks to the AiT efforts and the Senju Overlord's own natural healing factor. After throwing the Enforcer away and kneeling near the disguised Earth Queen, Reaper would berate her. "Understood," she would reply. But this would be no single word sentence. She had more to say. "But if indeed that is the case Captain, then you should never have ceased fighting, allied a trainee with a degenerate and have saved our brethren ANBU from their untimely fates before I became a concern." The silvery haired man listened to all of it in silence. Was that insubordination from her part? Appropriate punishment was needed, but it would have to be delayed, momentarily at least. After retreating back to the hallway to call the Kazekage, the White Wolf returned to the battlefield. He was still weakened from receiving the beast's ram, but he was not dead yet and could still contribute to the war effort.

After being denied a weapon, Akkuma would simply create one. "I think it's time we end this...I have no intention of losing another home & your comrades require medical aid." he would announce. Wielding a scythe made of condensed air, the Miroku Lord's and Neophyte's combined assault would force the Ogre to retreat back to the rim. Multiple wounds joined the countless others that already littered his massive frame. It was roaring and growling, but potency of its voice had been lost now. They were merely cries of pain. It was reeling and ready to fall to its demise, unfortunately, Neophyte's last move was one of entrapment, rather than death. "Move." she would hear him say once more. The Captain rushed toward the enemy, his right hand wielding massive windy shuriken. Trapped by the prison, the ogre would be unable to dodge this massive attack and it would fall to its death. Kazuki would stay at the edge, seeing if any enemies were climbing. There was no motion that he could discern and the danger feeling had all but passed. After recovering his breath, he would broadcast. "This is Reaper. The insurgency has been quelled. I repeat, the threat is over. Cancel the alert."

Reaper would approach each, and every single ANBU officer in the area, checking for pulse. "Bring paramedics, we have unconscious officers down here." he would request. Despite the struggle, it would they had avoid casualties. At least of the immediate kind. Now it was all about finishing Akkuma's case and solving Neophyte's insubordination. The White Wolf would slowly approach the AiT. "You and I will have a word before this is done. What you said is not forgotten Neophyte." he would mutter so only her could hear.

"Akkuma, although you have rendered Sunagakure a great service, you are still not free. The Kazekage shall decide on how to proceed with your case." the Senju Overlord would announced as he motioned for the demon to approach him. "We are leaving this place so the clean up team can do is job. I am not going to restrain you as a token of faith after what you have done. Do not attempt anything or you learn that, despite my injuries, I can still end your life before you can say the word Reaper. After you." the silvery haired man would order. "Neophyte, you take point. To his holding cell."

"And someone bring the Kazekage to the Miroku's holding cell at once." Reaper would broadcast.

OC:
I have used Rasen-Shuriken (Wind)
Ogre’s Life:
[progress]0[/progress]
The boss is dead.

One of you can take the ogre's soul. I already have one

Calling Sousuke again.​

|[legend="[[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEeEUPrIDao]Let the Night Fall[/url]]"]

Reaper - ANBU Captain

[/legend][/col]

 

[Takahashi Aki]

"Yes. I'm heading to the Obsidian Palace now."<i></i> Sousuke received the call. As he made his way over, he was called again. "Enroute. Almost there. ... Wait. What? What do you mean? ... ... ... No. That makes no sense. ... ... Why? ... ... ... Does Kuro know? ... ... ... Yes. I'm asking that for the record."<i></i> Sousuke would enter the prison. Did Sousuke have a high opinion of one Miroku Akkuma? No. His men smiled too broadly. Weird injuries were an issue as per Roku's words. His retainers were nigh endless. Sousuke remembered all their names yes, and the odd mysteries that lurked about them.

Sousuke would be present at the cell of one Miroku Akkuma. Word had come to him about the oddities of the wedding. In amongst all of this, Kuro had not spoken on Akkuma's behalf as to what had truly happened. Sousuke had read reports, and had gotten some idea as to what had happened. Luckily Akkuma was not present at the wedding as a representative of Sungakure. At the very least he was saved the embarrassment, considering his own craftful blunder of sorts. That being said, Soon's Sanctuary had indeed been saved by the combined efforts of Sousuke and Kazuki.

Sousuke half way was intercepted by one of the Anbu present. The two had a sort of tennis court back and forth, to which Sousuke did not really get the answers he wanted. Apparently Akkuma was coming to him soon enough. His 'fate' was in his hands. Oh joy. Oh goody. Seika's honeymooning was going to be delayed or obliterated. Probably the later. That would be fun to deal with. Sousuke knew how to stand against his eldest spiritual sister. Unlike Kuro he was probably one of the few people who could actually say no to her, and stand by it.

 

[Miroku Akkuma]

The three worked in unison to finish the creature that had risen from the deep. Sending its corpse hurtling back into the Abyss once more, standing by the cliff face the demon extended a clawed hand. Soon after a large ominous orb rose from the depths, plucking it from the air he began to devour it. Feeling the spiritual energy adding to his own cumulative energies, down below the body of the creature would slowly disintegrate. After consuming the soul his gaze turned to Reaper he began speaking to him, hearing his words the demon sighed. "Haha is that so? I'll comply for now..." he would say calmly de-activating his Wind Scythe, slowly his form would begin returning to his human form(well less demonic appearance).

Turning to face Neophyte he would say "After you..." a devilish grin upon his face. Akkuma felt quite content in this moment, he had just consumed a decent proportion of spiritual strength. Along with enjoying a nice battle & even a little unorthodox interrogation. All in all it had been a pretty good day in his eyes. He would follow the trainee as they walked his malice filled stare would never move from her. Would she feel that instinctual pang of panic at the thought of his release. Knowing that the demonic hunter was most likely going to hunt her once he was released would know doubt be off putting.

With each step back towards his cell that shark-like grin would get bigger. "Do tell me...what ended up happening in Soragakure? After the Jounin Exam trap had been sprung...what happened to the other Events?" he would ask curious. Had the Kumo-nin received his warning? If only he had known that during his leave to the Event his Emissary had returned to the village. Currently housed at the Dojo with his new kumogakurian lover. What would the demon do when he heard that Iwagakure was no more? That his comrades new home had collapsed another village lost to time. Even then the news of Konohagakure's return to the fold, it seemed that in his brief time away much had happened.

Would they update him on what had happened? Or were they not willing to give him any information until his case had been dealt with. After all he could have been fishing for information, a story or reasoning to create an alibi. But even when he told Sousuke the truth would the man believe it? Why had Kuro not been summoned? Then it dawned on him perhaps they were going to deal with him discreetly, Sousuke had not made his surprise at Seika & Akkuma's union hard to see. Not to mention there had already been a disagreement about his ethics & the tactics he took. What would he say now that the demon had found himself in the depths of the Obsidian Palace. Would his story be heard or would the claims put forward by Daimyo's pawns be accepted as truth? Soon enough he would find out the answer to all those questions, but the most important of them. What would be his fate?

MFT

Soul Devouring Jutsu

Spoiler

Link to Approval: http://www.ninpocho.com/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=9620

CRPJ's Effect: Used to devour souls and absorb spiritual energy.

Requirement: Demon/Dark Sage

Reason why it cannot be used in battle:
To take someones soul they must be dead or fatally wounded. [Requires OOC permission]
Unable to maintain the focus needed to manipulate the senjutsu and demonic chakra simultaneously during battle.
Used to Raise Demonic Rank [Will be using 'Demonic Rank for personal plot reasons [demon hunting/recruiting/demon scholarly pursuits]
Ten Sinners Souls = E - Rank
Thirty Sinners Souls = D - Rank
Fifty Sinners Souls = C - Rank
Eighty Sinners Souls = B - Rank
One Hundred Sinners Souls = A - Rank
Two Hundred and Fifty Sinners Souls = S - Rank

Demon Souls Worth ~ One hundred sinner souls regardless of spiritual strength

 

[Michi]

"Move."

Reaper demanded as her bind took hold. Water converged in globules from the condensation on the cavern walls and hidden wells of water and wrapped around the ogre. This was their chance to finish it, as long as she could maintain her water ninjutsu's hold over it. She stiffly stepped to the side and as she did so he rushed the beast. The monster was pushed back into the depths, the time until she heard the distant impact of a landing remind her how deep this canyon stretched and her arms dropped to her side. It was finally calm, four ANBU were down, two and a prisoner left standing. Her eyes scanned the fallen quartet, she could hear the marching beat of their hearts and knew they were still alive. She could hear the breath fill and then leave their chests, the groan of leathers for those than donned the less than forgiving vestment. They were not well, she could tell that much from where she stood. She had no particular attachment to any of them, she did not even know who they were.

"This is Reaper. The insurgency has been quelled. I repeat, the threat is over. Cancel the alert."

She approached one of the injured men, she wondered what took him down. Was he gored by the creature's horns? Suffer a head injury when he was knocked back? She would not have long to render an assessment on the first before Reaper had another order.

"Bring paramedics, we have unconscious officers down here."

"Sir, I could..." Neophyte started to respond as her hands started to run through an array of handseals before she knelt alongside one of the fallen. She used to be a Medic, for years in fact. She was a dam good one to boot before she left the branch. A necessity at the time. Wanted criminals tend to have a hard time practicing medicine, especially in the community they are wanted in. "...Try." 'Try' was an understatement. She could handle a few broken ribs, a punctured lung, a concussion, some contusions, lacerations and some bruised pride. Of course, the one whom was at the greatest risk was not the unconscious men, Medics would soon fill the space and take them away. The demon Akkuma seemed to have found favor in the Reaper for his 'assistance' as he was making no effort to restrain the degenerate again.

She could feel Reaper's looming shadow over her, it was not tangible, if it was she would have recognized him but rather it was that sixth sense one gets when someone is near. Her hand possessed an intense, white-hot radiant glow as she turned her face to look up at the looming Captain. Her expression was concealed by the mask but her defiant act would likely set the tone for their future interaction as she pressed her hand over his chest and released a massive amount of her own energy onto his lanky frame. If she was not physically prevented from doing so, his back would arc and his body would momentarily convulse before a sudden wheeze heralded his return to consciousness. [Resuscitation - Mastered] If she was allowed, she would repeat the process with the fallen, reviving them. Whatever that thing was or that mook army that came before it happened to return in their absence they would be dead men.

Still -- that was not what he ordered.

If prevented, she would not fight him on it. It would be a losing fight for her to try. Even injured, Reaper had a lot of fight left in him. More than she had chakra remaining and she did not make friends with that demon, he would take their disagreement as either an oppertunity to flee or to exact vengeance on her for earlier and she knew it.

"You and I will have a word before this is done. What you said is not forgotten Neophyte."

She was stubborn, it was partly her nature. She was as unyielding as the the desert at times. She did not trust Reaper, hell she did not trust the ANBU institution as a whole but she especially did not trust the demon they were leaving unfettered. All the same she stiffened when she heard the words. There was rank and protocol, neither of which she was particularly good at adhering to. Her instinct was to debate her stance but she swallowed her pride and muttered a reply, "understood Sir." She would brush the dust off her knees as she stood her full height. She was rather tall for a woman, about six foot. She weaved her fingers together and took a polite pose and waited for her orders. This was one of those many moments where she would be thankful for a mask that covered her face, she was not pleased with Reaper, in fact she did not agree with him on most matters. Most of wall the one that he was about to announce.

"Akkuma, although you have rendered Sunagakure a great service, you are still not free. The Kazekage shall decide on how to proceed with your case."

No! "Sir, I must protest," Neophyte injected. Her shock, dismay and revulsion obvious in her voice. This man was a menace, a danger and a liability. There was only one place for a demon, regardless of their trespass -- The Pit.

The metaphorical hole was just getting deeper.

"We are leaving this place so the clean up team can do is job. I am not going to restrain you as a token of faith after what you have done. Do not attempt anything or you learn that, despite my injuries, I can still end your life before you can say the word Reaper. After you."</B><i></i>

Reaper was a madman. She looked at Reaper and then at Akkuma, then at Reaper again. "You cannot be serious, Sir..."

"Haha is that so? I'll comply for now..."

It was obvious that he was evil. Didn't they know their tropes? Massive demon with pointy teeth and tail -- evil.

"Neophyte, you take point. To his holding cell."

She just stared at him in shock, he was serious. It felt like she stood there for several minutes rather than a few seconds from her perspective. She was not going to win this either was she? "Follow me demon," she would defeatedly mutter as she passed him.

"After you..."

He seemed to be enjoying this. At least someone was having a good time because it was not her.

"And someone bring the Kazekage to the Miroku's holding cell at once."

The journey would not be long but they would traverse several tunnels and a single elevator shaft before they reached the upper levels. There would be several gates, all under lock and key as well as the watchful eye of sentinels. She would not say a word the entire journey, her ears straining to keep an eye on the demon to her back as she moved briskly along the beaten path. She did not like having her back to the criminal. She further did not like leaving him unbound. She knew the moment he got out he would cause a stir someplace, likely not as public as before because he apparently had connections but she knew full-well that they would meet again on the other side of the bars and she did not care for the concept.

She would unlock the cell door as allow Akkuma to enter before she shut and locked the door. She would fold her arms over her chest, she looked like she was pouting because she was.

<B>"Do tell me...what ended up happening in Soragakure? After the Jounin Exam trap had been sprung...what happened to the other Events?"<i></i>

She was not going to answer Akkuma. She had no reason to.

OC:

• Iwa is fine and helped liberate Kohona.
• Soons has increased samurai security, the wedding was delayed due to 'incidents' in Soons Haven.
• Been quiet in Soons... too quiet

 

[Senju Kazuki]

[col]

"The Kazekage is on route." Kazuki would receive over his headset. One of the active ANBU had spotted their leader and was now accompanying toward Akkuma's cell. After an intense struggle it would seem the Miroku Lord was content on obeying and not causing a ruckus. For how long such behavior would last, was an unknown factor in their equation, one that the Senju Overlord could not crack. But one that would soon be over. It was up the Kazekage to decide Akkuma's fate. Even if Reaper had a say in it. Or so he expected. Along the way, Neophyte's habit of questioning his orders seemed to grow with each passing second. Eventually she would comply and follow suit, perhaps because the White Wolf was glaring at her through his mask, and basically sending her a death threat. Or she had simply reached reason again. Nevertheless, her insubordination was reaching levels that were dangerous. Like a virus that was threatening to spread itself too fast, the ANBU Captain would have to kill such trend now. And for good. The silvery haired man was the Captain there, not her. And the AiT had to be reminded of that. Her inability to follow orders even went so far as to personally treat each, and every unconscious ANBU in the battlefield. Kazuki did not stop her, but she should not have done that, especially not in front of Akkuma. After entering his old cell again, the prisoner became interested in knowing the state of Soragakure. "Do tell me...what ended up happening in Soragakure? After the Jounin Exam trap had been sprung...what happened to the other Events?" The AiT remained silent, perhaps finally learning her place.

What makes you think you are entitled to get information? You may not be bound here, but you are still a prisoner. And you still have charges to answer to. If it were not for this insurgency we have quelled, you could have been dead by now. Count yourself lucky this happened when it did. It may have saved your life. Reaper told him. The Senju Overlord would unlock the cell and leave momentarily, shutting after exiting the holding cell. Inside, the silence was deafening. And because of it, they would hear his voice moments later. Kazekage, the prisoner, Miroku Akkuma is inside. A pair of Samurai have dropped him in our doorstep, charging him of an assassination attempt at the Tsuchikage. After questioning him, Akkuma has confessed he tried to kill the Kage. In the meantime, we have suffered an invasion from the Pit, but we have contained the situation. With the prisoner's assistance, although he had no choice in the matter. Neophyte, an AiT, has been with the me the entire time and her assistance has been invaluable. She is inside the cell with our captive. There was one last bit of information before Sousuke could enter the cell. "Normally we would have thrown him into the Pit, but considering the ties he has with the Toraono Clan and his role in preventing an outbreak in the Obsidian Palace, it is better if we defer his judgment to you."

Judgment day had come.

OC:
All yours.​

|[legend="[[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEeEUPrIDao]Let the Night Fall[/url]]"]

Reaper - ANBU Captain

[/legend][/col]

 

[Miroku Akkuma]

Akkuma stood there listening to Reapers words, when the Anbu was finished he would chuckle. "I think we'll have to disagree on that outcome...judging by the state of your forces if not for my intervention you & your forces would be dead." he would calmly say, with a smirk he'd watch the Anbu depart the room. When the door clicked shut he heard Reaper beginning talking to someone judging from his words he was speaking to the Kazekage. His gaze would slide over to Neophyte was her fear building? Did the knowledge of his possible release & the realization of its likeliness disturb her? If her actions earlier had been any indicator he would confidently assume it had.

"I'm glad that creature didn't harm you...I want the first time I hear you scream to be special." he would croon to her softly, a monstrous statement in itself. He wanted to peel back her flesh & see if her insides resembled that curious chakra of hers. Reapers voice could still be heard through the door his gaze sliding over to it. "Do you think you'll get stuck on bucket emptying duties for your insubordination? Maybe they'll make you my personal watch dog...imagine that us spending the days together." he laughed at the thought no doubt it sickened her, his very existence was almost an insult to her.

The demon couldn't help but wonder just how far he could push her? Independence was not a quality that was valued among the Anbu, in fact ones sense of self-importance was one of the most crucial qualities that needed to be extinguished in order to make a fine tool. Listening to Reaper's words he couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed, had to? Far from it he could have made his escape when Neophyte had been transporting him by herself. In fact the only thing that had stopped him was the possibility that the breach would make it to the surface. If that had happened his love would have been in danger & that was not something he was prepared to let happen. Fortunately for the Anbu to, if not for his intervention they would have been decimated. Most of their forces had been wiped out with a single roar from the creature, he felt unease knowing that the Anbu corps was so inept.

Perhaps he would ensure the infiltration of the corps with some of his forces once he had been freed. For one thing was certain this village needed the demon, just as much if not more then he needed it. There didn't seem to be a single day that went by without some calamity or end of the world scenario breaking out. Whether they liked it or not his capabilities as a shinobi & his vast knowledge of not just shinobi arts but the occult only added to his value. In a time when unknown threats assaulted the village regularly someone with his skills was invaluable.

MFT
OOC: Akkuma For Suna Whoop let's do this. =D

 

[Takahashi Aki]

Sousuke listened to Kazuki explain the situation. He was not overly fond of it, not at all in the slightest. He had heard that Akkuma had done something quite stupid during the wedding (which never occurred) festivities. Several people were hurt, and or were dead. Details of a white haired youth wearing red were running about. While there were a number of white haired youths, few could really match the one he had encountered during his 'interviews'. Sousuke had to wonder if they were the one and the same. Now the one bit of detail that had come to light was that it was an assassination attempt on the Leader of Stone village. Sousuke very much was not happy to hear that news. The fact Akkuma admitted to it was even worse.

Sousuke would still remain silent. He leaned against the wall and began running things through his head. Sungakure needed allies, but there were standards to be had. Akkuma and his ilk were below those standards, by quite a bit. Honestly he never understood what Seika saw in Akkuma who asserted he was perfect for her in every single way. It was frustrating to no end. Why Akkuma was ever dropped off at Sungakure was a good question. He suspected it was because they, Soon's Sanctuary, did not want to spent the money to send him all the way back to Mist. His options were simple. Have him put to death. Have him thrown into the pit, and later throw Shouki in there too, or allow him to operate in Sungakure with a very tight choke chain. Betrothed or not to Seika, he wonder answer to him.

Sousuke would open the door and walk right in. While Sousuke was not the tallest individual, he would grab Akkuma by the collar and lift him up. "See where your methods have gotten you?"<i></i> He would question him. "Our Secret War with the Daimyo does not involve Stone. What are you trying to do? We don't involve civilians of another autonomous state in our affairs. This is not some sort of all you can eat feast that ends well for everyone."<i></i> He was not done yet. His voice resonated in a harsh metallic tone. He was very displeased. "You will hold yourself to a higher standard. You will. It is expected of you in every single regard. Regardless of your actions here today, the situation with the Pit would have resolved itself accordingly. All the same, you will change your ways. You will evolve and become superior. For your clan, for Seika, I don't care what motivates you, but you will hold yourself to a higher standard."<i></i> He repeated.

 

[Miroku Akkuma]

The demon held the Kazekage in his gaze as the shinobi walked towards him full of rage, Sousuke grasped him by the throat lifting him into the air. "See where your methods have gotten you?" Sousuke's question made him chuckle choosing not to ignore it. "Our Secret War with the Daimyo does not involve Stone. What are you trying to do? We don't involve civilians of another autonomous state in our affairs. This is not some sort of all you can eat feast that ends well for everyone." When the Lord Steward said this the demon laughed even through the tight grip upon his throat. "You will hold yourself to a higher standard. You will. It is expected of you in every single regard. Regardless of your actions here today, the situation with the Pit would have resolved itself accordingly. All the same, you will change your ways. You will evolve and become superior. For your clan, for Seika, I don't care what motivates you, but you will hold yourself to a higher standard." when Sousuke said this the demon had decided he would take no more.

His right hand flew up slamming into Sousuke's chest, simultaneously releasing a burst of wind chakra to push the Kazekage back from him. With his feet firmly back onto the ground he would massage his throat with the same hand. "You present yourself as a man guided by logic but your actions have shown me that you're a slave to your emotions like the rest of us. I'll forgive you this once, considering your acting on the misinformation of not just the Daimyo's forces but your own Anbu." he would calmly state his voice held a tone of seriousness, he would not be denied by those around him. Deciding he would not let his fate be determined by those who sought to undo his efforts & destabilize his kin.

"First we both know the Exam was a trap for shinobi not just for sunans. I expected as much so I enrolled as a Mist shinobi so that there would be no repercussions for this village should something have happened. Before entering the exam I met with some Kumogakurian shinobi & a shinobi who expressed desires in reclaiming Konoha." he would calmly say as he leaned back against his cell he would continue. "The participants were teleported to the Arena, one shinobi deciding to crash the Exam. Before long it was underway & it became obvious foul play was at work. Before long it was deduced that some kind of Jashin technique was being used, as each round progressed a civilian was harmed by the saboteurs technique." he would sigh as he recalled what happened next.

"The crowd began to blame the shinobi naturally they had no understanding of what was happening, the samurai forces that were there moved to detain the shinobi..." he smiled that shark-like grin once more as he spoke his next words. "I killed two of the samurai which halted the advancement of the rest. With the situation deteriorating & the people moments away from forming an angry mob I did what they all expected...I showed them the monster they wanted me to be. I tried to warn them all that this was obviously a ploy from the one who had summoned us all there. To which some shinobi believed was a mistake to make such a blatant accusation, after that the crowd tried to flee. While I attempted to depart with a small group of shinobi, one a Kumogakurian shinobi & the other a member of fire country. Unfortunately one Otandei Shoma a member of Iwagakure's forces attempted to detain me." he would say, frustration building within him as he recalled what happened next.

"He was willing to let the others depart but me, demanding a submit myself to the authority of the Daimyo's men." the demon laughed at the memory as if he'd have allowed that to happen. "Ii Hissori...Lord Hissori the Tsuchikage ordered Shoma to stand down & allow me to leave. He disobeyed a direct order from his Kage & engaged me in battle...naturally I wouldn't back down so we fought. Before long other forces set to intervene, eventually Hissori entered the fray in an attempt to stop the battle once & for all. The Samurai known as Shoma struck Hissori & even in the light of such insubordination, my old comrade still chose to aid those against me..." he clenched his hands into fists a look of betrayal escaped that monstrous face of his as he spoke his next words.

"Me & Hissori...there was a time when we were more then comrades, when we were intimate with one another. For him to betray me that way...I could not just stand by & do nothing while they all played into the Daimyo's hand. So I defended myself..before long it became apparent he wasn't just trying to stop me." his gaze would meet Sousuke's as he said his next words. "He...he was trying to kill me. I couldn't do nothing...even he would not stop me from returning to Seika so I fought. Unfortunately more shinobi arrived & everyone saw a common enemy. A demon..." it was all anyone ever saw, his whole life. Why had he expected things to change in this country, he'd been naive in his hopes of truly finding a home among these people. In his heart he'd known it yet he still tried, despite the warnings he'd received. Even the one that had come from his father, the demon had mocked his efforts to earn the respect of the humans.

"Eventually I was bested & I was brought here. Upon regaining consciousness, I was subjected to unorthodox torture methods. To which anyone would have given the information they thought desired to end that treatment. Your anbu had already revealed the answer they wanted & had no intentions of listening to the whole story. I wonder if the reports of those who brought me in are the same or were they full of what the Daimyo wanted? As for the Pit incident I'm sure it would've been resolved eventually, but the casualties would have been far worse if not for my intervention." he would say his gaze not once leaving Sousuke's as he said his words. Straightening up he would take a step towards the Kazekage as he spoke his next words.

"As for change...evolving? You don't think I'm making every effort too? I have altered the very creed of my people to comply with the restrictions placed by you. Every action has been done with the intent of placating this village. Those efforts have all been but destroyed & there are those within these very walls that have taken the life of one of my kin. The fact I didn't begin bringing this fucking prison down around me when I regained consciousness shows the restraint of my actions in an effort to maintain peace. I'm a violent man I know this, I took on a role that required it. To get my people through the harshest of trials I had to become what I am today & yet every effort I have made to better myself..to change who I am in order to fit into this village has just ended up becoming another reminder of why I'm the person I am." he would say the frustration & pain apparent in his voice, yet his body language seemed controlled. If not for the recent battle & feast of a soul he'd have been less controlled in his urges. In truth he had been trying to reconnect with his humanity but one could only do so much in the face of distrust, prejudice, murder & torture.

"So Lord Sousuke how shall we proceed now that you know the whole story...also if one Miroku Kaza has returned you may find his mission of interest to you. Regardless of it's success I'm sure you'll find it intriguing." he would calmly say with that devilish shark-like grin of his, no doubt the knowledge he'd sent someone to Kumogakure would make the Kazekage seem uneasy. There were too many of the Miroku, their allies in foreign countries were unknown. He had established contact with all the villages, excluding Konoha. Warning them all, many of those in power knew he was responsible for & no doubt would not forget it. All in all the demon really hadn't screwed up too much, in fact it could even be spun that his action had helped in some ways. But would they see what he truly was or would they only see the monster on the outside. Akkuma awaited the judgement of the man before him wondering if he'd ever see his beloved Seika again.

MFT
Actions:
Pressure Burst - Master Rank on Sousuke to push him back from Akkuma & release his grasp of his throat.
OOC: Akkuma's speech is green to save confusion.

 

[Michi]

Neophyte​

Kazuki received word that Sosuke was en route. She took a deep breath, she was not afraid of the Kazekage despite the fact that she knew that he had, 'had' being the operative word, the ability to end her 'life.' Life and living for an Ancient differed from that of a human, both lived on forever but in different ways. Sosuke would appreciate the analogy that energy cannot be created not destroyed, only transformed. This is seen in every form of energy as it does not decay, it simply changes what it is. Humans, even after they suffer a mortal's death have 'something' buried deep within them, something she cannot be wholly defined but the religious call them 'souls.' As a practitioner she had seen this many times, a visual difference in the living in dead from one second to the other. In a blink, she would see something pass on by. She ate souls so she could verify their existence, but she could not tell someone if she was asked what happened to a soul she did not eat.

Was there an afterlife? It seemed tedious if it was so. There is a great deal of religious mythology surrounding an afterlife. Did they reincarnate? Possibly, it would be the most similar to an Ancient's fate. She knew what happened to her when she died, her essence would disperse back into the desert and it would take decades for her to muster the energies that she lost so that she might take a form again. She considered death to be as close to hell as one could get, something a comatose human who remained cognizant might understand to some extent. Life goes on without you as you quickly become an irrelevant, alone with only your thoughts and silent screams.

That was why she feared death, much like a human did. Humanity had a fear of the unknown and Ancients had a fear of a fate very much understood. She would fight back against that bitter tide. She would not fall again and these past few years she had grown tremendously. The Obsidian was a veritable banquette of men and women, many powerful, that would not be missed. Similar, traders traversing the dangerous desert -- so many got lost, what would be one more? The carnage and crime in Soons and Sora, one additional killer among so many others would be hardly noticed. She went without notice for the most part, less a handful of survivors whom would likely dictate the end to her alter ego as the Kazekage's secretary. It was a game she knew she could only play so long as she constantly undermined Sousuke's efforts and attempted to increase tensions between Sunagakure and the capital. That was why she wore this mask and played Kaza's games, so she had a place to sink into when the wolves came.

What makes you think you are entitled to get information? You may not be bound here, but you are still a prisoner. And you still have charges to answer to. If it were not for this insurgency we have quelled, you could have been dead by now. Count yourself lucky this happened when it did. It may have saved your life.

Reaper would state, pulling Neophyte from her thoughts. He was unlocking the cell door, she started to follow but he locked the gate behind him leaving her with the demon. She did not care for this outcome, he made her uneasy and disgusted her at the same time in the way only a wretched demon could. "Calling on the long dead to fight your battles is hardly a rare ability in Sunagakure, demon." She would remind him that all three of them could do the same as he, his skill set did not make him special or different. He seemed like the sort of man that relished feeling powerful and necessary, this was a fact that likely bothered him deeply.

When the cell door closed with a clatter and Reaper departed she could hear him converse with Sousuke.

"Kazekage, the prisoner, Miroku Akkuma is inside. A pair of Samurai have dropped him in our doorstep, charging him of an assassination attempt at the Tsuchikage. After questioning him, Akkuma has confessed he tried to kill the Kage. In the meantime, we have suffered an invasion from the Pit, but we have contained the situation. With the prisoner's assistance, although he had no choice in the matter. Neophyte, an AiT, has been with the me the entire time and her assistance has been invaluable. She is inside the cell with our captive."

Inside the cell where Neophyte and Akkuma stood he could not help but get another jab in.

"I'm glad that creature didn't harm you...I want the first time I hear you scream to be special."

"Ambitious as you are ugly, good to know..." She crossed her arms over her chest defensively. She would have rather been left on the other side of the bars, that damnable Captain.

"Do you think you'll get stuck on bucket emptying duties for your insubordination? Maybe they'll make you my personal watch dog...imagine that us spending the days together."

She would rather gargle glass. "I wonder what else I can fit inside of you," she replied without looking at the demon. He knew that the Captain was about to show him mercy or at least offer the opportunity for such and she could not stand it. Her teeth were clenched with annoyance beneath that mask. She hoped that responsibility over him would not be affixed to her, she had every intention of making him disappear if he was set free and that would not be possible if she was his keeper. "How about you bend over and I see how far my--"

"Normally we would have thrown him into the Pit, but considering the ties he has with the Toraono Clan and his role in preventing an outbreak in the Obsidian Palace, it is better if we defer his judgment to you."

She cut herself short, from the sound of things they were about to return to the holding area. Sousuke would indeed enter and she would step to the side. "Evening sir," she would mutter through her mask as she backed away with a slight bow of the head. Sousuke would reach for Akkuma's collar to lift him from the ground, but the demon (if measurements are correct) was significantly taller than the Kazekage. Akkuma's toes would in theory still be able to touch the ground unless he was the small hand, foot and other appendage sort.

"See where your methods have gotten you? ...Our Secret War with the Daimyo does not involve Stone. What are you trying to do? We don't involve civilians of another autonomous state in our affairs. This is not some sort of all you can eat feast that ends well for everyone... You will hold yourself to a higher standard. You will. It is expected of you in every single regard. Regardless of your actions here today, the situation with the Pit would have resolved itself accordingly. All the same, you will change your ways. You will evolve and become superior. For your clan, for Seika, I don't care what motivates you, but you will hold yourself to a higher standard."</B><i></i>

Sousuke would lecture the demon. Akkuma was unrestrained in that cell so it was likely not Sousuke's wisest decision to manhandle someone capable of defending himself. As Akkuma's palm slammed into Sousuke, assuming he did not somehow miss considering their proximity, she would watch Sousuke get launched across the room and possibly out the cell door. If she thought that Akkuma has a chance killing Sousuke, she might have even allied with him. She was pragmatic enough to put her pride aside to end a greater threat but Sousuke still had Reaper and she did not know his full power-set. Captains were more often than not formidable men and she was not wiling to test his mettle here. So rather she took Sousuke's side. "Sir!" She yelled with feigned concern as her hands ran through an array of handseals to cast Body Bind or Tree Binding (whichever you prefer for the sake of RP if you let it hit).

"You present yourself as a man guided by logic but your actions have shown me that you're a slave to your emotions like the rest of us. I'll forgive you this once, considering your acting on the misinformation of not just the Daimyo's forces but your own Anbu."<i></i>

He seemed intent on giving his side of the story, bound or otherwise.

"First we both know the Exam was a trap for shinobi not just for sunans. I expected as much so I enrolled as a Mist shinobi so that there would be no repercussions for this village should something have happened. Before entering the exam I met with some Kumogakurian shinobi & a shinobi who expressed desires in reclaiming Konoha." <i></i>

Neophyte would scoff at the notion, the Diamyo was now out to get them? Ridiculous. The truth be told, Akkuma was correct in his assumptions. The Daimyo was up to no good and the exams were a trap, however news seemed to travel poorly in Sunagakure as those who learned various bits of the Diamyo's plot failed to disseminate the information they learned so a vast majority of the population, Neophyte included were left in the dark. "Fffft..."

"The participants were teleported to the Arena, one shinobi deciding to crash the Exam. Before long it was underway & it became obvious foul play was at work. Before long it was deduced that some kind of Jashin technique was being used, as each round progressed a civilian was harmed by the saboteurs technique."<i></i>

"Likely story..."

"The crowd began to blame the shinobi naturally they had no understanding of what was happening, the samurai forces that were there moved to detain the shinobi... I killed two of the samurai which halted the advancement of the rest. With the situation deteriorating & the people moments away from forming an angry mob I did what they all expected...I showed them the monster they wanted me to be. I tried to warn them all that this was obviously a ploy from the one who had summoned us all there. To which some shinobi believed was a mistake to make such a blatant accusation, after that the crowd tried to flee. While I attempted to depart with a small group of shinobi, one a Kumogakurian shinobi and the other a member of fire country. Unfortunately one Otandei Shoma a member of Iwagakure's forces attempted to detain me."

She had met Shoma, he was not a dangerous person from what she recalled. She started shaking her head. She was not the sort to make attachments and had none in particular for that man, he was intended to be a pawn in her schemes against the Kazekage.

"He was willing to let the others depart but me, demanding a submit myself to the authority of the Daimyo's men."

The demon laughed and Neophyte found herself feeling vexed. It was some time ago when she crossed paths with the honor-bound stranger, she purposefully placed herself in a state of peril to see how he might intervene. To determine his weakness, and his was his duty and his honor.

"Ii Hissori...Lord Hissori the Tsuchikage ordered Shoma to stand down & allow me to leave. He disobeyed a direct order from his Kage & engaged me in battle...naturally I wouldn't back down so we fought. Before long other forces set to intervene, eventually Hissori entered the fray in an attempt to stop the battle once and for all. The Samurai known as Shoma struck Hissori and even in the light of such insubordination, my old comrade still chose to aid those against me..."

As he went on, she saw holes in what he said. How the Tsuchikage ordered Shoma to cease yet aided those whom fought against the demon. Still she said nothing and only let out a sigh. "I have met Shoma," she would announce from the portion of the cell she decided to occupy. "Good man," she would add. It was the truth. "He intervened during a robbery in progress in Sunagakure, saving the woman from harm, not harming the district that this event took place in and without even harming the criminals." Everything she said was true, she left out a few important facts of course. The first being she was the alleged victim, carrying her purse full of money at night in an obviously dangerous part of town made her fodder for ne'er do wells such as those who tried to assail her. She would have eaten them if it was not for Shoma's intervention, he in fact saved their lives not that he ever knew. His lawful-good nature made him a target of her insidious desires, something that she never had the chance to play out since he disappeared. Knowing he was -there- of all places piqued her interest.

"Me & Hissori...there was a time when we were more then comrades, when we were intimate with one another. For him to betray me that way...I could not just stand by and do nothing while they all played into the Daimyo's hand. So I defended myself..before long it became apparent he wasn't just trying to stop me... He...he was trying to kill me. I couldn't do nothing...even he would not stop me from returning to Seika so I fought. Unfortunately more shinobi arrived & everyone saw a common enemy. A demon..." <i></i>

He seemed to ease his way into the pity card -- poor misunderstood monster. It was heartbreaking... not really. He was a monster. "So the same man who tried to stop the fight, allied against you." She would highlight that particular tidbit.

"Eventually I was bested & I was brought here. Upon regaining consciousness, I was subjected to unorthodox torture methods. To which anyone would have given the information they thought desired to end that treatment. Your anbu had already revealed the answer they wanted & had no intentions of listening to the whole story. I wonder if the reports of those who brought me in are the same or were they full of what the Daimyo wanted? As for the Pit incident I'm sure it would've been resolved eventually, but the casualties would have been far worse if not for my intervention."

Is it really considered torture when they have paid for similar in the past. The alleged 'torture' session seemed to fall in this grey area where she could have asked him for a few dollars for her 'services.' "You liked what I did to your penis," she retorted. "In fact, it is a wonder Seika is with you at all considering your proclivities," she had to insert a jab of her own at some point. She did not believe that the demon had any affection for Kuro's sister, she was likely a run on a ladder for him as he tried to reach new heights in a community alien to his own. He would of course feign indignation, he had to. His relationship with the Sennin's sister might be one of the only things that keeps him alive in Sunagakure.

"As for change...evolving? You don't think I'm making every effort too? I have altered the very creed of my people to comply with the restrictions placed by you. Every action has been done with the intent of placating this village. Those efforts have all been but destroyed & there are those within these very walls that have taken the life of one of my kin. The fact I didn't begin bringing this fucking prison down around me when I regained consciousness shows the restraint of my actions in an effort to maintain peace. I'm a violent man I know this, I took on a role that required it. To get my people through the harshest of trials I had to become what I am today & yet every effort I have made to better myself..to change who I am in order to fit into this village has just ended up becoming another reminder of why I'm the person I am."

Did he really think he could take this prison down. This prison that predates humanity? This prison that houses the most powerful and dangerous offenders in Wind Country history? The same structure that houses Orochi? The one creature even at her prime that she had no hope of defeating and in this weakened state, she would not even slow him down.

"So Lord Sousuke how shall we proceed now that you know the whole story...also if one Miroku Kaza has returned you may find his mission of interest to you. Regardless of it's success I'm sure you'll find it intriguing."<i></i>

<B>"We should kill him sir," Neophyte recommended. She was of course wrong in this instance, he was not right but he was also not wrong in this situation. "He is a demon," she reminded him, that being her logic as to why he deserved the 'death penalty.' It was not a good reason, "or return him to the pit." She knew full-well that even if he was not dangerous for the community, because she was tasked with his information extraction vengeance against her would be a priority. She had no need for additional enemies or perverts in her life.

 

[Senju Kazuki]

[col]

After being debriefed, Sousuke would enter the prison cell and rush toward Akkuma. He would lift the demon by his throat and would berate him, harshly so. "See where your methods have gotten you? Our Secret War with the Daimyo does not involve Stone. What are you trying to do? We don't involve civilians of another autonomous state in our affairs. This is not some sort of all you can eat feast that ends well for everyone. You will hold yourself to a higher standard. You will. It is expected of you in every single regard. Regardless of your actions here today, the situation with the Pit would have resolved itself accordingly. All the same, you will change your ways. You will evolve and become superior. For your clan, for Seika, I don't care what motivates you, but you will hold yourself to a higher standard." his words carrying a warning and a demand. Despite being a prisoner,the Miroku Lord had decided he had taken enough from them all. Tired of having his throat grabbed by another, the foreigner would try to push the Kazekage away. Although not considering the possibility of having such a thing to occur, Kazuki was, nonetheless, ready for it. The room was filled with shadows, his and theirs. It was easy to manipulate them and not be detected by it. If the Guardian Protectorate was really thrown away, the Senju Overlord would use his shadowy skills to stop the man's flight before he could hit anything and receive any kind of harm from the impact.

Apparently tired of having his word doubted as it had been so far, the demon finally decided to come fully clean and count everything that had happened. Something the torture he had received earlier, had failed to do. "First we both know the Exam was a trap for shinobi not just for sunans. I expected as much so I enrolled as a Mist shinobi so that there would be no repercussions for this village should something have happened. Before entering the exam I met with some Kumogakurian shinobi & a shinobi who expressed desires in reclaiming Konoha. The participants were teleported to the Arena, one shinobi deciding to crash the Exam. Before long it was underway & it became obvious foul play was at work. Before long it was deduced that some kind of Jashin technique was being used, as each round progressed a civilian was harmed by the saboteurs technique. The crowd began to blame the shinobi naturally they had no understanding of what was happening, the samurai forces that were there moved to detain the shinobi... I killed two of the samurai which halted the advancement of the rest. With the situation deteriorating & the people moments away from forming an angry mob I did what they all expected...I showed them the monster they wanted me to be. I tried to warn them all that this was obviously a ploy from the one who had summoned us all there. To which some shinobi believed was a mistake to make such a blatant accusation, after that the crowd tried to flee. While I attempted to depart with a small group of shinobi, one a Kumogakurian shinobi & the other a member of fire country. Unfortunately one Otandei Shoma a member of Iwagakure's forces attempted to detain me. He was willing to let the others depart but me, demanding a submit myself to the authority of the Daimyo's men. Ii Hissori...Lord Hissori the Tsuchikage ordered Shoma to stand down & allow me to leave. He disobeyed a direct order from his Kage & engaged me in battle...naturally I wouldn't back down so we fought. Before long other forces set to intervene, eventually Hissori entered the fray in an attempt to stop the battle once and for all. The Samurai known as Shoma struck Hissori and even in the light of such insubordination, my old comrade still chose to aid those against me..."

Of course Neophyte would not stay shut, unlike Reaper, and she shared her thoughts with them. "I have met Shoma. Good man. He intervened during a robbery in progress in Sunagakure, saving the woman from harm, not harming the district that this event took place in and without even harming the criminals." No doubt she would have said Shoma was a Saint. She clearly had a problem with Akkuma, one that stemmed from beyond the man's transgressions. Was it because of race? Because he was a foreigner? Why she detested him so, was still to be learned "Me & Hissori...there was a time when we were more then comrades, when we were intimate with one another. For him to betray me that way...I could not just stand by and do nothing while they all played into the Daimyo's hand. So I defended myself..before long it became apparent he wasn't just trying to stop me... He...he was trying to kill me. I couldn't do nothing...even he would not stop me from returning to Seika so I fought. Unfortunately more shinobi arrived & everyone saw a common enemy. A demon... Eventually I was bested & I was brought here. Upon regaining consciousness, I was subjected to unorthodox torture methods. To which anyone would have given the information they thought desired to end that treatment. Your anbu had already revealed the answer they wanted & had no intentions of listening to the whole story. I wonder if the reports of those who brought me in are the same or were they full of what the Daimyo wanted? As for the Pit incident I'm sure it would've been resolved eventually, but the casualties would have been far worse if not for my intervention." the Miroku Lord would continue, finalizing his tale. "You liked what I did to your penis. In fact, it is a wonder Seika is with you at all considering your proclivities," the AiT would remark. She really could not stay silent, could she? "Enough Neophyte. Stay silent for once, your opinion was not asked." the ANBU Captain would bark at her. He was really reaching a threshold with her. Zabucho forbid if she were to pass it.

"As for change...evolving? You don't think I'm making every effort too? I have altered the very creed of my people to comply with the restrictions placed by you. Every action has been done with the intent of placating this village. Those efforts have all been but destroyed & there are those within these very walls that have taken the life of one of my kin. The fact I didn't begin bringing this fucking prison down around me when I regained consciousness shows the restraint of my actions in an effort to maintain peace. I'm a violent man I know this, I took on a role that required it. To get my people through the harshest of trials I had to become what I am today & yet every effort I have made to better myself..to change who I am in order to fit into this village has just ended up becoming another reminder of why I'm the person I am. So Lord Sousuke how shall we proceed now that you know the whole story...also if one Miroku Kaza has returned you may find his mission of interest to you. Regardless of it's success I'm sure you'll find it intriguing." Akkuma would say. It would seem everything rested upon Sousuke's shoulders. How would he react? The disguised Mother Suna, however, was still not satisfied. "We should kill him sir. He is a demon. Or return him to the pit."

Kazuki would slowly approach the woman from behind. He would stop before any physical contact could be made, but he would still be uncomfortable near. He would not say a single world, allowing his gloomy presence to say everything that needed to be said. "The decision is yours to make Kazekage, but I do have something to say about it. It seems Akkuma and our good AiT here." the Senju Overlord would say as he attempted to place both hands over Neophyte's shoulders. "Have created certain ill feelings between both. I am certain they will try to kill each other at the first opportunity. I recommend that, if either shows up dead, we throw the other into the Pit, no question asked. If they are seen together in a not peaceful way, they are thrown into the Pit together. If any of them is found stalking the other, he or she will be thrown into the Pit. Any kind of physical or psychological warfare from any of you, will gain you an indefinite stay at the Pit." Was this reasonable? Probably not, but he was quite certain how this situation between both would end, if not dealt with in a timely fashion. And he was certain neither wanted to live down there. "I have taken a snapshot of the questioning the prisoner was submitted to before the uprising. I can give it you for analysis if you want." the Silvery Haired Man would note.​

|[legend="[[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEeEUPrIDao]Let the Night Fall[/url]]"]

Reaper - ANBU Captain

[/legend][/col]

 

[Takahashi Aki]

Akkuma was lifted, but not nearly high enough. Sousuke did not show any signs of strain, but Akkuma was not lifted off of his feet entirely. He was lifted but Sousuke was simply not tall enough to do it. Akkuma in his brightest moment decided to push Sousuke away from him, violently. Sousuke was sent skidding back, but various clicks could be heard coming from his metallic feet as the metal dug in deep and prevented him from being sent back to the maximum intended distance. The floor showed scraping and skid marks. Soon enough Akkuma was bound by various means. Considering Kazuki and Neophyte's leige lord had been hit, it was a natural reaction. "More so you than me."<i></i> Sousuke answered in response to being a slave to his emotions. Family and Sungakure were the most important things to Sousuke, as the two oftentimes were the one and the same. Akkuma was far more prone to shows of emotion than Sousuke ever would.

The living machine merely relaxed himself, slightly as he listened to the story unfold. Sungakure nin were not present at the exam, and that was indeed a smart move on his parts. Roku was indeed very wise for not letting himself get a teleportation seal placed on him. The workings of everything seemed to be very much of a Jashinist at work, which was the religion of the Daimyo and his family. Things would unfold in a natural state. Blame the participants, not look at the evidence. Just let panic and shock take effect. "For the record. Were you ever taken into Soragakure? Do you have any recollections or slight memory lapses of ... any laboratories or ..."<i></i> Sousuke paused. How best would he describe Number Five? He didn't use that moniker. He went by his human name, so to speak. "Did you ... meet any foreign practitioners of the dark arts? When I say foreign, I mean of a location or symbol you are not innately familiar with?"<i></i> Mainly Sousuke was checking to see if Akkuma had been compromised by Sound village or any of the Soverign's ilk.

Sousuke's expression which remained neutral in all of this he would exchange glances with Neophyte and Kazuki. Neophyte had said that it was a likely story. Seemed a bit too particular or focused to be the truth. "Yes ... Shoma is a person of good character. He handled a particular situation quite well. Perhaps too well."<i></i> He would response. Parts of the story did not make sense - it was all possible because once a person begins combat, for various reasons, most people could not turn it off like a tap. "This prison is quite old. Bringing it down in its entirety would prove impossible. Ebonite is not something one ... this is the largest known quantity of it in an area. This prison, material alone, is beyond the financial means of many. Ebonite does not bend or break in a furious display of martial prowess or reckless use of power."<i></i> Of all the people in the room, Sousuke was perhaps the only one who knew full well the full power and potential of Ebonite. Rioshi knew the full history, but Sousuke knew the actual science behind it which made the building for the most part - indestructible.

At the mention of male private parts being ... Sousuke's palm would audibly slap his forehead. . Yes. Let's get childish. It was awkward, and strange to hear about Neophyte having to touch Akkuma's private parts. "Akkuma does own a rather particularly disturbing business in the Grand Palais. I will kindly ask that you put that business to bed, not in a literal sense but to just shut it down."<i></i> If Sousuke was asking nicely then, it was perhaps best to go with it. Sousuke could shut down shops and merchants by force, or make things very difficult in the future. "Despite hearing this - I am going to think positive. I am going to ... for Seika's sake - believe that Akkuma has been, since courting her, honest and faithful to her. In the event of children, I would think Akkuma would, in his best interest, want to have children think well of him."<i></i> Akkuma might be proud of being a monster, but one would think that they would want their children to think the best of them.

The problem? Well, this all boiled down to Sousuke making a decision. "And no, I don't really want to watch the snapshot of all this. What happened was a private matter, and I do not wish to embarrass Neophyte any further? I don't know. Is it embarrassing? It probably is."<i></i> Sousuke concluded on the matter. The Kazekage would have to make a decision. Neophyte would mention putting him to death or throwing him to the pit. "First. Neophyte and Akkuma now have a restraining order placed between them. Distance is no less than one thousand meters. Akkuma is permitted access to and from the Toraono dojo, but will have an escort when present in the Grand Palais. Your marriage..."<i></i> Sousuke made a ringing motion with his left hand, "Is still going forward. I trust what happened here does not leave this room. Your actions at the exam, thankfully were done under another banner, if you had done so under a Sunagakure banner then ... the punishment would be far more severe."<i></i>

MFT 800+

 

[Miroku Akkuma]

Neophyte cried out at his assault of the Kazekage & within moments of her performing her handseals a tree erupted from the ground growing around his form. He heard the scrape of mettle as the Kage steadied himself & noted the inaction from reaper, not that he doubted the shadow was ready to act if needed. While he recounted the events that had happened Neophyte tried to undermine him at every approach, her efforts not going unnoticed by her superiors. Sousuke stated that Akkuma was more a slave to his emotions then the Kazekage was, to which he said nothing as he had never made such claims. The Lord Steward seemed to relax as Akkuma spoke listening to what he said carefully. Neophyte tried to undermine his efforts at every point, so much so that it seemed Reaper had become annoyed with her insubordination.

It seemed he had left quite the impression on the AiT the thought brought a shark-like smile to his face as she was reprimanded by her superior. Sousuke began to question him about symbols, laboratories & other practitioners of the dark arts. A curious path of questioning but then again it was the logical one given the proclivity the sage had for dark arts & with his appearance he was usually approached by those who practiced such things. "There were a few things that stood out, one was the teleportation seal that was stamped upon participants. I'm unfamiliar with its craftsmanship, whoever designed it was a master sealer. I believe if the dummies had been inspected at the Arena one would have found the work of a Jashinist. As for foreign practitioners of the Dark Arts there was a youth who was enrolled as a chuunin...Isayama Takayuki from Otogakure I believe. Only thing is...if that youth was a chuunin then I'm a saint. Also I don't know many chuunin who are practitioners of Jashin."<i></i> he would calmly say in answer to the Kazekage's question.

Akkuma's finger began to twitch as he tried to fight off the bind that held him in place. He could feel her chakra in his head, but even with that knowledge he couldn't move. Neophyte truly was remarkable with her illusions, he would have to be cautious of that when he pursued her. When he had finished his exchange with Sousuke the man then began to address Shoma's part in it all. "In my experience its often those very same good men who find themselves manipulated for someone else's schemes."<i></i> he would say in rebuttle to Neophyte's words about Shoma. For the demon had used quite a few righteous men in his schemes. It usually didn't take much, a damsel in distress at the right time, some grand calling to help those less fortunate(or at least make it appear that way) & they could be used to take out foes.

When the Steward made his comments about the castle Akkuma's eyes scanned it "Yes it does look quite structurally sound, even though it is unmalleable...I think you'd find the earth beneath it is far less stubborn...one only needs to take out a section to escape or get in."<i></i> he would calmly say, surprised that they had not clued onto what he meant. There were earth & even sand jutsu that were capable of moving incredible amounts of earth. In truth he was surprised no one had done so on a smaller level to tunnel in or out. After all he could only imagine what delights lay in the depths of this place after the creatures he had seen tonight. "After all with what I just saw...I'm sure there's lots of secrets & creatures down here you wouldn't want getting loose."<i></i> he would calmly say to them, what an outrageous idea who would think about breaking into such a place? A madman that's who.

When Sousuke mentioned his business the demons eyes glinted with controlled rage. "I'll need a week to get the necessary changes in order..."<i></i> his voice shook as he spoke, there were people who sold unwilling people to monsters. Yet his consensual business was not deemed valid, what about all the cesspit of crime that had infested the village. The demon had intended to use his business as a means of gaining intel & resources. Now he would have to implement another his other venture which would be far less entertaining but he was certain he could make it work. When Sousuke next spoke he snarled & stepped forward breaking through the Genjutsu in his rage. "I have NEVER betrayed Seika & I never will!"<i></i> he pulled off his chest plate of armor & revealed the binding seal upon his chest. Sousuke would notice he'd seen the seal on various Miroku clan members, Reaper would recognize it as the same seal that had disintegrated Touka's body before his very eyes. Akkuma's body was covered with the seals some were intertwined as if they had been scribed in conjunction with others.

"You see this seal? If I betray Seika it's the end of me. I know I'm a masochist & a deviant...but that's who I am. It doesn't detract from my love for Seika, I'd never hurt her. In regards to our children I will be honest with them, they will know the man their father is. I have no doubt they proud to say I'm their father...why don't you ask Riyota sometime? He seems to be fitting in with the clan quite well & his made fine progress as a shinobi. He's well on his way to joining our council at this rate."<i></i> he would calmly say to the Steward now he had said his piece. He wondered how the Kazekage would take the news of the demon adopting on of his villages as his own. When the Kazekage began to speak Akkuma could almost feel his unease as he spoke about the snapshots saying it was unnecessary for him to see them. Asking Neophyte if it was embarrassing, which of course made the demon burst into laughter.

"I don't know she seemed to enjoying herself letting out all that anger, having a foul demon to direct it upon."<i></i> he would chuckle clearly not bothered by what had transpired. Akkuma was quite the unusual character he listened to the terms Sousuke laid out for his release. First stating that the demon was not to be within 1000 meters of the AiT, also stating he would have escorts whenever he entered the Grand Palais. This did not bother him too much he had his Agents for any tasks he would need to do out of the Kazekage's prying eyes. Finally Sousuke finished by saying he hoped the events that had transpired here would be remain among those who were in the room. Saying he was lucky if he had acted under Sunagakure's banner then his repercussions would have been more severe. He held back a snort at that comment before deciding to address his issues with the terms.

"My first issue with this restraining order is how are we, well mainly myself meant to know when I'm in breach of the distance? After all its not like I know her identity."<i></i> he would say calmly, wondering if they would be so foolish as to order her to reveal her identity. "As for your condition of tails while I travel through the Grand Palais I have no objection to that. But should your shinobi meddle in my affairs without cause you will find them left outside your tower with quite the headache."<i></i> he would calmly say, after all the shinobi would just be doing their jobs so he wouldn't kill them. But that didn't mean he wouldn't give them a healthy reminder to keep their distance if necessary. When he had finished his gaze slid to reaper holding the shadow in his piercing gaze.

"Why would I hold a grudge against Neophyte for following her orders? You were her superior. You should have known of her prejudice against my kind...maybe you did who knows. But I do know that you chose not to intervene at any point even going so far as to leave me alone in the cell with her. So who do you think holds the blame in my eyes? An overzealous initiate or a captain who can't even control his subordinate?"<i></i> he would say in a serious tone trying to shift focus from his encounter & possible untoward feelings the two had for one another. Instead trying to make it seem like his grudge lay with her superior Reaper instead.

MFT
OOC: Sorry on the wait! Its been a crazy week.
Edited to fix wording

 

[Michi]

Neophyte​

"Enough Neophyte. Stay silent for once, your opinion was not asked."

Reaper snapped at her. It seemed that his patience was reaching a terminal point. She looked over at him through the dark pits of her mask, she was struggling to maintain her hold over the demon. Her word and her song were not easily escaped and with each day she only grew more powerful and enduring. The great tree, only seen by herself and Akkuma would shift as the roots hooked his ankles and the branches wrapped around his limbs and stretched them away from his torso.

Sousuke went into a line of questioning.

"For the record. Were you ever taken into Soragakure? Do you have any recollections or slight memory lapses of ... any laboratories or ... Did you ... meet any foreign practitioners of the dark arts? When I say foreign, I mean of a location or symbol you are not innately familiar with?"

Why would that even matter? "Kazekage, sir... he came from Soons Haven." Those nice samurai men said so. And why would foreign dark arts users be a consideration. This was an odd line of questioning that made her feel unsettled. Her mental grip over Akkuma was starting to diminish, she would not be able to hold him much longer.

"There were a few things that stood out, one was the teleportation seal that was stamped upon participants. I'm unfamiliar with its craftsmanship, whoever designed it was a master sealer. I believe if the dummies had been inspected at the Arena one would have found the work of a Jashinist. As for foreign practitioners of the Dark Arts there was a youth who was enrolled as a chuunin...Isayama Takayuki from Otogakure I believe. Only thing is...if that youth was a chuunin then I'm a saint. Also I don't know many chuunin who are practitioners of Jashin."

She was not familiar with Sound beyond rumor and legacy. She knew that it was a foreign shinobi village located someplace in Tea. As for Jashinism, she understood that religion first-hand. She was never a practitioner of that sadomasochist's faith, but she was once a victim. She shivered, something Reaper's hand would feel if he had maintained contact but if he had she would then try to subtly pull away. She did not like being touched when she remembered Shouki, not only because she lost her pride and felt fear not of death but of pain but also because that was the day she saw Sousuke for the monster he truly was. When she saw him take from Mikaboshi what was not his to take but he felt he had the right. When she saw him subjugate her brother because he could, because Mikaboshi might do something wrong. Consequences before a crime was even committed. Following, she plead for the Deep Court Lord's freedom and was denied because again, he might do wrong but she saw his act as one of selfish greed and pride and hated him for it. "Those samurai seemed like nice men," Neophyte protested gently. She did not have strong emotions one way or another, she was going to ignore the pale one's offer for a date but considering how antsy the word samurai seemed to make them she might consider his offer after all.

"Yes ... Shoma is a person of good character. He handled a particular situation quite well. Perhaps too well."

"In my experience its often those very same good men who find themselves manipulated for someone else's schemes."

Yes, that was exactly what she had planned. Using his ethic against her enemies. Scary how spot-on that was, perhaps he was not all brawn and no brains.

"This prison is quite old. Bringing it down in its entirety would prove impossible. Ebonite is not something one ... this is the largest known quantity of it in an area. This prison, material alone, is beyond the financial means of many. Ebonite does not bend or break in a furious display of martial prowess or reckless use of power."

They did not know still -- Good. And what the hell was 'Ebonite'?

"Yes it does look quite structurally sound, even though it is unmalleable...I think you'd find the earth beneath it is far less stubborn...one only needs to take out a section to escape or get in."

The structure known as the Obsidian predated humanity and could be traced back to the dawn of her kind. She did not know or at least remember who built it or why, but it had always served as a prison in one form or another. The dark stones seemed to absorb light. Impenetrable at the deepest, darkest of depths, there were symbols etched into every stone that repelled chakra use. That was why no prisoner had barged through a door, slithered between bars or shifted through solid matter using an advanced earth ninjutsu such as Inner Earth Reflection Lure. Of course, the levels closest to the surface were not made by these long-forgotten builders but rather the tribes of men. Offices and bureaucratic structure, storage, interrogation, recreation. Weak, yes. Those walls could be broken, those doors could be smashed apart. Perhaps these walls were made from the inert substance Sousuke credited, but it mattered little because chakra made men capable of bending the elements to their will. The prisoners housed in the deepest parts of the Obsidian lingered there still, the reason this structure seems to consume the chakra of its inhabitants.

"After all with what I just saw...I'm sure there's lots of secrets & creatures down here you wouldn't want getting loose."

Oh... darling, you do not know the half of it.

She could see the Reaper approach her from behind, even without his icy aura she never lost sight of her surroundings. Her keen sense of sound was one of the few skills sustained through death. She felt uncomfortable allowing the Delphic Sennin to draw so near. She would look ahead, never turning back. She needed to hold the demon in his place.

"The decision is yours to make Kazekage, but I do have something to say about it. It seems Akkuma and our good AiT here."

The Reaper planted his hands on her shoulders and her body tenses under the weight of his palms. He would be able to feel the bandages beneath the thin robes that concealed a bony frame. She did not say a word, not yet. She did not know anything about the Reaper, he could be an utter imbecile or he could be a threat she was not prepared to counter. His confidence was disquieting.

"Have created certain ill feelings between both. I am certain they will try to kill each other at the first opportunity. I recommend that, if either shows up dead, we throw the other into the Pit, no question asked. If they are seen together in a not peaceful way, they are thrown into the Pit together. If any of them is found stalking the other, he or she will be thrown into the Pit. Any kind of physical or psychological warfare from any of you, will gain you an indefinite stay at the Pit."

She would try to pull herself away from the Sennin. How fucking dare he. "My opinion not asked, but with all-due-respect," which is none "it is unreasonable that I would have any responsibility for consequences of his deviance. He is a criminal who has not only assaulted foreign delegates but terrorized a domestic community in the midst of a public event. He has many enemies, least of all me. I refuse to take responsibility for the life of a monster and risk imprisonment in the pit for doing my job. And good luck Sir finding any ANBU willing if this is your practice." She understood why -- she was a nobody and she would not be missed if she was dropped into the pit. A nameless, faceless victim of circumstance. They wanted an excuse to release the demon because he was tied to Sennin Toraono, the fallout of having the border Sennin's brother-in-law imprisoned socially and politically would rock the very foundation of this community. An AiT that disappears one day, or is blamed for the unfortunate fate of the Sennin's in-law, would probably barely make the papers. The Toraono family's mourning, however would make the front page.

"I have taken a snapshot of the questioning the prisoner was submitted to before the uprising. I can give it you for analysis if you want."

"Akkuma does own a rather particularly disturbing business in the Grand Palais. I will kindly ask that you put that business to bed, not in a literal sense but to just shut it down."

It would seem that Akkuma's businesses made Sousuke a bit uncomfortable, he had such a Victorian mind. What kinds of businesses were these? Did that pervert own The Lotus Blossom? Figures, why did that even surprise her?

"I'll need a week to get the necessary changes in order..."

Akkuma was astonishingly was amicable to Sousuke's requested change. She did not believe or trust him, but his world would likely be good enough for the Kazekage.

"Despite hearing this - I am going to think positive. I am going to ... for Seika's sake - believe that Akkuma has been, since courting her, honest and faithful to her. In the event of children, I would think Akkuma would, in his best interest, want to have children think well of him."

Akkuma would rip free of her hold. "I have NEVER betrayed Seika & I never will!"<i></i>

"Sir, stand back!" Neophyte would shout as she prepared to mentally grapple the demon once again. "Stand down demon!" The demon started to strip; hadn't they seen enough of him already? He pulled off his chest plate of armor, revealing the binding seal upon his chest. She would not personally recognize the seal, but that seal was not the only seal ascribed onto his body Akkuma's body was covered with various seals and she wondered how many of them were inert and how many of them tethered him something or someone, how many gave him power, preserved him and how many were inert or perhaps decorative scaring.

"You see this seal? If I betray Seika it's the end of me. I know I'm a masochist & a deviant...but that's who I am. It doesn't detract from my love for Seika, I'd never hurt her. In regards to our children I will be honest with them, they will know the man their father is. I have no doubt they proud to say I'm their father...why don't you ask Riyota sometime? He seems to be fitting in with the clan quite well & his made fine progress as a shinobi. He's well on his way to joining our council at this rate."

He was just handing out targets like candy. A seal that could 'end' him if he betrayed Seika. Easy. A child, a waif perhaps or a child from a previous lover. Well, that kid is dead. She was not going to see her country overrun by demons.

"And no, I don't really want to watch the snapshot of all this. What happened was a private matter, and I do not wish to embarrass Neophyte any further? I don't know. Is it embarrassing? It probably is."

"Not embarrassed Sir, it was just a demon dick," she muttered. It was not as if she was a young, puritan child. "It was not even that impressive." She actually had no opinion on the matter, it could have been glorious or monstrous but she would not have known and it would not have been relevant. She had never laid with a man or a demon and had no intention of ever trying. She lacked the sick curiosities of her brothers and considered it a mark of pride that there was no half-breed Earth Court members.

"I don't know she seemed to enjoying herself letting out all that anger, having a foul demon to direct it upon."

Akkuma interjected. Neophyte nodded in agreement.

"First. Neophyte and Akkuma now have a restraining order placed between them. Distance is no less than one thousand meters. Akkuma is permitted access to and from the Toraono dojo, but will have an escort when present in the Grand Palais. Your marriage... Is still going forward. I trust what happened here does not leave this room. Your actions at the exam, thankfully were done under another banner, if you had done so under a Sunagakure banner then ... the punishment would be far more severe."

"How--" She started to say before Akkuma raised a few questions of his own. They were not the questions that she had, but they were indeed valid. She felt mildly disgusted agreeing with a demon.

"My first issue with this restraining order is how are we, well mainly myself meant to know when I'm in breach of the distance? After all its not like I know her identity."

Really -- do you think that you are dealing with a pair of morons that would order her to announce her name or address so that he could steer clear of her? Actually, nevermind. They just might.

"As for your condition of tails while I travel through the Grand Palais I have no objection to that. But should your shinobi meddle in my affairs without cause you will find them left outside your tower with quite the headache."

Sure, threaten them -- great plan.

He missed the one question she was about to ask. "How will you know when he is in the Grand Palais?" For that matter, how will she also know where he is. There was next to no chance she was going to let them scribe a complimentary seal onto her. Not only was the seal a means of aversion, potentially Pavlovian Conditioning if there were immediate consequences associated but it was also a way to identify her. She was hardly humdrum. The average Sunan was either dark-haired or a ginger and in many cases nearly a foot shorter than she. It would not take long for the demon to identify her if he had two brain cells he could rub together to keep warm. The seal, also could be used for others to potentially track her, using the same method of discomfort to tell them that they are 'warmer.' She crossed her arms defensively over her chest. "I am as good as dead if you give him a viable method of tracking me," she reminded him. HE had already been sentenced to the pit once, he would be more than willing to go there again.

"Why would I hold a grudge against Neophyte for following her orders? You were her superior. You should have known of her prejudice against my kind...maybe you did who knows. But I do know that you chose not to intervene at any point even going so far as to leave me alone in the cell with her. So who do you think holds the blame in my eyes? An overzealous initiate or a captain who can't even control his subordinate?"

Bullshit. He was not after the captain, but he was doing a fine job defaming him.

Still, this needed to conclude soon, she needed to pee.

"Scribe... this," she would announce as she searched the cell for a trinket before she found a bit of dull, black metal on the ground that was pounded flat and was a hair smaller than the palm of her hand. "I can carry this and control MY FATE in terms of dealing with Akkuma when he is released. If I feel it safer to enforce a distance or if I feel that I can remain safely within proximity, it would be my choice." She would pass it over to the 'sealing expert' -- was Sousuke a capable sealer? If so, she was unaware. If it was Reaper, that would be an interesting tidbit. "Then seal Akkuma, binding the seal ascribed on this trinket to Akkuma's form." If they asked her for a recommended site, she would point to his tail. She would have recommended his genitalia for the sake of damaging his pride but she felt the sealer would be too squeamish. Except for potentially a stone-skin seal and something that could emulate an Akimichi's growth, that part of his body was likely barren. "Surely you can have the seal release an elemental burst, such as fire or lightning when he breeches the distance he must remain apart from me." Nothing fatal, although she would not have debated them if it was something fatal. "As for knowing when the barrier is about to be breached, if you use lightning it is likely that he will feel a static-like tingle the last several feet before that invisible line is crossed." She shrugged and looked at Akkuma mockingly as she delineated her idea. There was a reason she asked for lightning. There was also a reason she asked for it to be on a trinket. Hopefully they would not catch onto either.

"Finally, if you are concerned about me. A novice ANBU still in training," they should be concerned. "I suggest that perhaps you tie him to the community, he has no village to speak of and his deviant behaviors and crimes are hardly forgotten. Conscript him into your shinobi army, allow him to spend his days surrounded by those who hate him. He will have places to be, people that check in on him. People who will know if he is missing. I won't have the time or the oppertunity to cause him harm, not that I ever could." She totally could. "He will fall back into a life of deviancy and debauchery and betray his station soon enough, and he will be held accountable AGAIN for his actions. Only this time hopefully they will stick and Sennin Toraono's pride will be too damaged to defend his twice apostate in-law." She was putting a shorter leash on him than he would potentially realize, this would make him harder to track and easier to blame.

He would not last long, she would make sure of it.

 

[Senju Kazuki]

[col]

Kazuki’s plan of stopping Sousuke were never necessary because the Kazekage used his metallic feet and legs to stop his motion. His method would leave several scars on the ground. Someone would have to correct that. Leaving it as it was, was not an option. What if they needed that cell for another important dignitary? Pristine conditions were needed. The Guardian Protectorate kept questioning Akkuma, trying to collect as much information as possible. The demon, on the other hand, kept answering with apparent truth. In reality, they had no way to verify if he was being truthful or not. Other than the man’s own word. Midway through, Akkuma would remark they had been lucky he had not destroyed the Obsidian Palace by now. Something Sousuke deemed impossible. ”This prison is quite old. Bringing it down in its entirety would prove impossible. Ebonite is not something one… this is the largest known quantity in the area. This prison, material alone, is beyond the financial means of many. Ebonite does not bend or break in a furious display of martial prowess or reckless use of power.” A fair explanation by all accounts, but the only reason the prison was impossible to destroy. ”Yes it does look quite structurally sound, even though it is unmalleable.. I think you’d find the earth beneath it is far less stubborn… one only needs to take out a section to escape or get in.” the Miroku Lord would rebuke, still clearly not convinced. ”After all with what I just saw… I’m sure there’s lots of secrets creatures down here you wouldn’t want getting loose.”

”That plan would never work. There are other layers of protection that you will never know about.” Kazuki would reply. He would not clarify what they were, mainly because he did not need to know. But specifically because, not even the Senju Overlord knew about how they worked. They all felt their chakra being slowly drained away, it was impossible to ignore the feeling. The deeper they went, the stronger this effect became. Akkuma was a fool if he thought he could ignore those effects, and even overcome them.

Sousuke would refuse to see the snapshot Reaper had taken, basing his decision on a possible fact Neophyte would be embarrassed by it. The White Wolf doubted it, but it did not question his superior, unlike a certain AiT that seemed to be creating such a habit. ”My opinion not asked, but with all-due-respect, it is unreasonable that I would have any responsibility for consequences of his deviance. He is a criminal who has not only assaulted foreign delegates but terrorized a domestic community in the midst of a public event. He has many enemies, least of all me. I refuse to take responsibility for the life of a monster and risk imprisonment in the pit for doing my job. And good luck Sir finding any ANBU willing if this is your practice.” By all rights he should have thrown her into the brig for those words and actions she had taken since they began working together. She fully deserved it and should have happened immediately. But the silvery haired man restrained his hand and tongue. He had worse punishment, although it would throw a curve in Sousuke’s restraining order.

Akkuma would go free, having to shut down his businesses, and being forced to stay away from Neophyte, just as much as she was from him. ”My first issue with this restraining order is how are we, well mainly myself meant to know when I’m in breach of the distance? After all its not like I know her identity.” the prisoner would inquire. Quite crafty of him, in a way he was trying to lead them to reveal who the AiT was beneath the mask. Something that would not happen at all. ”Good try, but you are not learning who she is beneath the mask. We use them for a reason.” the Captain would clarify. He was certain Sousuke would not reveal it as well, if he knew at all. Not even Kazuki knew. He was going to know soon, though. ”Why would I hold a grudge against Neophyte for following her orders? You were her superior. You should have known of her prejudice against my kind… maybe you did who knows. But I do know that you chose not to intervene at any point even going so far as to leave me alone in the cell with her. So who do you think holds the blame in my eyes? An overzealous initiate or a captain who can’t even control his subordinate?” the demon lord would question. So he was trying to pass the blame onto him? The Deep Court Hybrid could play that game. ”An interesting inquiry and choice of words. Allow me to ask you this then. By your account, then every action, no matter how harmless it might be, from any member of the Miroku clan, as long as it breaks any laws of Sunagakure, you are to be hold accountable for. Am I right? Kazekage, we should just throw him to the Pit then. After all, any transgressions that anyone of his clan may have committed since their arrival, should be placed on his head. We may don’t have the necessary time to list them all, less we want to grow old.“ It was irrelevant if the Miroku clan had a list of past transgressions or not, nor he would pick up a list and start reading it. He knew of one though, a certain civilian that had entered the Obsidian Palace without proper authorization and that had been silenced for eternity by Roku.

Still, Sousuke needed to decide on how to enforce the restraining order. Neophyte found a metallic piece of junk from the ground and tossed it to the Kazekage. In her mind, he could use that as a trinket to alert her of Akkuma’s proximity. But how to ensure she carried it all the time? And what if when she was not wearing her ANBU garb. Somehow, the silvery haired man thought this to be her plan. It was not sufficient, but being ANBU was something she should not be worried any longer. The Senju Overlord stood there, silently, waiting to hear the Guardian Protectorate’s judgement. Eventually Neophyte would have more to say. ”I suggest that perhaps you tie him to the community, he has no village to speak of and his deviant behaviors and crimes are hardly forgotten. Conscript him into your shinobi army, allow him to spend his days surrounded by those who hate him. He will have places to be, people that check in on him. People who will know if he is missing. I won't have the time or the opportunity to cause him harm, not that I ever could.”

Yes, even Reaper could agree to that. It was, perhaps, the best thing that came out of her mouth since this entire thing had begun. Minus one thing. Using the excuse of having to search for a trinket, Neophyte had moved away from the Captain’s icy presence. Unfortunately for her, he would again approach her. ”I think you meant our army.” he would whisper to her. Quite curious she had stated “your shinobi army” when she clearly was part of it as well. Quite curious indeed.​

|[legend="[[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEeEUPrIDao]Let the Night Fall[/url]]"]

Reaper - ANBU Captain

[/legend][/col]

 

[Takahashi Aki]

Yes everyone but Kazuki keep shouting. Keep shouting because it's not like the ringing noise in your ears don't happen. Sousuke rubbed his temples with both hands. Right. Yes. "Jashin is a religion. It's one I do not like. Mainly because most people who follow Jashin are maniacs. It is rather upsetting really when having to deal with them. They're much more theatrical than I ever will be with their bloody circles and godly appeasements."<i></i> Sousuke would pause for a moment and continued to process what everyone was saying, arguing, or what have you. Sousuke himself wished he had the ability to travel back in time. Why? To fix a series of problems. Unfortunately fixing this problems would spawn more problems, and more and more and ... no. Maybe time travel would not be a good idea. He did wish he could turn the dial back on Mother Suna. He wished Shiori did not reveal herself to be their patron goddess who was not benevolent. Religion was one of those things that ... inspired people to do great things or terrible things. Sousuke watched as Mikaboshi was hurting Mother Suna. He put a stop to it. Apparently doing so was wrong. Stopping Mother Suna from torturing a child was also wrong. Yes. Sousuke was always in the wrong for doing the right thing.

Neophyte would mention that he came from Soon's. "The Daimyo has a habit of brainwashing people mentally. Akkuma might have been warped to Soragakure then tampered with, and then sent back to Soon's"<i></i> Sousuke revealed, "Would rather not have to deal with it again."<i></i> He added as he rubbed his temples more. "I am not a brain surgeon. I don't want to have to play with people's minds. They're very delicate."<i></i>

Alright. So. Akkuma bound himself to Seika with a seal. Sousuke merely hoped that impersonating Seika was very difficult. Otherwise ... yeah. Akkuma might find himself on the wrong end of ... sexual activity going ... erm ... to dead places. Literally. Some people out there were very capable of imitation. Sousuke himself could imitate a person's voice and some body language. "I'm well aware of your ... plans ... for Riyota."<i></i> By plans, Sousuke considered using the word death sentance. Yes. Putting Riyota on the throne of Soragakure once and when the Daimyo was vanquished. It was a really bad idea. "Maybe instead of my forces being found outside my tower with a headache, maybe I'll find you with a bag of ice and a black eye."<i></i> Sousuke answered back. Akkuma was powerful yes, but there were other powerful people in Sungakure as well. Akkuma had a strange habit of making everyone angry around him. Mikaboshi was of the mind that Akkuma was an idiot.

Sousuke would be handed a peice of metal and his gaze would break off for a moment. It seemed like he was staring at nothing, and indeed he was as his head looked upwards. He was toying with the metal. His hands glowed read and he began to fashion the metal. He was creating something. He was fashioning a device. Sousuke was creating a device of sorts. He would look to Akkuma first. "Would you be so kind as to offer a simple droplet of blood?"<i></i> Sousuke would inquire. "Simple device really. Neophyte carries this. If Akkuma is in the area, it will glow green and heat up slightly. Should Akkuma end up killing her, then the device will go off and a thunderbolt will strike Akkuma based on blood tracking. It's tuned to a frequency I am attuned to."<i></i> He would make a gesture to assert that the thunderbolt would be quite visible and quite loud. Sousuke once he was done creating the device would hold up a cross looking object that was pocket sized. "As for your escort? A member of the Senju clan."<i></i> Despite all the shouting. All the binding. All the other things. Sousuke merely kept his calm cool self. Yes he did shout at Akkuma earlier, but considering the way he was speaking now - you'd have been surprised that it ever happened.