Open Devils rise where Angels fear to tread

[Toraono Kuro]

All six of Kuro's demonic cores had suffered catastrophic damage from the explosion of the mechanical sovereign. Kuro had tried to fight his way to save Katsuo but it seems he never made it to him. Kuro's undying body apparently saved him using a final spark from his rinnegan enhanced blood Kuro was rebuilt from a decimated corpse buried beneath ash, sand, and stone. A single drop of blood took ten years to rebuild the fallen sage's body. Pain and darkness were all that awaited Kuro after 10 years of oblivion and tormented dreams. Lost loved ones, cherished family, a village that had once depended on him now and then. As much as the urge swept through him Kuro found that he could not cry. Although the reason he was able to awaken at all was because the rains had trickled down to where he had been buried by the explosion. Runic terran seals began to light up as Kuro's telekinesis kicked in and began to free him from his predicament. There were 3 things on his mind that allowed his power to slowly awaken. REVENGE, FAMILY, RESTORATION... All of those whom had plotted against Sunagakure would pay. All those whom had raised their weapons against his friends and family would pay. No matter how much pain he was in he circulated his dark energies through each of his hearts. Kuro distinctly felt his elemental affinities were in place but the seals and runes that allowed their use that were bonded to his mind and soul had been shattered. Many of his former arts of war and feats of ninjutsu would have to be reacquired and then allowed to absorb the intent of his original mastery as he mastered skills and jutsu anew. After clearing a path to the surface Kuro emerged into the vast desert once more. As his senses flared he found his first few meals waiting for him by a tiny spring where water was bubbling up to the surface.

Twenty medium to large size dustboars were within view but Kuro would only pick one. It was old and weary and with two cracked tusks it was mostly alone but within view of the younglings. With a quick surge of energy the dustboar found himself paralyzed before Kuro struck it in the back of the head with a taijutsu/genjutsu combination. Kuro carried the beast away and after a quick prayer of thanks to his ancestors Kuro killed, skinned, butchered, and set aside the differing portions of meats, bones, and sturdy hide. With his skills and telekinesis not a single portion of the boar was wasted. The hide was soon fashioned into knee length pants. The bones and remaining intestines were cleaned in a manner that only a master could accomplish and then after being twisted and tied became a load bearing vest. Another piece of hide was worked over and scoured to a pristine state, after turning the remaining blood into ink after mixing it with kendu root and powdered blackstone was made into a seal which could be used to store the uneaten meat and remaining leather. Content with himself, Kuro headed towards Sunagakure using the stars as his guide since the landscape had changed.

WC: 532
MFT

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro checked over his body once more as he grasped for the power he used to have. Remnants remained, links to his original runes, sigils, and blood borne powers had been completely shattered. Kuro knew how to rebuild them so he wasn't upset, the one thing he seemed to have plenty of at the moment was time. His family had separated and gone into hiding due to conflicts with the Daimyo and his underlings. Nothing was as it seemed as everyone seemed to be manipulated by something or someone else. Top of his new list of things to do was rebuild himself. He couldn't protect Suna if he was a broken down being. His bloodline only gave him a small edge and quite a few disadvantages when it came to being perceived as non threatening but that was easily dealt with as well. The Toraono Clan's reputation and capacity was well known. If it weren't then Kuro would have to hide himself as he would simply be perceived as a monster. His more severely cores were set internally in a healing formation while his functional cores were closer to the surface so to speak. Kuro's skeletal system was stronger than the densest Takahashi Fire Forged Steel which actually granted him reasonable damage resistance but constant arthritis. It was an even trade, no power or ability came forth without cost.

Suddenly an urge swept through Kuro's resilient soul. Kuro released a single drop of blood on the ground and then performed three hand seals while he sung a song like a madman would whisper a lullaby to their closest friend. A song that had come to mind as well. Kuro sang lightly yet in the open desert it resounded easily, "Keep you in the dark, you know they all pretend...."

Kuro's summoning technique actuaqlly followed through as a humanoid feline rose from the bloodseal on the sand as he responded to Kuro's lyrics in turn, "Keep you in the dark, and so it all bega-a-an."
Hyouhage smiled at Kuro as Kuro sang aloud, "Send in your skeletons... Sing as their bones go marching iiiin.... again"
Hyouhage joined in the song as well, "They need you buried deep... The secrets that you keep are ever ready"
Kuro sung aloud "Are you ready?"
Hyouhage hugged Kuro in a brotherly manner before speaking normally, "You had myself and my clansmen worried. Despite your immortality rites the jade plate we maintain that signaled your life essence shattered into six pieces. Over this past few years it started to reassemble itself but the cracks have remained. How are you Brother Kuro?"
Kuro smiled then took on a serious look, "I took on a massive explosion that buried me deep and directly injured all but my primal core. It has taken me too long to regenerate and link back up with my scattered remnants. I will need to retrain much of my former abilities to regain any semblence of strength. Can I ask for our kindred to check on Sunagakure and my comrades? Just for the time it will take while I train myself to be worthy of Suna once more."
Hyouhage nodded, "Of course I will send one of my brethren to contact your remaining comrades and get an accounting as well as pass on your message of life."

Kuro smiled and shook Hyouhage's hand before releasing his summoning.
Hyouhage disappeared in a blink of shadows. Kuro trekked further into the desert to look for any signs of sandwyrms or carnasaurs. Training himself anew would require sustenance and challenge and although he wasn't as strong as what he used to be Kuro had to set a baseline.

WC: 611
MFT

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro’s sense of smell and chakra senses were still strong and if he entered sage mode they would be much stronger. Since Kuro was hunting to refamiliarize with his undying body and reclaim the power he had lost due to his injuries Kuro kept his usage of Sage arts to a bare minimum. What Kuro had noticed was that with the broken sigils and runes new connections had formed while he was regenerating. His taijutsu used to be able to link with his ninjutsu but now it combined with his genjutsu instead. This was an odd feeling for a brief moment as Kuro had only used his genjutsu to train genin or train his mentat abilities. Kuro had never relied on his genjutsu for combat. Since this was now a part of his undying devil body Kuro decided to use it to its fullest. Focusing his mind Kuro brought up the simplest combat genjutsu he knew. The scene of a phoenix lightly burning its target briefly surfaced in his conscious thoughts as his fire runes and mentat abilities synchronized.

This genjutsu technique causes an intense sensation of heat within an opponent. As Kuro remembered it, this genjutsu could make his opponent’s feel as if their body had just been scorched horribly, thereby allowing the slightest touch after being inflicted with this mental curse to cause further pain… B Rank Genjutsu Phoenix’s Embrace…



Kuro smiled, it seemed his new path would require an intense revision of his attitude toward and uses of Genjutsu. Since this was the case Kuro connected runes and sigils in his Devil core which was tied to fire element. With Kuro’s Dark Embrace the power of the phoenix became his own power and a curse was formed. Devil’s Embrace was born as Kuro dedicated more of his internal energy to his genjutsu. Kuro still maintained all of his mastery of taijutsu. Kuro’s melee taijutsu wasn’t at the mastery where he was at the top of the world, but he was still far from the bottom. Kuro’s genjutsu however had now taken a single step above his direct melee skills. Kuro’s ranged projectile and ninjutsu skills were obscene and rarely remembered because those who suffered these attacks were all dead. Kuro preferred direct melee since it gave his opponents the illusion that all he could do was direct physical confrontation.


New Curse formation:

Devil’s Embrace:
Master: Cast at normal DC and deals 375 Illusionary damage per round. The target takes +15% damage from all sources.
Special Action - Elemental Lacing: By paying an additional 20% of the Chakra Cost upon cast, if the Genjutsu hits, the user may follow-up with an offensive Fire Element-based Jutsu.
Note:

Effect: Kuro’s Genjutsu (*stated in their Dojo*) are Cursed attacks.

Kuro gains a +2 bonus; this applies to checks, as well, but these techniques now cost +10% CP.

The +2 bonus applies to Kuro’s Demonic Aura as well.
- The Illusionary Damage per round can be buffed by fire damage buffs as well as Illusionary damage buffs. Damage buff cap still applies.
- The special action may only be used once per cast.
*Master Cost: 660 CP to initiate, 330 CP per round to maintain*



Kuro’s memories synchronized as he developed a new Devil’s Trick courtesy of the curses that were manifesting themselves anew within his cores. The first Devil Trick Kuro devised since his regeneration flowed through his mind and into his devil core to form a rune and sigil attachment to his Devil’s Embrace curse. *Terra Firma Unleashing the Devil’s Embrace*

This technique would require Kuro’s telekinesis to unleash an Emerald containing decisive earth - based chakra. This emerald would come from Kuro’s Steel Core and after flowing through Kuro’s Devil core it would also contain Kuro’s Devil’s Embrace cursed genjutsu. Upon contact with Kuro’s target, the earth chakra would release itself in such a way that the target would feel as if they were literally struck by the Earth itself only to be embraced by the Devil.
Information
Prerequisites: A Rank, Can only be used with a Weapon that has the Projectile Damage Type
Rank 2: The user strikes at a single target dealing 3,630 Damage at +3 Accuracy. This technique has a 44% chance to inflict a Sprained Status to a single limb.
Special Action: By paying an additional cost of +15% Cp and 1 AP, upon contact a mass of vines spring from the Earth creating a "barrier" in front of the user blocking up to 1,000 Damage. If this special is used, this jutsu is still modded as 2.5 AP's worth of time. This may only be used once per battle.
Rank 2 Cost: 1,815 Cp
Notes:
- This technique can only be used once every other round.
- Damage may be increased by either Projectile or Earth Buffs. The user must state which buff they

are using upon initiation.
- If a limb is already Sprained, this technique has a 21%/28% chance to inflict a Fractured Status.
- The Special Action does not act a barrier.



Yet Kuro would take it a step further than that, Kuro would use the Devil’s Embrace to complete a final combination by adding one final touch of combustion. This final technique would fuse a dark chakra sigil to the Devil’s Embrace to allow a Ruby projectile containing explosive fiery chakra to strike wherever the Devil’s Embrace has impacted. This final impact would unleash a large pillar of devilish flames. Igniting the target and the very ground around them leaving even the land barren, scorched, and scarred.
Information
Prerequisites: A Rank, Can only be used with a Weapon that has the Projectile Damage Type
Rank 2: The user strikes a single target dealing 2,600 Damage at +0 Accuracy. Upon a full hit this technique explodes into a pillar of fire targeting the original target and an additional two dealing 1,525 Damage at +0 Accuracy.
Special Action: At the cost of +15% Cp, this technique has a 36% chance to set a target ablaze for three rounds dealing 335 Damage per round.
Rank 2 Cost: 2,065 Cp
Notes:
- This technique may only be used once per round.
- C-Rank or Lower Water Based Jutsu have 18% chance to douse the fire, while B-Rank and Higher Water based Jutsu douse the flames.
- This technique may be buffed by either Projectile or Fire Buffs. The user must state which buff they are using upon initiation.



So now Kuro had devised two initial attacks through his Undying Devil body.

The Devil’s Trick technique or combination Tai-genjutsu:

*Terra Firma Unleashing the Devil’s Embrace*

And just to ensure destruction The Devil’s Trick Follow Up,

*Terra Firma Unleashing the Devil’s Embrace of Combustion*

Kuro amused himself with the premise of these attacks. If Kuro was able to practice and perfect a combination of techniques such as these perhaps he could create other combination jutsus.

WC: 693

MFT

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro began to search for the signs of sandwyrms and carnasaurs. As they were the level of strength he had trained himself to before the Sovereigns that was where Kuro decided he would begin anew. He would start with the giant beasts of ancient times and train himself to become something far more dangerous. No longer was he just Sunagakure’s guardian devil. The Demonbeast King that had once existed within him Hyakujuuonouu was free in the world once more as well although he existed in a humanoid body all of Kuro’s family were free and scattered around the world. As Kuro trekked across the broken stones and ancient sands his bestial senses realigned and he began to sense his prey. The signs of battle between giant beasts became more easily sought after. Even with their general disappearance from the annals of time and the eyes of mankind beasts will always fine other beasts. Kuro however was not seeking them out to exterminate them, that had never been the case. Defense, training, study, enlightenment. All these essential things for a warrior only came about through the most intense moments of life. Few things in life are as intense as battle with Kaijuu. When Kuro freed Hyakujuuonouu long ago, Kuro had lost the power of a Jinchuuruuki and was no longer able to transform into a Kaijuu yet Kuro retained that same lust for battle and that same sense of seeking his opponents on that level. When Kuro had awakened the Rinnegan before the sundering of the world’s energies took it away from him Kuro was able to use an Ogre-Magi body to temporarily transform into a Kaijuu. Now he maintained the core from that body and when he invoked that power he had greater health but it required chakra to maintain that kind of health as he no longer possessed the natural bloodline necessary to retain that kind of size and energy. Now Kuro was a Fallen Sage, a former rinnegan wielder. The changes of his physical body were unimaginable to most as Kuro had become an abomination of Devil and Sage energies. It was because of his previous experiences and levels of power that Kuro could now manage odd feats that few would ever dare to attempt much less master as a form of power. Kuro finally found a way to briefly regain the power of a Kaijuu.

Regaining that kind of power wasn’t easy nor did it happen quickly. Kuro literally had to release the restraints upon his undying body step by step. The power of a Kaijuu could not be maintained for very long either. Kuro lamented that he had not had the opportunity to use Kaijuu level strength against the Sovereign. As Kuro finally found a partially hidden cave entrance, Kuro’s senses extended and allowed him to detect a mid-stage carnasaur. This one had not yet attained full elemental mastery over lightning or else Kuro would have sensed far more energy. While making his way into the lair of his prey Kuro released a death pulse fully energizing his cores.


Death Pulse - Special Activated Ability

Spoiler

Becoming a Fallen Sennin required the sacrifice of his Rikudo Sennin abilities and his multiple bodies. Kuro's original body is now bound together with dark chakra. The most terrible aspect of this technique is the ability to take organs or souls from other living creatures and implant them within himself to be used as reagents in other techniques. This allows the Fallen Sennin to carry within him a piece of his former alternate bodies’ strengths that further adds to the Fallen Sennin's own power in some small way.
Information
Prerequisites: Revenant
Effect:

• Each [Stolen Heart] granted by Revenant grants the user its own Class Bonus and can spend up to 2 pts. This is declared via the user's Dojo Forum thread and cannot be changed, however the user may willingly discard a [Stolen Heart] and replace it with a stolen heart RP.
• Each [Stolen Heart] must be activated for 0.5 AP before the user may benefit from it's bonuses.
• Each [Stolen Heart’s] class points only apply to the [Stolen Heart] itself, and cannot be combined for higher class point costs.
• The user may only benefit from stacking identical Class Bonuses up to three times.

Cost: 0.5 AP per heart activated

Note:

• Activating multiple [hearts] in a row may be treated as a singular action with an aggregate AP cost equal to the AP spent activating them for the purposes of AP timing.
• If a [Stolen Heart] is destroyed, the bonuses gained from it is lost immediately for the remainder of battle.
• The user must still abide by limitations within the Class Points system (such as only being able to benefit from "+10% [element] damage" a total of two times).
• Hearts cannot choose the 'additional Inventory Slot' class point option.

Fallen Sage Cores/ Revenant Hearts (activated by Death Pulse)

Spoiler

SONIC CORE: +1 HP MOD, +.5 GEN DC* / OGRE CORE: +2 HP MOD* / DEVIL CORE: +1 NIN ACC* / WHITE TIGER CORE: +1 FREE BASIC ATK/ STEEL CORE: +2 HP MOD*

Kuro’s health and mental energies increased after concentrating his death pulse. With all five of his cores supporting his heart and mind Kuro’s health returned to a primal state.

Dark Force - A-Rank Ninjutsu

Spoiler

A technique that allows Kuro to bring forth the power remaining in his other hearts. Calling forth this energy for battle to augment his own capabilities immensely. Rather than release his hearts as specters to fight in mockery of their original bodies, Kuro instead calls forth their cores and positions them within each limb of his body. Dark Chakra tendrils invigorate each empowered limb. His body becomes far more bestial, fused with his former forms’ hearts directly with each pumping their remaining powers directly into the Kuro's reforged chakra system. Not only does this give Kuro even greater strength, but also an altered form with released dark chakra threads that give Kuro an edge when manipulating them.
Information
Prerequisites
Revenant, A-Rank
Prerequisites: Revenant, Dark Immortality
Rank 1/2: The user selects up to 3/4 [Stolen Hearts]. The user will retain the class bonus granted by the selected [hearts] even if they are destroyed, and while they are not destroyed their effects are doubled.
Rank 1/2 Cost: 3 AP 2,750 CP + 1,100/rnd
Note:
Does not use Handseals

• Does not allow the Revenant to bypass Class Point Limits.
• Ghoulish Shroud (Dark Force) has its AP cost reduced by -0.25 AP per heart that is activated with Death Pulse prior to being cast.

Kuro felt his dark chakra surging and his undying body felt stronger and more capable of surviving a double transformation. With Dark Force Kuro could assume a physical stature similar to his former Kaijuu state. However, to unleash true power like his former Kaijuu state he needed one to go one step further he needed to unleash all of his devil power for a brief moment. With his mind clear and his path set Kuro descended into the mid stage carnasaur’s lair.

Kuro stalked the massive beast and as it sensed Kuro’s aura fear began to swirl within its belly. An instinctive urge to run from this challenge came over the massive beast as it eventually released a roar of defiance before charging at Kuro. Kuro’s existence had provoked this carnasaur in the worst manner possible. Kuro had forced this carnasaur to lash out in fear.

WC: 688
MFT

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro didn’t waste any time trying to analyze its patterns or discern its weak points. Kuro decided to go all out immediately and create a weak point to exploit. This was not a hunt, this was training. Kuro was going to re-train his mind, body, and soul to become something more than what he had become. It was time to push his limits and see what he could really do. With a roar that set the carnasaur back on its heels Kuro’s body grew to half the carnasaur’s size as he invoked his dark force. Using his dark energies four of Kuro’s cores doubled their energy output as Kuro’s size increased.
((SONIC CORE: +2 HP MOD, +1 GEN DC* / OGRE CORE: +4 HP MOD* / DEVIL CORE: +2 NIN ACC* / WHITE TIGER CORE: +2 FREE BASIC ATK’S))
Meaning this:

DEVIL SENNIN
HP: (40+5+15+5*) x stamina = 36000/39,000*
CP: (45+5+15) x chakra control = 39,000
Class Bonus: (REVENANT*) FALLEN SAGE, +1 MELEE ACC (CLASS POINT CARD)
SONIC CORE: +1 HP MOD, +.5 GEN DC / OGRE CORE: +2 HP MOD/ DEVIL CORE: +1 NIN ACC/
WHITE TIGER CORE: +1 FREE BASIC ATK/ STEEL CORE: +2 HP MOD
High: Ninjutsu Accuracy
Avg: Melee Accuracy, Dodge, Genjutsu Save, Genjutsu DC,
Low: Ranged Accuracy

Now Resembled this:

DEVIL SENNIN
HP: (40+5+15+8*) x stamina = 36000/40,800*
CP: (45+5+15) x chakra control = 39,000
Class Bonus: (REVENANT*) FALLEN SAGE, +1 MELEE ACC (CLASS POINT CARD)
SONIC CORE: +2 HP MOD, +1 GEN DC / OGRE CORE: +4 HP MOD/ DEVIL CORE: +2 NIN ACC/
WHITE TIGER CORE: +2 FREE BASIC ATK’S/ STEEL CORE: +2 HP MOD
High: Ninjutsu Accuracy
Avg: Melee Accuracy, Dodge, Genjutsu Save, Genjutsu DC,
Low: Ranged Accuracy

Using the remnants of his Rikudo Sennin powers Kuro charged straight at the carnasaur as it unleashed its lightning breath. Unfortunately, for the carnasaur Kuro had already unleashed his own attack as right after adjusting his physical condition. With his body larger Kuro could face the carnasaur in a more direct manner without losing his natural speed. Just as the carnasaur opened its maw a psionic rend struck its jaw disrupting the attack and nearly cutting half of its lower mandible off. A gurgling scream of pain and panic resulted as Kuro’s dark telekinetic claws grabbed the panicking beast by its head. Kuro then mind ripped the carnasaur and left it reeling and unable to fully function.

Psionic Rend

Spoiler

Concentrating kinetic energy with extreme precision, this technique allows the user to seemingly slice apart material with a simple movement of a finger. While the target feels gashes and wounds suddenly manifest upon their body, in reality this invisible technique utilizes opposing forces of chakra to pull apart the target; creating clean gashes.
Information
Prerequisites: - Kinesis Affinity, A-rank, 4 Mastered Kinesis Techniques
Rank 2: Concentrates kinetic chakra into a point at +1 accuracy, creating a gash that deals 5225 damage, with a 36% chance of bleeding and a 36% chance for 'Psionic' to activate.
Special Action: For 2 ap and half the initiation Cp cost, the user may perform this special action upon a target they have bound with the Mind Lock jutsu. This raises the bleeding and called shot level of a single limb by 1. Additionally, there is a 36%/44% chance of inflicting an additional called shot penalty to that limb as well as raising bleeding by an additional level. This may only be used once per target/rnd. This cannot be dodged and does not dispel the bind and deals no direct damage.
Rank 2 Cost: 2475 Cp
Notes:
- The 'Psionic' effect treats this jutsu as a sneak attack. If already a sneak attack, this prevents the attack from being auto-dodged or revealing the user to others.

Kuro felt his power could still go one step further, he needed to stop conserving himself and give in to the rage and hatred he had for himself and his failures. As Kuro acknowledged this moment, he finally released the final shackles. Instead of separating his transformations he would combine them. The sealed third eye within Kuro was released and while in his dark force state Kuro reached out for more power, devilish cursed power swirled to life around his dark force form as he became a true devil for a brief moment. Crimson and black energies swirled around his bestial body granting it greater strength and size as he finally stood a little taller than the carnasaur as cursed energies enhanced, enlarged and armored his dark force enhanced body.

Dark force form of the devil…

Form of the Devil - Final Jutsu (2PTS)

Spoiler

Restriction- A-Rank and up
This technique is the ultimate incarnation of a demonic ninja’s tie to his or her hellish ancestry. Releasing all bonds and restrictions, they unleash their true demonic nature, becoming a terrifying being of power and awe. The aftereffects are disastrous, however.
Rank 2: While active, the user and their techniques are Cursed. Additionally, they deal +10% damage. Damage taken by the user is reduced by 15%; this reduced damage is converted into CP for the user. Lasts up to 30 seconds.
Cost: 3 AP and 2,400 HP to initiate. 4% Max Hp/Rnd
Notes:
This counts as a Chakra Armor.

• The user and the user's attacks Alignment cannot be changed, regardless of what other techniques are used during this time.
• The Reduced damage is not counted as DR
• This does not overwrite alignment changes from a Kinjutsu
• Can only be used twice per battle, and requires a full 10 seconds of cooldown between uses.
• Holy attacks ignore the user's damage reduction.

Truly releasing the beast, Kuro unleashed another telekinetic strike upon the carnasaur’s leg, he had already ripped its mind now with a final called shot after fully releasing his power Kuro decided to directly cripple its ability to escape. The carnasaur’s massive claws and a tail strike slammed into Kuro but he no longer cared as he had gained size and potential in substitute for speed and stealth. Kuro may not be the stealthiest ninja but his ninjutsu itself and his undying body were truly strong.

WC: 450

MFT

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro unleashed psionic hell upon the carnasaur and even managed to deeply wound the massive beasts, legs and jaw. With its mobility ruined and its main weapon of lightning breath sporadic Kuro’s offensive had served its purpose. His size quickly reverted to half that of the carnasaur’s powerful bulk as his devil transformation could only be maintained for 30 seconds. Luckily in this battle it was enough. After finding out his taijutsu could be turned into genjutsu during moments of intense rage or intense concentration Kuro developed a newfound respect for his fighting capacity. There was a time Kuro had been able to create his own jutsu or even release shadow clones. The world had simply changed too much to allow such abilities to remain viable. Even now to release a reasonable clone Kuro had to use one of his cores and those clones were easy to distinguish from him. They could be used in battle reasonably if needed to act like a lizard and sacrifice a tail to escape but that was never Kuro’s fighting style. What Kuro had developed was a respective mid range to long range combat capacity that kept him on the move. Stick and move, Hit and run. These were the dominant fighting styles for his body now. No longer could Kuro be the tank or destructive healer or maybe Kuro still could accomplish his previous fighting styles.

These were the thoughts that went through Kuro’s mind as his former life and death battle became a test of the carnasaur’s durability. With Kuro’s genjutsu affecting it, the beast believed it was literally on fire. Even though it was on fire it was not to the extent that the carnasaur’s mind felt. Kuro wasn’t going to let the beast suffer however. Having tested himself Kuro knew it was time to end this battle lest he attract others to their battle despite its subterranean location. Kuro waved his left hand over the back of his head activating his hidden seals that resembled tattoos to summon his giant blade. With his blessed Takahashi fire forged steel blade that was as large as Kuro was tall Kuro closed in the bewildered carnasaur and performed a series of sword techniques instilled by his mother and her devotion to the sword. After several quick and decisive slashes the carnasaur’s head was removed from its body. Kuro reverently placed Sakibou no Hyakujuuonou (the cat’s paw of the Great beast king), a giant sword forged with steel, runes, and demonbeast bone, blood, and the eternal blessing of Kuro’s ancestor back into a sealed state. The carnasaur was indeed worthy of this blade. Kuro reverently removed the carnasaur’s heart and using his dark energies molded it into a new core. One could never be too careful as his battles with the Sovereign had taught him. No one was truly invincible and immortality had a steep price.

A new core was harvested so Kuro could experiment and compare with his damaged cores to mmaintain his newfound combat efficiency and remaster the jutsu he had lost spiritual and mental contact with. Although the runes remained within his body and bones his connections were severed and required repair or newfound attachments.

WC: 533
MFT

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro stored away the carnasaur’s bones, skin and essential organs, the remainder was cooked and either eaten or turned into provisions. Nothing of the massive lightning beast was wasted. Nature abhors a vacuum and as sure as Kuro slayed this elder carnasaur a younger one no more than twenty miles away began to stir with the scent of death on the air. It instinctively knew that it was time for it to rise and claim the previous elder’s territory. Kuro slipped away into the night just before the coming of dawn. No predator would comfortably stay in a former prey’s lodging except the serpent. After traveling some distance to some familiar ruins Kuro set up defensive and alarm type wards around the abandoned tower he claimed for the day. After a quick shower and rinse with water jutsu Kuro then cleaned up himself then his supplies before deciding whether or not to return to Suna immediately or only after he had regained or surpassed his previous abilities. With his chakra usage had come more familiarity and further identification of his actual injuries. There was much work to be done to repair his undying body. After a bit of meditation that restored his chakra Kuro decided he would first climb back up to the top of his abilities before returning to Sunagakure. With his family spread all over the realms he was not distinctly needed nor necessary. Kuro would repair his body, then return to Suna and after that`he would seek answers to all the questions that plagued him. The conspiracies against Sunagakure and its people were far too many and far too thorough.

As the sun rose the heat pushed animals toward his current spot. Kuro left a layer of ice between floors that provided even more sustenance and defense from intrusion. It seemed his efforts were sound nothing breached his current meditation retreat. Runes sparkled beneath his flesh as Kuro worked to reconnect to them. Slowly but surely his powers were returning.

WC: 333
MFT

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro sat inside of a hidden cavern that connected to the ruins of city that used to belong to the Ancients. Kuro collected his thoughts and focused his will on his undying devil body. Dark chakra and cursed energies swirled about within Kuro’s body as a sense of loss began to fade away. Three basic elements returned to full capacity within Kuro as new connections were made as runes were healed or reconstructed. Energies swirled to life as Earth, Fire and Lightning elemental basic jutsu were all completely restored. With his basic mastery of three elements back at his command Kuro felt less apprehensive about the world as it now seemed like he would actually be able to achieve his goals. Kuro would rise anew and regain all the powers he had lost that were still in existence. The carnasaur was his first step.

As Kuro meditated, he pushed his undying devil body for links to other elements he had previously mastered. Wind elemental energy erupted in its basic form as well. This made 4 basic elemental energies that were fully within his grasp once more. Although Kuro could summon water elemental jutsu it was never his forte and his mastery of it was rudimentary at best. Still, Kuro had been a powerful sage, so he endeavored to regain full mastery over all basic elements and regain his mastery over specific advanced elemental jutsu. Kuro would reclaim his mastery of metal, explosive, wood, ice, mirror, and plasma element jutsu. Kuro would also delve into shadow jutsu since he had already retained his natural usage of telekinesis.

With his mind made up, Kuro continued his training rehabilitation. It would not be long before he would hunt once more, and his prey would be what carnasaurs normally sought after. Once Kuro believed he was strong enough he planned to hunt down an adult sandwyrm. Although it would not be as easy as when he had the Rinnegan… Kuro did expect that he would still be capable of taking one down.

WC: 338
MFT

 

[Toraono Kuro]

After regaining some of his former prowess Kuro continued to inspect and theorize his undying devil body. Kuro still carried his mother’s cursed steel weapon so that if he ever found another swordsman that could inherit it Kuro could teach them how to master the weapon and avoid being possessed by the weapon’s soul. That was when a moment of inspiration struck. Kuro realized that he could use his devil powers to reinforce and create taijutsu combinations with every genjutsu ever created. Kuro had always loathed using genjutsu because of his ancestry and direct martial arts training and inheritance from his father Kaibudo. Were it not for his biased Kuro would have long mastered all the genjutsu Sunagakure carried within its halls of learning. As it stood, it was never too late for someone with virtual immortality to turn a new leaf and remaster themselves. Kuro decided then and there that he would remaster all of his former elemental jutsu prowess then go on to master every genjutsu there was. Once he became a true sage and not just a battle sage perhaps then he could reclaim his place as a sennin.


Kuro continued seeking signs of sandwyrms only to find not a single hint of a sandwyrm within twenty miles. No traces of carmot, no wyrm sign, no odd weather fluctuations. Something had changed in the ecosystem making sandwyrms far more scarce. It seems the changes the environment had affected more than just his supernatural body. Perhaps a day would come when those of alternate blood could no longer exist in this world as well. Kuro sighed with disappointment in not finding anything. As the sun rose to its highest point Kuro quickly made a small sand cavern and took cover. Kuro was no masochist, even he wouldn’t simply bake in the sun without reason. After setting a couple of sand clones within his perimeter as guards Kuro finally allowed himself to sleep. Although his body did not need much rest his mind still did.

WC: 335
MFT

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro rested during the highest points of heat from the sun during the day and hunted at at dusk and dawn. Using the deepest nights and the natural cold of the desert nights to use water and ice jutsu to replenish his water supplies. Desert vegetation was sparse and hard to manage by most but seasonings could easily be made from the slightly toxic plants. After cooking them down with a well maintained fire Kuro could make varying types of salt and with crushed leaves as extract from certain thorny plants made delightful types of pepper. Wild roots and onions were easily gathered as well thans to Kuro's heightened senses. What Kuro's senses had failed to detect due to their vast distance away from him were 3 young warriors that had picked up his devillish presence and due to his bloodline had begun to actually track and hunt Kuro.

A scanner floated before a young girl as she scanned the air for chakra residue. Another young boy covered in dark well kept armor with multiple weapon slots sat down on a large rock and began checking over his weapons and gear with a trance-like quality as he spoke aloud, "Taki, are you still able to pick up the source of dark chakra in the area?"
Taki replied while adjusting her mechanized gear, "Easily... although our target isn't actively avoiding us, their usage of dark chakra is unique and somehow limited. If the energy didn't match our records of an immortal foe of the past I would not be able to maintain tracking measures. This being is almost completely at one with nature. I have never read about or been lectured on a devil that can actively work with nature."
The youngest memeber was also the largest and strongest of the three man team. He held up his left hand and a seal glowed with silver and crimson highlights before he calmly checked over his seal, "It seems the target has a holy sword on him or her as well. This is very interesting, if I acquire this holysword I may be able to awaken my blood-line."

Kuro continued his trekking and hunting in the desert as he covered his tracks and trail out of habit, whil a vast distance away, A young 3 man team of ancient warriors stalked his energies.

WC: 388
MFT

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro relaxed his mind as his darker energies internalized and became a cycle of rest. With a quick thought of a woman Kuro loved his nose bled. Wiping his face Kuro then used summoning jutsu to summon a desert tiger. The tiger was not summoned to directly hunt or participate in combat. Kuro nodded to the summoned tiger and they began nature chakra training. It had been a long time since Kuro communed with the desert and since he had yet to find any signs of sandwyrms within a 50 kilometer radius of himself Kuro decided to seek his link to nature and make sure he still had the right to reclaim the title of Sennin.

The tiger sat in a regal manner as his golden fur mimicked the sand perfectly, even his stripes reflected the sun just right to make the tiger seem like a mirage. Earth, Light, Wind, and Spiritual Chakras surged around them both as they concentrated. Through Kuro’s link with the Tiger Contract Kuro’s devil side was set aside and natural chakra began to flow through his undying body. A pulse of natural chakra swiftly shot through the desert. Ten kilometers, twenty kilometers, thirty kilometers, forty kilometers, fifty kilometers, sixty kilometers, all the way out to one hundred kilometers.

The pulse stopped like a wave reaching the shores, the three man team that had picked up Kuro’s trail felt something was wrong briefly but they could not figure out what it was. Kuro’s summons returned to the land of the Tiger contract after Kuro regained his normal senses. Kuro smirked, ”So three young, metallically enhanced watchers are tracking me outside of the range of my normal senses. Interesting…”

Kuro decided to keep up his hunt for a sandwyrm for three or four more days while leaving hidden seals along his path so sand clones can alert him to exactly who is trailing him.

WC: 315
MFT

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro had yet to find a single hint of recent sandwyrm activity which set him to worry a bit. Sandwyrms were a distinct part of the eco system and even without hunting them just their excrement and residues could be used for energy, specialized inks, drugs, fertilizer. There were so many things that carmot and other residues from the sandwyrms were necessary for… yet since Kuro’s revival he had sensed nothing of their presence or their energies. It seemed the world was losing its natural might. First the highbornes, then the elementals, then the devils, demons, and angels. The world itself seemed to be expelling any beings of supernatural power. With a surge of defiance and self-hatred for his current weakness Kuro invoked all of his dark powers for a brief moment to realign and reconnect with all of his former ninjutsu. As Kuro took a distinct surge of dark chakra to realign his body, elemental energies began to realign in a manner that Kuro could sense control over his ninjutsu again. It no longer felt like a missing patch of skin or a jagged hang nail. Kuro’s ninjutsu was returning rapidly and with a vengeance as his undying body seemed to be more attuned to genjutsu now. Kuro decided he would simply have to learn genjutsu later to stabilize his undying devil body. Advanced elemental jutsu linked back up to Dreyu’s devil blood allowing him to rapidly use many ninjutsu attacks with little to no handseals. Content with his efforts Kuro continued to regulate his internal structure and focus on regaining mastery of multiple ninjutsu. Luckily Kuro had never lost any of his taijutsu. Kuro’s demon orbs began to once again resonated with the elements. Energies of various elements began to swirl around Kuro’s body. Fire element merged with wind then fire then earth. Earth exponentially fused with earth, then Wind merged with water. This was followed by Wind merging with non-elemental energy, afterwards Wind merged with Lightning. Lightning energy became dominant afterwards and merged with earth energy. Water energy surged once more and merged with wind. Earth energy reappeared and merged with wind.

All of the base elements were completely mastered. A few superior advanced jutsu remained outside of Kuro’s current capacity but as time went on.

MFT

WC: 379



Major Affinities:
1. Fire
2. Earth
3. Wind
4. Water
5. Non Elemental
6. Lightning

Advanced Elements:
1. Kinesis
2. Explosive
3. Metal
4. Mirror
5. Sound
6. Photon
7. Gravity
8. Ice
9. Sand



Current ASP: 2047

Current Yen 21,970

Current need: 418,730

Purchase Yen bundles to the amount of 1935 ASP

= 129 yen bundles

419,250 Yen from bundles

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro took a deep breath and then relaxed. His undying devil body had not let Kuro down. With a few meditative checks Kuro noted that his cores were still damaged, but they had healed back to 90% of their original status. Hundreds of new neuro-spiritual pathways to each core had been re-established with many new paths of energy resonance established as well.

Kuro spoke aloud, “I have recovered my elemental ninjutsu and will train my water jutsu, and the remainder of my advanced elemental jutsu to full mastery.”

Speaking his efforts aloud was a form of self-invocation. Kuro had learned long ago that words of encouragement had their own power and if he said it enough and reinforced his neural-spiritual-chakra networks within him to match the natural and dark chakras of the world then it was far easier to make his words a reality.

During Kuro’s recovery the three young warriors passed three of his hidden sand clones allowing Kuro to judge that these young ones were not agents of the Daimyo or Ninja of Sunagakure. They were actually wearing what seemed to be Babylonian gear. For remnants of Babylos to be afoot meant the world had changed a great deal indeed. With nothing to fear Kuro made his way to their location with obvious movement and high speed that could be easily noticed. Kuro did not want to catch them unaware. Although Kuro could not avoid scaring them since that was a natural effect of his darker nature and presence, Kuro could show that he was not treacherous by simply presenting himself and asking them what they wanted.

Taki’s scanner lit up, “The devil is approaching at high speed, but he isn’t hiding … he’s coming right for us in the open. What should we do Reiki?”

Reiki took lead to where the scanner was pointing, “Get in formation Delta and be prepared to escape while I and Hibiki distract him if he attacks.”

Hibiki checked over his armor and reinforced his battle gauntlets before nodding to Taki.

Taki and Hibiki took their points and stances as Taki got ready to release a chakra disruption field.

Reiki stood at 5 feet in height and weighed just under 150 lbs. His long hair was a dingy grey due to his broken inheritance. Despite his shattered clan sword he was the most gifted swordsman in their colony. Steel grey eyes remained ever sharp and his quick mind seemed to always allow him to make the best decisions. Even though Taki was their medic and strategist, she only had the best methods for traps and their placement usually.

Hibiki was bald due to his intense training of both his body and his forge work, short at four feet 10 inches, no one knew if he was going to get any taller. His muscles were like corded steel and even though he was 2 inches shy of 5 feet he could easily leap three times his height. Hibiki’s skin was bronzed due to his time spent as a blacksmith and practicing martial arts in the sun. He was known in his colony to be an excellent guard as well.

Taki was five feet 6 inches of trouble. Weighing in at 180 lbs due to her special circumstances and reinforced skeletal system, Taki was the heart of their team. When she was six years old she decided to modify a high energy generator since she had seen her father do it with another one for a neighbor. During her efforts she did everything right and increased the output of the generator 10-fold. Unfortunately, Taki did not know that her father had spent a week insulating and reinforcing the other generator he had worked on prior to increasing its output. The generator lit up the sky alerting her mother and father whom came running to see why their generator was overcharging. Genji arrived faster than her mother in time to see Taki cheering about her efforts while waving his toolkit around. Genji tried to run faster knowing what was about to happen from the electrical surges. Screaming for his daughter he became a streak energy and shielded her from most of the explosion. Genji lost his left eye, his left arm and much of the left side of his body leaving him partially crippled. Taki ended up losing her left arm as well from the top of her bicep down.

Taki’s mother Yukina was a gifted medical specialist and with her ice jutsu and medical expertise managed to save Genji and keep them both alive throughout 3 days of advanced surgery. Genji received a series of advanced metallic grafts that mimicked normal flesh in its physical sensation capacity but he required high grade blood supplements to completely recover. As such he was placed in stasis while Taki was given a mechanized arm graft as well. She trained under her mother for medical knowledge and learned to upgrade her mechanized arm herself. After 7 years of research and with rumors and stories spread by travelers from the deserts Taki came to learn that one of the infamous destroyers of Babylos known as the Toraono was still alive after a massive battle with a foreign government. According to her research his blood could supplement her father and allow him to truly live again. As such she had called upon her friends to hunt Kuro down and take his blood.

As Kuro got within 100 yards of Reiki he slowed down to a calm walk to march up to the three warriors. Reiki and Taki were shocked at Kuro’s appearance. Kuro looked like a cross between a lion, a tiger, and massively muscled man. Only Hibiki remained fearless of Kuro until Kuro was within thirty yards of him and then Kuro’s dark presence even weighed on his mind. When Kuro spoke cheerfully however that threw all 3 of them off.

“Hello, I am Toraono Kuro of Sunagakure. I come in peace and mean none of you any harm, nor ill intent. I simply wanted to ask why you were following me? Before you answer or respond, the reason I ask this question is because I am going hunting in very dangerous ancient lands and if you were to follow me too far despite your strengths you would all be in grave danger. With that said what say any of you?”

MFT
WC: 1049

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Taki was on edge so she spoke up immediately. “I need your blood to save my father and it is also needed as catalyst to restore our fallen city’s energy matrix.”

The other two young men were ready to attack at a flicker but they couldn’t sense any killing intent. There was a natural dark energy that pervaded everything around him but Kuro’s actions, openness and lack of any kind of defensive or escape position showed that Kuro did not find them threatening at all. Kuro looked at the other two young men, “Do neither of you have any other wants or goals from this encounter?”

Hibiki shook his head, “I am only here to protect my comrades and train my body and skills.”

Kuro nodded and tossed a well written and well thought out hachimon scroll to Hibiki. “I can see you have started a special path but you have no instructors. If you experimented with your body in an abrupt manner you might die or cripple yourself before you achieve your goals. Study that scroll. A former enemy warrior left it behind before he was betrayed. He was the finest fighter I had ever had the honor to battle. Consider the scroll his legacy.”

As the scroll laid itself in Hibiki’s hand, 8 blood crystals landed in Taki’s hand… Reiki finally spoke up, “I mean no disrespect, but I sense a Holy sword on you and I would challenge you for the right to wield it as my own.”

Kuro laughed out loud as he tossed Sakibou no Hyakujuuonouu high into the air to have it land before Reiki. “Test your luck young one, Sakibou is very picky and tends to eat other swords when frustrated, if he chooses you be wary. He still believes he is the king of all demonbeasts and wants to fight all beasts, demonbeasts, and monsters alike.”

MFT
WC: 321

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro looked like a content grandfather as he watched the giant sword Sakibou form a shadow servant that resembled Kuro when he was much younger and under strict swordsmanship training from his mother. As he watched the shadow’s stance memories came flooding back that brought a tear to his left eye. Were it not for all this intrigue, politics, and assassinations from their own freaking Daimyo and idiots from Tea Country Kuro would be able to go home to his actual family, to his daughters, and a nephew. Instead, his family was dispersed all over the world adventuring, touring, training, and above all else staying as far away from Sunagakure as possible. Until this business with the Sovereign, The Unbent, and a possible return of the Ancients was done Kuro no longer had a true home. While Kuro was all but dead, he was in state of bliss and ignorance to the world but now seeing these young warriors with Ancient Babylonian techniques at their disposal Kuro only felt melancholy. Reiki’s clan sword was already damaged and now Sakibou was slowly devouring the blade and taking the spirits within it. As far as Kuro could tell there were 3 spirits within Reiki’s damaged sword and they were all human which meant they stood very little chance against Sakibou which was one of the fangs of Hyakujuuonouu that had been reforged by the Takahashi clan into a living weapon to assist in the battles with the ancients and the sandwyrms. Luckily for Reiki Sakibou was noy so domineering as to devour or destroy his ancestral spirits. Sakibou would rather use their knowledge to find greater challenges and weapons that he could devour to become stronger. Kuro started giving advice, ”Young one, you are trying to fight in a traditional manner against a demonbeast that lived to fight carnasaurs, sandwyrms, behemoths, and leviathans. If you were fighting a man your skills would be spot on but you are facing kaijuu with actual ninjutsu capacity. Adjust yourself accordingly before Sakibou finishes eating your sword and before you start to feel despair know that the ancestral spirits in your sword will live one Sakibou eats beasts and monsters not human spirits. Now fight properly and you may earn his approval.”



Hibiki and Taki noticed a distinct change in Reiki’s stance and chakra, it was as if he had transformed into metal itself. Reiki moved in a more dynamic manner as well no longer just allowing Sakibou to just wail on him.



Kuro nodded in approval and Sakibou seemed to give off more energy in appreciation of Reiki’s efforts.

MFT
WC: 432

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Sakibou would have laughed out loud if it had a real body as Reiki fought with all he had using a broken sword. Every time the swords made contact a portion of the souls in Hibiki’s blade were absorbed by Sakibou. An elder samurai sat before Sakibou and noted that it was just the fang of a greater demonbeast that had gained its own intellect and power after being reforged. If Sakibou was this terrible what must the original demonbeast it came from have been like. In the dark shadows the remnants of Kuro’s spiritual bond with Sakibou grew fainter. The Samurai also named Reiki bowed respectfully as he questioned Sakibou and Kuro. “You are giving us a chance at a new life in a terrifying sword, why?” Sakibou simply laughed but Kuro’s remnant answered, “Everything must grow or perish, Sakibou would never get any stronger with me. Yet you and the souls with you can ensure that the remnant demonbeast that Sakibou reflects himself as grows to become something incredible. Sakibou loves humans and their souls. In his state he thinks of you as friends to play with. Outside of beasts, bakemono, and evil spirits Sakibou doesn’t even like to fight. Right now, he is toying with Reiki because it is fun and it is making him stronger. Treat Sakibou well, it is time for me to let go of him so that he can have a future instead of being an heirloom.” Kuro’s spiritual attachment to Sakibou faded away as Sakibou destroyed and devoured Reiki’s broken honor blade. As soon as his blade crumbled away Reiki looked upon Sakibou in despair. Reiki kept his fighting stance looking for a way to defeat the shadow servant wielding Sakibou.


Sakibou began to glow with a bright holy light then just as quickly Reiki could soon feel a connection with Sakibou.


Kuro stood up and nodded to three man team before disappearing at top speed back into the deep desert. It was time to see what else had changed since his explosive departure.


Reiki, Hibiki, and Taki were all amazed. The Toraono wasn’t a real monster. He was just an old man with devil blood and a good heart. They had all learned a lot today as they began their return trip home.

MFT
WC: 379

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro began to calmly observe and record data on his findings. He had yet to find a single living sandwyrm and the traces of carmot Kuro did manage to find had very little residual energy. It seemed the world had changed again. First his devilbeast sire’s spirit had to be separated from his body and given a newly forged body of blood, bone, and enchanted Takahashi steel ending his time as a Jinchuuriki. This wasn’t a terrible trade-off but Kuro had failed to notice the signs that something was amiss with the environment itself. Kuro had pushed his devil lineage to the limit and managed to gain the Rinnegan granting him 5 alternate bodies. All save one were physically remade to be copies of Kuro despite the differences in their abilities. Yet again a little over a decade later his Rinnegan powers faded away and the world itself seemed to reject even the possibility of a Rinnegan Sage’s existence. This was the 1st time Kuro actually noticed that the natural environment and the energy of the world was denying select existences. Now that his powers had been re-consolidated in an Undying Devil body after the world rejected his Rinnegan Sage presence Kuro was now finding that the sandwyrms were slowly being driven to extinction with even their excrement losing its energy capabilities. Kuro could only sigh and maintain his theories and records for the vaults of the Oracles. Sousuke would have been able to figure all of this out and give Kuro an explanation. With another heavy sigh Kuro pressed on heading towards some ruins where he had once fought off the Unbent hoping to find more clues to changes of the world around him.

Looking through the records of the 3 young warriors recording devices an ancient Babylosian Battlesmith stroked his beard as he spoke into a tape recorder, “They encountered the Toraono Devil Descendant without incident. The descendant harmed none of them even though I doused their flesh in the scent of predators to Devils and Demonkin. The descendant actually responded like an elder human although his dark aura was incredibly potent. The release of biological devices to hamper Suna’s development has forced them to change their infrastructure in a manner that suits our needs. The only variables left are the remaining leaders of Sunagakure. Maintaining surveillance and records.”

Kougake Tenrai (Divine Gauntlet) stood up from his resting area and cleared away all traces of his presence before mounting his motorcycle that left the markings of large serpent in its wake. As he maintained surveillance of Toraono Kuro he left taped messages for his superiors to review when the messenger hawks retrieved his hidden packages.

WC: 446
MFT

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro stealthily approached the ruins unlike his normal self whom would have walked din like he owned the place. The scent of death was heavy here and although Kuro wasn’t afraid of much his run ins with Unbent had taught him caution. They were capable of overwhelming their targets with numbers and Kuro was now truly alone. Once again Kuro was angry with himself for losing his Rinnegan Sage abilities. Kuro had been able to help so many people and complete so many tasks when he was more than just a basic immortal beastman. Kuro quickly shook away his self-hatred and searched for movements and tracks. Kuro then found strange wheeled vehicular tracks. As Kuro continued his reconnaissance, he found a mass grave of Unbent. Using his medical knowledge and ANBU training Kuro scoured the wounds without physically touching the bodies. Summoning medical servants in the form of desert crows Kuro’s quick scans via their eyes and work showed that these Unbent had all been slain with unusual technology. The wounds were all uniform and circular in nature, perfectly round holes as it were. The smell of sulfur was light, a saltlike substance, and grounded charcoal like residue. Kuro had smelled this scent before. It was the same scent of the cannons that had been mounted on the castle. These Unbent had been struck with explosive projectiles…

Unless Sunagakure had changed their combat skills from chakra weapons to non-chakra powered weapons then this slaughter was not carried out by nin. Kuro channeled his energies and with his ANBU techniques scattered into the winds like a murder of crows as he concealed himself using inner earth reflection as a well armored man on a motorized vehicle approached the area from the main roads that followed the stone markers of the desert. Kuro maintained his stealth as his crows relayed the armored man’s movements and actions.

WC: 314
MFT

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro found it odd that a motorized vehicle could make it through the deep desert without attracting sandwyrms or carnasaurs. Kuro’s crows relayed visual input on the apparent scout. Kuro let the images replay in his mind’s eye as he determined he would not attack this scout unless the scout managed to attack him first.

Kougake Tenrai had yet to notice the murder of crows in the area as unusual activity. He checked his right gauntlet and reviewed the data. A brief green light scanned the area and set him on edge. According to his scanner he was surrounded by dark chakra and though he could not sense Kuro or locate the Toraono Sage’s exact position Kuro was distinctly close by. According to his scanner Kuro was less than 5 meters from him. Despite his cooling gear and air-conditioned helmet Tenrai broke into a cold sweat. With a false calm, Tenrai kicked his support struts up and gassed his bike before driving away at a moderate pace while noting his scanner. Kuro was not following him. The overwhelming mass of dark chakra was now behind him as he drove over the dune toward a well-known oasis and trading depot. The scanner also noted that small amounts of dark chakra were all over the area for about 200 meters. The resonance was the same as the Toraono Sage but it was not enough to be an attack. Tenrai didn’t care about that he had seen video footage of what Kuro could do and unless he had a full team of combat specialists the last thing he wanted to do was actually engage and immortal devil sage that could survive explosions and attacks from Sovereigns in combat.

Kuro watched the scout leave through the eyes of his crows until the jutsu released itself. With a sigh Kuro took note that he was being tracked for some reason with Babylosian technology. It was a mystery Kuro decided he would try to solve another day. Right now he wanted to verify his theories on the sandwyrms, the chakra environment, and his continual fall from grace as it were.

WC: 352
MFT

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro released his earth jutsu and rose to the surface of the sands, after a quick stretch Kuro resumed his search for wyrm sign and the possibility that the unbent might have somehow further damaged the environment as well as the Babylosians. Kuro could easily detect their fuel emissions and noted a high amount of it in the upper regions of the air even now. With an ease and speed that only top warriors and ninja could have Kuro descended into a ruin that used to be a small set of towers for the Ancients of Fuujin’s lineage. Their line of Ancients controlled air, wind, and atmospheric pressure with ease. Kuro had not encountered many of Fuujin’s descendants. Kuro had gone through great lengths to assist, hide, and protect the Earth Ancients as they were similar to the Sunahoshi bloodline and mostly pacifists. In the distant past the Earth Ancients did not even participate in the gladiator slave events and instead cultivated lands, metals, and mountains. As an Oracle and a servant of Mother Suna; Kuro stood alone against a great many. Yet, that had always been the way Kuro had lived, even when his brothers and sisters were around Kuro stood alone. Many could blame his father Kaibudo for Kuro’s solitary whims but those close to the Toraono Main Branch Family knew that Kuro’s mother singled him out and taught him the need to be self sufficient and capable of doing any and everything on his own. Kuro wasn’t like his brothers and sisters. Kuro was not an elemental, a swordsman, or fully human. Kuro was a complete throwback hybrid to the days when demons and devils roamed the lands and Kuro’s powers would only allow him a decent life in Sunagakure. Anywhere else in the world he would be hunted, attacked. Kuro carried a dark power that mortal men feared and due to this fear Kuro would always be a target. When Kuro’s daughter was born she too had to learn a great many things for her survival.

Kuro felt a bit of heartache for the family he never got to keep for too long before he got back to seeking knowledge on what was happening to the environment.

WC: 370
MFT