Toraono Kuro the Demonbeast King Rises

[Toraono Kuro]

Nestled along the dunes near the oasis is the dojo an ancient stone building a former coliseum converted by Toraono Kaibudo and his wife Azame into a specially domed dojo; a place of perpetual learning for the martial arts, and combat at its finest. One side was dedicated to weapons more specifically the sword but weapons the other side of the house was dedicated to unarmed combat. A finesse and power that was understandably overwhelming and set for bloodletting. The stone pillars upholding the building were set with skill, chakra, and care to promote maximum stability throughout the entire structure. The dome was added to promote an atmosphere and provide air conditioning in a round-about way through specially placed vents. The floors of special marble in some areas were be-speckled and set apart by floors coated with special disinfected sand that wouldn't infect a bloodied warrior. Weapons racks lined the walls of the second area with meticulous care in stands. On the northern side of the dojo were padded wraps and leggings, for martial arts training. The Toraono Clan Dojo once sat at just over thirty feet in height with an additional ten feet higher in dome. The steps leading up to the main antechamber were an odd sand red marble, brown marble stained by bloodied sand. Six chambers were divided in shapes necessary to provide optimum training in various forms of combat. Two more additions had been made due to the children of the Toraono clan actually becoming full fledged ninja were dedicated to ninjutsu and genjutsu. The ninjutsu chamber was in an underground cavern while the genjutsu chamber was in a calm hand dug bath chamber irrigated ever so slightly by the Oasis itself and heated by the sun.

The entire east wing of the Dojo and a portion of the coliseum itself were restructured from a small mountain. The massive amounts of Earth chakra released by its formation helped to significantly repair the master seal pervaded the underbelly of the dojo. The resulting work had caused many once sealed underground chambers to open and with the newly forged mountains the Toraono Dojo now had a natural barrier to prevent further access to Sunagakure from the west and it also provided a new area to train for future students. Over two hundred chambers existed in the Toraono dojo and the general public only had access to fifty percent of that. The remaining rooms were specially sealed chambers for specific clan members affiliated with the dojo and their blood relatives. These chambers were built and sealed so that only they or a Toraono Clan master could enter them.

A man of conscience can remember every mistake he has ever made since he first began to fend for himself. A man of thrills can remember every moment of excitement whether it be fear, joy, battle, or pleasure. A man of his word will remember and do everything he says to the best of his ability. A man of war will fight until his dying breath so that he may feel the release of his spirit from the world as a token of gratitude for being given the gift of honest righteous battle. On any given day a man can become any one of these types of men. There remains many more types of men. The truly noticed in the end spectrum of the darker side of men… The Murderer, whom thrives of death, the power that fills them when they cause death to befall others, and the encouragement to do so again and again when they witness the despair and pain that death causes others. The act of killing for any reason, or simply without reason empowers them, becomes them, overtakes and twists all other whims. Last but not least is The Thief. .. They take what is not theirs first without knowingly doing so, but soon they discover their own enjoyment of the fleeting moments of theft where they feel empowered. They take from others for many different reasons. Some take to survive, some take simply because of envy or jealousy. The worst take simply to cause the suffering of those they take from.

There are so many amalgamations of man that there is an infinite acuity to their differences and similarities that mathematics could break down to 1000th’s of a percent. Genetics, environment, experience, and the will to become something more allow men to be all these things rolled up into one ever-changing yet stagnant being. As a base personality will forever flourish giving one a destiny that can only be denied by life and death. Kuro had discovered he was the reincarnation of Hyakujuuonouu when he was six years old. After many trials, growth spurts, martial arts lessons, and special sealing ceremonies Kuro learned how to summon Hyakujuuonouu from within. With this mastery complete he now worked on mastering the sacred powers locked within his soul as he had already mastered his body. Kuro was about to find out however that he would need to learn to use more than just his one body.

WC: 408
MFT

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kuro surged with demonic and celestial chakra as chakra claws emerged from the back of his hands. Focusing his will with his right hand as a concentrated, with a grunt of effort Kuro pierced his left palm ever so slowly until at last he drew blood. Each scroll spread around him carefully in an odd double helix pattern began to glow with the elemental chakra sealed inside of them as Kuro telekinetic placed a drop of blood on each scroll’s elemental seal. Ribbons of dark chakra surged forth from Kuro as Toraono Clan ancient sacred script began writing a seal in homage to the demon beast king that had come before all others Hyakujuuonouu upon Kuro's entire body. As he did so his eyes and body slowly began to transform. Kuro smiled as he assumed his own natural half demon form for a brief moment. Strands of celestial chakra literally enwrapped and embraced Kuro as not a single drop of his blood was wasted as all the basic elements surged around Kuro’s body slowly lifting his body from the ground. A violet and crimson series of runic markings and demonic script swirled before Kuro’s chest as the celestial chakra made opposing yet matching markings before Kuro’s chest as a series of claw like tears began to mar Kuro’s chest, stomach, and rib cage as something massive and powerful began to tear its way free of his body. Dark and celestial power began to write itself upon and inside of Kuro’s body and soul as Kuro’s blood marked scrolls dissolved into their elemental forms. The tip of Kuro’s feline tail was awash in dark and celestial chakra resembling a dark yet steady flame.

At first it seemed strange that Kuro would purposely injure himself but then again considering the amount of chakra he was pouring out of his body when he worked with any kind of seal it was only a matter of time before a master seal emerged on him as well. As the mark of heaven appeared upon his chest Kuro’s true blood demonic form became a brief reality as the ground beneath his feet shuddered under the strain of energy released by chakra the likes of which Kuro had only witnessed in his dreams as child before Hyakujuuonouu had awakened. The entire area began to rumble and quake under the massive chakra which was releasing itself from within Kuro. A familiar pulse of power registered within his mind, body, and soul as their link literally awakened. Mighty chains of power began to form from each basic element that hovered in the dark chamber as a dark shadow the coalesced in the center accepting the shackles formed by these chains. A massive statue of a gigantic leonine demonbeast half emerged from the shadows coalescing upon the ground. Bind-folded by black bands of spiritual metal were feline eyes with no pupils, completely crimson that glowed beneath their metallic wrappings. Its leonine face was adorned by a set of black twin jagged horns jutting out from both sides. The horns were six feet in length each, onyx in color and resembled that of an ox. In the center of its forehead was a third glowing violet eye also glowing beneath its bandages. It opened side ways like that of a normal cat’s eye but turned ninety degrees and set in the middle of its skull. It roared like a lion with its sabertooth fangs as it realized its existence anew. Kuro was larger than his normal height by two feet and although humanoid in his build he now wielded black claws with a metallic sheen, as ominous powerful energies expanded within his body to match the energies expanding inside the statue’s. His left hand, forearm, and shoulder had darkened with incredibly dense chakra as his energies from within his heaven seal surged to help him calm but not truly control the Harbinger of Hyakujuuonouu. The harbinger pulsed with demonic chakra and surged with the promise of death and life for its bearer. Hyakujuuonouu seemed delighted to be somewhat free once more.

The chamber spiraled with a cloud of Sunaku Sashi’s crimson sand healing Kuro’s torn body from his full summon and release of Hyakujuuonouu. For Kuro he suddenly felt remarkably lighter as his body and the statue’s half submerged body shined luminously with violet chakra before Kuro’s eyes began to glow even more. Kuro’s violet eyes glowed dramatically as Hyakujuuonouu and Kuro looked into each-other’s souls recognizing each other as a King in their own rite, although technically and formally Kuro was literally only a half prince until he took a royal bride and accepted a coronation by his mother Queen Azame of Steel Country. ”You are as free as my power and spirit can manage at the moment Hyakujuuonouu-sama. One day once I am fully capable of bringing forth our true power in unison I will make sure you can walk the world once more. If I take a proper bride she too will be able to summon you in a different manner.”

Hyakujuuonouu smiled and stretched what he could despite his shackled and binded form. "You have done well Oi-chan (Young Nephew)… I am pleased that you have progressed so far and that you would even take the time to free even a part of me, knowing the risks to yourself and others whom might stray too close."<i></i>

Kuro spoke telepathically with Hyakujuuonouu sharing moments, words, emotions, and memories to signify that he had to make sure his father’s brother’s spirit was freed from limbo. ”I would never let any of my kin suffer if it is in my power to alleviate that pain. Rest now Ojisan (honored variant of Uncle), when the next Tenryuukai tournament is done it is prophecized that by our sacred rites I shall free yet another part of your bound spirit."<i></i>

Purring contentedly the lights of power within Hyakujuuonouu’s eyes winked out as he at last closed his eyes free to breathe mortal air for the first time in centuries. Kuro looked at him as he was finally finding peace after centuries of being within a divine seal. The summoning was complete and Kuro returned to his natural half demon form without the chakra armor and celestial seal. He left Hyakujuuonouu’s newly made chamber with a smile and high fived Sashi his family medic as he walked past her station in thanks for her ever present crimson sands which healed the wounds upon his body from awakening and summoning Hyakujuuonouu’s partially sealed spirit.

MFT
WC: 1093

Total combined WC: from both posts 1511

More to come... hope every enjoys the story as it unfolds...

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Gray unyielding yet ever protective clouds blotted the sky denying the brothers a full glimpse of the stars and the moon above but thanks to their special eyes however they could even intuit their position beneath the stars with only partial glimpses and landmarks from their map. Every so often the wind would howl like the screams of the damned as they skirted the great eternal maelstrom on their way from the port village to the Toraono Dojo where they would present their life or death challenge. For only by taking the head of a demon blooded warrior could they return to their homeland at all. It was all or nothing and the brothers Bentoru & Bentaru had always lived that way. They rode two specially trained and geared up desert stallions. They were masterfully bred with wide nostrils and wide hooves along with strong ankles. They were trained to run in a discordant way that broke up their sound pattern so as not to attract sandwyrms, another feature they had was special horse braiding. A type of sand resistant, temperature, and moisture cycling suit that only allowed them to lose water in their dung. The rest of the fluid from sweat and urination was recycled into specially veined vents with micro needles that rehydrated the horses as they moved. This multiplied their desert survivability one hundred fold and lessened the water stores needed to travel across the desert sands. Gloved hands gripped the reins of these Toraono Clan bred, trained, and outfitted horses as the twins let the horses lead them to their destination. The massive elderwood gates of the Toraono Dojo and the stone walls that anchored them loomed from the sandy clouds of dust before them. Sun crystal beacons marked a clear path from over five hundred yards out. The brothers were grateful their prey was such an obvious host and seemed to want to be found. Surely this Toraono Kuro had to know about the bounty on the demon blooded or at least those whose features displayed it plainly. Though it seemed in Wind Country the demon blooded were free to roam the land so long as they obeyed the common laws and did not abuse their powers.

The twins remembered all the laughter they had received in Soon's Haven when they spoke of their bounty and mission to rid them of the half demon Toraono Kuro and free them of his enthrallment. The owner of the stables had given them two massive armored stallions that he said would take them straight to the dojo and come morning they would have fed and rested themselves and would return to his stables with or without them. His one bit of advice had been don't tell Lord Kuro that you have come for his head or he will get serious. He explained that Kuro does his best not to kill an opponent unless they actually want to fight to the death. The twins were perplexed for a moment what demon blooded does not want to kill all whom challenge it? They could not fathom what they were up against.

The brothers were identical except Bentaro had a scar over his left eye where he lost it in battle with his cousin but summarily replaced it with his cousin’s own left eye after defeating him in one on one battle. Otherwise they were both lean, tall, and bore swarthy skin from their time spent on the sea and hunting in jungles. Bentaro considered himself a fount of primordial power and didn’t even bother to wield a blade any longer. Trusting in his hard won strength Bentaro was their trump card in defeating demons as he could summon godlike power through his newfound left eye. Bentaru had both his original eyes and planned to find power in his own way without loss. He wielded the silver rune marked chain blade and provided the bulk of their all-out attack strategy for mid-range and close range attack, Bentaro summoned the power of their gods for their trump card.

The horses did exactly as the stable master claimed they would. The armored steeds skirted the edge of the eternal maelstrom and ran directly to the Toraono Dojo almost non-stop except when they came near some oddly shaped dunes and their canter stopped being rhythmic and became completely discordant. Two standards soared high above this marvel of ninja magic and ninja technology. The first standard is a glossy sand tone material carrying the banner of Sunagakure. The second flag is made of wind/sand resistant black silk with the Toraono symbol of a tiger standing atop a dragon, a motif depicting earth actually conquering the heavens. In this great hall was vested the entire life savings of the eldest of the Toraono Clan, Toraono Kaibudo. The horses stopped at a pair of stone watering troughs with an even flow of cool water that prevented the buildup of sand, dirt, and mud. The brothers looked at themselves knowingly and stole themselves for battle. As soon as they dismounted the horses drank their fill and found their own way around the eastern corner into waiting stables where sweet feed, and water conserving grains awaited them.

Nestled along the dunes near an oasis is the Toraono dojo. An ancient stone building that was formerly a coliseum. It was converted by Toraono Kaibudo and his wife Azame into a specially domed dojo. A place of perpetual learning for the martial arts, and combat at its finest. One side was dedicated to weapons imparticularly the sword, but weapons all the same, the other side of the house was mostly dedicated to unarmed combat. With great finesse and power that was understandably overwhelming and set for bloodletting; the stone pillars upholding the building were set with skill, chakra, and care to promote maximum stability throughout the entire structure. The dome was added to promote an atmosphere and provide air conditioning in a roundabout way through specially placed vents. The floors of special marble in some areas were charged with chakra and set apart by floors coated with special disinfected sand that wouldn't infect a bloodied warrior. Weapons racks lined the walls of the second area with meticulous care in stands. On the Northern side of the dojo were padded wraps and leggings, for martial arts training. Built specifically so that visitors could see the combat without seeing the interior of the village.


As Bentaro and Bentaru approached the entrance in synchronized movement that they had subconsciously forgotten they still did. As they prepared to knock the massive door was opened from the inside and they finally got their first official look at their bounty. . Toraono Kuro was not a normal man, few would even say he was a mortal being at all but his flesh was partially human. At five feet ten inches in height and weighing two hundred and seventy pounds few could understand how he could move so swiftly or silently. His arms and chest where they were exposed by his black silk gi top revealed massively over defined muscle that were built up from years of martial arts and ninja training. His every breath, every movement was steeped in thousands of years of martial arts and ninjutsu research. As such he is able to control his body to such an extent that he can even use his newly grown beard as a weapon or a shield. His hair was almost completely silver but was more platinum in tone. His eyes were shockingly violet with a gold iris; his scent was a mixture of cinnamon and manly musk except without the overpowering sweat scent. Ornate black ANBU guards with the Sunan symbol etched into them were laced on his forearms and shins. Black ox horns a foot in length each were on both sides of his head protecting his temples while his tiger skin tail with a silver white fur tip swayed back and forth in a gentle motion just above the sands. He had not worn an ANBU mask in over 12 years but with his Suna Insignia around his waist and his obvious authority he roamed the area like a Lion King. ”Welcome to the Toraono Dojo, How may I help you and what are your reasons for visiting our lands.” As Kuro spoke to the twin visitors he produced two small gourds of cool water. They were sealed to show they had not been tampered with and Kuro did not mind whether his present visitors drank it or not but he would show the common courtesy of offering water since the desert was not an easy passage of travel.

They took the water not realizing they were actually parched and after a quick check of the seals opened them up and drank long and deep. They found themselves instantly liking the demon blooded before them but they were on a quest and had not but their duty and little time for friends. After collecting themselves their thirsts quenched they hardened their hearts as they had done several times before and spoke in unison.
Bentaro nodded to his twin Bentaru as they both took a deep breath and announced their names and purpose. ”We are the Chauchi Brothers Bentaru and Bentaro, we have come across the great sea to take the head of the demon lord Toraono Kuro and humbly request a battle to the death.”

Kuro nodded but could not smile for it was part of Hyakujuuonouu’s prophecy that he face a pair of twins and take one of them as his own.
”I am Toraono Kuro and I accept your challenge, but know I wish neither of you ill will, please partake of our food and drink and rest before our fated battle. Also if you have an idea in mind you both should choose the place of our confrontation. Please come in.”

MFT
WC: 1640

 

[Toraono Kuro]

The brothers were put off by his kindness and true self. They had trained themselves to detect falseness and treachery and Kuro had absolutely no traits or trace of deceit in his actions. Bentaro looked to his twin Bentaru as they both were led by house servants to accommodations that in their land were fit for a King. ”We have been misinformed about Lord Toraono Kuro, I sense his power and though he is a demon I sense no evil only pure power. I felt his sadness and resignation when we said that we challenged him in a fight to the death, he truly does not wish to fight us.”

Bentaru shrugged… ”It is of no concern, even if he is a decent person he harbors the blood and power of a demon and therefore he must be removed from this world.”

Bentaro nodded as they both showered back to back to keep each-other covered at even the most vulnerable of moments. They had planned to sleep in shifts fearful that Kuro or one of the many people who cared for Kuro would attack them in their sleep. The first shift went well but after three hours into the second watch they both were sound asleep. They woke up fitful but well rested and even more surprised that a lavish breakfast of fruit, sweet breads, and thin sliced, cold meats many of which they had never tasted before sat heaped upon twin plates before the both of them. As they each wearily rose from the sides of the bed where they had placed their backs to the wall. They had been tended to. Pillows had been placed behind their heads and soft silk sheets laid across their supine forms. They hadn’t slept like that since they were children and even then no one had been able to sneak up on them. Bentaru took it as a good omen but Bentaro believed they had been under some kind of genjutsu. They quickly checked over their weapons and items and found them absolutely untouched since they last touched them. Their tiny fire seals which would have marked anyone else were just as they left them.

Content that their weapons and items were ready the twins gathered their items, folded their used linens and set off for the main foyer. As they walked down the stairwell, Bentaru spotted the perfect area for their duel. A reasonably sized tatami matted chamber. It had a reasonably high ceiling and strong stone walls, and absolutely no places for anyone to hide. They both looked it over they could use every technique with room to spare, even Bentaro’s special jutsu’s. Content in their choice of battle area they found Kuro actually praying before an altar of a beautiful maiden with hardened eyes. She carried a massive jug that looked like it was meant to carry water over long distances. Kuro carefully scooped up some sand and sprinkled it before her feet and intoned a soft prayer asking forgiveness for what he must do in order to protect Suna from the coming tides of destruction. Kuro shed a single tear which as soon as it struck the sand evaporated.

Kuro wore a sand tone brown and yellow kimono with matching hakama. Kuro wore black obi around his waist where he had sheathed his honor blade into his neatly tied sash. Kuro wore his battle pouch atop the sash just above his right hip. Kuro wore his leg sheath on the interior of his hakama just atop his silk gi shorts. A convenient cut in the silk cloth of his left hakama pants leg allowed Kuro full access to his items without showing exactly where it was till he motioned to grab it. Securing his royal arm guards and leggings were Kuro’s enhanced the runic terran seal wraps for his hands, forearms, shins and feet. Kuro wrapped his tail around his obi making sure it appeared to be a furry black tiger skin tail with silver stripes added onto his obi. Kuro now wore his normally wild mane of hair braided in ancient ceremonial fashion making his oxen horns much more pronounced but also making him look a little more human. Kuro’s eyes were violet with golden slits, the rings around his eyes looked like melancholy. Kuro stood up and bowed before the twins before speaking. ” I trust you both slept well, I also hope your breakfast was adequate I am not certain what sea faring men would consider a welcome breakfast so I asked my chef to provide you with a little of everything. Have you decided where you want to have our death match?”<i></i> The twins nodded and resumed their unison speech patterns.

” We slept well, and breakfast was fascinating and delicious. As far as our pace of battle we have decided to use the tatami chamber of the first floor of the west wing. We would like to begin our battle now.”

Kuro sighed for a brief moment before turning left and right as he began nodding to his staff. ”Have the west wing cleared of all staff and visitors. Make sure absolutely no children go near the area, and no matter what occurs or who prevails, the Chauchi Brothers are to be treated as members of the Toraono Clan from now on.”<i></i> The staff members placed their right hands above their hearts and made a collective “OoofF” sound before quickly dispersing at top speed to clear the wing for Kuro’s battle.

Kuro beckoned the brothers to follow him. Bentaru didn’t know whether to feel insulted or be afraid that Kuro actually turned his back on two armed demon hunters. Bentaro however took it as an insult as he awakened his sharingan. He looked Kuro over and saw that he was tightly suppressing his chakras, it was as if he were a sheath that hid a massive yet incredibly destructive blade. Bentaro was certain now that the moment the battle started he would unleash their God’s power. Kuro strode purposefully for the area they had ordained for their end battle. He indeed did not wish to kill anyone whom was undeserving but Bentaru carried the power within him. The power that would allow him to serve as a vessel for Hyakujuuonouu and become the first copy of Toraono Kuro; the first tribute had come as Hyakujuuonouu had predicted. The first tribute had come in the form of twin warriors, they would come for his head and one would become his vessel and the other his prophet.


Kuro walked to the center of the tatami matt training room as his muscles and breathing relaxed themselves. There was almost too much energy in the air something, no one else was coming. Kuro’s spatial sense kicked in and the impression he got was far from good as the dual energy source of the twin’s energy sources welled up to form one being. A special hatred writhed through this being, a pang of burning rage and pain from beyond heaven and hell that had been seething for centuries emanated from this being and a trail of blood followed in his wake. It was Susano-oh, the August Lord, the angry demigod, the avatar of the storms, Bentaro’s un-cleansed soul pulled the warrior god forth from the far reaches, a fighting God with the goal to destroy Kuro and Hyakujuunoou. Now with Kuro standing before him he aims all of his hate, power, and desire at Toraono Kuro, assisted by the weapon mastery of his twin brother Bentaru he they now had all the power they believed they needed to destroy Kuro quickly and take his head as the scion of the beast king. The doors to the chamber were flung wide open as Susano-oh brought his ten span sword down upon Kuro only to have it deflected by a wave of Kuro’s hand as his eyes came alive with violet flame.

Bentaru & Bentaro: “We would like you to know that we have slain several powerful demons but absolutely none have ever deflected the ten span sword.” The brothers were in utter shock, as Kuro only nodded. Kuro knew this fight would probably be one of the hardest fights in his life but he could not help but feel ready, excited, and above all else all he could think was finally. As he strode forward toward the twins his power slowly radiating outward Bentaru finally released his sharingan as well. Bentaro crackled with spirit energy so much divine power that every person within five hundred feet could feel his hate of demons and their demon blooded spawn. An intense spiral of spirit energy crashed against Kuro’s inner being battering it with hate and actually pushing him back inch by inch until Kuro finally stood his ground. “Come now Bentaro, you’ve hated demons as long as you can remember, but if it has only gotten you this far in power then you will definitely be angry with me when you see how far my training has taken me.” Kuro purposely stepped back with his aura in place making Bentaru’s eyes twitch as he saw he was stepping back to use a jutsu. Kuro made a series of motions so quick Bentaru almost didn’t catch it but he did see it. It was a summoning jutsu which meant that this would indeed be an all-out battle.

Kuro: “This is what you had in mind is it not Chauchi Brothers??”

Bentaro released a snarling laugh with an animal like expression on his face:
“You have accepted your fate already, you make your destruction less appealing, but I accept your willingness to embrace your end.”

A massive stone statue appeared in a puff of smoke as the battle was already on. Kuro leaped backwards twisting mid air as he unleashed lightning bolts and vicious winds that could cut through flesh. Bentaro screamed and leaped like madman chasing a well trapped kill. Using his spirit form Susano-oh, Bentaro controlled his descent from the leaping attack with a grace that made even Kuro envious. Kuro could only look on in a smirk of envy as Bentaro slashed down upon Kuro with a speed he believed Kuro couldn’t hope to dodge. The swipe caused a severe tear of wind, and energy that all but tore into the fiber of Kuro’s being for a split second before he disappeared, leaving a large sandstone to be obliterated in his placed as Kuro himself reappeared beside Bentaru and struck him in the head with a vicious elbow strike then lashed out at Bentaro with a triple claw strike. Bentaro’s armor was deeply gouged as a 3 part series of rakes of four slashes appeared as a result of Kuro’s special attacks even as Bentaro turned to lash out at Kuro.

Bentaro clapped his hands together as he went through a set of seals and unleashed the energies he had acquired from his cousin Hissoma. Eight massive snake shaped blasts of energy surged toward Kuro as one knocking him to his knees as the energy of the attack began lightly burning his skin. The energy serpents began biting, and coiling around him and his limbs as if they were alive. Two snake heads held each limb as Bentaru stood close by breathing down upon him.

Bentaro: “You do have a certain finesse Demonbeast Prince but as we told everyone before we left our village to hunt the demon blooded we are stronger than any demon touched. We were born to destroy your kind and you don’t hold any true power over the likes of us. Trust us when we say your defeat is evident.”

Bentaru drew his left hand back for a swift stabbing strike when he finally noticed the snakes were all clamped down on elemental energy rings. Kuro finally looked up from his concentration and stared deep into Bentaru’s eyes as he replied. “For you two whose lives have been spent training to defeat demons all your lives, you have absolutely no idea what your facing, your tricks are paltry, your energies are impressive, but they are nothing compared to mine.” Kuro surged with his celestial and demon energies. “Allow me to demonstrate… Destructive Jutsu number seventy six… TSUNAMI!!”

The burning energy snakes that Bentaro thought were binding Kuro were disintegrated as an explosive wave of spirit energy exploded from the elemental rings that Kuro had generated to keep the Chauchi power from actually grasping him. A two hundred foot wave of spirit energy slammed down upon Bentaru destroying his battle armor and damaging his normal chain blade. Bentaro struggled to control the energy backlash as he stood. He began to see wisps of his expended energy and his brother’s energy slowly drain away into the massive stone statue behind Kuro as a roar of such magnitude that it shook the very foundations of the dojo ripped forth from Kuro’s body as black and violet energies poured forth from his being. Kuro’s back expanded and grew incredibly muscular as his demonic aura expanded one thousand fold. His natural body expanded and became far more pronounced. Kuro was roaring his challenge to his foes yet he could not hear himself. His demon eyes opened fully, his bright violet eyes aflame with chakra as his feline iris of shimmered gold and crimson. His black oxen horns enlarged and shimmered with lightning. The horns were two feet each in length, onyx in color and resembled that of an ox but with sharper jagged edges. The center of his forehead had a slit appear as his flesh split to open up to his third eye. Kuro now displayed his demonic third eye. He roared like a lion as his bicuspids doubled in size before he looked upon the twins anew. His body laced itself in chakra as it forced itself to be a little larger, his height increased by two feet and although humanoid in build his massive black claws glinted from each finger with a metallic sheen. His left hand, forearm, and shoulder all darkened as the chakra surrounding them became incredibly dense. Pulsing in its released state the chakra now acted as a type of armor. Kuro's right arm matched the left in size but his right hand and forearm up to his elbow were wreathed in a flaming violet chakra, resembling the look of an ancient battle gauntlet. From the ends of both elbows and knees the chakra formed and pulsed around intricate jagged black metallic bone spurs. His tail developed a multi-faceted chakra link armor as well as the tail's end took on the look of a flaming spiked mace's head flanges and all.


Kuro stood before them with a decisive look, Bentaro called upon more chakra to further empower his manifestation of Susano-oh. His voice had a dual quality as he spoke. “So what Kuro changing into your demon form just means you will burn out faster. What are you doing to do now I haven’t even grazed my full power, do you still believe you will defeat us now?” Kuro did not reply he simply held out his left hand and beckoned them forward. Susano-oh charged him as Bentaru managed to stand again. The Chauchi brothers were so focused on Kuro they barely noticed the statue Kuro had summoned was slowly draining their energies away. All that they could feel was that Kuro kept getting stronger.

Kuro flickered with demonic and celestial power as he collided with Bentaro’s Susano-oh in the center of the chamber in a maelstrom of blows. Bentaro lunged straight in at first believing he would end this match as brutally and quick as he had defeated his third demon blooded instead to his shock he found that they were not only evenly matched, Kuro was beginning to overpower his hard won power. His first sword strike should have decapitated Kuro but it was simply backhanded away. The swipe was just too slow and then it became apparent that it was a ruse as he moved with his serpent head shield to grapple Kuro. Kuro saw the change of tactics at the last moment as he unleashed a spinning roundhouse to keep the spirit enhanced Bentaro at a distance. It should have struck him in the face or his arm but it didn’t Bentaro was gone in a blur of chakra as his speed increased exponentially for a brief moment. Bentaru augmented his brother’s speed to where Bentaro quite literally had the reflexes of a god. He blurred beneath the kick grabbing Kuro with one massive hand slamming him with earthquake causing ferocity that made a massive crater in the center of the chamber, almost stunning Kuro. Bentaro pounced upon Kuro stabbing at him and smashing down upon Kuro in a chaotic manner. Bentaru knew Bentaro was brutal but this was just sickening as blood was flayed everywhere as Susano-oh dissipated and Bentaro’s battered body stood up from what he believed was a corpse, he roared in victory a bit too soon as his left eye closed for a while from the strain of using Susano-oh.

Kuro looked up at his assailant his chakra armored body was bloody, battered, and torn. Some of his chakra armor had disappeared from the ferocity of Bentaro’s blows. He looked at Bentaru and noted he had pushed his sharingan too far as well. They had used their eyes to augment their attacks and speed, against anyone else that might have succeeded but Kuro was the Devilbeast King.

Hyakujuuonouu: “Looks like you bit off more than you could chew but you still have far more untapped reserves, why let them think they won? If they believe they won they will try to behead you.”

Daemon Kuro: “We could take all his power away but that’s not us either, he‘s going to try tokill us if we don’t do something though.”

Kuro nodded to his inner demon as they found themselves looking up at Bentaro’s victory roar before attempting to finish them. Bentaro never knew what hit him as a gigantic armored fist strike laced with demon energy blasted him up and away from Kuro. It seemed like slow motion as Kuro showed them both why he was the lord of the Toraono Clan. He began to levitate with all the energy pouring out from his body as his spiritual and cellular structure reconfigured before the energy poured back into him. Sweat dripped from his skin as heatwaves swirled about him as the energy to mass ratio of his entire being multiplied itself by ten. Kuro’s body lengthened as he grew taller, his form more mature as he levitated within the embrace of his own energies. Electrical waves of energy fluted through the violet and azure winds of energy whirling about his full grown body. Kuro’s incredible outpouring of energy was like that of a volcanic eruption, the shockwave of power and the huge blast of wind that followed literally blew the hair and clothing of the twins this way and that as the rampant feeling of darkness that was Hyakujuuonouu’s power was matched and centered by Kuro. Bentaro roared in outrage as he came stumbling across ruined chamber. Kuro descended from his energy storm as it swirled back into his body. They continued their battle just twenty feet from the crater as they collided in a far less skilled brawl but it became a challenge as Bentaru leapt in to assist even without his sharingan his blade skills were the real thing. This time Kuro truly had the upper hand, he deflected every sword strike, battered Bentaro’s legs and ribs with gale force kicks that actually stirred the wind about the twins. Their blows became more and more offensive and far less defensive, their insane onslaught was sending waves of blue hot pain through both their bodies. It was no longer a fight it was an all-out struggle for survival. Kuro used an ancient Toraono technique that one upped Bentaro’s natural viciousness with a resounding bright flash and the sound of thunder that came from the formation of black lightning. Kuro’s attack blindsided Bentaro as it caught him in the jaw. The area actually vibrated from the might of it, a blow that left Bentaro nearly senseless. Blood was everywhere but Kuro was healing at a phenomenal rate. Bentaro’s eyes went completely white as he collapsed and slumped over into a stunned position. Kuro began to look more human-like as his chakra armor faded, but his build remained extremely muscular.

Bentaru ate an energy capsule and pulled forth a cursed blade. A sword feared by all sentient swords throughout time, it was a soul destroyer, one known to completely obliterate the souls of many a warrior it did not find worthy foe to face it or a master swordsman to wield it in battle. Bentaru had obviously been accepted by it, his touch caused it to flare with bright flames. Hyakujuuonouu mentally warned Kuro.

“Don’t let that sword touch you, even I can only take one or two blows from it before I am shattered, end this fight quickly.”

Kuro nodded as he drew his clan blade and rushed forward using the Toraono Clan sword style. His demon bone sword was almost shattered instantly from his first defensive stance. It was cracked and flung from his grip in a devastating riposte from Bentaru. “It ends now demon blooded, this battle is ours.” He swiped the cursed blade at Kuro in a spinning maneuver to behead him, Kuro wasn’t there as he disappeared in a clap of air and reappeared ten feet away after using a Destructive Toraono taijutsu technique to slow Bentaru down.

Destroying the Sanketsu Chain
~ Hybrid Tech: Raijin Ken (Thunder fist)
Common Striking point Sternum

Kuro hadn’t gotten away unscathed a deep gash stretched from his collarbone, across his chest to end at his hip. Unlike his previous wounds this one wasn’t healing. His breathing was deep and purposeful as he summoned his chakra armor again. It wasn’t much but it would be better than nothing. Bentaru spat blood from the precision attack on his sanketsu chain. Kuro hadn’t been able to put all the force necessary to shatter it but he had been able to injure one of his primary spirit focusing points. Energy from the cursed sword energy shot into the wound to keep Bentaru standing.

Bentaru: “Such lethal martial arts, that is very impressive but my blade can cut you no matter what jutsu you slip into, your armor can’t protect you, I tell you again its over!!”

Kuro turned and popped his neck and shoulders, jaunting through the high speed movement always pushed air between his joints. Bentaru roared and leaped, Kuro dodged the blade but the energy wave of its passing still managed to strike him making an “X” shaped wound across his chest tearing a gash in his chakra armor. Bentaru kept up his blade assault Kuro could dodge the sword but not the energy it unleashed it seemed to track him no matter where he went. The dark sea sword was far more deadly than Kuro could have believed. There was no choice for Kuro to do anything but dodge the actual blade but its all-encompassing energy waves were wearing him down piece by brutal piece. His armor was shredded, his body was torn and wounded. Blood flowed from multiple wounds that would not close although his armor was compensating by acting as a kind of auto-bandage. Kuro slumped over before Bentaru as he couldn’t use his kawarami jutsu anymore the jutsu wouldn’t allow him to dodge that sword’s energy wave anyway.


Bentaru: “Now before I send you to join your pitiful kindred in oblivion, would you like to cry for Mommy, perhaps, call out to your daddy, because after I’m done with you I might as well finish them for protecting you all these years. I wonder what your father would say if he saw you on your knees before me right now, you pitiful excuse for a warrior.”

Kuro was utterly ashamed despite all his training and preparation he was still no match for Bentaru’s sword but he still wasn’t going to give up. Bentaru slashed downward with triumph written across his face as Kuro summoned a pulse of chakra to deflect the attack. It worked after a fashion but left deep gashes in his hands. Gashes that completed the Toraono Clan Cross Seal on his palms as blood flowed freely down his hands and arms.

Bentaru: “Useless!!! No DEMON can withstand this sword!! The moment I called it from the abyss your defeat was assured!!”

Bentaru doubled back and put all the remaining strength he had into a vicious stab, that impaled Kuro through the left side of his chest and ribcage, Kuro had backhanded the sword at the last instant so that the blade missed his heart. He felt as if he were going to black out, his left lung was filling with blood, Kuro felt as if he could hear his mother screaming. Bentaru ripped the sword from Kuro’s chest and roared “Die!!” Kuro whispered “You… first.” as he reached forth and stabbed Bentaru through the heart with his spirit blade as Bentaru’s sword screamed for Kuro’s neck as Kuro’s bloody hand pulsed with divine chakra that completely overpowered Bentaru’s body as his soul was drained away. The cursed sword dropped from his lifeless hand as his body began to transform into an exact copy of Kuro’s except for his eyes which became twin violet sharingan. Hyakujuuonouu devoured Bentaru’s soul as a portion of Kuro’s mind and spirit transferred into Bentaru’s reconfigured body through the power of the Hyakujuuonouu's statue form. Kuro now saw himself through another set of eyes and his own, at first the experience was disorienting. After following Hyakujuuonouu’s advice and widening his perception Kuro settled into his second body. He used his new body to gather up Bentaro as they left the ravaged chamber and headed to the infirmary. The first tribute was complete and Kuro was so tired that he could hardly go on. Sashi placed Kuro in a healing chamber as his second body which she reasoned was an elemental clone, despite its torn clothing placed Bentaro upon an operating table.

Bentaro awoke in the infirmary to the heartbreaking knowledge his brother was gone, he could feel their connection was completely severed. Not even his soul remained, they had resigned themselves to death in combat but deep down Bentaro had always believed either he would go first or they would die together. He found Bentaru’s cursed sword placed in a special sheathe and set aside for him. He would have shed a tear if he hadn’t noticed Kuro in a liquid filled tube nearby healing from multiple cuts and stab wounds. Yes his brother had done all he could and fallen in battle. Bentaro wanted to cry but he could not, he felt the rage of loss yet even that passed quickly as well. At least he knew he had given all he had and there was no shame in that and he was still alive. Kuro’s healing chamber drained and he noticed all the scars from Bentaru’s blade work upon Kuro’s body. They were healing rapidly now which would not have happened if Bentaru was still alive so he asked the question he had been dreading since he awakened. “So, Lord Toraono what has become of my brother?”

Kuro: “I am afraid your brother took a blast of energy point blank which completely consumed his body leaving only his blade. Never let your rage control you as it did your brother when he thought you dead. Listen to your inner heart it will never lead you astray.”

Bentaro sagged and shuddered because that is exactly what his brother would have done and exactly what he would have told him if he found him alive after a battle like that.

Bentaro: “I will tell the world what befell us here and of your hospitality and kindness despite what we tried to do to you. Never have fear or feel danger from the likes of the Chauchi clan of the Sea.”

After packing him a series of meals, and proper clothing to help him make it home; Kuro and his staff bid Bentaro farewell. The first Tribute was complete, as a second perfect copy of Kuro stepped forth. Identical in every way even down to the last scar except in the center of his chest, through his heart as a spirit energy black crystallized blade was broken off inside of his chest which resembled a reasonably large sized black diamond were anyone to manage to stare at it long enough. Through Bentaru’s sacrifice Kuro now had access to the sharingan in all its natural and now supernatural glory. The sky grew dark with clouds as an unnatural rain storm engulfed both Kuro’s, lightning engulfed them as their strength, honor, and courage flowed into the wounds that covered their bodies, the wounds healed but they left permanent runic scars unlike all the others wounds he had endured throughout his growth, these scars were permanent. Hyakujuuonouu’s statue faded from the chamber using a small amount of the energy drained from the Chauchi brothers to completely restore it. One eye on the statue was now partially open, they were on their way to true freedom.


WC: 4880
MFT