Drown the Vanishing Thunder God (Xy, Rits, Kots)

Kotsuzui's attack missed, as was to be expected. Having ducked under it Xyxer was now making his way towards the Kaguya. Even though the initial attack with the whip had missed it was still in a good enough position to be used yet again. But not right away. Xyxer closed the distance speaking, doing so yet again in a monotone. Was he bored, or was this simply how he always spoke? Kotsuzui had to assume it was the former. Speaking from his own experiences, Kotsuzui knew Xyxer was hiding his true nature. Maybe it only came out when he was ripping people apart, maybe Kotsuzui could bring it out of him before it got to that point. Nonetheless, Xyxer's words brought back Kotsuzui's smile as it only encouraged the Kaguya to follow along his own words. To step his game up. Before Kotsuzui could respond, the Kage followed up with a hook to the rib cage.

Following the punch as it came in, Kotsuzui needed to make sure it wasn't just another feint to draw out another attack and catch the Kaguya off guard. So he waited for the right moment when the punch was close enough to make Xyxer believe it would be a hit, but also giving Kotsuzui enough time to react. Kotsuzui simultaneously drove his left knee up into Xyxer's arm while bringing his left elbow over and down onto his arm. If Xyxer continued with his punch Kotsuzui's knee and elbow would catch Xyxer's arm right under his elbow effectively shattering his forearm and stopping his strike before it could make contact. 

Just in case Xyxer used his attack as another feint, Kotsuzui was prepared to stop the driving of his elbow and knee to avoid doing any harm to himself. Irregardless of the success of Kotsuzui's counter, the moment he either broke Xyxer's forearm or halted his attack, he pulled his right arm back while whipping his wrist and bring his hand up beside his head. At this point in time the spinal whip would have been laying on the ground going from Kotsuzui's right to Xyxer's left and laying behind him. Whipping the weapon like he had done would send this whip flying towards Xyxer. Had Xyxer feinted his punch and moved in with a second attack, he risked landing a strike while also being hit by the spine. The whip would coil back to its user, but on its way back the many sharp vertebra would slice the tendons just above the back of Xyxer's ankle from his left to right. Due to the fashion of coiling the whip back towards him, Kotsuzui ran no risk of hitting himself had Xyxer dodged the whip attack. The whip would simply twirl in front of the Kaguya. 

Kotsuzui's left foot would now be back on the ground while the whip attempted to sever Xyxer's tendons. He would use this moment to respond to Xyxer's comment. "Perhaps your lack of effort is rubbing off on me" he spoke, his left arm still up from the attempt counter attack ready to be used as he brought his right arm back down leaving it slightly bent. His spine had pretty much run its course and would crumble in a matter of moments. He needed to be prepared to drop it and react accordingly to the Kage's next moves, feet just shoulder width apart and knees bent with his left foot being slightly further behind the right. "Besides, that would just be boring."

Intersection Method +55strength (+10) & 80 speed (140 strength, 205 speed)
DOTC:V - 130 strength, 205 speed


Potential AP loss:  496 - 35 = 461

Now was where the fun begun. He'd successfully closed the distance between the two of them, and he was in the optimal range for taijutsu, something he was sure his opponent was equally aware of. As his hand soared towards the body of Kotsuzui, it'd seem almost as if he'd been taken off guard.. but surely that couldn't have been the case. He'd had plenty of time to witness Xyxer's run building up, there was no way for this man to suddenly be inept when it came to defense.. but stranger things had happened during this war. Yet, soon after the thought passed, Kotsuzui found it apt to lift his leg up, throwing himself off balance, as well as removing the defense from his face. 

Curious tactic.

As soon as the male's arm dropped down to initiate the counter towards Xyxer's own arm, he'd throw his left hand out directly towards his face, packed with bad intention. If the attack was to land, the male would be thrown to the ground, most likely unconscious and with severe traumatic trauma to his skull due to the intensity of the punch. In conjunction with that, due to him already moving his arm down from his face and towards his knee to break the Mizukage's arm, it was unlikely he could react in time to divert the planned course of action.

Now, in regards to the arm that was about to get sandwiched by the Kaguya's elbow and knee, it was simple from that point on. Kotsuzui's elbow had dipped down with full momentum towarsd his arm, along with his knee, which in itself was a mistake that Xyxer could capitalize on if he so wished. Yet there was something vital that would happen; Xyxer continued to dance around his opponent. Once the arm had neared him enough, Xyxer's feet continued to move over the ground effortlessly, akin to a phantom as he danced behind the opponent. This removed the danger of the whip unless the male wished to massacre himself, and in which case he'd react accordingly. Yet, due to this move, Xyxer's fist would no longer simply collide with the male's ribcage, instead it'd tuck directly against the ribs of the male to prevent the knee from being capable of hitting him, as well as providing light blunt damage, yet nothing game changing to the Kaguya due to the intensity of the battle. The safety wasn't the main part to note, however, as Xyxer's hand unfurled from its fist and turned upwards as soon as the arm was near, before proceeding to lift upwards and tuck around the male's bicep and yanking it downwards, essentially grappling the arm and keeping it pulled into Kotsuzui's side. All the while, Xyxer's left fist continued towards the head of Kotsuzui.. yet he expected some bone trickery, or even another teleport. This man hadn't stood his ground, and he doubted that'd start now. Not a Kaguya traitor.

Unfortunately for the Kaguya, yet another one of his attacks had failed to make contact with the Kage. He managed to slither his way past Kotsuzui's counter avoiding both the knee and elbow. Having anticipated the counter missing, Kotsuzui was prepared and avoided smashing his elbow down onto his own knee. However hitting himself was the least of his worries at this point. Now that Xyxer was right where he wanted to be, he made his own counter. Simultaneously a fist was launched towards the Kaguya's face while his left bicep was grabbed a pulled down in closer to his own body, essentially taking his left arm out of the equation from the time being. It put the Kaguya in quite the pickle. He was forced to drop his spinal whip as it was no longer a viable option due to Xyxer snaking his way around the Kaguya. But now that he had dropped it his right hand was free to react to Xyxer's punch. As a result Kotsuzui's hand shot up grabbing Xyxer's left forearm just below his wrist. Though Xyxer was a tad stronger than Kotsuzui, and he knew that based on their earlier face to face confrontation. As a precaution Kotsuzui had also slightly tilted his head to his left in case the punch had only been slowed down, this way it would still miss it's target. 

By the time Kotsuzui's left bicep and Xyxer's left forearm were grabbed, the Kaguya's left foot had made it back down to the ground and his balance had been regained. Normally this would have been the perfect time for Kotsuzui to use Dance of the Larch. With the two being in contact with one another it drastically increased the chances of a successful hit. But Xyxer's had proven to be quick on his feet, having yet to receive a single hit in this fight. Not to mention Kotsuzui had already revealed the technique and Xyxer likely took it into account when making his move. He was without a doubt anticipating the jutsu coming. Using the jutsu would only separate the two once more and prolong what would inevitably happened right after, the two re-engaging in hand to hand combat. Why waste time when he was already right here in front of the Kaguya?

Kotsuzui shifted his body to the left turning it towards the side Xyxer had moved in, spinning on the back of his right heel while slightly moving his left leg back. Once he had been facing Xyxer, he grabbed onto Xyxer's own right elbow with his left hand. Since Kotsuzui's arm was being held onto by him, it only meant Xyxer's own arm was close enough to be held onto as well. Now holding onto the Kage with both his hands, the Kaguya sent his left knee hurtling back up. Except this time instead of sending his knee straight up for a counter, the Kaguya sent it forward aimed for the gut of Xyxer. Even though Kotsuzui wasn't as strong as Xyxer he knew he could hold back the man's left arm long enough to get his knee up, at least it's what he tried doing. With Xyxer holding onto Kotsuzui's own left arm and now Kotsuzui also holding onto his right arm, he was hoping it kept the Kage's options for a counter limited. Although the options were still there. If the knee came into contact, Kotsuzui would follow up with a second knee with the same leg. Depending on how Xyxer reacted to the first knee, the second one would either be aimed for his gut yet again or for his face had he been forced to hunch over from the impact of the first strike. Though Kotsuzui was not even thinking about a second strike. His mind was on high alert as his eyes scanned Xyxer's body for any indication of a counter attack, preparing himself to the best of his abilities to properly react to it.

This was undoubtedly going to be a difficult moment for the Kaguya. He'd allowed the monster that thrived when engaged in melee combat to get close enough to be in his element. This should be over quick, or at least that was what Xyxer thought. He saw the whip quickly becoming limp as it fell from the hand of Kotsuzui, and his hand started to rise towards the punch that was thrown by Xyxer. An interesting attempt, but it wasn't going to be enough. Xyxer continued to move around the opponent, continuously keeping his punch aimed towards the back of his head at this point, thus incredibly difficult to grab, let alone resist.

He even attempted to lower his leg back down towards the ground, which was something that wasn't going to happen without any contesting from the opposing side. When it started to lower, reaching the midway point, Xyxer's own foot would strike out towards the back of the male's leg once more, intending to damage the leg and kick it out from under him rather than allowing a stable position. Of course, he intended to change the pathing of his leg, the kick would follow in the form of a simple forward kick.

Yet, it was not to be the only danger for the male. The intensity of the match was starting to awake the demon within him, causing Xyxer to get more physical than he would otherwise do. He'd never been much of a grappler, yet.. he was feeling it. If the punch wasn't capable of doing anything of note to the male, Kotsuzui would soon find himself being lifted upwards from the ground and thrown over the left shoulder of Xyxer in the form of a back suplex, with Xyxer maintaining a hold of him with the arm that remained on him, avoiding the pressure of his weight during the fall of course. While doing so, he'd roll with the thrown man so that the grasp wasn't untangled, continuously launching attacks towards his head with his free fist. If this was to happen, it was only a matter of time until Gyuki relished in the combat himself.

Just as Kotsuzui went to reach for the arm of the Kage, he began moving his way around the Kaguya yet again changing the trajectory of the punch. Now there was no way for Kotsuzui to grab hold of his arm with Xyxer having moving all the way behind the Kaguya. Normally this wouldn't have been a bad situation for Kotsuzui to be in. Under normal circumstances Kotsuzui would have just spun on his heels following the Kage as he moved. But Kotsuzui had made the mistake of going onto one foot when he attempted to catch Xyxer's arm in the Intersection Method. At the time Kotsuzui was sure he had the man. If only he had known better than to give up his own position and balance. Now stuck standing on one leg, the Kaguya was left essentially helpless and incapable of properly avoiding the oncoming attack. Being in the dire situation he was currently in, he decided to go with the jutsu he believed was going to fail in the first place. But when you have no other choice, what are your options?

Just like how the fight began, as the incoming punch made its way a bunch of bones burst out from Kotsuzui body yet again. This time instead of making them only protrude from his upper body, he made the bones extend all over his body, from his ankles up to his collar bone. There were more bones sprouting from his shoulders and back area creating a kind of entanglement of bones for Xyxer's fist. Basically from here Kotsuzui saw two things happening. The first possible action to occur would be the reason why Kotsuzui wanted to avoid this jutsu in the first place. Xyxer would see it coming and pull back on his punch as well as his right arm currently still holding onto the Kaguya. This was the option Kotsuzui was hoping for considering it meant he'd be unharmed. Had Xyxer pulled back and let go, Kotsuzui would instantly spin around to face him and being striking with all the bones on both his arms one punch after the other. Kotsuzui would use the bones protruding from his arm as a weapon to slice and puncture the Kage, following him if need be depending on where the man moved.

The second possible action was the Xyxer simply wouldn't be phased by the bones and went on with his strike. In that case, his right hand would become minced meat due to holding onto the Kaguya's bicep unless he managed to get the hand out in time. His left hand would possibly also sustain considerable damage. The bones would slice up the Kage's arm from his fingers up to about the mid portion of his forearm. But Kotsuzui wasn't worried about how much damage Xyxer may or may not sustain. No, he was worried about whether his bones would hold up against the punch of not. If they did, Kotsuzui would essentially follow up by turning towards Xyxer and striking with both his bones covered arms.

As Xyxer continued to maneuver around the Kaguya, his fist continuously closed the distance between himself and his head, thankfully faster than the bones could intercept. It didn't take too long before a soft crunch was heard, and the male's body was launched forwards as if he'd just been caught in the path of a charging bull.. which wasn't too far from the truth. As the bones had started to emerge from the body of the Kaguya, Xyxer's arm that was tucked into his bicep immediately left diagonally downwards in order to avoid the bones protruding from his body and arm, yet they'd still cut the sleeve of the shirt he happened to be wearing on this day. That would be enough, however, for Xyxer to see potential in this prospect. He looked towards his arm momentarily, then towards the crumpled boy, and immediately started striding towards the defenseless boy.

"Stomp on his head. Send a message to everyone." Came the gruff voice inside his mind, but he'd shake his head for now.
"He's not dying in such a way after having the balls to fight me." Xyxer retorted.
"We'll see."

Xyxer stalked around the unconscious Kaguya in a circle once, contemplating his actions. He wanted to punish the male, to harm him and make an example of the child before him.. but that wasn't honourable. The Mizukage would be incapable of calling himself an honourable samurai if he was to assault an unconscious man. No.. he'd keep this boy at his side for now. Crouching down beside the Kaguya, whose bones had finally retreated into his body, the monster wrapped a hand around the nape of his neck before carrying him over to the two girls and Samehada. He'd drop the body before the feet of Hikarii, nodding towards him. "Use the last of your energy to heal him, he's likely to die if he doesn't have any healing. You should probably heal yourself too." Xyxer requested, knowing full well that such damage caused to the back of the head was likely to lead to death if untreated. Especially from a man as strong as him.

With that, Xyxer proceeded to grab Samehada, pushing it into the body of Kotsuzui until he embraced it with a few parting words, granted he was conscious, "Keep a hold of Samehada until I say you can drop it. If you hurt my friend, I'll kill two of yours. Hikari, you keep hold of it too." He'd then pick up the drained Hokage, carrying her himself for what was going to be the final part of the invasion, which I'm sure everyone is glad to hear. He'd also instruct for Kiri shinobi to escort Hikari and Kotsuzui back towards the main area he was heading to, as well as to take any unconscious shinobi there. Yet Kotsuzui and Hikari weren't to be returned to his people, they were to be watched over and kept in the lines of Kirigakure, for now.

[Exit to the main topic when I get the muse]

Full drainage of Risako w/ his permission

110% angery. Unable to really do anything while Samehada was wrapped around her, Ris more or less sat there while her blade was used to kill her ANBU. The body fell across her chest and Samehada, and over time the two would be soaked in Anri's blood. Eventually Hikari was brought over to heal Kotsuzui, where he was made to battle with Xyxer before being taken prisoner. At this point she felt indifferent, and the situation was beyond her control. After the fight between the two, Xyxer had come to pick up Ris, in a manner she didn't much care for. Samehada had sucked away most, but not all of her chakra. Allowing her head to go limp, she stared off into the sky as she was hauled to whatever destination Xyxer wished to take her. Yu gave the man a wide berth as he followed the two.

[Allowing most of her AP to be drained u cuck]

The events that unfolded after Hikari healed Kotsuzui went by in a blur to the white haired Hyuuga. After she healed Kots and gave her name to the Mizukage, he nodded his head in acknowledgement of her. She hadn’t expected him to pay her any attention despite him asking for their names, as she was a lowly medic who couldn’t even protect herself and save her comrades. It was then, as she gripped the hilt of the chakra stealing blade belonging to Xyxer, that the Kaguya and the Mizukage began conversing, lasting but a brief moment in time before the Mizukage placed the sword at his belt within the earth, giving Kots a chance to do something, what that something was remained a mystery to the girl. Was he to use the sword, or was it a signal they would fight with only their bare hands and their jutsu?

The fighting began, neither side giving in to the other, both men wanting to become victorious. However, it was clear to see the Mizukage reacted more quickly than the Kaguya, countering every move or jutsu he threw his way. Even when Kots used interesting, and unexpected, bone jutsu, the Mizukage was able to easily deflect the attack and use Kots’ own attacks against himself. Their battle continued with missed punches and blocked attacks, neither side fatally wounding the other, until Kots countered the Mizukage’s jab at him, trying to intercept the arm with his knee and elbow. Unfortunately for him, the Kage was able to see his movements and changed the trajectory of his body, able to avoid the pink haired man’s bone jutsu as he continuously rammed his fist into his head. As bones sprouted around the Kaguya’s body, the Mizukage pulled back his arm, the bones just missing his skin as they scraped across the sleeve of the clothing he wore. During that moment the man began to fall, the injuries to his head far too great for his body to handle.

He hit the mud with a loud splash, his unconscious form reminiscent to Salzem, and Hikari briefly wondered if his legs would also be taken and if that were a Kirigakure tradition. Luckily it seemed no such thing would happen as the Mizukage paced around him, silently observing him as if he were making up his mind about what to do with him. It didn’t take long for him to decide as he crouched down to pick up the fallen Konohagakure shinobi by his neck, in nearly the same fashion as he had carried Hikari, and dropped him off in front of her, luckily not causing any more damage to the shinobi as he was dropped. The Mizukage requested she heal Kots, and herself, bringing secret joy to the small woman at being able to save him. She quickly made the ox and tiger hand signs, her palms glowing the same blue hue as when she first healed Kots.

With her palms on opposite sides of his head, where he sustained the most damage, she set to work healing him with her Mystical Palm technique, speeding up his body’s natural healing process as her chakra flowed through his body. It took about a minute or two to completely heal his wounds and awaken him from his brief slumber. Due to her healing and how fast she was able to administer it, he would not feel any pain nor would he feel any signs of a concussion, his body good as new once again. Then, with her hands still glowing, she would heal her hamstrings, finally relieving the ache in her thighs and stopping the blood loss, thankfully just in time as she had started to feel a little light headed. She healed herself at the same time as the Mizukage handing Kots his friend, Samehada, and demanding he treat it with care lest he sacrifice the lives of two shinobi.

Hikari, deactivated her jutsu as all the necessary healing was completed, took ahold of Samehada, just as Kots most likely had as well. She felt the same pull on her chakra as she had before, thankful she had a large reserve of chakra to keep her from fainting or barely remaining conscious. It was then that they were lead to the main stage, her pupil-less eyes watching the Mizukage carry their Hokage across the battlefield, hearing the sounds of fighting die out as he signalled an end to the war.

They had lost, with many shinobi being greatly wounded due to the invasion.

It was a grave day in history for Konohagakure, marking their fall to the Hidden Mist.

(Exit to main topic)
(Although it doesn't entirely matter, +50ap to Kots XD)
(TWC: 2,317)
(AP remaining: 196)

One moment the Kaguya was engaged in combat with the Mizukage, the next he was waking up while laying in the mud beside both Risako and Hikari. Fortunately he woke up without an ounce of pain due to Hikari's healing. It took him a moment to gather himself and figure out what exactly was going on. But the moment his eyes came into contact with Xyxer standing above the three of them, it all came back to him. Xyxer had knocked him out with the punch Kotsuzui failed to stop, a punch that was likely to kill him had Hikari not healed it. But for him to be here, healed by Hikari meant that Xyxer had him healed. Again. What reason could he have for wanting to keep Kotsuzui alive? Perhaps it was to keep him alive just a little while longer so the Kaguya could witness whatever he had planned next. The ending to his little game. 

Kotsuzui got back up to his feet as Xyxer spoke to him. He made no attempt at striking the Kage. He had his chance to fight the man and he lost. It was quite clear the war was over and Konoha had lost. Technically Xyxer had won the war the moment he defeated Risako. Though he seemed to enjoy his game a little to much before ending it. In all his efforts Kotsuzui had failed his village. Perhaps that is why Xyxer kept him alive, so he couldn't escape his failures. The Kaguya did as he was bid, grabbing the hilt of Samehada. The moment he did so he felt his energy being drained by the massive sword, finally understanding why he kept telling people to hold onto it. Hikari was instructed to do the same as Xyxer picked up Risako and proceeded to walk through the battle field. This was likely to be his final act in his game, and he was making sure all were apart of it. At that time Kiri forces surrounded Kotsuzui and Hikari making sure they did as they were told. With that the two Konoha nin were lead back to where the main forces were, but not with their own people.

[EXIT]