The God of Lightning and the Demon Speaks!

The Demon and his entourage entered the village, the Raikage and his own grouped along with. The demon took noticed of a strange, subtle feeling within himself the moment he entered the village. “I see…interesting.” He thought to himself. Whatever that sensation was, he caught on to it almost immediately.

Navigating through the streets of the Suna village, he would be seen by many eyes of the villages, and even some of the shinobi that were expected to defend it. His Sharingan taking notice of them, as he continue with his posse. As some point he was assured that Musu was the first and very last stand for them. There was nothing stopping him from taking the village once he was within it. They had nothing else, no one to be the obstacle to prevent it. He would be impressed if they could stand against him, Yachiru and another Kage.

The group would find their way to the Kazekage building, then the chambers. People moving out of his way, recognizing him as the Demon. Entering the chambers he came to a sudden stop, there before him was a young man and two other people. The man stood at 6 ft, long dark hair with tints of blue, an eyepatch over his right eye that possessed a flicker of white/silver wisps of flames. The man spotted a white kimono, tattoos and lilac eye. He stood before a young boy and girl. If the Demon had to guess, those two were twins.

“Aokidanza Senju…Demon of the Shinobi lands. You’ve killed Lord Musu, what else is there that you want?”

The man asked, his stance was calm, but the Demon could tell that his reflexes were sharp. Standing 15 meters away from those already within the chambers, who were in the middle of the room. He knew who this man was. A small grin formed that evolved into a malicious smile.

“Hyuuga Souji, Prince of the Sands. I’ve heard you put down your fists for conflict and picked up your hat for diplomacy.”

He said, bypassing the question. Souji slightly narrowed his eyes as he then glanced and noticed Yachiru and then Ichigo. He then pieced the two together.

“I see, so you’re here to take the village for yourself…and the Raikage over there is here to reap the rewards of Suna’s loss. Whatever, do what you want, but I will not allow you two lay a finger on these two. Do you understand, Devil?”

He said, his tone still quite calm, but the demeanor was definitely dark. The Demon liked that. Yachiru giggled as she stepped into the room, she approached the Hyuuga, looking up at him, into his eye. She found him to be a handsome young man, but she wouldn’t hesitate to kill him. But Souji felt exactly the same towards her, all of them. He would do any and everything to protect his brother and sister.

The demon would then step into the room, his hands shown as a sign of offering peace. He stepped close and Yachiru stepped aside.

“You think I am here to harm you, or them? You should know that if that was the case we wouldn’t be having this conversation. You know, like I do about the rules of this world. The cost of invasion on another village. The price one side pays for failure. I am here to protect you. Nothing more than that.”

His mention of invasion would strike the Hyuuga. He had no idea that Aokidanza knew about that. His eye waver a bit. He understood that he couldn’t take Aokidanza on while trying to protect Michio and Chiyoko too. He would grunt as he tilted his head. Pointing to the far right wall and gave them a code to unlock it. He knew what mercy was, felt the same when Murata captured him. She was kind to him the entire process, and for a Demon he wasn’t showing any malice when he spoke those words.

The Demon would smile as he looked at Souji. Then turning to Yachiru to take care of the wall and code. Looking back and turning to face the Raikage.

“Now, where were we?”

He inquired, at the back of his mind he knew that he was going to take these three with him.

AP: 2000/2000
Sharingan: -10 AP
Natural Berserker: +10 AP
NE Stack: 1/6

Blood painted the sand, the battle's aftermath turning the dirt into red. The life of Sunagakure's sole defender had come to an end, leaving him with nothing but honor. Was he the only one willing to fight for his village or was there no one else capable of trying to do the same? Only the wheel of time would tell. Regardless of which one it would turn out to be, that decision alone sealed their fate. No one would remember their names, not a single song would be written about them. In the end, they were nothing more than a simple footnote.

As the group entered the village of Sunagakure they were met with zero resistance, not a single person coming out to greet or oppose them. "Awfully quiet, despite the commotion". The people remained silent, hiding in their houses or lurking from behind the sandy walls. In the meantime Ichigo made sure to send Hiroki on reconnaissance to scout and explore, potentially allowing them to learn more about the reason why only a single person showed up to defend their home. "Almost feels like a ghost town" the Raikage softly spoke. With nothing else to say he continued to follow behind until they arrived at what appeared to be the Spire.

Once inside the Kazekage building and having entered the chambers they were finally greeted in some capacity, Ichigo recognizing one of the three people standing in front of them. "I see you survived, good" the Drunken Storm remained cryptic, no one else besides the two of them present during the most recent Kage Summit that ended rather abruptly. "Now, where do they keep the sake?" he wondered out loud, making his way to the table before sitting down. Doing so, he placed his Leviathan Axe on top of the desk, his lilac eye underneath the mask continuing to scan the surrounding area in case someone ended up retaliating after all. 

Once the Hokage joined him he would pick up where they left earlier. "As we discussed, a letter from Volcano reached both of our chambers" Ichigo started off, once more mentioning the invitation to a ball and summit hosted by Ketsuekigakure. But ever since receiving said message things remained quiet on all fronts. "Either they never had any ships to begin with, or I have reason to be suspicious". It wouldn't be the first time someone made an attempt against his life, all the more reason for Ichigo to consider foul play.

(WC: 414)

- 10 AP Byakugan
+ 10 AP Natural Berserker

+ 1 Nature Stack

Nature Stacks: 1/6

On the walk back to The Spire, the large tower at the epicenter of Sunagakure where he last saw Ichigo and the Hokage walk into, the Kumo nin who had been sent out to gather intel on the village would pass by many of it’s sites along the way. Some rather intriguing. Primarily the chamber that was near the training grounds, it was some kind of technological wonder that hadn’t been seen by the shinobi before, so it was one of the more noteworthy things. Several others included the neighboring Library, Hospital, and Residential District. But, what made them stand out wasn’t necessarily lying within the fact that they were more advanced than that of what he’s already seen, but moreso of a lack of any activity. A desolate place, where the only movement practically was the sand that would casually glide along the wind every now and then. Then there was the matter of a potential weak spot when it came down to the village’s defenses which would need to be discussed with the Raikage.

All in due time too.

Hiroki would eventually find himself now at the base of the spire, with a man in tow. Another corpse sealed away within the scroll attached to his belt. To avoid potential unwanted questioning from anyone waiting within the lobby area, the lad would start to climb up the side of the tower via his pirate boots; the broken man now being carried in front of his body instead of a fireman carry. Inevitably on the trek up, the sealer would start to sense the presence of Ichigo and five other people. Casually, young Roki would stride in through the open air window. Stepping as if he was about to step into a hole, but would let his weight fall and shift so his foot would hit the edge; causing him to be standing upright again. Slightly ducked, narrowly yet skillfully avoiding an accidental head bashing upon this entry.

Natural and striking blue eyes would be casted amongst the group currently within the room. Upon seeing who all was in there and denoting that it was safe to do so, the Chunin would then walk on into the room. With the shinobi still being carried, and whatever Lord Ichigo just spoke about would come to it’s end, the Raiju would then speak in turn ”Lord Raikage. Lord Hokage.” His electric blue eyes would then turn to the others, offering all a head nod to address them as well out of formality, since he didn’t know how to otherwise address the four. ”It would seem as if the force of Sunagakure is somewhat quelled as of this moment. Judging from the looks of things, it would almost appear to me that their strongest of members have already up and left or are otherwise just nowhere to be seen, my Lords. This is based on both seeing the lack of activity within the town, and the…fight if one could even call it that…against these two. One left alive, the other dead.” To offer more insight against the two in question, he’d slightly gesture by shifting his stance to display the Corpse Storage Scroll along his waist.

”And, there is more. If I may continue.”

WC: 542

Nature Stacks: 1/6

The Oni had finally arrived. The clanking of armor on his right arm would herald his return from the top of the tower and into the Kazekage's office as he opened the door if it had been shut and looked into the room. Sunset colored eyes would scan the room for a moment as his left hand rested on the hilt of his sword and walked in at the end of the conversation. He did not particularly give any notice to Hiroki though he did look to the Raikage moreso his sword before turning his attention back to Aoki and giving a small smile," I have finished my sweep of this spire and its outer areas. It would seem that there were a few shinobi still holed up inside of this place, i have taken the liberty of removing those that resisted and capturing those that did not," to his point he would bring a scroll over to the Hokage, stopping 3 meters before him and unsealing the scroll that had the body of Raijin. The body would return back to the world of the living on the scroll itself before stepping back and also putting seventy-five thousand ryo and the rest of the males belongings minus the armor and continued," There are no longer any other forces occupying this area," that would be the summary of his report as he stood up and stepped back 2 meters, his eyes remaining on Raijin to see if they would try anything. If not their lives would be placed in the hands of his Master.

Yachiru, opening the vault, peering within she would take note of the village funds and a few scrolls. Understanding her role, and her lord’s desires she would take the funds that were displayed to be within a scroll and then take up to only 3 village secrets. Leaving the rest for the village and the next phase of this visit. She would return to Aokidanza as she place all four scrolls within his possession, at which he would conceal on his person, but not before taking a look at them. He was impressed that the village held such a thing, and as his Sharingan read them it was as if he immediately integrated them into his personal arsenal.

The Raikage spoke, and as he did Yachiru moved to stand near Souji and the twin Chinoike clan members. The mention of sake would catch Souji’s ear and he would point to the Kazekage desk, middle draw. Aokidanza would take heed to this and collect the sake before taking a seat with Ichigo, taking the liberty of opening, smelling for any indication of foul play, then pouring both a cup once he was satisfied. Their conversation continues…

“It never bolds well when a village rises so fast, with all the buzz around them, only to go silent just as quick. So I do not believe that your suspicions are misplaced, Lord Raikage. Perhaps we should investigate after you have come for what your seek here.”

He picked up his cup, gesturing it for a toast as he would take it back. Feeling the sensational burn slide back within his throat as he felt the soothing kick in his chest. That was top notch stuff, he would pour himself another, as well as the Raikage once he was done his first.

“Though, I must be honest with you, I’m a bit surprised that you are even here. It’s not common for a Raikage to step foot outside of their village walls, and you’ve seen to have come quite a ways for some business that you are remaining to keep cryptic. I do not need to see your face or influxes of your muscles to detect that you are being short with me.”

It was then that both Iscarot and Hiroki entered from their reconnaissance of the village, not without spoils it would seem. The Sharingan of the Demon would shift to them both. Apparently they found some shinobi during their investigation and took it upon themselves to capture them, dead and alive. There was one that appeared to be on deaths door, such injuries were impressive. But wasted on the likes of someone like this. While Iscarot took the liberty to unseal one from a scroll before then some meters away. While placing ryo and items on the desk, at which point Yachiru collected and secured.

Aokidanza would look to Souji, their eyes would meet, it was clear that Souji was hesitant to cooperate, but immediately gave in once he notice that it would be futile to withhold information from them.

“The one that’s laying there with the broken limbs is Asuka Shimizu. The one that’s dead is Asami Senju. The one that came from the scroll is Raijin Hidemori. He’s…actually one of our high ranking Chuunin.”

His words piqued the interest of Aokidanza. Which caused the Demon to stand again. Walking over to Asuka and glancing over to the Raikage.

“You don’t mind if I take this one, do you?”

The question was rhetorical, he was going to take the living ones either way. Pulling out a Deddo scroll from his person, unraveling it and placing it next to him. One hand on the scroll and the other on his chest, Asuka’s. Channeling chakra he would seal the broken man away. Taking the scroll and putting it away. He would then nod to Iscarot to reseal the other and give the scroll to Yachiru. As for the dead one, he would glance over at Ichigo.

“Do you have a need for the dead?”

He asked, almost amusingly.

AP: 1950/2000
Sharingan: -10 AP
Natural Berserker: +10 AP
NE Stack: 2/6
Deddo Scroll: -50 AP (Sealing Asuka within it)
Accepting Deddo Scroll with sealed Raijin within it.
Accepting 75,000 ryo and all of Raijin’s equipment except the LE that is in Iscarot’s possession.

Asuka was coming to, very slowly. The first thing the young man registered was numbness. He couldn’t feel his legs at all, which was more than a little concerning. The second thing to hit was the pain. His arms were definitely dislocated, and while he couldn’t feel his legs, he assumed they had to be in a similar state. The young man very carefully did not move, unsure of exactly where he was. He only knew that people were talking, above him. Doing his beast not to groan, he opened his eyes just a tiny sliver, barely enough to see through the lashes. The voices of whoever was in the room were cutting in and out, his hearing imperfect in the face of the extreme trauma his body had already faced. It was the work of all his pain tolerance to not tremble where he was. With some difficulty, he managed to make out a figure that was apparently holding him. If he was being held, he couldn’t feel it at all.

The voices cut back in enough for Asuka’s heartbeat to accelerate mightily, a voice saying something about taking “this one.” He could only presume it was him. Just barely able to see through the slots that were his eyes, a figure, definitely a man, approached him and put a hand on his chest. He didn’t know what the man wanted from him, but it wasn’t good. He couldn’t do anything else with his arms and legs firmly disabled, so he cast his strongest sealless jutsu in an attempt to buy some time: Chakra Enhanced Strength.

-40 AP Chakra Enhanced Strength, resisting being sealed.

AP: 1492/1,532

Keeping a watchful eye on everyone and anything in the room Ichigo remained seated at the table, noticing how the Hokage walked over to the Kazekage's desk after the young man going by the name of Souji informed him of the sake's location. The leader of the Leaf then sat down opposite of himself, pouring the two of them a drink. "Let's see if their alcohol has a stronger punch than their shinobi" the Drunken Storm toasted. He placed the cup in front of him, not removing his helmet just yet until he could be completely certain that no unpleasant surprise would find its way to the Spire. 

In the meantime the Hokage inquired about Ichigo's visit to the Land of Wind once more but before the Raikage could even consider replying they were suddenly interrupted by the arrival of both their companions. "Good job" he voiced upon being informed of the situation as well as noticing the corpse storage scroll and the body held in Hiroki's arms. "Put him down, no need to stand there with your hands full". After the Konohagakure swordsman offered his spoils to Aokidanza the latter would look in Souji's direction, to which the young man informed them about the identity of the Sunagakure shinobi. 

Having gained some additional knowledge Ichigo then noticed how the Hokage moved his body in order to stand up. "One moment please" he interrupted his fellow Kage, stopping the man in the process. "Why not leave the honor to one of your subordinates?" Ichigo suggested. "You there" the Drunken Storm addressed Iscarot. Aware the Konohagakure delegation had something in store for the two surviving members of Sunagakure, the Raikage couldn't help but think things were proceeding rather tame. "If you could, you would probably take my sword with you to bed" he referred to the couple of times he caught the Ogre drooling over Dainsleif. 

He put his hand around the blade's handle before directing himself to Iscarot once more. "Here, use it to check on that one's condition however you wish, with your Kage's permission of course". Should they both agree Ichigo would then allow the Leaf shinobi to pick up Dainsleif and put it to good use. 

(WC: 369, TWC: 783)

- 10 AP Byakugan
+ 10 AP Natural Berserker

+ 1 Nature Stack

Nature Stacks: 2/6

Doing as the Raikage would mention, Hiroki would set the Genin down in front of the man who had begun to approach. But, not before he would notice that the captured had begun to wake up. Upon leaving them on the ground, the Shimadan brother would hover over the body for a second; before moving his hands up to their eyes, and fully close the lids. ”Rest easy now, your fate is almost upon you.” Then he’d rise from the semi kneeling position in which the half-red haired lad would have had to take in order to set the body down, and peer into the eyes of his Kage. Slightly tilting them to glance back at Aoki, Hiroki’s right hand would grab the corpse storage scroll along with a Senju organ that he had found on Asuka, and place it next to the other spoils attained by the other Kono nin, Iscarot, who was sent around the village. ”I guess it’s up to you two who gets these then as well.”

After this was done, he’d then make his way back over to the window. Very easily and casually, he’d withdraw his quarterstaff from his back; fluid movements assuredly being made to make it a clear point that this was only being done so Roki could sit against the window sill without breaking the implement. Placing it in front of himself, it would rest there, both hands perched and leaned over the top of it. He knew since the info in which he still had wasn’t dire or urgent, so since nothing was mentioned on it, the Chunin didn’t speak up about it. At least, not in this moment.

Instead, the man would just arbitrarily sit there. Watching as the interactions unfurled before him. Doing so vigilantly in the off chance a move was made by anyone in the room.

WC: 310
TWC: 852

Nature Stacks: 2/6
Removing Corpse Storage Scroll (Asami Senju) and 1 Senju Organ from Inventory

There was a sense of fulfillment that had been in the mind of Iscarot as he stood up and moved the required distance from Aoki, his eyes resting upon the others in the room and more importantly the captives of war that were now displayed for all to see. The ninja that had came with the Raikage had brought in two, one dead and one seemingly alive, which was as good as they were going to get for the moment. Four bodies. An interesting deal to be made for sure. Though as he remained in his station he could feel a slight fluctuation from one of the bodies as Aoki attempted to seal the body away. Was this resistance from the inevitable? Surely they knew that they were going against the Will of the Demon which meant that their life was now forfeit. What once would have kept them alive would now be there undoing as Iscarot looked over to the Raikage who had addressed him and chuckled in amusement. He slowly moved over to the male who had leaned the handle of his colossal blade toward him, moving to the right and forward to where his body would be 2 meters from Asuka as he left hand extended for the handle," You are an amusing one Lord Raikage. As a...previous weaponsmith i have a good idea and appreciation for fine weapons, yours is no different. You have granted me the chance to wield it, if not for such a brief period of time so I thank you," as he spoke the blade would be grabbed and swung with a precision that was almost ingenious. He would swing the sword in a circular motion of course making sure that neither Aoki, Ichigo nor Hiroki would be clipped or cut with the massive blade before pushing the tip of the sword directly through the throat of Asuka who would have still been on his life side.

The sword would sing such a sweet song as it cut through tendon, skin and meat severing the head from the body perfectly. While he did this action in a slow, almost artistic way his strength would cause some of the blade to go through the flooring which amused him. As he pulled the sword out of the ground it would shine with the sheen of crimson as he reached into his uniform and pulled out a white cloth and cleaned the giant blade before returning it to its owner," You have quite the magnificent blade. Thank you," As the blade was taken he would look back down to the body and shrug," Had they just accepted their fate they would see another day probably. Now they will see no longer," he'd from there return back to where he had been previously to allow the conversation to continue.

473 WC

The sensation of all atrocities known to mankind ebbed from the being known as The Ghost of the Senju, inching towards the unconscious shinobi, so he thought. Words of caution left the lips of his fellow Kage, at which the Demon stopped, glancing over to where he was still seated. It was clear, that there was more to Ichigo than meets the eye, but it would be wise to heed his request. And so, Aokidanza did, as his blood curling intentions faded from the room. The Raikage offered a better route, one that fit the occasion.

“Very well.”

He would oblige, returning to his seat, Yachiru and the three she was standing before stepped away from the middle of the room to the desk, far from where Hiroki placed the waking man. Aokidanza took note of this. At which point Iscarot took pleasure in what he did next. A beautiful display of his swordsmanship, the Ushitora, though despite their devilish appearances, they are truly masterful with steel both in the forge and on the field of battle. To dance with one in swordplay would be to court death. The beheading would be swift and seemingly painless considering the state of the incapacitated.

“Quite the showcase, Iscarot. And you have my thanks, Lord Raikage.”

The Hokage would then take a seat as he picked up his sake for another drink. His Sharingan would trail over to Iscarot, he was proud of him, quite proud.

“Iscarot, you have exceeded my expectations of you on this day. But I require your talents elsewhere. Please, see to this villages gates and man it for the meantime. I will find you when we are done here.”

Turning his attention over to the kumogakure shinobi, Hiroki.

“With your Raikage’s permission, I would like for you to accompany him there. One can never be too cautious, am I right?”

With that he would turn to face the Raikage, it was time to complete their discussion.

AP: 2000/2000
Sharingan: -10 AP
Natural Berserker: +10 AP
NE Stack: 3/6
Deddo Scroll: +50 AP due to Ichigo stopping Aokidanza from using it.