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All members of the Necros clan bear a similar ancestor: Zenkuron. Zenkuron was a skilled Demon Hunter of unprecedented renown, who traveled the globe to vanquish malevolent beasts. Upon his journeys, there were three demons that he was unable to slay: the spirit of fire, the spirit of sand, and the spirit of shadow. Unable to totally slay these beasts, Zenkuron trapped them within his own body, fusing them with his own life force. Zenkuron knew that he would never be able to defeat these demons in his lifetime. His only plan was to seal them away for several years, and train the future generations to combat these demons. He became a Shinobi Sage, sharing his gifts with the people of the world so that they could use them against the demons in the future. He traveled to the Leaf Village and shared with them the blessing of fire, giving the land its namesake. He then trekked to the Land of Wind and gave them the blessing of sand, allowing the denizens to survive within the harsh desert terrain. He would keep the art of shadow to himself, fearing that others would use it for evil purposes.

During these journeys, Zenkuron had also been putting his ultimate plan into motion. Instead of sealing the demons away into an artifact and risking that evil men would use them as weapons, Zenkuron would trap the demons within his own children. He put a special spell on the demons so that they would remain dormant for 200 years, resting peacefully within the bellies of his descendants. Since he fused the demons with his own life force, the three demons would be passed down with each individual child he bore. The sand demon was passed down to his first son, Teramaru. The shadow demon was passed down to Umbramaru, his second son. The fire demon was passed down to his third son, Ignimaru. Sadly, since the demons were fused with Zenkuron's life force, he was severely crippled after passing them on to his sons.

It was soon after that Zenkuron's jealous brother, Sotenra, discovered Zenkuron's plan to seal away the demons within his children. In a fit of rage, Sotenra killed Zenkuron. Sotenra then waited for the three children to be born, hoping that he could steal their powers. It was then that the lands of Fire and Wind sought to hunt down Sotenra and avenge the fallen Zenkuron. Sotenra was forced to go into hiding for several years, never to return for thirty long years. After that time, the stories of Zenkuron had been nearly forgotten, and many folk believed he was simply a myth. Sotenra returned to Zenkuron's home and sought to steal the demons from his sons. However, he quickly found that they too had passed the demons down into their respective wives, and hid the maidens away. Sotenra then killed Teramaru, Umbramaru, and Ignimaru.

Knowing that he would not live long enough to hunt for these three maidens, Sotenra began to search for immortality. He searched for many years, until he was a crippled old man, but never found the secret of eternal life. He disappeared into the mountains and lived the last years of his dwindling life as a hermit, cursing the name Zenkuron.

The Necros Clan is made up of the families that branch from Zenkuron's three sons. Having such thin roots, it is understandable that the Necros Clan would have so few descendants. It is also noteworthy that Necros men would have children for the sole purpose of passing on the demons, hoping that they would not be the unlucky generation to watch the demons awaken. Because of this, most Necros families were reserved to one child. Eventually the stories of Zenkuron became myth even among his descendants. The children who would finally bear the demons' curse did not even know the name of their forefather. This is the tale of those three children who all came from Zenkuron. Their names were Zenton, Kuro, and Sojan.

Part I

The Demons' Keeper

"I still don't understand why I have to watch these little wretches," Daijou whined, "I've spent twenty years serving you, Lord Kazekage. I'm a Special Jounin, not a babysitter!"

"I've grown to trust you over these last few years, Daijou, and that is why I'm tasking you with watching over these boys," Kazekage Gaara III explained, his fingers crossed, "It's not like I want you to be their guardian. This is basically a reconnaissance mission. I want you to record these children's actions and tell me if they truly bears these…special traits," he said gingerly, trying to put the matter lightly,

Daijou sighed,

"Only for you, Lord Kazekage,"

Daijou had been in this organization too long to be tasked with a job like this. He had even served the formed Kazekage, Gaara II. Even though he despised this job…he understood why Gaara III was so troubled with these boys. It's not every day that a thirteen-year old boy demolishes a Chuunin Exam arena…

"What's the plan, Zenton?"

"We need to ascend through the ranks if we ever want to make something of ourselves. We're never going to get anywhere as Genin. We need all three of us to become Chuunin,"

"Uhuh? So basically just punch the other guy really hard?" Sojan smirked, cracking his knuckles,

Zenton sighed from his partner's lack of subtlety,

"Yes Sojan, just…just punch him as hard as you can," Zenton gulped, immediately wishing he had not said such a thing. He tried to call Sojan back and take back his words, but the wily boy had already departed to the arena.

Sojan was wearing a short-sleeved black shirt, his hands taped like a boxer. He wore a headband with an extra-long knot in the back that flowed through the wind. His hair was black, and spiked high.

Sojan looked at his opponent with disappointment. He had thin arms and legs, almost to the point of looking sickly, and wore an eye patch. He looked a bit older than Sojan, meaning he had tried and failed the Chuunin exams prior. Sojan looked up at Kazekage Gaara III and Hokage Moy, who were sitting in a sort of spectator's booth.

"Hoy! Kages!" Sojan called up to them, interrupting the proctor who was about to start the match, "Any chance I can get someone else to fight? Maybe someone with more meat on their bones?"

The two kages each raised an eyebrow in confusion, and the proctor did not wait for Sojan any longer. The match started, and the other genin tried to hit Sojan with a cheap shot while he was not looking. Sojan grabbed his opponent's hand and flung him to the side without even looking at him, still matching eyes with the two kages, "I mean this is just ridiculous! I demand to be given a decent challenger! How am I supposed to show what I'm capable of? This guy is gonna die before I even get to the good stuff!"

The genin tried to attack Sojan from behind this time, having gotten back on his feet while Sojan complained to the kages. Sojan did a backflip over the genin as he leaned in to punch, landing with catlike grace behind the man. Sojan delivered a clean punch to the genin's spine, making him drop instantly. The crowd gasped, "Don't worry I didn't kill the guy! Sheesh!" Sojan walked back to the stands without hearing the proctor's official ruling. Zenton was waiting for him,

"I was afraid you were going to actually punch him as hard as you could…" Zenton sighed; sweat dripping down his brow,

"Nah, I want to save my talent for a worthy opponent. It should be a momentous occasion when the world sees what I can do," Sojan bragged,

"Sojan! The world isn't ready to know what we are. Once we rise through the ranks, we can become heroes in their eyes. Maybe if we perform enough good deeds…they'll accept us despite everything else…" Zenton paused for a moment, "Just don't go overboard in the next round, alright? Just win the match and be done with it. I don't want to cause a scene,"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say,"

It was now Zenton's turn to take the battlefield. His opponent was just about the opposite of Sojan's. He was bulky beyond belief, with biceps the size of watermelons. His head was shaved and he had a scar on his cheek. He did not wear a shirt, but this could be because no shirt would fit around those colossal arms. The proctor started the match, and the bulky man leapt forward. It was a quick blast from his fingertip. Zenton shot a small bolt of chakra from his forefinger and middle finger, hitting the man in the chest and sending him backwards. There were lines in the sand where his feet had dragged along the ground. He tried to run at Zenton again, but suddenly tripped. Though no one in the audience could have noticed it, the sand around the man's feet had shifted ever so slightly and made him fall on his face. Zenton placed his hand on the man's back and sent a burst of chakra into his body, making him writhe in pain for a split second and then pass out. Zenton gave a slight bow of respect and waited for the proctor to announce his victory before leaving,

"Nice job, hot shot," Sojan chuckled, "Care to make it even more muted?"

"Unlike you, I'm trying to remain incognito. Subtlety is our top priority," Zenton looked around, "Have you seen Kuro anywhere?"

Sojan shrugged, lounging in his chair with his hands behind his head. Zenton grunted with irritation,

"I'm here," Kuro said unceremoniously, passing Zenton without stopping and making his way towards the battlefield,

"What took you so long? It's imperative that we all pass today!"

Kuro did not stop to acknowledge Zenton and continued into the arena. Kuro ended the match as quickly as the proctor had started it. Before his opponent could even move, his arm was lopped off by some invisible force. He screamed in pain, and the proctor announced Kuro to be the victor. Kuro left the arena and walked past Sojan and Zenton. Zenton held Kuro's arm and stopped him, "What are you doing, Kuro? You'll only call attention to yourself with actions like that,"

"You told me at the beginning of these exams to follow two rules: don't kill unless absolutely necessary and don't do anything extravagant. I did neither of those things. If anyone deserves a stern lecture it's Sojan,"

Sojan opened his eyes upon hearing his name. He rubbed his eye and stood up,

"What happened? Is it my turn to fight?" he mumbled laxly, yawning,

"Sojan doesn't know any better. I expect better from you Kuro! You should know not to be so merciless out there,"

Kuro rolled his eyes and continued walking out.

A few more matches passed and soon enough the second round of the exams were upon them. Eventually it was time for Sojan to battle once again. He smiled wickedly and crackles his knuckles,

"This guy better be more of a challenge!"

Sojan promenaded into the battlefield with utmost vigor and pride. He looked at his opponent. He wore a bloodstained white shirt and a Sand Village headband around his arm. The proctor started the match. Before Sojan could respond, the other person stomped his foot onto the ground hard enough to make sand fly into the air. Sojan's visibility had fallen, but that was only the first of his worries. He raised his arm to keep the sand out of his eyes, and quickly received a blow to the stomach. It was a small kunai, and had managed to pierce his abdominals. Sojan winced, more in anger than pain, and looked around to try and find his opponent. He then received another kunai in the shoulder blade. He turned around angrily, snorting like a bull. His opponent appeared suddenly at his side, gliding through the air and trying to perform a jump kick. Sojan grabbed his foot and slammed him into the ground.

Zenton was watching from the stands, his abilities allowing him to see through the veil of sand. He gulped. It was never a good thing when someone managed to ignite Sojan's temper. Sojan watched as the man he grabbed turned into sand. He grinded his teeth and growled as another kunai struck him in the lower back. Small embers flickered around the tiny scar under Sojan's eye. The scar was barely noticeable before, but now it had grown longer and changed to a dusk black color. The end of Sojan's tape began to flicker like a fuse. A kunai raced towards his head, but he caught it in mid-air. He looked towards the direction of the kunai, smoke streaming out of his eyes as if they were balls of fire. A sudden wave of flames exploded from the boy, turning all the loose sand into fine powdery glass. With the veil of sand dispersed, Sojan looked to his opponent. The other ninja seemed horrified at Sojan's power. He got on his knees,

"I surrender! I forfeit! You win the match!" he begged,

"The winner is Soja-" the proctor started, but Sojan was not done,

Sojan raced at the other genin, grabbing his face and crushing it in his hands,

"I'm not done with you…" he growled, his hands burning with enough heat to sear the other boy's skin.

Sojan threw the genin into the stands, making him crash through the audience's seats. The stands slowly began to collapse, the foundations shaking. People began to flee as Sojan raced after the boy again. He grabbed him by the arm and threw him back into the arena. Zenton and the two Kages watched with absolute horror as the arena grounds were torn apart. Sojan smashed the other genin's face against the battlefield walls, running in a circle and dragging him through the marble. By now the stands were reduced to wreckage, the only thing remaining was a single row of seats and the Kages' booth. Zenton had a responsibility to uphold…so he was the only person left in the audience after everyone else fled. Sojan started to gasp for breath, the fires around him subsiding. He exhaled deeply and looked around. He looked at Zenton somewhat shamefully.

Daijou went to the Sunakagure prison to visit the little freak. When he arrived, Sojan was talking to the other boy in the exams, the one named Zenton. There was another boy present, he had white hair and wore black robes. Daijou had seen him participate in the exams, but only briefly.

"-I'm not saying I'm gonna break out! I just want these guards to know that I could if I wanted to. It's a matter of respect," Sojan said, crossing his arms,

"If you do that they'll just move you into tighter lockup. Probably won't even let you have visitors,"

"It'd be a shame if we missed the pleasure of visiting you…" the white-haired boy gurgled sarcastically,

"Stop it Kuro. Talk like that is the last thing we need right now!"

Daijou walked towards the three boys, trying to act as professionally as he could,

"Good evening, boys. My name is Kuripa Daijou and I represent the Kazekage. He's given me the task of looking after you boys until further notice," he revealed a small key from his sleeve and opened Sojan's cell, "The Kazekage has given you the privilege of an early release on the condition that you see him immediately,"

Sojan laughed walking out of his cell,

"The Kazekage thinks that he can release a volatile guy like me? And he expects me not to just run away? I'm surprised how much faith the guy has in me,"

"Not just you. All three of you have been summoned to the Kazekage's mansion,"

Sojan and Kuro looked each other with eyes of suspicion. Zenton simply bowed graciously,

"We would be honored," Zenton said humbly,

The small group traveled to the Kazekage's mansion in silence. The tension in the air was practically palpable. They arrived at the gallant palace within about a half-hour's journey and were quickly ushered inside. The place was crawling with maids and butlers, who guided the group through the halls that wound like a maze. Eventually they came to Gaara III's office, where he sat behind a tall mahogany desk.

"Welcome, boys, I've been expecting you," Gaara announced pleasantly, "Please have a seat,"

"We'd rather stand, if it's all the same with you," Kuro said shortly,

Gaara shrugged, finding no difference,

"You are undoubtedly curious why I've brought you here," Gaara explained, disregarding any formalities, letting all three boys nod unanimously, "I want you all to know that I am aware of your secret," he leaned forward, knotting his fingers,

Kuro quickly reached for a sword hidden beneath his robes, but Zenton stopped him,

"And what secret might that be?" Zenton asked, standing firm,

"I know that you three boys hail from the Necros Clan. And that each of you harbors a dormant demon within your bodies,"

The boys remained silent, refusing to admit to anything…but also not refuting the Kazekage's claims, "Understand, I have no intention of harming you. Quite the opposite actually. I want to train you three to use your gifts for the greater good,"

"You wish to train us?"

"Well not personally, no. But I will be assigning you missions that will test your skills," he looked at the three of them gravely, "after seeing what happened at the arena today, I am fully aware of what you boys are capable of. I will not hesitate to give you B level missions, despite your age,"

"And why would we agree to this? It sounds like you want us to be weapons," Kuro growled skeptically,

"If you were willing to train under my supervision, I will grant each of you the rank of ANBU and all the perks that go with it. You would have access to resources and information that genin could never dream of,"

Zenton looked at Gaara curiously,

"It seems strange that you would place so much faith in our abilities after only seeing Sojan in battle. Are you basing all your faith on just that one incident, or will we need to prove ourselves in some other way?"

"Well yes and no. You'll be interested to know that I was observing your talents even before Sojan's little incident. I saw how you ever so discreetly moved the sand. And how you were able to slice off that man's arm without drawing your sword,"

Zenton and Kuro each felt sweat drip down their temples, "But no, I'm not going to start training you just based off what I saw. Before you can become my trainees and achieve ANBU rank, I want you to participate in this,"

Gaara III pulled up a small paper from behind his desk and slid it towards Zenton. It was a promotional flyer for the Tournament of Nations. A worldwide fighting contest that welcomed participants of any rank or background. Zenton looked at the flyer, and then back to Gaara.

"You want us to compete in a tournament?"

"Indeed. Daijou will act as your guardian and sensei, watching you throughout the tournament,"

"So we don't necessarily have to win, we just need to flaunt our talents?" Kuro asked,

Gaara laughed a bit,

"Well…I suppose technically you have to win," he looked up with extreme severity, "the men competing in the tournament are ruthless. Each battle will likely be to the death. You may not have to win as a matter of competition, but you will have to win if you wish to survive,"