Goukagakure no Sato (Village Hidden in Hellfire)

History:

Gouka's beginnings start briefly before the founding of Konoha. Before the founding of the Leaf Village, Hashirama Senju had gathered a council of the strongest and most influential members of the Senju clan in order to discuss his plans for the founding of the hidden village. Many were impressed and agreed with the idea, but one member disagreed quite profusely, and his name was Kurairama Senju. Kurairama was an old rival, and close cousin, of Hashirama and led a small but highly skilled and loyal group within the Senju clan. While the two often had different views, they both agreed that the founding of the Hidden Village was a sound idea, one that would offer security for their clan and change the way of the shinobi world. However, Kurairama was radically opposed to offering the Uchiha clan a position within Konoha, citing their ancient blood feud with the clan, a feud that had cost the man both his wife and son. Neither would back down on their points and it soon looked like the Senju clan would erupt into a civil war, with Hashirama and Kurairama leading the opposing factions. However Hashirama, knowing such an act would weaken their clan to the point of annihilation, offered a compromise; Kurairama and those loyal to him could found a secondary village within the Fire Country, one not directly linked to Konoha. The two would be bound by an alliance and agreements to never attack each other, allowing for both to coexist. Kurairama, knowing his group's smaller numbers couldn't win, agreed. Thus Higakure no Sato (Village Hidden by the Fire), the second shinobi village of the Land of Fire, was born.

For a time all was peaceful and the two villages grew, with Konoha soon overshadowing Hi in power and numbers. To many it seemed obvious that, sooner or later, Higakure would dissolve and merge with Konoha. To the Kurairama this idea was unacceptable, and the young Senju leader of Higakure began to search for a key to power. And he found it. Like his kin, Tobirama, Hashirama, and the rest of the Senju clan, Kurairama was a master of his own favored form of jutsu, which happened to be summoning and other Jikūkan (Space-Time) ninjutsu. In his quest to find a way to grant his village the power needed to rise above Konoha, Kurairama used ancient Kinjutsu (Forbidden Techniques) to probe the summoning realms, searching for a resource, for allies unknown to any other village. In his search he found Hell.

The realm was known as Makai (Hell), and it was home to creatures unlike anything the Senju had ever seen. The beasts of this realm held power similar, though significantly weaker, than the Bijū his cousin could contain, but what the beasts lacked in power, they made up for in numbers. Numbers vast enough to field an army; numbers vast enough to make his village great. These creatures called themselves Jūnin (literally, creatures from hell). Pushing his knowledge of summoning to the limit, Kurairama summoned what many believe to be the 'Boss' of Makai, an entity whose name is still unknown to this day and was a secret that Kurairama took to his grave. He offered an exchange, a trade in order to get the nameless Boss to agree to allow him and his village the right to summon and command the ancient creature's underlings. The nameless boss agreed, and his price was apparently cheap, his kind lived for battle and destruction, it was the only purpose in their existence. His price was that all who summoned their kind would forever be touched by their yōki (demonic energy), tainted by a touch of Makai. Kurairama readily agreed.

Soon though, the price of the ancient creature's bargain began to show, those who summoned the jūnin grew bloodthirsty, and many were eventually driven mad by their thirst for combat and blood, turning on friend and foe alike in hopes of slaking their unquenchable thirst. Desperate to save his village from turning on itself, Kurairama sought a way to reduce the effects of the yōki now infusing his forces, and he found one. Through binding one of the lesser jūnin into the wielder's body the user's bloodlust would be curbed, as well as granting them several other benefits, at the cost of the jūnin's influence over the host. Kurairama himself summoned the nameless boss once again and bound him into himself, assuring his position of power over the jūnin who now served the village and the shinobi of Higakure, which he secretly renamed Goukagakure no Sato in honor of their new bond with their allies.

When Gouka's secret was found, Hashirama and Tobirama could not believe their cousin's actions. Surprised and disgusted by the news, Hashirama attempted to speak to his cousin, to convince him to stop this madness. Kurai's only response was to attempt to kill his 'traitorous kin' for once again attempting to steal what was rightfully his. The battle between the two was the stuff of legends, only superseded by Hashirama's future battle with Madara Uchiha. It is said that their battle lasted for days, Kurairama summoning legions of jūnin and launching attacks fueled by his bound jūnin's shadowy yōki while Hashirama countered using his Mokuton(Wood Release) jutsu to destroy, suppress, and block the demonic energy Kurairama was releasing and bind the creatures he summoned. In the end Hashirama managed to emerge victorious, binding and sealing Kurairama within a great white ash tree. Tired and weakened Hashirama returned to the village to sound the call to war.

The fall of Goukagakure is still the stuff of legends among Leaf Ninja. Gouka's village was hidden with the dome of an extinct volcano, hidden among the mountains of Northern Hi no Kuni (Fire Country) where the village used the hollow lava tubes beneath the mountain's surface as secret passages to lead them to locations scattered around their mountainous home. However when the village's location was discovered a large allied force led by the Leaf's Tobirama Senju, brother to the current Shodaime Hokage who was still recovering from his battle with his cousin, was sent to destroy it. The battle was fierce, Gouka shinobi and their demonic allies fighting tooth and nail against the overwhelming number of attacking shinobi throughout of the mountainside. The battle was said to last for days, until Tobirama struck a blow that almost destroyed the entire village. Using his mastery of Suiton (Water Release) jutsu to summon a massive amount of water and direct it into the volcano's still molten core. The massive amount of steam and pressure created forced the volcano awake from its dormancy in a massive explosion that wiped most the village off the face of the map, forcing the few survivors to flee. This battle is considered one of Tobirama's greatest achievements before becoming Nidaime Hokage, and is still remembered as the 'Naite Iruyama no Tatakai' (Battle of the Crying Mountain) for the rivers of boiling water that the volcano released during and after the explosion, and that continue to leak from the mountain's sides to this day.

Symbol:

The symbol of Goukagakure is a stylized flame. The flame has a rounded bottom with two thin prongs extending from either side, narrowing near their tips, and a wider center prong that had a small chunk missing near the base: (AN: See profile for image, for those in the know think the Fire Nation Symbol from Avatar: The Last Air Bender, me no own)

Practices:

Scroll of Makai

All members of Goukagakure are able to summon the demonic creatures of Makai. Normally, in order to summon a creature you must first sign its summoning contract, and the creatures of Makai are no exception to this law. While most summons possess only a single summoning contract, the denizens of Makai possess dozens. Within the ranks of the denizens of Makai, there exists a rank known as 'scroll bearer.' The task of these jūnin is to carry and protect the various copies of the Makai Summoning Contract. When a new contractor, usually a Gouka shinobi who has just earned the rank of Genin, signs one of these contracts the scroll bearer fulfills its end of the ancient bargain, infusing the signer with a bit of its own yōki. For those already possessing yōki this infusion merely acts as a booster shot, increasing their yōki reserves, while those lacking a yōki reserves are given their first taste of the tainted energy.

There are old legends pertaining that all the copies of the Makai Summoning Contract carried by the scroll bearers are linked to a single powerful scroll, inked in blood and chakra by Kurairama and the ancient Makai Boss, and that with each new name drawn in blood onto one of the 'lesser' contracts a copy would appear across its surface. It is said that if this contract were to be destroyed, all the summoners who'd signed the lesser contracts would lose their ability to summon the denizens of Makai. Kurairama himself was supposed to have secreted the true contract away when Gouka was still young and hid it where no one could hope to find it. While many discount this as merely a rumor or legend, it doesn't stop nearly every village from sending out forces whenever a credible rumor of its location appears, either to destroy it or capture it in order to find its secrets.

Yōki

All ranked shinobi of Goukagakure possess yōki, also called Bijū (Tailed Beast) Chakra due to its similar nature to the energy of the nine Bijū, to some level. The exact amount depends on the user's age, skill, heritage, and a host of other factors. Young shinobi born of Gouka parents naturally possess this energy due to both their parent's blood and the jūnin sealed within their parents. Those adopted into the village, gain it as soon as they are accepted into the village as full members and are allowed to sign one of the Makai Summoning Contracts. Due to this fact, 'pureblooded' Gouka shinobi have a natural advantage to those adopted into the village, having larger yōki reserves than their adopted kin.

Yōki in and of itself is quite similar to chakra, only more potent and innately destructive. An accurate comparison, once made by the Nidaime Hokage, was comparing chakra to water and yōki to acid. It is the natural energy created by the jūnin of Makai and fulfills the same requirements as chakra does for normal humans. It is a requirement for them to maintain their life, a jūnin who exhausts all of their yōki will either collapse into unconsciousness, which usually cancels their summoning and returns them to Makai, or die. It is also what allows the denizens of Makai to wield their special abilities, using yōki to power their abilities in the same way ninja use chakra to power their jutsu.

Shinobi who possess yōki gain several unique benefits. The most well-known is the ability to use Yōjutsu (Demonic Techniques). Yōjutsu are a category of ninjutsu that only shinobi of Gouka, and perhaps Jinchuuriki due to their Bijū's chakra, are capable of wielding due to their access to yōki, which fuels Yōjutsu instead of chakra. Also, due to its potent nature, it also increases the user's endurance and stamina and allows those who possess it to heal more quickly than normal. However, there are several drawbacks to containing Yōki as well, though these effects are mitigated due to having a jūnin sealed within them. While contained within human beings it greatly increases the container's aggressiveness and destructive impulses, and prolonged exposure without some means to filter it will usually drive a normal human insane, turning them into nothing more than a slathering, bloodthirsty beast. Yōki is also toxic to humans, whose bodies were not built to contain the innately destructive energy, degenerating internal organs and muscles slowly over time. Without sealing a jūnin into their bodies, most would not live past the age of forty, their own bodies liquefying from the inside out due to the caustic nature of their yōki, and even with the jūnin most don't live past the age of seventy without suffering some form of organ failure.

Nisefune

Nisefune (False Vessels) is the term used to describe Gouka shinobi who have a jūnin sealed within them. The process of sealing a jūnin within one of their own is a ritual nearly as old as Gouka itself, founded by Kurairama himself once he found the side-effects possessing yōki causes human shinobi. The summoning of one's partner, as the sealed jūnin is often referred to by Gouka shinobi, is usually one of the first summonings that a Gouka genin will perform. Most jūnin sealed within shinobi are low-level creatures. This is because only a low-level jūnin can be safely bound within a young human body, if a stronger jūnin were to be sealed inside a shinobi of normal age for becoming a genin, the surge of yōki would likely kill the vessel. Older shinobi, usually those few missing-nin who join Gouka, can have stronger jūnin sealed within them, but only marginally so. The exact type of jūnin sealed inside a person depends solely on the individual, though factors like clan and history do have some effects. It is similar to the reverse-summoning technique used by some ninja to determine the type of summons they have an affinity with. The type of creature first summoned by a Gouka shinobi is believed to be the species that they have the highest affinity for, and are usually the ones they summon on an ordinary basis.

Once their partner is summoned, an advanced sealing matrix is prepared by at least one jounin of the summoner's band. This seal matrix is known by every jounin of Gouka, and full memorization of it is required for any Chūnin who wishes to earn the rank. The matrix, which requires the future Nisefune to lay at the southern edge of the seal with several seal arrays covering their body and the largest covering their navel, will then discorporate the jūnin summoned, who must be contained within a circle of seals at the northern edge of the matrix, into pure yōki, which is then channeled through the matrix and sealed within the new Nisefune's navel. The jounin who prepared and activated the seal matrix stands at its center, controlling and manipulating the matrix using their own yōki. Jūnin cannot be forcefully bound into a shinobi, nor can a living person be forced to accept a jūnin. If either the jūnin or the shinobi are unwilling the binding will instantly fail, usually resulting in a massive explosion from the seal matrix that can kill both vessel and jūnin, as well as injuring, if not killing, the jounin in charge of the sealing. Once the sealing process is complete it is permanent, just like with a Jinchuuriki, the removal of jūnin from its vessel will kill its host. However should the host die, whether by natural causes or death by combat, as long as the seal is undamaged, they are instantly dispersed and returned to Makai without any extensive damage.

The reason the jūnin allow themselves to be sealed within the Gouka shinobi is simple enough, it makes them stronger. While captured within the seal array and stored within their vessel's navel the jūnin will absorb a small amount of their host's chakra and yōki, converting and absorbing it into their own being, making them stronger. The longer they are with their vessel the more they absorb, and the stronger the vessel, the more energy they produce they can absorb. This is an intentional effect of the seal's design, a way to encourage the jūnin to agree to the sealing process.

Once sealed within the body of its host, the jūnin performs several benefits, the most well-known being acting as a filter for their vessel's yōki, reducing the negative side-effects of containing it while increasing the benefits. They also mark the Gouka shinobi as a sort of 'honorary member' of its species, giving them an advantage when summoning and dealing with jūnin of the same species or clan, one of the reasons that most Gouka shinobi specialize in summoning the species of jūnin they contain. Finally, when in dire circumstances a Gouka shinobi can call on their jūnin partner's yōki, allowing for temporary boosts in most physical attributes, at the cost of throwing the shinobi into a blind rage and causing additional internal damage. However, there is always a cost. Holding the jūnin within them allows the Gouka shinobi to be influenced by their partners.

Jinchuuriki

The Jinchuuriki have been an object of obsession for the village of Gouka since they were first created. Many Gouka shinobi view the Jinchuuriki as distant kin, a view that is possibly the reason many look at Jinchuuriki with suspicion. The fact that the jūnin view the Bijū as something akin to deities or similar beings, also make the shinobi of Gouka eager to acquire the Jinchuuriki for their own purposes. Over the course of its lifetime, Gouka has succeeded on either capturing or recruiting several Jinchuuriki. The results of these recruitments are several new clans within the Gouka's ranks, each descended from a demon vessel. The combination of a Gouka shinobi's yōki and a Jinchuuriki's Bijū chakra often results in a new kekkai genkai, as well as children who have a naturally high tolerance for yōki even without a bound jūnin.

Ranks:

Gouka shinobi are ranked as normal for a ninja village, divided into genin, chūnin, and jounin based on their skill level and experience. Since all Gouka shinobi use their demonic summons on some level, their rank also denotes the level of jūnin they are capable of summoning. (Details on jūnin ranks are in the Jutsu section under Kuchiyose: Jūnin). Note, this is only in general; some prodigies are capable of summoning more advanced or powerful summons at a much lower rank than normal. As Gouka shinobi grow stronger, and their yōki reserves increase, they begin to take on features of the jūnin they have sealed within them, the more advanced the shinobi, the more significant these signs are.

In combat Gouka shinobi are extremely varied in their specialties, but most rely on their summons to some level or another. A common tactic for Gouka shinobi is to summon their jūnin and let them do the close-combat fighting while the shinobi stays to the rear and supports using either ninjutsu or weapons. While common, this is not always the case, in fact many Gouka shinobi are skilled in some form of close-ranged combat as well as long-ranged.

Genin

Genin-ranked shinobi of Gouka are those who have only recently signed one of the Makai Summoning Scrolls and been bound with their jūnin partners. Gouka genin often suffer from very short, violent tempers since they have yet to learn how to control their demonic urges their yōki and jūnin provide. They possess normal genin-level skills in most areas, with perhaps a slightly higher rank in a particular skill that they favor. Their yōki reserves are usually small, with pureblooded members only having enough energy to use a couple of lower-level yōjutsu, while adopted members are probably unable to use more than one without exhausting their yōki supply. This is the only ranks where the differences in pureblooded and adopted members of Gouka symbolize anything; by reaching a higher rank the shinobi's yōki reserves will have increased to fit that rank no matter their status. Their sealed jūnin are hardly any more powerful then when they were originally sealed within them. There is no set uniform for Genin of Goukagakure.

Genin are usually only capable of summoning teiakki (low-level demons), and advanced genin can even summon multiple teiakki at once. Experienced genin, or those in extreme circumstances, may be able to summon chūakki (mid-level demons), but such a feet would be extremely exhausting. The physical signs of their demonic partner's presences are barely even noticeable at this point and many may be passed off as simply a birth-mark or physical trait. For Example: A Genin bound with a rat-jūnin would probably have pronounced front teeth. One bound to a fire-jūnin will feel slightly warm to the touch, like they are running a small fever or just went through some kind of physical exertion.

Chūnin

Chūnin-ranked shinobi of Gouka are experienced shinobi who have trained and gained a great deal of control over both their abilities and their jūnin partners. While Chūnin still retain a bit of their former tempers, they have gained a degree of control over their urges through training and experience that allows them to maintain a degree of control. Most possess a level of skill common to most Chūnin in most areas, though some are more skilled in particular areas than others, and a few could challenge Jounin within certain fields of combat. The yōki reserves of a Chūnin are large enough for them to easily perform several mid-level yōjutsu, as well as several lower-level techniques, without exhausting their yōki reserves. By the time their vessel reaches chūnin rank most jūnin have grown to at least teiakki level, though some are even stronger. While there is no set uniform for Gouka shinobi of chūnin rank, they do have an article of clothing that signifies their rank in a similar manner as most villages use flak jackets. This piece is a segmented chest plate, most commonly dark red or black in color though other dark colors are not unknown, with the Gouka symbol carved in the center of the back and across the chest over the heart.

Chūnin are capable of easily summoning chūakki and teiakki without much difficulty, and are even capable of summoning multiple members of either class at the same time, though for chūakki this is a difficult feet for all but the most advanced Chūnin. The physical signs of their jūnin's presence will also be more severe, usually marking them as at least odd or from a shinobi clan, but most can easily be concealed by either a simple Henge (Transformation) or some articles of clothing. For Example: A Chūnin bound with a rat-jūnin might develop sharpened nails that resemble claws and their nose and mouth might distend slightly to resemble a rat's snout. Another bound to a fire-jūnin will likely have their hair change to resemble the colors of flame and a portion of their eyes, usually either the sclera or iris, will become red and seem to glow slightly.

Jounin

Jounin-ranked Gouka shinobi are some of the strongest shinobi in Gouka, having mastered both their abilities and have become completely in tune with their jūnin partners. Most Jounin have mastered their rage and personalities and are in complete control of their demonic urges and their jūnin's compulsions, though they still retain a bit of the temper that exists in all Nisefune. Jounin are highly skilled in either their own favored arts, as well as a variety of other skills and areas, some able to match up to Kage-level shinobi in their favored fields. A Jounin's yōki reserves have advanced to a level where they can use much higher ranked yōjutsu without exhausting their yōki reserves, as well as mastering a diverse array of mid- and lower-level yōjutsu. When a Gouka shinobi reaches jounin rank, their jūnin partners have usually reached chūakki level and the strongest jounin may hold demons that have grown to jōakki (upper-level demons) level. Jounin are the only Gouka shinobi that actually have a set uniform. This uniform is a set of segmented armor, whose color varies between jounin but is always a dark shade, similar to that worn by the ancestral Senju clan, over a black body suit with the Gouka symbol emblazoned on either shoulder along with the same positions on the chest and back as the Chūnin chest-plate. This armor is usually only worn in battle, though many constantly carry it, using seals on their bodysuits to store then summon the armor, while constantly wearing the bodysuit hidden under most normal clothing.

Jounin are easily capable of summoning chūakki and teiakki in mass, and are, usually, the only shinobi who are capable of actually summoning jōakki in battle. The physical signs of their jūnin's presence are easily recognizable when shinobi reach this level; the signs have reached such an advanced state that they are nearly impossible to conceal using normal methods and should be impossible for a regular human to obtain. Most jounin have to constantly use an advance version of the Henge technique, similar to the one used by Tsunade of the Sannin, in order to pass as regular humans for a short time. For Example: A jounin bound to a rat-jūnin could now have a pronounced rat-like snout complete with extended incisors, pronounced claws, and even a thin vestigial tail sprouting from the base of their spine. Another bound with a fire-jūnin may have their hair turn into an actually moving flame, eyes that are completely red, and may release smoke with each exhale.

Known Clans & Bloodlines:

Yogoreta Clan

The Yogoreta Clan is the founding clan of Goukagakure, and the descendents of Kurai Senju and his followers from within the Senju clan. They possess the Kuraiyōso (Dark Elements) bloodline, an offshoot of the Senju clan's naturally strong elemental affinities combined and influenced by the touch of the unnamed Lord of Makai's chakra. The bloodline alters their natural elemental affinities into what is known as the dark five elements: Shikaze (Death Wind), Kureikaminari (Crimson Lightning), Yogaretachi(Tainted Earth),Kuraimizu (Dark Water), and Gouka (Hellfire). These elements are naturally tainted with demonic youki and are extremely dangerous and potent. The members of the clan are extremely diverse in the type of jūnin sealed within them, but a large majority of the clan has some kind of elemental jūnin sealed within them.

Gobi Clan

The result of one of Gouka's successful attempts to gain access to a Jinchuuriki, the Gobi clan is made up of descendents to a former container of the Gobi no Irukauma (Five Tailed Whale/Dolphin-Horse). Whether the former Jinchuuriki was kidnapped and rescued, or joined willingly and was recaptured by Iwa is a matter of debate among clan historians. The clan has a kekkai genkai known as Yugeton (Steam Release) which allows them to mix water and fire chakra to create steam chakra. Also, being descendants of a demon container, the members of this clan have a higher resistance to the demonic yōki that is used by the village and immense chakra reserves and stamina. Most of the clan members have horse jūnin sealed inside them, though some contain whale, dolphin, fire, or water jūnin.

Ichibi Clan

Another Gouka clan founded by a Jinchuuriki, this clan was formed when the first vessel of the Ichibi no Shukaku (One Tailed Demonic Tanuki) fled his village after being driven mad by the Shukaku sealed within him. He was found by a Gouka kunoichi who contained a raccoon-jūnin. The Shukaku sensed the presence of one of its own kind, a female of its own kind no less, and instructed its vessel to mate with her. The vessel followed its Bijū's orders and was prepared to restrain the woman, only to be surprised when she gave herself willingly to him, claiming that it was her own jūnin's urging as well as her own free will. The result of that copulation led to the formation of the clan. The clan possesses the Sunaton (Sand Release) kekkai genkai, which allows them to control, create, and manipulate sand in a similar manner as their demonic forbearer by mixing wind and earth chakra. Most members carry a container of particularly fine sand to use for their jutsu, but they are just as capable of dissolving surrounding earth into sand as needed by creating Sunaton chakra and channeling it into the surrounding earth. Most bear either raccoon or sand jūnin.

Yoma Clan

The Yoma clan is one of the oldest clans of Goukagakure, having been a part of the village when it was originally founded by Kuraimaru Senju. The Yoma originally possessed a minor dōjutsu-based kekkai genkai, however the influx of demon yōki into their systems for generations have caused a mutation within their kekkai genkai. While the Daime (Third eye) originally allowed them only to view objects over long distances, cast potent ocular based genjutsu, and enhanced their clan's natural fire affinity. Now the clan possesses the Souengan (Twin Flame Eye), which, along with granting them the same abilities as its forbearer, allows them to access one of two unique flames based on their gender. Male members of the clan can use the Kuroen (Black Flame) which burns hotter than any normal Katon technique and are distinguished by their bright red eyes and deep black hair. Female members can use the Hakuen (White Fire) which burns cold instead of hot, draining warmth from anyone or anything exposed and freezing them solid, and can be distinguished by their light gray eyes and silver hair. Males and females of this clan are usually bound to fire and ice jūnin respectively.

Jutsu:

Elemental Release

Fire is the most common natural elemental alignment found among Gouka shinobi. This is most likely due to the fact that a large number of the original inhabitants of the village were natives of Fire Country. Fire jutsu are also favored due to their naturally destructive nature, something that is akin to many of the jūnin that the village's shinobi summon. The village itself has developed multiple powerful and potent Katon techniques; the most well-known actually mix Katon chakra and yōki to create vivid green flames known as Gouka (Hellfire), drastically increasing the flames' potency, power, and destructive ability but reducing the control. Members of the Yogoreta Clan are capable of creating these demonically potent flames without adding in yōki due to their bloodline.

Elemental Jutsu also serve as the main defensive techniques used by Gouka shinobi. Since most yōki techniques have little to no defensive applications, elemental jutsu that focus on defense, rather than offence, are used to compensate for this weakness. This allows Gouka shinobi to defend themselves, rather than focusing on using elemental technique mostly to attack like most other villages. In combat, a Gouka shinobi is just as likely, if not more likely, to use elemental ninjutsu to defend themselves rather than use it to attack, instead relying on yōjutsu for offensive purposes.

Sample Jutsu:

Katon: Jigoku no Satsu (Fire Release: Central Pillar of Inferno): C-ranked, short-range, defensive, Katon ninjutsu technique. With the large number of Katon users within Gouka, and their prevalence to use elemental ninjutsu defensively, a number of defensive Katon technique, which are rare in most other nations, have been developed by Gouka shinobi. One of the most basic of these techniques, this technique swirls Katon chakra around the wielder at a rapid pace, creating a whirlwind of fire around themselves. This defense is very short-lived, only capable of lasting a few minutes at the most before it burns itself out. The swirling flames destroy or redirect most incoming attacks unless they have enough strength to overcome the technique, and even those are sometimes redirected enough to miss the target. The wielder is protected within a small eye at the center of the pillar.

Katon: Jigoku no Hashira (Fire Release: Pillar of Inferno): C-ranked, mid-range, offensive Katon ninjutsu technique. A variation of the defensive Jigoku no Satsu technique, this technique instead forms the pillar of swirling flames at a certain area on the battlefield. This pillar is thinner than its counterpart, partially due to the distance and partially due to the removal of the central eye. The pillar can be manipulated to move through expending more chakra and holding specific handsigns, allowing it to be maintained for longer durations than its sibling technique and used to direct opponents into traps.

Katon: Karyūheki (Fire Release: Fire Style Wall): B-ranked, short-range, defensive, Katon ninjutsu technique. An advanced defensive technique that allows the user to breathe out a sheet of highly condensed flames that form a wall-like barrier around the user. The exact size and shape of the barrier is dependent on the amount of chakra the user uses in this jutsu as well as their intentions. The fire released with this technique is highly condensed, being able to deflect most normal attacks without allowing them through, as well as extremely hot, capable of melting steel on direct contact.

Katon: Goukahō (Fire Release: Hellfire Cannon) B-ranked, mid- to long-range, offensive, Gouka Katon ninjutsu technique. One of the more advanced Gouka techniques, this technique concentrates a large amount of Katon chakra mixed with yōki into a confined space, usually the wielder's mouth, before releasing it in a highly concentrated fireball, usually no larger than a person's head. When the fireball connects with a solid surface it will then explode in a massive firebomb or roaring green flames, injuring anything in the vicinity and usually vaporizing whatever it came in contact with.

Katon no Yoroi (Fire Release Armor): A-ranked, Short-range, defensive/supplementary, Katon ninjutsu/chakra flow technique. A highly valued defensive technique, the Fire Release Armor technique is one whose existence is claimed by both Goukagakure and the Uchiha Clan, both claiming to have originally developed the technique. The wielder first coats their body in a layer of chakra before covering that layer in Katon chakra causing it to ignite into flames. This technique requires excellent chakra control do to the dual layers of chakra. If the first layer is too thin the flames will burn the user, if too thick it will slow the user's movements. If the layer of Katon chakra is too thin, the technique will lose effectiveness; if too thick it could overwhelm the first layer and burn the user. In addition to protecting the user by wrapping them in a protective coating of chakra and flame, the technique also augments any physical attacks made while it is active, enveloping the attacks in flames and causing additional damage.

Katon: Jigoku no Mori (Fire Release: Forest of Inferno): A-ranked, mid-range, offensive, Katon ninjutsu technique. An advanced version of the Jigoku no Hashira, this technique creates multiple pillars of flames throughout the battlefield, the exact number and placement dependent of the amount of chakra used and the wielder's desires. All the pillars can be either individually manipulated or moved as a group. One can even combine two or more pillars to create a more massive one.

Yōjutsu

Yōjutsu are a special subcategory of ninjutsu that only ninja who possess a yōki reserve can employ. Instead of relying on chakra for fuel, as is the case for most other ninjutsu, yōjutsu rely on yōki. This means that only members of Gouka and in some case Jinchuuriki, whose Bijū chakra is similar enough to yōki for the techniques to work, can effectively use them in combat. Yōki reserves, for Gouka shinobi at least, are usually much smaller than their chakra reserves, but due to the potency of yōki in comparison to chakra very little yōki is needed to use a technique. Taking into account the increased potency, a Gouka shinobi's yōki reserves are usually about half the size of their chakra reserves. Also a human without a Bijū or jūnin sealed with them are unable to refill their yōki reserves.

Yōjutsu are limited to nearly completely offensive techniques. Due to yōki's naturally destructive and acidic nature defensive and supplementary yōjutsu simply cannot work using yōki as a base. The only exceptions would be creating a screen or shield of yōki to destroy incoming attacks, to serve as a defensive jutsu, or similar, innately destructive, effects. It is also noted that it is impossible for humans to use nature transformation on yōki. Jūnin with elemental characteristics do not willingly transform their yōki into this state, instead the transformation of their own yōki into an elemental state is simply an automatic function of their bodies. Human can mix yōki into their preexisting altered chakra to increase its effectiveness, which the Yogoreta clan does on a subconscious level without weakening their yōki reserves due to their bloodline, but actually altering it from its pure form into an element is impossible. Thus most yōjutsu rely heavily on shape transformation, changing the shape and form of their yōki into attacks.

Sample Jutsu:

Yōjutsu: Yōdakitsuku (Demonic Technique: Demonic Embrace): D-rank, close-range, offensive, yōjutsu technique. One of the most basic yōjutsu techniques taught to most members of Gouka, this yōjutsu causes a section of the body, usually the hands or feet but any place the wielder can send yōki to will work, to leak yōki. This yōki will serve as a form of acid, its strength dependent on the amount of yōki used, on anything it touches other than the wielder. While basic, this technique is highly versatile and useful, allowing for not only combat, but utilitarian uses like destroying bindings and other items. More advance versions of this technique cover larger sections of the user's body.

Yōjutsu: Nenshō-kō no Muchi (Demonic Technique: Lash of Burning Light): C-rank, mid-range, offensive, yōjutsu technique. By focusing yōki to the tip of two fingers of their hand, the user of this technique can generate a whip of pure, concentrated yōki taking the form of yellow-green light, though variations in color do exist based on the species of jūnin sealed inside a container. The whip is an effective weapon, burning through anything it touches thanks to the yōki's acidic nature.

Yōjutsu: Yōdan (Demonic Technique: Demonic Bullet): C-rank, mid- to long-range, offensive, yōjutsu technique. The user focuses an amount of yōki into either their mouth or the palm of their hand before condensing it and then firing it at the target, usually taking the form of a compressed circle of yōki, usually no larger than a person's fist. The 'bullet' then flies in the direction shot and is capable of piercing through anything in its path before its yōki runs out; though burning through objects rapidly decreases its yōki. While its destructive range isn't large, only as dangerous as its trajectory creates, this attack is designed as a piercing attack, capable of ripping through most defenses to get to the opponent. (AN: Think armor-piercing bullet)

Yōjutsu: Daiyōdan (Demon Technique: Great Demonic Bullet): B-rank, mid- to long-range, offensive, yōjutsu technique. An advanced version of the Yōdan technique described above, this technique gathers a larger amount of yōki into either the mouth or palm of the hand before launching it. Once launched the bullet rapidly expands, usually to a size equal or large to a human being based on the amount of yōki used, before following the same rules of its smaller counterpart. This technique is much more destructive, literally creating a massive path of destruction until it runs out of yōki.

Yōjutsu: Yōdan Renda (Demonic Technique: Demonic Bullet Barrage): B-rank, mid- to long-range, offensive yōjutsu technique. An advanced version of the Yōdan technique, this technique channels a large amount of yōki into the palms of both hands, and/or the mouth before condensing it. The yōki can then be released into a large number of rapidly fired bullets, the exact number dependent on the amount of yōki used, similar to the original Yōdan. This can be done all at once, releasing a massive spray of destructive bullets, or at a pace, allowing for continuous attacks.

Yōjutsu:Yōhō (Demonic Technique: Demonic Cannon) A-rank, mid-range, offensive, yōjutsu technique. The user focuses a large amount of yōki into the palm of their hand, before unleashing it, creating a massive conical blast of pure, acidic yōki that will dissolve nearly anything within its targeted area. While at first glance basic, the sheer amount of yōki required for this technique and the destructive area it is capable of creating makes it an A-ranked technique.

Kuchiyose: Jūnin

The jūnin are a species of summon native to the summoning realm known as Makai, and they are the exclusive summons of the village of Goukagakure no Sato. They are also the source of the village's yōki and the main reason that the village exists in this day and age. It is a fairly accurate statement that without the jūnin Gouka would not exist. Actually summoning the jūnin is the same as any other use of the Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Technique). After signing one of the Makai contracts the user must then only bite their finger before performing a series of handsigns while channeling either chakra or yōki in order to summon a jūnin. Unlike most summons, once summoned a jūnin must obey the commands of its summoner, though exactly how those orders are carried out is up to the jūnin themselves so it is best for a summoner to be either specific or on good terms with their summons. Jūnin are also unable to reverse summon their summoners, one of the reasons that actual facts about Makai and the jūnin themselves are few and far-between. The only beings who actually know any true facts about Makai are Kurairama, who was said to have used ancient Kinjutsu to look into the realm itself, and the jūnin themselves, and their answers are always puzzling and contradictory.

The jūnin are probably the most varied groups of summons known. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of different types organized into individual clans. There are two major subspecies of jūnin: elemental and bestial. Elemental jūnin are creatures composed of a single element, ranging from the five main elements; fire, lightning, wind, water, and earth; to dozens of subelements like lava, steel, ice, slime, light, and darkness. Bestial jūnin take after certain species of normal animals, like rats, dogs, horses, and tigers; though there are rumors of jūnin resembling legendary creatures, like dragons and phoenixes, being summoned by some Gouka shinobi, but these are extremely rare and powerful. Note that these two subspecies are not mutually exclusive; many bestial jūnin, particularly those who've reached chūakki level, have elemental qualities, many horse jūnin, for example, are attributed to having manes of fire or water, while most low-level elemental jūnin take shapes similar to animals. These two subspecies are then further divided into the multitude of clans, most focusing on a single factor, fire-elemental jūnin or rat-bestial jūnin for example. Usually a Gouka shinobi only summons from one clan, but skilled shinobi may be able to summon from multiple clans.

Within their clans jūnin are ranked into four unique categories, each based off of their respective power. First are the kiseiakki (parasitic demons). These are the lowest forms of jūnin known, and what many believe are the infant stage of the jūnin. They are the creatures most often summoned to be sealed within the bodies of Gouka shinobi, and it is impossible to summon kiseiakki for any purpose other than for sealing. These creatures, once sealed, absorb part of their vessel's chakra and yōki over time in order to grow into more powerful levels of jūnin. This fact has made many believe that the jūnin are a type of parasitic creature, relying on other creatures in order to grow and survive. While partially true, the jūnin do in fact grow and strengthen on their own over time, only at a much slower pace compared to one sealed inside a human.

The next level is the teiakki, the lowest level of jūnin actively summoned by Gouka shinobi. These creatures possess only low level abilities and powers, and most are no large than your average person, though larger ones are known, they possess less yōki based abilities in exchange for size and strength. Bestial jūnin at this level usually appear no different than their mortal kin, save for some demonic or elemental qualities. Smaller jūnin usually possess unique abilities that either make them more dangerous or more useful for specific tasks, while larger ones rely on power or might. For example an elephant or tiger teiakki, would probably be no more dangerous than its mortal kin while a rat teiakki probably possess some ability like the ability to turn into smoke or paralyze any creature it bites. Elemental teiakki usually resemble animals or simple masses of their base element and have only basic abilities related to their elements.

The third level is known as chūakki, and they are the most common type of jūnin summoned on the battlefield, and possess a variety of useful abilities and strengths. Most stand between the size of a normal human or larger, with the largest comparable to small buildings in size. At this level all jūnin show some sign of anthropomorphism, meaning they start taking on shapes similar to humans. Bestial chūakki usually resemble bipedal, demonic versions of their mortal selves (AN: Think the demons from Jade Empire for ideas), and possess several unique abilities and powers based on their species and clan. Elemental chūakki usually resemble humanoid masses of their native element, though many have some demonic or otherworldly features as well.

The final level is the jōakki class. These potent jūnin are comparable in both size and power to the Boss Summons of most other Summoning Contracts. When a jūnin has reach this level it is nearly impossible to tell which subspecies the creature originally came from, most resemble a giant animal of some kind with heavy traits associated with one or more elements. Usually each clan only possesses a small number of these creatures. It is unknown why this is though many theorize that when a jūnin reaches this level it either takes the place of an older jūnin, killing it in the process; or it departs from its parent clan to form its own.

There are rumors of a fifth class of jūnin, the senakki (sage demons). Creatures with power greater than the power of the mightiest jōakki and only those who have reached Kage-level in power can successfully summon these creatures.

From what is known, Makai was once ruled by a single 'Boss,' who was summoned and sealed within Kurairama himself when Gouka first began its path to darkness, the only successful attempt to bind a jōakki, or higher if rumors of the senakki are to be believed, into a human container. The creature is still believed to bound to the ancient founder of Gouka, trapped within the First Hokage's Mokuton technique. In his place Makai is ruled by his nine 'children,' nine extremely potent jōakki. According to legend these nine are believed to be a Raccoon jūnin made of living sand, a Cat-jūnin with fur made of icy blue flames, a Turtle-jūnin with a shell of water as hard as diamonds, a Gorilla-jūnin who constantly leaks molten lave from every pour, a Horse-jūnin with a mane and tail of hissing steam, a Slug-jūnin that constantly dribbles acid, a Beetle-jūnin with six wings that constantly brings forth storms of rain, lightning, and thunder, an Ox-jūnin with tendrils of lightning coursing over its body, and a Fox-jūnin with tails and breath of purest flame.