Masahiro gripped the staff tightly in his hand as Uindo panted from exhaustion. While Uindo was covered in cuts and bruises Masahiro was in perfect condition besides a slight short of breath. His partner, Hirihito, was even better off than he was.

Hirihito was having the fun of his life with the way he was laughing, still laughing, after telling Daichi he would fight with only one arm like Masahiro. Daichi had been angered but soon after fighting he was forced to admit how thankful he was for the handicap.

Daichi was covered in wounds as well and was cradling his right arm. His hair was matted with sweat as well and it was clear from his panting just how exhausted he was.

"Seems like this peace has made you weak Uindo. I remember when you were able to at least keep up. Yet here you are already about to die. Please tell me that Takeshiro didn't get this weak too. If he did then I might as well destroy this whole village now."

Uindo groaned and looked at his staff that was now held in his enemy's hand. As one of the Seven Demon Ninjas he had been given a weapon containing part of Okami Kyouran's Kohaku Chakra. Kohaku Chakra was named for its color but what made it special was its compatibility to Nature Chakra as well as its superiority to regular chakra. Only one person could use it and it must be passed down.

Okami Kyouran was the last true user of the Kohaku Chakra. By dividing it between seven weapons he had lost a majority of his powers. That being said he had still been able to fight both Hirihito and Masahiro in his old age.

But clearly had still lost.

Uindo had always prided himself on how he could contain his emotions. How he always put the mission first. Yet now, standing face to face with the ones who killed the Shodai Anbakage, he could only feel rage.

"Daichi you need to get word to Takeshiro. He's the only one who can keep these monsters at bay."

Daichi frowned but didn't keep his eyes off of Hirihito, "And you?"

"I'll be using that technique."

Daichi clenched his teeth, "No, absolutely not. You have a family. I don't. I'll summon the boss and we'll-"

"You know you two are truly lucky that we bad guys like to sit back while you plan." Hirihito laughed and then pulled his weapon out of the ground from where he had placed it minutes before, "Masahiro I want to kill them both, you should let me."

Before Masahiro could say a word he raced forward with his eyes set on Daichi.

"Ouja Suto-mu, Release!"

The staff flew from Masahiro's hands and struck the ground in front of Uindo. Not even a second passed before an amber light filled the area.

Hirihito was too slow to dodge as the side of the staff struck his face and sent him crashing into the ground. He was however quick enough to dodge the staff again as it impaled the ground where his head was moments before.

Masahiro raised an eyebrow as he observed Uindo. The Kohaku Chakra could only be used by one person unless it was divided however even then once it was used it was gone from that person forever.

Uindo stood tall with his eyes now glowing amber with waves of the chakra steaming off of him. While his wounds were still present they no longer seemed to hold him back. And, while he never claimed to be a sensor, Masahiro could tell that Uindo was now much stronger than he was.

"How long until that chakra runs out, Tornado Uindo?"

"Daichi get to the village. You'll need to get out of the radius of my next technique."

Before Daichi could respond Uindo rushed forward in a blur. Masahiro could only smile as he drew his katana once again to meet Uindo's strike. A resounding ring echoed throughout the area as the staff met the katana. The two seasoned shinobi met eyes for all but a second before the two of them became a blur of movement.

The two traded blow for blow for what seemed like hours but was only seconds. Masahiro, even despite his one armed handicap, was matching Uindo's improved power with ease. Not to be left out Hirihito surged forward with his cleaver blade dragging against the ground. A small but deep trench followed the blade and, in no time at all, stopped at Uindo's feet.

Uindo ducked to avoid Masahiro's blade and struck forward with his staff to strike the ground between them.

Wind Style, Air Current Wild Dance!

A large dust storm exploded out from the ground and covered the three shinobi. Uindo jumped high into the air and held one hand to his lips.

Wind Style, Great Tornado!

He took a large gulp of breath before throwing his head forward and spewing from his mouth a gust of wind. The wind struck the dust cloud and immediately began to spin and grow in power. This was the very technique that had gained his moniker of Tornado Uindo. While seemingly a simple tornado of minor size his technique held a secret.

Uindo was a man who loved combo techniques after all.

As he landed on the ground a crack appeared on the ground below him and he was barely fast enough to dodge the large blade that appeared from the ground. The blade scraped against his chest and easily cut through his jounin jacket and slightly into his chest. Hirihito's loud laughter soon followed as he jumped through the earth and into the air. Despite the massive size and weight of the blade he had no issue as he brought the blade above his head to cut down.

Uindo leaned to the side and, as the blade struck the ground at his feet, he stepped on it to keep it in place. While Hirihito was a mountain of a man in comparison to Uindo the Head of the Shuji Family was by no means weak. Even Hirihito had trouble as he tried to lift the blade.

Just need one good hit!

With a battle cry Uindo brought the staff forward toward's Hirihito's eyes. However, as he raised his hands, he found that his left arm felt somewhat lighter.

With wide eyes Uindo jumped back to avoid the slash that would've taken his head. In the place he once stood was Masahiro who held his katan in front of him with an arm hanging off of the blade.

Uindo didn't need to look down to see that he had just lost an arm. He was however impressed that he wasn't screaming in pain or fainting due to shock and blood loss. All he could think of doing was saying something that Takeshiro would have.

"Hey look Masahiro, now we match."

As he spoke the amber chakra faded away and for the first time since had had gained the staff it felt truly empty.

That'll be the last time I'll ever be able to use that. Now it's a regular staff...if I'm going to be using that technique then now's the time. Daichi should be out of the radius by now.

With a heavy sigh Uindo dropped the staff and put wind chakra around his hand. With quick movements he cut through his jounin vest and shirt, baring his bloodied skin for the world to see. On his chest, above his heart, was a single black dot that was around four inches wide.

"Fuinjutsu? What a rare art and one I know that you aren't a master in."

Uindo didn't reply to Masahiro as he raised his head to look at the sky.

Well at least I could say I had a good life...damn it isn't like me to have second thoughts. Suzume, Kieko, I'm sorry.

"Shuji Family Forbidden Technique, Eradi-" "-None of that now, Lord Uindo."

The three shinobi, all S Ranks of varied strengths, turned to see three ANBU surrounding Uindo with one's hands glowing green and pressed against Uindo's stump. While Masahiro wasn't too surprised by their arrival he was surprised at how they were able to hide their presence from even him. Hirihito however was more surprised due to his lack of sensory abilities.

The ANBU that stood directly to Uindo's right however wore an amber colored cloak with a blank white mask. This was the uniform that only the ANBU Commander could wear.

Seeing the reinforcements Hirihito could only laugh, "That's it?! Just three ANBU?! Masahiro this village may just be the weakest yet!"

The ANBU Commander could almost be heard smirking behind his mask as he answered Hirihito, "There are two things that I must alert you of. One-You are not in the village quite yet and Lord Uindo, if you will forgive me for saying so, is the fourth strongest and Daichi-sama is the sixth. Two-We ANBU are presently decoration only, the real reinforcement is already here."

Masahiro and Hirihito both frowned, having not sensed any new chakra besides the three ANBU. They both raised their weapons slightly as if ready to block an attack however the two of them still hadn't sensed the presence of any new shinobi.

Not until he stood behind them, both arms glowing with bright amber colored chakra. The two turned quickly, both of their blades aimed at the newcomer's neck, only for the two blades to be dodged with ease as the man thrust forward both of his arms.

"Kiyoshi Blade!"

Hirihito screamed out as the chakra blade struck the side of his blade, cracking the metal, and sent him flying back. Masahiro however wasn't as lucky and, while he dodged the brunt of the attack, had still suffered a deep cut on his left temple.

"I figured it was about time for me to make my appearance. Sorry that I took so long Uindo." The Nidaime Anbakage raised both of his arms in an X shape in front of his chest, both blades humming as the chakra ran wild, "It's time for the Wolf Sage, Takeshiro Ryuugon, to take the stage!"

"And that makes twenty three genin killed, let's make it twenty six." Kenki frowned and looked up to see the struggling kunoichi stuck the trunk of the tree, "On second thought make it twenty seven."

Tatsuya clenched his teeth as he felt a cold sweat begin to form. His injuries from just a day ago seemed to burn just being in the presence of the one who caused them. Kikiyo, remembering how they got away from him, was terrified for a different reason.

He was fighting the Taki kunoichi the last time we saw him. I judged her strength myself and could tell that she could easily beat me and my team by herself...yet did she lose against him?

Kenki raised his arms as if welcoming them, "So one on one or would you rather all fight me at the same time? Truly the choice is up to you."

Kikiyo almost growled before she forced the impulse away. While she did love her adopted family she wasn't too fond of some of the more primal habits she had picked up.

She sometimes felt as if she'd belong better in the Nara Clan however she had to admit that her techniques were better suited towards the Inuzuka style.

"Do try to hide your Ice Release when you fight against the foreign shinobi. Use it as a trump card to surprise them. Once they see it they'll be ready for it. Remember that child."

Kikiyo smiled to herself as she remembered what her mother, Tsume, had told her before she left for the exams.

Kenki Akuma, as far as she knew, was strong at both taijutsu and very strong at fire style. Great Fire Annihilation was a B Rank technique but one that, if used right, could be well into the A ranks in terms of pure destruction and power.

From what Kieko and May told me he is somewhat weak to genjutsu. We could repeat what Kieko and May did however I'm sure he'd expect it. Tatsuya is injured, his teammate doesn't seem to know anything that could tip the scales, and I think only my Ice Release would work against him.

"Fine then, guess I'll just go ahead then."

Kenki ran through hand signs before slamming them on the ground, "Fire Style, Eight Fire Pillar!"

Tatsuya didn't hesitate to act as he pushed Kira out of the way as a pillar of fire sprout out from the ground where she had been standing. Kikiyo ran forward instead as another pillar rose just behind her.

While she had never heard of the jutsu before it was simple to understand it.

He's sending his chakra through the ground and then making the fire appear under us. I've ever seen anyone use external fire style like this. But I'm willing to bet that he needs his hands to maintain contact with the ground.

Kenki laughed, "Don't think that's it!" As he spoke Kikiyo noticed that the spot under her began to glow with an orange light. She was only a second away from being hit before Kenki gasped out. As he had focused on Kikiyo he hadn't noticed when a pair of hands grabbed onto his from below the ground and pulled. He groaned as his hands were now stuck in the ground but not for long as someone jumped out of the ground, as if it was water, and struck Kenki with a knee to his face.

"Earth Style, Double Suicide Decapitation Technique!"

Kikiyo's eyes widened as Kurotsuchi yelled out, landing in front of Kenki who was thrown back, and struck Kenki again in the face with her fist. This time the force of her blow was enough to send Kenki flying back and free himself from the ground.

However the combo attacks weren't done as Ryo appeared behind Kenki with the back of his katana striking his back.

"Ochiba Kire!"

Kenki yelled but not in pain but from anger, "Enough!"

Kurotsuchi, who was once again preparing to hit him, screamed out as Kenki used the momentum of Ryo's attack to increase his own speed. The Iwa Kunoichi fell back as Kenki struck her face hard enough for the hit to be heard even above the roaring flames.

It was then that Kikiyo and Tasuya both ran forward as Kira threw several kunai.

Kenki turned and, without any preparation, launched a large spray of fire from his mouth. The three of them all jumped to avoid the fire but Kira was not as fast and screamed as her legs were set ablaze.

Kira landed on the ground in a heap and could only scream as the fire consumed her legs.

Kurotsuchi, hearing the screams, quickly ran through her own hand signs and launched her most used water jutsu, "Water Style, Water Trumpet!"

The water hit the flames and, while saved Kira from the fire, had the adverse effect of sending hot steam over Kira's body. When the steam finally died down Kira was red all over and unconscious.

Kenki clapped his hands together and sparks of flame began to appear around them, "I'll take you all out with my next move! Fire Style, Co-" "Shuji Hiden Technique, Six Hells!"

Kenki choked as Kieko appeared in front of him and struck his chest with pink mist covered hands. While the last genjutsu had been of fire this one was filled with large maggots that burrowed into his skin. Even though he knew it was genjutsu he still screamed out in fear as the maggots continued to burrow inside of him.

By the time he was able to wake up from the genjutsu it was too late as he opened his eyes to see a foot fill his vision.

"Dynamic Entry!"

Kenki stumbled back from the force of the kick but seemingly unhurt. May and Kieko both jumped back to land next to Kikiyo, Ryo, and Kurotsuchi while Tatsuya then tended to the unconscious Kira.

"One day I'll be able to use that jutsu without being interrupted!"

Kenki, despite the hits that he had taken, seemed almost unhurt from it all and even wasn't short of breath. The others however all felt tired as they had all had either been recovering or had been in a fight today. In Kikiyo's case however she didn't have a large chakra well that the others seemed to have.

"What took you so long, Kieko?"

Kieko pointed over her shoulder to the trees, or to be exact the pile of bodies at the base of the trees, "May and I had to make sure nobody was caught in that attack."

Kenki growled as he saw the unconscious bodies, "So that's eighteen...damn it don't lower my kill count, you bitches!"

All of them raised their hands, preparing for the next jutsu, when a cold voice sounded out around them.

"That's enough."

Kenki, as well as everyone else bar Kieko, felt a cold shiver race down their spine.

"Where are you looking?~" Another voice sounded out, this one female and comical while the first had been cold.

Kieko could only smile as she heard the voices, We've won.

"When I'm right here?"

Kenki jumped but froze as a kunai was pressed against his neck, the owner of the kunai behind him. He turned his head slowly to see a Kohaku genin that couldn't be any older than the ones he was already fighting. Truly this one appeared to be nothing special.

If not for his eyes.

"I'm angry, very angry. In fact you could even say I'm pissed off. Now see I'll admit I haven't killed anyone yet but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted." Dante Ryuugon spoke with steel in his voice as the kunai he held began to crackle with electricity, "Now I'm going to give you this one chance to back down. Back down and live or continue and die. Frankly I don't care either way."

Kenki, who was almost smiling, laughed, "So there's someone else who could hold a candle to me? Very well I'll fall back for now. I already know the way out after all. We'll meet again Dante Ryuugon."

In a display of speed that he had not shown before he was gone in a second, leaving so quickly that if it wasn't for the lack of smoke one would think he had used a Shunshin.

All of them sighed in relief while Dante pocketed the kunai, Miki and Fuji entering the clearing soon after. Fuji immediately ran to Kira as Tatsuya filled him in on what had happened. It seemed as if only a few of them were really composed.

Dante walked to Kieko and grinned, "I don't even need the password do I?"

She grinned back, "Well couldn't hurt I suppose. But with that display it's clear as day that you're Dante. And if you were here sooner you'd have seen me use a Shuji genjutsu."

"Ah, seems like I missed something good then." A few seconds passed before Dante turned serious, "Are you hurt, Kieko?"

Kieko instantly felt her cheeks get warmer as he seemed to study her with his eyes. His blue...blue?

"Dante!" Kieko quickly grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close to whisper in his ears, "Your eyes are showing!"

She pulled back and frowned as Dante's face resembled a tomato, however her message got through as his eyes were now his usual brown.

He gulped before looking away, scratching his cheek as he thought of something to say.

His eyes widened then as something Kenki had said come up in his head again.

"Kieko, how did that guy know my name?"