INTERLUDE III - POWER OF HUMAN SACRIFICE
Toshiwaka Town, Land of Hot Waters
Although Toshiwaka is a somewhat small town, it's started to attract a lot of people to it. The businessowners have been steadily putting more and more effort into making itself a desired hot springs town.
The local ryokan owners put all their money and effort into expanding to offer more comfortable accommodations and better services than other hotspots in the Land of Hot Waters.
As such, it was difficult for Kaidomaru to resist taking a dip in some of the best onsen this Land has to offer. After all, this is technically part of his domain. Since the Land of Hot Waters foolishly disbanded their hidden village to focus on their tourism, they had little to no protection from great threats. The emergence of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and the Divine Tree scared them quite a bit and the Land of Woods and the Hidden Mountain Village took the opportunity to pose as their would-be protectors.
Truthfully that may have been possible even if they still had their hidden village. Quite frankly, the only remarkable thing they've ever truly done is produce a member of the Akatsuki and Kaidomaru still isn't sure how someone from this village got to that level of strength.
Still, it's not like he's here just to relax. That's an extra. No, he's here lying in wait for his target, someone who's been making rather good use of the crowded town in order to lie low. Unfortunately for him, the Land of Woods' ANBU is good at their job. And unfortunately for him, the innkeep blabbed about what times he uses the onsen.
Right on cue, the man enters.
An unassuming man of average stature, short brown hair. And only a towel around his waist, naturally. He acknowledges Kaidomaru's presence with a nod and goes to wash his body as is customary before entering. All the while, Kaidomaru nurses his sake, placed on a tray that floats around in the water.
The two occasionally glance over at each other; Kaidomaru because he's eyeing his target and the man because he just seems to naturally be suspicious. When their eyes meet, they just play it off.
When the man finishes cleaning himself, he walks in the onsen, resting on the opposite side of Kaidomaru.
"It sure is hot, isn't it?" Kaidomaru makes a casual remark.
The other man raises a brow. "Yes, it is." It's a hot spring, after all, that's the point.
Kaidomaru takes a sip of sake. "Of course not nearly as hot as your phoenix's fire." He chuckles.
The man narrows his eyes at the sudden statement, his body tenses beneath the water as he's already prepared to make a move. "Pardon?"
Kaidomaru dismissively waves his hand. "Oh, there's no need for that. I'm not really a fan of dragging things out. If there's work to be done, then simply do it. So why don't you come closer and we can share a drink," He pauses for slight dramatic effect, "Mōkin of clan Hōyoku."
As soon as he hears his name, Mōkin readies himself to lunge forward. He'd already gathered some chakra in his hand and with a flick of his wrist, a large feather appears in his palm. He had his foot on the side for additional support and to give himself a boost if he needed to go.
He was prepared and he's not someone to be caught off guard.
Usually.
Despite all of his preparations and him keeping a very close eye out, he was somehow not prepared for someone else to be in the room. Before he can move even an inch towards Kaidomaru, another man presses a kunai to his forehead from behind.
"Don't." Takeshi says.
Before Mōkin can even fully register the appearance of Takeshi, donning only an oni mask and a towel, something else flashes before him. Kaidomaru closes the distance in the blink of an eye and he has an oversized axe on Mōkin's throat.
'What the fuck?' Mōkin curses to himself. 'Where did this guy come from? I scanned the area, I know there was no one else here…' He looks back to Kaidmaru. 'And this guy… He's fast, and where did he get that axe from? Damnit all.'
Kaidomaru presses his axe against Mōkin's throat before pulling it back and laughing. "You don't need to put on such a constipated look. I did say I just wanted to share some sake." He looks back to the tray that was beside him, only to find that he'd tipped it over when he rushed at Mōkin and spilled the sake in the water. "Or… Maybe just a conversation. That's fine, too."
Mōkin looks between the two and realizes it best to play along for now. He takes a better look at the one still threatening him with a kunai and notes the mask, the only distinguishing thing about him.
"That mask… it's the Hannya Black Ops'. Hidden Mountain ANBU." He turns back to Kaidomaru and gives him a look over. "So you, with the red hair and large axe, must be Kaidomaru Sakata."
Kaidomaru smiles. "I'm glad we're on the same page. It makes things much easier. Takeshi, please release our friend."
Takeshi pulls his weapon away and steps back into the steam, erasing his presence entirely.
'He's good.' Mōkin notes. 'I can't even sense him. To think the Mountain had someone like that…' "So why these theatrics?" He asks Kaidomaru. "If you're going to capture me, then capture me."
"Oh, I want nothing of the sort. I have no intention of giving you to the Shinobi Union, you're far too valuable an asset for that."
Mōkin raises a brow. "Isn't the Hidden Mountain part of the Shinobi Union?"
"Oh, there's a lot of things about on, Mōkin, but how about I ask the questions first?" Kaidomaru leans back against the edge of the onsen and glares.
Mōkin decides it best to cooperate, if only out of sheer curiosity as to what a village leader wants with him. "Ask away."
"Gensui Amagiri. How did he find out about the Great Beast? I've been dying to know."
"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, seeing as I don't know much." Mōkin shrugs. "Gensui's plans were already well underway when I went to the Hidden Dream Village. He apparently found some old texts in the Tenrō clan's old homeland; found evidence of their secret weapon's identity."
"A secret passed on and eventually forgotten." Kaidomaru rubs chin. "And you decided to join his cause even though it had nothing to do with you?"
Mōkin shrugs. "He had big aspirations and a way of attaining great power. It seemed interesting and a way to topple the status quo." With as few movements as possible, Mōkin tries to scan the area, to see if he can sense the ANBU's presence, and get out with his life. 'There's no way I'm dying naked, damnit.'
"So what'll you say if I propose something even more interesting?" Kaidomaru offers. "Something much grander than what Gensui Amagiri was planning? Much more destructive."
Mōkin raises a brow. "You… Do you plan to betray the Shinobi Union?"
Kaidomaru reels his head back in laughter, "Oh, my friend…" before lowering his gaze, turned from jovial to sharp and dedicated. "I was never on their side to begin with."
"And you're telling me this before I've even agreed, because…"
"Because if you refuse, it won't matter what information you carry to the grave." Kaidomaru finishes the sentence.
"Such bold statements."
"I did say I like to get to the point. Our plans are close to finalization; we've amassed forces, allies, weapons. We could use someone like you on our side when all of it comes unleashed. You and the Amagiri clan you've brought with you. I don't imagine keeping a low profile forever sounds like a fun endeavour."
A slight smile creeps on Mōkin's face, a mixture of amusement at the prospect and disbelief that any of this is even happening. "And let's say I humour the idea. What would be involved in joining you?"
"Most likely not much else from what you were going to do for Gensui. We tear down the Union from the inside and tear down the Great Nations one by one until they can no longer step on all of us at a whim."
"So that's it, huh? It's some kind of revenge ploy against the big five?" Mōkin asks.
"Aren't we all driven by at least some sense of revenge or anger or negativity in general? To prove someone wrong or to give them a taste of their own medicine, it's all very… rewarding."
"Can't say I disagree with that."
"So how about this- you come with me and my team to perform a very specific task and you get to see a glimpse of our strength. If it seems interesting to you, we can continue talking." Kaidomaru extends a hand.
"Well, given that the alternative is a fight to the death… Why not? You've piqued my curiosity." Mōkin smirks and returns the handshake.
-x-
The two remain in the onsen for a little while longer, choosing to enjoy the place while they're here. No need for a perfectly good bath to go unused, after all, even if the atmosphere is… somewhat tense, due to the whole threatening and all.
At one point, someone else does try to enter the onsen but is quickly scared off by the appearance of a dagger at his chest. He doesn't even stay around long enough to see who threatened him with the dagger.
When the two decide that enough is enough, they leave.
"Takeshi, you can go. I'll handle the rest, you go catch up with your group."
"Yes, sir." Takeshi's voice comes from the ether.
Despite being present when the order is given, Mōkin still isn't sure if he should actually trust the disappearing shinobi is actually gone, or how many other disappearing shinobi Kaidomaru Sakata has.
They make their way out of the village while keeping completely out of sight, on their way to rendezvous with Kaidomaru's lot so they can discuss more openly. As far as either of them is aware, no one should be following them. They're competent shinobi in their own right and Mōkin is certain no one is following them, besides possible that Takeshi, and Kaidomaru is well aware he ordered everyone to leave. It's just them two until they reach the clearing where the Mountain shinobi are gathered.
Except for one presence that doesn't make itself known until the very last second.
For anyone else, it would be too late to react. Anyone else would have lost their head already, when a third person appeared behind them, swinging two swords right at their necks.
Luckily for them, they're not just anyone. Mōkin reacts in the last possible moment by conjuring a [Feather Blade] in his hand to block the sword while Kaidomaru dodges out of the way just in time, losing only a few strands of hair.
Mōkin and Kaidomaru skid back and face the third person for battle. Mōkin conjures a second feather to his hand, and Kaidomaru unfurls a scroll on his hip to summon his axe from its seal.
They now get a better look at their assailant. A man of wild red hair, shorter than Kaidomaru's, and the lower half of his face covered by the mask of an oni's grin. His body is bare save for the bandages his torso and forearms are wrapped in. As he looks over the two of them, his katana flare up and become enveloped in fire.
Kaidomaru smirks. "Seikai of clan Miyoshi. What a surprise."
Mōkin notes the half of a mask and its familiar design. "A Hannya mask." He then turns one of his [Feather Blades] toward Kaidomaru. "He's one of yours? Is this some kind of trick, Kaidomaru?"
"No, he is most definitely not one of mine." Kaidomaru answers, not even paying attention to the feather pointed at him. 'Yet.'
"It's a trophy from years ago," Seikai answers, "When I crossed paths with the old Hannya group."
Kaidomaru straightens himself but remains in a battle-ready position. "So what brings a bounty hunter from the Land of Wind all the way to the Land of Hot Waters?"
"A bounty." Seikai raises one of his katana toward Mōkin. "And apparently a traitor." He raises the other toward Kaidomaru. "One of the Shinobi Union leaders having a nice stroll with the most wanted man. I wonder how much ryō I'll get for you, Kaidomaru Sakata." Seikai wonders.
"Why would you even care?" Kaidomaru asks. "The Miyoshi clan hates the hidden village, so why are you even taking jobs for us?"
Seikai shrugs. "The pay's good, and if I can steal the bounty from under one of you pampered village kids' noses, all the better."
Mōkin chuckles. "Vindictive, I like it. It's a shame you'll fail. We might've gotten along in other circumstances and shared sake at an onsen."
Seikai raises a brow at the oddly specific statement.
Kaidomaru grips his axe with two hands and readies it by his side to swing as necessary. "I suppose I'll have to get you to calm down with a good old fashioned beating."
"You'll try." Seikai hisses.
The air around Seikai grows dry. Kaidomaru and Mōkin see the air visibly begin to ripple as the result of intense heat. Seikai's entire body and katana begin to let out smoke which gives way to a bright white flame that instantly sets nearby foliage, and even the ground itself, on fire.
[Ninja Art Fire Style: Akurojin]
"Oh?" Mōkin smirks. "If you think fire will work on me, you've come sorely underprepared."
With a set of wings forming on his back, and two feathers in his hands, he flies up high in the air.
Dozens of giant feathers, which would be shining bright because of their natural red and orange colouring even if they weren't set on fire, materialize around him and cluster together to create the towering form of a fiery avian.
[Lost Aviary: Phoenix]
The phoenix stomps on the ground, setting everyone around it ablaze just by virtue of being near it. It lets out a piercing screech, small bits of ember flying from deep within its throat.
"Everyone's so intense." Kaidomaru chuckles. "If you'll pardon the pun, I think I'll cool those emotions."
He forms a set of hand signs and grabs the edge of his greataxe, digging into his palm to draw blood. As it drips down the axe, jutsu formulae spread over the side of the axe head.
[Summoning: Water Style: Tides of Biwa]
From the formulae, a deluge of water bursts forth in what first seems an uncontrolled flood, but soon the water begins to swirl around Kaidomaru like a flowing ribbon. The side of the ring closer to the phoenix begins to slightly sizzle from the bird's presence.
Mōkin eyes Kaidomaru, and the water he just conjured, with great interest and curiosity. 'For the water to not be evaporating when this close to the phoenix… You're a curious one, Kaidomaru Sakata.'
Seikai looks up at the phoenix and whistles with a hint of admiration. "Summoning birds and feathers. You have the same jutsu as that kid." He recalls the very brief time he actually met Kotori after the truce with Naruto and Guren.
"Oh?" Mōkin cocks his head. "Have you met Kotori, by any chance? You simply must tell me about it."
With his feathers still in his hands, he performs a set of hand signs while the phoenix reels its head back. When he finishes, it extends its head forward, neck glowing as the blanket of fire leaves its body and encompases the entire area around it.
[Fire Style: Flames of Rebirth]
The resulting jutsu blocks almost all field of vision not just for its size but the hot flames create a bright light that forces Kaidomaru to look away for a moment. Anything that wasn't already set ablaze from Seikai and Mōkin's just is now burning, smoke billowing in the air.
When the [Flame of Rebirth] dies down, they scan the area but see no sign of Seikai. That is, until Kaidomaru spots something from the corner of his eye- a figure that he may have otherwise missed if he wasn't glowing with white flames.
Seikai comes rushing in from the side, katana aimed right at Kaidomaru's head but he raises his greataxe to block them both.
The clash of Akurojin's white fire and Biwa's pure water sends steam rising in the air but it's nowhere near the amount Seikai expected. Kaidomaru swings his axe to push Seikai away and in doing so sends a wave of water that's blocked by a shield of Binding Cloth.
When Seikai retracts the cloth, his eyes widen as he sees some of his flames extinguished, both on the cloth and on certain parts of his katana.
'This is… like what Naruto did. He's the only one to have ever extinguished Akurojin's flames.' He stares down Kaidomaru and the water that flows from his axe. 'Is it the same jutsu? Or similar?'
Kaidomaru swings the axe over his shoulder. "This water is from Lake Biwa, home of the catfish. I'm afraid even your fire isn't going to be enough."
Their stare down is interrupted by a rain of feathers that pierce into the ground.
[Feather Kunai Barrage]
Seikai uses some of his binding cloth to swat away at them while other parts snake their way to the nearby trees. He uses them to pull himself away from danger while still using his swords for defence.
"So versatile, that cloth." Kaidomaru admires Seikai's maneuverability.
Once Mōkin's barrage ends, the phoenix runs forward and stomps on the ground where Seikai is moving about. The ground underneath is upturned, trees are snapped and crushed, on top of them also being set aflame. It swings its mighty wing to create a gust of hot air, in an attempt to knock Seikai off his balance.
Seeing as his means to zipping around have been mostly crushed, he does get knocked off his balance and is sent flying away.
Kaidomaru raises his axe high above his head, water following its movements in an oddly mesmerizing display. He forms his hand signs despite gripping onto the handle with both hands and slams it into the ground, digging deep into it.
[Water Style: Great Waterfall]
The water bursts forth in a giant vortex, going right past the phoenix and aimed to hit Seikai. He, however, manages to send a piece of cloth just in time to grab onto a nearby fallen tree to get away from it.
What water was left behind begins to lightly steam from being nearby so much intense flames, while the majority of the water bursts onward and crates a massive indent in the ground from the force it exerted.
Seikai decides now's his time to go on the offensive.
[Fire Style: Great Flame Destruction]
He takes a deep breath and spews out his own sea of flames, large enough to cover most of the phoenix and targeted to catch both Kaidomaru and Mōkin in its infernale wake.
Mōkin commands the phoenix to protect him with its wing while Kaidomaru slightly flicks the axe as it's still embedded in the ground.
[Water Style: Water Shield]
A protective bubble forms around just before the flames can reach him.
When the fire dies down, Mōkin flies from under the phoenix' wing and the two begin to pelt Seikai with fiery feathers which he avoids or deflects best that he can.
[Fire Style: Feather Kunai]
"Did you think your fire's hot enough to harm a phoenix?" Mōkin mocks.
"Was kind of hoping it was, yeah." Seikai cuts the feathers before they can reach him.
The phoenix steps in front of Mōkin and brings down its massive claws onto Seikai. He dodges and uses his cloth to wrap around its leg to pull himself closer to it. It burns. He may be immune to the heat of his own [Akurojin], but that doesn't make him immune to all fire unlike this phoenix.
Right now he can mainly rely on his cloth to get him by, until he can find a way to get in the air and grab Mōkin. Surely if the caster is knocked out, the phoenix will disappear, too, right?
He tries to do exactly that, sporadically using his cloth to swing around the phoenix to dodge its claws and wings. Just when he thinks he's managed to trick it and jump above it, it swats its wing to push him away.
"Won't be that easy." Mōkin smirks.
Seikai manages to cushion his fall by first sending his cloth to grab onto charred trees to slow his momentum. He tumbles to the ground and rolls back before he can catch himself. Before he can even think of his next move, the ground underneath his cracks. At first he wonder about an Earth Style he wasn't aware of but that theory is almost immediately debunked when he hears the sound of rushing water.
He jumps back just in time to avoid a pillar of water that shoots out from the ground but it's barely a moment later when more of the ground cracks. It's not just the spot in front him but almost the entire clearing he's in.
Dozens of other pillars burst out and coil around him in a dome of water that rapidly shrinks in on him. The area is so large that even the phoenix has to fly up and away to avoid it.
[Water Style: Great Water Prison]
"Dammit!" Seikai curses his luck.
He forms the hand signs of his Fire Style in a last ditch attempt to burn the water away. Maybe if he can put all of his chakra into it, he can make it hot enough, Lake Biwa or whatever be damned. Before he can finish, however, the water fully encases him and crushes him under its pressure. He tries to move his body and maybe swim away but it takes too much strength to move his arm, let alone swim.
Kaidomaru runs forward with his axe in hand, which is connected to the water prison by a ribbon of water, and jumps right in. Unlike Seikai, he doesn't seem to be affected at all by the massive pressure and is able to move around freely, like he's taking a relaxing dive.
Seikai tries to swing his now extinguished katana but it's futile.
Kaidomaru swings his greataxe and slams him full force into his chest with the brunt side. Seikai is sent crashing into the ground as the water is released and floods the ground. Kaidomaru jumps down to the barely holding himself together Seikai and grabs his hand.
Seikai tries to pull away but he doesn't have the strength after being crushed and battered.
"Time for you to learn where you belong, cousin." Kaidomaru whispers so just Seikai can hear.
Kaidomaru forms a set of joint hand signs, using both of their hands. Jutsu formulae begin to spread over both of their hands and eventually cover their arms and necks.
[Forbidden Jutsu: Bloodline Regression]
Seikai screams in agony as his mind becomes flooded with visions.
He sees an old man running from and eventually captured by enemy shinobi. He sees the old man treated like dirt, abused and beaten. He manages to recognize him as a slightly younger version of his father, Asuka Uzumaki. He sees everything his father went through, things he was never aware of- how he found himself amongst the Miyoshi clan where he found some semblance of peace.
But that's not all he sees. He sees the memories of other Uzumaki, ones who weren't as lucky as Asuka, ones who suffered much more hardship than he thought possible. His mind becomes filled with their words. Curses. Desires. Wishes. Their anger, their agony, their hatred for the enemies who drove them to this pathetic state and hatred for the allies who abandoned them. How dare they? Bastards who got too confident, who need to be taught a lesson and learn their place under our heels.
Kaidomaru lets go of Seikai's hand and steps back. When Seikai tries to push himself up to his feet, Mōkin flies down with his blades ready but Kaidomaru stops him.
"Wait. It's okay now."
Seikai gets up with some difficulty and a lot of pain. When he turns around to face the other two and lifts his head, tears stream down his eyes. "I… I didn't know."
Kaidomaru nods. "Many don't at first."
"To think I've been so blind… And that I planned on helping them by capturing you." Seikai clenches his fist. "They have to pay. They all have to pay!" He screams out. "They can't get away with everything they've done to us!
Mōkin raises a brow. 'What's he even talking about? Where's all this coming from?'
Kaidomaru extends a hand. "Then help me do exactly that, Seikai Uzumaki."
Seikai readily takes the hand and shakes it. "I'm sorry for attacking you, but… I'm good now. Tell me what you need of me."
Kaidomaru smirks. "I'm glad you asked."
Mōkin can't help but take a single weary step back, every part of his body telling him something is wrong and there's danger afoot. 'What the fuck? He did a complete 180. That last jutsu… Did Kaidomaru somehow take over his mind, or put him under some kind of genjutsu? Does he plan to do that with… No, he could've just done it to me at any point if that's what he wanted.'
"Now that the… misunderstanding has been cleared, shall we continue to our destination, the 3 of us?" Kaidomaru says. "We still have actual work that needs doing." He looks to the side and notices Mōkin's clear discomfort. "I did tell you I'd show you interesting things. Consider this an unexpected sample."
Kaidomaru returns his greataxe back to its scroll as Seikai fetches his katana and sheathes them.
"Yeah. Sure." Mōkin says as he walks toward them, keeping his distance.
Land of Earth
Kokuō has enjoyed her free time as much as she's been able to. To not be sealed inside anyone, to roam the lands she once called home without any disturbances.
Land of Earth is probably her favourite place to gallop as it's full of wide open terrain. Land of Lightning is good, too, because she has a lot of mountains and hills to hop to and from but this is where she can really pick up speed.
Land of Fire has too many forests and she's worried about trampling some innocent creature's home and Land of Wind is just not good for running. Or breathing. It's not a fun place at all.
Despite the circumstances she'd found herself in the past few dozen years as a prisoner, she can't help but feel a connection to this place. She may have hated the ones who sealed her away but she was able to reconcile with Han at the very end and the shinobi of the world have seen the error of their ways in keeping them locked and used as a source of power. So she's able to enjoy herself and even interact with some shinobi from time to time while putting past animosity aside.
Right now, however, she's resting from a relaxing spring through the lands, nestled in a canyon of sorts to hide from the scorching sun. She's lying down peacefully although there's something that's bothering her. She can't quite put her hoof on it as it's more of a feeling than sensing.
She can't pinpoint what exactly but she feels uneasy even though looking around, she can't sense or see anything that should be causing her worry. Despite this, she still feels the need to pick up her pace. She'll just take a nice job and move on from this place.
That is, if she would if she was given enough time.
[Ninja Art: Summoning: Rashōmon]
From the sides of the canyon , two enormous gates appear, visages of angered being decorating the front and only now do two figures appear right in front of her eyes where there were none before.
Takeshi releases his invisibility and opposite him, Kūga becomes visible, as well, as the little chameleon on her shoulder goes back to its home.
[Uzumaki clan Seal: Release]
Both Rashōmon gates swing open, unleashing the beasts trapped within. Nue and Amikiri jump out, free, despite the shackles that still adorn their legs, or claws in Amikiri's case, and tails.
"An ambush? Now?" Kokuō doesn't wait long to spring into action.
She dashes toward Nue, propelled by steam bursting from her hind hooves. She jumps to the top of the cliffside and dives in headfirst.
[Horn Breaking]
Nue roars, gathers lightning at the tip of its paws, and slams Kokuō's head in an attempt to stop her rampage. It works slightly, as Kokuō is pushed aside and hurt by the electricity, but Nue itself is also pushed away.
Kūga and her tigress Setsuen use this chance to slip away while the monsters fight.
Amikiri flies at the dazed Kokuō and tries to grab her with its claws but she kicks it away and releases a cloud of scalding steam in its face. It screeches and flies out to gather itself. Kokuō tries to keep them off her and at least keep it one-on-one but they become better at avoiding her attacks.
Nue lashes out with lightning from afar that Kokuō can dodge out of the way but Amikiri flies in to intercept. When she tries to burn it with steam again, it simply raises its claw and snaps the sneak cloud in half, rendering it inert.
Kokuō clicks her tongue. "Of course, it has this annoying ability."
She resorts to dodging for now, using her steam propulsion to maneuver around more easily. The three of them deliver crushing blows to one another, with Kokuō using her strong legs and head to her advantage but Nue can keep away with its lightning and Amikiri can dive in and out easily. Still, she takes any win she can.
At one point in their scuffle, Kokuō finds an opening she'd been looking for. With Amikiri around, she couldn't use the most powerful weapon in her arsenal but she manages to interpose herself between the two in such a way to kick Amikiri away and keep it out of the fight long enough.
She turns to Nue and gathers a ball of black chakra at the tip of her jaw.
[Tailed Beast B-
Before she can actually do it, something pierces her body and digs deep, like a giant pike. Then another, and another. She looks back at the source of her pain to see dozens of chains made of pure chakra sticking into her, and following them to their source she sees two groups of masked shinobi who're… floating in the air? The space around them shimmers to reveal two large chameleons who'd been invisible until now.
"Where did they come from? How could I not sense them?" Kokuō tugs at the chains in an attempt to break free but they prove strong.
The shinobi all jump out. The ones who have their chains grappling Kokuō stay back and somehow their grip becomes only more powerful. They all become surrounded by reddish cloaks of chakra that form a skeletal figure around them.
[Susanoo]
The remainder of the assailants rush forward.
Some of them stop partway through and slam their hands on their ground.
[Earth Style: Moving Earth Core]
The area under Kokuō shifts and, unable to escape, she finds herself sinking as the space underneath her moves down. The third group of shinobi stop at the edge and pelt her with Lightning and Fire Style.
Kokuō tries to unleash a cloud of steam but she finds herself unable to use her chakra as she pleases. She feels it being drained through some of the chains holding onto her. At this rate, she'll barely be able to stand.
From the side, Takeshi and Kūga observe the assault.
"It's working." Kūga crosses her and watches closely. "Sending those who can drain chakra to the Five Tails was a smart move."
Takeshi nods. "They can absorb its chakra from a safe distance while remaining unharmed by the steam."
They both flinch when a sudden crash of thunder pierces the sky. Nue strikes down a powerful lightning bolt from the skies while Amikiri beats Kokuō down with its powerful claws. Even the [Moving Earth Core] squeezes at her from all sides.
Eventually, she finds herself helpless and drained of chakra.
Then, the assailants move on with their plan.
The ones holding Kokuō down with chains step on the edge while two jump down on her back. Nue and Amikiri hold Kokuō down in addition to the chains, applying more pressure than necessary.
Jutsu formulae spread under the feet of the Uzumaki members, the circular formation expanding until it reaches the formulae of the ones next to them. When they meet, they spread further into the hold toward the Tailed Beast.
"This is… a seal?!" Kokuō struggles to break free to no avail.
She doesn't have the strength of the chakra to fight back. She tries to form a [Tailed Beast Bomb] but she can't focus. Even if she could, Amikiri stops her by clasping onto her jaw with its powerful claws.
'I can't reach the others in my state. I can't focus.'
One of the Uzumaki onto Kokuō places an arm on the Tailed Beast's back and looks to the woman behind her who's stripped down to only a wrapping around her chest.
"Are you ready, Jun?"
Jun gives a confident nod. "Yes."
The jutsu formulae spread onto Kokuō's entire body and into the arm of the first woman. The writing swirls up her body and onto her other arm which is when she places her arm on Jun's stomach where the sealing is finalized.
[Gongen Seal]
Jun cries out in pain as the foreign chakra is sealed in her body but she fights through it.
'Please be safe, everyone.' Kokuō's final thoughts don't reach her siblings.
The Five Teailed Beast's form shrinks, her body turning to pure chakra as she's sucked into the seal on Jun's body.
Once the process is over, Jun falls to the ground and pants. The other shinobi cheer over their success. Nue and Amikiri are dragged back into the Rashōmon gates, pulled by the shackles on their body.
When everything has settled, Kūga and Takeshi jump in and offer Jun help in getting back up.
"Well done." Kūga smirks.
"This power…" Jun pants. "It's incredible."
"Such is the power of the Tailed Beasts. I know your body must be in pain right now, but we must move. We can't allow ourselves to be spotted."
"Yes, sir." Jun nods. "I hope the other team has as much success as us."
"I'm sure they will. They have Kaidomaru with them, after all."
The two chameleons from before hop by and allow everyone to once again climb in their mouths, where they can remain unseen when the chameleons turn invisible.
North Great Barrier Sea
Ever since the Fourth Great Ninja War, things have been pleasantly calm for Isobu. He's had free range to roam the lands as much as he pleases these past 5 years, although there's been quite a bit of tension with the Great Beasts being released from their prison. At least he's been able to keep an eye out while free to swim to his heart's content.
Best part is, he doesn't even have to worry about shinobi. Since the War, the Union has issued that any attempts to capture the Great Beasts would be treated as an act of war against the Union. Since the Union is composed of the most powerful shinobi villages, no one really intends to go against that. Even if they wanted to, it's not like the smaller villages have the manpower to capture them.
The only thing he's really had to deal with is being treated as a sea monster. Sure, the shinobi are all in the know about them but ordinary folk aren't. Isobu has heard many stories about an island-sized turtle that sinks ships.
That's hearsay! He's never sunk a ship, it's all storms and poor planning on the captains' part. They're just using him as a scapegoat to hide their own incompetence.
Well, it's not like he interacts much with the humans, anyway. Normal folk can't reach him underwater and shinobi rarely seek him out.
Which is why, it's weird to him that he's sensing some humans approach. Normally he's not a sensor-type, that's more Kurama's deal, but here in the water he can sense the disturbances of several dozen people coming right to him.
Even though they've been at peace, he's not about to let people think they can disturb him as they please.
From his resting spot nestling into a hold on the seafloor, Isobu slams his leg on the ground. From the resulting rumble, coral pillars jut out from the ground to form a barrier. A warning to halt.
These people do not halt. They swim over the coral and continue forward.
Isobu swims up and lashes out with his three tails to create a massive wave. "Stop and state your business." His booming voice carries itself underwater, perfectly audible.
Now that he's gotten in view with his visitors, he can see what they look like. Clothing that he doesn't recognize as belonging to any hidden village and pale white masks that hide their face.
"Identify yourselves."
The strangers do not. Instead, they all raise their arms in front of them and immediately go on the offensive.
[Water Style: Whirlpool]
With their combined might, the water around Isobu begins to rapidly swirl with enough force to drag him along with it. The whirlpool grows smaller and faster with the ultimate goal being to crush its intended target.
This target, however, intends to fight back.
"YOU DARE?!"
Isobu curls up into a ball and begins spinning himself. He spins faster and faster, ironically aided by the [Whirlpool], to the point where the whirlpool itself can't keep up with him. In a burst, the water jutsu breaks and sends another wave at the assailant.
Toward the back, Kaidomaru and Mizushi lie in wait, similarly dressed and masked to hide their identities.
"Ready, Mizushi?" Kaidomaru asks as he cuts his palm, blood trickling into the water, before performing a set of hand signs.
"Ready." In contrast Mizushi doesn't cut his palm and forms a different set.
They both slam their bloodied palms onto a rocky surface.
[Ninja Art: Summoning]
[Ninja Art: Summoning: Rashōmon]
A monstrous gate emerges from the ground behind Mizushi, while a large black catfish, nearly as large as Isobu himself, appears in the water by Kaidomaru's side.
"Go, Namazu!" Kaidomaru orders the catfish.
It swims toward Isobu, fishing jets of water to keep him occupied.
"That's… the Rashōmon gate? I don't know what you're planning but there's no way I'll let you!" Isobu curls into a spiky ball and rolls his way away from his assailants and right for the catfish, although it's not his target, either.
[Shell Spear]
As Isobu draws near, Namazu barrel rolls out of the bulldozing Isobu's way but in doing so creates a vortex in the water. A vortex that considerably slows Isobu's spin long enough so he can't interfere.
[Uzumaki clan Seal: Release]
Mizushi opens the Rashōmon. The metal bells fall to the ground, metal chains dragging along and lessening their grip on the gates so they can fly open. The Kappa emerges from within and on seeing Isobu, flies into a rage and swims right for him.
It gathers a stream of water in its mouth and releases a thin stream of water. Isobu dodges it in time so it instead split the rocks behind him in two.
Isobu now finds himself at a disadvantage with Namazu and Kappa coming at him from all sides. Kappa tries to get in close to grapple him but when he tries to escape, Namazu is right there to meet him. It uses its massive tail to strike at Isobu's unprotected underbelly which only gives Kappa the chance to strike at his sturdier shell. Kappa's strength allows it to actually strike the shell and now hurt its own hands in the process.
Isobu fights well but this puts him at a disadvantage. After taking far too many hits for his own comforts, he swings his tails to give himself a speed boost and swim upward and away from them. When he gets enough distance, he turns back and gathers a mass of black chakra at the tip of his jaw that he fires at Kappa.
[Tailed Beast Bomb]
The explosion sends a large ripple of water that shakes the entire area they're in. When he finally reaches the surface to get his bearings, he's immediately assaulted by an even greater force. Multiple Lightning Style jutsu strike him to great effect as it travels through the water he's completely drenched in.
When the lightning strikes stop, dozens of shinobi charge directly at him. The Amagiri clan, transformed into their insectoid form, horns crackling with electricity. As they impact, Isobu reels from the second surge of electricity but swats them all away.
It's then that he notices the third threat, up in the sky.
Mōkin's Phoenix is flying high above with Seikai's fiery form standing on top of its head while Mōkin himself flies next to them. They waste no time.
[Fire Style: Flames of Rebirth]
[Fire Style: Great Fire Destruction]
Isobu cries out as the inferno hits him. He steps out but he's already staggered from the heat that burned his flesh, even after only a second of exposure. He curls up in a ball and begins spinning with the intent to jump up and bulldoze the phoenix but he's caught before he can. Not by someone but something. Chains made of pure chakra shoot out of the water dig their way into him, wrapping around him and restraining him.
[Adamantine Sealing Chains]
Namazu jumps out of the water and hits him with its tail, Kappa swims up and grabs onto him and squeezes tight enough to crack the shell.
Isobu gathers another mass of chakra at his jaw, but Kappa clamps his jaw shut. He tries to fight back, to get away from Kappa's grip and to break away from the chain. As he tries, several giant feathers, burning with the same intense fire he was hit with before, fly down and dig into his legs. From a combination of pain and heat, he can't struggle as he did.
The shinobi who attacked him first rise from the water in a sight that sends a shiver down Isobu's spine. They're each enveloped in chakra constructs of various shades of red, warrior-forms that protect their user and are holding the chains that're keeping Isobu down.
"That's… the Uchiha clan's Susanoo?!"
Kaidomaru steps toward him and stops right in front of his face. "Don't worry, Three Tails. We'll put you to good use. The use you were always meant for."
Isobu tries to struggle free but there're too many things holding him down.
A shield of red chakra forms around Kaidomaru, first in the form of a ribcage that extends to form a pair of arms and a skull which are all then wrapped in a suit of armour.
[Susanoo]
In its hands, it forms a greataxe and a chain, which Kaidomaru flicks and sends digging right into Isobu's neck. Isobu can feel his chakra being absorbed from the chains.
[Adamantine Draining Chains]
"Stay still. This'll only take a moment." Kaidomaru can't help but say with a hint of glee. "Are you ready, Senta?" He looks up at Isobu's back.
There, are two shinobi. One kneeling down and one standing behind him shirtless.
"Ready!" The shirtless man, Senta Uzumaki, shouts out.
"Then let's begin."
In unison, all the Uzumaki gathered around Isobu form the same set of handsigns. Symbols appear under them in a circular pattern that expands to reach the patterns of the ones by the sides. When the symbols meet, they further extend under Isobu and begin to glow when they come in contact with the Three Tailed Beast.
"No…" Isobu immediately recognizes what this is. A fūinjutsu. "NO!" His struggles continue to be in vain.
The man kneeling on top of Isobu's back begins forming hand signs, as well, once the jutsu formulae move closer.
[Gongen Seal]
The man on top places a hand on Isobu's back and another hand on Senta's chest. As the jutsu formulae spread over Isobu's entire body and flows into his hand, through his arm, his back, and into Senta's chest.
Senta cries out in pain as a massive foreign chakra enters his body but he grits his teeth and holds strong. For his clan. For their future.
Isobu's form shrinks down as his chakra is absorbed into the seal. He knows this is it for him. He desperately tries to go into the mindspace he shares with his siblings, with Bee and Naruto, to warn them. But he doesn't have the strength to even do that. His mind wavers from the loss of chakra and he can't connect his consciousness anymore.
"Damnit. Naruto… I'm sorry."
After a painfully long time, Isobu is sealed.
Senta Uzumaki falls to his knees on the water's surface and tries to keep himself together. His chakra becomes unstable from what he'd just gone through and just as he's about to drop into the water, Kaidomaru Flickers by his side and helps up to his feet.
"You did well, brother." Kaidomaru claps Senta on the shoulder. "How does it feel?"
Senta takes a moment to catch his breath. "It feels… amazing. It has so much chakra…"
Kaidomaru smiles under his mask. "When we get back, you and Jun will begin your training right away." He turns back at all the gathered forces and greets them with an approving nod. The Uzumaki clan he's nurtured all these years, the Amagiri clan who just joined them, Mōkin and Seikai who now land on the water. "How about we all go home?"
Name Meanings
Toshiwaka Town (年若街, Toshiwaka-gai) - 'youthful'
North Great Barrier Sea (北巨関海, Hoku Kyokan-hai)
Summoning: Water Style: Tides of Biwa (口寄せ・水遁・琵琶湖の上げ潮 , Kuchiyose: Suiton: Biwa no Ageshio , Summoning: Water Release: Incoming TIde of Biwa) - In Japanese mythology, Kaidomaru a.k.a. Sakata no Kintoki a.k.a. Kintarō is famous for wrestling Namazu, a giant catfish. Stories of Namazu are said to originate from the area around Lake Biwa.
Gongen Seal (権現封印 , Gongen Fūin) - 'gongen' is a concept that means 'manifestation of a Buddha in the form of a Shinto kami'. Its two kanji mean 'authority'/'power' and 'present'/'existence' respectively.
Author's Note
The title of the chapter, power of human sacrifice, is the English translation of "jinchūriki".