Following the 'Be Strong' arc:
The Land of Rice Paddies has gone through enough turmoil over the years. It's time for it to end and for the land to gain stability under a new rule.
Before that can happen, Orochimaru's hypothetical grip must be severed. There are many hideouts and laboratories within the borders that must be taken care of. For that purpose, the Hidden Mountain Village has sent sizable forces to scope the territories with the help of the loca Fuma clan, going through known hideouts and tracking down unknown ones.
Kaidomaru Sakata, as he's more commonly known, stands in front of one such hideout. He's gone through many over the past several days and collected a great deal of research and data the rogue Leaf ninja had gathered over the years. However, he's yet to find the main piece of research that interests him.
Takeshi Imori raises an arm to stop the group, the scales glistening against the sunlight that manages to pierce through the foliage.
Kaidomaru and Hanzaki Fuma lead the present group, with shinobi from both the Hidden Mountain and the Fuma clan behind them.
"What is it, Takeshi?" Kaidomaru asks but he already prepares the scroll that contains his axe, wagering a guess as to what it is.
Hanzaki, the bulky leader of the Fuma clan, places a hand on the large zanbato on his back.
"Fourteen occupants with impressive chakra."
"How impressive?" Hanzaki asks.
Takeshi smirks. "Not enough."
"Not an answer, but sure. How should we proceed?" The man turns to who's not technically his new boss, Kaidomaru Sakata.
"Same as the others. We give them a chance to surrender to us. If they refuse, we kill them." Kaidomaru answers without batting an eye.
"Damn bold o' ya." A voice comes from the hideout's entrance.
The group Takeshi had sensed makes its way outside, all dressed in similar light purple robes with thick purple ropes tied either around their waist or their torso. They appear immediately hostile.
"Dunno what made ya dumb enough to act tough but ya better run away. Ain't got a chance." One in particular stands in front of the rest, trying to come off even larger than he already is.
Kaidomaru sighs. "It sounds like it'll be the latter."
Before he can even give out orders, and before the Hidden Sound remnants can make any sort of demands, Takeshi is already directly in front of two of Orochimaru's faithful, wire in hand having cut the two of them before they can even realise.
When they do, they don't hide their anger. "YOU WRETCH!"
Every single one of them begins morphing, their bodies going through massive changes. Their skin turns to dark grey or brown or black, and they gain additional body parts. Be it horns, or tails, or spines, they all take on an animalistic appearance.
"They… all have the Curse Mark?!" Hanzaki calls out.
The two that Takeshi cut go to punch him, putting all of their strength behind it.
Takeshi, however, disappears in plain sight. The punches go wide and miss the now invisible foe.
"Get them!" The others roar and try to reach the one who clearly did something to their companions.
Their focus becomes divided when the rest of the Hidden Mountain's forces join the fight. Kaidomaru and Hanzaki cleave with their large weapons. Hanzaki's zanbato is blocked by a hardened arm, but Kaidomaru slices through the thickened hide, enhancing it with Fire Style once the blade is embedded in the enemy's sides. He screams in pain as his insides as set on fire, and Hanzaki uses the chance to cleave once more. This time the blade connects, apparently the hide being weakened by the intense pain he's in.
Takeshi with his expertise in stealth hides in plain sight, invisible to everyone on the field. This allows him to kill with relative ease. They're tougher now on the outside, but the inside is a different story. His specialty isn't medical ninjutsu, but he's learned enough for his specific purposes. He presses a hand against one Cursed's chest and sends chakra through it with his Chakra Scalpel.
[Death Technique: Heart Sever]
Swiping his hand across, the man coughs blood and falls to one knee. Takeshi places his Scalpel on the man's throat, closing the muscles and causing him to choke.
The rest of the forces do well enough to gang up the Cursed several at a time, the task made easier by their leaders single-handedly taking on multiple opponents.
Kaidomaru sends a wave of fire with a swing of his axe, burning many of them in one fell swoop.
When enough are downed and only a few remain, they see the futility of this battle and try to run away. Not fast enough, unfortunately. Kaidomaru and Hanzaki burst forward with their blades in hand, masakari axe and zanbatō blade swinging, and cut them down swiftly.
Kaidomaru looks around. "Well done." He notices some have sustained injuries and are in the process of lying down to tend to them.
Takeshi already begins the process of patching them up, as do two more. One shinobi from the Hidden Mountain and one member of the Fuma clan.
"Your people fight well." Hanzaki approaches Kaidomaru.
"As do yours. I've heard tales of the Curse Mark and it's not something ordinary shinobi could deal with."
"I picked my top for this task, as I'm sure you did, as well."
"Naturally. I don't plan on underestimating Orochimaru, even in death."
"A wise decision."
After a brief period of respite, the group walks inside.
Many of the chambers are empty and have visibly been empty for years, containing broken and dilapidated furniture, abandoned shelves and containers of liquid of various sizes and shapes, some of which are still intact but no longer operational.
They can't be sure if the Cursed ones found it like this, or left it like this but either way, it seems like much of the research that was conducted here is ruined.
They manage to find logs and data still intact and carefully go through them before cataloguing and placing in their own storage scrolls.
Takeshi in particular comes across one scroll while sifting through what remains and quickly stashes it away after looking at its contents, saving it for later. 'We finally found something useful.'
Once they've checked every nook and cranny, confident they've cleared it all, they pack their things and prepare to head out.
"I'll find Kaidomaru, tell him we're ready." Takeshi makes his way further inside where Kaidomaru has been looking for a while.
The Hidden Mountain and Fuma clan shinobi make their way outside.
Entering the chamber, Takeshi makes certain no one else is around as he approaches Kaidomaru.
"Anything interesting?" Kaidomaru asks.
"I'd say so. There was some extensive data on the Sharingan, list of experiments he'd done, the results. I didn't look through all of it, but it's stashed away safely."
Kaidomaru can't hide his smile. "I'm actually surprised we found something. His obsession with the Uchiha will be invaluable. As little as he knew about its true nature, this, combined with the knowledge of the Uzumaki of olde, will help us create the ultimate fighting force."
"Then let's not let his work go to waste."
The two of them head on outside to meet with the rest, and continue their search.
-x-
Elsewhere in the Land of Rice Paddies, Mizushi and Kuga were leading their own strike force. They, too, found a lab, although theirs was more operational and contained more than its fair share of hidden gems.
The two of them stand before multiple glass containers filled with liquid. Still functioning, still connected to a power supply, still completing their task.
Inside are men and women, and boy and girls of all ages. Asleep and curled up, floating within the water.
Mizushi walks up to one and dusts off a tablet on it to reveal the sign.
'Kimimaro clone #19'
He turns to Kuga to tell her something but stops once he sees she's already doing it. She opens up a communication scroll and begins writing in it.
"This might be one of our most important finds yet."
During the 'Hidden Stone Secrets' arc:
Kaidomaru Uzumaki had a plan in motion, to send a warning to the Great Villages. The Great Beasts were to attack the villages directly, as the Nue was already unleashed on the Hidden Cloud. They're still not completely freed and remain shackled by the Rashomon gates but they have the chance to test their might and shake the shinobi world to its core at the same time.
The Kappa was a premature incident but it still served a purpose. The Nue proved to still be too weakened by the spell and was easily taken down.
Today, it should've been the Hidden Stone's turn, but plans changed.
Takeshi Imori stands atop an earthen building that the village prides itself in, his presence undetectable and his form invisible. The Second Tsuchikage prided himself for his stealth and was known as the Null-Man, so it's saddening to see that his village does not have a defence against someone with a similar skillset.
Takeshi infiltrated the village easily enough and has been here for a good while now, listening to whispers and keeping an eye out for curious developments. He did find such a thing.
Just when he was planning to unleash a Great Beast on the Hidden Stone, he caught wind of Naruto Uzumaki's exploits. Of the Temple of Stone's Song's identity of a Great Beast and the powerful seals placed inside it.
He sits down on the roof with an ink bottle and writing brush by his side, and an open scroll in which he writes the events he'd heard about.
A response appears on its own. "The Temple that even we couldn't find out how to enter or what it was built for, yet he was able to so easily… Don't open the gate. Stay for as long as you can to find out exactly what they uncovered."
Takeshi writes a simple response. "Yes, sir."
As ordered, he remains in the village for several more weeks, infiltrating the sealing experts and decoders' labs to see for himself the kind of seals that were present inside the Temple. He patiently waits and records every single detail that he can.
There're periods when he's forced to leave the village to recover from using so much chakra. Erasing your presence is not something you can do for extended periods of time and he's pushing the limits of what he can do.
He takes this downtime to send Kaidomaru what intel he'd managed to find via their communication scrolls, perfectly copying the seals that were reported by Naruto and Hinata, which in turn Kaidomaru begins looking into on his end, with the Uzumaki clan.
The process continues for several weeks until it becomes clear the Hidden Stone does not have more information, but he does see a correspondence with the Hidden Sand, of four crystals who share the mysterious markings displayed in the Temple.
With that, Takeshi Imori is ordered to return to the Hidden Mountain.
-x-
Back home, Kaidomaru has been hard at work himself. As soon as he learned the details from Takeshi, he gathered some members of the Uzumaki clan, the elder sealing experts to look into what the spy was sending.
Elder Seto stares holes into the paper they're drawn on. "This is beyond anything we've seen." His colleagues nod in agreement. "I fear not even we know, nor do our ancestors. If we wish to find out…"
"I understand. Leave that part to me."
Seto looks up to him, confused. "Sir?"
"I'll peer back far enough to find our ancestors who do know something about it."
"But… to do that would-" Seto almost jumps from his seat.
"You don't need to worry about it, Elder. This is something only I can do." Kaidomaru stands up and walks to a shelf filled to the brim with books and scrolls. He takes out one particular scroll and turns back to the gathered group. "The sooner I start, the better. I will need privacy for this."
Seto and the other elder share a concerned look but ultimately comply. "As you wish. Please stay safe."
"Of course." When they leave his office, Kaidomaru speaks to seemingly no one in particular. "I'll have to once again ask for your assistance."
Mizushi Osui appears from the shadows, his lips curling into a light smile that contains more sadness in it than anything else. Or perhaps it's more akin to sympathy. "Of course." He gives a simple reply.
Kaidomaru sits on the ground cross-legged and opens the scroll in front of him. Forming the necessary hand signs, sealing formulae spread from the scroll and cover his skin.
[Uzumaki clan Sealing: Bloodline Regression]
Kaidomaru's mind jumps backward in time. To his childhood, to his father's life, to his grandparents. He sifts through the memories and lives through everything they've experienced. Every moment of joy and sadness, he experiences as his own, each emotion piling on top of the last as he pushes through, trying to keep himself in check.
For two hours, he continues this process, his hands shaking, sweat covering his brow, breath shallower by the minute. The entire time, Mizushi stands over him, carefully watching. Eventually, Kaidomaru breaks free and props himself on the ground, exhausted beyond belief.
Mizushi kneels down and helps him back up, giving him support.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes." Comes a wheezy reply. "I'm fine." He clutches onto Mizushi's arm with one hand, with the other- cups his face gently, a bright smile coming across his face. "I'll always be fine as long as you're with me, Shinzo."
Mizushi lightly shakes him. "Mizushi! I'm Mizushi. And you're Kaidomaru."
Kaidomaru pulls back and shakes his head. "Damnit." He shifts back to prop his back against the desk and breathes in.
"Who are you?" Mizushi asks.
"I'm… Kaidomaru Uzumaki. 67 years old."
"No." Mizushi cuts him off. "You're 28."
"Right. Right…" Kaidomaru seems frustrated, thinking of the question that was posed to him. "I'm… a woodcarver? No, hired assassin? For the Land of Birds?" He holds up a hand signaling to Mizushi that he's working on the answer. "Woods. Land of Woods. I'm the leader of the Hidden Mountain Village."
"Good. You're getting to it faster. Who am I?"
Kaidomaru squints at him. "Kirisaki? But you were killed, I buried you..."
Mizushi shakes his head. "I told you my name just a minute ago."
Kaidomaru slams his fist on the ground in frustration.
"It's alright. Take your time." He reassures him.
He growls and thinks for a moment before answering. "Mizushi. Mizushi Osui. Then there's... Takeshi Imori and Kuga Nekomata." He stands up, using the desk to help himself. "I think I have it in order."
"Tell me, anyway." Mizushi crosses his arms, a stern expression on his face. "I shall not leave you alone until I know you're well, Kaidomaru." He adds the name at the end almost as a guarantee that he won't forget himself again.
He laughs. "As overbearing as ever. Fine, you three and Minamoto-sensei found me living in the mountains by myself, hunting boar and foraging berries. Took me in and trained me. You taught me how to behave myself in society and became my first friend, while Takeshi didn't trust me at first and Kuga didn't like me. Would you like me to get to that embarrassing scar you have on your ass?"
"No need." Mizushi raises a hand.
"Thanks for watching over me." Kaidomaru smiles.
"Always." He lightly bumps his friend's chest with a fist. "How far back did you go?"
"Nowhere near enough." The Uzumaki shakes his head. "I'll try again tomorrow. I fear if I do it again, I won't be myself. It's been long since I've had to delve this deep into my bloodline."
"Don't overdo it, Kaidomaru. I'm uncertain as to whether I'll be enough to bring you back."
"Yeah. I know the job isn't easy on you, either. Sorry for burdening you with this." He gives an apologetic smile.
"This is nothing compared to what you go through. We have your back. Don't forget that. Not just your clan, but the whole village is behind you on this."
Kaidomaru straightens himself and claps Mizushi on the back. "How about a drink to end the day?"
-x-
This process continues every day for another few weeks. Kaidomaru delves into his bloodline's memories and Mizushi is there to bring him back when the memories overlap. Kuga sometimes joins with her feline partner to relieve Mizushi of his task.
It drains Kaidomaru's, both physically and mentally, and the signs are visible in his sunken eyes but he forges on.
By the end, he collapses from exhaustion and Mizushi and Kuga carry him to the hospital in a hurry.
When he wakes up two more weeks later, all three of his most trusted are present.
"I found it." Kaidomaru whispers, saying that before anything else.
"About the seal?" Takeshi asks.
"Not quite." Kaidomaru begins laughing quietly, before it turns into a bellow.
Mizushi, Kuga, and Takeshi look at each other, concerned.
Kaidomaru stands up and rips the medical equipment off his chest. "We need to go to the Land of Wind, and free someone very important to our cause." He gives a wicked smirk.
During the 'Hidden Sand Convergence' arc:
Prism Keystone 1
Four figures make their way quietly through the green lands within the Land of Wind. There have been plenty of shinobi around to guard the logging process but for the infiltrators, it's an easy task to circumvent them.
One person in particular can be thanked for the successful operation. The Hidden Mountain's ANBU's Takeshi Imori skillset lies in being perfectly undetectable and he can, to a certain extent, utilize that ability to keep others safe from detection, as well.
It's not perfect and it requires a lot of focus on his part but it's doable.
As they move through the forest, they take the chance to silently take out whoever may stand in their way, to lower the defences of this place. With trained movement, they sneak up on the Hidden Sand shinobi and snap their necks before they can even realize they're in danger. The bodies are then hidden underneath the bushes to potentially be discovered later. Even if someone like the Yamanaka were to look through their memories, they'd see nothing because the targets saw nothing. The bodies being found later will not hinder them in any way.
Eventually they make it to their goal- the Prism Keystone, where more of the guarding shinobi are taken out silently. For the purposes of this, Takeshi releases the invisibility he'd covered them all in as he'd be unable to concentrate during what's about to happen. For the time being they're visible but he's still around to sense if anyone approaches.
One of the hidden shinobi chuckles. "I don't know what we'd do without you, Imori."
"I'm sure you all would have infiltrated just fine. I'm only here to support, the real job requires you Uzumaki. Removing the seals bound by blood. Only you can do that."
"And we will do it to our utmost abilities, for the sake of our goals."
The Uzumaki with Takeshi take out a scroll and begin weaving hand signs. The sealing formulae slither from the scroll and rise up to the Prism, overtaking the red markings already on it. The black crystal pulsates as time passes, its colour draining to become more and more translucent.
After several minutes, the Prism shatters and a single tomoe appears in the sky as a result.
"Ready on our end." The Uzumaki rolls up the scrolls.
"So effortless. Well done." Takeshi stares at the tomoe now ominously floating above.
Takeshi's scales shine and his form melds into the surrounding, after a moment extending to his companions. Now once again invisible to the naked eye, they take off, having accomplished their mission.
-x-
Prism Keystone 2
Elsewhere in the Land of Wind, Kuga Nekomata leads her own tema of Hidden Mountain-aligned Uzumaki members. She doesn't have the stealth abilities of her friend but instead relies on her heightened senses, and Noraneko, of course. The panther's predatory instincts are second to none and she can spot her prey from a fair distance.
Using the foliage to hide, they pounce on their targets and slice their throats instantaneously. Following right behind them, the Uzumaki take our a scroll and seal the body away to not leave behind any evidence.
Takeshi's group can remain unseen but they don't have this luxury so they have to dispose of any trace of their presence.
Cleaning her hands of blood, Kuga looks up to gaze at the tomoe in the sky. "I'd wager it was Takeshi's group that got the crystal yesterday."
The Uzumaki accompanying her rolls up his scroll. "Unlike us, they most likely needed less time scouting and observing guard patterns."
"Yes, he's always been useful to have around, that guy."
The group makes their way to the Prism located at this location and proceed the same ritual as the previous group. The seals spread from the scroll to cover the Keystone, causing it to gradually lose its black shine and turn transparents, before shatter.
A second tomoe appears in the sky.
-x-
Prism Keystone 3
Mizushi Osui sits on a boulder, overlooking the third location. It's far away, much farther than they should be but circumstances called for it. There's no way to reasonably get closer without getting into some major trouble.
He takes out a scroll he'd used many times, and an inkwell and a brush. He begins writing.
"We can't get close. Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga are in the town."
After a delay of about a minute, writing appears on the scroll in response.
"Faster than I expected. The Kazekage wasted no time. Remain as you are. I'll handle things on our end and we might not need your group to intervene, after all."
"But wasn't the whole point for you to be the final one to remove the seal?"
"Plans change. I'll take care of it."
With that, the messages end and Mizushi rolls up the scroll and tuck it away.
He turns to the squad he was assigned. "Looks like we're waiting for Kaidomaru's group."
A redheaded woman walks up to him. "I'm aware you've known him since youth but could you at least refer to him as Lord Kaidomaru around others? It paints a bad image of him."
Mizushi chuckles. "Very well. Such obedient subordinates he's found, that Lord Kaidomaru."
"The delay, is it because of the Hidden Leaf's jinchuriki?" She asks.
Mizushi nods. "Precisely. He's not the kind to take well to what's to happen. As far as being an Uzumaki goes, he's not as strong willed as you are."
"Then we wait for Lord Kaidomaru's group to advance."
-x-
Prism Keystone 4
[Ninja Art Summoning]
Kaidomaru slams his hand on the ground, summoning seals spreading across it. In a puff of smoke, a large entity comes forth. Flying through the sky, a red and golden koi fish larger than any building in the town in front of them makes it way. Well, flying is one word for it. In truth, it almost looks to be swimming, with the air around its fins moving and shifting, and gaining more solid properties. It seems as if the air directly around the carp turns into water for a brief moment.
"It's a shame, but we'll need to remove all witnesses." Kaidomaru gives the order to his squad.
Much more numerous than the others, this group is composed of over a dozen members of the Uzumaki clan, each prepared to do what must be done. They all charge into the village, immediately weaving their chakra for their respective jutsu.
The koi fish fires highly pressurized torrents of water, cutting buildings in half. Large slabs of rock jut out from the ground to send houses crushing down, large-scale Fire and Lightning Style to take out large groups at once. Both shinobi and civilians.
Cries for help and panicked screams fill the air as the sudden massacre ensues, no one being prepared for it. What Hidden Sand shinobi do manage to get their bearings and fight back don't last long.
[Adamantine Attacking Chains]
The members of the Uzumaki clan also summon forth spectral chains, just like the ones Kaidomaru had used previously. Multiple chains from each individual crash through walls to find their targets, leaving no one behind.
Kaidomaru does not remain idle, either. With his incredible speed and strength, he mows down anyone in his path with his axe and his Fire Style.
It doesn't take long before the entire town is slaughtered to the last person.
It's a complete massacre.
As soon as the "battle" is over, they shatter the third Prism and a third tomoe appears in the sky.
"Now, I need to prepare. If we're to circumvent Naruto, we'll need to be careful. If he's there to investigate the Prisms, he won't just give up easily." He takes out a scroll from his pouch and heads to one of the not-as-destroyed buildings to work. "I know it will be a great deal of work, but please take care of the bodies." He addresses his fellow clan members.
"Yes, sir."
As best as they can, they begin cleaning the town. While it's not as large as many, it's still of considerable size and would take a great deal of time before they can be removed.
However, not too long after Kaidomaru enters to begin his preparations, he's called outside.
"Sir, you have to see this! The Sharingan… it disappeared!"
He immediately runs out to inspect, looking in every direction in surprise. "That shouldn't have happened… Did Mizushi end up doing something? Or was it Naruto?" He laughs. "Well, either way it's a blessing for us. Gather everyone!"
They do as instructed, leaving the cleanup for now.
Kaidomaru embeds his axe into the ground and addresses his clan. "My brothers and sisters, you will now witness one of the many secrets our ancestors were too afraid of; one of the many reasons we fell to ruin."
Kaidomaru Uzumaki slams his hands on the ground.
[Ninja Art Summoning: Rashomon]
The giant gate bursts out from the ground behind them, large chains rattling unnervingly, bell gonging as it sways from its eruption from the ground. The oni face that decorates the gates themselves stares down at the gruesome sight before it.
[Uzumaki-clan Seal: Release]
The gates open, sending a blast of cold air out, contrasting to the desert heat. Smoke fills the are immediately around it.
"And now, we wai-"
The wait doesn't even begin before it ends.
The eight-armed Hachiman appears in front of the Uzumaki clan, in a much calmer state than it was just a second ago during its battle against three Tailed Beasts.
It looks down at the gathered group with its Sharingan. "More descendants of Tamamo. More of your wretched blood stands in Our way."
"We do not stand against you, great and venerable Hachiman." Kaidomaru speaks.
"Then what is your purpose, one who knows Our name?" It looks genuinely surprised.
"I ask for your partnership. You grant us power, and we in turn will lend you our strength to fight back against those who wronged you."
"What could you know of how We were wronged, descendant of Tamamo?"
"I'm well aware of how your kin betrayed you and sent you to your plane of existence, how my ancestors and the wielders of the Sharingan sealed you away in fear of your might. I know it all, and I offer you our service."
"Your service is of no use to Us. Our power is connected to the Sharingan, which your blood does not carry."
"Perhaps it does not, but we have knowledge of long forgotten secrets."
Kaidomaru weaves a series of hand signs by the end of which sealing formulae appear around his eyes. One set runs along his brow and another under his eyes, crossing between his eyes. As the seals fully form, his eyes turn red. Three tomoe decorate around his black iris.
[Sharingan]
"You…"
"I do not follow the way of my ancestors. I've my own path to take."
Every other Uzumaki does the same, revealing the Sharingan. Hachiman looks between each and every one of them.
"I will speak bluntly." Kaidomaru begins. "Of Indra's descendants, there is only one surviving mortal. Only one trueborn Sharingan user, who wields the power of Amaterasu and Kagutsuchi, who betrayed you so long ago, and attained the Rinnegan and a fully formed Susano'o. They have grown greatly in power. However, the boy does not know of the truth behind the Sharingan, does not know the origin of the power he wields. So we offer ourselves to you. Lend us your power to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan, channel your power through us and channel our power in return. With your strength, we will overcome our enemies, and with our strength, you will overcome yours."
Hachiman tilts its head. "You speak so confidently for a mortal. Arrogant, almost. You speak of power, descendant of Tamamo, but you already possess secrets vastly beyond many's comprehension." It plants its banners into the ground. Unlike before, it doesn't use its ability, using the gesture as more of a means of demonstrating determination more than anything else. "If you know of Our fate, if you know of your ancestor's deeds, then you are aware that you are not one We can trust."
"You don't need to trust me. We will enter an open pact, by which you will have reign of more power than either Amaterasu or Kagutsuchi. Even though they've been lending their strength for longer, the boy is not a proper conduit for your powers. I can be that, and you will have power over me in return." He declares with no hint of hesitation.
"You even know of that. Intriguing. Only a fool would willingly wish to bind their soul. However, your will has been received. We will grant you Our strength and take Our vengeance. First We will build Our strength enough to take on Amaterasu and Kagutsuchi. Until then, use Our power wisely, defiant of Tamamo."
Hachiman floats above the Uzumaki clan who are still in a state of disbelief at the entity before them. It enters the Rashomon gate and as it does, the air around the corpses shift. From every single one of them, wisps of eerie cold air float into the gate, sucked in by an unknown force. When all clouds enter, the gate closes and disappears.
Kaidomaru feels a surge of power wash over him, to the point of feeling dizzy. He grabs onto his axe to keep his balance. With a meditative breathing, he gathers himself and stands upright once more.
Kaidomaru's tomoe begin spinning, becoming larger and the tails increasing in length as they do, creating three spirals that run to the corners of his eyes. When they stop, a skeletal horned being surrounds appears with him inside of its rib cage, enveloped in red chakra. The skeletal entity has a chain wrapped around its hand with the end of it falling to the ground.
[Susano'o]