CHAPTER VII: DRAG DOWN TO HELL
"Where the hell am I?" Sankira muttered in confusion as he found himself standing in an unfamiliar and barren landscape. He was in a life-or-death situation with Kawaki only seconds before, poised to deliver the ultimate blow to his dammed brother. Then, everything went blank. He was mysteriously transported to this unknown place. Surrounding him was an ominous darkness, obscuring his vision from all directions. To add to the eerie atmosphere, he noticed the water was everywhere, rising just above his feet, giving the impression of a cursed sewer.
Attempting to regain his composure, Sankira seated himself on the ground, observing as the shallow water began to ripple beneath him. Thoughts raced through his mind, questioning the nature of this peculiar location. Could Kawaki have entrapped him within a genjutsu? Impossible. Kawaki had claimed ignorance of such techniques. "What is this place anyway? Did Kawaki trap me in some kind of genjutsu? He doesn't even know how to perform that kind of stuff. I need to..."
Before Sankira could finish his musings, a malicious, deep, and resonant voice pierced the silence. "Well, well, well, look what I found," it sneered, echoing from a distance.
Startled, Sankira called out, "Who's there? Is that you, Kawaki? No, it can't be! You can't possibly learn how to do magic in one night. You told me yourself..."
The voice cut him off again, this time with disgust. "You are far more stupid than I expected. And to think those morons in the Leaf believed this dimwitted child could be their new prodigy!"
Enraged by the voice's taunting, Sankira retorted, "All right, if you ain't my stupid brother, then who are you, lurking in the shadows? Stop playing around and show yourself. Or perhaps you're too much of a coward, Kawaki!"
"I'M NOT THAT WEAK CHILD, KAWAKI! YOU IMBECILE!" The monster raged furiously. "But I will give you another chance to guess who I am. Before I tear you to shreds..." threatened him; it did.
Something was odd in this whole exchange. The demonic voice, in particular, was familiar, like déjà vu, though he struggled to recall its origin. "Tick-tock, Sankira," the voice teased, its tone mocking and jesting.
Realization dawned on Sankira as it mentioned his name. Widening his eyes in disbelief, he demanded, "Wait! How do you know my name? Who are you, truly?"
The voice grew even more sinister as it answered, "Oh, poor little Sankira. Through all the times you suffered, in pain or sickness, when you lost your way in the Mist, the Sand, the Rain... I was always there, unseen but present. Never have you ever noticed me. But I have to say, watching you join the damn family that sealed me away... It really hurt my feelings."
Confusion overwhelmed Sankira. "What in the world are you trying to say? With me through all those times? Seal you away? What has my family done to you that you seek revenge? And why now?" he inquired, unable to quell the rising flood of questions.
"ENOUGH!" the voice bellowed rudely. "Whenever I hear your damn voice, it reminds me of my failures. However, with you here, I finally can redeem myself for my master, Isshiki."
Sankira couldn't comprehend the fact. Not only had he uncovered the truth behind his haunting past through the intense confrontation with his brother, but now the source of his torment had trapped him in its damned lair, ready to consume him without mercy.
"Juubi!" Sankira boldly addressed the monster from afar, piecing together its identity.
A repulsive and twisted figure slowly emerged from the depths of the all-encompassing darkness. It stood as a colossal, grotesque being, brown in color and titanic in size. Its hands dwarfed even the tailed beasts, and a single enormous eyeball dominated its hideous form. Spiky protrusions reminiscing of a conch shell sprouted from its back, while its wide mouth boasted rows of menacing, pointed teeth. Dark, plant-like veins coursed across its bulbous body, and the tips of its tails resembled budding leaves. This was the creature's first form, an embodiment of hatred and chaos.
The monster released a thunderous roar, unleashing a shockwave that obliterated the water beneath Sankira, launching him into the air. With its immense size, the Ten-Tails began propelling itself toward Sankira, its mighty hands serving as makeshift paddles. Despite its humongous frame, Juubi was fast in its own right, drawing closer to its prey with each second passed. The young Uzumaki found himself powerless, realizing he couldn't engage the monster under these circumstances. However, he was still a shinobi, and surrender was not an option he would ever consider.
Summoning every ounce of strength, Sankira grappled with rising from the aftermath of the devastating roar. Though battered and disoriented, he managed to find his footing, his gaze unwavering as he locked eyes with the approaching abomination. He knew he had to be quick. Sankira opened his right hand, then closed his eyes tightly. He heaved a sigh to calm down. Chakra began to form in his outstretched palm, creating a pulsating sphere that grew larger and larger as Juubi came closer and closer. More radiant with each passing second, its brilliant sky-blue hue dispersed the surrounding darkness, casting a luminous glow within the confines of the wretched sewer-like realm.
"There's nothing you can do. Shinobi!" Juubi said, with a big creepy smile on its distorted face.
The monstrous beast loomed perilously closer. Sooner than later, the moment arrived. Sankira mustered all his courage. He screamed the words as loud as they were meant to be: "RASENGAN!"