Disclaimer: The following is a fan-based parody. Masashi Kishimoto owns Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, and Boruto and Ichiei Ishibumi owns Highschool DxD. Please support the official release.

Chapter 13: Wedding Crasher

The morning sun rose that day belied a false peace.

Kurama had woken early that day and Amaterasu had gladly told him the location of the 'wedding' to be hosted in a remote mountain deep in the wilderness. With the rising sun, Kurama stared up at a massive flight of stairs that stretched up the whole mountainside to the top. His sharp eyes briefly flashed the Sharingan, allowing him to see the pairs of guards that stood at attention at platforms that jutted out occasionally. At the very top of this grand flight of stairs was a small-sized castle only three stories high and surrounded by high-grade scarlet red wooden walls with only a great iron door being the only way in.

And beyond those doors would be the reception to the wedding, including Yasaka and Suanoo.

He stood at the foot of this long flight of stairs without moving; he stared up the mountaintop to the barred doors for a long moment. Already, he could feel the suspicious stares of the tengu guard boring down on him. If they sensed any intent they conceived ill, they would do their best to stop him. The kitsune was more focused on the feel of the divine sitting lazily at the very top and the familiar feel of Yasaka's chakra. Kurama knew perfectly well what he was about to do would cause a mess of everything in Kyoto.

That did not mean he gave a damn. He was in the mood to tear shit apart. Mainly anything labeled Suanoo over its stupid face.

With his narrowed, Kurama raised his foot to begin the climb up, but he never went past the second when a familiar voice made him pause.

"Yo, Kurama wait up!"

Kurama quirked a single brow at the exclamation that was Shukaku's voice. But when he turned around, his eyes widened to find not only Shukaku coming up to him but also two extras walking at his side. One of them was a stalwart man of muscle while the other was an otherworldly beautiful woman with blue and black hair falling down her back like a waterfall. He was confused as to why Shukaku would bring two seemingly random people with him until he stretched his sensory skills. In his mind's eye, he saw the familiar flares of chakra from the man and woman that could only be Son Goku and Matatabi.

"Son Goku?" Kurama wondered. "Matatabi? What are you doing here?"

This sudden meeting with his siblings right before Kurama was about to do something brazen didn't paint this as a coincidence. Some would this fate. For Kurama, it felt a bit more inconvenient. He would instead do this himself and not let his siblings take the fall for his actions as well. Then, one nagging part of his mind supplied a dangerous thought that they may be here to stop him.

He quickly squashed that spike of negativity from his mind. What was important was figuring out why all of the Tailed Beasts just had to be here in the same place at this time.

Shukaku glanced at his siblings. "Should I tell him or do you guys want to take a crack?"

Both Matatabi and Son Goku gave the tanuki a shrug, allowing him to continue. "Okay, so I met our brother and sister while I was putting my dominance over the gangs. We walked around, seeing the sights of Kyoto, and I may have also mentioned you were on a date. Of which we then saw the unfortunate aftermath, so we've wisely given you space. Not gonna lie, you looked like a kicked puppy. A ferocious, ugly bloodthirsty asshole of a puppy."

Shukaku immediately clammed up when Kurama's expression showed how much he was annoyed. The tanuki wisely put a stop to the rest of the train of insults he wanted to throw at the kitsune.

But, hey looks like you've calmed down," Shukaku added quickly.

"...And you three just happen to run into me right now?" Kurama said, but his tone let all of them know what he insinuating. "We all know what's going on out there."

"To be fair I only found just a little bit ago," Son Goku said.

"I was... suggested," Matatabi said, "to come here as a vacation because of an upcoming wedding. It all just screamed 'arranged marriage' with all the pomp around it, especially when the god of storms hosts it just beyond those gates."

"And so, to make a pointlessly long-ass discussion short," Shukaku interjected. "Yasaka was the bride-to-be through a god's spite. That caused unfortunate drama on that date. And so learning what is going on, you are going to do a classic Kurama move and smash whatever the problem is until it's no longer a problem."

"...That's pretty much it," Kurama admitted. "Question is, what are you here for exactly?"

Shukaku pointed a thumb each at Son Goku and Matatabi. "I don't know about these two schmucks, but I'm here to watch the show. Maybe bash some-"

He was promptly interrupted by Matatabi slapping the back of his head and continuing in his stead. "Ignoring his crass manner, we're here to support you. Whatever happens and the consequences that may follow, we'll be there with you to the end. Isn't that right?"

She looked up to Son Goku for his supporting confirmation. Oddly enough, he was the most silent out of the three with his stare solely fixed on Kurama. The crimson kitsune met the stare with equal stoicism and an uncomfortable silence hung between them. Son Goku's eyes flashed into the Sharingan and his gaze seemed to look at every facet of his brother's being. It was as if he was looking for something to put Son Goku off. Eventually, the monkey Yokai stopped his search, letting his Sharingan dissipate, and gave Kurama his signature grin.

"Yeah," Son Goku said. "It's much more fun that way, following you into trouble."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Shukaku exclaimed, boldly approaching the first steps of the massive climb up the mountain. "Let's go this pompous stand. Always wanted to crash a party-"

As soon as Shukaku put his foot down on the first step, his sight was immediately filled with naginata spears. Retracting that step, Shukaku fully saw that the whole first step was now occupied by a full line of Yokai guards. It wasn't just the tengu that were seen in the open. There were also Oni among them by the twin horns and facial tattoos. Even some Yuki-onna stood alongside them, their unnatural beauty contrasting with their fellow Yokai bringing a chill to the air with them. All of them wore the armor of the guard and wielded spears in their hand ready to strike any that came across them.

"Huh," Shukaku said, sizing up the retinue in front of them. "You gotta give them credit. They are quick."

Even with their sudden appearance, none of the reincarnated Tailed Beasts were surprised. With their sensory skills and Sharingan eyes, they were able to deduce the guards not only the guards that opposed Shukaku but also the many squadrons that were hiding out of sight. To give them credit, they were making a decent effort. The way they hid themselves was praiseworthy for a shinobi in the Elemental Nations, and the speed they used was all natural where for said shinobi from their last life would need chakra to go that fast. Such were the perks of being a part of the supernatural.

Unfortunately, they were standing in the way of four beings completely outclassing them.

"So, uh," Shukaku said, not at all frightened. "What's with the pointy sticks? Can't a guy go on a flight of stairs?"

"None uninvited is to ascend these steps," a tengu Yokai spoke, slamming the butt of his spear into the ground. "Besides, your reputation proceeds you, delinquent."

Shukaku looked back at his siblings with a mad grin. "Hey, you hear that? I'm famous."

Matatabi cued by palming her face in exasperation. To her, it would seem Shukaku's time as a Yokai made him the definition of delinquency. It's not like the crazy Tanuki ever cared. Kurama wasn't exactly thrilled, especially with armed personnel blocking his way. Preferably, he would rather not hurt any of the Yokai here. Yasaka would be upset that way. But a wink from Shukaku hinted to the kitsune of whatever plot the raccoon had cooked up.

"Now see, that doesn't seem fair," Shukaku said, dangerously leaning close to the guards.

The closer Shukaku got, the more on edge the opposing Yokai became. In sync, they hefted their spears in a ready stance with blades aimed at the tanuki's head.

"This is your last warning," one of the guards spoke, this time being a yuki-onna. "All trespassers are not to take even a step here. We are authorized by almighty Suanoo to use deadly force."

"Shouldn't we stop him?" Kurama whispered.

"Hold on, I think he's doing a thing," Son Goku replied with a knowing look. "If it comes to blows, we will cover for you. Can't have you wasting your strength on small fry till the main event."

"...Thanks," Kurama said.

"Ooh, my favorite kind of force," Shukaku replied gleefully. "Must be a decent gig you have on a god's payroll. But, see here, now I'm left wondering about the benefits."

And that's when Shukaku without fear or hesitation rose one foot and put it down on the first step of the flight of stairs. "So tell, me how's the health coverage?"

Immediately, all Yokai, hidden or not, charged at the interloper with their spears poised for the killing blow. The normal human eye could not track their movement. Shukaku or any of the Tailed Beasts didn't even need to use the Sharingan to see the Yokai barreling down on him.

An absolutely wide, toothy smile stretched Shukaku's face. "APPARENTLY IT'S GREAT!"

For the unfortunate Yokai, their world drowned in endless sand.

(With Yasaka)

Normally, this would be the happiest day for Yasaka. Here she was, clad in the most beautiful shiromuko - silk kimono for her special day handcrafted by her surrogate mother. The white highlighted her eyes and hair while golden threads were woven into the white fabric to give the impression of the sun's shining rays.

That was pretty much it for Yasaka. Everything else was making her miserable.

Without any blood relatives, Yasaka was all alone surrounded by strangers belonging to her soon-to-be groom's family. The top members of the Himejima clan to be precise. All of them wore black robes over white shirts displaying their claim symbol except the groom-to-be wearing more extravagant clothing. They were all laughing and cheering with the musk of sake heavy in the air.

She didn't mind them to be honest, even her 'fiance'. Looking at him, he wasn't too bad by human standards and looked physically her age. But it was the look he gave the kitsune. There was no love in his gaze. Nor the glint of joy made between friends. There was almost nothing when the Himejima looked at Yasaka, only this strange sensation in them that made Yasaka in a bad way.

But it did not compare to the presence that saturated the Shinto shrine of none other than Suanoo himself. The deity of storms was present, having taken a seat above them where he looked over the crowd. He did not join the celebration seeing it was beneath him to associate with mortal kind, but there was a look of mirth on his face. He was dressed in his usual regal armor and in one hand was a jug of sake to occasionally drink from. Yasaka dared not even look at the storm god, knowing he was prone to act on his whims.

There was the priest of the shrine responsible for performing the wedding ceremony. They were all waiting for the priest to finish his blessings as per tradition. There was a hurry in his motions as he didn't want to make Suanoo impatient with the proceedings despite the priest himself being devoted to the storm god.

For the most part, Yasaka drowned most of the noise. She was content with her inner thoughts. But within her mind, Yasaka was assaulted by regrets and a voice that sounded like herself calling her a coward and wretch for what she did to Kurama. Even now, that very painful memory of their courting was threatening to make her spill tears. She forced the pain inward and convinced herself she was doing this for the good of everyone.

Including Kurama. He didn't need to involve himself in this mess. There were probably better people he could fight for than herself.

A few key words from the Shinto priest brought Yasaka out of her thoughts. An important part of the ceremony was about to commence. As was tradition for Shinto weddings, both groom and bride would share a sip from three cups of sake with varying sizes starting from the smallest to the largest. Looking at the Himejima, she saw him take a sip from the smallest nuptial cup with the priest offering words of blessing as he did so.

Then the cup was offered to her. She involuntarily gulped, and the voice in the back of her head louder than ever before would rather toss the cup away. Unfortunately, the gaze of Suanoo made those rebellious thoughts seem pretty quiet. Hesitantly, Yasaka took the cup in hand and took a moment to look at the high-quality sake within.

This was it. As soon as she touched her lips on the cup and drank its contents, there would be no going back. The world seemed to slow as Yasaka brought the cup closer to her lips. But as Yasaka started to tip the cup, a strange sound made her pause. Her fox ears twitched from some sort of commotion outside of the shrine building, and soon it started to get loud enough that it was attracting the attention of the Himejima and Suanoo.

It became loud enough that Yasaka discerned it to be a fight between the guards and an unknown assailant making its way to the door. Yasaka could not hear whatever words were being exclaimed, but she could clearly hear the sound of fists, kicks, and knees hitting bodies and the drop of bodies.

It was enough clues to tell Yasaka that the guards outside were losing. Fear crawled up her spine, wondering who would be so brazen to fight through Suanoo's retinue and make their way to the god himself. Some could call it suicidal, but Yasaka found it worrisome thinking of anyone who was strong enough to challenge Suanoo. One of the greatest offenses to a god was assaulting one of their shrines.

The god in question raised a curious eyebrow but made no further acknowledgment.

After one last thud, there was only silence except for the sound of footsteps coming closer to the large, iron doors that served as the shrine's entrance. The doors buckled from someone or something pushing from the other side with no success in opening them.

"Huh, sturdy door. Gotta give them credit for that."

That voice sounded awfully familiar. It reminded Yasaka of a delinquent tanuki, but the voice was too muffled from the other side to give her an accurate read.

"Should we knock?"

"Why would we do that? They won't even open it for us."

"Hey, maybe you're underestimating people's generosity."

"You're the last person to lecture about generosity."

"So I guess we just force this door down. Son Goku, this should be a cake walk for you. You practically punch mountains with those arms."

"No. I will do it."

Yasaka was petrified because she knew that voice perfectly, no matter how muffled it was. There was no possible way that he-

Before her thoughts could continue, her ears were assaulted by a loud gong of something fast and strong striking metal. Yasaka had to close her eyes in reflex when she sensed something massive flying through the air at terrifying speeds. Said object crashed into the wall behind her, sending splinters everywhere from the impact. When it seemed everything calmed down, Yasaka blinked her eyes open and looked behind her. One of the great iron doors standing proud at twice her height was now embedded into the wall top first with a massive crater in the center as if someone punched it.

That is exactly what happened. The solid iron door that has stood guard for Suanoo's shrine was torn off by a single punch.

A shuddering breath left Yasaka's breath, which was shared by the humans around her. Hesitantly, she turned her head back forward to the now-ruined entrance. Standing there were four individuals displaying their Yokai heritage proudly. There was a familiar tanuki with a mad grin on his face, a rather beautiful Nekoshou with bizarre black-and-blue hair, and a very burly-built monkey Yokai. But it was the fourth that drew most of her attention and stole her breath away when their eyes locked.

He stood there, fist extended out, with hair of crimson-orange and nine majestic fox tails waving ominously behind him. His wild mane of hair and thick whisker marks gave him a feral appearance. His very presence demanded everyone's attention upon him. For he was Kurama, the one person Yasaka didn't want in this mess.

"What is the meaning of this?" Exclaimed the Himejima groom, his face twisting into anger.

Similar expressions were shared amongst the rest of the Himejima clan. The Shinto priest had a different reaction when he saw the nine tails of Kurama. His eyes were filled with awe.

"A kyuubi kitsune!?" The Shinto priest gasped. "An actual living kyuubi! This is incredible! The legacy of Inari is more alive than ever."

None made any reaction to the priest's praise, but it soon became apparent to the man that he had to vacate the area. The shrine grew heavy from Suanoo flexing his power through incredible pressure.

Kurama didn't look like he was even feeling the weight of god's might at all. One of the Himejima found their courage and spoke to the reincarnated Tailed Beasts.

"How did you get past the guards?"

"Kind of easy since they decided to come at us all at once," Shukaku answered. "Made it easier to deal with them."

A terrifying thought came to Yasaka's mind. Kurama and his allies must have fought through the guards, knowing they wouldn't let anyone pass. The fact they stood there alone without any of the guards to stop them led to some conclusions that were haunting.

'Please, don't tell me they're dead,' Yasaka wailed.

Some of the Himejima seem to share her thoughts through their expressions of fear. Shukaku immediately noticed their sudden apprehension and decided to clarify the situation. Not for their benefit, but more so that Shukaku didn't want to suffer the smell of soiled pants.

"Oi, it's not like I offed them from life," Shukaku exclaimed. "But I got all this cool-as-fuck loot."

Shukaku spread his arms outward in a dramatic gesture, and sand instantly flooded into the shrine at his call. Floating on top of these waves of sand were the armor, uniform, weapons, and other articles of the guard. They were even shirts and pants amongst the pile of 'loot'. Every one of the Himejima and Yasaka gaped at the unbelievable sight. Suanoo seemed to be indifferent, but there was a new glint in his eyes.

The sudden sound of bare feet against stone took everyone's attention away from Shukaku's display and back to the front entrance. A lone Yokai came rushing to the door just ascending the last steps. It was a yuki-onna Yokai by her alluring beauty but gasps left the spectators' lips at her unfortunate state of undress. Where there was supposed to be armor and weapons that were now joined within Shukaku's loot pile, the yuki-onna was left only in her underwear leaving almost nothing to hide her shame.

"Suanoo-sama!" The Yokai cried, not realizing the stares on her person. "Forgive us. We - We couldn't stop them. All of the unit has been knocked out. I'm the only one still conscious."

Only did the Yokai fully realize the audience on her person. She let out a high-pitched shriek and shrank to her knees using her arms in a desperate attempt to cover her chest.

"Huh, could've sworn I knocked them all out," Shukaku said.

"You!" The yuki-onna exclaimed, glaring hatefully. "You did this to me! To all of my comrades! You sick pervert! Ero-tanuki!"

"Oi, I just wanted to get your stuff," Shukaku rebuffed. "If I was a real pervert, I'd shredded everything to let all the goods hang out."

"KYAAAA!" Cried the Yokai, springing into a desperate charge at the tanuki.

In response, Shukaku blew out a sphere of vacuumed air, striking the yuki-onna in the stomach. She was sent tumbling down the stairs, and Matatabi and Son Goku winced as they heard the Yokai make an impact with every step.

"Eh, I'm sure she'll be fine," Shukaku dismissed.

The kitsune continued to stare at everyone in silence before taking a deep breath through his nostrils.

"I'm not sure how objections work with these things, so I'll just say it how I feel it," Kurama said, clearing his throat. "This whole wedding is a whole sham. The thought extends to all of you pieces of shit strongarming a woman because of god's dick-measuring contest with his sister. So in case in point, I'm putting a stop to this right now, and any of you who try to stop me are going to get a kick up your ass!"

The silence was Kurama's only answer at first. Yasaka couldn't say anything as she was already petrified with Kurama here. For the humans in the room, their faces suddenly contorted into fury. To them, Kurama was basically spitting on their pride for what a momentous occasion for them.

"Seize them."

From the sides of the shrine emerged more armed forces, this time being samurai under the Himejima. They wore the typical armor colored black with the clan symbol emblazoned on their chest plates. Among them, even the Himejima groom took a stand against the reincarnated Tailed Beast, now wielding a wakizashi unsheathed from his waist. As one they charged to the Yokai, blades poised to run them through. Yasaka's face turned into a look of horror and worry.

'No...' Yasaka thought.

She knew Kurama was strong, but it did not help that encroaching fear in her heart. It felt like one of her greatest nightmares coming to life: Kurama getting killed for her.

The crimson kitsune looked to fight the Himejima himself, especially with that glare directed at the would-be groom. His lips were pulled back in a vulpine-like snarl and took a step forward. He was halted in his path by Son Goku stretching his arm out.

"Let us handle this," Son Goku conceded.

Kurama glanced at his siblings and ultimately conceded. The other three Tailed Beasts shared matching grins before meeting the Himejima forces in close combat. Once in range, it became perfectly clear how strong they were. With the use of only CQC, they were decimating through the opposing ranks. Swords did nothing to pierce their skin with Matatabi deftly avoiding harm's way with a dancer's grace, Shukaku ducking under to land humiliating blows of the male pride, and Son Goku tanking the hits allowing the swords to shatter on contact. One by one, the samurai fell as the Tailed Beasts made way for Kurama to walk through without anyone interrupting him.

The Himejima groom had maneuvered himself behind the four Yokai and made a beeline charge to strike at Kurama's back. He never made it far. Shukaku had intercepted him and pulled at his legs underneath, making the Himejima fall flat onto his back. The groom tried to stand up, but a foot pinned him down by nearly crushing his chest and he was forced to stare back at Shukaku's crazy gaze.

"I would stay down if I were you," Shukaku cackled.

Meanwhile, Yasaka could only stare with an open mouth as Kurama came closer. Her heartbeat was thundering in her ears in conjunction with the steady beat of Kurama's footsteps against the wooden floor. She still could not move no matter how much her mind screamed to her body to either run to him or from him. But Kurama did not look at her as he walked forward.

Finally, they were side-by-side. As Yasaka was in a chair, it made her feel infinitely small next to Kurama who stood straight like an imposing mountain. It was now that Kurama met Yasaka's stare; crimson orbs meeting pools of melted gold. Yasaka shivered when Kurama crouched down so his head was level with her. His eyes briefly flashed in that strange pattern as they looked Yasaka up and down. When they faded back to his regular crimson pupils, Yasaka sensed a ghost of a smile on Kurama's face.

"You're beautiful in that dress, Yasaka," Kurama whispered in a way only Yasaka could hear.

Out of anything that Kurama could have said, that one line made her heart skip in a very good way. Her shoulders sagged in relief while she felt heat in her cheeks from the growing blush. A foreign hand on her cheek interrupted her musings and it was to her surprise to find Kurama softly caressing her cheek.

"Sit tight," Kurama said. "We'll talk later, but first I'll take care of this."

Yasaka almost whined when Kurama retreated his hand away from her face and stood up straight. His eyes hardened as he turned his glare upon Suanoo. The air became more intense as the two locked eyes.

"Oi, storm god, I want a word with you," Kurama said with a growling tone.

"Oh, is that so?" Suanoo said, his curiosity growing.

"My name is Kurama," Kurama replied, "and you dragged someone you should never have into your little shitshow."

Suanoo scoffed. "You do realize just asking isn't going to do anything. I made it clear absolving this marriage would only work by a direct challenge against me. Really, I made up the clause so I could goad Amaterasu into another spat. As amusing as it is, do you really think you can challenge a god?"

Kurama's glare turned harsher. "What I think is that I need to break this annoying shitstain to get my point across."

"Oh..." Suanoo responded, his lips curving upward in realization. "Oooh. I see."

It frightened Yasaka how Suanoo was sitting there lazily one second only in the next second to suddenly be standing there right in front of Kurama. It took a brief moment for the air to blow from his sudden movement, causing pottery to fling off of tables. The god of storms was comparable in height to Kurama, allowing both of them to stare heatedly. But while the kitsune glared, the god had a wolfish grin on his face.

"You actually want to fight me," Suanoo said. "Consider my interests peaked. But I should clarify that I did specify that victory only comes through total defeat, even through death."

Kurama growled. "I know that."

'Ku-kun don't,' Yasaka thought in panic.

Yasaka knew Kurama was strong. He always has been as far as Yasaka knew him. But even then she still had doubts that Kurama's strength could challenge a god, especially one like Suanoo. She was suddenly hit with the prospect of Kurama dying... and it scared Yasaka more than anything.

"Well then, in respect for your bravery," Suanoo said. "I'll be quick."

It happened faster than Yasaka saw it, but she certainly felt it. Suanoo was the first to move, throwing a powerful haymaker aimed at Kurama's head. Just before impact, Yasaka was no longer able to hold in her panic.

"NO!" Cried Yasaka.

Suanoo's fist met Kurama's head with the bang of a cannon. The world looked to be in slow motion to Yasaka as she watched in horror as Kurama staggered back from the blow. But then instead of continuing to fall, the crimson kitsune stomped down his left foot forward halting his momentum. Momentarily stunned, Suanoo was too late to see the left fist coming from below and socking him in his chest, digging into his chest plate, and launching the god back into the far wall. The room was filled with a light dusting from the damaged infrastructure.

With the exception of Son Goku, Matatabi, and Shukaku, everybody there looked in shock at a Yokai taking the blow of a god and successfully fighting back. Never had any of them imagined a Yokai even if it was a nine-tailed kitsune actually standing up to a god of the same caliber as Suanoo. As for Yasaka, she felt the full brunt of Kurama's chakra like the lid on it had been moved just a bit, but she was practically flooded by it. She fully took in Kurama's appearance at that moment, from his fist extended forward and his face not even marred by a god's blow with an expression of complete calm to his chakra so warm to her senses thrumming just underneath his skin.

'You've become so strong,' Yasaka thought. 'Ku-kun...'

It suddenly hit her. As long as Kurama was there for her, everything was going to be fine. And it dawned on her how much Yasaka achingly wanted him.

Despite the stares at him, Kurama did not take his eyes away from the new hole in the wall. Wood groaned as the god pulled himself out. His foot stomped out onto the floor to keep himself steady while a hand cradled his aching chest. And yet through it all Suanoo was laughing with a wide grin stretching his face.

"That hurt!" Exclaimed Suanoo almost in joy. "Kurama was it? You're strong. Really strong. I should've noticed a Yokai of your caliber. Where the hell were you hiding?"

(Cue "Fade to Black B13a" from Bleach)

"You won't need to think on that for long," Kurama said, looking around the shrine before aiming his stare back at Suanoo. "Son Goku. Shukaku. Matatabi. Can you stay here with Yasaka for a bit?"

"It's alright," Matatabi said, sauntering right next to Yasaka. "We'll make sure she's comfortable."

"Yeah, this is your show," Son Goku agreed with a grin.

Shukaku gave Kurama a double thumbs up. "Fuck him up."

Kurama clicked his tongue in an amused manner. "Suanoo. Let's take this somewhere else. No one else needs to get caught up in our fight."

"After that ferocity earlier, you're suddenly concerned about some meager lives getting in the way?" Suanoo sneered. "We will fight as I will it to be, whether it be in the far mountains or in the cities of mankind. You are-"

Kurama knew Suanoo would not accept his terms. So while the god was distracted monologing, Kurama calmed himself to let himself be one with nature. The chakra of the natural world gathered into his body. Years ago, the malice of the world would have consumed Kurama, but now he showed the fruits of his labor as instead distinct markings flashed onto his face as his whisker marks lengthened and colored crimson red with the addition of three more similar marks on his chin to make nine. It all took a second, and once the power of senjutsu was one with Kurama he sprang forth at Kurama at blinding speeds with an open palm ready to grab him. But not before making one last remark.

"It wasn't a request," Kurama spoke.

Suanoo suddenly found himself in the grip of Kurama's palm and was driven through the wall of the shrine. But with Kurama's enhanced strength in Sage Mode, he actually blasted apart the entire back wall leaving the shrine entirely open to the elements. The god was not simply driven back but soaring over entire stretches of land. He was carried off far away from any civilization until they reached a remote area near the sea. It was then Kurama kicked at the air to send himself downward and smash down Suanoo into the earth like the rage of the heavens.

Suanoo did not leave Kurama's grip until the kitsune chucked across the ground like a discarded pebble. After the second tumble, Suanoo righted himself by flipping onto his feet. Even after all that Kurama put the god through, Suanoo had a shit-eating grin still plastered on his feet. Where others like him would be furious with humiliation, Suanoo only felt his elation, and his blood boiled in excitement.

"Finally," Suanoo said before laughing, "FINALLY! I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR SOMEONE LIKE YOU WITH THE BALLS TO FIGHT ME! I HALF EXPECTED MY SISTER TO SHOW UP AFTER TAKING HER PET FOX. BUT TO THINK I MANAGED TO DRAG SOMEONE LIKE YOU!? THIS WORKS-"

Kurama felt the world rumble. Not as in the literal ground was shaking, but as in reality was shuddering under the presence of divine will exerting itself. Where once were there calm winds and clear skies, now the winds buffeted like the wrath of armies and thunderclouds hid away the sun. An aura of blue surrounded Suanoo with whirling winds and sparks of electricity dancing around his body.

"-JUST FINE WITH ME!" Suanoo roared, rocketing forward in a bull-like charge with arms splayed out like claws.

"THEN YOU'RE GOING TO GET WHAT YOU DESERVE!" Kurama roared back, letting his calm facade fall.

His chakra surged with his emotions surrounding him in a shroud of crimson. He charged forth like a crimson comet and met the god midway. Kurama threw out a jab that Suanoo was barely able to grab on and hold back. When Suanoo went for a wide swipe aiming for Kurama's throat, the kitsune caught the opposing forearm with his right hand. They were stuck in a deadlock until lightning lashed out from Suanoo's arm to violently shock the Tailed Beast.

Kurama did not scream, but his teeth were grit and his body shook from muscles spasming uncontrollably. He was forced to escape the deadlock between them by planting Susanoo's right arm into the ground, thereby dissipating the lightning. But once the kitsune let go, the god of storms lashed out with an uppercut suffused with twisting, shredding winds. Not only did Kurama have to dodge out of the way of the blow, but he also had to avoid the wave of wind that grew into a wall of shredding gales ripping apart the earth into smaller bits. This wave of wind kept on going off into the distance, leaving a scar on the ground.

"This is fun," Cheered Susanoo. "It's just like hunting."

"And you're the game!" Kurama shouted, his eyes flashing into the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan.

As a god, the Sharingan would be able to copy any of Susanoo's mystical moves since they were expressions of his divine. They simply lacked any chakra working behind it. What the dojutsu was still useful was in predicting Susanoo's movements.

And then he blitzed Susanoo with a gut shot strong enough to send the god off his feet. Kurama followed with a more powerful uppercut striking the jaw, sending both of them into the air from the strength the kitsune put into it. In mid-air, Kurama struck Susanoo downward with a double kick and then held his left hand to the side. His chakra swirled over his palm into the familiar grinding sphere of the Rasengan but then started to grow in size and change in shape. The air was soon filled with the sound of a thousand buzzsaws as a Rasenshuriken came to life with the force of its spins enough to keep Kurama afloat.

With a roar, Kurama threw it to the grounded god. Susanoo stared wide-eyed at the incoming spinning chakra shuriken but then narrowed the next second. He held out his hands to the Rasenshuriken, and, to Kurama's shock, it began to slow down. Just a meter away from Susanoo, the Rasenshuriken shook until it suddenly broke apart into formless chakra while the god suddenly gained a new shroud of wind covering his form. It was with the Sharingan that Kurama was able to see what exactly happened. Susanoo had manipulated the very nature of wind within the chakra and tore it out from the Rasenshuriken, thus reducing it to unfocused raw chakra.

"Using chakra in forming elemental attacks?" Susanoo commented. "Impressive. However, do not forget who I am. Everything from the thunder to the wind to rain; all that is the storm is mine alone to command."

"Like I give a damn!" Exclaimed Kurama, breathing out a great column of fire.

As the flames washed over Susanoo, it allowed Kurama to create two shadow clones to sneak up behind the god. So while the god was busy tanking the fire, he was suddenly yanked by the two clones. One of them held him by the arm and struck Susanoo with a series of palm strikes aimed at the chest. Then the other finished with a kick to the back of the head. Susanoo's face made an impromptu close meeting with the dirt, and the two shadow clones slammed onto the god's back with a Rasengan in each hand. the god shouted in pain as the spiraling spheres ground into his back, but it also served to fuel his rage.

From above, the dark clouds rumbled, and by Susanoo's will, he summoned a bolt of lightning. They struck the god himself, causing the shadow clones to dissipate. The god stood up from the earth unharmed by his own attack. In fact, the shroud of wind now carried the power of the lightning bolt. Susanoo was effectively clad in armor made of the maelstrom.

He exerted more of his divine will, this time upon the sea. The skies suddenly bawled with heavy rain, soaking Kurama's clothes and tails, and the sea churned with new agitation. Susanoo held out his arms as if grasping the elements themselves. When he pushed his hands forth toward Kurama, the sea answered his call in an all-consuming tsunami. In response, Kurama took a deep breath and exhaled a wave of cold to freeze the incoming wave just before it could flood the land. Now it left a giant chunk of ice between Kurama and Susanoo and extending out past the coastline.

Suddenly, the ice in front of Kurama was broken apart as Susanoo charged through it with the swiftness of wind and ferocity of lightning. If Kurama didn't have his Sharingan, he would not be able to see it properly. With the Eternal Mangekyou, he already formed a counterattack. Instead of blocking with his fists, Kurama caught both of Susanoo's arms with his tails - three for each limb. That left Susanoo completely open to receive a double uppercut to the jaw, sending him up in the air.

'Let's step it up a notch,' Kurama thought.

Before Susanoo went too far, Kurama grabbed the god by his ankles and swung him over his head to slam him down to the ground. As he did so, Kurama used chakra to harden the earth to increase the impact of the god meeting the earth. Kurama swung the god again in a sideways arc where he used chakra to summon a wall of earth to bas Susanoo through. For a brief moment, Kurama let him go only to renew his grip by grabbing the back of Susanoo's head.

Kurama sprang forward with a bang, driving Susanoo's face into the dirt. He chucked him off, only to blitz the speed between them to deliver a hammer fist on the god of storms. Another burst of speed and this time he smashed a Rasengan to Susanoo's chest. As Kurama contined pushing, he poured more chakra till the sphere grew in size to encompass a house.

For one last bit, Kurama poured in fire chakra, turning the Rasengan into red spiraling inferno. The result was an explosion of power to level a mountain. Kurama jumped away harmlessly from the blast zone.

When it died down, there was only a pile of rubble within a gigantic crater scorched black. Everything was still as the winds and seas calmed, but the dark clouds. Kurama flinched when his Sharingan picked up a disturbance in the center. He was forced to shield his eyes as brilliant blue light erupted from the crater reaching all the way to the heavens.

Susanoo reappeared crawling out of the ground bathed in his divine might. His pristine armor fell off his body reduced to scraps, and a spiral shaped wound bled on his chest in golden blood. Yet the god of storms smiled.

He held his hand up to the sky. From above, something came crashing down like lightning strike. Instead of a bolt of plasma, what Susano held was an orante odachi within a golden sheath with etchings of an eight-headed serpent. The hilt was a regular black with a white pommel and a golden tsuba.

"I have carnal knowledge of the fairest maidens of Takama-ga-hara," Susanoo spoke as he held the odachi forward ready to draw it. "And have tasted the finest wines of Earth."

Folklore of Japan would say the famed divine sword of the kami of storms was the Kusunagi. It was after all the famed blade Susanoo achieved from the Yamata-no-Orochi's corpse. But most overlook the very blade he used to slay the dragon itself. It would be a most impressive blade capable of felling a Heavenly Dragon. In truth, the Kusunagi was given to Amaterasu as a peace offering. It was never Susanoo's true weapon.

"But none of it," Susanoo said, drawing out the divine steel from the sheath with a certain chime in the air, "excites my blood more than using my blade!"

For Susanoo's most favored weapon was known as the Totsuka. Fully unsheathed, the divine weapon sang in joy to be wielded by its master yet again. The sheath itself was discarded where it dug into the ground like a lead weight.

"PREPARE TO MEET YOUR END, KURAMA!"

Finally finished. But wait! I could add more to this chapter later.

So why so late in updating? Besides life, I've been working on multiple side projects where I'm typing multiple chapters for stories I hope I can use one day.

Up next is Chapter 14: Muramasa

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