Power awaits beyond fear

The ruins of the castle sat silent and abandoned by humans. Half of the structure was still intact and albeit in ruin for the shattered windows. Youth and the misguided believed themselves brave to get within a stones throw of the castle. Young Kaguya thought it a sign of their bravery to challenge the master of the clan there. Yet he did not show for petty squabbles or the weak. He did not seek retribution for he did not care for material things. The castle was the same to a being like him. He need not sleep or eat. He needed no shelter from the elements. After all he commanded them. Still that half the castle was mostly wholly intact. Albeit the dust and webs had settled in over the surfaces. However the other half of the castle people avoided. Here was the remnants of a battle for the last true challenger. A student of Sero's had come and challenged him to a duel once upon a time. Their fight had torn apart the castle with large scale jutsu. Smashing through even the Kaguya bone structure. Now its shattered remnants looked more like a cave. Halls with no roof had pooled rainwater and gathered moss. The scorch marks could hardly be seen.

Here Sero sat within his domain. Deep within the ruins where the majority of the blackened scorched bone was. No moss gathered here and a mist hung about the grounds. Here in the audience hall burnt to a crisp save a single throne sat Sero in his human guise. Purple eyes flicked to the training he was preforming behind long black hair. His form was adorned in black robes that seemed to sink into the shadows around him in the dimly lit room. Here the abomination sat in training until another threat such as the bijuu arrived. He had an entire division of ANBU he commanded for the normal people. Criminals and such he mostly used for training purposes now. A nation level power now reserved himself for training these humans with promise and eliminating the grander threats. Before him he was practicing utilizing all his elements at once. Four orbs hung in the air in a slow circle. His hand gripping the hilt of the great sword for even further control over his flames. In a circle beneath the ceiling four orbs rotated. Evenly spaced out and perfectly shapes. One of white wisps of wind. One of coils of bone grinding into itself. One of water surging in rotation and one of calm, purple flame. A practice in chakra control to perfectly control four elements at once and hold it.

If it was a mark of bravery in youth and misguided to get close to the ominous Kaguya Castle. Then it was more of one to do so at night. Kazuki moved down the street toward the clan compound and at a block from the outer courtyard doors he saw a group of young teens standing awkwardly across the street from the doors. The outer courtyard doors looked imposing, black iron with the Kaguya Clan symbol painted upon it. As Kazuki, dressed in his normal black attire with his black greatsword Umbra upon his back, moved closer he could hear them daring each other to approach the place and touch the gates. It was late, or perhaps early. It depended on ones perspective of time he supposed. The hour in which he was arriving at the compound had many names. ‘The Dead of Night’, ‘The Hour of The Wolf’, ‘The Witching Hour’, all were different names given to the same stretch of time. The hours beginning at 3 AM and stretching onto just before dawn. The hour in which the night seemed darkest and deepest. When the odd quiet that suffused the night was at its apex.

Kazuki himself had no real fear of the night. He himself preferred it, it was the time in which shinobi would typically ply their trade after all. However the teens should all be abed, though that wasn’t any of his business. Still, when he stepped, silently of course, by them and toward the doors of the outer courtyard he saw them up jump in his peripheral vision. As he approached the doors he reached up and pushed them open before entering and closing them behind him. As he did his dark eyes found the group and he saw them scatter like mice back to the safety of their homes. Then he turned and moved deeper in the complex. He did not know the man he was here to meet personally. Had never met him before, however he had heard things around town about him. That he showed no mercy, that he was a monster that hunted the ‘wicked’. Based on what Kazuki had heard he thought they would have some differences of opinion. However that did not mean the one he was here to meet was a monster.

He approached the castle doors. Tall and ivory white, and seeming impenetrable. Or at least they would, if one wasn’t hanging by a single hinge, the other two having failed sometime ago. It was leaning inward heavily and giving an obvious means of entrance into the castle itself which itself seemed half in ruin. The other door still stood tall but its majesty and fortitude was obviously severely lacking beside what looked to Kazuki to be a very lazy coworker. Entering the half ruined castle he moved through the mist-laden corridors. He made no effort to hide his presence as he moved. Before long he entered the throne room and his dark eyes began their casual perusal. The blackened and scorched room, the solitary throne ivory bone sat with his enshrouded occupant. The fact that the room was scorched black and the throne was still bleached white bone, unmarred and uncolored, was impressive as hell. It implied no attack had ever reached that throne.

Moving into the room fully, he walked down the aisle before coming to a stop at the foot of a series of stairs leading up to the throne. He had walked directly beneath the impressive display of chakra control. The multicolored light they provided being the only thing besides a few dim candles that provided illumination. “I, Kazuki Furukawa, newly minted Genin of Kirigakure, come to introduce myself to the one many call ‘The Monster’. I intend no insult with my trespass nor have I any intention of attacking you. May we speak?” He would ask politely, his eyebrows raising in curiosity.

1

Tenshi wasn't exactly sure what the hell was going on. He'd thought Kazuki was joking when he'd said he was going up to the Kaguya Castle. After all, why the hell would he? To meet this fabled "Monster" or "Abomination"? Tenshi hadn't even been sure the person was anything more than a myth. That was, until he'd mentioned to Mamoru that Kazuki was going up there. It was then that Mam had told him all about Sero, the one who had very rightfully earned the dark titles he'd been given.

Now, Tenshi found himself traversing the ruined landscape of the castle grounds, a small fireball in his hand for light. Approaching the castle, he heard movement all around him suddenly. Reaching for the hilt of his blade, he was more than happy to realize it was just a bunch of teenagers who were undoubtedly running away from a strange noise they'd heard. Until he heard one of them shout "Run away, there's a shade out here! He's even got a black sword!"

Tenshi narrowed his eyes. A shade, really? That confirmed it for him. Kazuki had already made it to the castle, and apparently the sight of Umbra in the dark had scared these kiddos off. Unfortunately, that meant he was now running. He had lost Mamoru somewhere towards the beginning of the path, something about going around. But he didn't have time to wait for him. The castle doors finally came into view, and Tenshi didn't stop. Bursting through the doors, Tenshi closed his fist around the fireball, extinguishing so as to not appear as a threat, and shouted "Lord Kaguya, please don't kill him, he's a noobie!"

Beams of moonlight shown through the ceiling of a collapsed portion, towards the rear, of the Kaguya Castle. The cause of the damaged ceiling was a fallen column. It leaned at an angle, wedged in a way that it was held suspended. Just hovering feet from the ground, held up by the wall. This wasn't the only spot of the damaged ceiling. In fact, it seemed very little of the ceiling was left. This was just where Mamoru decided to perch. He watched Sero's training session with intense curiosity. He certainly didn't want be rude and interrupt, but he also didn't want Sero to think he was observing with ill intent. There was a few reasons for his journey here tonight. Being from the Kaguya Clan himself, he actually never even been here. It seemed other residents of Kirigakure had been here more than him. Another reason was he heard word that Kazuki was interested in coming here. He was watching out for his new squad mate, since Sero was currently present. He knew first hand the dark training Sero could put someone through and, just in case, Mamoru was going to make sure Kazuki wasn't in it alone. Of course, that was if Sero magically had something. Just like when he, Ryu, and Jin stumbled upon that damned training room back at the Grand Training Facility and had to deal with pirates as training.

From his perch, he could hear outside as well as inside. He couldn't make out the words, but he did hear faint shouting disappearing in the distance as they ran away. Then, the doors to the castle opened, a young man in all black walking through them. 'Here we go' Mamoru said as he realized that it was Kazuki. He was about to act, but then he seen another figure run through. A fireball in his hand. 'Tenshi'

As Tenshi called out to Sero, Mamoru stood, his own figure a silhouette to those below against the full moon in the background. His shadow grew in size, replacing the moonlight cast in the castle. Mamoru leapt down from his perch, sliding down the column, a weird sound like two hard objects rubbing together echoed throughout the castle. As he reached a certain point on the column, Mamoru pushed off, launching himself at an erect column. The same grinding noise filling the castle as he spiraled down the column. Once he reached near the bottom, he pushed off, landing in between his two squad mates and Sero, spinning along the floor, his white kaguya cloak billowing around him and showing off the Kaguya emblem like a flag, as he came to a halt. The bones protruding from his hands and feet retracting like a cat's claws "Apologies for the interruption, Lord Sero. Mamoru said with a bow towards the head of his clan, before turning to face Kazuki and Tenshi with a warm smile. "Hey guys. What brings y'all here?" He asked, the sweat beading down his face

Sero would let his sensory stretch out around him. He could feel everyone within two hundred meters of his position that wasn't concealing their chakra. Not enough to span the length of the castle but enough to prefer a counter if enough chakra were gathered. Even his strongest attack based Ninjutsu at such a range would take a moment to reach him. However he was not bothered by Mamoru's presence. He kept to himself mostly within the edges of the ruins. Observing and likely considering his options. Weighing the pros and cons. However he was here. Which meant there was some consideration to be had. Still those glowing purple eyes would shift as there were new bodies here. Within his territory. Two small signatures appeared and one moved with purpose while the other seemed to radiate heat. As if the sun has just a tiny part of it walking towards him. The other he sensed something more. A darker nature like kin to his own. The kind that one receives when they are prepared to lose their humanity in the pursuit of true justice. Sero would slowly inhale as if he could smell it. The blood that would one day soak that one's hands. Only time would tell if it was the right blood. 

Still Sero would neither move from his position or halt his practice. The three were young and likely eager for power. Little could he fathom they all were here to support the dark touched one. His purple gaze would shift as if he could watch them through the walls. Following those small, flickering chakra signatures. Like a strong wind may snuff them out. Mamoru had grown at least. His chakra levels had improved as he had been instructed. Still the one in black with the sword would arrive before him first. Striding in with purpose and respect but stopping just out of reach of the steps....just outside that range where he would understand. The title monster was not one so lightly given. Sero would listen as another came crying out for mercy for his ...newb? A term he was unfamiliar with. However the assumption that Sero would kill him...childish. Even the one with the light of the sun would arrive. His chakra no longer on display but burning within him. Finally Mamoru would progress down with more effort than should have been needed. Chakra walking would have gotten him down easier and smoother. 

All of them would address him with some level of respect however and none came to challenge him. This would suit him well enough as he would shift his grip on his jeweled great sword. All of the orbs would shift into a purple flame. Transformed from their original element into fire. The room would be lit in a dim purple glow as Sero would rise from his throne of bones. Like a corpse god he would take a step forward. As he did the mist would slowly begin to swirl around the edges of the room. Thick and cold. All three of them would feel it then. Mamoru for the second time. The natural instinct a living thing has when it is being hunted. Like rabbits before the wolf they would feel it like a prickling on the back of their neck. Like the feeling one gets when they are alone in the woods in the dark and become painfully aware they aren't alone. Most felt fear this way when within ten feet of Sero. His voice would crack against the walls as if the shadows echoed his words. 

"The monster....Children crying in their beds over their mothers stories to keep them in line. The truth is much darker I fear. We can converse but I will warn you....most who have come to me seeking power.....they trade their sanity for it. You feel it don't you? The taint to my chakra? Like oil in the air....Madness awaits you genin of the mist....if...you aren't strong enough."

Kazuki’s arrival was followed quickly by the arrival of two others. Others that he had met before, Mamoru, and Tenshi. Tenshi called to ‘Lord Kaguya’ and asked him not to kill Kazuki. That caused the new swordsman to raise an eyebrow. Of all the things he had heard of the ‘monster’ he had not heard that he had a tendency to murder Kirigakure genin out of hand. Indeed Kazuki had not come with actual fear or worry in his heart. He had simply come to see what the deal was. And if the man might consider training him to be stronger. Mamoru himself arrived and simply greeted them all, asking what brought them there. To that Kazuki would first, nod in greeting, then he would shrug as he spoke. “I heard of ‘Lord Sero’ from the rumor mill and wanted to see if he would agree to train me.” He would reply, not really bothering to ask what brought Mamoru around. He had actually called Sero by name and in a familiar tone. Meaning he was probably there for a similar reason.

By that logic, Tenshi was probably there for similar reasons. Kazuki turned toward him and nodded in greeting to him, always polite when he could be. With that however it would be Sero’s turn to act. The ‘man’ stood and took a single, solitary step forward. Just off the throne and down a single step of the stairs before him. That was all it took to cause all of the hair on Kazuki’s hair to seemingly stand on end. Goosebumps trailed up his arms as the aura that was around Sero at all times came into contact with the dark swordsman and he suppressed and involuntary shiver just as he failed to stop his instinctive reaction of grabbing the hilt of his sword.

That feeling, that..corruption, triggered the fight or flight response in any it touched. It had to, and Kazuki’s instinct was obviously to fight. He heard Sero’s words, promises of potential madness. The strength that could come despite the risk. Kazuki weighed the pros and cons quietly for a time, not letting the aura overcome him. He considered it specifically, how long could he stay within such a range from Sero before going mad? How long could he withstand the constant pressure? Like the ocean beating against the mountain. How long could he stay himself? He did not know, was the very act of asking himself those questions already a sign that he would soon buckle? Again, he was unsure. Still, rewards came to no one who did not risk. Kazuki had every intention of pushing forward. Sero was probably his best chance to help people. To protect people, to save people. “You won’t find me so easily dismayed..” He would say, was that a hint of uncertainty in his voice? Or was he simply doubting his mental resolve already? He did not know, could not know. All he could do was withstand as long and as well as he could.

“M-My name is K-Kazuki Furu-Furukawa. I am a swordsman, and my goal is to help people. To save them, to bring the village prosperity and serve it loyally. I was raised by shrine maidens in the ‘Okumura Shrine’ about 10 miles outside the city. My fa-favorite things are training and working at the shrine. I have not cul-cultivated any hobbies yet. H-However I hope to soon as I try n-new things.” He would say, stuttering through an introduction as he fought to control the fear the coursed through him like a river. He would stand before this monster as his first hurdle. He would withstand him, he would not fail now.

2

Tenshi shot a look at Mamoru as he appeared and then spoke to Sero so casually. If this man was the kind of person Mam had told him he was, why the hell was Tenshi the only one concerned? This entire situation was like walking into a viper pit. Before he could speak again, he saw Sero rise from his thrown out the corner of his eye, and turned his attention back to the man, just as a wave of fear washed over him.

Tenshi's muscles stiffened and his veins seemed to turn to ice. His mind began to race, images flashing rapidly within his mind's eye. Memories he'd buried now forcing their way to the surface. Only once had he felt this kind of fear; on the day that Chen had come to Sunagakure. The day that his family had been killed. He stood frozen, eyes wide as he struggled to comprehend what he was seeing. He'd been in the kitchen with his mother when screams began to ring out. Suddenly, there was an explosion. Then another, then another, each moving closer, until one of them shook his home.

Then next explosion actually ripped through the house, cuasing it to collapse. He remembered being pulled from the rubble, barely concious, barely breathing. He could see the wide, milky, terrified eyes of his little sister, her lifeless body broken under the collapsed roof. His head fell to the side, and he caught a glimpse of a leg sticking up from another area of the fallen house, his older brother's shoe handing from the twisted foot on the end.

Up until now, Tenshi had forgotten these scenes, forgotten the feeling of fear and anguish he'd felt that day, and the days following. But now, whatever the hell Sero had done, what ever twisted technique the man had prepared for them, these memories and emotions were being force to the surface, triggered by the sudden fear. If he hadn't been frozen in place, Tenshi may have screamed, maybe fallen to his knees and begged for it to stop. Even now, he considered doing so as the voices in his head began to buzz, their voices incoherent.

"You cannot avenge your family if you are scared, child," a voice said loudly above the buzzing of the others. Suddenly, Tenshi found himself standing in darkness. Looking around, he tried to find the source of the voice. It didn't take long to find it, as a bright light sprang into existence, taking the form of a miniature Sun. Tenshi cocked an eyebrow at the entity, it's light shining bright, but not hurting his eyes, it's flames raging, but not burning his skin. "Fear will not get you anywhere,'' it spoke again, "Fear has no place in one touched by the Sun."

Suddenly, the Sun began to expand, the light engulfing the darkness, the flames engulfing Tenshi's body. He felt the chill of fear wash away with the darkness, replaced with a new emotion: rage. It burned in his veins like the fires of his clan as he came back to reality, standing in Sero's thrown room, his squadmates standing within a few feet of him. His wide eyes narrowed, the look of fear replaced by one of disdain. He looked towards Sero, resting his hand on the hilt of his blade. He chose not to speak just yet, unsure of how to act as Kazuki stammered out his words. He was sure that Sero could crush the three of them with ease, but he would not allow such a man to intimidate him. If he was going to kill Chen one day, he'd have to learn to face monsters head on.

Mamoru spun to face Sero as he spoke and watched the leader of the Kaguya Clan approach them. There is was again. The fog. His instincts screaming that a threat was all around him. The hair stood on the back of his neck. Suddenly he was back in that damned training room all over again. The giant bone golem bounding after their group as they took shelter in a barn. The three pirates dead pirates.  
Mamoru's muscles tensed, trying to stop the trembling. His knuckles turning white from his clenched hands. His eyes went wide, eyebrows furrowed as he spun around, trying to look through the fog, expecting to hear the rattling of bones around them, just like before. He was ready this time. But as time passed and there was no sign of danger, Mamoru's attention went back to the group. Kazuki's stuttering words. Tenshi's rage filled expression with his hand on the hilt of his sword. No telling what they were going through. They all had coping mechanisms for whatever was up with Sero's tainted chakra. Mamoru couldn't speak. Otherwise he would definitely sound like Kazuki. He just kept his breathing even, trying calm his mind and nerves, and every muscle in body tense, as couldn't help but scan the room around them. Just waiting for...something to emerge. His instincts constantly screaming to stay alert and ready to react

Sero would pause at the one step as those before him adopted visceral reactions. Time and time he had seen this. Sensed this in mankind and their darker hidden portions of their soul. No matter how deep it was buried Sero's chakra seemed to beckon to it. To promote a violence that was imbedded into instinct. The event commonly known as the fight or flight response. Often there were those who would feel they had power and come to challenge him. Or even those who thought they knew battle. Only the innocent fled. Only those with kind souls. Here he could feel it in them. A putrid taint in their souls that reeked of fear. The scent that permeated from those who would fight him. However this was no more effective than those bound to the headstone awaiting the executioners axe. Still he would pause. The fear twisted in the one with chakra like the sun. Glowing within him as he stood more ready for war than the others. 

Yet it would be the dark swordsman who spoke. The other two remained silent. Purple eyes shifted from Tenshi over to Kazuki. That cold gaze would settle on him as he listened. There was a man who believed himself a swordsman of justice. He was able to speak which spoke leagues to his willpower. Still Sero would let those purple orbs settle on him as he spoke. Eyes that would seem to see through everything. To know everything. As if he could tell no lies and hide no truths. Still he did not know this one. He held promise however. Perhaps more than most who would enter this throne room. More than most who would seek out a devil for a deal. How much would he lose to become what he spoke of? How little did the honest truth of one who seeks justice did his vision of such a warrior differ from the blood stained truth?

Sero would let his eyes take in all three of them now. One he had tested...two held hilts in some desperate attempts to hold their own truth. Their power to resist and fight back. Sero would consider the reverence of them before him however. How they resisted the urge to fight him. How they resisted the need to be rid of him. To flee, to scream, to charge. He knew all too well these instincts that pulled at them. Their shadows would seem to twist as laughing versions of themselves before Sero. Unbinding from all but where they connected and displaying madness against the white fog. Even the shadows were driven mad around the abomination. Still he would take a second step towards them. Just another step and it was like a mountain was coming down. The weight of his power as Sero would tighten his grip on his own sword. 

"You seek to gain favor and thus power human. But to offer this I must see your ambition. I must see your willpower to defy your fear. I will tell you none of you are capable of defeating me as you are. I would have any willing to embrace my training to show me the very depths of your conviction. Come at me with every fiber of who you are and I will judge if you are worthy."

Another step, and then [i]power[/] fell upon him like the weight of a mountain was attempting to crush him. Kazuki’s knees buckled beneath him as Sero placed a hand upon his sword, ready to draw. The fresh genin heard Sero’s words. So, Sero wanted him to come at him with the ‘depth of his conviction’? That did not necessarily mean all of his power. Which was good, because Kazuki had no intention of giving ‘everything’ he had for this.

The reasoning for that was complicated. Was he arrogant? No, not particularly, or at least he did not think so. Did he somehow think Sero could not handle it? Of course not, the very idea was ludicrous. He knew his Dark Release might surprise Sero but Kazuki was not fool or stupid enough to think it would somehow overcome him. No, the reason was both much more simple and more complicated.

He wanted to keep his abilities to himself as much as possible until he absolutely needed them.

Logically there was no reason for that decision. After all those around him now were allies, aligned with the same village. However in school he had taken hard to the lesson that you ‘never show everything you can do. Unless it’s absolutely necessary.’ The idea of course being to get someone to underestimate you and then surprise them. The act of which usually resulted in a swift defeat on the part of the surprised. So Kazuki would not demonstrate his Dark Release, wanted to keep it hidden. Simply because it might be useful to have it hidden in the future.

Still, that did not mean he could not put in a good show of effort. Gritting his teeth he rose fully once more, keeping a bend in his knee’s to be able to move quickly. His dark eyes met Sero’s as he glared up at the challenge laid before him. He drew his sword, a great blade of dark metal, black and blue. As he drew it he moved forward, intent upon swinging his weapon at the man. “Fine then, let’s see how you like this!” He would cry out. As he moved he fell into a style that was simple and basic. Kendo was basic swordsmanship, usually expanded upon. However he had yet to do so. After this however he would have to make time to do it.

Just before the great weapon, would strike Sero though, Kazuki would put a little ‘spin’ on things. Dark blue fire would form down his weapon. Coating the blade at S rank speed and adding it’s similarly powered heat to bear upon the man, no, the monster that had challenged them. No one should be able to ignore that fire. The intensity of it causing beads of sweats to start forming along his own hair line as the heat warmed his face and hands.

3

Using the 'Dread Flame' enchant on Umbra (Under 'Items')

-1 Charge of 40 bringing it down to 39

Tenshi gritted his teeth as Sero took another step towards the trio, and he felt the weight of the man's power come crashing down on his shoulders. His legs tensed, his grip on his sword tightened, but still he did not falter. His glare continued, even as The Abomination spoke, calling upon them to come at him. He wasn't even sure why he was here. He had come to stop Kazuki from being devoured by a Monster, and here he was, standing before that very Monster, hatred filling his heart. Why did he hate Sero? The man had not done anything to him, and yet his very presence told Tenshi that he was the kind of being to fear; to hate.

It was probably for that reason that Tenshi shouldn't have been surprised when he saw Kazuki move from his peripheral vision. "Kazuki, no..." he said, reaching his free hand towards the young man, but it was too late. As his black-clad team mate moved, Tenshi had only a split second to make a decision; let Kazuki go in alone, and run away, or continue his mission to keep him alive. Obviously, he would choose the later. "Oh, fuck it..." he said under his breath as he shifted his feet, letting his anger and rage flow through him along-side his chakra.

As Kazuki attacked Sero head on, Tenshi's body seemed to fade from existence for a brief moment, before reappearing midair at the Abomination's back side. In a swift motion, he would draw his own sword, wishing for a brief moment that he'd gotten the one Okane had promised him before ever having to face someone as powerful as Sero. Without hesitation, he would channel chakra into the blade, causing it to burst into flames, before bringing it down towards Sero's shoulder, aiming to wound his sword arm before he could draw the blade.

----------
CP: 37/50
Techs Used:
Body Flicker x 2 to get into position -10
Chakra Flow to ignite sword -3

Body Flicker:

Chakra Flow:

Mamoru's head stopped in place. His own blue eyes meeting Sero's glowing purple eyes, as the man seemingly loomed over the three genin, pausing at one step. But then his gaze shifted down to the floor. The fog flowing over the floor coalescing with shadows, shifting upwards to form a vague image, at first. But suddenly Mamoru's mind filled in the gaps of what the image he was seeing. Two figures joined together. As he stared, the image became more real by the second. Almost like his mind was breathing life what the fog was modeling. Before his eyes, between him and Sero, stood his brother and father. A long thin bone protruding from his brother's palm and skewered through his father's chest. That image lived in the back of his mind. Tears filled his eyes, but none fell. That was the foundation of his drive. The will to become strong enough to protect others. To eradicate those with evil, ill-willed intentions. And he pushed himself through the muck and pain, every single day. For him, it was his body that was the weapon. He didn't have fancy elemental Ninjutsu. But there was never a doubt. He learned chakra control, sure, but he also had his bloodline ability. His Bones.

As Sero took his second step, right through the image his mind brought to life, like it...they were never even there, it dissipated. To Mamoru the fog shifted around Sero's form, then fell like a collapsing building moving in slow motion. The Kaguya Genin's eyes blinked rapidly. Reality slapping in the face as felt a mountainous weight fall upon him. Sero's words flowing through his ears and filling his resolve to burst. He wanted to be worthy. Not just to the Kaguya Clan Leader before him or his peers. Or the village. He wanted the world to know Mamoru Kaguya. He wanted his presence, his strength, to feel like they could be safe. He pushed himself for those that couldn't. Mamoru stood unwavering, fighting against the weight, staring at Sero with fire in his blue eyes. Not with any form of hatred. In fact, he smiled at the man. They all knew they were no match for Sero, but he was going to give Sero every fiber of his being. He was going to be better than he was the previous day. Push and push until he couldn't anymore.

Mamoru drew up his left palm to his right hand. If everyone was going to use swords, he should join the party. A thick, long bone emerged from his left wrist, just under his palm. He gripped the end of the bone with his right hand and smoothly pulled his favored bone sword. Just as Tenshi did, Mamoru's chakra flowed through his bone sword, an almost invisible aura emanating along the bone blade, increasing it's durability. As Kazuki's great sword burst in blue fire, Mamoru held in the amazement. That was for later. With Tenshi seemingly blinking behind Sero, Mamoru burst forward, his form low to minimize drag. But it was like wading through a bog. But Mamoru was familiar with resisting weight. Resisting fear itself to get to Sero. With tense muscles, he pushed himself forward.

Moving to the opposite side of Sero as Tenshi, Mamoru thrust his sword forward, precisely at the at the man's knees. It was a quick but forceful thrust, before he pulled the sword back towards him, then slashed across his torso. His arm went across his own chest before Mamoru brought it upwards, aiming in between Sero's arm and torso, right across his arm pit.
------------------------------------
CP: 129/135
Chakra Flow -3CP
Hunter's Sword -3CP (C rank)

1Stats

• Strength: C
  
• Constitution: C -> B (+1 tier Shikotsumyaku Bloodline passive)
  
• Stamina: C -> C+ (+ Lifestyle passive)
  
• Speed: C -> C++ (Hunter's Sword)
  
• Coordination: C -> C+ (Hunter's Sword)
  
• Intelligence: C
  
• Perception: D
  

Techniques Used:

Sero would let his eyes shift between the three. Their resolve was clear in their eyes. They could push through his tainted aura. Push through their fear and face him with logic. All three saw him in different light but he had no hate for them. These were the strong and loyal to the village shinobi. They would not have come before him for strength if they lacked resolve. He simply had to see if it would be enough. He was far from being the only monster out there. Far from being the only threat to their spirit. Nor could he stand against the other monsters alone. He had helped with the bijuu but if he had to fight it at full strength alone...It was true he had not perfected his own tailed beast even. Sero himself was not at his full strength yet even if his power was oppressive. Still this would be interesting for him. Sero did not usually fight in close quarters. He annihilated his opponents with Ninjutsu from mid to far range. Some close quarters combat training would do him some good. Still he would be aiming not to kill the three. Just to push them and see their limits.

Kazuki would be the first to move. The one who had sought him out on legends alone. The one who held the strongest sense of justice among them. He was here fighting for the power to protect. Sero offered the power of vengeance but in his bloodletting he had always done so as a warning. His massacres of the wicked were graphic and whispered about. Horrors of bodies hanging in pieces from trees or a burnt camp of ash being all that was left of the bandit camp. The way Sero hunted the wicked made others question if they would meet the same gruesome fate. The next was Tenshi. He was hesitant and Sero could feel the least fear from him. But behind all that hate was based on a fear. One he knew the taste of. Tenshi was afraid of losing his friend. He was afraid of those around him dying more so than himself. Still he would drive forward with all that hate. To the others he would flicker rapidly but Sero would watch his form trail past him. Unfortunately for Tenshi and Kazuki Sero was fast enough to react to this. 

Even as Mamoru summoned his blade and charged forward Sero would shift into movement. Turning the flat of his great sword on Tenshi at full speed. Even as Tenshi would dash passed him in a straight line at A rank coordination against the A rank speed. Sero was familiar with the body flicker technique after all. Likely however for everyone else the swords movement would be as a blur. The impact if it hit would be more of a surprise than actual damage at D rank strength but the purpose was to closeline the young fighter and then launch him back in that moment of shock at Kazuki and Mamoru before taking a leap backwards to gain a little distance. He could sense fire in a couple of them and that could potentially hurt him. While he was faster he would at least make it interesting for them. With his free hand Sero would form a series of one handed seals as he shifted back five meters. Rat, dog, tiger, scorpion. Once he was finished there would come across the throne room the sound of rattling as a ten meter long bone tail would rise up from behind Sero. Foot long blades spaced out through out the ten meters as it curled around Sero in a spiral. Rattling like a rattlesnake as he waited. The spiralled tail threatening to attack them if they crossed those five meters. 

Jutsu:

Kazuki wouldn’t even be able to see Tenshi and Sero move. Not at first at any rate. Tenshi’s speed was too high for Kazuki to truly see it, however when his momentum was suddenly halted by Sero the black swordsman would see him. Kazuki, already moving closer to Sero to swing would the same individual would strike Tenshi, would alter his plan a bit. Rather than close the distance to the monster he would swing down early, launching the fire off his greatblade at Sero right as Sero’s feet would leave the ground the leap back a ways. The launched blue flame would expand rapidly to twenty meters wide (tall since it’s vertical) and travel for up to thirty meters. Well within Sero’s landing point. The wave would maintain it’s heat and travel at S rank speed. The attack wasn’t intending to be ‘serious’ though it certainly had the capability to damage the being he was certain. However he needed it as a distraction for his next step. As it would make him and Tenshi somewhat vulnerable for a moment.

Sero’s impact of Tenshi would rob most of the momentum from his teammate, allowing him to see him quite well. As such Kazuki would angle the flat of his blade, much like Sero had done, to ‘catch’ him. Effectively stopping his momentum and giving him an easier time landing solidly. After all Kazuki wanted to protect others, and that meant protecting his teammates as well. The key to Kazuki’s ability to stop Tenshi’s momentum was the size of Umbra, with it being a rather long and wide greatsword and with his own strength (B with Umbra) he should easily be able to counter Tenshi’s momentum safely. Then he would carefully maneuver the weapon clear without injuring himself or Tenshi and then raise it once more. Ready to fight again.

By that point, Sero would hopefully have dealth with Kazuki’s attack and be prepared with his bone tail. The swordsman would look at the new addition and study it carefully for a bit. The tail would make things difficult by giving Sero an appendage he could both attack and defend with. Kazuki frowned in thought a moment before continuing. “One of us has to engage that tail while the others attack Sero. My weapon has to length to keep the blades off me while I do it. You two go for Sero directly.” He would say, trusting the other two to follow through before moving in. His intention would be to threaten and make Sero engage him with the tail. Where Kazuki would then pin the appendage down using the junction where the tail and one of the blades met to pin the threatening tail down and effectively render it useless. The goal being to do so without the tail or the blades being close enough to attack Kazuki himself.


4

Using 3 charges to launch the fire from Umbra bring it down to 36.

Tenshi had thought he'd maneuvered in a way that would take him behind Sero without the man being able to catch him, but quickly found that he'd been over zealous in his attempt. He'd been caught almost entirely by surprise by the sword that had suddently come up to block him. Barely managing to lift his own sword in time, Tenshi was thrown back on impact.

Suddenly, a wave of blue flames whizzed past him. At the same time, he felt his back hit steel, allowing him to plant his feet and stop his flight before smacking into a wall or something. Looking over his shoulder, he found Kazuki pushing the flat side of his blade into his back to 'catch' him. Nodding, Tenshi stepped away from the sword and turned his attention back to Sero, though he kept an ear turned towards his teammate as he laid out his plan. He let out a frustrated exhale from his nostrils, but gave Kazuki a thumbs up on his plan.

Tenshi had simply come here to stop Kazuki from getting destroyed by Sero, but now he was involved in the battle he'd come to prevent. But he wouldn't abandon his team. "Yes..." came a voice, echoing from the deepest recesses of his mind. This surprised him slightly, and for a bried moment, his revealed as much, though he quickly forced it back into a look of the rage he was feeling. Normally when he heard the voices, they were all jumbled, sounding like a thousand people trying to talk over one another. Sure, sometimes one would rise above the rest, but this time, he only heard the one, and it was clear as day. "Use your anger, child. Show them what you can do. Bury your fear, your insecurities. Bury them beneath your rage." Tenshi gritted his teeth even harder now, gripping the hilt of his sword so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The voice did not speak again, but it's words lingered in his mind.

Tenshi felt his anger rising even higher, and the flames that now engulfed his sword seemed to react to it, dancing violently. Sliding his feet into position, he lifted his sword. Then, much like before, he dashed forward, though not as quickly. Clearing the gap between himself and Sero, Tenshi dropped low, swinging the flaming blade at Sero's right leg, aiming to remove it from the knee on down. Even if this attack missed, Tenshi wouldn't stop moving, jumping from his crouched position and slashing upwards at Sero's left elbow. He didn't expect these attacks to actually connect, but he wanted to put the 'Abomination' on the defensive, utilizing fast strikes and the heat radiating from his sword to do so.

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CP: 36/50
Techs Used: Hantā no ken (Hunter's Sword) -1 for E rank

Speed C -> C+

Hantā no ken (Hunter's Sword):

Mamoru let out a low grunt of frustration as he reached the other two genin, just when Sero had backed away. He had only watched the action unfold because he delayed his movement. That was not going to happen a second time. Standing there alongside his fellow genin, Mamoru eyes were glued on Sero with such intensity. He was unsure exactly he felt the need to prove himself so bad, but he was going to this fight everything he had and then some. He heard Kazuki's plan and, although he was sure the other two were not looking at him, Mamoru still gave a very subtle nod of agreement. The plan was sound enough. He was sure they could get something to work, if they just coordinated well enough.

Moments before they would all rush at Sero, Mamoru's body shifted low, into a solid, grounded form. One that was the embodiment of strength. The Arhat Stance was his first and most used fighting style. Sure it was well known, but he didn't have much going for him, at the moment. He would just have to make it work. All three genin surged forward almost simultaneously. He ran low and along side Tenshi, but slightly behind him, not moving at full speed, just yet. He wanted to see what he had planned with blazing sword. Once he got within 3 meters is when he really picked up speed, lower his shoulder, and barreling for Sero. He hoped Kazuki was fairing well with the tail. Just as Tenshi would swing his sword at Sero's right leg. Whether Sero would try to evade backwards or to either side, Mamoru would change his trajectory and continue for Sero, making a few swings and thrusts with his bone sword, making sure not to get in the way of Tenshi's attacks as both attacked together
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CP: 130/135

1Stats

• Strength: C -> A (+1 tier Arhat Fist Style; +1 tier Shoulder Charge)
  
• Constitution: C -> B (+1 tier Shikotsumyaku Bloodline passive)
  
• Stamina: C -> C+ (+ Lifestyle passive)
  
• Speed: C
  
• Coordination: C
  
• Intelligence: C
  
• Perception: D
  

Techniques Used:

Sero would lift his great sword as the blue flame launched towards him. A single slash would split the dark fire as it could not burn through the great sword of fire. Sending it arcing to either side of him as he felt the heat pass him. For a genin to be able to harness an S rank attack. His eyes would glance at the blue flames as they reflected in his purple gaze as it passed him. One of the few things that could harm him was fire and at such a level he could very well die if he wasn't careful. Still he would Need to deal with the other two charging him. His tail would bristle and rattle at their approach before it would begin to spin akin to a chainsaw. However he would be impressed as they planned even if he could hear all of it. Their coordination could improve with time. The one who sought him out directly seemed a natural leader while the other two were both capable fighters in their own regard. Still they were not at a level where he could not handle them. They were hopeful that closing the distance with him would spare them his ninjutsu. 

This was a false hope.

The first of them would slam his sword down on the whip like tail and stop its motion as the bones struggled and clacked against the oppressive strength. He was strong enough to hold it in place but he would be locked there as well. If he moved the blades threatened to cut into him and his allies. The remaining blades coiled around Sero pointed at the other two boys. Waiting to be released and to enclose. To wrap around them and tighten until they bled. The only thing holding them back was the sword and its dark flames. Tenshi however was the next present threat. The fire wreathed his sword in violence as they cleared the opening in the tail. Like jumping a barbed wire fence but far more dangerous. Sero would watch calmly before planting his sword through the bone floor to block the incoming attack. The sweep at his leg would clang against the metal of his sword and if Tenshi wasn't careful the X rank midnight ore blade would cut through his sword like butter. 

However he did nothing to dissuade Mamoru from his attacks or to evade. Instead Mamoru would find his sword strikes and charge would strike home but instead of drawing blood there would be the sensation of passing through water. No physical attack could harm Sero without a means behind it. His Hozuki bloodline defied such mortal constrictions. However his free hand as he planted the sword to block Tenshi would form one handed seals. Dog, Rat, Rabbit, Bird and finished with snake for the amplification. From his form suddenly for a single second after his hand blurred at B rank speed he would be covered in thirty senbon. Only for a second as his purple eyes looked upon them without pity. This would not be enough to kill them but they were in a difficult and precarious position. With only a second to prepare they would need to consider how to deal with this new threat. These senbon were now B rank and while one of them had the constitution and regeneration to shrug it off....the other two would not. Still they would launch at C+ speed  for fifteen Meters at B rank damage. Even Kazuki was well within that range. And if he lifted his sword to early the tail would attack his teammates from behind. If Tenshi was caught in it at all....well he would be injured more severely than the others. 

Sero however would remain calm and watch with those glowing purple eyes. His sword stuck partially into the bone floor to be used to ward off any of Tenshi's attacks with the leverage provided by the floor. The poor boys flaming sword even enhanced wouldn't be durable enough against the X rank midnight ore blade. If he continued to make contact his own sword would shatter. 

Jutsu: