The Akuufu. |Part 1| |P|

[remix]

Private.

The tree's around him were beautiful, to say the least. The landscape twisting and turning as the sky shone brightly, the sun shining down upon the water tops, granting a reflection. As the lone shinobi walked admist the tree's, over the small bridges he would stop within the middle, hands at his sides. Eyes shot upwards to spy a hawk, wounded and battered as it would slowly begin to fall towards the ground having flown so proudly within the sky, and within moments it would crash, colliding against the water as it would sink beneath. His head turned to stare at where the bird had fallen, and he remained in this position, deep in thought. Slowly, the sky had begun to grow dark, rain gently pattering against the tops of the pond, his eyes down casted as he stared with a look of thought.

"..."

Was it a sign?

[seppuku]

"I've finally found you..."

Kouketsu's gaze was adamant as it rested upon his former brother, those onyx pools seemingly glazed with remnants of admiration. Yes, t'was but yesterday that they served beneath the ebony colors of the Akuufu - yet today, secluded in this holy place, they existed as enemies. The blood of his brothers, young and hold, stained his hands. Their dying screams begged for the damnation of this traitor, this heretic! The sole survivor of the massacre was destined to deliver this judgment, to cast into the bowels of hell this man's soul-- this demon who'd betrayed him so deeply. Such a cruel life the God's had bestowed upon these men. Standing upon the bridge linear with Ichiro's own, he absorbed the details.

Ichiro...

The time of reckoning drew nigh.

[remix]

'Kou-kun?'

Eyes would turn to the figure in which stood at the opposite end of the bridge, the facial expression seemingly unphased, and at the same time his eyes twinkled with a slight amusement. He was glad to see his "elder brother" alive and well, but at the same time he knew why he was here. Akuufu. Ichiro had killed them, all of them, and assumed the role of "god." Perhaps that was the only reason he killed now? To feel alive? By killing others he would erase the memory of how they-- Sakujo & Yun, had perished in the flames of hell, of his Goukyaku.

"Ah... Kou-kun! Been awhile, eh?"

He simply stated, grinning now. Hands rested upon his hips touching the hard iron, staring forth as he would now slowly let his features simply become a soft, yet affectionate smile.

'Don't do it, Kou. Don't.'

[seppuku]

Kou-kun...

His eyes fell shut for only a moment as he repeated the words of his former brother, the weight of them too much to bare. It was quite obvious why they had crossed paths -- with the death of the Akuufu no Kora, as well as many others, on his back - the death of those seeking Kouketsu's head for his many crimes on his own - it was only natural the two would clash swords. There could only be one God, a title that both shinobi had done well to claim for their own.

Indeed. Already light steps had brought him about Ichiro's direct person, his cloaked arms extending to embrace his former brother in a calm, warming hug. They'd finally confronted each other - there was no escaping it. Rushing the inevitable was simply pointless, a theory devised by the two of them during their time in the Akuufu. Were the embrace to go over smoothly, Kouketsu's hand would come to rouse the ebony mane of his former loved one - he was the youngest out of the two, after all.

How have you been, Ichi-kun? Surely, the times have treated you well.

He'd take a seat amongst the bridge, his legs dangling over the edge just beyond the crystalline surface of the still lake. It was going to rain.

[remix]

He tensed, the sight of Kou making movements forward startling him. However he would take note to the fact there was no ill intent seemingly-- not yet, at least. The embrace itself was rather "brotherly" but at the same time caused a deep frown to place itself upon Ichiro's face, as he stared directly at Kou as he walked away.

"We're a little too old for hugging now, Kouketsu."

He muttered slightly as he shifted his gaze to the left, before approaching the side of the bridge as well. Hands slid from his waist, and upon his rear he sat at a safe distance, at least enough time to allow him to draw a kunai should he need to act quickly. The question of him being well however would be thought over. Would he consider a mass murderer ever capable of being "well"? Alas, this was the games in which were played upon humanity, as he gave a slight smirk.

"If you say so. I just got some Ryo awhile ago, from these two ugly kids. I'm shocked that I didn't die."

Always the asshole, he would retort rudely about his most recent victims, whom had no role in life other than to die. They had extended themselves far over god's good graces, of course; Ichi never considered Kouketsu as a god.

He was way too soft, at times.

[seppuku]

Despite the lack of affection given from his brotherly figure, Kouketsu didn't seem to mind it. This is how they'd always been - since the very first time he'd met Ichiro his demeanor had simply seemed to harden, never allowing for a "soft spot" to form for anything; well, that is aside from senseless murder. T'was a flaw, indeed, but one the other welcomed-- family had no room to dissect and discern the many differences between one another, for all that mattered was the similarities.

Haha, is that so? I take it you disposed of them quickly. The less hideous, abominable creatures to walk the face of this earth, the better.

It was something they could both agree on - beauty over ugly, always and forever. Kouketsu's eyes remained fixed on that gathering of water, noting the thick ominous clouds of grays and blacks encroaching on the horizon; yes, angels would soon shed tears upon them.

[remix]

Well, time for the main event. Eyes closed as he would listen to his brother, or... was he? Rather, he merely sat idly, no movement. Sugizou was used, the after image left as if he was merely contemplating, but in reality he was making the first strike. No sound was made, yet he would have positioned himself silently behind Kouketsu as his eyes remained transfixed upon the water. As soon as his feet touched the ground in silence his fist would shoot outwards from his sleeve, a kunai aiming to lurch into Kouketsu's back, twist and rip diagonally to the left, aiming to tear the skin and the clothing. From Kou's position, by the time he would take note of something being eerie and attempt to move, the kunai would, and hopefully, shift into him creating a nasty wound.

Such deeds of dishonor was something Ichiro wouldn't normally display towards his brothers-- but Kouketsu wasn't present during the massacre; he had yet to see the the true figure that killed them. With the stab, it would most likely push Kou off of the ledge and into the water from the force and the sudden pain; the after image after this attack slowly beginning to fade away. Eyes remained emotionless as he would instantly slide backwards upon his feet creating a handseal as a clone sprouted outwards, shooting forward in a flicker.

"Sorry, Kouketsu. But I'm going to kill you..."

[seppuku]

Kouketsu's words seemed to fall upon deaf ears as his brother contained a retort; he merely sat there as if pondering the complex words, searching for the right phrase to say. That's when it happened, the kunai came in to his back. Oh, how the heavens praised Kouketsu this day -- otherwise, he would've been a dead man.

There was no rip or tear aside from the length of his cloak; moreso, there was a clank!. Kouketsu was adorned from head to toe in the armor known as "Shoadi," a powerful material that easily repelled the efforts of the kunai and Ichiro's thrust. Yet what would become of the boy? With his momentum and force disrupted from the connection with a superior material he would find himself temporarily off balance, unable to retract or further maneuver his outstretched appendage.

Simultaneously with the connection, a simplistic hand seal would be made to summon forth a shadow clone directly behind both Ichiro and Kouketsu. Kunai drawn in a mere instant, Ichiro would find the blade buried to the hilt within the small of his back, dangerously parallel with his spinal cord. This would be all it took to render the boy paralyzed and immobile - thusly halting his preparations to create a clone - Sharingan eyes lurking just beyond his shoulder blade.

Yet the image before Ichiro's eyes would seem to fade at that point, a mirror effect of the technique he'd previously used. Kouketsu stood along the length of previous bridge, his eyes half-masted as he looked toward the scene unfolding before him. His Sharingan were masked, though active. Jutsu were being used so fast it seemed like a movie; this was how true shinobi battled in this world.

...

___

1.) Kage Bushin no Jutsu [Shadow Clone Technique].
2.) Sugizou [After Image].

[remix]

The clank itself caused him to direct his eyes to the kunai, eyes widening within a second as he gritted his teeth. It seemed pointless now. Due to the momentum of the stab the blade would defect, but instead of drawing himself backwards he would push off his heels to drive his forearm against the iron back of his brother, attempting to 'tackle' him down into the water below forward instantly after.

Of course due to this he would have to sacrifice making his own bunshin, yet at the same time this would most likely disrupt Kouketsu from going anywhere, avoiding the clone by a second. Ichi did this out of reaction-- he knew Kouketsu's style of fighting, as he knew Kouketsu knew his own. One flaw, one moment that he stopped moving would most likely be his last. This was a speed and endurance battle, not a strength one.

After the attempted push towards the flowing water below he would use the momentum to push off Kouketsu's body and skid upon the top of the water to the side, eyes wary as he would make sure to keep Kouketsu in his sight. The distance now was about sixteen meters, and a slight huff already escaped Ichiro's mouth. Truthfully, he was scared shitless, there was going to be no mercy, and already he knew had he not acted quickly, he would have been gutted.

Yet there would be one shock, as handseals had quickly been created during his skidding, and he remained on his last one, waiting to spot his opponent.

[seppuku]

The efforts of the Uchiha's after image was taken away from him by the bodily force of his brother weighing down his back, pushing him forward and over the edge. Fortunately, chakra (in general) and chakra control was something childish to those of the infamous Dojutsu clan; his hands sprawled forward to press against the glossy surface of the lake, the tips of his toes doing the same. Ichiro spring-boarded from his back and as a result the a crater was formed in the water, though Kouketsu never once was submerged.

It was during the process and in the wake of, that Kouketsu's shadow clone moved forward; he'd been in pursuit since the moment Ichiro pushed both bodies forward.

Sandaled feet moved forward with a truly uncanny speed, pushing from the dock to follow Ichiro's forward movement. Handseals were made prior to the initial leap, allowing the clone to simply extend a hand forward - a whip of water would erect from the slender digits of his fingers, wrapping around Ichiro's neck as he was airborne, the most vulnerable position a warrior could be in. He would find himself pulled back and slammed into the foot of the shadow clone, his leg extending into the gut of the former Akuufu.

Surely it would send him flipping and toppling across the sea surface, leaving both Kouketsus to stand side by side (the real has risen since the whip and kick, obviously). Two pairs of Sharingan would glance upon the boy, mercilessly judging him.

___

1.) Mizu no Muchi [Whip of Water].

[remix]

Fuck!

The thought passed his brain as the whip brought him down at startling speed, yet he in no way attempted a retaliation, merely he would brace himself. And, if one looked closely, they would see a shark like grin over his face, rather than one of fear.

Of course, had the clone been real, there would have been blood.

Having already created handseals, whilst the within the air and the whip coming forward, the air friction as well as some of his own breathe would be enough to kindle a small flame, the chakra causing it to grow a bit more, as well as the friction of the air as he was being dragged back in the direction of his prey.

Right hand had extended towards the center of the clones neck just before the knee connected; the friction of the air having more so aided in the jutsu he was preparing this whole time. The longsword of flame would aim to deeply penetrate through the neck of the clone, burning into it's lungs intensely.

Due to the kick happening exactly after however, it would be a sad conclusion (or a good one, for him), as he would be sent over the water tops, gritting his teeth as his left hand placed upon the water surface and sent him back upwards into the sky. Left hand shifted into his pouch as he grinned again, slightly twisting his body.

Katon: Daitou (Fire Element: Longsword)
Rank: "B" Rank
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: The user concentrates their chakra along the palm of their hands. As the user does so they are capable of creating a longsword like weapon made out of fire out of the palm of their hand.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: This technique tends to burn the user's hands and is only capable of staying out for two rounds with a five round rest before the hands suffer great damage. For each round the user keeps the fire Blade out past the two rounds the user is unable to use that hand for ten rounds.
Description: The user creates a large blade made out of fire along the palm of their hands. The user does so by creating a few handseals and holds their hands near their body. Doing so the user takes in a deep breathe and begins to blow out the air towards the palm of his hands. As the user does so they blow in a straight line away from the user as the fire begins to formulate around the palm of the hand creating the large blade. This technique is capable of being used as a quick defensive style move, or may be used as a split offensive slashing attack.
Limit: Must have the Fire Release

[seppuku]

It's good to see that your skills have not waned, Ichiro.

He spoke as the boy pierced the chest of his clone, though consequently sent skimming across the lake's surface. It was only momentarily, for in the midst of the actions Ichiro had sent his body high above the lake top with but a push of the hand - his fire sword still in tact, it was enough to spark an idea within his mind; he would turn the boy's technique against him.

With a poof! his clone dispersed into a cloud of smoke, thinning within seconds of its exit. It was in this time that Kouketsu had formed his own handseals, with Ichiro back in the air, his own technique coming to fruition.

Suiton - Kokuun no Jutsu!

Amassed from his figure was an ebony essence, one that would coagulate above Ichiro's soaring body long before he would touch down with the earth once more. Oil would fall from these dark clouds, dousing him in the ebony substance which would undoubtedly scorch him from his very own sword were he not careful. However, being that he could simply "switch" the technique off or on, the Uchiha could not leave it to him alone.

Katon - Goukakyuu no Jutsu!

Handseals were once more completed in a matter of seconds, a combination jutsu that would surely rock the world to its very core. Rearing his head back for merely a moment, he would lean forward to expel a massive stream of fire from the depths of his person; this stream would be headed by the colossal sphere that marked the Great Fireball technique. It swirled across the lakeside, seeking directly beneath where Ichiro would land - he'd predicted such with his Sharingan, unless some other force would alternate the boy's path.

Either or, upon reaching the vicinity of the black clouds the sphere would explode in a grand scene, erupting out in all directions leaving only a top of burning oil upon the lake and thick, smoggy clouds rising into the sky. The light it wrought would be enough to blind both shinobi regardless of position, in which Kouketsu would simply veil his visage with his left hand.

Still on the prowl, however, his Sharingan would be quick to locate his former brother.

[remix]

'Tch...'

His body had been spun-- he had honestly hoped that Kouketsu would have flickered behind him, yet his prediction was a bit off. Now as he moved, he had no choice but to release the kunai-- no, the two kunai, in the paths they were to flow. One went diagonally downwards, right atop where the great fireball would shoot underneath. This was, it would be difficult to avoid whilst the Uchiha was spitting out the fire. Where as the other kunai was more so twirled about about 3 meters above him, his flame sword disappearing to avoid any more burns from the oil, as a sudden "boom!" would erupt, the pressure from the blast not close enough to make him explode himself, however the outside force would allow his body to go crashing down into the depths of water below at accelerating speed, through the Goukyaku just minutes before it's explosion.

Atleast beneath the water he would recover, swimming in the direction of the Uchiha's frame. He had sustained some burns from his body falling through the Goukyaku at such a speed, as well as the collision with the water, as well as upon his hand from the oil, however he doubted he could just shut off his Goukyaku before it had finished completely.

Such would be the reason why the kunai itself would aim to impale into his right eye, being thrown during his attack, and slightly unnoticeable until it got within range. It was a small object, and attention itself would have to be focused on the area in which he was blowing, not above him. You could say, by the time he saw it in his periph while he was blowing his flame, it would be rather difficult to escape it's speed, especially due to the twist and turn from Ichiro that gave the small object even more power than normal.

From beneath the water handseals would be created, and Ichiro's body flung itself upwards off to the side out of the water at Kou's left, expelling a mass of water from his mouth as he would mount it as he quickly rode it in the direction of the Uchiha. Water Collision Waves would make sure to drown him under it's mass of weight. Of course now, the whole plan would have been unfolded. Should the Uchiha by any remarkable chance dodge the attack aimed for one of his sharingan's, he would most likely dodge to the left; due to the fact if he dodged to the right, he would sacrifice losing his left eye. A grin spread of Ichiro's face, and he shouted from his mountain of water.

"Yes, but yours have become shittier."

[seppuku]

Nani!?

Ichiro's attack would have proven successful were the Uchiha's Sharingan any less greater than they were; his movements while in the air were easily viewed by Kouketsu (as he'd predicted where he'd land, it's obvious he would've seen the throw) and thus be able to adjust himself the slightest amount. While he understood the consequences, his eyes were top priority.

A streak of blood slung from his face as the kunai crossed his facade, cutting his cheek open to stain his tanned flesh. Blood had already begun to run down the curve of his face, yet he had no time to wince or grimace; he'd simply retract his maw from the plume of flame and begin anew.

Of course, Ichiro was foolish to assume that Kouketsu had not seen his descent. He'd been watching to predict where he would land, so its only natural to further say he was watching his entire movements despite launching the great fireball in a certain location. He could see his brother's chakra source beneath the water - he saw him nearing, yet he would halt his advancements here and now. He could come to know the Uchiha's talents.

Raiton - Rairyuu no Tatsumaki!

Being that rain was already a predicament for the two battling shinobi, it was much easier to amass the needed lightning for the raiton based jutsu. As if thor himself had blessed the Uchiha, golden bolts rained from above simultaneous with Ichiro's sudden rising! The two had been divided once more; where one held the massive capabilities of water beneath his feet, the other possessed a source of lighting capable of fueling an entire village for days.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kouketsu has stood his ground firmly, those multiple bolts forming what appeared to be a tornado around him. Erupting from the golden cone was a dragon of massive length and girth, its maw wide as it raced headlong toward the gargantuan wave; its speed (being comprised if sheer energy) was far faster than anything carrying mass could possibly hope to garner. The force from the electric impact would surely be catastrophic, nothing short of an explosion several times greater than the great fireball. It would send both shinobi soaring in opposite directions to land where they may.

Kouketsu, for one, hand spun and flipped back onto land itself. Through the bridge he'd gone, his sandaled feet skimming across the dirt and grass as he crouched low to the ground. Once more his Sharingan searched in the direction Ichiro would've gone, his guard higher than usual in this intense battle.

[remix]

'A greeting, hn?' He wouldn't look all too worried as he rose from the water, he had been somewhat shocked, having to rethink his whole plan now. Rather he stood upon the water surface as his eyes stared upwards at the dragon down pouring, and it would strike hard.

Or it was assumed.

Rather, the dragon itself would be devoured into Ichiro's being as eyes stared coldly at Kouketsu, a frown over his lips as arms rested at his sides, none the less not impressed. Raitoningu Sanmai had taken the dragon and all it's being before any explosion could occur, or before it could hit the ground. It wouldn't be a shock to the Uchiha hopefully, I mean-- he really didn't expect that to work, did he? The man himself was seemingly immune to these type of raiton jutsus; they held little threat to him. All his training with this technique would have been rather fruitless if he would become afraid of a tiny dragon.

"... Do you know why Akuufu was destroyed, Kou-kun?"

He inquired, obviously not going to attack yet. He would need time to gain some chakra back, and he knew it was the same with Kouketsu.

"Freedom. It was desired too much. The goal of hoarding wealth, the goal of climbing to the top. Using military power, they planned to take a chunk of Hi no Kuni from the daimyo; they planned to start their own hidden village from this. They were arrogant enough to think they could go against the feudal lords, and took pride in attacking the weakest village of all-- Konoha. A blotch of shit. They weren't like birds soaring through the sky. No, they were locust, devouring everything, destroying everything in their paths before moving on to some place new. You can't have locust stay in one place."

He would state, a sigh escaping his mouth as his attention would once more fall upon his brother, a frown apparent.

"During that time I had strong connections with Konoha, as well as the daimyo. He needed to exterminate Akuufu before their actions became reality. I was the key to this. Sakujo was filled with Greed, his only reality being one of fake superiority. He may have not been a locust-- no, he may have been a beautiful eagle. But his wings were made of wax, and he was devoured by the Sun's angry flames. Come to reality, Kouketsu. Avenging them is like avenging roaches."

[seppuku]

... Damn.

The dragon was completely devoured by a technique Kouketsu himself had mastered, one which made the user nearly invincible to raiton based techniques. A frown would've crossed Kouketsu's lips were her childish enough to fret over the small mishap, but instead he remained adamant in his apathetic resolve. A minor set back, but Ichiro's fate remained the same -- he would die tonight.

He listened contently to his former brother speak, absorbing his words and remembering them well. His face did not twist in terror or sadness, no; his eyes simply grew narrow with disgust as he viewed on yet another Konohagakure lap-dop. A traitor through and through, it seemed.

I pity you, Ichiro. Once upon a time I looked to you as a brother in arms, a man considered my equal in every sense of the word; I loved you.

Buttons continued to "pop" as he further unlatched his cloak, an acute "V" forming down the center of his figure. Kouketsu's armor was now more visible than ever, the cloak barely able to mask its brilliance any longer - there were only several buttons remaining, of which he would unleash in due time. Then... the true battle began.

Now, you're simply a tool - an instrument to be used by the rulers of these lands. Is that what you envision as being noble? Betraying the ones that looked to you as family, regardless of their motives, for simplistic bonds to your former country and daimyo? Konoha has no place for people like you and I, Ichiro. They will shun you as they have shunned me, regardless of what you do for them.

The cloak was discarded to reveal his full body, sinking beneath the calm surface of the lake despite Ichiro's tsunami beneath his feet. His demeanor was harder than any steel, his eyes burning brightly as they spun; his Sharingan were more active then ever, his senses higher and more keen. This truly a no holds barred match - the winner would take everything, while the loser was left to embrace death herself.

Tonight, I'm going to finish what you started! The Akuufu ends here, with your death!

[remix]

"So be it, Kouketsu. I will show you a true gods power!"

The words escaped his mouth softly, as a simple handseal was created. Two images appeared, mixing him within their appearance as they smiled. With a push, all three images would sprint forward, and then begin to cross paths with each other in high speed movement at reaching six meters distance of his brother. The water rose creating a veil due to the speed, a slight mist surrounding. Through this mist and wall of water an image would jump forth, his fist aimed directly towards the face of the Uchiha. Another image would appear at the Uchiha's right side, handseals created as he would begin his attack.

Katon! Ryuuka no Jutsu!

The line of flames would extend towards his foe at a startling rate, the first image's distraction would be used so that atleast one attack could succeed. Either the punch that would send him backwards across the water, of the flames in which would burn him. The flames continued to roar, the slightly electrifying noise roaring as it came close, the conclusion farther than anticipated.

[seppuku]

Kouketsu crouched against the lake's surface as he prepared for the onslaught, his eyes more than capable of keeping up with and predicting all three of their movements; through the mist and waves of water he viewed them, his eyes holding still until they'd passed his line of sight. That's when the first being came to his left, his punching arm extending outward with a fury unmatched.

All in all, it was enough leeway to allow the Uchiha to adjust his positioning to dampen to might of the swing though it fully connected. His torso bent backward against the weight of the shadow clone's body, yet his retaliation would be swift and without hesitation. With one hand quickly gripping his wrist while the other latched onto his face, he would simply push back and down to slam the rear of the man's neck against his armored knee - shattering the spinal cord and thusly rendering him into a plume of smoke.

Yet before he'd be able to move once more fire would be seen surging toward him, illuminating the glossy lake's surface. Kouketsu's eyes widened as he would seemingly be devoured by the ravenous flames, invisible amongst the oranges and reds. Yet through the pillars of fire there was an ebony blur, and as the jet thinned a single blade of similar composition would erect from its length and into the shadow clone's throat; this was the fire elemental long sword.

Steam rolled from shodai armor Kouketsu wore, its ability to completely negate heat due to its composition more than visible now. This clone (were it not the real Ichiro) would disperse too, his ears twitching as he focused on his sound release in search of his next victim; sonar, as it was called, would reveal Ichiro's location long before he'd even make a move to attack or defend.

Come out, come out-- wherever you are...

[remix]

The attack would be swift, aiming directly towards the center of the Uchiha's back. It would be done during the middle of the clones fire attack, before it would be stabbed into the neck. By the time his right hand would attempt to press roughly against the metal armor, Kouketsu would also impale the clone at the same time.

Due to the fact he was engulfed in flames, it was highly unlikely he would be able to maneuver his body through the flames so easily, even if the armor was special. Along with this, his current attention was upon the clone; as it seemed he had grown quite arrogant. With soundless movements over the water surface he would do this technique-- the electrical sound wasn't coming from the fire as it grew close; but rather, it was signifying the approach of the attack.

By the time he would be engulfed, and the electrifying sound had maxed into his ears as he ignored it, it would be then that it would place itself against the back of his armor, the release of raiton no doubt probably being devoured. Yet that wasn't his plan.

Should the attack occur, a blast of chakra would rocket through after hitting, aiming to smash the defense of his armor to pieces, and shatter it's foundation from the back, and front. The blast of chakra would also damage his inner organs, possibly forcing him to choke up some blood, or even worse. How was this? Due to the fact Ichiro had absorbed the attack previously, he now could use it to surge his own attack principles with more power. No longer was Ranpugan a kage ranked attack. Now it had become a kinjutsu-- a technique forbidden.

No sound would be made, merely the distance between the two after the attack would be increased by a flicker, falling to a crouch due to chakra strain. He panted, eyes closing a bit before instantly opening, doubting that he had killed him, and most likely only stunned him. Such was the folly for being careless.

[seppuku]

UGH!

Indeed, as Kouketsu's elemental blade ran the clone through he was struck by a technique far greater than he'd imagined. His armor, though highly resistant to blunt trauma as well, was splintered and chipped as those empowered digits connected with its steel-like hide.

Fortunately, his ears had been attuned to the sound release and thus he was able to brace himself for impact; despite this, he was unable to out-maneuver the electrical blade. Instead, he too would find himself somewhat replenished by the electrical attack is a noticeable portion of the "blade" was absorbed through the lightning absorption technique Ichiro himself had used earlier. The raw chakra, however, would send a pain through Kouketsu's chest as he was sent forward and into the ground, skimming and skipping across the earth like a thin rock atop water.

Blood stained his facade as he stood amongst the cloud of smoke and dust, coughing heavily from the damage his lungs had taken. It was certainly nothing close to the Hyuuga's jyuuken, but it was enough to unsettle his breathing momentarily.

Is that it...? Is that all you've got, Ichiro?

He chuckled somewhat as he looked on to his former brother, his face certainly bruised, matted with dust and blood. His hair hung loosely about his face, the pony tail barely able to contain the long raven tresses. His armor was in shambles, though the remaining pieces (the back is all that's broken) still clung tightly to his figure. With a quick motion of his arm he drew forth his sword, holding it firmly in his grip.

Now it was time.