Naruto Akatsuki Souzoku

[Relliks Ban]

Hotaru looked at Ali as she spoke. "Well, seeing as the two of you need help cooperating together, and Ryuu wouldn't be too much of a problem." Hotaru smiled, but then realized what he just said. "I didn't mean it like that!" He said, trying to save himself. "I meant that you have about the same power level as your teammates. So fighting the both of them, is like fighting yourself, times two. And we all know that wouldn't be good." Hotaru said, feeling accomplished that he saved himself. "Well, as I was saying, you need to fight someone. And I was thinking 'Hey, why not me?' And that's when it hit me. You two will fight me." Hotaru laughed.

"This should be a fun one don't you think?" He asked his two students. Of course they wouldn't be able to beat him, but fighting someone one completely different levels of power would force them to work together, or else they would die. "See, my sensei would fight me and my teammates. And fighting someone as powerful as him, at such low power, forced us to get better. All we are today is owed to him." Hotaru said, remembering the battles the team used to have. "So, I'll let you guys start it out however you want." He said, jumping onto the training area.

[Zero]

Raiden was wondering the same thing as Soujiro but he didnt blurt it out,he waited for his Sensei to tell them.But he was wondering how could someone make a place like it,everything was in the air and there was as much light as the sun.It was an amazing sight and he knew there had to be some kind of Ninja style behind all of it or was there?He then tried to figure out how they were going to get up there but all his training didnt seem to make him be able to get up there.

So he just let it go and decided to wait for the answer.But the question of how they were gonna get up there was making Raiden think more than before.So now he really wanted to know how they were gonna get up there.

[Shattered Redemption]

"This will be both genjutsu, and a chakra control training, much like that of when you learn to climb trees with no hands, or stand and walk on water." He motioned to the landscape, as it was noted that the place was not only filled with light, but rather filled with a sense of surrealism. Daaku took a step into the light, his body blurring a bit as he partially broke the genjutsu inside the area with his own chakra, and jumped up on a floating rock. He was positioned upside down.

The rock wobbled, and then started moving sideways, so Daaku ran up the side of it, and jumped off onto another rock. "This place is complicated. Much chakra manipulation is needed if you ever expect to get anywhere in here." He sighed, and began to explain. "Though you may not fully realize it, my training can he extremely harsh, but it inputs knowledge quickly though the strain might be too much for all of you. What you need to do is focus your chakra, and I mean really focus it, otherwise you will fall and die."

He shifted on the rock. "What you see is not exactly real, so you are going to have to use your common sense to break, or partially break the chakra here so you are not affected by the genjutsu......" Daaku pointed to the three genin. "Simply put, go about as you would in normal training and search for that of a genjutsu exit. When you can do this, look at your surroundings, and try and pick out a rock that looks somewhat stable. But don't be stupid and just try to get up here, this is much harder than it looks, and with out the skills needed to do so, could take hours....."

[Xth]

Tsukasa stood somewhat amazed at what their sensei did. He made a genjutsu that warped this entire forest into a brilliant, blinding light. The light felt as if the sun engulfed the earth in its magnificent rays. Tsukasa then took a look at the floating rocks and the inverted temple in the sky. The genjutsu had enveloped the forest and changed it into something not so pitiful in Tsukasa's eyes. He eyed the inverted temple, the goal that all three Genin were meant to successful reach or fail for the day. Not wishing to be berated again, Tsukasa gave his full attention to what Daaku-sensei had to say to the three boys. To sum up his lecture, the idea was to focus your chakra in such a way that you could break the genjutsu. This was a difficult task as one could plainly see and as sensei warned. Tsukasa went about looking for a stable rock to head for carefully not moving without thinking as he was accustomed to doing.

[Kissui Tensai]

Rayex looked on, it was interesting to watch the rookies progress. His first impressions were nearly dead on. The surprise from Azuke, his body sticking to the tree was truly hilarious, something he couldn't ignore

The clock ticked.

Suddenly their morning had disappeared from them as though it weren't much to it. Rayex perched from a tree, looking down from the highest branch upside down doing sit ups. Even though he was already at his level, even jounin needed to train, especially keeping up with his health and physical body in shape. Since the excess chakra doesn't flow from Neo now, his metabolism slowed down something decent. He also needed to train the use of his eyes some more as well. A simple glare and he could activate, yet it wasn't enough, they were the key to what he spoke to Sano about the last night.

A bead of his sweat dripped, he watched Azuke climb higher and higher. 'That kid's full of surprises.' Rayex solemnly thought. Then came the very thought, only repeated by Azuke's performance. He began to fall. For a mind blowing second Rayex's eyes widened thinking, 'Holy shit! I gotta catch him!''Oh man, thats gotta hurt.' Seeing him lie there, he was at least content with making it all the way to the top. The kunai at the top was a memento to his success.

Rayex began to clap.

"Nice job Azuke, I didn't think you'd actually go farther than the actual tree though. However, your always full of surprises aren't you?" Rayex smiled and leaped the large gap to the tree Azuke was climbing.

Starting to walk down, he was looking around at this time. Awfully quiet, there were many trees and with the time that went by it seemed Yuki took a break Letting go from his tree, he stuck to the side like a monkey as was about to make the jump when he heard to boom. Thank god he wasn't running with anymore weight than would seem needed. He crouched down, placing a finger to the tree, loosened his chakra up a bit in his feet and began to slide down by using the second method he'd teach them once they got this down.

"Too tired to even speak." Rayex noted that he passed out. "Yuki! Make sure nobody goes into overkill and exhaust themselves."

Rayex walked off from the gate holding his hand up, issuing a 'sayonara'. Genuinely he was impressed with the ambition, spirit, and youthful energies of all three of them. 'In order for us to become stronger people, we have to have a purpose for doing something. There must be a reason, whether be a goal that we want to achieve. That is how one came become stronger, inspired by noble acts, or malicious intentions.' Rayex adjusted his headband, the clad flapping over his back.

"Wonder what Sano and Joi have been doing. I need to get some training in with him too."

He ducked into the mansion office, spotting him.

"YO! Daifu!"

((It's like 2 in the afternoon Kumo, 3pm Mizu and Kage, and 10 in the morning in Suna))

Negavix moved in swift, the rapid concussive blows were canceled out one after another. The fact that this man was a rounin yet a mercenary. It complicated things because Negavix wasn't equipped that well in the bushido so one mistake would cost him. His sharingan emanating from his eyes taking grave care to following the mind blank movements of his enemy. Every single time he felt his blade Mercury clash with it, it was as though his sword was crying with the clash. Such ferocity wasn't something it could handle, it cowered.

'If he keeps this up. I really won't be able to tell what he's doing next.'

The zipped back and forth like two moving motion blurs. It was fairly insane, yet Negavix's disadvantage was to keep him alive when his foe would waste no time finishing him off the very second he saw an opening. With an unflinching disposition, the old man raised his blade having the intention of providing a swift blow. His chakra began to flow upward towards the sky harboring around him, Negavix watching in amazement at his resilience.'

"HRAAAAAAH!"

He let out a fierce wave of chakra, cutting the atmosphere like a wind blade. Raising to defensive stance, this shook the mist jounin by storm. His feet began to lift off the water, suddenly feeling flung back, he spiraled out of control. It was pretty frightening even for him, this awful amount of chakra that spilled out of this man. It only added to how dangerous he was, trying to keep his head on straight Negavix flicked his clad dodging an air slice from the old assassin.

Out of a pocket right behind, Negavix flew.

"DON'T MESS WITH ME!!!" Negavix cried with fury slamming Mercury right into his enemy's sword.

The lashing amount of force and chakra sent a wave towards him and a backlash slicing Negavix's cheek. He quickly reverted to Mujunshin kenjutsu sword stance, and began to attack. Suddenly his steps became lighter, and Negavix's amped up his speed and instantaneousness of his attacks. His enemy had yet to flinch, the sound of their steel beginning to rigorously clasp only excited his appetite for combat. Slamming his foot through the quick slashing Negavix, he broke his attack pattern watching his slide back on the water. He'd managed to stop, but a blade to his neck.

"Too slow mist jounin...prepare to..." He paused finding difficulty in moving his katana. "Whats this?? I can't free the bind, but how?!"

“Sensei, I am using my jutsu to stop the prisoner’s sword from swinging. Go in hard while he has trouble moving his blade.”

It then hit Negavix.

'Asumo's special blood limit, of course!' He's really sharp as I my instinct told me.

Negavix nodded confirming he understood. He focused his eyes on the old samurai with a glimmer of horror and discern. The rapid spinning of his sharingan consulted their captive and placed him under a hypnotic genjutsu of his design. He'd slip into a false state of security and blissfully dream of what his heart desired most. With such wonderment, his mind would be petrified and his body would collapse. It pleased Negavix, without the aid of his students he would've of apprehended him.

"Good work team. We've recaptured the target." Negavix spoke.

Mounting the old timer on his back, there was no cart given it fell off the bridge which was how he'd end up getting out in the first place. As the dark hit them at such an unexpected time, they had to continue. The mission wasn't over just yet, this type of intensity required infiltration, a perfect opportunity to collect information on Suna.

"I've got an idea. We're going to Sunagakure, the chuunin left on the bridge, this may sound weird, but strip them of what they have and let me see their faces. We're going to take the mission a step further with infiltration, however of course, your all prepared?"

Negavix had been asking a lot, but he'd not let harm fall upon them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All of them were now in one spot.

The akatsuki now all in attendance. They had about two more days of implanting the Nibi into Hidan, now that everyone was in attendance things would run a a great deal faster. This was merely a transfer and separation of the beast ying chakra, which would replicate itself and spawn it's abilities with access to the reserves of chakra they possessed. Looking around they were lined up as follows.

(From left hand thumb first to right hand thumb last)

Tobi, Marx, Ryoku, Onisan, Zetsu - Zetsumei, Hidan (not in place), Konan, Deidama, Pain.

All ten were in attendance, an unconscious three four captives to be used as akatsuki agents. Their full system completely, it was pretty decent. Gathered around, they sighed, having be stiff for such a long period of time.

"So we're equipping Hidan with a tailed beast finally?"

"It appears that way."

"Listen carefully, we've got to branch out and get word of our weapons of war to other villages. Currently we did loan the sanbi to the hidden waterfall. This means potentially one of the allied militia have discovered it and will be trying to get information. We'll simply let them. By now, those messengers from Konoha have reached Kumo, Tobi-sama and I will personally go and equate an exchange. Once Hidan's been patched up, Zetsumei and Ryoku will go to Iwagakure, and consult their kage with the same proposition of a tailed bast. Onisan and Marx will move on to Kirigakure and apply the same, if there is a situation that may arise itself, we'll withdraw." Pain stated long-winded.

"Sounds like a plan. What about Hidan and Deidama?"

"I've yet to decide what it is that they will do."

"I'll take care of that, for now, let's finish the sealing." Tobi interjected.

[Dark Heart 2]

OOC: Sorry everyone, especially to you, KenT and SK. I've just been really busy with personal things (school, work, homework, family issues, etc.) more so than usual, but I should be fine for now.:OOC

I never thought I was gonna make it around that lake. It didn't seem that big at first, but bugger, that oak tree around it was the bloody biggest thing I've seen in my life... maybe I'm just getting old. These days, Hakumei was annoyed by the smallest of things, and the annoyance of travel often got to him the most. Maybe it was the fact that he didn't know where the hell he was going, or why he had agreed to come to this lake infested land in the first place. Though things seemed bad at the moment, he was sure with some patience, skill, perseverance... and a heck of a lotta luck, he might find something real soon.

~~~~~

Those rumors I picked up years ago sure helped me out this time. 'Hidden Waterfall Village'... who woulda thought that it'd be behind a waterfall? Hakumei thought sarcastically to himself, silently edging his way through the area without attracting attention. A small grin appeared upon his face while looking through his memory bank. If I remember correctly, last time I believed a bloody thing like this... I ended up with a kunai in my ass. Good times

Though he knew of the village's entrance, he knew it would be rather risky trying to sneak in with his current appearance, and not knowing what the local apparel was around here, should he try Transformation jutsu, he may get just as easily spotted out. No, what he had to do was find, and quickly dispose of any single patrolmen, or more should the situation come up, and dispose of the bodies, getting an idea of what they actually looked like, and then shaping his appearance to something similar. That was the ideal plan. If worse came to worse, he might have to come up with an alternative plan.

Suddenly, he heard a noise, though quiet, but just loud enough to reach his ears. The sound originated from somewhere ahead of him, and quickly began scanning the area for the cause of it. Though it was a bit difficult to see through the trees and foliage, he finally set his gaze upon a person who was crouched down between some bushes, obviously trying to hide his presence. Hmph, amateur.

Knowing that smart shinobi, unless fairly powerful, which this guy didn't look like he was, came in four-man squads. That was basically the general rule of border patrol for many villages, however they would most likely be spread out a decent distance from each other, so as not to attract unwanted attention. Hakumei surmised that he hadn't been detected or spotted yet, otherwise he would have been taken out by now. Unless they were planning to fool him with clones, but Hakumei did not sense the usage of any kind of chakra, so it was pretty safe to say that he didn't have to worry about that.

Not wanting to make a great deal of movement before finding the other shinobi, Hakumei found better coverage within a large bush, and then began shifting his eyes in all directions, trying spot all of the others as quickly as possible. Surprisingly, it didn't take him long to find the other ninja, which was actually sad and disappointing to Hakumei. I had heard that this village had some of the least skilled shinobi when compared to all of the nations, but... being this horrible? It wouldn't even be any fun to toy with them. Making a mental sigh, Hakumei drew out four kunai, covering them with leaves and grass before placing them on the ground in front of him. I might as well put them out of their misery as quickly as possible. They aren't worth my time. Jintekki Magunetto.

Now, because of Hakumei's amazing skill within his Kekkai Genkai, it required him to use such a very small amount of chakra, an amount that was barely detectable on it's own, but because he was cloaking his energy even more so, such a maneuver would only be detectable by someone of Rayex Kunokai's level or higher.

Swiftly, elegantly, and with the notion of silent assassination in mind, Hakumei took no time at all in using the area's natural magnetic forces to position the metal kunai behind all of the targets. Before they took notice of them, all of them broke free of their green cover, and sprung upwards from the ground, going around to the front of the neck and slitting their throat, making the slice as deep as possible so as not to leave any room for survival or mistake.

Hakumei then caused a great deal of static electricity to build up around the now dead bodies, and then transferred all of that energy on, and into their bodies. With that excess electricity within their bodies, Hakumei controlled their over energized bodies, and brought them back up to their feet as if they were still alive. He made them all walk over to his location as if nothing was wrong, and hopefully it would not cause suspicion should anyone else suddenly come around.

With all of their bodies brought over to where he still lay, from the bush, Hakumei studied their appearance, any markings on their body, anything that could possibly help him to attract as little attention as possible. When he felt he learned enough, he ceased control of the corpses, allowing them to drop to the ground. Making several hand signs, Hakumei used his Earth jutsu, Mother Nature Unleashed. Because of the decent amount of forestry within the surroundings, using this technique was no problem. Tree roots and vines sprouted from the ground, and then wrapped themselves around the deceased. Slowly, but eventually they were all dragged deep below the Earth's surface, the ground looking as though it was undisturbed whatsoever. It would take a heck of a long time before anyone would even begin to think of digging for bodies, so Hakumei had no anxiety in that matter.

Finally, putting his recent knowledge into play, Hakumei used the Transformation jutsu to morph his appearance into something a little less eye attracting. Now wearing the basic shinobi uniform of this village, as well as a mix of looks and features from the four patrol ninja, Hakumei had made himself a decent look, one that would not be easily seen through.

From here on in, until this mission was complete, he was no longer a shinobi from the Village Hidden in the Clouds. No, now he was a Waterfall Ninja, one who lived for nothing but the protection of his people, and it's secrets. As long as he kept those thoughts and objectives in mind, there should be no problems in fulfilling his mission here. Now, with preparations all set, there was but one thing left to do... infiltrate.

[S/\|T0]

Sano worked on the papers he promised Shira, showing him everything from approvals.... well it was pretty much approval this and approval that. Sano was surprised how much odd ball questions would surface through these papers.

Shira and Joi had gone out on lady business, probably to eat some food, maybe look around and look at the beauty of Kumo.

"I don't see how she deals with this day by day..." Sano complained. "It's like a book of stupidity, the only things that make sense in here are war memos from camp sites. War is such a drag..."

Sano looked up and Rayex jumped out of no where like a monkey.

"YO! Daifu!"

"It's too earlier for such excitement!" He yelled, the bright light of outside blazing through the windows. "It's only... 2pm... dammit..."

He sighed, sitting back in the comfortable chair.

"Oh, if you were wondering. I decided to take it upon myself to do Shira's work so she could spend some quality time with Joi." He said happily. "God, I wish I didn't give up Sake for Shira... She wouldn't have married me otherwise. I guess it was for the best. But it would be a time killer about right now. What you need, Ray?"

-----------------------

"... Zetsumei and Ryoku will go to Iwagakure..."

Zetsumei gazed with a dead look in his eyes while in place. With an empty spot right next to him, he laughed how a man they had abandoned had made his return. Zetsumei questioned his reasoning for his return and doubt it was to be of any assistance. He would have to be watched like a hawk eying its prey.

"And so it begins... The stretch of are power across this land." Zetsumei spoke with a menacing glare. "Let's hurry up for stitched-up-neck over there, and let the operation begin."

[Imperial Chaos]

Shouten's face was covered by his bangs but if one could look closely, they could see his body shaking slighlty. Bringing his hand up to his face, he pushed his hair back to see his eyes glowing slightly in mirth. His hands went limp slightly but swiftly went to his headphones and placed them on his ears. Rolling his neck a few times, he bit his thumb and went into a few hand seals before creating a sort of gesture in the air.

Blood had started to gush out from the wound but he paid it no mind, the blood had started to float in the air and slwoly, it had started to form into the shape of a katana. Grabbing the liquid, it slowly solidified into a red blade. Taking it out of it's sheath, he quickly went into a stance, foot tapping to the beat.

"You ready to dance, twinkletoes?"

[Zero]

"Get on a rock and if you dont get it right you could fall and die." Thought Raiden,this was probably the hardest training he has ever done.He had to chose a stable rock that could hold him up and if he didnt do it right he could fall off and die.But the only thing Raiden concentrated on was his Chakra after he had found a rock.So as he looked for one he got the idea of how he was gonna make sure the rock was stable but he couldnt waste to much Chakra for it.He was gonna summon a Shadow Clone and try and see how it would do.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu."

A clone of Raiden appeared in front of him and knew what to do,it picked a stable looking rock and went on it.It wobbled a little but it was ok as far as the Clone knew then it suddenly break apart and started to fall and Raiden shouted to the Clone.

"Hey try and get to the the rock near it."

But it didnt work,the Clone grabbed it for a quick 5 seconds and then fell and turned into smoke and disappeared.Then when Raiden looked at the rock he saw it was barely moving even though the Clone jumped to it with a lot of weight.So he was gonna chose it.

[Kissui Tensai]

"It's too earlier for such excitement! It's only... 2pm... dammit..."

"Though I was expecting my own mother, your in here doing work, doesn't seem like you at all daifu."

A cheeky smirk appeared on his face as Sano sighed.

"Oh, if you were wondering. I decided to take it upon myself to do Shira's work so she could spend some quality time with Joi. God, I wish I didn't give up Sake for Shira... She wouldn't have married me otherwise. I guess it was for the best. But it would be a time killer about right now. What you need, Ray?"

"To be blunt, I'd like to learn a thing or two actually. Despite age, it's not as though I've raised my speed in anyway, and whenever I learned an acceleration based technique, it came from you daifu. On top of that, as an exchange since I know your busy, I would like to show this kenjutsu I learned from Mayuri Enshirou a couple of years back."

The more Rayex inevitably thought about it, it peeked his interest. Sano wasn't one to go on a break for too long, if anything in his own time he'd picked up a trick here and there. The fact that he and Sin were village chains, would reflect an ability of rapid movement...or lack of. It reminded him of the other technique he learned, there was never any need to apply it because he'd be emulating whats been thought to be dead and buried with the creator. In any case, he'd been awaiting Sano's response.

[S/\|T0]

"Heh, I doubt I have anything I could teach you. I am just an old man doing a job here and there. I may not look it, but I enjoy... vacations." Sano put it out there. "It all sounds good, but what about Shira. She would kill me if I were to just leave."

Sano look at Rayex with his brow bent, and another tapped Rayex on the shoulder and repeated the same words in his ears. Sano took a brief pause and began to slam stamps on papers here and there.

"Like I said before, I doubt I could teach you anything. I like the idea that you went out there to pick up a few tricks, though that makes you sound like the everyday Rounin." He laughed. "I have a question Rayex... Do you think the Akatsuki would actually come here? I don't see the need myself. Those bastards already have a grip on the lands they haunt."

Sano got up off his chair [after Ray would of answered] and grinned.

"Your a very persuasive guy, y'know. I guess I could take a few minutes to see what you have to show me..."

[Nebula Zero]

Azuke woke up in his little crater that served as his bed. The sky had changed color, slowly fading into an obscure white and hints of what used to be blue. Getting up slowly, it felt like most of his pain had been gone and went far away. He looked up at Kai's tree and saw that he had managed to finish it while he was sleeping.

"About time you woke up. A little overkill on your part, but good nevertheless." said Kai, sitting against his tree, relaxing with his eyes closed. Figures, Azuke thought to himself.

He looked at Yuki's tree, to find, well, Yuki. It seems that she was unable to come down, which seemed to worry him a little. He got up, and focused once more. He went up to her tree, and took a deep breath.

Feet against the bark once more, he found it relatively more easier when he was training. But he still needed active concentration, lest he lost his footing. It looked like he was semi-casually walking along the tree. He had managed to make it to the branch where Yuki was. Azuke just made himself home and sat right next to her. He just stared into the overhead view of Kumo and stared intently. Everything just seemed so content for a brief moment. And then it passed. He stood on the branch, and extended a hand out to Yuki.

"C'mon, I'll help you get down." he said with a smile.

[Kissui Tensai]

Rayex thought on Sano's question.

"Akatsuki...its all I can think about these days. Looking Pain in the eyes when I was but a kid, it really showed where I stood then as a kid that used to play ninja, and a serious upright shinobi. I made me think, anything is possible and just about anything could happen. Without a doubt, something is going to happen and we may not be here when they strike and really..." Rayex paused. "I fear for the safety of you, Shira, and Joi, as well as Kaito, Aiko, Hotaru, and the rest of the entire village including my clan."

It was then Sano rose up.

"Your a very persuasive guy, y'know. I guess I could take a few minutes to see what you have to show me..."

"Sounds cool. I'm sure your katana blade has rusted a little over the years, sharpening it wouldn't hurt as for your old one...well. I gave it to Onisan, but not before receiving Mercury from Mayuri-sensei before his passing. In any case, lets find a casual spot away from the civilians, the spot where you trained me in the mountains for the chuunin exams. That should work out fine.

A short spin off trip later.

The open field, rocks from out of the ground. A small shrine directly ahead with some wilderness off to each side. Looking around, old footprints were in the ground, Rayex compared his feet from when he was a genin to his jounin footsteps. This type of remnant of the past almost put a tear in his eye as he was remembering it. He snickered at the thought, resting his hand on the hilt of his katana mercury and waiting for Sano-daifu.

[S/\|T0]

Sano's foot steps could be heard as he walked up the clearing on a land that Sano had hand picked last time they had came here on the basis of just seeing Shira. It was all a wonder what his life would of been like if he had never once stood on this land.

Before Sano had left the mansion, he had changed into his choice of clothes. A white robe like top, and loose black pants drooping on his hips. His hair was spiked, shooting backwards. He held on his right shoulder a bag of scrolls and other various weapons.

"I wouldn't waste that blade if I were you." Sano uttered, opening up a scroll, sending several blades plummeting into the ground before them. "Take anyone of these, I make these in my spare time. Shira sorts them for me, and often Joi watches me as I craft."

Sano scratched his head, already trying to think up the beating he will be receiving by Shira when he returns, knowing sure enough he would be out here for a while. The more he thought about it, he was actually becoming more afraid of returning. He would just get his ass kicked, and that was not fun at all.

"Your not that small annoying kid anymore? Are you Ray?" Sano deliberately asked. "I am going to miss that about you, always so easily excited... You could jump at perverted business, yet you could still be inquisitive and question everything."

"I bet you went out of your way to surpass me. No, I am sure of it. Seeking the souls of the dead, your father, maybe even more important figures. I haven't been able to teach you anything of help to you since you were a genin. I doubt I can be of any help now..." Sano bickered. "Ayumi is probably waiting for you as I speak, ready to burst."

Kicking a rock to the side, he walked over to a large boulder, jumping to the top, claiming a seat.

"I feel almost guilty some what, how much did I miss? I could say the same about you, though. I can't believe you missed my wedding!? She was so beautiful, her kimono perfectly accented her and the situation. I couldn't even focus. When Joi was born, I cried like a baby." Sano laughed at himself for a moment. "Well, boy... excuse me... MAN, tell me what you have me up here to see. It better be worth it for the beating I will be receiving later on."

[Shattered Redemption]

Soujiro understood what Daaku was saying, already his KG was telling him that something was wrong, but that was about it. He couldn't displace the chakra that was making the odd genjutsu affect, so instead, he closed his eyes, and jumped up, fleeing chakra in front of his body to sort what he was feeling. He opened his eyes, and landed on a rock that was shifty, and almost fell off it, but he used his skills that he had learned previously and as the rock turned completely upside down, Soujiro stayed put on it, his chakra holding him in place. "Yes, it worked. Damn, now what do I do to get myself the other way around??"

He thought a few seconds, and focused his chakra in one leg, letting go with the other. "This is cool." He was just a tad unstable, but using one leg, he thrust his leg on the rock, causing it to move around and then timed himself, leaping off the rock and onto another. This time he lost balance, and fell off the side, handing on with his hand.

"Shite, this sucks."

He felt his hand bleeding from the rock digging into it. "Hmm, okay." Soujiro pulled himself up, and kicked off the rock hard, flipping backwards and landing on the platform that Daaku was on. Before it looked like a mere rock, but as Soujiro turned around he saw that this is where the genjutsu ended completely, because the path lead all the way up to the temple.

Daaku sighed. "This might take awhile. We still have to wait for Tsukasa and Raiden."