Gods amongst the Rain

The room was oddly silent, distant from the sounds of pounding rain you would expect in Amegakure. Every so often you could hear a drop of water leak in from the pipe; The room was dimly lit, a quick set up for the arcane matter. - Two of the people stood by the doorway, as if guarding it perhaps.

Man One: "Now, I know you are both Chuunin... But your skills preceed you; you've both been assigned to a top secret mission. Our Anbu have failed, and are presumed dead... I have reason to believe there must be an inside agent... Otherwise..."

Shinobi One: "I'm sorry for your son, Kuro-sama."

The elderly man shook his head, and gave a slight flick of his hand, gesturing towards the first shinobi, a relatively averaged sized shinobi, with dark brown hair, and murky green eyes. The man smirked, and looked towards his taller, and thinner friend, who simply continued to look forward, not saying a word.

Kuro: "Back to the matter... We found numerous lacerations on the shinobi. Ones of an expert swordsman... And these were twelve of Amegakure's finest! ... Hm... But also, burn marks... Which leads us to believe he, or she, is also a katon user... Which is why I chose you two. Our leader would like to see this man brought before the village and then killed... But I believe it could be too dangerous. I want you two to finish this yourselves. Use any force necessary... And... Don't worry... About casualties."

With his last comment, the two knew the meeting was over, and it was time to take their leave. The tallest left first, leading as always, with his long orange hair waving behind him. The first shinobi however stayed back for a moment, and scratched the stumble on his chin before following. - After a few steps, they entered complete darkness, followed by the slamming of a door, and then several snaps. Continueing on, the sound of rushing water began to grow, and a small light could be seen in the distance. The short one seemed excited, and brought his hands together, forming the seal for shunshin, and then took off, a small splash of water being spouted from where he left.

He reappeared just feet from the edge of the pipe, sliding across the water in a crouch, until he stopped just on the ledge, where he would look slightly over and chuckle. The second shinobi appeared in a flicker as well, calmly standing next to him, with his eyes toward the sky. He had a slight disliking for heights.

First Shinobi: "Well what do you say? The location of the last incident happened about ten meters north-east of here."

Second Shinobi: "We're not going to play this game... Use your sensory technique."

The first shinobi slouched some and sighed, his playful mood being cut short by the ginger man. be brought his left hand up and began to clasp a seal, before stopping. His breath held, and a slight shock moving through his body. The second shinobi looked down at him.

Second Shinobi: "Kizu, stop playing aro-"

Kizu: "... He's already here."

Second Shinobi: "You didn't even use the techni-"

For a second time, Sanshu had been forced to cut his sentence off early, as the sheer force of another presence could be felt by him. It was remarkably overbearing, and evil, one that could not be compared to anything else. Kizu looked out over the land, through the heavy rain, towards a dark smudge off in the distance, his lips curving into a smirk as he fixed himself. - The former of which, stood silently, never giving away an ounce of fear.

Kizu: "Heh, this won't be like old times than... I guess I'll have to deal with your stupid summoning amplifications. Make sure you start with your Beast of Recreation. Regardless of how smart this person is, it gives a permanent boost to our chances."

An ominous wind seemed to pick up just then, whipping Sanshu's black cloak around slightly. The man brought his pale-toned hands up and pulled his long hair into a ponytail, slipping a black band from his wrist off and creating a knot.

Grey skies bore no ill will towards the ground on this particular day; no precipitation fell mercilessly from the sky in order to drown the unsuspecting surface with its embrace. Perhaps it was simply waiting for the precise time to do so with all its might, to have the heavens tremble and cry. Cry as they did just a few days ago, to rain down its own tears mixed with the tears that fell from the cheeks of those victims who attempted to a face a force more powerful than they knew to reckon with.

The water above was immune to such trauma, but all those who were below it would face the wrath of a certain Uchiha, as one man was now. Madara Uchiha was staring deep into the eyes of another shinobi who rested on his knees before him. He heaved as though he were completely exhausted, but really, it was only the effects of hyperventilation. The Sharingan that spun so gently and wickedly had cleaved its way into his mind, and under Madara's genjutsu, he was tortured. His mind ravaged until there was nothing left but a shred of will and a heap of flesh.

But now his time was over as two new signatures came closer. "Disappointing..." The man slowly stopped breathing until his body fell over, his eyes rolling back as he slid into unconsciousness. Standing erect once more, Madara turned and pierced the veil of distance with the power behind his eyes. He was ready for an interesting dance, one with a partner that could actually keep up. The ruses that were sent for him the days before were said to be the finest of this damp and pitiful village - perhaps now they realized it was time to send something better.

Madara folded his arms and watched carefully for signs of movement. He would allow his opponents to come to him, that was the only pleasure they would have; approaching death.

(It's shorter than I would like it to be, but I have to go get ready.)

Kizu's gaze lifted to look over the land, fogged by a heavy rain which seemed to drown all the colors in a light teal. His lips curled into a slanted smirk as he adjusted himself, crossing his arm over his knee, with his other reaching behind him, to his kunai pouch. The taller one, Sanshu simply continued looking outward, showing no significant enjoyment or fear. The water in the pipe seemed to pick up, splashing against their heels as it spewed out of the pipe.

Kizu: "Heh, this won't be like old times than... I guess I'll have to deal with your stupid summoning amplifications. Make sure you start with your Beast of Recreation. Regardless of how smart this person is, it gives a permanent boost to our chances."

Sanshu brought his hand up, clenching his long hair high on the back of his head, and slipping a small black band over it. - As usual, he kept a small wave of it down over his forehead, which was a bit lengthier in front of his ears, and covered a pinkish scar on his left cheek. His black cloak swung around, slapping against his thighs. Kizu reached over, opening his hand out, without looking back. Sanshu and him had worked long enough that they hardly needed words to communicate now, which was fine by him. He reached behind him into his kunai pouch, and brought out a small, thin kunai, noticeably flatter than most. - Along the edge of the blade were teal kanji burned across it.

After Kizu took the blade, he leaped up, bringing one of his arms over him, and clasping the top of the pipe, using the motion to swing himself forward, back flipping up atop the pipe. Sanshu began to go through several hand seals, exerting his chakra around him. The water began to bubble slightly, at the opening of the pipe, and than spun. As Sanshu came to the last seal, he dropped his arms infront of his crotch, holding the dragon hand seal. A loud whine sounded from the pipe, piercing the ears of both Sanshu, Kizu, and most likely the mystery killer. -

The water infront of Sanshu began to raise up, slowly morphing into a translucent skull, with a long snout and tusk stretching out of it's mouth. - As more liquid came, a complete skeleton began to take form, turning a pearly white, and then gaining a red ooze, which quickly expanded and made the outer muscle of the beast. - Sanshu crouched down behind it, releasing the hand seal, he knew that this would likely be his stationary point in the battle, as he would be more help from up high. He brought his hand forward, lightly touching it to the back leg of the beast, causing a small amount of false blood to run off, turning back to it's regular water form against his pale skin. - The beast let out a loud snort and kicked off, leaping out of the pipe.

Kizu: "Here we go! Cover me, Sanshu!"

Following the beast, Kizu lept from the pipe, instantly dropping with great speed down towards the ground. - When the beast hit, it whinned like a real animal, it's legs being crushed by the force, and small fragments of bone splintering out, before being dissolved by the rain, - Kizu landed beside it, as the puddle of blood rippled between it's true liquid form, and the false blood the beast emitted, laying helplessly on the ground. - With a quick thrust, Kizu drove the kunai into the side of the beast, parting the ribs around his forearm. He gave a slight squint from the moist feeling, and then placed his other hand onto the back of the beast, using it as leverage to yank his hand free.

The beast began to tremble slightly, it's muscle folding back, as larger strips emerged, wrapping the beast up; this process would reoccur several times within a matter of seconds, before the boar stood taller than Kizu itself, with it's tusk branching out like a large tree; it's fur coming in a thick black. Kizu gave a slight whistle, which the boar would remember as it's command thanks to the sealed kunai, and charge at the enemy, who by now had likely approached them. - With the flick of his wrist, a small cloud of smoke spun from Kizu's palm, revealing a summoned kunai for support.

High up above, Sanshu would keep watch, hands close together before him ready to perform a back up summoning.



(Kind of poor description, but I had Tim and Mom talking to me, and the tv, so I couldn't zone out with my ear buds. But hopefully it's good enough. Btw, I know you have a habit of ending your post exactly where I left off xD So please take it a little further, so that we can make this an epic and interesting battle. Besides, you are kind of the offensive threat, so that's your job xD. Anyway, how I made Sanshu's technique work, is the beast is made of water, but is formed into a real beast of recreation, though it would revert back quickly at first. Now with the kunai, it's kind of... Perfected, past a water clone of the beast.)

The rain had begun to fall, signaling the beginning of the battle. Madara's visage would temporarily vanish before appearing a few meters closer to the two, but still at a distance meant for nothing more than observation. His ninjutsu could easily reach them, but that wasn't his goal now; he was briefly observing the initial stages of their combat. One of them appeared to have used a summon with an odd chakra nature, which formed violently from water itself. This, in hindsight, was not an issue for Madara. His fire release was strong enough to evaporate water techniques en masse, but such a brilliant display would have to wait for now.

Muscles and bones quivering and transforming into a body and slowly a complete figure, Madara watched without amusement until it was complete. The small details weren't important there - it had somehow shifted itself into a large boar. But a boar cannot dance, and so it would not do, as it began a full charge towards Madara. Arms unfolding and his face without expression, he reached back and placed a firm hand upon the hilt of his weapon.

The wind picked up considerably, causing Madara's hair to blow to his right, and his armor to flap gently against his body. A pattering as all the silence was broken by the demoralizing grunts and shrieks of the charging animal - it was fast, and it continued to grow closer. Hooves pounding one after the other against the wet ground, creating a rumbling sensation as the tons of weight so desired to become acquainted with Madara's body. Sharp tusks, lots of weight, and a lot of momentum.

It was the perfect opportunity. A swing of the hand brought Madara's gunbai right out in front of him, reinforced with his full strength and stance, boots resisting the slippery dirt below. Knees bent ever so slightly, and nearly non-existent grin upon his face, Madara fully utilized his Uchiha Return. If not changing its wild and deranged course within the few moments it would take it to make contact with Madara, it should smash directly into the Gunbai, only to be halted for a moment. Water and saliva would splash onto Madara's gunbai, only to soon be washed off by the pouring rain. The grunting of a wild and unhappy animal continuing just inches from his face, but it wasn't enough. The moment ended, to greet another.

A moment in which all the force would be returned to its body, and to send it hurtling back as thought it had just smashed itself. To, perhaps, roll helplessly along the rain soaked plain. Madara was going to exercise his power once again, from the weakest to the largest, and it would be a dance to remember if they made it to the end. It's quite rare that the instrumental makes its peace before the opponent does.

Grasping a kunai with several exploding tags attached to it by steel wire, Madara threw it with grace and precision towards the body of the pig. As it flew, he then performed a two-hand swing, jumping back a few feet into the air as he did it, creating a powerful blast from the fan. Wind, rain, and all else within its reach blew towards the group of three. The exploding tags reaching their target even faster, and hopefully, exploding just in time to do serious damage to this pathetic attempt.

Suggesting all had gone well, Madara landed and slid a few inches before launching himself back up into the air several meters. He slapped his gunbai back onto his back, in its rightful resting place, and moved to prepare hand seals. Fingers coming closer together as he spent these brief moments watching the reactions of his opponents. What move would they make when their frontal charge had proved useless? They would need more than an animal to stop Madara Uchiha.

Kizu's left hand gripped the moist flesh would appear to be it's neck, giving his other arm a hard yank, and withdrawing his hand from the beast. - It's blue eyes would open wide, before letting out a painful cry, it's body tearing along the ridge of the spine, and liquid tentacles extending out and wrapping around it, taking on a crimson tone before contracting into a larger layer of muscle. Kizu brought his hand to the side, allowing the rain to wash away the false substance, looking ahead at the cardinal blur, which had a thick outline of black, waving around it. Despite knowing the power of his partners forbidden Water Release, Kizu had decided not to take any chances; with a quick flip of his wrist, a small ring of smoke would spin from his palm, fading in the rain, and leaving behind a kunai.

The carnivorous creation began to sprout a thick brown fur, showing the nearing of it's completion. Parting his lips slightly, Kizu gave a slight whistle, which would signal the start of his attack. - Though, it seemed the enemy also took note of the start, as instantaneously his signature wisped, and stretched across the distance, as if taking flight. The enemy would appear about a yard infront of the flailing boar, his hand immediately departing from his chest and grasping a long black-bandaged handle which stuck out above his armor. - In that moment time seemed to slow for everyone, as Kizu felt the sheer force of the foe. As his hair finally was caught with the movement of the flicker, it seemed to spread upward in every direction, rising from his sides in a shadowed blur.

The boar charged, it's weight creating cracks across the ground as it landed, it's head waving around in am impotent rage. - A bright flash of lightning surged through the sky, illuminating the area; the man seemed to move faster than sound at that moment, sliding one of his feet slightly forward as he lunged, his giant fan swinging ahead of him, and his other hand literally punching the stem of the fan. - The boar clashed with it, still illuminated by the unfolding streak of light; the full force of the thunder caught up with the two in that exact moment, rumbling the earth below their feet as the boar completely stopped in place, a piece of it's tusk being completely shattered, pulverized into a powder, with only a the tip of the tusk still visible, flying through the air.

The man seemed to lean forward, looking dead in the boars face with what Kizu could swear to be a faint grin. Before the boar's hind feet could meet the ground, the man brought up one of his hands, using the other to swing the gunbai forward, causing the boars snout to dive down, smashing into the ground and splattering water across him, it's rear swinging up above it's head, and being sent sliding with it's nose in the dirt towards Kizu. - The man then would bring out a kunai, and send it towards the boar; Kizu could tell instantly what the man was planning to do, and directed his own kunai in the direction, hoping to knock it, and the exploding tag away from himself. -

Being focused on the aim of the kunai, Kizu couldn't catch what happened next, something that Sanshu witnessed in full. The man had lept back, and without any resistance, made a second swing of his gunbai, unleashing a massive burst of wind which sent to boar toppling. Kizu had been caught off guard, as a giant wave of water followed the gust, and presuming it was a water release technique, he quickly performed a body flicker, instead leaping straight up into the air.

The burst of air had sped the exploding kunai up, while causing Kizu's to tilt slightly; the former of which would slide perfectly across the blade, before the metal wire caught onto the opposing kunai, and was cut. -

A massive explosion erupted near the boor, splattering blood through the air, and across Kizu's face as he landed elegantly back down, in a crouch. He seemed to be laughing lightly to himself, recovering from his earlier fear.

Kizu: "Heh. Great red man! Do you have a name? That fan... It seems to be quite the instrument, carrying out the clap of thunder, and stopping my secret summoning technique! I'll have to make sure to take it back to the village as a souvenir, and tell stories about how you clung to your life, begging me to forgive you for crimes against the Hidden Rain! But don't worry, you haven't even begun to see my strength. And let me tell you... Those anbu weren't anything compared to me."

From high above, Sanshu seemed to break his cold silence, and sigh. Even though he could not hear his partner, he could tell from his gestures that he was gloating again, and likely trying to provoke the enemy. It was something Sanshu had to deal with even from their first encounter, when they had their near-death match.

The burnt corpse laying between both of them began to tremble, it's temporarily stopped breath beginning to pant again. - The side of the boar had been completely torn open, a small furry tail emerging from it, spinning it's tail in a circle, small hairs falling off and seemingly healing the would. - From the back of the boar, it's spine seemed to extend outward, small two massive holes opening up as black paws extended out, matching that of a bears. - The boar let out a roar, and lifted up onto it's hind legs, the sound of bones popping into place, and two useless limbs hanging at it's side, replaced by massive bear arms, whose black fur were tainted with blood, and pieces of flesh. -

(Yea, I know I didn't give you much, but the last few paragraphs suck because I'm starting to fall asleep xD I'll let you carry through with your post [I guess just go for an attack, or whatever] and then I'll make it up to you by giving you plenty next post. Sorry, but I'm up too late, and tired lol.)

As Madara ascended into the air, he watched the shorter of the pair body flicker upwards to avoid the gust of wind and water. The two of them were now in the air, but in no position to have a melee conflict. However, Madara's attention was on the explosion that just sounded from his exploding tags. With his sharingan, he had caught the accuracy which this other shinobi had thrown his own kunai with. Even with such a powerful disruption, it happened to cut the steel wire, and make the exploding tags short of their destination.

The heavy rain picked up even further, and the sky continued to growl at an even quicker pace. As Madara and this shinobi landed the sky boomed with its natural might, acting as a background track to their battle. It seemed the rain was beginning to fall in sheets instead of droplets, splashing heavily all around the area. The noise was loud enough to deafen, but it seemed they would still try to communicate. Madara began to take step after step towards Kizu, his boots causing water to splash up from deep puddles.

An eye focused to the corpse which had been burnt, but quickly put out by the monstrous storm. It began to morph once more, almost regenerating, it seemed. This perked Madara's interest, and he felt the urge to smirk at its existence. An unbeatable enemy, always coming back. It reminded him of Hashirama to an extent. But these two shinobi and their pet were nothing compared to Hashirama's might. However, with this summon being the most interesting part of the battle so far, Madara felt inclined to let them stay around a little longer.

But, as his interested had just begun to grow, it was suddenly interrupted by a slew of words. "Heh. Great red man! Do you have a name? That fan... It seems to be quite the instrument, carrying out the clap of thunder, and stopping my secret summoning technique! I'll have to make sure to take it back to the village as a souvenir, and tell stories about how you clung to your life, begging me to forgive you for crimes against the Hidden Rain! But don't worry, you haven't even begun to see my strength. And let me tell you... Those anbu weren't anything compared to me."

As Kizu finished the last of his words, Madara placed a hand on yet another hilt being carried on his person. He then body flickered, moving at such a speed that water would trail violently behind him, unable to catch up to where he truly was. Within only a moment, he had struck the regenerating beast with his blade and moved in a crescent away from it in order to reach Kizu's position. The blade suddenly rested at Kizu's body if he had not moved, and Madara aimed to stare deep into his eyes. To penetrate his mind and create the fear he should be feeling. As Madara was there for only a moment, blood would have spurted and the beast should have cried out once again in pain.

"You're right. The Anbu weren't anything compared to you. They were competent, and did not need to boast their self-confidence at their opponents to make themselves feel more capable. They stood without words against Madara Uchiha."

Madara's expression switched into a mixture of anger and enjoyment. He wanted to rub it into this man's face how simple he was; how little he was compared to the world. "You should hope that the people you're fighting for have as much confidence in you as you have in yourself. You will be the only one begging. Begging as I remove each one of your limbs from your spineless body. Do you want to know the true difference between yourself and the Anbu of this village? There isn't one. You all were already dead."

Madara, in another swift movement, propelled himself back. In a reverse ascent, he flew through a string of hand seals, and inhaled deeply. "Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!" With the rest of his exhalation, a gigantic flame spewed from his mouth. Like a red dragon delivering its judgment, not even the rain could bring resistance to the flames. It expanded outward, and moved to engulf the entire area where Kizu and the summon were. If they did not move, they would most likely be incinerated. The flames continued to push Madara back, allowing him some moments of flight as the technique continued. Steam rose from the fire, rain being evaporated in the storm before it could even touch the jutsu.

This was the power of Madara Uchiha, and it had yet to even be thoroughly exercised.

After making a point to verbally assualt the enemy, Kizu dropped both his arms to the side, holidng them wide in a motion as if to challenge Madara. Who seemed to take it immediatly, swiping his hand down to his side, and leaning forward. Sanshu hurried to cover Kizu, seeng that they were likely about to have a fast-paced ninja tool battle.

Kizu too took action, bringing his hand up and summoning a kunai blade, his other hand drawn infront of him holding the release seal as he monitored the enemies chakra. - A sudden burst of chakra expanded from the boar, and stretched toward Kizu before expanding, and seemingly consuming him as Madara disappeared completely. - In the corner of his eye, Kizu watched the boar split perfectly in half from the waist, and blood squirting in every direction from an invisible attack. As Kizu went to recover, Madara appeared in full before him, his katana pressed tightly against Kizu's blade. The small traces of blood on Madara's katana slowly morphed into warped insects, before being dissolved in the rain, their red blush quickly fading away in the rain. Though the color of Madara's eyes never seemed to lose a ounce of their tint.

"You're right. The Anbu weren't anything compared to you. They were competent, and did not need to boast their self-confidence at their opponents to make themselves feel more capable. They stood without ----- Uchiha."

Halfway through Madara's sentence, the ground would let out a loud roar, dust spouting up in around both of them. The commotion would allow Kizu to break eye-lock, as he stepped back, his heel dropping through the ground below him, followed by his body. - Wet murked fell down as well, forcing Kizu to shut his eyes, and blinding him to what would happen next. Though he could still hear the man countinuing on, as if he were just above him, not allowing the fall to interupt. - Upon Madara finished his harsh speech, Kizu released the kunai blade, a small trail of blood streaming above him from both his hands.

Stretching from his finger tips, a black ink would begin to pour out, quickly spreading over his body, though Madara could not see this, as smoke exploded all around from the release of Sanshu's Summon, the Traveling Maiden. Kizu heard a loud pop as Madara lept out, sending a large stone toppling down ontop of him as he struck the ground, exploding into smaller stones from his new physique. - Within seconds the rest of the earth would collapse all around, burying him underneath.

Sanshu watched from above as Madara shot out of the hole, quickly returning his katana to it's rightful place by his side, and bringing his hands together. In sync with Madara, Sanshu's hands rushed through a set of hand seals, not allowing the enemy a chance to catch Kizu off guard before he was 'done'. - A dead silence fell over the landscape, the sound of rain ceasing as it was redirected, all shooting towards the large hole under Madara. From all around water began running quickly, creating a massive wave quickly over the landscape, drawing in from all directions in a swirl. -

As Madara fell on his final handseal, Sanshu clasped his hands together, both their techniques being released in their full. - A bright flash from Madara's fire release created a spontaneous raindow colored glow throughout the massive vortex, just before clashing and distorting the colors in a massive explosion which resulted in the entire landscape being clouded in a thick steam, completely obscuring Sanshu's view. The intensity of the clash could be felt even from Sanshu's position, as waves of air still expanded from the two forces, which he assumed ended in a draw from the two techniques. Though Sanshu knew that the only reason he was able to manage it, was due to all the excess water.

As the rain began to fall again, Madara would land on the edge of the giant hole, only to hear a the sound of laughter, which would likely confuse him.

Kizu: "Ha! I don't know what the fucks happening out there, but you better be ready for me, red man! Now what was that about they stood without Uchiha?! Why would we have- "

From down below, Kizu's head would push up through the muddy debree, his skin now black as tar, and hair slicked backwards thanks to the mud. - He slowly reached up, grabbing onto one of the half submurged stones, and applied chakra to his palm, using it as traction as he lifted himself out of it, the mud making a popping noise as he was released from the suction, crouched down once again. - He ran his black fingers idly through the mud, creating a small gash in it as he thought about his next attack, a smirk on his face. After which, he would make a slow raise, just before performing a quick body flicker, and leaping high up through the hole on the wall, and then reflecting off again, making a quick ascent up it, before hitting it just before Madara, and flying backwards out of it, parallel to Madara. Kizu quickly brought both his arms infront of him, a stream of the black substance stretching out, and forming into several hardened iron blades which shot at Madara with great speed after disconnecting from their source.

Kizu landed, looking over at the fully recovered beast, standing closer to Madara, it's fur drenched, and pulled in one direction as if it had been styled; the boars head was torn from the jaw, with the top of it being held backwards like a hoodie, and the jaw danging to the side, on a small piece of cartilage. In it's place was a llama's head peaking out, attoped with a spiky white afro-of sorts. - It had also grown snakes from the ends of it's bulky bear arms, with even larger, more ape-like arms extending from the shoulders of the beast. - With a small whistle, the beast would take off, running on it's small legs at Madara, with small pig hooves beating against it's side, limply, and snakes hissing. - If it got close enough, all of the snakes would attempt to strike at Madara with their venomous fangs, as it swung it's large ape-arms, capable of inflicting severe trauma to most men, and most likely damaging armor with ease.

It seemed that within a few short moments much had changed about the circumstances of the battlefield; not only did the ground collapse from just under their feet, the boy whom he was fighting had vanished within it. But this did not stop Madara's ascent towards the heavens with yet another jump propelling him higher and higher. He flew through hand seals, but something had interrupted his train of thought as he reached the final hand seal for his technique. All the world around him had come to a brief and momentary silence; the heaving of the storm stopped in a large radius.

With his inhale, it immediately began to move once more, circling quickly and accurately towards the hole Madara now had his eyes on. The other man of their duo was a water release user, and his technique had drawn Madara's interest above what this little man was doing. Such a massive amount of liquid moving without hindrance towards its target, acting as a shield against Madara's own technique. Whatever this man was expecting, he had expected correctly. With a flash, the blazing sun settled ferociously upon the mass of gathering water. Steam and smoke alike rose into the clouds, the sound of the clash being even greater than that of the once raging depression.

The end of the flames' spew signaled Madara's descent back to the earth, his feet making contact with the ground and causing it crack. He stood at the edge of the chasm created by, what he assumed to be another technique of the water release user. Earth and water together would be an interesting combination, as it mirrored the skills of Madara's rival. The mass of water had sunken to the depths of the hole, making it a cesspit of mud and dirt. Kizu emerged from below, but his appearance had changed. He was now covered in black, almost in a perfect chameleon state for the environment they were in.

But his shadow did not save him from Madara's vision, and it even provoked a comment. "Would you look at that? Trash arising from the waste." But this wasn't enough as he arose from the hole and stood parallel to Madara. It seemed his immediate response was an attack, as something dark shot across the vale. While Madara lacked the time he needed to dissect what kind of projectile was being directed his way, it was easily dodged. A simple sidestep saw it sent behind him, and now his attention was directed to the beast that fought on endlessly. The water had carved its fur in the direction of the ripping waves, giving it a seemingly permanent new appearance.

A fun thought entered Madara's mind as his expression twisted into a dark smile. He glanced only momentarily at Kizu, allowing his eyes to shift into the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, their glow being the easiest thing to see at their distance. Looking back at the charging animal with the mixture of beasts protruding from its body, Madara activated only a partial amount of his Susano'o. The sound of bones forming and cracking into existence was followed by the ignition of flames, the purple illuminating a small area around Madara. Half a ribcage surrounded his body, protecting him from any minor interruptions from Kizu. An arm without flesh extended from it, and a large hand swiped up the beast as soon as it came into range.

In a tight grip restricting nearly all movement, Madara turned as the ribcage formed all around him. He looked on at Kizu with his sinister grin, his brow furrowing downward, and his eyes piercing the distance once again. Booming his voice, he called out to Kizu, wanting all of his attention. "This is what I am going to do to you, Shinobi of the Rain." A second arm and hand emerged nearly instantaneously, gripping onto one of the snakes. In a swift, violent tear, the snake was no longer a part of the beast. Blood would spew out incessantly as the snake was tossed down into the pit. "One by one," The next snake was torn from the body and tossed with the other. "I shall rip the limbs from your body," By this point, the animal should have been shrieking as blood coated the fingers of Susano'o.

In the finale, the summon was held head in one hand, and behind in the other, before being ripped completely in half. "As you beg." The bony hands of Susano'o dropped the remainder of the animal down into the pit, and the hands vanished in a haze of purple fire that dissipated in an equally quick time. Ribcage still protecting his body, Madara then leaped up into the air above the pit, flying through a string of hand seals. His exhale brought out a flamethrower of fire, the Great Fireball Technique's second variation, a continuous stream rather than a ball. A wave flew at Kizu before moving downward into the pit, striking the mud where the summon would have sunk.

The heat cooked the surface and most likely a foot under, trapping and immobilizing the animal within. Even with its powers of regeneration, it would take time for it to re-emerge now, and Madara was pleased with the display it granted him. With the flames coming to an end, he descended towards the other side of the pit. If Kizu hadn't moved back from the flames, Madara would land near him, and immediately draw his kama from its resting place. But this encounter wasn't to grant Kizu the privilege of facing Madara in melee combat; instead he body flickered, disappearing from Kizu's immediate range.

The sound of footsteps clanking against the hard metal of the industrial pipes would be very apparent to Sanshu. Madara was standing several feet away from him, still smiling. "I'm going to dance you with next. It would be disrespectful to leave you out of the ball I'm having." Madara's grip tightened on his kama as he prepared to move.