Gambling for Power [Akkuma]

[Kazumi]

It was no surprise to the Storm Lord to see the man alive and well. He would not have been overly so if two more Akkumas walked out into the pit itself and started to tear at each other's throats. Nabushin was not a fool, but not was he a crafty scholar or schemer but he knew men like Akkuma before the man ever made it to the village, down to their core they were all born from the same needs. Acknowledging the man with a small nod, he made his way down into the observation area as he took his designated seat. Even at the heart of Akkuma's territory, the Storm Lord did not fear the man and as such held no worries that he would dare to try to harm him; these kind of men were too cunning for such things.

"Lord Akkuma, I am pleased to see reports of your death were unfounded." The man gave Akkuma a slow look that showed there was far more meaning to those words than simple pleasantries. The thought of ending the head of the Miroku occurred to him as he sat down, looking out into the darkness that encompassed the area below them. There was a secret as to how Akkuma defied the grave, and he would have to discover that before he ever made any true move to remove his piece from the board. Nabushin turned to meet the lord's emerald gaze with his own firm jade, years of aged pressed to firm lines around his face, a look that betrayed no hint of concern for the negotiations ahead.

His gaze followed Akkuma's gesture down to the pit, where he revealed Domu strapped to the table, weakly struggling to pull himself free of his bindings. It was a pitiful sight to behold. He knew Akkuma would hold this bargaining chip high over his head and weigh his scale down with sand in this negotiation, and more than a small part of him wished to stand and leave the fool to his earned fate. However, that was not how the Oushi-Ouja treated their kinsmen. "The Oushi-Ouja always honor our debts, Lord Akkuma." His tone held no weakness or resignation. "I have no desire to pointlessly bicker back and forth like calves. You and I both know that you entered this pact," he faintly emphasized the word , knowing it was just Akkuma's way of making the debt seem more significant than it actually was, "with the intention of having this meeting with me so that you could make some outlandish demand. So be out with it."

His face was as stern as it had been as he arrived. It was perhaps age that helped to freeze his expression into one of stone, but he also knew that any signs of weakness among these wolves would be pounced upon at the first opportunity. Strong as he was, he was deep within the lair of demons, and even the strongest Ox needed to always remain firmly on their guard.

 

[Miroku Akkuma]

The Storm Lord's arrival was not unnoticed nor unexpected by the Demon & his Agents. While his public death had left no active leadership in charge his Casino operated as normal. His staff. His rules. He'd purposely ensured the Lord had been informed of his kin's dire situation. Knowing full well that having one of their own indentured to the Miroku publicly over a gambling debt would cast poor light on their house. A smirk slid across the Demon's lips at the thought. Of course he'd come & naturally possessing the expected lack of subterfuge. Lord Nabushin was a man who wielded his physical power & lineage to accomplish what he needed. Glad to see his intel & expectations had not been wrong he raised his hand to his headsets earpiece. With the press of a button he activated it. "Escort him to the Pits." he'd say before removing his hand from the device. Those eyes full of green & yellow phosphorescence eyed the Pit below him. On either side of it there were two large gates. Akkuma was eager to provide this show to his guest while they negotiated.​

-Back to Lord Nabushin-​

The behemoth of a being that was Lord Nabushin would be able to sense a potent malevolent & ominous force directed at himself. From directly beside him no less. When he gazed upon the source he would no doubt be surprised to see a teenage girl standing beside him. Her gaze was one that was beautiful to behold. One eye was an ocean blue that revealed nothing in it's gaze from it's ocean like depths. The other was a vividly entrancing emerald green, speckled with yellow phosphorescence. Once their gazes had met that malevolent intent would vanish & an innocently warm smile would appear on her face. "Please follow me Lord Nabushin." with those words she would lead him away from the main floor & through a series of halls. Once they arrived at a designation she placed her hand upon the wall pushing in & causing a panel to slide away. After placing her hand upon it the panel slid open revealing an elevator. "This way." she would say stepping inside the lift. While most lifts were not designed for beings of Nabushin's stature Akkuma had once been taller & bulkier then Kuro. As such he made precautions when designing his labs should he ever return to his former form. Once they were both inside it's doors would close, the entrance & it's access panel concealed once more.

Down further into the depths of the Demon's Lair they would descend. "It's true." the woman would say offhandedly & rather a sudden. "He died. Usurped by his two Sunan sons... " she would leave that thought in his mind. If that was true who was she taking him to meet? One of those traitorous sons? Had he been lured into a trap? She let his mind go over this only for a brief moment before flashing a sinister smile. "But that's not all they say about him is it? It's not the only thing that's true either. My Lord is Eternal & his capabilities are beyond the comprehension of outsiders." the tone of Mai's voice held genuine devotion to her Lord. Although she was a young teenager she showed clear devotion & discipline. There was still some teenage rebellious ways she acted like the way she was attempting to fuel the Lord's curiosity about her Lord. Yet despite this there was something off about the girl. In her presence one would find it incredibly hard to relax, as if in the presence of a predator just waiting for the right moment. What was she?​

 

[Kazumi]

Nabushin's senses were keen after his many years of experience, one did not survive beyond their first few decades without a sixth sense for danger. He felt such a force nearby to him, potent and foreboding but not as strong as he would have expected Akkuma to be, even after his demise. When he turned to face the lord, he had to look down to a girl roughly half his height. He could feel there was something off about the girl, and while the same could be said for all of the Miroku, in the Storm Lord's eyes, this one seemed even more tainted than those others.

As she beckoned him to follow, he took a moment to extend his senses around the casino, but detected no obvious traps for him. He could not see chakra and he had limited senses for it, but every small fluctuation of electric charge in the air was like a wind blowing on his skin. He felt the draw of metallic weapons and tingle of sweat on skin, but nothing that seemed to be ready to strike him. So, with a small nod, he followed the girl through the complex until they arrived at a wall. He could feel the tug of metal on its other side, and so when she revealed the hidden elevator he was not overly surprised but he did make a mental note of its location. This establishment has been here for quite sometime, and he may have need to use this location in the future.

As they rode down in the elevator, he continued to let his senses extend, paying little mind to the malignant presence nearby. When she spoke, he did offer the girl a glance, but little more. He knew of Akkuma's demise and of those who did the deed. The stories, he knew, would be many and varied. They were all from the Miroku, and so it was likely just a power struggle, or perhaps Riyota and Kanmuri had a change of heart and stepped up to overthrow their father. Nabushin could not read minds, but he knew a little about the heir's teacher and so he doubted it was purely to overtake Akkuma's position in the clan. Even so, conflict in clans was not unheard of, and this was actually one of the main reasons he brought himself here this day, to avoid such a thing.

"I am quite aware that your Lord is capable and clever." His response was flat and urged no further conversation from the small devotee. Sorting fact from fiction within the Miroku was difficult, but it was clear that Akkuma enjoyed having his underlings revere him much more than simply as the head of their clan. This was one of the few points that he and Lord Kuro did not see eye to eye, and while he may be here to speak with Akkuma it did not mean he gave the man anything resembling trust. Momentarily he wondered to what extent this girl, if it could still be called such, sold away her life to her Eternal Lord.

 

[Miroku Akkuma]

Nabushin's response caused Mai to smile in a manner that appeared most sinister. "Then you are wiser than most Lord Nabushin." she would say honestly. Most underestimated her Lord & it was usually their downfall. The elevator would come to a stop & the doors would slide open. Revealing what could only be described as an underground arena. The lift had opened up to an area of seats that overlooked a decently sized arena pit. A series of doors & gates could be seen down in the Pit no doubt where whatever participated in the Miroku Lord's games entered from. Seated in the center of the observation rows was Akkuma. "Lord Nabushin...I'm so glad you could join me. I was worried I'd have to come to a decision before we could officially meet & discuss these pressing matters. I regret we must meet in such a manner...but nonetheless all we can do is press forward." he would say clapping his hands together & motioning for the Storm Lord to come join him.

Mai would escort Nabushin to her Lord's side, joining him at a seat by his side. Lazily resting her head back as the boring affairs of negotiation began. She took no joy in these things but knew of the importance to her Lord. Akkuma turned his head so those emerald eyes speckled with golden phosphorescence could hold the Storm Lord in his gaze. "I'm sure you can appreciate my offer to sort this out privately between ourselves." he would say in that business-like manner of his, motioning down into the Pit snapping his fingers. At the signal the lights would turn on revealing Nabushin's kinsmen strapped to a mobile surgical table. "I'm a particular being & when I form a pact with someone I expect it to be fulfilled. After all I always fulfill my end of the bargain. Your kin decided to push the boundaries of theirs, perhaps they assumed your clans prestige would protect them." he'd say offering a possible path of their reasoning. After all mortals were not that complicated, what were the Miroku to the Oushi-Ouja? In regards to prestige within the village the two were incomparable. However what most did not know is the Demon had built up a rather intricate & vast network within the village. His connections were vast & those connected to him were very aware of his capabilities.

Of course there were rumors a plenty about the Clan & it's Lord. Each one more monstrous & sinister then the last. One thing was obvious to anyone who looked close Suna was now their home & they were embedding themselves into every corner of the village they could. Speculation was abundant as to why the Demon would do such things. Most pointed towards a self serving agenda & attempt to gain a foothold of power. But to any experienced individual his actions where those of a being that was afraid & in desperate need of being in control. There were so many questions about the individual before Nabushin & each answer would only bring more. Clearly Akkuma intended to use Nabushin's kin to gain leverage over the individual the implied threat from the state of his kin? If they didn't come to agreeable to terms he'd become one of the many Pit fighters that Akkuma used to both gain profits & conduct various field tests. There was a mixed look of shame & fear upon the face of Nabushin's kin. Akkuma couldn't help but wonder whether he was more afraid of being one of his experiments or facing his Lord's wrath.

MFT

 

[Kazumi]

It was no surprise to the Storm Lord to see the man alive and well. He would not have been overly so if two more Akkumas walked out into the pit itself and started to tear at each other's throats. Nabushin was not a fool, but not was he a crafty scholar or schemer but he knew men like Akkuma before the man ever made it to the village, down to their core they were all born from the same needs. Acknowledging the man with a small nod, he made his way down into the observation area as he took his designated seat. Even at the heart of Akkuma's territory, the Storm Lord did not fear the man and as such held no worries that he would dare to try to harm him; these kind of men were too cunning for such things.

"Lord Akkuma, I am pleased to see reports of your death were unfounded." The man gave Akkuma a slow look that showed there was far more meaning to those words than simple pleasantries. The thought of ending the head of the Miroku occurred to him as he sat down, looking out into the darkness that encompassed the area below them. There was a secret as to how Akkuma defied the grave, and he would have to discover that before he ever made any true move to remove his piece from the board. Nabushin turned to meet the lord's emerald gaze with his own firm jade, years of aged pressed to firm lines around his face, a look that betrayed no hint of concern for the negotiations ahead.

His gaze followed Akkuma's gesture down to the pit, where he revealed Domu strapped to the table, weakly struggling to pull himself free of his bindings. It was a pitiful sight to behold. He knew Akkuma would hold this bargaining chip high over his head and weigh his scale down with sand in this negotiation, and more than a small part of him wished to stand and leave the fool to his earned fate. However, that was not how the Oushi-Ouja treated their kinsmen. "The Oushi-Ouja always honor our debts, Lord Akkuma." His tone held no weakness or resignation. "I have no desire to pointlessly bicker back and forth like calves. You and I both know that you entered this pact," he faintly emphasized the word , knowing it was just Akkuma's way of making the debt seem more significant than it actually was, "with the intention of having this meeting with me so that you could make some outlandish demand. So be out with it."

His face was as stern as it had been as he arrived. It was perhaps age that helped to freeze his expression into one of stone, but he also knew that any signs of weakness among these wolves would be pounced upon at the first opportunity. Strong as he was, he was deep within the lair of demons, and even the strongest Ox needed to always remain firmly on their guard.

 

[Miroku Akkuma]

A thin smile would spread across Akkuma's face at the Storm Lord's words. He was quite sure that Nabushin would've been quite satisfied if the Demon had parted from this world. "I'm sure you are Lord Nabushin..." he say with a light chuckle before a dark glint flashed over his eyes as Nabushin spoke his next words. "Careful now Lord Nabushin you wouldn't want to offend your host now would you?" he would say raising his left sleeve of his robe to reveal a binding seal. "Your kinsmen did not uphold his end of the pact. He knew the risks & the fact your kin lacked the discipline that landed you in this situation might give you pause I hope. Everything I do is of significance do not forget this." he would say in a calm & business-like manner. Although his very aura was one that seemed to drain the very chakra from the air around oneself. Chakra itself was harder to manipulate in his presence. This was his House & he was the only Lord who mattered within these walls.

"Not that you're wrong...but you can't blame me. If I'd not taken advantage of his weakness someone else would have & I can assure you in this matter I am most certainly the lesser evil. It's simple really, sometime in the near future I expect there to be a vote on my status within this village. I wish citizenship. You could be one of the swing votes I require." he would say in that matter of fact manner once more. Truthfully the Demon had been within Sunagakure for well over a decade & yet still he'd not truly become one of them. He wondered what the thought of having a part to play in Akkuma's staying within the village made Nabushin feel. But then again if Akkuma was within the village it would mean he could deal with the Demon himself or make use of his skills. After all it was whispered & documented that the Demon provided services that were at the very least ethically questionable.

Though what could one expect from a being that'd possessed multiple forms & lived multiple reincarnations only to be bound into a singular form. No longer bound to the cycle he was once cursed by but now bound by his own means. Anchoring his soul to this realm through those he'd defeated. Akkuma was a true monster by any standard & yet he was not a monster without a code. There was at least this to say for the Demon, not that this made it any less dangerous dealing with the being. Even Kage's had felt themselves tempted broker deals with the Demon. Would Lord Nabushin feel the same pull? Was there something he desired from the being that sat beside him. How the proud Storm Lord must've despised having to lower himself to associate with the likes of Akkuma. Not that the Demon would hold it against him, he'd give the man time to see that the only way forward was with the Demon's aid.

Where no others could help the Demon could. When one could no longer follow their path without watching all they care for cast aside, they turned to him. The mighty Storm Lord would be no different. For deep down everyone knew that they needed a monster like himself. After all there were just some things you couldn't get done without getting your hands dirty & that was something Akkuma knew all too well. There was a smile upon the Demons face as he awaited Nabushin's response, how he was enjoying himself.

MFT

 

[Kazumi]

It was faint and fleeting, but the lines of the Storm Lord's face shifted as Akkuma referenced his kin's weakness. It struck a nerve that he kept well guarded, but even through plate the blow could be felt. Nabushin knew his life was coming to an end and sitting next to one who cheated death on a constant basis would temptation for a weaker man. He had lived over weight decades and yet he had seen the decline of the clan, rather than its strengthening. Though he was remiss to admit such, the fact that a small girl who had little skill in the shinobi arts was the chosen heir spoke volumes for the state of his kin. The disgraced writhing Oushi-Ouja on the table within the ring only served to drive that blade in deeper.

When Akkuma finally spoke his request, the Storm Lord kept his stern visage as a crackle of green lightning arcs from the tip of one of his menacing horns to another. He knew such a vote would be very divisive and he knew that almost every vote in Akkuma's favor was bought in blood, but even the Ox King was naive enough to think that such was not the way of things. "Citizenship of the village is a greater honor than you are rightfully deserving, Lord Akkuma. However..." The man paused for a moment, breaking his gaze from the man to stare off towards Domu as he struggled to looked over towards Nabushin, even with his head strapped firmly down. "Unless you feel your life if equal to that of a fool's, this is hardly a fair exchange."[/color][/glow]

Nabushin knew where this would ultimately end, he could not leave the man here to the mercy of the Demon. Akkuma knew this as well, of course, but that did not mean that Nabushin would go down without sinking his horn as deeply as he could into the man. "I can pledge to provide my vote in your favor in this circumstance, however you must tip the scales back into balance." Nabushin knew he would not be the single deciding vote in this, but if he permitted this to be granted to the Miroku, his clan would be partially responsible for the damage he could cause.

He took a long deep breath as he continued to keep his eyes fixed ahead. He brought his aged hands up, still massively thick with both muscles and wrinkles and steepled them below his chin as he pretended to think. It was just a show, a dance. Akkuma had his parts laid but so too did the Storm Lord. It did take a few long moments of thought to force himself to speak. Beyond providing the man greater means within the village, making this next request could either damn his entire clan or save it, and he did not have the foresight to know which. "My heir, Oushi-Ouja Suzume, who I am sure you have been keeping tabs on." He turned and stared towards the man with a firm and knowing gaze, "I need you to fix her."

Nabushin paused for a moment to see what reaction he would get from the Miroku Lord. A year earlier he would have been in shock to consider the move he was making, but he was running out of options. Especially with what was transpiring with the Throne. "A few years ago, she traveled to Tea village and returned... different." It was plain to see that even the Lord of the Oushi-Ouja had secrets hidden from him, and it was not something that pleased him. "Return her to what she was before. If you do that, and she has regained the blessings of Oushi-Ouja then you will have my vote." There were many things that were left unsaid, and he knew that Akkuma would either use those vague words to his advantage, or press to learn even more about his clan and it's secrets. Unfortunately, there was little option he had. "The future of a weakling and a future lord is certainly worth that of the Undying Lord."

 

[Miroku Akkuma]

Akkuma could feel the inner turmoil of the Oushi-Ouja Clan Headsman. It was a position the Demon had been in himself. The burden of responsibility & expectations of those around you. Knowing that your choices affected the Fate of not only those alive but those to come. What would you be remembered for as a Leader? Nabushin spoke & he chose to insult the Demon. His words causing a thin smile to appear upon his face. 'Of course...naturally he thinks me unworthy.' he thought to himself. If the Immortal had been a petty being he could've decided to end negotiations here & drag the Oushi-Ouja name through the dirt. After all they were a clan in dire need of saving, without such in a generation or two they would be no more than a token name mentioned only by those with respect for the Old Houses.

The Storm Lord continued to speak & the Demon's smile would twist into a devilish smirk. "Naturally...like everyone else you think me unworthy yet you're happy for me to save the future of your clan. Do you think me so naive as to not know the value such an act holds? After all what value does the future Lord of a failing Clan have to an Undying Lord?" he would say standing & gracefully moving over the banisters. Landing with the practiced skill a veteran of his caliber ought to possess. Casually he would walk towards the being who he'd ensured was incapable of escaping. Once he was next to the table he would pick of a syringe containing an ominous looking purple serum. It was a concoction formulated from the demonic enzymes from his form that had been capable of affecting causality.

Twirling the syringe between his fingers he looked down at his prisoner, pausing only momentarily as his hand came to rest upon the mans torso. The Demon's gaze would move up to meet the Storm Lord's. What happened next would no doubt be a sight that stayed with the Storm Lord until the last of his days. Akkuma's next stretched & grew as his head moved closer to the Storm Lord. Contorting & winding in an almost snake-like manner he would come to a stop starring at the Storm Lord from over the banisters. "Then you must ensure I am made her Instructor. Whether that be private or public knowledge I shall leave up to you. Do this & I shall release your kin into your custody..." there was an ominousness to the Demon's gaze that suggested he would ensure the deal was upheld no matter what. It was only logical, this ensured his proximity to monitor her status. But unbeknownst to Nabushin allowed Akkuma to be exactly where he wanted too. After all one thing was undeniable the Demon was begrudgingly reknowned for his Mastery of Jutsu.

While he'd give Nabushin credit for trying he didn't know he was playing perfectly into the Demon's hands. The citizenship he was sure he could handle, the Storm Lord's vote in that matter was simply a safeguard. What he'd truly desired was the heir of the Oushi-Ouja. While many thought the Demon brash & hasty in action. Incapable of thinking tactfully they were wrong. Akkuma played the long game, after all why wouldn't you with all the time in the world. Should the Storm Lord agree Akkuma's form would return to normal once more. "You bargained better than my Agents believed you capable." he'd say with the practiced skill of an ex-Anbu, for it was a lie but the Storm Lord did not need to know this. There was no harm in letting him think that he had won the exchange. With no more need of the vial & it's contents for the negotiation Akkuma would use it for it's true purpose. Raising it to his own arm he would stare at Nabushin as he spoke. "You couldn't fathom the burden of true leadership." with those words he'd inject the contents into his system.

Akkuma could feel the serum as it progressed through his body. Altering his cells as it moved throughout his body. His veins turning black as it progressed through his system. His skin momentarily turning blue, perhaps for the briefest of moments Nabushin would think himself lucky & the Demon before him dead. A fools death at the hands of one of his experiments. But unfortunately for him & those who would oppose the Demon this would not be the case. He would begin making his way back to join the Storm Lord only to find himself collapsing to one knee. His vision going blurry for only a second before returning with a clarity he was naive enough to think only an Uchiha could possess. As his visage & complexion returned to normal there was a tingling sensation throughout his nerves. Standing once more he noted increased sensation & ease of movement. When he scaled the wall to once more place himself beside the Storm Lord he found each movement easier. All signs of his clumsiness seemed gone much to the Demon's delight after all it had been one of his greatest issues with this form.

Sitting a top the banisters he would shift his gaze to Mai "I think Lord Nabushin should agree to demonstrate some of his martial prowess against me here in the ring. What do you think Mai? So he can see first hand the fruits of my efforts & understand that our work is not to be taken lightly. That we would be a great boon to Sunagakure & so on...at the very least when will he get another chance to inflict some pain upon me?" he would say finishing with his gaze upon the Storm Lord. "Let me experience the power of a real Oushi-Ouja. The last of a kind before they were forced to turned to a Demon for salvation." he would say in a devilish tone clearly trying to ease any concerns that Nabushin had & goad him into a fight. While he'd felt unease going into his first sparring matches after most transformations, this one felt as if it would have no such concerns. He got the feeling that this alteration to his form would come more naturally.​

[Core-Ability Change App & Roleplay Battle Challenge extended. ^_^]
1000+ WC
[MFT]