Poker and Puppets [Duel Contract Search]

[Midori Futotta]

Maru, Pandora, The Danudee, Hakuren and the lovely ladies made it out of the crumbling gambling den in one piece. Once the rogue was safely he began to pant, trying to catch his breath for a good moment Maru pumped his fist in the air in victory. “We made it!” He exclaimed, as he celebrated the masked rogue decided to study the battle doll in his hands for a moment to studied it for a moment. It was a cute small blonde girl doll that looked to be made from the finest rubber, the doll wore mostly red with a small golden wind-up key tied against her stomach with a red ribbon. The rogue being curious as he was took the wind up key to look at it from all angles, as expected it was indeed made from gold. He even bit the key to test of it would bend and it didn't! Putting his key in his pocket he gave Hakuren a thumbs up about to tell her that the doll rescue mission was a success… but then he felt another threat appear.

He snapped his head to look at whatever approached them as the atmosphere got noticeably darker. A tall cloaked man sitting upon the rubble of the once great gambling den, sword in hand. He seemingly wanted either Hakuren or him to step over, the Danudee's decision to attack him only lead to his weapon being sliced in half. He would've killed them or just attacked them if he really wanted to so clearly the guy either wanted to face one of them Mono a Mono or he had some words for them. Turning to the group he raised his free hand then announced. “Okay I'll be the one going to talk with him, you guys just keep back and DON'T interfere no matter what! Okay? Okay.” He stated, then he began to approach the man, taking his steps with caution. “Ooookay you got me, I'm coming over.” announced the rogue to the mysterious man. He honestly didn't really care since he had immortality from the black pearl but he didn't know if the immortality time ran out since… they weren't in the casino anymore.

Keeping at a good distance, the rogue stopped. Standing there for a moment with the doll held close to him figuring that it would protect him Maru cleared his throat. “Uhhh I had no involvement in destroying this casino Mr Cloak, if you wanna be mad at someone uhhh….” He thought of who would be a good person to put the blame on. “Blame the Anbu?” Truth be told he didn't know what the guy wanted, he just assumed that it was that he was the owner and was about to give them hell for destroying the place but what the guy was really here for was a mystery...

[[Ooc: Sorry hadn't forgotten about this]]

 

[Ryu Hime]

After Hakuren got herself a pair of glasses she began her experiments with the artifact. The glasses seems to have improved her sensory link, but the question was by how much. Akazukin was somewhere in Soon Haven likely outside the normal zone for the link at the time. For her first experiment she would try to see if she can create a sensory link with Akazukin. She found she could even see through Akakuzin's eyes but she could not feel their body or presence like the pets that were within five hundred meters. When Hakuren overcharged her artifact her sensory network was pristine. It was as if she had found the perfect antennae for her radio and she could now tune in to any station and hear perfectly without static or a time delay. She literally saw and felt things through others as if she were sensing it herself in real time without any delay it all. However Sensory Link shares awareness between two partners and thus a door once open can be traversed from either direction.

Akazukin could see everything that was going on. The game that Maru was play with Lady Shinzen and all the memories that lead up to that point. Akazukin found it interesting that they would give out living artifacts like that. It almost makes her wish she stayed and played herself. Akazukin walks back towards the Casino and continues to watch and continues to learn. She saw Hakuren try to work a deal with Danudee. Through him see could see that not all people that pay the game were aware of the power they held or at least not all could use them. She listens to the host talk about the princesses, Tatumas and the games that went on there. Akazukin was starting to think Hakuren was getting a little over her head, but she will continue to simple observe for now.

Instead of immediately entering the temple to help her friend when she does not desire aid, she opps for a different path. The were multiple games that have been played in this temple and not all failed the tournament with loss of life or loosing the gifted artifact. Some gamblers quit while they are ahead and don’t come back for another round. To those who could not use chakra the items were nothing but antique, which is was in a pawn shop looking at old trinkets. She allowed her chakra to flow into quite a few items, before finally came across one that seems to feed on it. She purchases it and even goes to change into it with the restroom of nearby restaurant.

The man said that all of Princess Shishidou’s family and servants became minor artifacts, toys, and jewelry. These souls of the original sacrifice are lost to time but their likenesses remain. Each will cling to what they most resembled in life and carry that dark power. Akazukin knows what Lord Shishidou said, but felt like this was a little on the nose. Between Family and servant, there was little doubt as to what side this poor soul fell on. Akazukin has to wonder what kind of dark power to a simple maid bestow.

Akakuzin knows from Hakuren’s memories that both Hakuren and Maru was able to truly awaken by giving the artifacts an exorbitant amount of power. As the man said there can only be equivalent exchange, an eye for an eye. A soul for a soul. Blood for blood. Simply just giving spare chakra is not enough. She must forge a pack by going all the way. “I awaken you spirit and invite you to serve me as your new master!” Akazukin not only gives the artifact all her chakra reserves but also most of her life force into feeding the maid outfit. The act nearly knocks her out do to health loss. With the remain life force she uses a Rewind jutsu she reverts her body back into top form. And similar to Maru she too could see the spirit that resided in her artifact.

The spirit was a shy character to be sure as kept avoiding eye contact was Akazukin. She also seems either unwilling or unable to talk for despite whatever Akazukin says she remains silent and only answer in facial expressions. Akazukin has become quite the gambler and has learned to read people to an extent, but it was hard to get a beat on her. “So what powers do you bestow?” The maid does not answer but merely glances at the mirror. Akazukin follows her gaze and sees herself in the mirror with several weak point highlighted. This was an Eagle Vision jutsu in effect. As a servant she plays a support roll and stricting specializes in buffing jutsu which she uses on her master.

She then checks in on Hakuren and it seems like she successfully took this Tatumas fellow but it seems this somehow made the building no longer structurally stable. Akazukin rushes to the casino as fast as her feet could carry her and fortunately she gets there in time to see Hakuren was coming out of the casino safe and sound. Hakuren seems a little worse for wears and faints into Akazukin’s arms. Maru informs Hakuren and Akazukin the mission was a success with a simple thumbs up. That was good news however it seems that things were not over quite yet. A large, robust man in a black cloak wielding a massive sword sat upon some rubble before all of them.

The swordsman makes a demand to have an audience with Maru and Hakuren, however her friend was not in any condition to be seeing anyone right now. Hakuren did her part of the job taking care of Tatumas and thus it was Maru’s torn to step up onto the plate. Just like Danudee she too drew here guns to support Maru if necessary, but unlike Danudee she was able to use her temperal jutsu to instantly return her gun back to their proper condition. Should he try that again she would reflexively use Chronostasis to delay his attack.

Spoiler

Name: Kojoro
Abilities: Alignment Focus, Elemental Aura and Bunshin Slayer
Jutsu specialty: Buffing Taijutsu

 

[Toraono Kuro]

The swordsman sighed as one of the targets he was sent to claim was out of commission. Even as an apparent friend or ally stepped forth to take up the mantle of the fallen meddler. The well dressed gambler stepped forth thinking that he could take up the entire effort but Ojaku had received a vision from his Lord. Lord Jashin required two souls to compensate the loss of his gambling den. Five women cowered behind Danudee and his destroyed pistols.

"Since the other girl is unable to play you two will have to due. My Lord and God Jashin requires two souls in compensation for the loss of his gambling den. Preferably yours and that unconscious waif's, but he did not specify and I am not picky so feel free to kill someone in Lord Jashin's name or simply die by my hand or give up your soul in bargain. I don't care but TWO SOULS WILL BELONG TO JASHIN BY THE TIME I FINISH CLEANING MY SWORD!! You have three, maybe four minutes then I kill you both no questions asked and present your heads to my master in devout prayer. I will wait no longer than the time it takes me to clean my sword."<i></i>

 

[Ryu Hime]

Jashin requires two souls in compensation for the loss of his gambling den. This man wanted blood to be shed for his lord not because Tatumas broke the contract, not because the princess was saved, but because this stupid building was reduced to rubble. He’s demanding such sacrifice over wood and stone. Akazukin laughs in a way that some people would likely question her sanity. The women behind Dandee tremble thinking that she may start shooting them at random for Akazukin’s laugh makes it seem like the request was simple to her. “No, I think not. There will be no need for any such slaughter today.” Akazukin walks up to the dark figure guns in hand. She shows no fear as she was confident in her actions. A sly smile could be seen on her face as she approaches the man.

She could only imagine what the swordsman must think of this. Does this woman really believe she can best me? Has she not seen how quickly I disarmed that man? That smile; does she have some sort of trick up her sleeve?

Standing just a couple of feet in front of him she lifts her musket a points it straight at him. “Stand up.” It would appear that she was indeed challenging him to some sort of duel, but would he agree to participate or would he remain sitting there cleaning his blade. The barrel of the gun seems to glow as she focuses quite a bit of chakra into her weapon. The clock in her one eye was spinning backwards like crazy. Whatever she is about to do was bound to be impressive. “Get off the rubble and out of the way, so I can repair the damage that was done.” He had to think she was joking. This place was raised to the ground; it completely collapsed. Not even Pandora with all her temporal power could rewind this destruction. There was no way this woman could possibly pull of such a feat.

If he humors her she would fire her gun straight at the wreckage. Combining the powers of her Tokeigan with her World Shatter jutsu, she does the unbelievable. Stone, sand and wood begins to move in mysterious ways. If the swordsmen did not humor her and remained sitting, he would find the rubble flying away without him. It was like watching the great collapse in reverse. Beams standing back up and walls coming back together. In a minute the casino and gambling den would be whole once more.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

The dark swordsman begrudgingly got up from his seat upon some rubble and walked to a shady point near some boxes which he set up like a table to resume cleaning his blade. He admired the girl's spirit for believing that she was strong enough to simply pull at the fabric of time and space but she was missing two key things that maintained the structure of the temple turned casino and she would soon figure that out. With a flicker of ninjutsu and alot of chakra the Temple turned Casino was remade but immediately began to crack and shudder.

The dark swordsman actually stopped cleaning to explain.
"That is a really nice trick and you could've pulled it off if you had a soul or two to sacrifice to maintain the structure. What you fail to understand is Lord Jashin is the Righteous God of Merciless Slaughter, Suffering, Murder, and unnatural death by horrible often Jashin influenced accidents. This structure requires souls to sustain itself. Good try though kid... so how about you Mister? You ready to give up your soul or someone else's. I wager she can keep the temple in tact for 7 minutes before she runs out of chakra. How about you sacrifice two souls for yourself and your friends in seven minutes or less or I come after your souls on my own. Whaddya say?"<i></i>

The swordsman resumed cleaning his blade nice and slow using a well oiled rag and some broken leather pieces. In his mind he pictured running all three of them through then draining their blood slowly. He was happy to think about the pain and suffering they would endure when they failed.

 

[Midori Futotta]

Well this guy is pretty friendly, clearly Jashin really wanted something as payment for him losing his gambling den and there was no talking him out of it. Seriously did he legit give us until he cleaned his blade to make a choice. The rogue looked over at Akazukin who seemingly wasn't really interested in killing people in the name of Jashin but would it really be wrong though? The guy gave them the option to either die by his hand, kill someone around here, bargain their souls, they literally had choices! Of course, the woman offered to rebuild the casino and he wasn't sure if this dark figure would actually go for that sort of thing. Maru put his hand on the musket Akazukin was holding to slowly lower it then began to give the dark man some of the ol’ Maru charm. He already told them that her idea wouldn't cut it, after all Jashinist were into the whole murder hobo thing so maybe he could at least convince him with his proposal. “Well I don't think you can actually kill me right now handsome.” the rogue said, raising his hand up to show inky black tendrils from his earth grudge fear. "I mean you can but I'll just come right back so surely if you wanted to kill someone….” the rogue spun then pointed at the Danudee and the women he was around. “They will be your best bet! Plus if you get that doll you can have some weird princess soul who made this casino in the first place!”

Now although Maru was good to some people he was still a mercenary in a world of survival of the fittest, so if there was a way to sacrifice someone else to save himself he didn't really give it much thought. Besides he believed it was a fair trade since he didn't really know those people. However there was a little something that interests him, it was the bargain thing for his soul or souls. Now the rogue took plenty of souls back in the gambling den so it really wouldn't matter to him if he gave up a heart or two. “About the wager? Like what do I get if I like willingly give my heart's I stole away. Clearly we could just like… whack you and go home but like if I'm just getting my life spared then I don't think I'll be interested in just handing over my soul? Got money or something? Need payment for these hearts and they ain't cheap.” Maru made his demands clear, he came to Soons Haven and Wind Country aiming to get rich. Bounty hunting wasn't going to cut it and doing mercenary work. So if he made a good offer then he'll gladly fork over his hearts, he knew there would be plenty more to collect.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

The swordsman leveled his blade at Maru and smiled... "You got the right idea, but as I am now I could simply kill you all in the most horrible of ways. Unfortunately, my Lord wants you to make a choice. So you can give me two souls in compensation or I can take your souls on my own. That is all I have for you. Now I do like the thought that you believe I can't kill you. That does sound like fun but I am bound to my Lord's will and can't accept substitutes. You seem to have plenty souls yourself, if I miss my count you possess four which includes your own. That unconscious girl can exist without a soul I wager as she is blessed like me. This spunky girl is fun but I don't think she has anything my lord wants and she did not cost my lord his fun. Mostly that unconscious girl did. SOooO, give me a couple of your souls or give me one of yours and hers and we can call it even. This is your last chance, otherwise I simply take what my Lord Jashin wills and move on. My sword is clean... the casino won't last without Tatumas's soul as the binding glue... so despite her impressive display of ability, that simply won't due. Now, when you are ready to deal simply place your hand on my sword and say I give up a soul to Lord Jashin and your deal is done, or we can do this the fun and bloody way, your choice..."<i></i> The swordsman held his massive sword level with ease so that they could resign themselves or face him in battle. He was a solid reasonable guy not a maniacal killer unless he needed to be.

Last 2 posts:
Don't forget your total wordcounts.

 

[Ryu Hime]

Long long ago, a demon fox mystically pulls Akazukin’s soul out of her body and eats the whole thing in one bite. A priest defeats the fox and inspects the body and finds out that her soul was taken from her. Tearing into the fox’s stomach he retrieves the girl’s soul and places it back into the vessel to which it belongs. However her soul was tainted by the experience like a piece of meat marinated in salsa. Her soul practically oozed with the demons dark energy and as it is returned to her body it begins to change her in ways she does not yet understand. This was the source of her temporal strider abilities, but it also had some other effects on her that she was not aware of quite yet.

Akazukin looks exceptionally young for age; she’s an adult but looks like a teenager. It is believed that this is due to the influence of the demon’s corruption. For evidence of her demonic powers one may only need to look at her left eye, the Tokeigan. However this is not the only physical changes as Akazukin would find out later. The gestation period of a fox is only a couple of months and even though the conception was only little while ago, she was developing pretty quickly. Her stomach did not exactly scream pregnancy, but it did look like she was putting on a little weight. The dress she wore earlier hid it well, but the maid outfit was not so flattering on her. Like a fox she was not expecting a single child, but a litter. Four souls that have yet to even experience the world lingered in her body.

A shinobi life is one of sacrifice, but it is a sad day when a mother is forced to give up her own children. “I refuse to kill, but if you must have your souls. I assume your lord is capable of taking life mystically and without bloodshed.” Basically she wanted to know if this Jashin could make two of her children still born without harming the other two or herself. Should the man give her an affirmative, she places a hand on the blade of the swordsman. “Then I give up the soul of two of my unborn children. May they die in the womb and never know the pain or joys of the world.” If the man gives a negative to her question, there is only one other solution she could think of.

Ooc: I'm not completely pulling this out of my butt. This actually relates to another thread where I described the unusual birth of her children.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

The swordsman drove his massive blade into the ground and walked over to the strange young lady whom offered unborn untainted souls instead of slaughter of the unworthy. "Dear young lady you obviously misunderstand the workings of the soul. Your unborn can still survive without a soul. To live without a soul is quite the hardship but it is done everyday. I was battleborn, my mother gave birth to me on the battlefield and rather than have me die from the wound I took for her while still in the womb she pledged my life to Jashin so that I might murder her enemies for all eternity. Bloodshed is required but it is not always so vicious as you imagine. If you want to trade the souls of the unborn their lives are still their own but their souls belong to Jashin. Who knows he may even have a place for them at his hearth. Like me perhaps it is destiny. I will however require blood. Simply make a small cut upon yourself and shed a drop of blood on my sword and speak your pledge and your friend will be free of Jashin's demands. I can do you know better deal than that. Should you wish to simply do battle then I am all too happy to harvest souls through violence but blood is the only necessity in this exchange. I am certain your well dressed friend will offer a soul of his own. You may even sweeten the pot and offer more than he requires Jashin is nothing if not giving. Just as much as he enjoys slaughter he is never above creating more followers of sacrifice. One need not be evil to wield Jashin's power you simply must accept that there must be blood spilled in his name."<i></i>

The swordsman showed another avenue of his faith by explaining himself and some of his knowledge of souls and their transference. Should either participant touch the sword and offer the blood he would take it and invoke the rites of Jashin and grant Jashin's blessing with or without death as long as blood and souls are offered Jashin will be pleased.

 

[Midori Futotta]

Welp they tried didn't they, it was pretty weak that he couldn't like offer something like giving him a casino of his own that is held together by his soul or the like but the fact remained that it was either they willingly give up two souls or he simply takes them. When Akazukin chimmed in to make one final negotiation with the guy by offering up her unborn children which was a little messed up even for Maru's standards! It's a good thing this guy was only interested in the people standing around him, not the poor unborn children. Finally since it seemed like this couldn't be avoided, they ran out of time, and that this guy wasn't offering them nothing but their lives spared Maru just simply decided to just get it over with so this guy could just get lost already. Guess the Kashima casino was going to have to go wait until he actually gets to enjoy the spoils of his riches. “Alright, alright think we stalled long enough.” the rogue said then approached the man, if he had the souls then it didn't really matter if he lost a couple of them but in a way he kinda thought he was cheated since that damn Danudee practically losing to him. Curse that guy and his luck.

Maru put looked back at the unconscious lady and at Pandora then looked back at the dark man then with a sharp glare into the guys face, he lifted his hand to grab a hold of the blade the man was holding then finally the rogue just plainly said. “ I give up two of my souls to YOUR Lord Jashin. There deals made.” He spat, stressing the word YOUR. He didn't know what exactly happened now but with his soul's it should be more than enough to satisfy this murder hobo and the god of the murder hobo's. Maru honestly would've called the man's god Jashin a fake god like this Mother Suna people worship around wind country just to spite the guy however he knew that at least for the most part there was proof of Jashin's existence and if he was still an unbeliever now then maybe he had a little surprise in store for him after all… After all one soul being taken away hurt.. but two? That gotta be pretty painful... Maru quickly ran his hand in the length of the blade to slit his hand, and with a 'Sonofabitch.' he signed away his souls in blood to the mad god of death. Hoping this didn't bite him the behind.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Maru slit his hand upon the blade activating the blood magic Kuromaru possessed. The black swordsman visibly grew a full head taller making his massive sword fit his build much easier. Maru offered up two souls which had been the souls of men whom had bet against him. His words had not gone unheard and as a consequence of his remarks Jashin placed the entire burden of the Blackened Souls Casino upon him.

Maru did not bleed directly instead two small handful sized orbs of dark blood arose from his wound which almost instantly sealed itself leaving a neat scar courtesy of the Black Pearl Butler still fused to his body.

The casino could not function without his presence. Nor could it exist without his presence. Unless he was physically present within the massive magic circle that made up the Black Tower that served as the structure for the multi-tiered structure of soul accumulation, then the tower would slip into another dimension. As long as Maru was there the Blackened Soul Casino would be open for business. The problem is Maru would have to hire staff and maintain supplies for it. Maru would immediately feel the weight of his actions and words. Never bad mouth or bet against the house as the house literally wins.

The weight of the tower literally sat upon his remaining two souls. Luckily he had two or the weight might have crushed him to the ground till he used enough chakra to stand up. In this case he was simply severely winded like he had just ran a marathon while carrying 400 pounds.

"MY Lord Jashin accepts both your sacrifices. For you Master Maru... Lord Jashin grants full responsibility for and power over THE BLACKENED SOUL CASINO, BAR & GRILL May your management be empowering and beneficial to all."</COLOR><COLOR color="red">

"As for you... young lady, Lord Jashin is impressed at the depths you would go to in order to protect your friend. Instead of taking the souls of your unborn children any blood offered by you will empower them to wield a weapon of their choice in his name. Faith in the gods knows few bounds and as long as the blood of the faithful flows Jashin wills that this blood whether sinner, infidel, or faithful be spilled righteously. With this in mind, I am empowered by his will to bless your unborn. What say you Sacrificial Mother?"

 

[Ryu Hime]

“The depths I would go to in order to protect my friends is only matched by the depths I would go to strike back at those who wronged me.” Akazukin spoke in an arrogate tone, however such manner would quickly fade with what she plans to do next. She has impressed this god and the deity grants her a boon. “I am honored that Lord Jashin would grant my children such a prize…” Akazukin paused for a moment; hesitant about throwing such a gift back in his face. It is not wise to upset a god of murder and suffering. While doing so she constantly avoids eye contact as she talks. “However I would like to ask for a different prize. Perhaps one he may even find enjoyment out of.” Akazukin takes a deep breath and looks the swordsman straight in the eye. “Lord Jashin, god of suffering, I beg of thee to hear this request of a humble mortal.” Unlike Maru that was straight out rude to the man’s deity, Akazukin was going through the motions to appease this Jashin. “Long ago a demon fox tricked me and ate my soul. His corruption has caused me to suffer many losses and his form still haunts my dreams to this day. A priest killed him in retrieving back my soul. It was a quick death far better than he deserved!”

Such unbridled hatred filled her every word as she continues her request. “I want to see him SUFFER! I want his soul RIPPED from whatever afterlife he is in and sealed into...” Akazukin pulls out a pocket watch as she sees it as the perfect vessel for him. “This object.” The souls that were forced into these forms from Tatumas’ will begged to be freed. Akazukin wanted to see him beg just the same. “Grant me this Vengeance and I will give you my blood. Heck I would give him the souls of all my unborn children if need be.” Maru likely sees her as a monster and in truth she feels like one after what happened to her. However many woman have aborted pregnancies one way or another. At least she has a purpose dark it may be. "Tell me emissary, will he grant my desire?" Akazukin almost said 'can' but she doesn't want to question the limits of Jashin's power.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

The dark swordsman was beyond impressed and as his God spoke back through him his voice changed. Jashin chose to speak directly through his Priest. "You have indeed suffered a great deal and your plea for true vengeance has not gone unheard. For your blood sacrifice, I bless ALL your children and place my seal upon your soul. You need no longer ask of me. The Fox's soul will be bound by your pact with me into the object with which you shed your blood upon. May your life be full of blood and retribution... I am honored and thoroughly enjoy and approve of your sacrifice. Kuromaru's blade shall christen both you and your pocket watch. May this fox know your wrath for all eternity." <i></i>

Kuromaru's massive sword flickered lightly knicking Akakuzin's thumb. Her blood and the blood of her unborn formed 5 separate beads of blood which were again severed as 1/2 the blood went into Kuromaru and rest formed a seal upon her pocket watch. The skies grew dark as a massive surge of dark yet divine energy opened a rift. The true and formerly banished soul of the demon fox was snatched from its spirit realm and slammed rather harshly into the pocket watch causing it to glow immensely as the fox demon struggled to escape. Try as it might the blood seal and pact to Jashin was complete and could not be broken UNLESS another offered more souls and a better bargain to the Dark God of Murder. Which was highly unlikely.

Kuromaru kneeled reverently after having been part of a pact of true vengeance and suffering. Sheathing his massive sword he swiftly left the area.

OOC: Congrats you have survived your gambling of souls.
Please create an object of your desire to fit the Tsukumogami spirits you have earned and submit them to contract moderation for review and approval. Do not forget your total wordcount for the entire RP. AKAKUZIN, you will need to post your prior contract acceptance but this rp can be a foundation for both your characters. YAMAMOTO MARU... you have offended a god but you fulfilled his bargain you now have a cursed casino to maintain. Remember it only exists when you are in this exact country and portion of Suna. Whenever you leave this portion of Suna the casino goes into a pocket dimension kind of like the Sharingan realm that Obito uses to warp things around. Good luck with any further RP's.


DON'T FORGET TO POST YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF YOUR INDIVIDUAL CHARACTER'S CIRCUMSTANCES AND ACTIONS.

 

[Ryu Hime]

The fox was a little caught off guard as some entity pull him from the void and was thrown into the living world and sealed into an object. It took him a few moment to get his bearings. Within the watch he could feel a familiar presence similar to his own. There can only human that would be like this. "My my, we meet again my dear Little Red Riding Hood. Look how much you've grown.” A dark cloud pours out of the watch and takes the form of a feral like being. Of coarse only Akazukin could see or hear it. “You have used my powers well and yet I sense that you still haven’t fully unlock the Tokeigan’s potential.”

“You are a monster and I will have you suffer as I have suffered.”

“Monster am I?” The being laughs at Akazukin’s comment. “What does that make you?”

“A victim”

“Victim?” The beast rolls with laughter. "My dear child, a part of you lingers within me as a part of me is within you. We are the same my dear.”

“Silence! I am nothing like you.”

“How foolishly you averted your eyes from the truth. I am Thou and Thou art I. Let us now forge a contract and I shall awaken new powers within you.” The fox then resonates with the part of him already present in her soul. The pocket watch disappears and out of thin air a large clock would appear behind her or at least what looks similar to a clock. It was round, had visible gears that turned and had large roman numerals going around the outer edge. However it was missing something rather important; the clocks face had no hands.

 

[Midori Futotta]

And just like that, his prayer to own a Casino like the dead guy did was heard and taking the place of dear old Tatumas. Maru watched in amazement as the wound he believed would bleed out would turn into black orbs then eventually sealing his hand back up into a scar. The rogue smirked knowing that it was the black pearl butler had still been with him this entire time even though the cansino got destroyed. 'Well guess I didn't have to bluff after all.' he thought. Maru wondered what would've happened if he did decide to be stubborn then went ahead to go toe to toe with the guy, but his curiosity soon turned to amazement at what he was cursed with thanks to a certain god. That was if the casino wasn't weighing him down! It was a good thing his two other souls were helping him with keeping the weight off his back.

Hr held his chest feeling severely winded from the weight that the casino was putting on him, the dark man thanking him for sacrificing the souls and as his reward he was responsible for the Blacken Soul Casino. Catching his breath he got more than what he originally came for in this mission to save a doll, he got a very hate redhead that could mess with time, a couple villas, 50% of that woman's trading company, millions of yen and a WHOLE CASINO. "I guess your God of yours must really like me huh?" He joked breathlessly. "He ain't gotta worry, I'll give him some sacrifices since someone gotta run it." He nodded. He had to admit that Tatumas had a really good thing going on, people sacrifice themselves to help a village so if they will be willing to sacrifice themselves for easy money why stop the games here and now? Maru will continue this game since he actually enjoyed playing it himself, the only difference being he wouldn't be actively holding people captive like that guy was doing…. Speaking of being held captive…

"H-Hey Pandora." He raised his hand, still out of breath but he managed. "Now that you are a free woman now how about I show you the world, we can head over to Sea Paradise since that's where I hang around most of the time, my treat!" He exclaimed, Maru didn't know how much Pandora missed out on but he'll make sure that if she truly wanted to see the world that he'll take her to the best places he could think of since he was rich.. maybe there was a red light district somewhere...