Keshin Amanojaku

"There's no point in trying to save me now; I've crossed over to the point of no return. Sinners such as myself are beyond salvation. But that's ok. To me...it is better to walk with a friend in the dark than to walk in the light alone. To me...the darkness is where I belong. I will be a specter in the shadows; a lurker in the night; a watcher in the dark. This is my purpose: to walk in the darkness with you...so that thousands will see the light."

- Keshin speaking to Kusari



Keshin Amanojaku (天邪鬼ケシン, Amanojaku Keshin) is one of the last members of the elusive Amanojaku Clan and the sole candidate to one day lead the clan. Born in an impoverished village south of, Keshin grew up to know very little of his Amanojaku heritage. The only hints to his celestial origins was the mysterious affinity he possessed, and his unique bloodline. This along with his natural shinobi instincts lead to Keshin becoming a ninja within the nearby Shimogakure. It was not long before the boy rose through the shinobi ranks and gained recognition from his peers and village leaders. Within a few months after becoming a genin, Keshin had already become a chunin. By this time, he had become the village's pride. He was the light that shined in the people's darkest hour. Some believed he would grow up to become the next Shimokage, others the leader of the ANBU Black Ops. These expectations, however, were crushed when Keshin's true nature was revealed. He was no human, but a Kirawa; a humanoid demon that feeds on bloodshed. Spontaneous switches of personality are common among these beings; Keshin murdered his teacher during his first switch. For this crime, the thirteen year old boy would be locked away in the deepest dungeon of Shimogakure. Two years would elapse before he finally escaped from the prison and fled Shimogakure as a Missing-Nin. Shortly after he met up with Kusari Inuzuka, someone he had encountered and befriended during the Chunin Exams held in. From then on, he became a wanderer, aimlessly roaming the shinobi world. But no matter how far he ran, his Kirawa nature kept up with him, always causing the death of innocents. During one such incident, Keshin desecrated an entire village. The sole survivor being a small child. In an attempt to repent for his crime, he took the child in and named her Surotiku. Thus, he struggled against his nature, and sought to become somewhat human in the least.

As time passed on, Keshin gained the attention of a specter who wanted to abuse the boy's powers. Luring Keshin to his lair within The Yomi, he convinced Keshin that this limbo was the afterlife. Then he proceeded to twist the young boy's thinking and persuaded him to work towards his cause; flooding the world with the souls gathered in The Yomi. For a while Keshin served under Kowaremashita. It was not until he was ready to destroy the Fifth Gate that would cause the barrier between The Yomi and the realm of the living to be dissolved that the inscription of his mother's words melted his heart of stone. This caused Keshin to hesitate and ultimately refuse to work with Kowaremashita any longer. After a brief spat between the two, Keshin would engage the monster and defeat him. Now enraged and power-hungry, Keshin's nature took control of him as it had many times before. Driving him into a sadistic rage, he began to bite and devour the shadow. This incident caused him to gain the moniker Shinigami of Iyoku (---,---) - pointing to his heritage from another clan - from his clansmen.

Consuming so much dark chakra at once took a toll on Keshin's body; he spent five years of suspended animation within The Yomi. Once he awoke from his dormancy, he would seek out both his child and Kusari, both of which had disappeared. For a week, he was unable to locate either, that is, until he stumbled upon a Jashinist citadel. As he attempted to break through and make it to the bowels of the stronghold, he was ultimately overwhelmed by the sheer number of Jashinists that had come to meet him. He was defeated, tortured, and ultimately crucified. Overjoyed by the fact that they had defeated the famed Byakkō, the Jashinists prepared to sacrifice his daughter before they offered him up to their god. It seemed as though Keshin had finally been broken. He hung his head in defeat and prepared to accept death. But just before the reaper could swing his sickle, Keshin seized him by the throat. The cries for help from his daughter caused him to manage a final surge of strength. Using the power of gods through a forbidden technique, he broke the cross he had been nailed to over his own back. His precious child, however, had suffered too much and had succumbed to her injuries. He was unable to reach her in time. That night, over two hundred men lost their lives, and the ones who had achieved immortality wished they were dead. All that remained of the once mighty church dedicated to worshipping Jashin was the bodies of the dead men who once served him, and the mangled severed appendages of the ones who were beyond death.

Surotiku's death had a huge impact on Keshin's life. After her death, he began to aimlessly wander around the world. Broken by his failure to protect the child, he became a wandering mercenary. From then on he was known as Tamagui (魂食い, lit. Soul Eater). Donning a suit of dark armor, Keshin would wander the world, killing off evildoers as he went. During these travels he was reunited with Kusari Inuzuka, the girl he had traveled with for so long. Upon arriving at an arena hidden away within the Land of Ravines, he would storm the Colosseum to find a bound Kusari at its center. All those years ago she had declared Keshin her "alpha" after he defeated her sensei in single combat. But when he was rendered unconcious in the conclusion of he and Kowaremashita's final battle, she rejected him and ran. Keshin, however, had not forgotten about her. Massacring everyone present except Kusari, he would remove the mask that concealed his face from view. Upon seeing Keshin - the man she had abandoned several years ago - save her, she was moved to tears. It was there and then that the girl who was always void of emotion learned to love. Thus, Keshin finally felt redeemed, and was freed from the burden he carried. After this incident, Tamagui was no more, and a new persona arose: Byakkō (白虎, White Tiger). While Tamagui represented the darkness within Keshin's mind and the initiation of a new beginning, Byakkō is a figure of his newly redeemed self; one that has found both love and a purpose. Now, Keshin lives with his lover, Kusari, in the Land of Ravines. He has made it his responsibility to protect his clan and family, and lead those around him to the right path, even if he must walk in the dark. As an alpha, lover, and soulmate to Kusari; as a father, teacher, and protector to his children; as a leader, guardian, and king of his people, Keshin walks in the darkness, so that all may see the light.  https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/narutofanon/images/b/b6/Keshin_Symbol_2_.png/revision/latest?cb=20190330213855

Early Life
On a cool spring morning, a baby was born to a widow in a remote village on the mountainous border of the. When the little boy entered the world, he neither cried nor laughed, but remained completely silent. This, of course, surprised his mother, who expected a child to be rather difficult to keep content. Her baby, however, was easy to care for. Being reminded of her now deceased husband having joked about wanting a child who needed little from his parents, she became depressed that he was not there to see the child he dreamed of having. This prompted her to name the boy Keshin (ケシン, Despair); a strange name for a boy who was seemingly a blessing. For the next nine years he spent with his mother all day at home, Keshin showed just how much of a blessing he really was. As if he were a gift from heaven itself, he was always there to help his mother no matter the task. Be it chores, shopping, or anything that he could assist her with, Keshin was ready to help. His mother grew to adore her son, and placed his well-being over her own; this reflected the way Keshin felt about her. Even though he was small, his mother had already began to teach him how to be a man. She always repeated that Keshin would "grow up to be a man who protects those who cannot protect themselves; the man his father would've wanted him to be". These words took root in Keshin's tiny heart and would shape the person he would become.

By the age of nine, Keshin had demonstrated his ability to use the scarcely used Yin and Yang Releases. When his mother learned of her son's prowess, she was ecstatic. Excited to have birthed a prodigy, she wasted no time to enroll Keshin in the nearby 's shinobi academy. There, he learned the basics of ninja combat and protocol. It was not long before he realized that this was his calling. Keshin's skill in combat caused even the best in the class to seem insignificant. This gained the attention of other students, his instructors, the village head himself, but most importantly, his mother. While he received praise from shinobi and commoner alike, the only one of these that mattered to him was his mother. Every day after school he would come home to a warm embrace. His mother would then ruffle his hair and call him her "little prodigy". Aceing all of his classes and being praised for it; this was Keshin's daily routine. But after two months of this, Keshin's instructors prepared a test for Keshin to take. The results would determine if he would be allowed to graduate from the academy now or later. Passing with perfect scores in all fields except the written portion, Keshin was allowed to become a full-fledged Genin and was presented with his papers by the village head in the center of the village. It had been a long time since Shimogakure had seen any exceptional shinobi rise from their own village. Keshin gave the people hope that their village could be one that would have influence on the shinobi world on a larger scale.

To Protect...
"What good is it to become a shinobi when you can't even be a man? It isn't about whether you were able to protect your friends or not; don't get me wrong, protect them with all your might. But what I'm trying to say is you just left; you didn't try. Things got rough and you chickened out. That's not what a real man does; that's not what my son will do. So swear to me that no matter what, you will never, EVER run away again!"

- Keshin's mother

After being assigned to a three-man squad under the watchful eye of a Jōnin leader, Keshin would prove his worth to Shimogakure on various missions. His sensei and teammates happily accepted Keshin and the squad soon became close with one another. They were like their own little family. But as many families do, this closely-knit group was ultimately split up by destiny itself. On a rather dangerous mission that involved entering enemy territory; that on the 's, Keshin and his squad were ambushed near the border. While they fought hard, one by one the members of Shimogakure's fourth team fell in battle. Nameless shinobi that died without a funeral. Fearing for his life the ten year-old Keshin ran. He had the head start since he had hung back during the conflict. He was terrified beyond anything he had ever felt before. The boy who Shimogakure had become so proud of left the battle crying like a small girl; he was ashamed to come home to his village. But the inner pain he felt would only be magnified when his mother learned of the incident.

Keshin's mother consoled her son and told him he would be fine. Then, after he calmed down a bit, slapped him right across the face and scolded him for not being a man. She proceeded to berate him about leaving his squad and letting them all die. The crying boy simply responded by saying he could not have done anything against multiple shinobi, but his mother would not hear it. She then explained that in order to be a man, a true shinobi, Keshin would have to fight for his friends no matter the situation. It was not about the chance of success, it was the mindset her son had. Even if Keshin had died he would have died a hero, and his mother could not have asked for more. Although traumatized by the death of his comrades, the boy got up and tried to look as strong as possible. Keshin then swore to his mother that he would never run away again, and that no matter the situation he would make her proud by fighting for what's right. Satisfied, his mother hugged him. Then, as if nothing had happened, she began to comfort him about his loss.

Chūnin Exams: To Konoha!
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Rivalry: Kusari vs Keshin
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Morals
After the exams commenced, Keshin had taken a liking to Kusari; the girl he had fought in the semifinal match of the tournament. Because of this, he had visited Konoha once or twice after the exam to visit her. On one such occasion, however, Keshin would stumble upon the girl's sensei, Raizo, attempting to rape her. Fueled by rage, Keshin would break the man's grip around her hair and create a distance between the two. Kusari, although scared, had not been abused by her sensei just yet; Keshin was just in time. Raizo, stating he was her alpha, had told Kusari that it was her duty to do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. In short, she was a tool. This philosophy angered Keshin, who simply stated to a frightened and shocked Kusari that she had no reason to show any sort of respect or affection towards someone such as this - regardless of their strength. After these words, Keshin would engage Raizo. His first two attempts at landing a hit with his Yang Cutter would be stopped by the cheap tactics of Raizo. The man was no better than a mere Chunin, but despite this, was able to rise up to the rank of Jonin due to his use of his team. Now, he used his three-man squad as an extension of his own senses, and would substitute them into battle to fight for himself.

This ultimately made no difference to Keshin, as he had already defeated the entirety of Raizo's squad in the Chunin Exams, as Raizo had rigged the brackets in order to make sure all three of his students would face the Amanojaku boy. The cowardice fighting style Raizo employed proved to be annoying, but not too difficult for Keshin to overcome. WIP

Voices
"Why do you struggle so much to please these people? You've always been...different anyways..."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll find out soon...I can already feel your soul stirring inside of you"

- Kowaremashita and Keshin's brief exchange

Upon returning to Shimogakure Keshin would present the village head with the results of his endeavors. Despite being the one and only shinobi from Shimo sent to the exam, he did very well; only losing during the final round against Kusari Inuzuka. Pleased with Keshin's performance, he congratulated the boy on his excellent work and presented him with a standard Chūnin vest. Keshin was ecstatic, and showed it visually as he danced around the room for a moment before running out into the village and hurrying home to his house outside Shimogakure. Arriving home, he showed his mother the vest he had just recieved from the village head. Feigning excitement, she got up and stroked its surface before asking what exactly it was. Screaming much louder than he intended to, Keshin responded that this was proof of his promotion from Genin to Chūnin. This allowed his mother to be genuinely excited and resulted in her hugging him tight. She was unable to contain her happiness and released a happy scream. In unison, the two filled their small abode with yells of joy. The older woman then grew serious and looked Keshin right in the eyes. She told him this meant he had to work twice...no...three times as hard as he worked when he was a Genin and that absolutely NO skipping on training. As soon as her son saluted and replied with a hearty "Yes ma'am!", she kicked him out the house and instructed to work on his Ninjutsu before slamming the door. As he walked away from their little shack he would hear his mother's happy squeals from behind the door. He could not help but smile as he looked down at the vest he carried. Undoing the packaging, he slipped it on. He felt much more "manly" now than he did before. Keshin then picked up his pace and went off into the nearby forest.

Upon arriving at his favorite spot Keshin began to train. He cycled through several different Taijutsu conditioning methods that had been recommended by his deceased sensei all those years ago. Even then, he still did the push-up, sit-up and other excercises he had been instructed to do. This diligence was fueled by the will to please both his mother and the village. But this same diligence had caught the eye of an unwelcome spectator. While going about his own business Keshin heard the voice of the specter. He mocked Keshin for trying to "fit in" with "normal people" and laughed. A startled Keshin would spin around and try to locate the source of the voice, but to no avail. The eerie laughter resonated through the trees of the forest and echoed through the midst of the grotto. When Keshin asked who was there he received a most curious response. "No one but you." Agitated, Keshin demanded for an answer. But the specter had already left; Keshin was alone now. Although disturbed he had a relatively light-hearted nature and did not think much of it. Thus, Keshin continued his training as if nothing had happened.

An hour had passed since the specter's unnerving words. Although he acted as if he was not worried, Keshin had concerns about what the creature had said. What did it mean that he "Wasn't like them"? It had him dumbstruck. Due to his worry he became unable to focus. After packing up a few things, Keshin left for his home. On the way back he began to feel lightheaded. His pace slowly digressed until he came to a complete halt. He didn't feel good. he sat down and leaned back against a tree, not sure of what was going on. He looked at his hands; sweaty. Not from training earlier, for this was fresh sweat. Why? He felt a warm feeling in his chest. Then, a sudden lurch. He heard voices in his head; his voice. Encouraging him to destroy. Keshin made a move to get up and tried to hurry home, but his headache worsened and he was forced back down. For the first time in his life his true nature showed itself. The dark eyes of a Kirawa shined with a malignant light. Keshin had lost himself. Now someone else seemed to be present. The conflicted boy sprung up from his place under the tree and took off towards his town. A crazed smile slowly spread across his face as a man came into view. At this point, all sanity within him had faded away. Only the mind of a demon remained. One that enjoyed sadistic killing. He closed in on his prey, reducing the space between them to nothing in mere seconds. Then as if his hand were a blade, he pierced him through the chest. Blood flew from the confused man and splattered onto Keshin's face. After convulsing in small seizures, the man died without the slightest clue of who had killed him. Keshin's eyes then returned to normal, and he beheld the gruesome scene before him. He had never killed before; never in his life. Falling to his knees he let out a terrified scream. He had no idea what was happening. His mother had heard him and had exited their home to find her son crying next to a corpse. With the man's blood on his arm, it did not take long for his mother to deduce what had happened. Covering her mouth in horror, she said nothing. Keshin begged his mother for help as he cried next to his first victim; screaming he didn't know what happened. He was a boy with nowhere to hide. No one was there to comfort him. Now, he was a disgrace to both his mother and his village. To them, no matter how he pleaded, he would be seen as one thing: a monster.

Shinobi from Shimogakure would be heading his way soon, and Keshin needed to run. WIP

Escape to What's Beyond
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An Old Friend
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Keeper of the Balance
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The Gates
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Shadow's Influence
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Liberation of an Empire
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Acolytes
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Appearance
"For the last time...my hair is white, not gray. Stop calling me "old man"

"Whatever you say, you sexy old man."

You're sleeping on the couch."

- Keshin and Kusari

In the past, Keshin was a handsome young man with messy brown hair. He had a fair complexion that contrasted nicely with his dark mop. His bright blue eyes were the color of ice, and his gaze seemed to pierce the very soul of the one he cast his sights on. He had a soft face with attractive features. Keshin had a lean, yet muscular build that has been a constant theme throughout his entire life. He had a pair of strong arms that came about as a result of constant taijutsu training. Keshin's body was basically an example of physical perfection. Having a rather toned figure and all, he has been called handsome by various women he has encountered on his travels. But despite this, Keshin has never stood out in a crowd. Though, being a Kirawa, he is easily distinguished from an ordinary person thanks to his malignant chakra.

Of course, throughout his long, complicated life, Keshin's wardrobe has undergone many changes. His attire as an acolyte of the Amanojaku Clan's head was made up of a simple, blood red shirt. The boy's arms were kept tightly wrapped in bandages; perhaps injured from the constant training he did. Daitengu's training exercises very much was on the brink of torture, and would often leave Keshin deathly tired or exhausted. These bandages, however, did not simply serve medical purposes, but could also be weaponized. In the hands of Keshin, even the basic components of his outfit could be turned into weapons. Aside from the shirt with the bloody hue, and the white bandages, he also sported a pair of khaki shorts. These shorts were a tad bit longer than most, as they came down to the area just below his knees. His feet were, like his hands and arms, bound in medical wrappings. Once again, possibly a result of his extensive training taking its toll on his body. Dark shinobi sandals would fasten the bandages in place, and keep them from slipping off as he walked. Occasionally, matching wrappings would bind his face in order to hide his identity.

After the events involving Kowaremashita, both Keshin's physical appearance and his attire underwent quite a few changes. However, he is rarely seen without a hefty black robe covering his still muscular figure. Despite his old age, Keshin's body is kept in pristine shape. Thanks to the large amounts of Konkaku he regularly takes in. His hair has changed in both style and color. It is now as white as snow thanks to the toll that the initial absorption of Kowaremashita took on his body. It sticks out in a very messy fashion and is rather spiky. Though, Keshin has been seen to allow his hair to grow down to his waistline. When he was younger and was training with Daitengu, he had long, brown hair that reached his abdomen. Keshin would often tie it back to keep it out of the way. But more often than not, he allowed it to go unrestrained and flow free. Keshin's current attire consists of a curious steel mask that conceals his face from the eyes of the outside world. The mask is cold to the touch, and has some sort of engraving on its surface that are shaped like fangs and are a deep red in color. Two, slit-like eyeholes have been cut into its face to allow him to see from under the metallic shield. This white steel mask is shaped like a skull of some sort and has a dark line that seemingly shows where the two halves come together. To accommodate this ominous mask, Keshin wears black functional robes. Complete with a hood, it is ideal for stealth and is surprisingly light and breathable. Underneath his cloak, he usually has some sort of dark undergarment, complete with matching pants. Finally, he sports a pair of black shinobi sandals to complete his dark outfit.

After losing his daughter to the destructive ways of the Jashinist cult, Keshin became known as Tamagui (魂食い, lit. Soul Eater) and sank into deep cover. It would be dangerous if anyone bearing a grudge against him or Akuzura were to identify him. Thus, Keshin was forced to take on a separate identity. Straying away from the typical shinobi's attire, he donned a suit of dark armor. During his time in Akuzura he had enlisted the aid of the master blacksmith situated there. He instructed her to forge armor fitted to meet his specific requirements. After several weeks of trial and error, she was successful in creating a final product that met Keshin's expectations. The armor is somewhat flexible and not too heavy, yet is durable and can withstand blows from swords. It has a dark gray shade and is rather reflective of light. This gives it a glossy appearance when seen in the dark. Various bends and distortions in the surface of the plates give it a multi-faceted look. The armor plates on his shins, arms, and hands differ from the armor worn on his waist, however. On his torso he simply sports a less elusive scale-mail armor seen to be worn by all sorts of warriors. Around his waist and slung over his left shoulder is a pair of buckles. Each one serves a purpose; one secures his belt while the other holds a strap that is used to keep his sword, Kogarusumaru, fastened in place. Around his neck and over his chest is a tattered blue scarf that has definitely seen better days. It covers the bottom of his helmet piece that has been shaped to, in some sense, resemble a dragon. The most curious part of the helm is the fact that although it remains open, Keshin's face is invisible to an onlooker. This is due to the woman who crafted the armor imbuing a bit of her Konkaku into the helmet. The energy remains lodged inside and cannot be removed by external means. This seal placed on the helm reacts when in contact with another's Konkaku and activates a sort of Cloak of Souls. So in short, as long as the helm remains on Keshin it conceals his face from view. Later on, however, the helmet would be discarded. After he rescued Kusari from a Jashinist Colosseum he abandoned the helm at the site of the battle. At some unknown point it was retrieved by a nostalgic Keshin. It currently sits on a shelf in the home of he and his family.

Once Keshin was reunited with his lover, Kusari, he was rarely seen wearing the armor he once wore as Tamagui. For now, he was much purer than he had been before. On the path to righteousness, Keshin would now don clothing that fitted his new mindset. His hair - white and messy - remained much the same. On his forehead was a headband; a blank one. This symbolized his belief in the Amanojaku Clan Creed; that his actions and powers will be known by the world, but that his affiliation will be with no one. A blank, light colored headband - its tails dancing behind him as he moves. His wardrobe consists of a white haori that is, more often than not, not bound by his belt. It, in fact, also flows freely, and functions more like a jacket rather than an actual garment. Its sleeves are a bit longer than his arms, making them invisible when they are at rest. Keshin - when his haori is tied - tends to remove his arms from the sleeves of his haori, and place them in the long, drooping v-neck of the garment. This allows the sleeves to flap about in the wind when he moves. Underneath the haori is a sleeveless black shirt, which only serves the purpose of covering the see-through mesh undershirt that it conceals. The edges of the ninja undergarment are visible when Keshin raises his arms - when the sleeves of his haori slide down. Around his waist is a bright white obi. Like the one he tied around his head, this one is also blank. It serves the purpose of keeping the six Jiganemaru he uses in combat fastened in place. Keshin also wears a pair of baggy gray pants. The edges of these pant sleeves are tucked into a pair of long black socks. Finishing off the outfit, Keshin wears a pair of sandals - something his lover, Kusari, ridicules him for wearing in conjunction with socks.

As time passed on, Keshin would rescue Kusari Inuzuka - the woman who became his lover - from Jashinists. It was during his battle with a massive inugami that he was mortally wounded. His left eye was rendered useless and had been gouged by the dog's claws. From this point forwards Keshin has been seen with an eyepatch, something Kusari likes to make fun of. She will occasionally imitate a pirate and make rather cold yet humorous remarks about the covering for his wound. Over the course of time, however, Keshin's eye would regenerate in some respects thanks to his massive amounts of Konkaku but would still be rendered blind. But what did heal was the damaged appearance it had, as now no scar remains and even the color of his eye was preserved. So periodically Keshin removes the covering for his now useless eye and allows others to see his once scarred window to his soul. Despite what one might expect Keshin actually likes his eyepatch. Something about it appeals to his rather strange tastes in clothes. While Kusari believes its just that it makes him feel "manly", it actually stems from his desire to be free from his demonic nature. Sustaining an injury such as that makes him feel much more human. To him it is not only a physical shield, but a psychological one as well; something he can hide behind to feel human. He enjoys looking at himself in the mirror with his eyepatch, usually chuckling as he does so. And despite Kusari's cruel remarks about the thing, she actually likes it on him.

Personality
"Shadows don't die unless their light is removed. So as long as you remain, so shall I."

- Keshin to Kusari

Cold is the first word that comes to mind when one attempts to describe Keshin. Throughout his long life, he has been a man who lives by his sword. Keshin was able to strike down any opponent in cold blood, a second thought about their life never crossed his mind. This was the way Keshin lived for the first thirty or so years of his life. However, after the death of his adopted child, Surotiku, and his own failed crucifixion, Keshin was broken. The thing he cherished more than anything else was gone. With her death, Keshin made a vow to find her soul which had failed to cross over to The Yomi. At the time he believed this limbo created by Kowaremashita to be the afterlife. He was a hardened atheist who refused to believe that there was a god. In his mind no God who had the power to stop the death of an innocent child would let them die. This along with the atheistic teachings of his clan's scrolls influenced him greatly.

However, over the course of time, Keshin began to question the very existence of The Yomi. He would constantly be troubled by what his old mentor had said. "What if there is some sort of existence beyond The Yomi?" He would say. Daitengu had no faith in such a monotonous afterlife. He believed that the universe was orderly, and that a good man could not possibly be tossed in amongst all the sinners of the world. Keshin began to think about his master's words and take them to heart. One such day, the answer to his question would come to him in a vision. He saw a shadow, Kowaremashita, shaping a world of his own. A limbo that would be used to gather souls in preparation to one day conquer the realm of the living. It was here that Keshin realized that The Yomi was nothing more than a limbo. He would go on to slay every Satsujinki inside of the dimension to cause it to simply fade away. Keshin forsook what he had read from his clan's scrolls all those years ago, and decided that rather than trying to bring his little one's soul to The Yomi, he should have been working towards guiding her to the Pure Lands. Now, Keshin has a new outlook on life, and has become a better man.

Not only does he suffer from his nature as a Kirawa, but Keshin also has an unsatiable hunger for souls, and more specifically, Konkaku. This peculiar condition started when Keshin first absorbed the Konkaku that emanated from his mentor, Daitengu's soul. Ever since that day, he would constantly feed off of the soul energy of others. This need, or rather lust for new Konkaku can sometimes cause Keshin's atention to deviate from the task at hand. While on his crazed killing sprees that stem from his Kirawa nature, Keshin will usually devour the souls of the fallen men and women he has slain. But with every soul he devours, he gains a temporary boost in his Kokaku reserves. Though, Keshin can satisfy this hunger through much less violent means. Simply being around people allows Keshin to siphon the loose Konkaku that emanates from their very being. No harm is done to those whose Konkaku has been absorbed, even if Keshin took it straight from their soul. This hunger is a constant reminder to Keshin that he will never fit in amongst regular people, and that he will always be some sort of outcast. He longs to feel accepted by the people around him, and while the citizens of Tanigakure are indeed kind to him, Keshin feels unwanted. One day, he hopes to control both this hunger, and his nature as a Kirawa, and become like every other normal person.

During his time as Tamagui, Keshin was encased within a suit of malefic armor; never to be seen without it. It was during this time that he almost lost himself to the darkness in his mind. He had lost the only thing that was important to him: his only child. There was no one to console him; no one to lift the burden he carried on his shoulders. All he could do was wander. Tamagui became more than a name for him to go by; it was a state of mind. Tamagui was the part of him that descended so far into the dark that nothing could reach him. This was Keshin now: a man broken ten thousand times by his own darkness. There seemed to be no hope for him, but something occurred that would, rather than drive the darkness away, teach him to embrace it. He was out in a field one day, simply wandering about when he heard a child's scream. Going to investigate, he discovered that several wolves had the little boy cornered in a grotto. Doing what he knew to be right, Keshin slew the beasts that threatened the child. The little boy, awestruck at the power of his savior, asked for the man's name. Keshin simply responded that who he was or what he had been known as did not matter, only what he did. This quote was what molded Tamagui into a better man. No longer did he channel his demonic bloodlust towards innocents. From that moment on it was channeled against thieves, murderers, black market dealers, and all sorts of criminal scum. It was during this time in his life Tamagui became known as Chaos Hunter (渾沌狩人, Konton Shujin) by those who witnessed his heroic deeds. Through this he learned that he did not need to be human to do good, he only needed the will to do good. Even demons can do what is right; this became Keshin's favorite saying.

While under the guise Tamagui, Keshin devoured countless souls - hence, his name. When he did so, he would not only gain a boost in his Konkaku reserves, but also a piece of each one's consciousness. In the moment he consumed the life force of his prey, Keshin saw their entire life, along with their emotions, ambitions, likes, dislikes, and all other aspects of each respective person. He has a part of everyone within him, whether he likes it or not. All these spirits accumulated over the course of Keshin's travels have been fused into one entity: Keshin himself. This allows him to see the world through the eyes of many, and gives him a perspective others are unable to comprehend. The new way of looking at situations and the world around him has allowed Keshin to make the strategies of past foes and fallen comrades his own. The intelligence of the ones he has devoured now belongs to him, but the wills of these fallen warriors have been destroyed, and replaced with Keshin's.

Once Keshin was reconciled with his lover, Kusari, Tamagui was no more. Now, a new entity in its place: Byakkō (白虎, White Tiger). This other persona represents the realization Keshin had as Tamagui - that he is indeed capable of change - but in a much more human form. As Byakkō, Keshin has come to terms with himself. He has accepted the darkness of the demonic nature he carries. Bloodshed is inevitable with this curse, but how he directs it - how he channels this drive - is completely up to him. Keshin is his own man. Bound to nothing. He bows the knee to no one and will not be defeated by his bloodlust. He is the first to acknowledge that he is far from good, but he is the last to give up on trying to do good. The redemption he felt when he rescued Kusari, the caring disposition he showed her as a child, the pride he took as a shinobi of Shimogakure, the rage he felt when he discovered Raizo's intentions for Kusari and that he had murdered Keshin's father, the sorrow he felt when he murdered a fellow vilager, and the love he recieved from his clan, mother, children, and Kusari; all of these things - along with the associated emotions - brought together make up Byakkō. An accummulation of Keshin's entire life, its ups and downs, is what formed Keshin into the White Tiger he is today. He loses in order for others to win. He gives so that others will not take. He kills so that others may live. He loves so that others will not hate; this is Byakkō, the selfless persona within Keshin that was brought out by those he loves.

While Keshin usually seems quite reserved or cold-hearted to others, his lover, Kusari Inuzuka, always sees his true nature. When around her, he is seen to be much more relaxed and open about his thoughts. To him, Kusari is his everything, and Keshin considers her to be his greatest responsibility and treasure. As children who underwent the Chunin Exams together, Kusari - who considered her sensei as her "alpha male" - had displayed little interest in Keshin. On the other hand, Keshin simply viewed Kusari as a friend. However, this would begin to change after the tournament. Kusari had been hospitalized after her final bout in the exams; one against Keshin. Feeling bad for hurting her, the boy would visit her in her room daily, bringing treats, flowers, and a stuffed bear to the young woman as a peace offering. His kind demeanor, along with his generic appeal, allowed Keshin to slowly worm his way into the usually emotionless girl's heart. She would smile when around him, something rare from Kusari.

However, Kusari's sensei, Raizo, had sinister intentions behind his behavior towards both Kusari and Keshin. The man had actually rigged a portion of the Chunin Exams, making sure all three of his students would fight Keshin. Unbeknownst to anyone, Raizo was, in fact, the man who murdered Keshin's father. After being saved by one of the outsiders whom he despised so much, Raizo was unable to contain his rage, resulting in him striking down the innocent man. As for Kusari, she was also a pawn for his own self gain. She played a major role in his development of an elite sensory team, but also was going to be used in selfish, lustful manners. Keshin, being her friend, had come to Konoha in order to spend time with Kusari. It was then, when he arrived at the training field they usually met at, he discovered the truth behind Raizo's actions towards the girl. Fueled by rage, Keshin would tell Kusari her ways - simply letting herself be a tool of pleasure for someone strong - was wrong. Alas, for the poor girl had her clan's disillusioned philosophy drilled so far into her head, that she simply responded with the fact that "she had no choice". In response, Keshin declared he would become her alpha in order to protect her from people such as Raizo, causing Kusari to become curious about the boy's feelings for her. And after barely defeating her sensei in combat, he became such.

While Keshin had since this point always maintained a genuine love for Kusari, she would not outwardly manifest these feelings until she was kidnapped by Assei-sha. When he had fallen after consuming Kowaremashita. The crazed reaper had made her suffer in his mountain citadel for five years. Once this time was up, she would be brought to another of Assei-sha's strongholds in order to summon a massive inugami from another world. Before she could be cut open, - this would be done to spread her scent quickly - however, Keshin would save her from the hellish fate she was destined to take on herself. Although Kusari had loved him for quite some time, the pack dynamics that her mother and father taught her to abide by still remained. This is why she left him when he was incapacitated by Kowaremashita. She would yell at him for losing, and simultaneously cried about leaving him. To her, he was the perfect alpha; he was not replaceable. But since he lost, it meant he was not up to her standards. During her time in solitude, Kusari realized just how much Keshin meant to her. Moments they had shared over the years would flood back. In reality, she had loved him for a long time, but was unable to understand her feelings. When everyone had left Kusari, when her village, her clan, and even her mother and father abandoned her, Keshin stayed next to her. When she constantly bore the burden of being an outcast, or when she discovered the manipulative an evil ways of her sensei, Raizo, Keshin was always supporting her. To her, he was everything. Being saved by the one she admired so much, and being chosen over the resurrection of his daughter when the inugami attempted to get Kusari by bribing him with Surotiku's soul; these things brought her to tears; tears of realization.

Now, Kusari and Keshin live together in (---). they are rarely seen apart, as Keshin tends to get rather lonely without her, her situation being much the same. To both of them, he is her lover, soulmate, and alpha, as she calls him. He is her lover, as he provides her with an undying love at all times. He is her soulmate, because the souls of the two have been knitted into one. And he is her alpha, for he protects and watches over her as a pack leader would. WIP

One of the greatest contributions to Keshin's slow, yet progressive stabilization of mind, is surprisingly, his knack to play music. Specifically, the. As a young boy in the village he grew up in, an elderly woman that resided in the town had seen him skipping and whistling in the streets. That woman would confront Keshin, and teach him how to play music. She gifted him a twelve-hole ocarina; its shiny wooden surface would reflect the light as he played. To Keshin, his music is his getaway; a means of escape from his nature. The loud, beautiful tones created by the resonating of his breath inside of the instrument forms the deep notes that make up his songs. In Tanigakure, citizens will often hear the soothing melodies played by Keshin during his free time. Even now, he remembers the lessons that woman had given him all those years ago; something that would stay with him his whole life. As a young boy, he learned how to play basic melodies and scales; not knowing much. However, after the death of his father, Keshin began to learn more from the old woman. She taught him how to read music, and even encouraged Keshin to write his own songs. During his career as a shinobi in Shimogakure, he learned several complex songs, and was by then a very talented musician. By the age of nine, he could be seen playing on the street corners in Shimo, hoping he would have money to bring to his mother back home. Of course, during his imprisonment, he was unable to play his instrument. But after his escape, even in the frantic fleeing from Shimogakure, he took his ocarina from his room at his old home, and has it even today. How the instrument remains intact is unknown. He is rarely seen without his ocarina, even when traveling abroad, it is kept close by.

Thanks to his longevity, Keshin has accumulated a great deal of wisdom throughout his life. Having viewed countless organizations and cults rise and fall; each one of them with a similar goal. Many believe in an ideal known as "world peace", but how many have succeeded in creating a serene environment for the people of the world to live in? None have, which is why Keshin himself does not attempt to fulfill this dream many before him have had. Rather, he chooses to pursue the will of his deceased mother as a way of redemption for her accidental murder at his own hands. He has become a guardian; a protector to those who need protection. Be it the people of Tanigakure, those in the Akuzura Empire, or simply someone he has encountered, Keshin has made it his duty to protect. Through this ideal, he has instilled upon himself a new set of morals. But even though he has a righteous goal, he is not free from his lust for blood, and will use it to his advantage when one threatens to harm someone from his empire, village, or anywhere for that matter.

Another thing Keshin gained thanks to his long life was his intelligence. While not being book-smart, as one might say, he is a tactical genius in the midst of combat. His ability to completely analyze an opponent over the course of an encounter, understand their fighting style, find the weakest area in their defense, and exploit it is without peer. His mid-battle intelligence also allows him to formulate devastating combos through the skilled usage of his techniques. By combining several of his own techniques, Keshin causes destruction of mass scale. Also, he has been seen to create his own techniques. One such example was a technique that granted him a nearly perfect form of telekinesis. Keshin gained access to this technique after mastering the principles of chakra control and using his Yin chakra as the means of manifesting this unique form of telekinesis. This is only one of the many examples of Keshin's genius applications of his chakra; many more techniques have been born as a result of his intelligent uses of his individual arsenal.

Abilities
While not possessing an extensive background as a shinobi, Keshin is still a force to be reckoned with. With his long life came extensive traveling. During Keshin's journeys, he took part in countless battles. By the age of fourteen, he had developed his first technique: one that gave him access to psychokinesis. From a young age, he has been seen to be rather tenacious in the field of developing and perfecting techniques. Be it new ways to apply his chakra, styles of taijutsu and kenjutsu, or simply mental strategies to aid in overcoming an opponent. With a heap of knowledge and talent on his side, Keshin is able to overcome most opponents with minimum effort. He has a mastery of and affinity for Yin-Yang, the nature that makes up the core of Keshin's fighting style. He also has shown mastery of its composite natures: Yin and Yang. Furthermore, his abilities also entail a curious branch of techniques known as Tamashijutsu. This branch makes use of the energy within one's soul known as Konkaku. Only Kirawa, and truly skilled ones at that, are able to even dream of mastering this branch. After learning to use Konkaku, Keshin found a way to compensate for his naturally low reserve of chakra, for now, all chakra he possessed is now Konkaku. This makes his techniques completely immune to the Rinnegan's absorptive powers, and causes them to take on a semi-intangible property. Truly a master of the soul and its secrets, Keshin is a master of his skillset.

Chakra and Physical Prowess
Since all of Keshin's chakra is now vanquished, he relies on his powerful soul energy to power his techniques. There are several reasons for this, the first being that Keshin, being a Kirawa, has a natural talent for the usage of soul energy and Tamashijutsu. He can control his soul energy, or officially known as Konkaku, with flawless precision. Another factor that plays into this is that Keshin has the ability to siphon the Konkaku of others. All souls have Konkaku, and usually, vast amounts. This means that Keshin will constantly have a source of energy, and can outlast most opponents in a long battle. He will occasionally draw out an encounter with the purposeful intention of tiring his opponent, ultimately exhausting their reserves. Even for a Kirawa, Keshin's control over his Konkaku is nothing short of marvelous. When it manifests, it tends to take on the form of a malignant purple, wispy sort of energy that is barely visible to the human eyes. Only Kirawa, and those with the Heavenly Eyes can see such energy - the latter barely being able to visualize it.

Taijutsu is perhaps the branch of combat Keshin possesses the most background with. During his time in Shimogakure, he would train himself physically to the point of breaking himself. His moves consist of swift blows that are meant to incapacitate a foe as quickly as possible. He can skillfully counter most physical attacks with simple moves of his arms and legs. Along with his blistering speed, and powerful blows, he is a force to be reckoned with in the art of taijutsu. Keshin is fast on his feet, able to leave most foes in the dust with his swift moves. When fighting opponents, Keshin tends to use the same tactic two or three times to see if he can overcome them with his enhanced speed and taijutsu alone. Keshin's favorite branch of shinobi combat is indeed taijutsu. In fact, Keshin has actually developed several styles of taijutsu combat. One he developed to tire an opponent and create openings for him to deliver a decisive blow, while the other was created to defeat stronger, armed opponents.

But Blowing Wind does not only consist of evasive actions, but also has an offensive usage. While dodging an opponent's blows, Keshin will watch and wait for an opening. As soon as the chance comes, he will deliver a swift, upward kick to the enemy and send them flying into the air. Keshin then pursues his opponent, and proceeds to execute a combo of deadly kicks. This will end in a falling axe kick that sends his foe flying downwards. Blowing Wind is Keshin's way of taking down opponents in a long, drawn out fight. The passive movements used to evade attacks, combined with the devastating kicks creates a lethal style of combat.
 * Blowing Wind: The first of Keshin's signature taijutsu fighting styles, Blowing Wind consists of small, quick movements of the body to evade incoming blows while exhausting as little energy as possible. It is especially effective during long exchanges of blows that could result in a deadlock. Over the course of Keshin's many years of wandering the shinobi world, he fought many foes. It was during these battles that he learned something. Keshin realized that most physical attacks can be completely evaded by slight movements of the head, torso, and the occasional hop. Thus, he learned he could allow his opponent to tire themselves while he used little energy.


 * Passing Breeze: While traveling around the world and facing many opponents, Keshin came across countless swordsmen. Normally, one armed with a sword or a club would have an advantage over an unarmed man. However, Keshin developed the Passing Breeze fighting style. Passing Breeze employs various tactics to turn one's own strength against him. A noteworthy example of such moves is the Tachi-dori (太刀取り, Sword-taking). A move that requires both patience and concentration. Keshin will allow his opponent to make their move with their weapon. As they near him and swing their blade, Keshin will seize part of the hilt. Then, Keshin will deliver a quick thrust to the opponent's neck to force them downwards onto the ground. This will then allow him to take command over their weapon. Other uses of Passing Breeze include various choke holds used to strangle a reckless opponent who has allowed themself to slip into Keshin's grip. He will sidestep an enemy's attack, which could result in them momentarily stumbling past him due to their attack's momentum. Keshin will then position himself to the side of his foe, and proceed to bring his enemy into a choke hold. Other tactics may include throws, which can be performed in various manners.

After assuming the guise of Tamagui, Keshin's taijutsu became much more unorthodox, and seemed to be centered on simply beating an opponent down. WIP

Kenjutsu
Revered for his unrivaled skill in the art of kenjutsu, Keshin is known far and wide as the infamous Wind Riding Swordsman (風乗り剣士, Kazenori Kenshi). While perhaps his styles not being the most orthodox, they are nothing short of marvelous. His skill with a blade, his graceful moves, and the sheer talent he has for wielding the widely romanticized weapon; this is what has earned him the titles associated with his god-like prowess in the art of the sword. Tales of Tamagui's brave acts slaying massive creatures and rotten villainy in order to save others; stories of Byakkō enacting revenge on the enemies of the Amanojaku Clan and saving his lover by boldly carving his path through four hundred warriors; yarns of Keshin destroying the "Keeper of the Balance" while his Konkaku remained sealed; all these contribute to the monikers he has been awarded throughout the ages. Keshin knows no equalin kenjutsu. Even the samurai of the Land of Iron have no choice but to admire his amazing tenacity and abilities in swordplay. Looked up to by all, and trodden upon by none, Keshin has earned the title Fierce God of Kenjutsu (鬼剣術の神, Ki Kenjutsu no Kami).


 * Kettei (決定, lit. Determination) is the first and most basic of his seven forms. It includes various "ready" stances, parrying, and finding marks of contact. The six marks of contact are the neck, waistline, left arm, right arm, left leg, and right leg. Kettei is the fundamental for the other six of Keshin's forms. When using it, Keshin simply remains in a defensive position and awaits his opponent's move. When they have closed in on him and have begun their attack, he will counter with his blade, and deliver a swift blow to one of the six target zones. Keshin will choose a zone after studying his opponent and verifying which mark of contact is the easiest to sever.


 * Shuchō (主張, lit. Contention) is a formal style of kenjutsu combat that consists of classical and elegant moves. It is a calm form of kenjutsu that enlists the usage of various spins and flicks of the sword to catch an opponent off guard. A skilled user of this style like Keshin can disarm a foe with ease by using their own sword's leverage to send the enemy's blade flying out of their hands. Keshin seems to be able to slip through just about any defense and deliver a critical cut to one of the target zones established in his first form: Kettei.


 * Kaifuku-Ryoku (回復力, lit. Resilience) is the third of Keshin's kenjutsu forms. Perhaps the most passive of the six, Kaifuku-Ryoku focuses on defense through efficient body movements. This includes various ways of reducing one's target area's size. Kaifuku-Ryoku is well suited for blocking incoming projectiles and countering basic attacks to open ways of escape from complex or extremely fast assaults.


 * Shinryaku (侵略, lit. Aggression) is the fourth, and perhaps the most difficult to master of his seven forms. It employs an extensive use of acrobatic assaults to overwhelm an opponent and aims to catch them off guard by quickly delivering attacks from all sides. Shinryaku could involve flips over an enemy to attack them from above, powerful slashes in conjunction with leaps and spins, and other various elements.


 * Konki (根気, lit. Perseverance) is the fifth form, and an offshoot, or rather, continuation of the third form; Kaifuku-Ryoku. Rather than reducing one's target area and trying to find ways of escape through various counters and parries, one will use these means of defense in offensive manners. Such as the use of defensive parries to force and opponent to drop their guard, or the skillful disarming of a foe by catching their sword with one's own blade.


 * Setsudo (節度, lit. Moderation) is the sixth of Keshin's forms. It seeks to balance out the strengths of the previous five to create a single, solid form. Setsudo is said to be the pinnacle of kenjutsu mastery, for a skilled wielder will be able to deliver swift, deadly blows, penetrate even the most solid of defenses, and show great overall abilities with the sword. However, while Setsudo does not focus on raw strength or power, a true Setsudo master will wield their sword with amazing tenacity.


 * Dōmō (獰猛, lit. Ferocity) is the seventh of the seven forms, and easily the most powerful, yet most dangerous. This style consists of using one's inner emotions and the emotions of others to fuel their own aggressive style. One must enjoy combat to the fullest in order to truly be a skilled practitioner of Dōmō; they must love the sights, sounds, and perhaps even the taste of blood. Thus, Dōmō is much more than a fighting style; it is a way of life and a state of mind. One has to be willing to give into their darkness, accept the fury of their opponent, and glory in the death of the enemy.

These seven forms of kenjutsu quickly summarize Keshin's fighting style as a whole. Partial to none, he is an expert practitioner of all seven and employs various usages of each of these in combat. Later on in his life after he retrieved Kogarusumaru from one of Assei-sha's citadels within the, Keshin would find it difficult to wield it in the same fashion he did Muramasa. Having become used to the lightweight double-bladed weapon he had used for so long, he struggled to remaster this new weapon. After several years of training he finally learned to wield it efficiently and succeeded in applying his seven forms with Kogarusumaru. At this point he is able to wield essentially any blade with proficiency equal to any of the 's Samurai leaders. This is due to both the intense kenjutsu training he has underwent nearly all of his life, and the rigorous physical excercises he has committed himself to undergoing every day. The fact that Keshin can swing Kogarusumaru, a solid metal greatsword that overtakes Kubikiribōchō in regards to weight is absolutely astounding. Not to mention the fact he can maneuver normally in the midst of combat with it. Keshin tends to wield Kogarusumaru through a series of flips and spins, keeping his arms close to his body as he does. This is to ensure that he does not expend unnecessary energy during combat and ensures he does not tire out his arms too quickly. While being used to swinging the sword around, he still prefers to use as little energy as possible and makes use of his whole body when wielding the greatsword.

As a result of having little formal training, a young Keshin would go to develop a style of kenjutsu combat that had no predecessor in the shinobi world. He taught himself over the course of four years how to wield six swords at once - three in each hand. Such an unorthodox manner of fighting had never been seen, let alone attempted, before. Keshin named this style Rokutōrū (六刀流, Six Sword Style) One might ask what the benefits are gained when using six blades over one, and even Keshin himself would question the usefulness of this style. However, as strange as it may seem, it is a dangerous form to engage, and must not be taken lightly. Rokutōryū encompasses the simultaneous usage of six blades. Basic moves include slashes, parries, and fanning out the swords in one's hand. With an enemy having to worry about six swords at once, they will have trouble predicting the exact path of all of them, allowing Keshin to reveal the weaknesses in their defense. To further accommodate the confusion factor, he will move about in unpredictable, dance-like patterns - his feet and arms moving in graceful manners. By doing this, Keshin puts himself in a sort of trance, making his moves not only difficult to counter, but challenging to read. Even wielders of the Sharingan find it nearly impossible to foresee his next move. This forces Keshin's opponent to rely on their battle instincts alone, and not the powers they were born with.

Another thing Rokutōryū makes use of is the manipulation of a blade's path while in the air. Examples of this would be Keshin tossing a sword or two up before hitting it with his hand, foot, or another sword in order to direct it to a target. Or - an even more masterful example of his skill - the changing of direction via wire strings. All of six of Keshin's Jiganemaru are equipped with a coil of wire string, allowing him to swing them by the line, or simply redirect them. WIP

Bōjutsu
During his time with Daitengu, Keshin learned to wield a bō staff. He has learned to disarm foes with this weapon and can use it quite skillfully in battle. Quick, concise movements make up his bōjutsu style, which often involves the skillful spinning of his simple weapon to create complex attacks to catch his opponent off guard. However, now that Keshin possesses Muramasa, usage of his bō is rather limited. Instead, his bōjutsu is seen to trickle over into his kenjutsu style. Muramasa is shaped similarly to a bō, and thus, can be wielded in a nearly identical fashion. Keshin's bōjutsu simply serves as a foundation for his kenjutsu.

Ninjutsu
WIP

Wind Release
Keshin's first Wind Release technique serves a single purpose: to be an ultimate defense against ninjutsu. Over the years, he has witnessed all sorts of defensive techniques. He has also seen many of these techniques fall in the path of stronger ones. He noticed that simply creating an obstacle between the attack and its target usually would not be enough. For surely the opponent would discover a way to either destroy or get around such a crude defense. It was not long before Keshin had created his very own defensive technique by combining the data he had gathered with a skillful application of Wind Release. He made a technique that would actually let him attack the very chakra in another technique. This would be done by using the wind in Keshin's technique to disperse the chakra in the opponent's. The sheer speed and power of this technique causes the chakra to suddenly scatter and destroys the technique from the inside out. Keshin named his new creation Evocation of Dismantling Wind. His wind provides him with the proper means to negate ninjutsu, but also serves as a foundation for techniques he later developed through the use of his Kekkei Mōra, the Byakkodō.

WIP

Yin Release
While Keshin is amazingly skilled in Yin-Yang Release, as it is his affinity, perhaps his true strength lies in the Yin Release. During his time in Shimogakure, Keshin developed several Yin-based techniques that he still uses to this day. One of these being the Yin Blade Technique. The purpose of this technique was to give Keshin an edge in kenjutsu combat. Something he had noticed in his various encounters with other swordsmen was that, in a bladelock, it was difficult to overcome the other shinobi without leaving himself over to a parry or counterattack. So, rather then do something that may lead to his injury, Keshin would go to create a technique that allowed him to suddenly shorten, lengthen, widen, or decrease the width of his blade at a moment's notice. In short, Keshin has complete control of the shape and size of his sword. This ability proved to be very useful in several encounters with opposing swordsmen and various shinobi alike. Having a sword that could suddenly disappear into the handle, only to return several times as long was definitely something not many individuals had encountered before. This element of surprise was often the cause of his victory, especially against swordsmen.

When Keshin was out in the snowy fields near Shimogakure, he discovered that Yin chakra can be used as an extension of his mind so to say. Only through extreme focus and extensive meditation did Keshin ever witness just what Yin could really do. By focusing both his mind and Yin chakra, he caused a falling leaf to rise and float about the area. Thus, Yin Release: Psychokinesis was born. Through even more meditation, Keshin found that he was able to move multiple objects at once. According to Keshin, the size of the object means nothing. He has proved this on several occasions. One such occurrence was him stopping a meteor through application of his Psychokinetic powers alone. He has been seen to be able to uproot nearby trees, stop falling rocks, and once even control a bolt of lightning. But his Psychokinetic power is not limited to simply lifting objects and throwing them around, Keshin can applying his power in several different ways. A great example of this is his ability to choke an opponent by cutting off the airflow by means of Psychokinesis. This is accomplished by crushing the victim's throat with Psychokinetic power. Keshin can also use this application of the Yin Release: Psychokinesis to break an opponent's neck. This can be done by twisting or compressing their neck to the point where it is forced to snap. Keshin can commence choking a foe with a grip sort of gesture with his hand. Most usages of his Pychokinesis make use of hand gestures. Keshin is seen flicking his arm to the side of he intends to throw an already caught victim.

Aside from choking a foe, he has shown many other ways of dealing with an opponent. When Keshin first began using the Yin Release: Psychokinesis, he learned that in order to use it to its fullest potential, one must center themselves. Keshin learned to completely balance himself and sharpen his focus through meditation. This resulted in Keshin learning how to applying his Psychokinetic powers in a devastating way. Through sheer focus, Keshin will channel his Psychokinetic energy into the space around him. Then, he will draw it all in as he begins to levitate. Suddenly, he will release it in all directions. This results in a massive wave of energy that blows away everything in its path. Keshin can use it to throw back opponents if he has been surrounded, or to drive away incoming ninjutsu assaults. And by using a similar principle, he can create a blast of repulsive energy from his hands. Keshin can simply throw one of his arms out and release a concentrated blast of Psychokinetic power. He can also create a much more powerful blast that can send incoming ninjutsu or projectiles flying back at an enemy. By concentrating the energy between his hands, Keshin will create tremendous buildup of pressure. Then, by pushing his hands out towards the target, he can release that pressure in a single column of energy. Despite having flashy ways such as these to finish off an opponent, Keshin's favorite method of defeating an enemy with his psychokinesis is rather simple. He enjoys seizing his opponents with his power, and throwing them about. One cannot so easily break his grip. Absorbing the chakra used in this technique is nearly impossible, but if one manages to do so, it could make it worse on them. For the Yin chakra used in this technique is completely subjugated to Keshin's influence. Meaning, that once inside of a victim, Keshin could potentially attack their organs and kill them from the inside. Attempting to scatter the chakra in the technique is useless as well. For the chakra is under Keshin's nearly flawless control. For many long years, Keshin learned to gain an absolute command of his Psychokinetic powers. Through many hours of meditation, he continues to strengthen his powers, not satisfied with his current command of his technique.

Yang Release
Despite Keshin being more skilled in the area of Yin Release, his employment of his Yang Release arsenal is nothing short of masterful. Like with Yin he has developed multiple techniques that encompass the power of this nature. The first of such as these was created during his boyhood after recieving a lesson from Shimogakure's village head himself about Yin/Yang chakras and how they interact with one another. With Yin reigning over form and the manipulation of it Keshin realized that he could extract this energy from any living thing he chose. How would he do this? Through Yang Release. By influencing the Yin with the Yang he created the Yin Blotting technique. Easily summarized, Yin Blotting removes any Yin within a target, resulting in their disintegration. The eroding away of tissues and form instigated by the forceful extraction of Yin from a target is excruciatingly painful. Furthermore, any regenerative abilities the victim may possess will be slowed by a considerable deal. This is because form and matter itself has been sucked right out of that area, resulting in some of the means to regenerate said limb would have been destroyed, thus slowing the process.

Applications of this technique are not limited to disintegrating enemies. Any technique or construct containing Yin's energies are suscpetible to the devastating effects of Yin Blotting. In theory the technique would work against genjutsu as it is cast through primarily an employment of Yin. Simply by focusing the technique around himself, not destroying his own flesh, the technique can be used as a shield of sorts against Yin based attacks.

Through further study and application of Yang's energies Keshin learned how to spontaneously generate large amounts of energy. This began with Keshin simply creating unstable eruptions of pure Yang energy; something that in and of itself can be used as a weapon of mass destruction. Not satisfied with simply creating explosions, however, he began to experiment with spawning life itself. At first his labors bore no fruit, but after several years of training and studying Yang's nature and characteristics, he was able to create a Yang Release technique said to be of the highest caliber. His Yang Release: Phantasm succeeds in generating an, although unstable, sentient being. With this technique Keshin can manifest his own will in the form of several phantom-like humanoids. These creatures have neither a will nor a mind of their own. Their only drive is one they are generated with: to please their maker. As expected the technique's spawn are very capable fighters in their own right and can cause trouble for even the most experienced shinobi if their numbers are allowed to grow. Absorbing these creatures is difficult as the Yang energy they are comprised of is extremely dense and difficult to soak up, if you will. They are known to be susceptible to genjutsu, which is perhaps their greatest weakness. The creatures have no mind of their own meaning they are not strong enough to cope with powerful illusions. Such techniques tend to overpower them and causes their essence to disperse.

To further enhance the deadliness of his kenjutsu, Keshin created the Yang Blade Technique. Rather simple in concept and execution, he will simply focus Yang energy through one of his swords. When he does, the blade will take on an ethereal appearance, and shines with an ominous red light. Keshin tends to activate this technique while engaged in a bladelock, allowing him to surprise an opponent by slicing through their blade and land a blow. This technique's basic principle was later applied to create another of Keshin's abilities: Yang Cutter. Keshin channels the same red energy he does through his blade, only now, it coats his hands. This grants a form of protection - like energy gauntlets - and a means of attack. It should also be noted that Keshin - with both of the aforementioned techniques - can fire blasts of concentrated Yang energy. These blasts create rather large explosions, and can be quite detrimental to both an opponent and the surrounding area.

Yin-Yang Release
After Keshin had developed a firm grasp on the concepts of both Yin and Yang, these powers began to form something new inside of him. He gained access to Yin-Yang Release as a result of the initial mastery of both Yin and Yang, but also in part due to his mother hailing from Kumogakure's Iyoku Clan. Having this celestial heritage on his side, he was able to quickly understand the aforementioned nature. While he does not have access to a wide variety of techniques in this particular branch, some of these are arguably his most powerful.

After witnessing Kisui's Yin-Yang Release: Complete Weapon Summoning as a boy, Keshin began to understand the phenomenal power of Yin-Yang Release. Shortly after, he would go to work on his own technique. But rather then teleporting items to his hands, Keshin wanted to teleport himself and others to nearby spaces. However, it would not be until a year later that he would perfect this technique shortly after participating in Konohagakure's Chūnin Exam. In truth, the technique was scarcely used in battle, and was mostly utilized by Keshin in order to get to Konoha quicker than usual so he could see Kusari. It was not until during the battle with her sensei - after he had learned of his motives behind getting close to the girl - that he would demonstrate its mid-battle abilities.

With this technique Keshin can teleport himself anywhere within one-hundred and twenty yards of himself. This range, at the time of his battle with Kusari's teacher Raizo, was only thirty yards. Since then, he has multiplied the distance by four. He is not limited to teleporting himself, however, but can teleport objects he has marked with a seal, as well. Keshin has been seen to use this technique in conjunction with a marked weapon, giving it an execution similar to that of the Flying Thunder God Technique. It should be dually noted that he is also capable of shifting spaces with said objects, like that of Amenotejikara. With one technique functioning in a manner similar to several others, it was given the name Yin-Yang Release: Spatial Dominance (陰陽遁・空間覇業, Onmyōton: Kūkan Hagyō) - as it granted the user a seemingly complete dominance over their own space. Keshin can set up multi-faceted attacks with this technique. With the ability to freely manipulate the paths of himself and his weapons, on top of being able to shift spaces with said objects, is an astounding power that is not easily overcome.

Through the same basic principle, Keshin developed the Yin-Yang Release: Spatial Decree. WIP

Byakkodō
WIP

Kirawa Abilities
As a Kirawa, Keshin is cursed with an insatiable bloodlust that will haunt him throughout his entire life. However, he is also granted a wide array of abilities to aid him in his quest for blood. Specifically, he has a power connected to the very souls of humans, and can draw energy from the souls of others and himself. Thanks to the training he recieved from his clan's leader, Daitengu Amanojaku, Keshin was able to completely master his powers granted by the demonic nature he was cursed with.

Tamashijutsu and Ectoplasmic Manipulation
Keshin is able to access a nearly forgotten branch of techniques known as Tamashijutsu. With his mastery over this ancient division of arts, he is able to draw upon, manipulate and absorb a substance known as Konkaku, or more commonly referred to as Soul Energy. Keshin prefers to use his Konkaku over chakra, as his reserves of Konkaku are much larger than his shallow well of chakra. Keshin is constantly feeding on the Konkaku that emanates from the souls of all. These feeding habits resulted in him developing a form of pseudo-immortality. As long as Keshin takes in the Konkaku of living things, he will be blessed with eternal youth. When using techniques through his Konkaku, as it can be used as an alternate fuel for techniques, non-Kirawa will be unable to sense the attack. This is because only Kirawa can learn to sense and devour this energy. While some users of the Rinnegan have been seen to take chakra from the souls they absorb, none are able to access this energy. A true master of Konkaku can devour the soul of another, absorb and utilize all of the Konkaku in that soul, and release it in the form of Konkaku-powered Ninjutsu or in unique Tamashijutsu techniques. Only the most skilled users of Tamashijutsu are actually able to use techniques that are unique to this branch, as most simply use the absorptive abilities granted by a basic mastery over Tamashijutsu. Keshin was actually develop a technique that has yet to be recreated, one known as Soul Shackle. This technique creates long, white chains comprised of pure, compressed Konkaku. If the chains have been formed using Keshin's own, they can be manifested directly from the body in a similar manner to the Uzumaki Clan's Adamantine Sealing Chains. They can be used to constrict an opponent, or simply impale them. Keshin can also cause the chains to sprout up and out of the ground by focusing his Konkaku into his feet and sending them through the ground, though, the same end goal can be accomplished through the use of his hands by applying the same basic principles. However, when Keshin siphons an opponent's Konkaku to create the attack, the chains will be drawn to the opponent, and will try to make their way to the foe's soul. This will either result in the unrelentless chasing and eventual impaling of the opponent, or them simply being constricted to death.

Perhaps one of Keshin's most well-known usages of Tamashijutsu, and Konkaku in general is his Cloak of Souls; a truly impeccable application of Tamashijutsu. By manipulating his own soul and the Konkaku within, he can create a type of barrier that causes anything within it to become invisible. However, since Konkaku has mass, the technique is not absolute, and small distortions in the air where the technique is cast may be seen. Though, these may be dismissed as hallucinations, as no chakra can be felt from anything within this space thanks to the curious nature of Konkaku. Silent like the grim reaper himself, Keshin can sneak behind an opponent and whisk them away into the next world with a swift attack. His extensive usage of this technique has earned him the reputation as a silent wraith who watches his prey; waiting for the right moment to strike. To take his stealth abilities a step further, he can combine the technique with nearly every technique he has. This means he can use the technique to hide any of his techniques, and not only himself.

Aside from techniques that have been specifically named, Keshin can use Konkaku in other ways. One such way is through the creation of Konkaku spheres that can be hurled at an opponent. Unlike the Truth-Seeking Balls used by sages, the spheres Keshin creates are not dense, and rather, take on a wavy sort of appearance. These wispy balls of Konkaku can actually be used to consume the Konkaku of whatever it has come into contact with. Potentially, it could drain an opponent of all their Konkaku, and actually devour their very soul. While the attack is very effective when used against those who have no mastery over their Konkaku, the spheres will have little use against a fellow Kirawa, who will simply consume the attack and use the newly acquired Konkaku against the one who used the attack.


 * Ectoplasmic Reading: The most unusual and possibly useful ability granted to Keshin by his prowess for manipulating and using Konkaku is the ability to read a person based on how their Konkaku moves within them and interpreting its movements with his own. Through simple glances he is able to read one's emotional state. Keshin can easily discern truth from lies with this ability as well, a feat not so easily accomplished by most. Through mere observation one's true intentions are laid plain before him. but this ability is not limited to the scope of discerning the truth, but is actually capable of so much more. Keshin has been seen to use the principles of this ability in the midst of combat to foresee his opponent's next move. This helps him prepare himself and set up a response. WIP


 * Transcendence: Through his absolute mastery over the soul and its energies, Keshin developed a means to transcend his physical form. By leaving his body behind, he will become a spirit. By doing this, he can escape from techniques meant to destroy the soul, such as techniques within the Naraka Path. While floating about as a soul, however, Keshin is unable to harm an opponent while in this form. Also, if Keshin's separated soul were to cross over to the afterlife, he would be unable to return. Thus, Keshin rarely uses this ability, and only employs its use during the most dire of situations.


 * Soul Visage: Unlike most Kirawa, Keshin did not manifest his Soul Visage for a while; not until his first kill. This trait seen in all Kirawa allows them to see the souls of all people, as the name suggests. Without the Soul Visage, Kirawa would be unable to visualize Konkaku and souls. When this phenomenon is active, the user's irides will take on a blood red hue, and their sclerae will be dyed as black as midnight. While Keshin seems to be able to activate this peculiar trait at will, it is much more common for it to simply manifest when his Kirawa bloodlusts get the best of him. The eyes of a Kirawa are said to reflect the darkness in their soul and are able to strike fear into even the most courageous of foes.