Ketsugo Uzumaki

* **Ketsugo the Encrypted Seal** (暗号化印鑑, "*Angō-ka Fuin*", English TV: "*Cipher Seal*")
* **Thirteenth Hokage** (十三目火影, "*Jūsandaime Hokage*" English TV: "*Thirteenth Fire Shadow*")
* **Sangami** (三神, "Three Gods", Literally: "Migami")
* **The Red Sorcerer (赤い魔術師, "*Aka Majishan" or "The Blood Warlock*"**
* **"The Disciples"** (弟子たち, "Deshitachi", English TV: "The Honorable Students")
* **Ketsugo of the Inundating Ink** (圧倒的な汚れ,"*Inku no Shinsui*" English TV: "*Overwhelming Smudge*")

## Story and Voice Actors

### Story Arrival

Part I (Original Storyline), Part II (Before 5 Yr Time-Skip), Part II (Before 10 Yr Time-skip), Part III (Current)

## Personal

### Classification

Sage Sensory Type

Fūinjutsu Specialist

## Clan

### Clan

 \*Template:Uzumaki Clan* Template:Hyūga Clan
* Template:Senju Clan

## Wealth and Profession

### Occupation

 \*Shinobi (**x**)* Author (**x**)
* Artist (**x**)

### Affiliation

 \*Template:Hidden Leaf Village* Template:Land of Fire
* Hidden Valley Village
* Takumi Village
* Land of Rivers
* Hidden Whirlpool Village
* Land of Whirlpools
* Zoshima

## Relationships

### Summon

 Elephants (Contract Holder) Zenzō, Chienozō, Zōnotatakai

## Chakra Natures

 Yin Release

Yang Release

Yin-Yang Release

Fire Release

Water Release

Earth Release

Lightning Release

Wind Release

## Techniques

### Unique Traits

 * Glance at Fuinjutsu even if foreign and decipher them quickly.

### Fighting Styles

 * Ageless Canvassing Seal
* Fukusū Keisei Bizanchin

### Forms

 * Elephant Sage Mode
* Shinigami Ceremony: All-Point Sealing Bestowal Technique

 ?

## Jutsu Mastery

### Genjutsu

100/100
50/100
35/100

### Senjutsu

100/100
40/100
100/100

### Space–Time Ninjutsu

30/100
50/100
60/100

### Total

0/100
0

## Base Attributes

### Life Force

5/6
6/6
5/6

### Luck

6/6
6/6
-6/+6

### Hand Seals

5/6
4.5/6
6/6

### Stamina

2/6
3/6
6/6

### Maximum Potential

5/6
0/7
0/6

**Ketsugo Uzumaki** (ケツゴ, *Uzumaki Ketsugo*) is a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan. After leaving behind the Land of River's hidden village Tanigakure, Ketsugo embarked on a journey to restore the Uzumaki clan and Uzushiogakure of the Land of Whirlpools. He would eventually meet with Heiwa Sozo and strike a deal becoming a citizen of the Land of Fire. Ketsugo is one of the Sangami and has served Konohagakure as its Hokage for more than a decade.

## **Collective Theme**

Ketsugo, an individual designed to be the pride of the Uzumaki Clan, fashioned in a way to tailor the Uzumaki in the best way imagined - confident, powerful, longevity and successful. Too following this purpose are the African and Japanese Elephants, representing eternity, wisdom, and unbridled strength. These two factors has resulted in Ketsugo personality and abilities, with a focus in that of elephants, ink and fuinjutsu. Elephants tie into the very essence of Ketsugo and his aesthetic, filled with longevity as an immortal person, and Uzumaki, whose strength surpasses most shinobi. Ketsugo abilities and outspoken nature, represents as a Matriarch of the Isle of Elephants.

## **Background**

As a person ready to face and endure pain, Ketsugo has underwent his share of physical and mental suffering throughout his life as a shinobi. Being brought up during a Civil War in the Land of Rivers, there was a minimal degree of mistakes that were allowed to
be made by the Tanigakure native.

There was constant conflicts of various parties, verbal and physical that led to an unsteady economy and much bloodshed to be had. Drenched across the lands were various bodies from mature adults to immature or irresponsible persons. The lands did not discriminate, ultimately forging a sharp juvenile warrior.

As a natural talent and smart individual, who can see things as they actually exist was resistant to joining the 'ninja academy' at the time. Forced too and ultimately becoming a genin, Ketsugo was brought into the severe and grim world where he had become exposed to regular clashes. In the many cases, with his skill and power the Uzumaki was holding within his hands the fate of his enemies. Frequently ending them for years on end, to where the lad had become numb to the pain. Until something clicked within his head, after so many countless battles and lives taken.

It was proven to be meaningless. Leading to the Uzumaki to cause rumbles throughout the country by leading an open resistance against all of the corrupt factions. Through one-year, the rebellion managed to swiftly cut through the high-ranking officials of Tanigakure and Takumi eliminating any and all corrupt officials. For a while Ketsugo was nothing but a figurehead, however popularity lead him to become the nation leader also known as the Sato-Osa. With a unified Land of Rivers, the economy and military was up and running in no-time. For a blank period of time, Ketsugo went missing where he secretly went to train with the Isles of the Elephants.

## **Personality**

A lifetime filled with choices, managed to cut and craft Ketsugo of the Uzumaki Clan. What would you turn into when all you know is facing situations that constantly test your mettle - would you either crack and break or bend and transform? The choices were limited, and those causes resulted in certain effects. Such a consequence of such things is a man who treads very meticulously. A man never too cautious, a characteristic that was refined through the designs of everyday conflict and bloodshed within the land of rivers. As well as the strict and uncompromising teachings learned from his parents and the members of the Uzumaki. Details are always important, missing any data is seen as lackadaisical and unacceptable from any Uzumaki - let alone the child of Ryuga Uzumaki. There is little detail Ketsugo will miss, if anything, he tends to use misdirection to allow others to believe he is ignorant. A person's nature and nurture define them, and the environment along with the inherent pride of the Uzumaki stands up undeniably. A prideful man who was burdened as an adolescent to take on the responsibility to preserve and restore the clan's legacy and be the savior of the Land of River’s painted as a man who became able to rely on his own profound abilities. These impeccable skills were effective communication, negotiation, diligence, honesty, and financial literacy albeit not limited to these assets but to tactical strategies and tangible power. As living proof of consistent achievement, Ketsugo questions if others could truly help him on certain missions for they could become a hindrance to its success. However, the instinctual masculine nature to protect and preserve pervades almost each and every action taken. The cost of his choices often comes to do himself a disservice for his wants - albeit sacrificing for the needs of others despite them being unaware of the actualized reality. The results of his diligence and integrity have vastly benefited people who have fallen under his authority, as they become well protected through his military might as well as the defenses on social structures and cultural designs. Such characteristics resulted in others loving him although encouraging him to become stronger to keep those same people and institutions secured. The addition of his children, as well as the integral role of the clan he presides over, has made him more deliberate. It is unacceptable, inexcusable for his children to be lackadaisical in competence. As best as time has allotted, he’s taught each of them what he could in the span given and has explained thoroughly his expectations for them. By no means holding them to standards as he does himself, understanding they are individuals of the same ilk but not of the exact nature is cause for the sympathetic and empathetic attitudes he holds for them. However, their bloodline is rich and valued, and by no means should anyone take them lightly for if they ever do damning consequences may follow.

Naturally, as an artist, Ketsugo pays close attention to minute details, an individual completely sensitive since anything could be everything to one man. Attuned to things when it comes to writing and art, forming expressions which is one of his outlets. There is nothing short of perfection, as everything he does should be of the absolute best, for himself and for his loved ones. His pride in his skills also accentuates him as a person. A sage who has transcended the normal utilization of Fuinjutsu constantly abhors the idea of someone surpassing him in the art form - hating to be outdone. When it comes to artistry he takes delicate time to formulate intricate seals, going to the furthest depths of the world learning its secrets to push boundaries known to man. As an Uzumaki, he possesses great respect for his history and ancestors, invoking deep gratification in his creation of seals. However, in the face of losing his father decades ago, Ketsugo was left to deal with grief and turmoil were receding away from the world was the only option. Feeling as if a piece of himself had been stripped away, and blamed his own inability and limitations at the time. The results of war made him untrustworthy of relying on people on the battlefield even more - at the time experienced post-traumatic stress disorder and delusional hallucinations. The ordeal caused him to falter as well as get distracted in the past, however, he’s now overcome the anxiety disorder over the recent decades. In the face of conflict, precisely that of battle the Sage can become something unlike himself. As he can be seen as ruthless and aggressive in his approach, seemingly like a machine performing its duty with no remorse for whatever it’s processing for package or in Ketsugo’s case delivering them to the afterlife. In that Civil War where he lost his father, Ryuga Uzumaki had been one of the roadblocks to the rebel’s victory, and at his death, Ketsugo was forced to take the helm. Even after all of his suffering, Ketsugo continues to live through the waves, proceeding with the inherited wealth from his father’s business, to his position as the Hokage, doing his best to live his days as the best he can serving the village and the people he cares about. Albeit, recently there has been a few shifts in Sage’s personality that should not be ignored, for the unveiling of nature may manifest to transform the world in a likeness unlike any has ever seen from an Uzumaki.

## **Appearance**

Standing six-feet tall weighing one-hundred-and-eighty pounds, is the seemingly averaged framed of an adult shinobi male.

    Ketsugo generally has on a blue jonin long-sleeve, and a black shinobi pants with black shinobi sandals. Unlike most shinobi, Ketsugo is not seen with pouches anymore for material. However, like all of his weapons he can summon them on command into his possession to use for a variety of purposes during combat. A red-haired man with three facial markings, cerulean eyes and light brown skin.

## **Reputation**

Ketsugo, the liberator and former Sato-Osa of the land of Rivers has forever gained a heart amongst it's people, as there are various statues of him across the lands. Ketsugo has managed combine both the Tanigakure and Takumi No Sato under one government after decades of civil war. Leading a rebellion gained the man fame, and notoriety as an individual capable of defeating platoons of shinobi single handily. The Uzumaki Clan was also scattered across various lands, however, regathered by Ketsugo Uzumaki alongside his father, Ryuga who had made a fortune from the companies the man owned. With the recollection of Uzumaki there, Ketsugo later became clan lord and visited Uzushiogakure that had been rebuilt by other leaders. After discussion, Ketsugo had not appreciated in the way the leadership had easily trusted others considering the destruction befallen them. There, Ketsugo with the assistance of others and Kenzou (ケンゾー, "Kenzō") Uzumaki (うずまき一族, "Uzumaki Ichizoku"), overthrew the leadership. This was something that benefited the clan in confidence, as well as through discipline taught them to be more diligent and hardworking. This ultimately bolstered the clan strength and confidence, where Ketsugo was crowned as the Uzumaki Lord; garnering respect from many Uzumaki across the world. His power goes unquestioned by some, and the masses may heed his call should he require it despite all the years passing. With much love from the Land of Rivers and Land of Eddies, Ketsugo latter ventured into the Land of Fire and oddly enough became the Kage. As the Jūsandaime Hokage, Ketsugo has served a decade as kage that drastically increased his notoriety from his village hero status. Ketsugo (ケツゴ, Ketsugo), is a man who cannot be categorized with regular shinobi. Words have traveled from near and far. Many others see, that Ketsugo isn't a typical shinobi. Whatever historical figures have been regarded as masters of fuinjutsu, Ketsugo is a man that is reputed to be able to compete with whomever. Stories of him are told across the Land of Fire, as well as outside of the Fire Empire and across the shinobi world. Each of the colonies of the Land of Fire, Uzushiogakure, and the Uzumaki clan has further developed in the craft of Fuinjutsu. Ten years ago the City Hidden in the Leaves was destroyed by a mysterious power from another world. Since then, the Hokage to be disappeared, leaving the power of the province in the hands of the council. Upon electing Ketsugo Uzumaki, the Thirteenth Hokage, the land began to repair itself from this damage. The Leaf was rebuilt anew and is oftentimes referred to as New Leaf City. By the efforts of the council and the Hokage, Konoha is a thriving metropolis and remains a beacon of strength and hope around the world.

## **Tools**

***Aka no Tsūru Izādo*** (赤いウィザードのツール, "*Tools of the Red Wizard*" Viz: "*Weapons of Sorcery*"
A name Ketsugo has cataloged to all of the kunai in his possession, as well as sharing the same name as ofuda tags that are purposed for preexisting techniques that have been sealed inside of them. These kunai, which are inside of his arsenal are colored with his ink. As a result, he's able to control and manipulate the kunai when thrown, allowing him to change its trajectory and adjust its speed. Whilst the kunai is covered with ink, at any point in time Ketsugo can substantially increase the amount of ink dictating the mass, speed, and strength. Getting touched by this inked weapon would leave an immovable mark on nearly any item, individual, or surface that will last indefinitely. Now the ofuda tags, differentiate itself from the composition of most tags. Made from a special material, whose durability matches that of steel and sharpness as a bladed weapon.

***Elephant Tusk*** (象牙, "*Zōge*" English TV; *Ivory Blade*) The Zōge is a blade that has been passed down to sages of Zoshima. The Zōge is a special totem, that is granted by the Triad to the summoning master. To ever hope to get this weapon, the summoner is said to possess great Power and Strength. And serves as the Guardian and Protector of Zoshima and all of its inhabitants. Those who wield are said to have the willpower to protect anything he or she believes in no matter the obstacle. As the wielder of the weapon is supposed to be an unstoppable force that can move an immovable object. The sage council grants the Zōge to the welder understanding the wiles of life and how experiences can change people. Where the wielder may lose willpower and intent, the totem weapon seemingly is a carrier of a thousands of elephants whose great willpower and intent that has been infused into the weapon. The very weapon itself was created from countless elephants tusk and reinforced and merged with senjutsu chakra. The weapon durability and endurance is visible in the appearance, with no blemishes being on the blade despite existing for a millennia and surviving countless battles. It's cutting, slashing, and stabbing ability seemingly able to pierce and damage through thick dense bedrock and mountainous terrain naturally. This weapon is rumored to be the pride of the Elephants and should it fall, their pride is said to falter.

***Scroll of Gyōshū* (収穫,** *Harvesting Scroll***, Viz:** *Assembling Scroll***)** This scroll is inscribed with countless of Pentagram-designed sealing formula, each formula marked with seven complete patterns indicating the elements of the five basic chakra natures and yin yang. When opened the scroll release a very light near translucent substance over a technique and once connected to a technique activates immediately upon touch. Each pattern possesses two circles; each circle possessing designated functions. One circle possess the function of absorbing and containing the power of the chakra nature, absorbing and storing the nature element inside of the seal. Suppressing the most potent chakra no matter the power, size of said technique. The technique ultimately absorbs whatever into its respective elemental pattern, by breaking down a technique and pulling it apart forcefully. Effective upon highly advanced nature transformation; even upon kekkei tota. The seal deconstructs the ratios of spiritual and physical energy by dramatically shifting the balance, breaking the chakra into their separate affinities, absorbing them into their specified pattern. The other function serves the process of unsealing the absorbed technique in its reverse motion allowing the user of this seal, to launch the technique that had previously been sealed.

"The pen is mightier than the sword, this weapon was forged to embody that concept"
**Chidekakuyari (Lit.血で書く槍;** *The Spear that Writes in Both Blood and Ink***)**
A large brush that has somewhat of an appearance similar to a short glaive, with the top portion taking the form of a single-edged blade reminiscent of a tip of a chokutō, attached to the long brush handle. A weapon recovered by the uzumaki clan long ago, where a painter was said to be able craft whatever he imagines at the cost of the user's life. The creations from the spear are rumored to craft whatever the heart desires to the utmost accuracy, at the expense of tremendous amount of chakra. As the blade would produce red ink as a result. The handle was refined by Ketsugo's chakra, as its density is comparable to his chakra chains. The secret technique this mythical spear uses is called (朱筆神彫刻の術, "***Shuhitsugamichōkoku no Jutsu",*** *English* TV; "*Divine Red Pen Sculpture Jutsu*").

## **Chakra and Attributes**

### Chakra

Without question, Ketsugo Uzumaki boast a herculean chakra. Perhaps a result of his heritage, a descendent of Uzumaki and Senju. Ketsugo naturally possess unadulterated amount of Yang Energy. With chakra and body that is unequivocally unique in comparison to Uzumaki and Senju descendants. There is a natural muscular strength behind his chakra that enables his chakra to fend well against hazardous chakra and energy, allowing him to stand amongst various peculiar Yokai and remain nearly unbothered by their essences. As a Uzumaki with special properties to the composite of his chakra structure he's able to manifest the rare and mythical chakra chains of his blood limit.

**Authority within Death God Council**: A man who has become the harbinger of death presides amongst the highest of. As the sage walks amongst demons, yokai, oni, and angels they instinctually bow to his presence. Anything pertaining to life and death, near all must instinctually kneel or bow. It’s not because they want to, but because they must. For all those empowered by the other side, they must bow to the one who gifted them said power.

### Chakra Reserves

Even too Uzumaki and Senju standards, Ketsuco chakra reserves surpasses those considered blessed. **Tailed Beast without a Tail** (尾を持たない尾獣*, O o Motanai Bijū, English TV: Tailless Tailed Beast*) fall short in comparison to the Sage chakra reserves. Sensory shinobi find no end to the chakra supply that the Sage possesses. An endlessness of abundance intimidates those without fortified mental faculties, as the sheer flex of chakra can drastically alter the shape of an environment. The Sages chakra is variable, reflected and represented by his mood. The nature of his chakra can be calm and reserved, its radiance to be used to quell the frightened, and warm the hearts of the saddened. In reverse, Ketsugo chakra can be threatening and used to intimidate a veteran shinobi possibly inducing them into a panic. As the sage chakra reserves are commensurable too that of Hashirama Senju, as the latter, the depth of chakra is unknown. Despite being in a split state, the Uzumaki chakra reserves houses within the threshold of tailed beast.

### Chakra Control

Sitting and standing in a still position for days on end, requires a lot of self-discipline. It is an arduous task no matter if it is a seal specialist from the Uzumaki Clan performing the task. To be able to study and read books, practice Fuinjutsu is one thing but flowing chakra without moving a single limb is nigh impossible for many. Imagine doing that for days at a time, without any nourishment. It is one method of training most could not gather the patience for, nor the skill to perform such an attentive task. This method of chakra movement without hand seals has accumulated towards experience, enabling the process of refined chakra control. However, another training method of chakra control is having to flow chakra through objects from various different distances. As well as using objects as mediums to flow chakra to other mediums, allowing a connective bridge. This training was harnessed through creating complex fuins, which requires stupendous amount of natural talent, dedication and commitment. With a never-give-up attitude to continually refine chakra control, Ketsugo has used all sorts of academia teaching as well as clan, and sage teachings to grow and develop control over decades. Ketsugo at this point uses the necessary output of chakra for each and every single technique, the minimal that maximizes efficiency, and with such a strong grasp of managing his chakra network and flow within, is able to cast a basic technique with utmost refinery and potency. As a sage Ketsugo learned to flow chakra into something from very far away, and manipulate pre-existing and indirect techniques such as his Fuinjutsu. The Aka Majishan has enough control to cast jutsu without hand seals and through his chakra points without the need of any preparation. Ketsugo control over his chakra allows him to flow energy at a rate much faster than most could fathom or react too, maneuvering and weaving at speeds which could match space-time ninjutsu and those donning speeds accessed through special transformations.

### Life Force

Ketsugo naturally possesses an otherworldly life-force and vitality that is incomprehensible to most shinobi. With his amount of life-force and vitality, the strength he exudes is phenomenal. As a member of the Uzumaki clan, inheriting a grandiose and powerful amount of Yang Energy, Ketsugo is a pure representative of the village of longevity. Even that statement would be considered an underestimation, as the Uzumaki has split his life-force and chakra into five portions as a result of the Red Canvass: Temporal Soul Duplication Technique while still retaining enough bountiful energy and power to house grandiose amount of vitality and have the Reaper Death God confined within. The depth of his life-force can be speculated to be commensurable to his chakra.

### Willpower/Intent

A man carved through violence, has grown and developed a nigh and impenetrable mental facility. Ketsugo, a sage who will of fire is always ablaze, cannot be put out. It has stood against time, space and even death. Anything that has sought to dampen or tame Ketsugo’s ego, pride, and willpower has only been met with equivalent or greater intensity that has sought to not just collide, endure, but consume. No will has yet to influence, coerce, manipulate, or control him. Yet, his willpower has counteracted those of equivalent fortitude, as well as transferred his own thought-waves to others. Ketsugo’s intent and willpower at times are managed by his emotions and deliberate decision, which allows him to spread thought-waves across an entire landscape. This can be beneficial to his allies, by sharing his will to help others endurance, fortification, through encouragement. Such thoughts can become vivid to others, as his emotions can too become clear to even non-sensory shinobi, citizens included. Such a willpower can inspire others to press onwards within impossible situations, as well as can be used to manipulate others to obey his commands should another not possess adequate will to resist.  Ketsugo intent can be very transparent and descriptive, and when triggered, the most damning consequences can result in a plethora of horror that one may be strongly inclined to be Genjutsu. It is not far fetched the stress can cripple someones mental capacity, shattering the ability of another to think and process information.

## **Abilities**

### Sensory

The Sage is constantly in a state of awarenesses, with such an intimate relationship with the flow of the world - Ketsugo seems to be in-tune with most life and physical matter. Even without the use of the Kagura Shingan Technique, Ketsugo connection to the physical forces of the world has evolved, to where he can detect mass naturally as if any of his other senses. Through the Kagura Shingan technique Ketsugo is passively perceptive, without conscious effort. The range of Ketsugo perception allows him to locate and track someone/something from across the Land of Fire. Retaining the ability to precisely locate someones chakra; differentiating the chakra of an individual clan whilst deciphering their chakra ratios. Ketsugo deduction skill has been proven enough he's able to sense nature energy, physical energy, and spiritual energy of beings, objects, and from environments. Such refinement of this technique gives the perceptiveness of allowing him to track, sense, and follow the slightest, fastest fluctuations and movement of energy. Throughout his years after becoming a Sage, he's thoroughly able to read physical energy, thus anything consistent with mass and physical properties. The expanse this spreads equates relevancy to his base sensory range and expands concurrently further in Sage mode.

Ketsugo is able to read if he or someone else is trapped under a genjutsu. The Sage can read underneath the underneath - detecting the accurate energy of even beast, objects, yokai that are sealed. Ketsugos sensory prowess allows him to outline the energy of a person his mind, effectively allowing him to close both eyes against Sharingan and illusionary combatants. As a shinobi he could not forsake honing the basics, therefore the Sage committed to maximizing them to peak condition; relying on those traits to overcome challenges. As a master of sensory in his own right, Ketsugo has been able to archive any and every energy signatures he's come across, with the additional support of memory seals.

### Intelligence

Ketsugo intelligence is indisputable as this has been credited to his sheer brilliance and the Multi-Shadow Clone jutsu. The clones benefit Ketsugo throughout his life-time to search, find, gather, study, retain and practice data and information collected. Some knowledge has been accredited to his rune while he factors in the arduous work of himself and the clones. Due to this, Ketsugo has said to be extremely cultivated and educated and that is true. With his knowledge vast within fuinjutsu, this also expands to other jutsu area's. Although not as well-practiced, he's deeply studied and trained in many of the functions. All credit aren't due to his clones but his natural aptitude of processing information, analyzing to come out with the best solution possible. With a investigatory mind-set, Ketsugo has been able to draw upon conclusions and cast judgement quickly. The man had been able to devise multiple plans against large groups of shinobi and manage to effectively take them out with a singular fuinjutsu. With his studies deeply involvement in technology, science, and math has made him equal in knowledge with experts within each individual field.

### Hand Signs

Hands seals are no problem for Ketsugo, having no trouble memorizing the movements that resulted in swift fluidity. When using hands seals, the speed at which they maneuver challenges the prowess of remarkable perceptible dojutsu. Ketsugo has adapted many of the many hand postures, substituting them for the mudra hand seals.

### Speed

Training within Isles of the Elephants, Ketsugo underwent serious trails to increase speed by going training within unbearable atmospheric pressures. These pressures being that of pressured air, pressured water where the force of gravity was heavier than earthly elevations. By running across, fighting within various areas, the sage body advanced in mobility and dexterity. With the process of underwater swimming with trunks attempting to strike him refined his reactionary ability to evade and counter-strike. Through those obstacles Ketsugo has achieved great speed to where he's able to disorientate opponents perception when attempting to search for the red-headed man. These movements naturally are comparable to a master of the body flicker technique. Through a whiff of his opponent's actions, Ketsugo can counterattack with agility by outmaneuvering his enemies. As a surprisingly adept mobile fighter, he's attained light ninja feet where his footsteps become absolutely silent. Using the skill and ability within his possession to maneuver about virtually undetected, and the controlling of his equilibrium made him more honed as a shinobi. Ketsugo speed becomes overwhelming when using the flicker technique, seemingly disappearing from existence as it has been mistaken for space-time ninjutsu. However, his transportation jutsu allows him to maneuver at even heightened translation that simply makes others think he is gone.

### Strength

Due to the amount of time he's taken to improve fuinjutsu, physical strength took a back seat in comparison to others whose vigor are akin to his own. Zoshima inhabitants generally wouldn't allow someone of Ketsugo physical strength within the region, but because of his skillset, he managed. Through precise, accurate and decisive blows Ketsugo can bring down even refined combatants.

### Durability

Ketsugo’s physical is one of the Uzumaki and the Senju, the inheritor of extreme durability and endurance. As a person’s whose body has been battered since a child, having to take part in Tanigakure and Takumi No Sato’s civil war has undergone a fair share of punishment. The lessons of durability and endurance more so were thought at home, from both Uzumaki and Ryuga parenting. It was unacceptable To have a weak body in the midst of war, as inheritor of the Uzumaki chakra chains and practitioner of the gentle fist, it was necessary to build up stamina as well as carry the burden of fist and chains. Upon the weight of his back is the pride of three clans, and as the representative of the Uzumaki Clan, it was imperative for him to sustain damage and continue on. So, Ketsugo learned to take a beating and stand back up as a child to be resilient. As time continued so did interactions and experiences, allowing Ketsugo to not only feel the burden of chakra chains and fist, but that of powerful enemy jutsu and physical capability. En route to learning and mastering seal techniques, Ketsugo experimented with some self-inflicting seals that brought stupendous pain. This worsened with development of curse seals, tormenting self in pursuit of knowledge and technique. In the process of becoming a sage, Ketsugo has had to undergo ruthless combat with elephants of Zoshima, whose physical strength far outclasses his own. Having withstood blows from the region elephants during engagements, which would have certainly crushed just about most shinobi, Ketsugo did not succumb too. Surviving underwater for extended periods of time, as well as experiencing varying temperatures from the altering temperatures of water from cold to hot thus gathering a form of resistance to thermal energy. The physical body of Ketsugo can withstand incredible amounts of physical damage, with the endurance to welcome the burden. The Aka Majishan body is riddled with codes, consisting of Fūinjutsu, Juinjutsu and Sorcery technique; placing them on did not come without withstanding some sort of physical consequence over the years. The depths of his durability has yet to be truly tried, as few has had the chance of successfully landing a strike or combination effort to take him down.

### Recovery

Ketsugo life-force and vitality is brimming because of his Uzumaki heritage, possessing a strong soul granting superior recuperative powers. With abnormal healing ability, his body with rapidity regenerates and recreates damaged tissues, organs, and nerves. His vitality and life-force are so vast, through transferring his chakra to people, he can heal them with the exact effects of his clansmen who uses heal bite, although he's not required too be bitten for these results. The downside of this similar to being bitten, is that it drains him an adequate amount of chakra. Ketsugo benefits from his immensely strong and highly efficient immune system, which renders him resistant to most natural diseases and infections. This is because his life-force is so great, his recuperative skill is like few in history with a healing factor, as his life-force and physical energy accelerate his bodily process. As a result, his body naturally produces above-average white blood cells; they deal with expunging toxins from his body. With his body producing antibodies and target b cells to form within moments of infiltration keeping him secure which is only surpassed by his regenerative powers. Should Ketsugo have his limbs chopped off, through the use of natural regeneration and the Self-Healing Ink technique he can create new ones. While his healing prowess is remarkable, without Ketsugo sharing his chakra and managing its output those who attempt to absorb the cells within their body may not be able to handle the undeniably potent yang energy which could cripple even a behemoth.

## **Jutsu**

### Taijutsu

Ketsugo could not shy away from close-quarters, Aisa Hyuga, his mother trained him in the art of gentle fist. Seemingly becoming efficient in this art of combat, learning various of the clan's secret techniques. Ketsugo adapted the fundamental of the art into **Kanshō** (Lit: *Interference Style*). A particular jutsu technique mimicking that of the Hyuga Clan which revolves around disturbing the chakra flow of the opponent and ultimately rendering them immobile. Without the need for a hand seal, Ketsugo conjures a fuin on his palm or fingertips which houses a concentrated form of chakra. The seal it trusted onto someone via physical touch, as the seal is inserted, the concentrated chakra causes internal damage alike the gentle fist, although when the seal is established inside of a target. The fuin acts as a lock, storing the chakra inside a concentrated point inside of the victim disturbing the chakra pathway system by clogging it. If a victim attempts to use chakra where the seal is applied, the chakra will seek to find room to maneuver tearing apart or blowing holes through the limb of the victim. Ketsugo manages to incorporate this offensive-fighting style with a plethora of other fuinjutsu that can render taijutsu masters useless. The red-haired man manages to often disconnect individuals from using chakra, therefore rendering that ability null throughout battle. Through being touched or touching another, Ketsugo applies fuins that ultimately paralyze and strangle his victims or disconnecting them using the Contract Seal either it be from a summoning, nature energy, or other sources of energy. A defensive fighting-style Ketsugo uses, named **Ihan** (Lit: *Breach Feet*) centers around countering the enemy's attacks. As such requiring combat experience with a great level of finesse, dexterity, and fluidity of movement. Heavily relying on fast footwork as well as incredible agility and combat perception in order to focus on fending off opposing attacks and instantly counterattacking. Ketsugo has honed his counterattacks masterfully, abilities that aim to predict movement, intercept and strike effortlessly in tandem with his sensory capability.

### Ninjutsu

As his predecessors Ketsugo has been able to perform formidable techniques with unblemished execution, even with consectuive ninjta techniques that can used together simultaneously. In any case a technique rankings, Ketsugo exhibits irrefutable aptitude for the application. During his time as Uzumaki Lord, Ketsugo spent much time honing this craft in battlefields of his own creation or on the Isle of the Elephants. With the ability to access all of the five basic elemental chakra natures, Ketsugo has become adept in the scene of a battle against any shinobi as he's become masterful with each during his period of active duty Hokage. Despite his natural elemental affinity, Ketsugo was a practitioner of Yin and Yang Release since he became a shinobi. Ketsugo was trained by his father and fellow uzumaki masters to hone his spiritual energy, to couple with his inherently powerful physical energy.

During the age of becoming a summoner, Ketsugo became proficient with using both Yin and Yang to ultimately combine the two energies and form Yin-Yang Release and use it for the creation of his ink and phletoral of other ninja techniques. Through the process of understanding that the combination of physical and spiritual energy is the fundamentals of the universe, Ketsugo deepened his mastery over those rules. As he sees Yin and Yang as direct relation to absolute forces, as Yang role in the universe is the creation of life and represents most physical energy. Yin role in the universe is form which allows consistency throughout the universe, without it there can no shape or meaning behind existence. As life itself cannot be maintained without consistency and vice versa; as each must coexist even when the ratio of either is minute. Form and shape can be described in a multiple amount of view points, such as being the direction in which a flow of energy - the flow of life - the flow of the world - follows and must be kept to; otherwise it will be torn apart and be rendered null and void. All of life follows a flow and all things in the universe posesses a shape in which becomes possible. Life must follow form, that is the way it has always been. And when the form changes, so too does life; as Ketsugo see it to be the way of the universe. Ketsugo can create, control and manipulate through the fundamental forces, although he does have limitations. Ketsugo is easily able to transfer his chakra to another, able to mold the transferred chakra to adapt it to another person's specific chakra flow and once the chakra is transferred, he is able to manipulate that chakra remotely. Using ink as a medium he's able to viciously sap away from the chakra of others rapidly with an aggressive hunger. As Hokage, Ketsugo has taken the time to gather knowledge of all techniques within the village history catalog and memorizing each one with the help of a mental seal, with the skill to use many of the Hiden techniques.

### Vajra Chain Mastery

A special ability that is usable by some Uzumaki is the ability to weaponize their chakra, Ketsugo Uzumaki, also possess this ability make his chakra extremely durable. That which can be formed into chains, which are used which are used for various purposes such as directly combating and physically restraining his targets — foes even as powerful as a tailed beast. These chains can be used to bind the chakra of targets, completely neutralizing them. Using the chakra chains, Ketsugo could erect a strong barrier preventing anyone or anything from entering or leaving the perimeter defined by the chains. These chains can also act as a medium for a multi-faceted seal, completely strong enough to subdue the nine-tailed fox and other creatures alike. Ketsugo developed this capability, able to harness his chakra flow and shape transformation to create ninja tools, that can too act as a seal replicating the binding force as the chakra chains. With weaponized chakra Ketsugo can also be used offensively, delivering strikes with chakra chains that deliver mammoth force, creating shock waves and concussive blast upon impact, possessing the power to pulverize summonings and large constructs within its path.

### Yang Mastery

Ketsugo Yang Energy is very powerful and something he considers to be one of the most powerful element. Ketsugo point of view is that it's one of the absolute forces in the universe. Yang role in the universe is the creation of life into form and represents all physical energy. Ketsugo mastery over Yang Release carries the ability to manipulate life itself on a molecular and cellular level. Life is a characteristic that distinguishes physical entities either its animate or inanimate functions. Ketsugo also has the ability to breath life into form, as he can virtually create many conditions as a result. He's able to manipulate others life energy and that of the earth, and restore it or empower others by manipulating the yang energy. Aside from healing, restoring, and breathing life-into things or people. Ketsugo can also use the Yang Release offensively, as he's able to use the ability to manipulate physical energy into reinforcement, enhancements, as well as drainage and weakening. Ketsugo can also take life away in the same manner that he can give it by controlling physical energy. A method of offensively using it, he can touch a surface, and absorb the physical energy from an environment or person in large volumes. Leaving a once abundant of green into a barren land of dead trees in a matter of seconds. And by touching someone with his hands or via a medium, grasps and forcing someone's physical energy from them immediately turning them into nothing but ash and dust.

### Genjutsu

The art of illusions has never been something Ketsugo focused on. The path the aristocrat has taken was elsewhere, but there was never an absence of talent in this area. A lack of commitment and testament has led the man to be more exposed than he would like. As a master of the Yin element, there was other usages of the style. Illusionary and mind-controlling practices were more taken into account as his time as Hokage, learning techniques from the village clans. Becoming knowledgeable about the topic, Ketsugo is more knowing of how the human body and its systems can be affected by it, as well as identifying if he’s placed in one. Studying this topic more has inspired its usage and has increased the Uzumaki proficiency. Sharpening and honing this area to create a sub-branch referred to as ‘Mind Caging’ – a combination of Genjutsu and Fuinjutsu which is largely unexplored.

### Bukijutsu

The use of weapons is a craft built for those who are willing to confiscate the life out of any being. A weapon which is forged through the sharpness and ability of a forger, or a tool which is used to defend those who can not protect themselves. Even shields could be used defensively, handling its fair share against the iron and steel of pointy edges which seeks to pierce through its enemies. A variety of weapons, Ketsugo has familiarized himself with and has the capacity to hold his own against elite-shinobi. Using self-crafted weapons of his own, to snatch the light away from those who are his enemies. Though not a legendary bukijutsu user, Ketsugo maintains the competency to handle a platoon of shinobi with these skills alongside the collaboration of other techniques and skills.

### Sojutsu

Upon rediscovering the Chidekakuyari two decades ago, Ketsugo spent a substantial amount of time using the weapon in combat. Training by himself or against multiple opponents, or even weapon combatants much more qualified than himself. Through the years, Ketsugo has become able to wield the Chidekakuyari effectively for a prolonged period of time. The weapon itself was forged long before his discovery but refined it with his own chakra to change it's properties. As only he himself can weild such a thing, due to a bondage seal between himself and the weapon. Allowing him to freely toss, push, pull and manipulate the object akin to telekinesis. Despite the seal, Ketsugo can weild the Chidekakuyari and other spears/staffs with familiarity.

### Fūinjutsu

From a young age, Ketsugo was predestined to become an Fuin user with unparalleled skill. With the Shibito Rūnsutōn applied there was less room for question but countless results. This however did not keep Ketsugo away from arduous work, task, research and studying he done. Ketsugo studied Uzumaki textual works and documented information, as well as expanded on gathering information that had not fully been uncovered by them. Through the use of using clones, it enabled him to save much time finding, storing, and sharpening the skills the knowledge brought him. Studying across various locations across the continents, Ketsugo stored archaic information within his memory. With a library within his mind carrying centuries of information, Ketsugo knowledge on mythology/mysticism are vast and incomprehensible. During his twenties, Ketsugo left the Land of Fire with clones scattered across the world to accumulate much more information on different cultures; including the languages, sciences, mathematics, music, and lores. With esoteric knowledge and a great mind, Ketsugo was able to combine all this information and understand it as one delicate universal language. Seals can be created and be very powerful, however, they can also be undone and neutralized. To circumvent this, Ketsugo took into account all of this to make a seal design that is virtually impenetrable causing him to receive *Ketsugo The Encrypted Seal*. Practices that helped were used are knitting, tailoring, stitch-work, intricate embroidery, blacksmithing, and using bukijutsu to her with swiftness, speed, dexterity, precision, coordination and ambidextrous maneuvering.

For years Ketsugo studied and analyzed seals arduously day in and day out. It became so regular for him that on a whim he could glance at a seal and perceive its abilities and commands despite having an archaic complex algorithm. Ketsugo can apply chakra in his eye that adds a bit of depth to see seals hidden beneath the surface of things or within someone. Such clarity in vision has given the man insight on genjutsu when it has been cast by being able to see the chakra. All of Ketsugo's seals are made out of Yin-Yang, and the generation of his ink is not excluded from this process. Each seal applied to a person would automatically begin to intertwine itself onto a individuals chakra network, making removing this seal nigh impossible. Ketsugo fuinjutsu is incomprehensible to almost every single soul in the world, as the complexity of his seal and because of his linguistic control and manipulation he has; thus crafting the very meaning and definitions of the language communications involved into the engineered design. The power of his seal is so strong that it seemingly becomes one with the victim or surface, as each seal would exist seemingly forever even after his death. Ketsugo has become known as the Red Sorcerer, due to his Fuin arts able to seemingly accomplish anything, such majutsu. There has never been a limitation to which he's able to do with sealing or cursing one's fate.

## Senjutsu

Because of his incredibly large chakra reserves and excellent chakra control, Ketsugo alike Hashirama Senju could use senjutsu and enter Sage Mode - a feat he could perform instantaneously. Ketsugo can use natural energy to blend with his chakra to bolster his abilities and techniques, although he's taken a further step into sagehood. Ketsugo usage can also manipulate nature, giving him a plethora amount of ways to use it to his advantage. Becoming more in-tune with nature allowing him to use various aspects of nature to turn the tides of any disadvantageous circumstance. The entire world itself is a part of nature, and every essence of it's being is that of natural energy. The weather, climate, landscape; it is all in his grasp to gather nature energy from and manipulate. With his ability to channel his chakra to natural energy, across the earth he's able to create, manipulate, and control invisible forces such as air, and materials to use a technique from a distance. This power and skill in terms of his usage of senjutsu and nature manipulation itself have granted him the earned epithet as the Elephant Sage ( 象哲人, "Zō Sennin" English TV; "Tusk Hermit"). Through channeling nature energy across his body, he can manipulate it similar to a tailed beast shroud. His physical strikes drastically increase in power, every swipe, kick, punch carrying an incredible force. When focusing, concentrated strikes can travel incredible distances. In Sage Mode, Ketsugo can manipulate senjutsu or natural energy around him as extensions of his physical body or create weapons.

Accessing the natural force of the world, Ketsugo unveiled new opportunities for both power and skill. Using this ability allows him sensing capability those who may seem entirely out of range whereas he's able to track and trace someone across continents. He's able to precisely pinpoint someone's location by determining the natural energy in a location, understanding the space-occupying where natural energy is supposed to be, accurately calculating someone's height, weight, quickness in which someone can move exactly. By coursing chakra through his body, his nerve ending becomes heightened sensitivity to vibrations. As he's able to stick out his tongue, or place a body part on a surface and detect vibrations of high-paced moving objects, including animals and humans. And also, Ketsugo is able to detect seismic vibrations from thunderstorms, tsunami's and earthquakes before they actually occur. In the process of vitalizing his body with chakra, Ketsugo smell adapts to that exactly of an elephants trunk with its keen sense. By sniffing, he gathers scent particles that are then carried to a specialized gland called the Jacobson's organ, located in the roof of the mouth. The Jacobson's organ is able to gather information about the surroundings by detecting and analyzing molecules and particles from the air. Through this process, Ketsugo is capable of locating water sources up to 19.2 km (12 mi.) away and acknowledges his sense of smell is 100 times greater than a dog. Substantially increased is Ketsugo's physical strength, speed, stamina, reflexes, perception, and durability. With his dramatic increase, Ketsugo ninjutsu, and related abilities are bolstered. In this mode, Ketsugo is one with nature, being an extension of his body as well as the increase in all his abilities and techniques. In Zō Sennin Mōdo, Ketsugo physical strength and durability are comparable to that of monstrous; testing this by walking through highly pressurized waters that modern ships cannot. As his body adapts, it takes on elephants likeness, equating his strength to be incomprehensible. Ketsugo muscles tremendously grow in strength and mass, strengthening his tendons as well as the very durability increases drastically along with the incredible toughness of his skin. He can mimic musth rumbles that can travel for a considerable distance warning all of nature to escape the scene.In Zō Sennin Mōdo, Ketsugo is able of transforming his body-parts and limbs into that of an Elephant, for example generating flapping ears that will create a powerful and impactful gust to cause destruction.

## **Other**

**SEAL** (???,"Fuin", English TV; "*Seal*")
Also referred to as Special Extraction of Analytical Languages, is a covet unit of highly skilled ANBU with access to extraordinary covert organizations under the jurisdiction of the 13th Hokage, Ketsugo Uzumaki. These organizations names are Komando to Seigyo and Komyunikeshon no Kaishaku. The SEAL serves on important missions inside the Land of Fire, as well as outside across various continents across the world for assassinations and disturbance purposes. The assignments that they conduct to protect the village from exceptional threats include high-risk infiltration into enemy territory, dealing with strong shinobi and criminals, surveillance which serves to track and interrogate enemies. They are good at getting information as a result of versatility within the unit, as a result of actions taken by them they can appear corrupted of kindness. Due to the sensitive nature of missions assigned and the unique abilities members possess, they are expected to be destroyed should their body fall into enemy hands.

**Library of Ruin** (????, "Hametsu no Toshokan" English TV; "*Ruined Library*")
Hametsu no Toshokan are valuable locations Ketsugo has set up across his journey across the shinobi world. Each location is hidden and protected by complex multi-layered sealing barriers, as well as being hidden underneath or in the surfaces of the world. Each location contains valuable information of mythology, cultures, and backgrounds with hordes of information that many would believe are mere myths. Inside these locations are special treasures, tools, artifacts and materials that have been collected. Each of these items are secured with sequential arrays upon them. These locations have not been disclosed to anyone, as these vast labyrinths are secured with insurmountable amount of layered traps to hinder and impede intruders.

**Deadman RuneStone Cemetery** (?????, "Shibito Runsuton" English TV; *Deadman Cemetery*")
The Deadman RuneStone Cemetery is a secured location within Uzumaki Provinces. A seal that has enacted to only allow those authorized and with dominant Uzumaki blood to enter within. Only those granted permission can actually step foot on the sacred soil, as these cemetery tombstones are indeed rune-stones with runic inscriptions layered throughout each one. Throughout the life-time of a Uzumaki, they can visit a rune-stone where over their life time embeds pieces of their chakra, will into the falu piece of bedrock. Sealing spiritual energy, physical energy, and even abilities. Those born in the clan are able to become runic-users, inheriting the power of the predecessors abilities. Each rune user will have a unique making upon their body, some speculate as seen on Ketsugo Uzumaki body is his three-facial markings upon his face. For certain is that Ketsugo does visit the Shibito Runsuton to bless the next generation of his power to whoever inherits his ability. "A son is better, u though he late he be born, And his father to death have fared; Memory-stones seldom stand by the road, Save when kinsman honors his King".

## **The Battle of Skinkyo Bridge**

Thunderous roars were descending from the heavens over the entirety of the Land of Rivers, its reverberation amplifying the agony of those fallen over the last seventy-two hours. For three days-straight surfaces were painted with blood, poetically decorating the buildings within the city of Otoshi, a city located within Tanigakure. Fresh blood leaking into the rivers, tainting the waters that was necessary for the citizens throughout the countryside. The Skinyo Bridge being an important location for those supplied by it, as well as those who were trading weapons through its route. Near Takumi No Sato made this location prime to be targeted, and many of those home within Tanigakure were usually stationed here. However, during a summer weekend an enormous hurricane riddled the land with torrential downpour causing the location defenses to waver tremendously. Usually stationed around the Shinkyo Bridge are around 40 shinobi at all times but as a result of such a torrential downpour and threatening winds, the unit number was reduced to an 8-man unit. Two squads, one lead by Ryuga Uzumaki and the other lead by Madoka Asauchi.

At the middle of the night, streaks of lightning were descending alongside the droplets of rain. Sheltered underneath the bridge and surrounding bridges, the members maintained a location where view was possible but damn near improbable. Vision obscured by heavy rain, scattered by dangerous winds which brought down powerlines and trees, flipping over some stationary boats alongside into the river. Tremendous noise from multiple fronts focusing on things in the area troublesome, with the occasion of leaving a post to save someone from nearby debris. Ketsugo stepped out from underneath the bridge with speed to land on top of the raging waters, chakra chains intercepting the falling trees. Four chains were suspended to hold four trees, the moment they were grasped lightning had struck behind the red-haired Uzumaki.

A bright and flashing light illuminating intensely, its reflection bouncing off the water. Deafening claps of thunder shrouding the movement of countless shinobi and their movements, at the opportune time striking amidst the natural disaster. With the light retreating back from the reflective surface, Ketsugo eyes were open with astonishment upon realizing blood was streaming downside both his shoulders and gut. Flesh had been torn open and ripped apart as a vitalized passed directly through him like a knife against butter. Sharp were his eyes amongst himself realizing what happened, as a result the trees were tossed outwards into the foliage. His own howl suppressed by natures intervention as the pain began to fade away as his flesh begins to repair itself from the tear. Senses alerted and now alerting the others, two were dead the moment the enemies surprised attack.

Takumi No Sato shinobi were hiding within the environment, a total of one-hundred and seventy-five shinobi. A staggering number which Ketsugo picked up via sensory, alerting the remaining shinobi via a communication seal. Standing upon the middle of the bride now, Ketsugo was surrounded by fifty-shinobi who were supplied with ninja tools and shinobi-ware. With the boiling anger of the death of his fellow shinobi, he was fast-acting springing forth with a chakra chain for the number of enemies and struck them down with a single hit each. Rendering them incapable of fighting as they were bounded and restricted of any movement. A body flicker was used allowing his father to relocate with him and the other members. It seemed the number of one-hundred and twenty-five were impossible, at least for most but not the two Uzumaki manning the front. They saw it as a warm-up, however the target proved to not be the Tanigakure shinobi themselves but the bridge. Countless trees were cut down in the surrounding area, these towering trees landing on the side of the river, paths, and descending towards the bride itself.

With the bride gone so too would this important route of trade – risking the livelihood and the weapons that would cross this area. To protect this area, Ketsugo was ordered by his father to maintain a barrier around this location no matter what. Without the Shinkyo Bridge the enemy would have a better advantage in the civil war and those within the village would be massacred. Reluctant to follow this order, Ryuga had no other option but to place his sun under a genjutsu. This genjutsu forced Ketsugo to follow his father’s orders and subsequently performed the adamantine chakra chains barrier. Those who were inside of the range of the barrier with the shinobi, were dispatched with additional chains by Ryuga.

While the outside was being continually bombarded with high-grade ninjutsu and ninja and scientific ninja tools. Ryuga exited the barrier alongside the other shinobi who had to encounter the remaining forces, and they stood atop of the barrier awaiting the incoming shinobi. Rushing in were the Takumi Shinobi, who challenged Tanigakures elite shinobi and soon found their way. At the cost of the few lives, they had too taken many. Standing alone, bloodied by the shower of Takumi’s blood Ryuga stood hunched over breathing heavily. With only ten shinobi left he was exhausted although smiling, like his son he too was overbearing with confidence. Although this was short-lived as reinforcements came on behalf of the invaders, loading in by the hundreds. Morodomi Saga, a powerful and respected military leader within Takumi arrived to the battlefield. His reputation being equivalent to Ryuga himself, approached the top of the dome. His arrival visibly shaking the Uzumaki elder, pondering where were the reinforcement! Inquiring on how desperate Takumi was to attack during the middle of a storm, Morodomi gave no verbal reply but responded with haste by appearing before Ryuga grasping his throat. In a single instance crushing the elder ability from speaking, followed by a heart wrenching knee to the gut causing the Uzumaki to face plant on top of the dome. With a nimble flicker of his fingers and wrist, Ketsugo’s genjutsu was undone. Seeing the barrier surface riddled with blood it was hard to see atop where his father laid planted. A smile was sent his way from the fleeting Uzumaki, and by the time Morodomi was going to send a thunderous kick downwards was intercepted by another. Asai Hyuga, whose gentle-fist had pushed back Morodomi.

In the backdrop were hundreds of other shinobi that engaged with Takumi’s reinforcements. Ordered to maintain the barrier, Ketsugo had done so regrettably for the duration of the battle. Hundreds of lives were lost on both sides all at the cost of preserving a bridge – which without it Tanigakure would have lost its future battles without. For decades it has proven invaluable, so much so Ryuga Uzumaki – rose up again during the battle to finish Morodomi. At the time the strongest shinobi on the battlefield with Ryuga weakened, subsequently taking his own life via the Dead Demon Consuming Seal which successfully won the battle. With Morodomi gone Takumi lost its edge in the fight forcing its shinobi to retreat for another day. A younger, powerless Ketsugo couldn’t do anything but preserve a location… A day he will never forget as it had once haunted him for decades.

## **The Rosy Whirlpool Chronicle**

Once a feared and revered clan, the Uzumaki had become an afterthought. As the result of the clan’s destruction, it took decades for the clan to gain its footing. Many of the tomatoed hair members were scattered throughout the shinobi continents but during the tenure of Naruto Uzumaki the clan regained some of its faith. Leaders who had abandoned their nation to survive reunited, forming into families which later became categorized as branches. Initially returning to the Land of Whirlpools proved difficult according to Ryuga Uzumaki, Ketsugo’s father.

Eventually when the clan settled, they were ruled by various family leaders causing multiple disputes. A result of this allowed many potential members to return years after and some never after out of fear of another attack from nations. This was a part of the lesson Ketsugo was told growing up. As a member of the Uzumaki, he was raised in the Land of Whirlpools, Land of Fire, and Land of Rivers. In each of these nations Uzumaki lived, following the rule of their leaders and not an undisputed clan lord. This could not be ignored because the clan was divided – therefore if anyone wanted to destroy them once more, resistance would fail again.

During his life-span within the Land of Rivers, Ketsugo combined all of the families under one household, effectively becoming its leader after single-handedly bringing down each noble fighter. This too caried on when visiting the Land of Whirlpool, witnessing the clan struggle with leadership and running the government. Understanding this he conversed with the aristocrats about separating the Sato-Osa from the Uzumaki Clan Lord. Revealing a single clan should not rule a nation, and a clan should be ruled by a powerful shinobi. Uproar was anticipated and much resisted however, after further discourse and display of power there was none that could oppose at the time, as Kawazu Uzumaki passed from an illness. Kawazu Uzumaki, an individual known to rekindle Uzushiogakur greatly. With none to contest a vote was casted and Ketsugo became the unanimous leader of the clan within Land of Rivers and Land of Whirlpool.

Years began passing and the foundation of the clan was solid. By the time Ketsugo moved to the Land of Fire, there was no leader of the clan and without any opposition or challenge he had assumed the role, across the shinobi world word spread far and wide. An aristocrat with the power and political skill to garner the respect and loyalty from the clan members despite being far apart. Each of the clan members answers to Ketsugo orders and to this day there has never been an open resistance to his rule.

## **The Child Who Writes In Blood**

    There he stood, upright and seemingly poised. It was uncommon for a shinobi of his age to appear calm in a situation like this, faced with adversity from all angles. The current circumstance seemed like the lad would not survive, as he was surrounded by a platoon of one-hundred shinobi. These men and women were a part of a broken system, and they were responsible for the countless deaths that have plagued the Land of Rivers for over a decade. The cerulean blue orbs of the red-haired teenager, scanned left to right to observe the movements of organized unit. The eyelids of the Uzumaki closed, and his mind’s eye opened wide and read more accurately then ever before. Standing grounded to the surface, the left hand of the Uzumaki flickered to the ground to dismiss the drying blood. As it hit the ground, it sorts acted as a signal to the shinobi nearby. It should remind them of their previous comrades that were recently introduced to the afterlife. Their numbers did not matter, it did not frighten Ketsugo at. Instead, it managed to fuel him. As if adding petroleum to an already existent fire, the blaze continued to grow larger and fiercer with each passing moment.

The unmitigated willpower allowed his thought waves to transmit across the battlefield like shockwaves, projecting the sheer force of his murderous resolve that caused many to stop in their tracks and second guess themselves. Some were completely unbothered, but it did not matter if they were scared or not. Reality would soon set in, and as smooth and graceful as the gust that blew past Ketsugo. The prodigal shinobi disappeared from sight, pressing off the balls of his feet the Uzumaki had lunged forward with breathtaking speeds that covered the distance relatively fast. The first target was straight ahead, behind the trunk of a tree. The killer intent had managed to cause this one to freeze, and stuck between both flight or fight the individual had been bent over. This was the result of the fist of Ketsugo clashing into the gut of the kunoichi, which caused her innards to immediately suffer consequential damage. The precise strike caused the woman’s stomach to rupture, and with the turning of the lad’s fist he pulled back his closed hand. The speed at which the enemy flew was respectable, as within a second the kunoichi crashed into the tree back first where the trunk splintered apart. The point of contact immediately breaking her back, and the whiplash causing the head to ricochet off and cracking the back of the skull. Instantly the woman passed out and with the immediate swelling and consistent blood lost, her fate would be doomed if there was no intervention to save her life.

Did they think they could catch Ketsugo off guard? This was the plain question that he asked, although not verbally but in thought. The question was short lived, as there was no other option for him but to engage in the art of survival. This consequently made the fate of the shinobi inescapable, as without any time to delay Ketsugo bent both of his knees and lowered both palms to the ground. The roundhouse kick from the left and the right had missed, and with the rotating bodies of the enemies now inches away the Uzumaki pressed both palms on the ground. Using his legs as springboards and his arms to help the catapult upwards, Ketsugo was now one foot above both men. By the time his positioning could be recognized readily, both arms were descended downwards and palms wide open. Why were both palms open? Well, Ketsugo adjusted his positioning by using the shoulders of both individuals to now propel himself upwards into the tree branches. Retreating from the opening and as well as from the explosion that had been triggered by the tags placed upon them. They were gone, within a matter of seconds. Three down and ninety-seven more to go. All that was left from the two men were limbs, bones and flesh scattered. *“These shall not be the only corpses here today.”*

Haunting words whispered into the ear of three men, that when they realized they were outmaneuvered eyes shot wide open in shock. Before any movement could be made, a blackened seal had encased around their platform. Disabling them from moving, in fact their bodies felt like it weighed several hundred pounds by the increase in pressure upon their chakra networks. Nothing could be done for them, Ketsugo would make sure of it. Raising his left leg, a shock to the back of their waist, sent them hurling downwards into the branches to lay in between the center of the previously ruined individuals. *“All of you are responsible for the countless deaths!”* The thoughts of his mind were extremely loud and clear that his words did not need to be heard. Instead, the screaming of his mind conveyed brassy enough. To kill every single individual here was an objective, no. It was a determined goal. It was personal. It had surmounted his dislike and hatred for many things. *“You are all corrupt. Each and every last one of you. Prying on the poor… filling your bellies with the best while the people get that which does not even satisfy the hog. The scum that you are. The wealth that fills your pockets, the comforts the weapons bring you. I cannot stand any of you!!!”* In thought these words hollered.

Jumping down from the tree branch, his right foot landing onto the belly of the silver-haired in the middle. Applying pressure, angered the men and women hiding in the foliage and standing on the grass. In response to the embarrassment of losing comrades, a disgruntled scream came from the diagonal position several meters from Ketsugo’s back. It annoyed him, it really bothered him that it was almost irresistible. “You know nothing kid! You are a brat who is too young to understand reality!” In support a comrade roared. “I’ll kill you for murdering my comrades!” Then another. “Who the hell do you think you are Uzumaki brat!” Followed by. “We’ll kill you, then your friends, family, and clan!” An absurd statement, and it continued to flow consistently with support. Such rude words, and untrue ones. Ketsugo’s head tilted left then it moved right, and swinging back and forth like a pendulum. His eyes opened, the blue orbs cascading across and around. They were observing, taking notice that no one had the audacity to strike. He was just one man against an entire platoon. “kukuku… KETSUGO UZUMAKI, RIGHT?! YOU ARE A RATHER TOUGH ONE. JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE SOME SKILL, DON’T MEAN YOU CAN MANHANDLE EVERYONE AROUND HERE, YA KNOW! FOOL, YA FOOL!” Entering others, but in a whispered breath. “It seems like Jigokuren has decided to take out the trash”. “Hmph, I assume you are correct.” An older Kunoichi suspected.

Ketsugo eyes shifted ahead of himself, where Jigokuren flashed to and looked at the towering eight-foot giant. “Words are the strongest drugs to man.” Ketsugo said, whilst subsequently saying the lad kicked off the ground and began performing a series of hand seals. Before he could finish, the distance had closed to only inches within a moment’s notice. The giant’s foot stomping onto the surface, instantly uplifting the dust settling around him whilst simultaneously dropping a scientific ninja tool. As the circular item landed instantaneously a smoke screen engulfed the behemoth, where his exact location was now shrouded with the Uzumaki within. Engulfing the two of them solely for several meters, as it was not wise for anyone to enter. A ghastly laughter echoed from within, as it carried massive waves of bravado and ego. This managed to reinforce the security the shinobi thought they had, as within the screen things were happening. Ketsugo attempted to see but it was too blurry, and to sense but his radars were blocked. He was within a unique position, unable to rely on the skills he had trained. An explosive sound was registered but the material diluted any sound waves from traveling more than a foot from Jigokuren, allowing the man to sneak in front of Ketsugo and swing a thunderous blow that crashed into the Uzumaki’s face sending him plummeting into the ground. Jigokuren withdrew his hand within the front of himself, using his modified eyes to see the presumed blood upon his hands. The man decided to lick the blood, savoring the flavor of his opponent who had ostensibly taken heavy damage. “I WON’T LET YOU GET AWAY FROM KILLING MY COMRADES, BRAT!”

Face first against the soil, fingertips of the Uzumaki dug into the dirt and curled his hand to closed. Gathering a ball of dirt within each palm, pushing his upper body back so his behind would land on the heels of his shinobi sandals. His back turned away from his enemy, who supposedly landed a strike on him. The opening of his palms released the sediments back to the earth, and so his words flowed like the loose particles in the atmosphere. “Do not celebrate too soon.” He said, and Ketsugo placed both his palms together as he raised upwards to an upright stand. Propelling his arms outwards with stupendous speed coupled with the raw release of chakra, cleared his surrounding in the blink of an eye. Exposing what had happened during the brief encounter away from view. “Against anyone else… This tactic would have worked. However, I am not just anyone else…” These few words traveled to the platoon as they had observed a swollen comrade. Jigokuren had been pumped to the brim, ready to explode from the mass that was inside him. What appeared to be blood leaking from his mouth was in fact ink, that continued to spew until the massive body could not handle another ounce as it soon detonated into a marvelous display of beauty. Blood, organs, limbs and clothing scattered nearby with being covered by scarlet ink.

## **Trivia**

* - Ketsugo was a virgin until 34 years old!
* - Ketsugo once was kicked off Konohagakure council from then Hokage Kitai Ozaro!
* - Although Ketsugo was once the leader of Tanigakure, he became the leader of Konohagakure 18 years later!

## **Quotes**

*"Fight as if this will be your last!"*

*"The only thing I am bound by, is my imagination."*

*"The power over life is a great one, the power to create and influence all creatures."*

*"Mistakes are bound to be made, everyone has their shortcomings. No one can escape that."*

*"The strongest drug to ever exist and given to mankind, are those which are both spoken and written."*

*"As the Hokage, I cannot allow the flame to ever get washed away, blown out, stomped on or sullied by another."*