Red Chakra surged from the scroll, a viscous, seemingly living liquid that spread rapidly across the ground. Kiyomi curled up beside a tree root, both hands clamped over her heart. The "beacon" there was vibrating at a frantic frequency, each pulse tugging at her nerves. Her vision began to warp. The forest's greens faded, replaced by a dark-red void.
Shadow stood at the center of the red glow, his laughter raspy and unpleasant beneath his mask. He wasn't in a hurry to attack; he was savoring the feeling of control. This Red Chakra was the remnant of negative energy Shennong had extracted from Zero-Tails. There wasn't much of it, but for a "vessel" like Kiyomi, who had been under constant pressure for so long, it was the perfect catalyst.
Kawaki was knocked back several steps, his feet gouging two deep furrows in the grass. The Kāma mark on the back of his right hand had spread to his cheek, its black pattern looking especially sinister in the red glow. He could feel Kiyomi's Chakra spiraling out of control. If this Resonance continued, the energy inside her would burst all her chakra pathways.
"Tch." Kawaki spat blood and charged again, bending low. His right arm instantly swelled and warped into a massive claw, which raked toward the center of the red glow with a shriek that tore through the air.
"Useless." Shadow stood perfectly still as the red light from the scroll formed a thick barrier. Kawaki's claw slammed into it with a muffled thud, unable to break through. Red energy crept up his arm, trying to corrupt his will.
Kawaki clenched his teeth and slammed his left hand against his right arm. "Absorb it!"
The Kāma's absorption ability activated at full force, and the rampaging Red Chakra was forcibly dragged