Sound Four

Organization Name: Yonin Shuu - The Sound Four

Organization Head: Kinsen 'Raz' Rasen. There are no official ranks among the Sound Four, as they are all considered equal. The leader defaults to the most experienced shinobi amongst them.

Organization Base: Intra-Village, Otogakure no Sato

Organization Goals: To preserve and strengthen the realm of Denchi no Kuni at any cost, as well as discover the origins of the Yokai threat and the Destruction of Kusagakure.

Organization History

.:The Royal Guard:.

The Sound Four was founded by the Shodai Kyoukage, Orochimaru, shortly after creating Otogakure no Sato.

The Sound Four were Orochimaru's elite bodyguards and taskmasters who were chosen due to them being the best and brightest of his experimental guinea pigs. Seeing their opponents as inferior to themselves, each member was given a cursed seal to amplify their power, and acted as markings that helped solidify their brotherhood. The four were reluctantly forced to accept Kaguya Kimimaro in their ranks when he single handily defeated them all, resulting in their group temporary called the Sound Five until Kimimaro's illness kept him from participating normally as the Sound Four supported Orochimaru during the Invasion of Konoha.

In addition to their white ying-yang emblem and cursed seals, each of the four members held a title based on the four cardinal directions- Tayuya of the North Gate, Jirōbō of the South Gate, Kidomaru of the East Gate, and Sakon of the West Gate. Together, these four carried out any and all tasks assigned to them by Orochimaru, no matter how bloody or brutal they might be. They were indirectly responsible for the death of the Sandaime Hokage thanks to their Four Violet Flames Formation technique, and were also responsible for Uchiha Sasuke's first steps down the path of darkness when they 'captured' the young man in the dead of night from Konohagakure.

Despite the impressive strength they possessed in their young age, all four members including Kaguya Kimimaro would ultimately perish at the hands of a Konoha rescue team during their escape with Uchiha Sasuke. Nevertheless, the Sound Four was ultimately successful in their endeavor, acting as the catalyst in Uchiha Sasuke's fall into Orochimaru's hands. With their death, the Sound Four faded into obscurity, and the organization officially died with them.

.:The Age of Yokai:.

It would seem that the Sound Four remained lost to the annals of history for over a century. Until the world was drowned in blood again.

With the destruction of Kusagakure no Sato and the resurgence of the mythical beasts known as Yokai, the world would suddenly find itself lost in chaos once more, breaking the five years of peace that were forged from the ashes of the NCIA war. Yet even before this sudden slew of events, Denchi no Kuni suffered under a great drought for many years, causing widespread hunger and famine to overtake the land. In the wake of his lost wife, Kinsen 'Raz' Rasen underwent a great deal of stress and thought, until eventually he was forced to take a good hard look at the world. No longer could he sit back and allow himself to continue his reactive stance.

After digging around in old Otogakurian scrolls for knowledge, the red-haired man would discover old lore about the original Sound Four. To the other villages they were seen as heartless scum, but they were considered heroes in the eyes of the Otogakurian people, and the people of Denchi no Kuni NEEDED heroes to raise morale in this troubled age. With his mind set, Rasen founded the organization with the help of his three-man cell, becoming the new Sound Four together for a new era. In an attempt to improve publicity, Rasen opted to drop much of the negative symbolism that original Sound Four carried so proudly, such as the impure ying-yang symbols, as well as the customary cursed seals. Instead, the man decided to expand the theme of the four cardinal directions, with each member embodying one of the 'Shijin'- the four mythological creatures that make up the constellations and seasons.

Genbu

Alias: The Black Warrior of the North

Designated By: Naiyume Lilina

Animal Mask: The Tortoise/Snake

Other Names: Gui Xian, Kuei Hsien, Zuan Wu, Zheng Wu, Xuanwu

Origins: Black Warrior of North which rules over Northern direction and represents Water element (of 5 Chinese elements), Winter season (of 4 seasons) and the virtue faith. Since the word "tortoise" was a taboo in China and turtle shell resembles a suit of armor, the word "warrior" was used instead. Genbu is always listening, and is thus portrayed as completely versed in Buddha’s teachings. Symbolizes longevity and wisdom. It is said that its shell represents the vault of the universe. When turtle becomes one thousand years old, it is able to speak the language of humans, and able to foretell the future. In China the tortoise had divine attributes, and was used for purposes of divination. A common symbol for longevity is the Tortoise and Snake, whose union was thought to have engendered the universe; thus Genbu is shown either as chimera with body of turtle and head and tail of sea snake, or as tortoise mating with sea snake - the latter because ancients believed that there was no male tortoise and female had to mate with a snake. After Daoism became popular, Black Warrior was given human name Zhi Ming 執明.

Seiryuu

Alais: The Azure Dragon of the East

Designated By: Yue Fei

Animal Mask: The Dragon

Other Names: Ryū or Qinglong

Origins: Azure Dragon of East which rules over Eastern direction and represents Wood element (of 5 Chinese elements), Spring season (of 4 seasons), and the virtue propriety. Supports and maintains the country (controls rain, symbol of the Emperor’s power). Often paired with the Phoenix, for the two represent both conflict and wedded bliss. In both China and Japan, Dragon and Phoenix symbolism is associated closely with the imperial family. Benevolent and powerful. In Japan, it's said to drink from the waterfall within Kiyomizu Temple at nighttime. After Daoism became popular, Azure Dragon was given human name Meng Zhang 孟章.

Byakko

Alias: The White Tiger of the West

Designated By: Uzumi Ren

Animal Mask: The Tiger

Other Names: Bái Hǔ

Origins: White Tiger of West which rules over Western direction and represents Metal element (of 5 Chinese elements), Autumn season (of 4 seasons) and the virtue righteousness. He guards Buddha’s teachings and mankind. Tiger was considered to be the king of all beasts and lord of the mountains in China, and the tiger-jade ornament was specially reserved for commanders of armies. The male tiger was, among other things, the god of war, and in this capacity it not only assisted the armies of the emperors, but fought the demons that threatened the dead in their graves. White tigers were mythic elder versions of tigers, that were said to only appear when the world is at peace or if the Emperor ruled with virtue. After Daoism became popular, White Tiger was given human name Jian Bing 監兵.

Suzaku

Alias: The Vermillion Phoenix of the South

Designated By: Kinsen 'Raz' Rasen

Animal Mask: The Bird

Other Names: Sujaku, Shujaku, Akamitori, Akamidori, Chujak, Zhū Qiǎo or Zhū Niǎo

Origins: Vermillion Bird of South which rules over Southern direction and represents Fire element (of 5 Chinese elements), Summer season (of 4 seasons), and the virtue knowledge. Makes small seeds grow into giant trees. Often paired with the dragon, for the two represent both conflict and wedded bliss. Portrayed with radiant feathers, and an enchanting song; only appears in times of good fortune. Has noble behavior and is picky about what it eats and where it perches. After Daoism became popular, Vermillion Bird was given human name Ling Guang 陵光.