Author's Note: I don't own Naruto; it belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and Shonen Jump. This is rated M for violent reasons that won't happen for a bit.

NaRNaRNaRNaRNaRNaRNaRNaRNaRNaR

"Look, all I'm saying is that maybe some backup is…well, not needed, but it couldn't hurt, right?"

"AND I'M WANT TO KNOW WHY MY 'BACKUP' HAS TO BE HER, HASHIRAMA!"

Hashirama began to message his temples, a migraine from stress combined with Madara's shouting starting to form. He'd been expecting something like this, but he hadn't quite realized just how opposed his best friend would be to the team assignment. Well, he said "team" assignment, but it was really only to be Madara and Mito. While still a team, it wasn't the full team of four that such assignments usually warranted.

And honestly, the Shodaime Hokage was rather surprised that this was the point Madara had chosen to complain about. He could have complained about the need for a partner at all, which…Hashirama had no counter for. The head of the Uchiha clan was more than skilled enough to complete this mission on his own; he didn't need anyone's help for something as trivial as subduing the Ichibi, let alone Mito's.

No, it was not a lack of skill that caused him to decide on this.

"It's because you have a horrible relationship with her, Madara! You're attitude towards Mito hasn't changed at all since she the day she first got here!"

That was the crux of the matter. Despite everything that Mito had done to at least show the two most obstinate men in Konoha that she wasn't a threat, Madara still treated her like she was worthless trash. If anything, he'd gotten worse!

That's why both Madara and Mito were standing in front of his desk now; this pure, unadulterated hostility had to stop. Hashirama was at his wits end with his best friend, and now was resorting to drastic measures to stop Madara from being such an ass all the time!

Madara gave Hashirama a look of pure confusion. "And your solution to this was to send the woman along with me on a mission she's not needed for, as if I am some sort of babysitter?!"

The head of the Senju finally got to his feet, as even his patience was reaching its limits. "Not as a babysitter; as a partner! Madara, tell me honestly; is there a single man or woman alive today that you have fought alongside and still despise? Is there anyone, out of all the people who have shown you their guts, that you hate?"

The Uchiha's greatest member outright flinched at that question, and suddenly found himself unable to look Hashirama in the eye. It seemed like Madara understood, finally. The Hokage turned his attention to Mito, his expression becoming infinitely less annoyed. "Sorry Mito. This was the only way I could think of that might finally get him used to you."

Madara growled at that. "Damn you Hashirama, keep out of my relations! They have nothing to do with you!"

The God of Shinobi whirled around on the man, fixing one of his legendary glares on his surrogate brother. "No, you listen to me, Uchiha Madara! I shouldn't have to remind you of this, but Mito is going to marry one of us! And, since she's a shinobi herself, that means she is going to be working alongside us, no matter who she chooses. If you do not accept her now, then when will you ever? You are my best friend, Madara, and I care for you deeply, but I cannot ignore how much of a horrible shit you've been to Mito. This mission will tell me once and for all if you can learn to live with her or not."

Hashirama sat back down in his chair. "This is non-negotiable. You and Mito shall complete this mission together. That is final. You are dismissed."

A look of apoplectic rage crossed Madara's face, but he knew a lost battle when he saw one. He stormed out of the room, looking for all the world like he was about to murder someone. Hashirama could only sigh. This wasn't going to be fun for any of them…

Mito herself lingered, hesitant between following Hashirama's order and the question she clearly wanted to ask. Ultimately, the latter won out. "Hashirama-dono…I do not like questioning you, especially about something you are so adamant about, but…are you sure this will work? Madara-dono looked so angry. I fear that he will be angrier with me than ever after this."

The Shodaime Hokage rubbed his face with his hands for a moment before looking at her in the eyes, his own becoming apologetic. "No, I'm not sure that this will work at all. Indeed, it could horribly backfire. Madara is a good and kind man, but he is also stubborn and extremely proud. I'm certain that at least some of his vitriol is simply him being unable to accept being wrong about you. He will not see what he doesn't want to see unless we force him to, and I believe this is the best way to do that."

Hashirama sighed, thinking for a moment before continuing. "Again, I'm sorry about this, Mito. If there were another way, I'd go with that in an instant. I know it's asking a lot, but please be patient with him. He'll come around eventually." He hoped. He knew what sort of man Uchiha Madara was (and that man was worth more than anything Hashirama would ever be), but sometimes his friend's rage overcame his sense of morality.

Mito hesitated a moment longer, but eventually bowed her head. "Very well, Hashirama-dono. If this is your will, we will carry it out without fail. We are both proud shinobi of Konohagakure, after all."

The Shodaime Hokage looked at Mito in surprise, but she left before he could say anything. He couldn't help but grin; so she already considered herself a shinobi of Konoha! That was excellent news! Now all they had to take care of were Madara and Tobirama, and then Mito's joining the village would be complete.

When his brother entered the room an hour later, Tobirama found the co-founder of Konoha doodling happily on the back of one of the treaties from the Daimyo. The lecture that followed was as long as it was scathing, but Hashirama found that not even that could sour his mood. He just needed to wait until Tobirama left, and then he could finish his drawing.

On the paper, the Hokage and the three people most important to him stood side by side, all of them holding each other's half-drawn hands.