"...people live their lives bound by what they accept as correct and true... that is how they define reality. But what does it mean to be correct or true? Merely vague concepts... their reality may all be an illusion."
Itachi Uchiha
The building was one of the dozens of the underground city. Bland and plain, cool and massive, as well as very spacious on the inside. Since retreating underground to this city, and waiting to make their next move, the damiyo chose this one building in particular since it was one of the largest, and was close by where he could keep an eye on everyone dwelling and mulling about from the openings carved through the structure.
True, it wasn't much to look at, but it was definitely functional and served its purpose.
It was also nestled right within a corner that traversed into a crevice. It wouldn't be noticed by anyone who wasn't paying close attention to their surroundings, and they'd need to be be completely vigilant if they didn't want to miss it... It was just barely visible amidst the towering buildings and looked like another part of the earthen wall just carved in.
Hashirama was familiar enough with it and his surroundings, spending a good deal of his time here over the last few weeks.
"That's it..." The damiyo rasped, anger rising in his tone as he spoke. "Hajime needs to be dealt with, and it's time I've taken action!"
Hashirama stemmed away a headache. A multitude of headaches, actually. The bland interior almost glaring and painful.
The chances weren't looking too well in their favor. Despite his usual looking at things on the bright side, they were severely outnumbered. Though, both him and Tobirama could make a few hundred-maybe thousand or more clones to even it out, but even then. Some of these countries and villages has massive armies.
The damiyo had no intention of surrender or cooperation, which was understandable... He could understand, to a point... But, there would be lives that were taken away in the midst of the chaos, and he wanted to prevent as many unnecessary casualties as possible.
The Hageshii, they had become a thorn in the damiyo's side, recently. It was very much clear. He was adamant that they wait to attack, while the damiyo was gearing up for a full out assault. They had to step carefully, they couldn't be seen as the instigators.
"I've lost my patience." The damiyo said sternly.
Hashirama set his jaw softly. It had been inevitable since they arrived here, that there'd be war. It had been looming over the horizon as ominous as the normally blazing heat that suffocated everything. "We should wait until tomorrow." He concluded softly, unable to push his emotions away from this whole situation. It'd take a Shimura no time to break off from the battlefield, track them all the way down here, and then blow the whole place to hell. "Patience is our greatest asset at this moment. The Shimura, I'm certain will start their march before three days end. Before that happens, I'm almost certain the damiyo will send out letters again..."
But, the Wind damiyo wouldn't do the same thing he had done before... This time there'd be force, or a visual threatening to show physical force if necessary, He had the largest army in the entire region, dwarfing many, and out sizing many. Many would be foolish enough to attack, rebel and kill all those who seek to oppress them, but there were those who would avoid it by all means.
One of two things would happen.
The first would be those villages and countries that have not contacted a clan, would hastily contact shinobi and mercenary clans, the ensuing influx would turn into a widespread battle...
The second. Villages and countries start surrendering and becoming a part of the Wind country...
At this point, Hashirama guessed both would and could happen.
When those villages and countries surrendered and became a part of the Wind country. Their armies would merge together, they numbered in the high thousand now-the Wind country, but with these numerous possible additions it could very well be in the millions.
The damiyo had similar thoughts, evidently.
Silent, the damiyo observed Hashirama with a leveling and critical gaze. If they didn't make their move now, they'd be swept up by the tides. What needed to be happen was swift and decisive action. If the Hageshii wanted a fight then they'd get their brazen ass pushed all the way out of this territory and into the next country! It was enough dealing with that swine of a damiyo, the Shimura backing him, the Uchiha and Domou close by, the Hyuga, and that damned Sasuke. He didn't need nor want someone as wily as Hajime looming in his peripherals.
"The war will begin soon." Hashirama said forlornly. He had tried to avoid it, every possible chance he got, but things were already moving far too fast and the ties were just getting ready to be swept once more. There was nothing he could do to stop it. Madara was beyond words, and Mikito... He screwed any chance in epic fashion. Had he not been so vague... "For now, let us wait. We'll gather our strength and organize our forces."
Maybe he could send Mikito another ceasefire. She may not even read it, but it was worth a shot. He wouldn't be so vague this time, but.. She may just discard it, however meeting her in person was out of the question.
That just couldn't happen.
He nodded mentally.
Shuffling these thoughts away, he directed his attention back to the damiyo.
The damiyo nodded after several quiet and tense seconds. "I'd rather have that man dealt with now... Hajime, he is too wily to be kept alive, he has caused a great deal of chaos and strife." He admitted softly, looking away from Hashirama for a moment. It would only be a matter of time before Hajime started pulling strings behind the scenes, setting things into motion that really shouldn't be set into motion in the first place, and would twist things into his favor. "But, I will concede with your point, Hashirama-san. Our focus should be here. It is crucial that we gather our strength and begin to organize our respective forces."
Hashirama nodded in agreement. "I'll go and inform the others." He was certain Syrus was tired of sitting around along with the majority of everyone else.
The damiyo nodded. "I'll go to my men they've been prepared for weeks, we'll set out at an hour before midnight tomorrow." The damiyo started to turn. "If there are any letters at all inform me, I shall return the gesture."
"Of course." Hashirama nodded. Unseen, his fists clenched at his sides.
The damiyo exited the building leaving him alone.
With his teeth clenched, Hashirama exited minutes after, mind heavy.
He had a very narrow window now.
"Finish things over here, Madara!"
"I got it!"
WOOSH!
WOOOOSSHH!
WHOOSSHH!
Mikito darted away, felling a horde Hatake shinobi and Akimichi shinobi, lunging straight into their battle without reservation, steel saya clasped firmly in hand, she batted away three attackers with one swipe, speeding to the side, and whacking another Hatake shinobi across the skull, indenting it across the side. Her saya moved with the same deadly grace and ferocity as her sword. Skulls split and shattered, caving in and crunching against the vicious impact, arms and legs, fingers and wrists, could only resist against her blade for fleeting seconds.
They swarmed towards her again.
Rather than go on the defensive she slammed into their ranks battering and slashing her way through ferociously.
Madara pulled back and swiped. Blood sputtered from the puncture, tearing and gushing, he reigned back in his sickle with a quick flick of his wrist, clasping it tightly with a loud 'pop' daring a glance around him.
The Hatake and Akimichi...
They attacked suddenly and without any warning. Of course, the Akimichi had constantly been in their sight and peripherals, more so the second. They never attacked relentlessly, it was always just enough. They'd continue to push, and then as fast as they came they were gone. For being such lumbering brutes they were quite fast.
But, that was changing now with their leader and second in command near the area they were becoming more brazen.
Though brazen they were all the same now.
Dead.
It had been a very sudden and sporadic attack, the front gates were in pure chaos, the damiyo's guards were getting cut down while skewing into Hatake and Akimichi shoving them to the ground and twisting out their massive blades, Bunji was holding off at least one hundred shinobi from the Hatake or Akimichi, Yuto was somewhere in the middle providing support. The merchants, traders, and travelers that had been waiting to get in were thrown and strewn about in the raging chaos, several having for lack of a better term spats.
He wasn't sure what caused it.
And, it didn't matter at this point.
All that mattered was the Hatake and Akimichi both attacked directly, and they'd be dealt with accordingly for even daring to do such a thing.
He was just looking for a reason...
They swept them out into the distance letting them battle among themselves, gaping their forces progressively with sudden, swift and enduring attacks steadily dividing them as the distances climbed into the hundreds. Then thousands. Embroiled in their battle and retreat, they realized all too late the full scope of the trio's plan, the first Hatake to even lash around was cut across the right cheek by Souji.
Madara danced through them. He spared no ounce of hesitation, jumping straight into the battle. He spun and twisted, moving to the broken rhythm of their frenzied attacks and shattering explosions, clumsy and deliberate, he seen through their attacks and stepped... Stepped. Stepped. He dashed and jumped, sweeping down and spinning rapidly. Broken, Akimichi and Hatake shinobi were launched away, steps too weak against his rhythm.
He heaved one up by the neck with one hand, quickly throwing him away leaving him to bash into a charging Hatake, sending them both spilling across the ground, in the same movement he ducked, swiping outwards with his bloodied curved blade. Blade collided against blade before he split forward, his sickle all too quick and gleaming.
The splatter of blood was endless and relentless, thin and gushing to massive and almost geyser-like, it clouded his vision just slightly. I don't need to worry about her. He noted. His eyes watching as Mikito was gliding through them, where he danced and pivoted she merely turned, where he dashed, she'd lunge, she'd spin and turn, kicking up a storm of sand with her sudden and powerful footwork.
Now they were picking off the last of them. The battle was over, the Akimichi and Hatake scrambled and divided they'd all be cut down soon enough.
Unfortunately the leaders of the two clans weren't present.
But, the Subatsu and Sarutobi were in the very far distance.
"We can head back now." Souji said. Unflinching to the carnage and destruction around him, his uniform splattered and smeared with crimson, he turned to Madara. "I just killed the last of them, none of them have any information."
Taken from his thoughts, Madara turned to look at him, nodding slightly. He got the feeling Souji didn't even give them a chance.
A sense of dissatisfaction was very pronounced. Madara couldn't shake it away or shove it aside, this all just felt too short. They already came out so far, there was no sense to turn back yet, surely there was something worthwhile they could do still instead of returning back to the village.
"However." Mikito spoke up, walking towards him. "Now, our mission starts." She glanced away from the duo, peering into the horizon keeping a steady gaze. I can feel it... She noted in silence, hands clasping against her sword and steel saya with crushing force. Sarutobi and Subatsu, there was no mistaking it, those clusters of... Overwhelming and boiling chakra were unmistakable.
"Sasuke and Syrus are fighting." Madara noted with narrowed eyes, looking in the same direction as Mikito. "Hajime and Koizuki seem to be retreating, another two chakras are pursuing them... Their forces are scattered..." He set his jaw, neck taut. "Except for one...there are many fading chakra signatures." He noted quietly, glancing towards Mikito-her eyes hardened after he mentioned the last bit of information.
That was probably what she first noted.
"It seems Hashirama or any Senju aren't with them, that's..." Mikito paused. That man is really starting to make me... Angry...
Evidently, it wasn't the first thing she noticed.
"Figures..." Madara said. If the Uchiha were close the Senju were always right there. But, knowing Tobirama he probably didn't want to assist Syrus and the Subatsu... Their alliance made out of necessity. It was too above that white haired prick to kill the Hageshii and put Hajime and Koizuki on route. And, then Hashirama...
He'd just try talking the whole thing away. Be diplomatic.
Madara sneered.
"Those Senju..." Souji spat. "Always putting themselves above everyone else."
"Tobirama must be working behind the scenes..."Madara concluded softly. "Figures."
Hashirama would be right there along with Syrus-he'd be there before Syrus. He'd have it no other way, it wasn't like the oaf to just sit back and let Syrus do all the attacking. It wasn't like Hashirama to sit back and let anyone do all the work, he'd always be at the very front.
The fact he wasn't meant Tobirama was in his ear. And, he was going with whatever Tobirama was spewing out
It... Seemed there wasn't reciprocation between the Senju and Subatsu. Their ideals and ways of life did differ, greatly... He was honestly surprised that the two managed to come to an alliance.
Izuna credited it to Tobirama.
From what he seen... Everything was solidified between the two clans-Hesui and Toka were married now. Usagi and Tobirama were to get married. And, they did have great teamwork, but despite all of that.
Everything wasn't solid...
Syrus did seem like the type that Hashirama would clash with incessantly and vice versa.
His mind started working even more furiously.
"Usagi and Haji are with him. So is Asuna." Souji muttered with a stony expression. His glare pointed into the distance watching clouds of smoke surge upwards and then sweep out against the shock waves. "Usagi and Asuna are probably pursuing Hajime and Koizuki. That's good, I'll handle Haji. "
Mikito smirked just for a second. There's no way she could turn back now, Madara wouldn't have it, and Souji had only one thing on his mind. It was also a good time to see if there were anymore Akimichi and Hatake clustered along these borders. "That works in our favor, we'll keep moving." She concluded reticently, turning towards Madara. There was a familiar glint in his eyes. He was just looking for a reason to let loose. "While Souji deals with Haji we'll go after Sasuke and Syrus."
"I got it" Madara said, shaking his head once and bringing himself back to reality. He shuffled his multitude of thoughts away to the back of his mind. The chance to battle Syrus was too enthralling, and Sasuke too...
Souji sprinted... Blurring away.
Silently, Madara and Mikito bounded away, blurring into flashing shadows.
Traversing through this region was always hazardous. There was the terrain, the animals that dwell in the region, and then there was the unbearable heat.
It made traveling hard at best and arduous at worst. However, the weather had shifted and swayed, going from unbearably hot to raining relentlessly for nearly two days straight. And, even afterwards it was still raining, just not as bad.
Ever since the rains clouds had begun to gather and twist across the skies, pitch gray, border black, and wholesome. The temperature had shifted, it was still hot, but there was a constant cool breeze, unrelenting but not destructive.
Their region consisted of many giant sand hills, and even 'mountains' of sand, with unbelievable swiftness, slicks and whips of sand cracked off across the top of the massive landscapes.
An hour passed.
BOOOOM!
BOOOM!
BOOOM!
Explosions erupted in the distance...
The battlefield was nothing short of chaos. The explosions sporadic and relentless, rippling outwards against the already ravaged desert floor. The battle was still going-in the near distance.
A path of bodies led into that direction.
"This is...!" Madara grunted, quickly unsheathing his sword. A violent flash, flesh tore and red spread freely. The Sarutobi shinobi skidded to a stop before collapsing. The ground torn and ashen, weighed down by the mass weight of the conflict, bodies were strewn about some severed completely, some slashed in two, others were just pieces... And some. still completely together save for an arm or a head. Whoever attacked, they were savage... To attack with such force, such ferocity... it was unheard of. "What the hell happened here?
He didn't know what to call it...
Madara tensed. Sharingan slowly rotating eerily.
"Looks like we got here a little late..." Mikito said lowly.
"They're in our two o'clock... About forty miles from here." Souji said, darkly glaring as he looked around at the scene of death and carnage.
"This man just seemed to be a straggler..." Mikito noted softly, crouching beside the fallen man. These wounds to the face and neck... There were the obvious cuts and slashes, fabric torn and blood soaked, armor mangled but still remaining proud. However, it wasn't the norm for any clan to specialize attacks to target the face in specific one wouldn't simply have the time to strike the face, it'd be blocked or countered. The neck, throat, and chest were always a primary target.
However, her clan and the Subatsu specialized in attacks that targeted the face, arms, legs, toes, fingers, skull, scalp, and digits of the fingers.
Many of the dead were missing limbs... Sections of their fingers or arms, ankles and toes were strewn about... But a sword not take a chunk of flesh out like that.
Madara's eyes glowed a ghastly red.
Mikito turned in his direction. "Madara back me up when we first arrive." She said.
Her chakra soared.
Madara found himself sprinting at full speed once more biting back a curse. There was no No warning. No hint. He just exploded and swiveled across the terrain. Mikito and Souji took off in a display of primal power and speed, even as he soared across the sandy hills the duo kept their pace slightly above his own darting around each other constantly...
It was strange, normally when he attacked or lead a force he'd keep the group tightly knit and organized, and even if it was just small six man unit they'd be grouped together.
Souji and Mikito were speeding constantly moving and shifting. It was like they were... Hunting...
It was clear their movements weren't human.
Their steps were too powerful, strides to wide and abundant, their speed phenomenal and blitzing. It was taking him quite a bit to keep pace with them, as soon as he'd pass one of them up they'd surge again passing him up as if he were standing still.
Madara stared at them long and hard, surging chakra into his legs and lunging over a bountiful hill. There was no denying they were powerful, mighty. The way they moved. Such physicality and ferocity.
He narrowed his eyes tucking a thought away.
"We're coming up on them!" Souji yelled, the wind in his ears deafening and persistent, blowing his hair back and gusting against his forehead.
"Watch out for the tendrils and fire!" Mikito shouted over the roaring gust of a shock wave.
The trio dispersed.
Fire erupted from the ground shooting upwards in a giant cylindrical mass before spilling outwards and done crashing into the ground along with the mammoth stones and chunks of earth. Shredding and embedding themselves into the ground the fire quickly tried to spread onto the outer regions of the sand while the blocks crumbled into dust spewing fine debris outwards.
Mikito landed silently, feet sinking just a few inches as she shot forward her form vanishing once more in a violent surge of power and chakra. They were getting very close now-that Jutsu was definitely one of Sasuke's. For such a lecherous, belligerent, and arrogant man he was very, very powerful.
Mikito turned and swayed around the debris, flipping and jumping passed the larger earthen projectiles using them as launching pads with her powerful hips. The fireballs were becoming more abundant, killing intent and chakra hung thick in the air almost palatable. Potent and oppressive, nobody was bothering to hide their presence or intentions.
She was beyond hyper focused. The explosions, their reverberations, the lining of the smoke filling the terrain, the collapsing mountains and the tendrils.
They were all crystal clear, moving in slow motion, one part of the mammoth spirals led to the entire structures collapsing erupting in a geyser of vicious flames sending the debris hurtling outwards smashing into the ground with a deafening thud.
She slammed her left foot into the ground, springing upwards as a large gouge tore its way across the terrain where she previously stood. She surged once more, momentum and chakra propelling her across the ground like a speedy dart.
One. Two Three. Mikito twisted around the first earthen chunk, paying no attention as it tore into the ground behind her, two fireballs jutted into her direction, with a massive lunge she careened upwards, eyes narrowing as sharp blades of wind swarmed against her vision.
Finally, her velocity and momentum slowed, giving her body one final launch. Gracefully, she flipped forward, twisting her spine at the last second giving her an extra spin on the completion. There you are! She frowned, eyes darting towards Syrus and Sasuke just in time to see them break away from each other, their stalemate ending.
She flashed through two hand seals. Ram. Tiger.
Futon! Geiruburēdo! Mikito surged her chakra before compressing it, opening her mouth, she let her chakra soar pulsing it into an enormous coalition of gale blades. They surged into shape,Swooshing and swiping downward as they propelled themselves in wide arcs, sweeping through the air, vertical and horizontal, oblique and awkward, they beamed towards the battlefield.
Madara unleashed a blitzing barrage of fireballs.
BOOOM!
BOOOOM!
BOOOOOOM!
BOOOOM!
Syrus spun over three, kicking out at the end and quickly evaded a fireball, kicking up and away as it exploded out speeding the rumbling shock wave landing on his feet.
Sasuke deftly dashed from them, jumping over one, and flipping over another, hastily flipping back and away from a large fireball.
"Mikito, Madara, and Souji..." Syrus muttered, a small streak of blood running down his chin, a wolfish smirk stretched across his face as he eyed the trio.
The ground rumbled and quaked around him as his once coiling tendrils of mammoth stone and earth colliding with ground with deafening thuds. Smoke spilled out around the carnage and fires were swept up and away in dust and debris storms. With a small twitch, the tendril he stood on turned and rose. "This day just got a lot better."
"I've been waiting, I thought you were starting to get cold feet." Sasuke cut everyone off, if they were about to speak, or not to, didn't matter. He smirked, arrogantly inclining his head as he spoke.
Souji's and Haji's eyes met.
They vanished.
SSRRNNNGGGG!
Blade against blade, their wills colliding in a deafening howl. Souji slammed his feet into the ground, shoving himself against Haji and forcing him back steadily with quick steps. Haji shifted to the side, ramming his right foot forward, and heaved sending Souji skidding back along the ground.
He lunged forward in the same movement, blitzing across the terrain thrusting concisely, sparks erupted around him singing away at the sleeves of his baggy shirt, and screeching against his ear drums.
They both spun across the ground, feet struggling against the surface forcing them to sink into it.
They broke off again, Haji darting in and lunging across with a sweeping slash. Souji spotted the trajectory, deftly sliding around the precise attack and swiping out with his own slash carving up from his hip with unbelievable force. Haji turned as Souji closed the gap, stepping forward sharply and twisting, his blade arced down sharply bashing Souji's blade down.
"Hrrgghh..." Haji grunted, teeth gritting as he changed his grip, swinging upwards and pushing forward at the same time.
"Ngh..." Souji's eyes glinted as he let out a dark growl, wrists jarring and straining he powered forward. His blade cried against Haji's sending them both skidding back from the sudden explosion of energy.
Souji growled, racing towards Haji.
Haji dashed back across the ground, but Souji swiped out at him, Haji sidestepped the slash with a quick half turn. Souji grunted, slamming his blade against Haji's.
They grunted, the sparks grazing their limbs and sleeves, finally Souji powered through sending Haji skidding back. He rocketed towards Haji once again, their blades clashing smacking the air with a screeching wail. He twisted off, while Souji spun away their tips just missing their marks.
Haji scowled lightly, teeth gritting as he beamed onto Souji within seconds he was swarming the man, raining down lightning fast slashes that he blocked. Souji pivoted to the side dodging one of his stabs, jabbing an elbow into his exposed side, Haji grunted turning partly smashing his elbow in the small of Souji's back.
Haji dodged Souji's next attack, the tall man followed up with a series of dizzying strikes only to be blocked swiftly.
Souji jumped passed a low slash poised for his kneecap, but Haji continued charging lashing out with another slash. Souji grunted, pressed back, dodging and blocking another dizzying flurry of strikes while returning his own strokes, Haji shifted passed a swift stab, landing concisely, quickly facing his foe..
They collided again. Souji and Haji continued their relentless offensive attack, Souji dodged and pivoted in quick spurts, ducking under Haji's swiping slash and dashing away from stabs that skewed too close.
Souji shifted around another stab charging forward, deftly dodging Haji's next strokes as it ripped through one of his black sleeves, missing him by just inches.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
He shot back, skidding along the ground as Souji renewed his vicious attack, dodging the vicious onslaught their blades collided incessantly both absorbing the impact, breaking away. Souji stabbed, Haji shifted quickly dodging the swift movement. He saw an opening, gathering chakra into his arms and blade he slammed it into Souji's, this time their blades buckling and crying out. He followed up with a quick kick that forced Souji to lunge away.
Souji beamed forward with a wild growl, bringing his blade down on the base of Haji's as he staggered back from the force, twisting to the side suddenly breaking their stalemate. Souji quickly rebounded, swiping out in quick succession, but Haji, straining as he batted and deflected the breaking and jarring, going in the for the tiny opening he spotted, arcing his sword in a wide vertical crescent.
A loud screech echoed as their swords indented one another, breaking away an instant later.
They flipped away from each other sliding several feet back, both leveling glares on the other. Souji quickly unsheathed another sword while Haji kept his hand resting on the hilt of his own.
"I should have expected to see you, Souji." Haji said dryly, carefully shifting his footing as he kept his sword extended.
"I just happened to be around." Souji replied blandly.
"Tch." Haji flashed through three seals. Snake. Bird. Ram.
Raiton! Hakai-tekina nami!
Souji bit back a curse as the surging waves of lightning crackled and shot towards him, slicing easily through the ground and the debris it flung up in its path.
Horse. Dragon.
Katon! Bōkaheki!
When fire and lightning clashed it was always strange and destructive. They didn't feed off of each other like the other elements, but they didn't cancel each other either. Spiraling and coiling in a massive cyclone the two forces of nature almost swept into each other. Not a battle for supremacy, but space and abundance/ Fire surged with radical lightning, and lightning enveloped itself in yellow swiping streaks that blurred to red and orange.
Sasuke shifted his footing warily glancing towards the raging battle between the two monsters. Souji and Haji seemed occupied with each other-at each other's throats, but who knew how long that would last. As long as they kept fighting he could focus on Syrus, Mikito, and Madara, and they appeared to more than happily oblige.
"I've been waiting for you."
Syrus's voice drew his attention, dark eyes pointing forward he let go of any restraints on his chakra letting it flourish and boil. "Mikito and Madara!"
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Sasuke." Mikito eyed Sasuke with narrowed, glinting eyes.
"Mikito and Madara..." Syrus growled lowly, letting his eyes linger on the Uchiha for a second longer, a ghastly glint enveloping them as he pitched his focus onto his companion. "How about it Madara... Let's dance." Syrus flicked to the side, blood flew across the air splattering on the ground in continuous drops, and sheathed his katana swiftly. He paid the splatter no mind, he was nearly covered head to toe in the crimson liquid anyways. "Activate that Mangekyo of yours."
"I'm not here to play your games, Syrus!" Mikito snapped, drawing her sword-blindingly fast only the gleam of steel signaled its arc. Her movements, too swift and graceful. She didn't want Madara to use the Mangekyo and use that jutsu it had only been a couple of days at the most since he last used it. She couldn't tell him not to use it, he would, and she knew it.
"Mikito..." Madara said lowly, eyes completely directed on Syrus, the blood on him was but an afterthought. Even if it nearly covered him, was in his hair and on his face it didn't faze him. Anticipation boiled through his veins, hot as fire. This man... Syrus was challenging him to battle, the idea much too enthralling and enticing. He'd be more than happy. "Let me fight him."
"Madara I'll handle Syrus-"
"He asked for it." Madara stared at Mikito, gently, in a sense, cutting her off. He locked eyes with Syrus. His Mangekyo bled into existence, the air becoming heavy and thick with his chakra. Mangekyo glowing a sickly hue of crimson. He clasped the hilt of his sickle quickly spinning it and grasping his gunbai. Challenge accepted. "You take care of Sasuke."
Mikito glanced up at Syrus then swept her gaze towards Madara giving the barest of nods.
Syrus and Madara collided without warning, shock waves of force erupting from around them. A blue blade arced wildly tearing into and gouging across a solid tendril, debris spilled outwards from its side, cracking from mammoth pieces to little swipes of dust. Madara charged, his Susano'o leaping up and slicing into another one, the blade gouged into it just like the other one, two mighty swings and three of its four arms swiped out across the side. One stabbing into a tendril splitting its top, and the second cleaved into another tendril shaking against the powerful structure.
Smoke and debris swept across the landscape as a series of tendrils and massive spirals rammed into the blue behemoth first sliding it back, then began to shove it back. Back and forth, persistent and unrelenting they battled back and forth, Madara slicing and slashing at the tendrils gouging into the mammoth and rippling structures of earth and stone, the tendrils smashing into the chest, face, and wrapping around the limbs of the Susano'o heaving it off of its feet and throwing it into the ground.
Madara waited for Syrus to strike first this time, Susano'o parrying to the left as two tendrils shot passed him, destroying the ground behind him and ripping its way out once again. He retaliated, swiping low, the Susano'o tore its blade into the tendrils, one lashing out to grab one before gouging into once again.
Syrus pushed into its guard, smashing a tendril against the massive guardian's jaw and chest sending it skidding back. He surged forward on coiling and spiraling tendrils, another series began lashing out with, colliding with the four energy blades, the two struggling against each other as one gouged, and the other pushed and yanked. Another tendril shot around behind him, spinning, his Susano'o lashed out once more swiping into the tendril the resounding shock wave tearing across the terrain.
Pushing the rubble aside, Syrus stared at Madara. Ignoring the blood on his face he opened his mouth to speak. "Your steps are strong, Madara!" He raised his guard, shifting on his feet, as he formed the horse seal preparing for the next attack.
Madara snarled, charging towards Syrus with earth-shaking steps. Blades collided with tendrils, rapidly bashing and battering against each other, spilling out debris in every direction as far as four miles back and ten miles into the sky. Syrus strained dodged a tendril rattling as it secured the burning blade, and in that small gap of time, seven more tendrils slammed against the massive blue guardian sending it off of its feet and crashing into the ground.
Madara swung again, reacting before the tendrils could pummel and squash him, his Susano's slashing and hacking against them. But, Syrus was quicker, focusing his chakra, and smashing another tendril into his chest, feeling buckling only for a second. Madara smirked, the rush of battle getting the better of him. "I must admit you've got a lot of rhythm."
Syrus clenched his teeth as he surged forward, launching a dozens of tendrils right towards Madara, not using just three or four like before.
Madara grunted, teeth grounding against each other as he batted and bashed against the calculated and furious assault. He lunged in, Susano'o lashing its sword out in a tight arc, but Syrus dodged it at the last minute leaping over it as it tore into the tendril he stood on, swiftly landing on another one that had been a few feet away from him.
Madara frowned, pressing onto Syrus, the muscular man collided with him head on. Madara swiveled away from him launching a quick barrage of slashes. Syrus launched his own assault both landing blows on the other. Blades tore and ravaged into the tendrils, and the tendrils spiraled and twisted threatening to shatter the blades and pushed the Susano'o steadily back.
Damn it... These things are strong! Madara's Susano'o heaved forward trying to push through the tendrils with brute force, managing to split one away sending the top plowing across the terrain. Syrus spotted an opening-not large, but still an opening nonetheless. Five tendrils swiped forward, three dropping low and sweeping the Susano'o off of its feet. Another two tendrils shot forward, slamming into Madara knocking him back and away.
Madara sprung up to his feet, facing Syrus with a growing smirk. He sped in with a quick lunge, leading with two slashes, Syrus blocked the two blades before they could connect, another swinging around aiming to coil around its neck.
Madara spun under and through the strike, pushing away. The Susano'o swiped, launching a blast of pure resounding force that Syrus hastily tanked, surrounding himself with his mammoth coils.. Madara pressed forward viciously following up with another slash and hack, Syrus snarled, battering and bashing against the powerful energy blades, and with deadly speed forced another to surge forward driving it into its sternum.
Madara snarled, his Susano'o releasing an enraged bellow. slamming all four of its blades across the tendrils and quickly following up with a stab which pierced through one tendril, the resounding force traveling through the other side, just as it went to press a tendril smashed against its face forcing to skid back and away, digging one foot into the ground kicking up an avalanche.
"I say we should get to it!" Sasuke locked his eyes with Mikito after watching the duo battle back and forth furiously dozens of meters away, the reverberations shook at the soles of his feet. Slowly, a cunning smirk quickly stretched across his face and he took a few steps forward, slowly drawing his sword. "Our last fight ended all too shortly for my taste, and there was interference.
Mikito shifted her stance. "Your move...
"You're not one for words..."
Sasuke blitzed first slamming his sword against Mikito's the impact driving them back, tearing their feet into the ground. He strained, quickly unclasping a hand and sent a punch forward, Mikito copied the action. Their fists collided, bone against bone, but Mikito's felt like solid steel instead of just simple bones.
"Don't make the same mistake everyone does..." Mikito growled, surging her chakra and letting it burst outwards in crippling waves until the ground wafted and split around her, spreading outwards in spiderweb-like formations. She snarled, steadily pushing her fist forward, shoving Sasuke back, but the goatee clan man's expression of slight surprise turned into one of arrogance. "Don't you dare underestimate me, Sasuke."
He surged his chakra once more, and Mikito sprung back in a swift series of flips and lunges. Just narrowly avoiding the fireballs aimed her way. Sasuke gave chase, slamming his right foot into the ground, propelling himself forward until he was a mere blur. He struck out, but Mikito dodged at the very last second, snatching him by the wrist with crushing force. I didn't realize she was this strong! What the hell is this woman? Mikito grunted, swinging Sasuke across to the side, and swung with her leg, smashing him square in the stomach with her shin, unleashing an enormous sphere of gale winds towards him as he shot away.
BOOOOOOOOOM!
It exploded with brutal force clashing and bashing against a massive fire jutsu Sasuke unleashed at the last second.
Sasuke leapt back and away quickening his pace, Mikito closed their gap within an instant kicking him in the ribs, but with sheer anger he elbowed her across the jaw, Mikito twisted against his follow up kick, snapping her fist out, slamming her fist into Sasuke's stomach, his armor making a loud clap as it absorbed the brunt of her strike, to powerful attacks send the two skidding across the ground, the resounding impacts jarring against their bones.
Sasuke shot forward, his speed easily doubling from before. He twisted around Mikito's blade punching her across the jaw. To his shock and horror, Mikito pushed her jaw against him straightening her neck. It had no effect!? Mikito rammed her palm against his chest, sending him flying back across the terrain, she pressed ahead grabbing him by the neck with one hand smashing him into the ground.
Blood. The familiar liquid rushed to his mouth from the back of his throat. Hastily, with a giant surge, Sasuke narrowly avoided getting stomped on. The ground started to crack and quake, and with the same speed as before he hand planted back.
The collision of Mikito's foot to the earth sent a wave of force trembling out around them, before spilling out sudden stacks of smoke and crushing the ground forcing it inward. Everything for a few miles just sunk and crumbled billowing out monstrous clouds of debris and smoke in their chaotic staccato. The dust finally, slowly cleared, Mikito was covered in dust and chunks of earth, at the bottom of the enormous crater.
Sasuke stood on the edge warily, eyes narrowing dangerously as he looked down at her. If that stomp connected...
"You don't pull your punches, Sasuke." Mikito allowed a smirk to grace her face, wiping a streak from her chin leaving a light smear.
"The same goes for you." Sasuke's eyes flashed dangerously.
Yuko had changed out of her kimono with reluctance, neatly folding it and moving it off to the side by her futon where it wouldn't get tarnished or damaged. This thing would cost a fortune to fix if she allowed it to just lay about. She couldn't let any harm come to the gift Ahiko bought her.
Ahiko had returned from the bathroom a few minutes wearing her usual black garb. It was still technically their day off, and even though they were standing guard, they weren't needed out in the field at this moment. They had their own task to complete.
They kept the woman in the monk robes that she had been wearing before. There was no need to cause the girl even more panic waking up to see that someone had changed her. She may have been restrained for the moment, but that didn't mean she wouldn't start screaming and shouting. It'd be a lot of trouble, and the last thing either wanted was for the damiyo's guards to come busting down the door.
It had been a few hours since they returned and spoke to Misaka and Aito, and this woman had yet to wake up. Curiously, Ahiko peered over at Yuko who wore a look of concentration and deep thought. "How hard did you hit this girl, Yuko?"
"Not very hard." Yuko replied, feeling a bit self conscious. "But... I could have hit her a little harder than I intended to."
"Yes, she was moving around quite a lot." Ahiko agreed. For a person to put up such a fight when they were faced with life or death wasn't surprising, but this girl kept on fighting even when she was partly through the gates. Whatever order was there in that moment was lost, thrown to the wayside of carnage and chaos. This one girl had managed to cause all of that, it just didn't fit together.
Why would she... A civilian cause such a commotion in this village and country... Knowing what the consequences could be for just treading on the outskirts?
Ahiko furrowed her brows pressing her lips into a thin line. This girl was either very foolish and stupid, or she had ties with one of the clans out in this region. There couldn't be any other reason than that-of course she was being chased but coming in this direction would result in automatic decimation on sight. She must have known that her clan and the Uchiha wear patrolling this entire area, getting into the territory would alert their units, and those units would come barreling into whoever who was chasing her followed by the damiyo's guards.
If she didn't know about the consequences for treading this close than she was simply foolish without any regard... But, there's no way she could have possibly ran here on a whim, no its was deliberate completely.
She knew that she'd be safe from those Hatake and Akimichi pursuing her once she got a certain distance away. Pushing and shoving her way through the gates knocking down a few merchants, causing chaos, it all played out into her favor since there'd be a swarm of Uchiha and Domou beaming towards the Hatake and Akimichi that were pursuing her.
But, she couldn't have just ran here just for that reason.
The door slid open, tearing her away from her thoughts and Izuna stepped in slowly. He slid the door shut behind him, moving over towards a wall and leaning against it before sitting down. "Can I help you two out?" He peered at the two of them, catching Yuko's slight surprise he continued on. "Misaka and Aito explained the situation to me on her way to the library." He was happy to see the two getting along, and the two of their respective forces getting along much better than before. "Yuko, you have something that you need to tell me?"
"Yes she does." Ahiko nodded.
Curses! Misaka and Aito told him. Now Ahiko was spurring it on!
"That can wait. But, yes I do." Yuko said quickly, waving her hands for a short moment. Compared to this that was so minute, it'd definitely be taking a backseat to this for the moment... They had an unknown girl, in the castle, that managed to cause more chaos and disorder than Sasuke did in the last two or more weeks with his brazen and brash attacks all in the span of just twenty minutes. Maybe even less than that.
"Mmm." Izuna nodded in agreement, not going to push the subject at the moment and focused on the task at hand.
"Do you have any idea who this girl is?" Ahiko asked him. There was weariness on her features. Most likely that weariness was caused by the fact the more they ran through this entire thing more questions were popping up than being answered. This girl, was crazy or stupid and they couldn't begin to know her motive or motives for running all the way out here other than to save her own skin, there weren't many who tread towards this area, and her just blitzing her way through half way through the front gates... She was dangerous.
"Well, I can see she's not a native of the Fire country." Izuna noted, that was the most evident thing. Her skin was soft and petite, nothing like the rough and tough skin he seen for the majority of his life. There were always certain things to check for. The Fire country was a harsh place to reside, and many couldn't take the heat that sweltered nearly all year long, giving just a small window of opportunity for the snow to descend and compact the earth. "She could be from the Lightning country, Monsoon country, or maybe the Earth country."
Ahiko let out a rugged sigh.
"Misaka told us the same thing." Yuko said with a weary expression.
"Is she wearing anything?" Izuna questioned intently, peering at the unconscious girl. "Wearing anything noteworthy... Any family heirlooms? Anything that can distinguish her family or surname?" He explained a bit more in detail.
Nobles had a sort of thing where they passed down certain jewels, bracelets, or something of that nature onto their next born to keep it in the family. There would always be a marking or several markings on the heirloom emblazoned with pride and worn with pride by the next generation of noble. A shinobi would never do such a thing, anything of the sort would lead to their identity and the location of their compound, it was bad news all around. Though, it wasn't to say they didn't keep heirlooms or had them-swords, kunai, scrolls hundreds of years old... Anything of prominent use.
"I checked before, but all she has is this bracelet." Ahiko held up the thick golden ring. It was a bit dull against the sunlight-though there was a slight glint. Definitely solid gold. It was definitely created by an expert, the way it evened out from start to finish, not a single odd angle or skewing of a few degrees, it was intricately perfect in every sense. Somebody put a lot of time and effort into crafting this, it spoke volumes of the commitment and dedication they had to their craft. "See..." She pointed to a series of engravings and kanjis that just seemed odd that ran across the bottom length of the bracelet.
Izuna gently took the bracelet from Ahiko's hand, inspecting it carefully as if he dealt in the business of jewels, gems, and other precious stones since he could walk and talk. Shinobi never a need for such things, except if there was a profit to gain from it-there would always be profit for stuff like this. He never paid any special attention to jewels or things of that matter, but he did pay close attention to how each piece was made in different countries. "I think she is from the Lightning country."
"What makes you say that?" Yuko asked, staring at him carefully. "The kanji.
"Is it the symbols?" Ahiko questioned
"You see these kanjis here." Izuna pointed to a row of them. "And these symbols here." He pointed to the symbols right next to the Kanji. "It's actually both... There is a place within the Lightning country where the influential families reside within miles of each other acting as their own governing force. They don't do anything too dramatic or anything along those lines since the Lightning damiyo distributes their power on his own whims." It wasn't much different from the Earth country where the damiyo resided in a large castle and any and all dealings with shinobi were through a middleman. To boot shinobi also couldn't stay with the damiyo and had to stay within the village. The powerful and influential families that lived in and made up the village were in control of their segments of the bustling place. "There is the Mishi family, the Kazama family, Mishiha family..." He paused.
"Well, we've lowered it down at least." Yuko said with a bit of relief. Searching through hundreds of thousands of surnames and families in one country was far too painstaking and tedious even for her.
"But..." Izuna pointed the Kanji of 'infinite'. "Only a powerful family in the Lightning country would use a kanji like this one. It's to show their loyalty and devotion to the damiyo and vice versa." There had been a incident... Where a unit of Uchiha was completely wiped out near the borders of the Lightning country by Haji. They had been in pursuit of the wounded Senju, who Haji evidently saved. The man had been there for a long time and was rumored to be taken by the youngest princess. "After outstanding duty he gave this to all the families, it'd always be a sign of mutual trust between them."
"So, it's between the Mishi family, Kazama family, and Mishiha family?" Yuko ventured.
"That's right." Izuna nodded.
If this girl just happened to be the one that Haji was taken by... It'd play well into his favor. He could destroy their alliance with the Senju, have him strike down Tobirama, any number of things so long as this girl meant something Haji. He was only limited by his imagination, and he always had a vivid one. "We'll know for a fact once she wakes up and we can question her, but that is my hunch at this second..." Izuna adjusted in his seat against the wall, leaning one arm over his knee as he narrowed his dark eyes just slightly. "Yuko-chan, you have something you needed to say?"
"Are we finished with this?"
"We'll figure out more once she wakes up." Ahiko said softly.
Izuna just nodded.
Yuko pursed her lips for just a second before nodding her head. She never really liked being put on the spot, or put in the spotlight. Seeing everyone's eyes trained on her was just a bit overwhelming. Taking a calming breath, Yuko looked into his dark eyes, keeping her voice even. "It could just be nothing. But... I did find something to be a little strange."
Izuna got up from his seat swiftly, striding over and kneeling on one of the cushions in front of Yuko. "What is it that you found to be strange?"
Yuko traded looks with Ahiko.
Ahiko gave a comforting nod to her before starting.
It wouldn't be good for Yuko to just put it off as nothing.
"It's our day off, and since Yuko's never really been out I decided to show her around." Ahiko started with a small smile, leaving out the part about how they got dressed up. "We went to our usual spot, the tea house but it was closed down for something. The owner said it was for renovations, but that doesn't make much sense. They get business daily and a lot of it, they'd be stupid to close it down for something that could be taken care of while customers are there."
What was moving around a little furniture?
"We found it a little odd so we went up to the place and knocked on the door." Yuko continued where Ahiko left off, kneading her fingers just for a second before she clenched her trousers. "The owner answered, of course, but he seemed to be in a hurry and there was someone or a few people shouting at him." Hearing that shaking thud even from her spot in the front of the building was a little daunting. Whatever fell was heavy and echoed through. "We didn't wish to cause him anymore trouble, so we continued you on our way to a nearby sweet shop, and we ate some sweets there." Of course, she left out the part about Ahiko smooching her.
Unlike Madara, Izuna didn't make any snarky comment or scoff.
"But, it just... Just doesn't sit right with me." Yuko said.
"Why is that?" Izuna leaned back on his knees, crossing his arms over his chest. His stare becoming even more intent.
"Well, that tea house has always gotten a lot of business, and since it has seven stories I'm sure they're more than well off..." Yuko pursed her lips. "I mean I could just be overthinking this, but that place has gotten a sudden influx of customers lately, a bit more than usual... It makes sense that they'd need to delay in opening their shop-a lack of supplies and all, but that wouldn't last for hours."
"Go on." Izuna urged her, his teeth gritting just slightly. He smelled something...
Someone was scheming...
"They usually get their supplies from the place right next door, since they get so much business there are times of the day and night where they don't have certain items. But, they never closed the place down, they'd just continue on with their business as always." It was a shame because their cupcakes were always so good, but always sold fast. Ahiko made sure to get at least a dozen for the two of them, sweet girl. "But, they didn't do that, and instead they closed the place down for renovations, but I couldn't spot anything that was really faulty save for a few walls but that's nothing too major. The man that spoke to us... He seemed to be a bit tense and weary, but with everything that's been going on I can't really blame him, but..."
Izuna nodded slightly. There could be a supply shortage crisis at this tea house. He was more than familiar enough with it, having went there a few times on his way back from patrol or during patrol. They did get a lot of business daily... So, maybe they did run out of certain items, but as Yuko said there was a place literally next to it where they got their stuff from. So it could be a renovation and shortage...
Or, it could be a slip up in some scheme. Somebody was moving too hastily, too rashly and the seams were starting to crack open little by little exposing the innards of mechanics of the entire thing. The customers could be the ones a part of the whole thing and just playing a part in that whole moment. The owner, workers, everyone could all just playing a part-their chakra weren't noteworthy, but they could easily be using a suppression seal.
He clenched his hand tightly.
"I know it's not much, Izuna-sama, but-"
"Oh, don't get the wrong idea, Yuko-chan." Izuna said placidly, giving her a small smile. Her cheeks tinted red for a few seconds. "This is more... More than enough, and more than I could ask for. You've done a splendid job."
"Izuna-sama." Yuko blushed from his praise, turning her head down to hide her smile away from his and Ahiko's eyes. Getting praise from Izuna was... Enthralling.
"I'll speak with my brother, Souji Mikito about this as soon as they get back." Izuna said, his tone light and serene, easily hiding the trepidation and urgency he was feeling course through him internally. Yuko... She didn't even realize the merit of her discoveries, the true significance of them and what they could possibly lead to. To her it was just a hunch that had no merit to it, but she had to tell him since Mikito, Souji, or Madara weren't present. Little did Yuko know, she may have opened the lid on an entire operation. "If you'll excuse me I have to get going now, but rest assured I will relay this to the three of them. You may need to speak with them yourself though, to tell them your side of it."
"I understand, Izuna-sama." Yuko nodded, watching Izuna carefully as he moved towards the door, sliding it open. It would only be natural for her and Ahiko to both be present to explain their side of the story, things tended to change when information or events were relayed and this was the best way to piece everything together and cut out anything that was added or detracted.
But, this meant that she would likely be sitting around even longer... Which she didn't mind, but this girl had no intention of waking up anytime soon if her observations were anything to go by. She was exhausted, and when she woke up the first thing she would want is water and, or food. She'd have little to no energy to sit up.
"When that girl wakes up inform me."
"When she wakes up you'll be the first to know, Izuna-san." Ahiko assured.
"Thanks." Izuna excused himself, sliding their door shut silently.
"Yuko-chan, I am very proud of you!" Ahiko exclaimed after several silent seconds passed. Her sudden shout startled Yuko, but she held he tight in both arms. "You've come a very long way!"
"I-I really didn't do anything." Yuko protested.
Ahiko smiled softly, releasing Yuko from her hug and leaning back on her knees. It was just like Yuko to not realize just what it is that she reported, the sheer importance of what she reported. The importance of what she completed. Either Yuko was very modest-which she was, or she suffered from diffidence. Yuko had always been a very modest girl, but maybe it was forced. Maybe she suffered from diffidence. "Yuko-chan, you're always so modest!"
Yuko blushed slightly. Ahiko had the ability to make her do it without much effort. "That whole thing was just weird... And, Mikito did say that we need to report anything to them whether it's a hunch or not, anything at all." She sighed softly, looking towards the bathroom. "Looks like we need to stay in here."
"You can take a bath, I'll watch her." Ahiko said, lying down on her stomach, making herself comfy on her futon and kicking her feet above her.
"Are you sure?"
"Mhm!" Ahiko watched Yuko stroll into the bathroom with a towel slung over her shoulder. What's going to happen now... Ahiko looked at the gray swirling clouds, as ominous and lingering as the events that were brewing before them at this very moment.