"I don't like to wait and I don't like to keep others waiting. So let me make this quick and sweet."
Sasori
He had been the young age of twenty two when he took the position as leader of the Shainingu clan, his father was leader before him, and so naturally the title would go to him through birthright. There was no complaints, for everyone in the clan knew that he was the obvious choice, and they wouldn't argue against his father's choice-even if that choice was unilateral.
Such was the way things worked in this era, and he wouldn't complain about it in the least. It worked, it had sustained the world for centuries, sustained many clans, and it would continue to sustain until the end of time.
He had no heir, and the chances of him surviving this were close to none. Takehito would need to take the helm, or the clan would crumble apart.
Souji was a devil in human form and didn't know the meaning of mercy, Madara and Izuna were both demons in human form and would jump at the chance to tear into his flesh, and then there was Mikito a witch and nothing short of one. She wouldn't be inclined to slay him as much as the Uchiha brothers or Souji, but he knew that he would wish he was dead once she got a hold of him. If she wanted answers...
She would get them.
"You know, I don't get it..." Mitsuki broke the silence.
"The Shainingu and Hageshii have hated each other as long as the Uchiha and Senju, why did you even join forces with that snake Hajime?" She was genuinely curious... Things like this just didn't happen-Madara and Hashirama weren't chummy, Mikito and Syrus weren't chummy, Sasuke and Daishiro weren't chummy. When there was enmity and hostility, things were never put aside.
This fool must have had much to gain...
Pained and irate Tunoichi kept his focus on the floor. The stench of blood, so strong and oppressive made his nose cringe. He would have preferred being killed in the heat of battle, wounded severely and left to bleed out, anything but being reduced to a cripple who couldn't even stand up no matter how hard he tried.
It didn't matter how much effort, how much focus, how much grit he pushed forward, his body simply wouldn't respond the way he wanted it to. He could move his fingers, clench his fists, but moving his leg was just an impossible task.
What had Souji done...
Oh well... It didn't matter anyways. He lost and now he was a prisoner.
Fucking... Hajime. Fuck that bastard...
He would be the first to pay.
"I'm not going to tell you vermin anything." He rasped, anger pitching into his tone as he spoke. His throat dry and hoarse, begged for water, but there was no way he was going to ask for water let alone beg for it. He didn't trust the Uchiha and Domou, they might just put poison in it that'd leave him writing in agony as he died slowly, so slowly he'd wish they'd just end it with a swift stroke.
"You sure do got a mouth on you." Mitsuki snorted in derision. Standing guard over this idiot was proving to be a trying task, of course he rarely spoke and spent the better half of his time glaring at her or the floor, but when he did decide to speak it was nothing but laced venom.
Little words never fazed her, but she'd only tolerate so much of his mouth before she broke both of his jaws. With a soft laugh, she adjusted herself in her seat, ignoring the pointed glare he shot at her and folded her arms under her breasts.
"You should be more grateful for Souji's mercy, any other person would be dead."
"Mercy?" Tunoichi spat. "I'd rather die!"
"Yes, it must be a blow to your pride." Mitsuki couldn't help the smirk that crossed her face. Men. Men ruled everything in this era, they were the leaders of clans, commanded entire armies, they made the rules and broke the rules in the same go.
Women were just dolls, toys, baby making machines that had no other use except for taking care of the menial tasks, they didn't get the respect they deserved, and they weren't treated with the respect they deserved. Her clan, the Subatsu, and the Senju seen to it such methods were wiped away, everyone was treated equally.
But, not all clans followed this, and many felt threatened by powerful women.
"How must it feel for me, a woman to be looking down on you while you sit there half crippled..."
She shook her head. "Men can be so foolish."
Had Tunoichi not have such severe wounds he would have lunged at her. Tore his blade right through her chest and yank it out watching with barely restrained glee as the life left her eyes. However, he couldn't no such thing. Her words struck him worse than any blade ever could, any punch ever could come close to, she was just a woman.
She should have been at the compound, taking care of other things that women took care of, not sitting here on the frontlines. She was powerful, skilled, and talented, but it didn't change the fact she was a woman.
"Do you wish to kill me?" Mitsuki questioned. Killing intent was always such a...Cold embrace. It was very different from chakra which differed from person to person, in strength and potency.
Killing intent was the same down the board. That eagerness to tear into flesh, to spill blood and grin as it was being spilled, that cold atmosphere that would always fog the room, unrelenting and chilling. She was familiar with it by now, and often welcomed that coldness.
"I wouldn't hesitate, woman."
Mitsuki smirked at that, slowly removing her sword from her side and clasping it tightly in her hand. "I'll let you take a swipe. Don't let your anger cloud your judgment, though. To you I may just be a woman, but among my clan I am one of the most talented."
She didn't need to mention her monstrous strength, physically speaking there weren't many who could match the Domou-aside from the Subatsu.
"I don't give a damn about your-"
"Ahh, so you are awake." Mikito announced her presence as she slid open the door, entering the room with a few short strides, followed by Izuna and Souji who both wore cold expressions.
With measured grace, Mikito turned her head towards Mitsuki, taking note of the sword in her hand and how her eyes were strictly focused on Tunoichi despite her just being a few inches away. "Mitsuki, you've done well. Get some rest."
Mitsuki just nodded, slowly put her sword back and excused herself.
Izuna felt a shiver run down his spine.
"If you would've tried to swipe at her she'd have ripped both of your arms right out of their sockets without any trouble." Souji said dryly, making his way over to a cushion and taking a seat on it, folding his arms across his chest. Tunoichi would have been foolish enough to take that chance, blinded with anger, and Mitsuki would have reduced to him to just a sack of meat and nothing more.
There'd only be pieces left, maybe some teeth.
"Thank you for sparing me."
"Your sarcasm is noted." Mikito said. "However, it is not welcomed. I hate sarcasm." Her eyes narrowed as she made her way over to the older man, standing above him with cold eyes.
This man...
Twice now, twice had been working behind the scenes, scheming and plotting, bring battles within. Now, he just looked disheveled and furious. He was naturally a bit worked up with the most recent events that transpired, and his pride had taken a severe blow, and when a man's pride was hurt there was no length, no route he wouldn't go through to ensure it never happened again. Her standing over him was as good as spitting in his face.
"Tunoichi, I know you were in contact with Ajo. I also know you and Hajime decided to tolerate each other as well and he intended to use you, and he has. I will spare you, so long as you give me what I want..."
"I'd never give anything to you, you stupid-"
Izuna slammed his fist across his face, sending droplets of blood flying to the floor. Tunoichi had enough presence to halt his trajectory and remain upright.
"It is in your best interest to cooperate..." Izuna hissed, onyx eyes bleeding crimson.
"You'll also want to watch that mouth of yours, do you realize who you are speaking to..." If Mikito wasn't so kind he was certain, almost certain she would have busted Tunoichi's head with just a flinch of her head and leave his brains all over this room, and he knew for certain Madara would have broke his neck for trying to insult her.
"She has already said that she will spare you if you give her what she wants, don't you dare take advantage of her kindness."
Tunoichi spat out some blood. "I know exactly who I am speaking to."
He glowered at Izuna before shifting his gaze onto Mikito. "
Witch!" His teeth clenched.
"She is the wife of my brother, Madara." Izuna said pointedly. Taking satisfaction in the slight fear that flashed across Tunoichi's face before he schooled his expression once more. Tunoichi was planning to do things the hard way, how foolish.
"And, I will tell you... He is not as merciful as she is. He will not spare you once you tell us the information that we want, and don't think of trying my patience either."
Tunoichi seemed to consider this. "I'd rather die."
Mikito moved away from him, slowly, taking a seat on a cushion a few feet away from him. "Your wound can be healed, my sister, Ahiko will heal you."
"As if she is any-"
Souji was immediately in his face, eyes burning with hate and rage. Without any reservation he slammed his hand into Tunoichi's neck, fingers clenching his windpipe tightly. This fool, he dared to... Ahiko was off limits, period. He hardly noticed Tunoichi's gasping and reddening face, his hand which clasped tightly against his own offered little resistance.
"You ever even say my little sister's name I'll cut your tongue out and rip out your esophagus..."
With his point made, he eased his strength, releasing Tunoichi's windpipe while shoving him back.
"Consider that your second strike." Izuna said.
"How do I know you'll really let me go?" Tunoichi questioned with a hard gaze. A better question would be why would they let him go.
Why Mikito would allow her little sister to heal his wound? But, there was no deception in her tone or gaze, it could just be a poker face, shinobi could put on facades like it was second nature, but he got the feeling Mikito was telling the truth.
"I could have let my brother crush your throat." Mikito said coldly.
Point proven.
"What is it that you want?" Tunoichi asked gruffly.
"We know that your goal was to get the citizens to turn against us. That's why many people from your clan and the Hageshii disguised themselves as civilians, we're not very welcomed here as it is." Izuna said, dryly so.
He really wasn't bothered with the treatment, Uchiha had this knack for inciting fear and or causing resentment and he never really thought of it enough to care.
"Your plan worked, there is an outcry for all of us to leave at this moment."
Tunoichi suppressed a smirk. That had been a part of the plan, and it was one of the surest things. It was very clear that the citizens within these walls were frightened by the presence of the Uchiha and Domou, and some even resented them.
The way they patrolled, ran out of the gates only to come back covered in blood, they were all too ignorant to know that he incited this reaction out of them. It was always easy to sway weak minds, weak hearts, the only thing the civilians cared about was the fact their tea house was destroyed and a conflict followed soon after outside the walls. They just wanted to survive and live in perpetual peace.
"But, it doesn't matter. The damiyo isn't going to listen and we're going to remain here." Izuna smirked at Tunoichi, making it a point to make it a bit wider when he seen rage flash through those dark eyes.
"We also know that you had a spy on the inside..." Madara's icy cold voice cut through the prolonged silence.
The door silently slid open. Ominous and direct he entered the room with a scowl on his face, one crimson eye visible beneath his wild mane. He slid the door shut, turning his focus onto Mikito for a moment before pinning it onto Tunoichi.
"This whole risible order that has been long standing in this village is a product of your connections with the traitor, however you have lost. And, while your intentions were seen through the damiyo isn't going to sway to his people's grips..." Madara paused.
"We are going to remain here. I suggest you stop playing this game and start talking."
"What do you know about this?" Mikito shoved the piece of parchment in his face, what Aito had brought up, and what had wracked her mind for the last few months.
"Looks like a childish riddle to me..."
"Don't you dare lie." Souji ground out.
"We found this in a Sarutobi camp a few months ago. I believe it's a telling of events that will come to pass, something of that sort." Mikito explained further, watching the older man before her intently. Any flinch. Any tense. Any little spasm. She searched for anything that was subtle, but like any shinobi worth their salt Tunoichi remained the same as before.
Angry and wary.
Tunoichi had long term plans, it was on a multi country level, and something like that just wasn't thought up overnight. It was churned and revolved until it was honed to near perfection. "This may have been in the Sarutobi camp, but this parchment in particular is unique to your clan. It is lighter than normal, as well as a bit tougher than ordinary parchment."
Damn it... Tunoichi mentally cursed.
Mikito...
She was too intuitive, too perceptive. She didn't piece the whole thing together, but she had the pieces and was arranging them until they were in order. The parchment did indeed belong to his clan, like everything else there was profit to be made, and it was a wealth of profit since everyone would use this parchment. That included shinobi clans that didn't care, or were just too ignorant of the fact.
Of course there wasn't anything they could do to track them or anything of that sort. There was no sense in lying at this point, it'd only result in his death.
"You are not entirely wrong in your observations, it could very well be events that are yet to play out.. Or are playing out at this very moment."
"Don't use sophistry..." Mikito sent him a warning glare.
"She may have said she'll let you go, but if you keep trying my patience..." Izuna growled out a warning.
He could only blend the truth so much before Mikito seen through it. She already seen through it, and was giving him a chance. He was at her mercy. The only thing keeping the three men in the room from slashing through him like butter was Mikito, the fact she was standing in here was enough.
"Tch..." Tunoichi clenched his teeth.
How... Infuriating to be at the mercy of a woman.
"All I know is... There is a lot of focus on the west, there are many resources as well as land that is uninhabited and has been untouched for hundreds of centuries, but there are demons, chimeras, other beasts, and Summonings that lurk there and kill everything that dares to intrude. It's as if the place is cursed. This war that is about to happen in this region is a way to merge and blur the borders between the Earth country and this region, the path to the west lies between these two locations."
He paused, calculating her expression as well as the three men gathered around.
"I assure you that is all I know about that..."
Izuna's narrowed eyes softened just the slightest.
"He seems to be telling the truth, I can't see any fluctuations in his chakra."
The Sharingan could see all, and made any Uchiha that activated it, and fully matured it, to be in essence a walking lie detector. The Sharingan allowed one to see chakra, and the chakra pathway system, but also the color one's chakra was and could take in certain situations.
"You are certain?" Souji asked with narrowed eyes.
"The Sharingan sees all." Izuna said assuredly. "If he were lying, even the slightest fluctuation I'd be able to see."
I see... So, this whole scheme was to initiate that... We started the tides. Mikito realized, keeping her expression passive despite the whirl of thoughts and emotions that were running through her as turbulent as a tornado. The west...
They had been pushed and they pushed back, their pushing back in turn shifted whatever events that were soon to pass into play. They couldn't stop it. Their division leaders were already on their way.. From the Earth country.
Shit.
They were intending for the Earth damiyo to go to war against everyone in this region!
"Who was the one to mastermind this?"
"It was collective, at first..."
Everyone nodded collectively in understanding. Every clan wanted to make the move themselves, and in turn started fighting with each other instead of focusing on the task. Pushing themselves and every other clan into war, and the damiyos who hired them, only added fuel to the flames.
Mikito narrowed her eyes sharply. "Is this because of that ceasefire...Before?" Hashirama's foolish attempt at peace between the four clans had become widespread, as did the battle with the Two Tails-Matatabi.
How he managed to get the four leaders to sit down in the same room, let alone agree to such a thing was beyond comprehension. Even more surprising was that Syrus and Haji went along with it, doing such a thing went against everything Syrus believed in...
Had Hashirama convinced him?
No, that was impossible...
"That was the start of it, but there were talks going on long before that."
"Damn that Hashirama..." Mikito hissed angrily, turning away from Tunoichi sharply, and shot towards the door briskly. "You and your clan better leave this region, this is my only warning to you..."
"Where are you going?" Madara called after her, not getting any response from her, naturally he went after her. How dare she just ignore him!
Tunoichi turned his focus onto Izuna and Souji, both of them staring a hole through him. He wasn't sure which was worse, Izuna's steady and unwavering glare, or Souji's stony and set expression. "You will let me go, correct?"
"I will stand by my sister's decision." Souji said lowly. Even if that decision was foolish by all means, he wouldn't question it. Tunoichi would retreat back to his clan and tell them what transpired, he'd put fear into many of his kinsmen without even knowing it. Hopefully they took the hint and got the hell out of here.
"You'll be coming with me, my little sister will heal you and then you can be on your way. If you as much make a face at her, I will cut off your fingers. Do not test me."
Tunoichi didn't respond, but the anger in his eyes was enough.
"Use this." Souji tossed a large and long piece of wood at Tunoichi.
"You'll have one hour to get across this border. If you don't get out of here by that time, you will be hunted down and killed." Izuna said darkly. "Take her warning to heart, if you care about your clan at all you better leave."
My eldest daughter has been kidnapped.
Those are the only words that stood out to Hashirama as his eyes scanned the scroll that came via messenger pigeon just a few hours ago. Critically, he narrowed his eyes, hands gently clenching the parchment in his hand as he struggled to keep his emotions centered. His clan had been long time allies with the Uzumaki, so when he got this letter he wasted no time in opening it.
Daishiro had apparently stormed the island, wiped out several dozen Uzumaki with a unit of his own and took the eldest daughter and heiress in one swift movement.
Daishiro...
Leader of the Shimura, feared for being as cold blooded as a snake, as precise as a laser, with a cunning and strategic mind that even made his father break out into cold sweats when he had still been alive. The same man who made it his business to clash with Mikito many, many, many times and forced the battles to end in a stalemate each time.
From first hand experience he knew just how powerful Mikito was, and fighting her to a stalemate wasn't an easy feat... It was close to impossible. She just kept coming and coming and coming, she was like a machine, with enough strength in one punch to break bones like they were just twigs.
She was ferocious.
She had torn a gash through his skull more than once, broke his ribs, nearly snapped his arm in half, and threw him like he was a sack of potatoes. But, he had returned the favor and then some, but she barreled right back into him. Fighting against her, it's no wonder..."
"Hashirama..."
He turned his eyes onto the person who broke him out of his intense musings. Syrus.
"How are things?" Hashirama asked absently, mind still primarily focused on what he read in the letter.
"No casualties." Syrus answered plainly, eyes darting to the piece of parchment in Hashirama's hand.
"That leech Hajime managed to escape..."
It would have been a severe blow to the Hageshii if that man had been killed, without that wily man at the helm they would surely retreat back to their compound. It was just too much to ask for however, so long as Hajime remained here there'd be a constant conflict...
His foolish scheme now pushed every village and country to the brink with fear, now there would be war.
"Mmm." Hashirama nodded.
Syrus clenched his teeth, not at all liking this...Flippant side of Hashirama, distracted was more like it. Did he not care that the person single handedly responsible for throwing things into a tailspin was still alive? For all of his ideals of peace, his preaching of peace and mercy, he was so nonchalant about a wily and villainous man such as Hajime still walking the earth.
No, he probably wanted to spare him.
"What could possibly be in the letter that has you so distracted!?" He ground out.
"Hisao's eldest daughter has been kidnapped by Daishiro..." Hashirama answered grimly.
Syrus scoffed. "That old and decrepit leader of the Uzumaki clan?"
This is what had Hashirama's attention?
Hisao's eldest daughter being in the hands of Daishiro, Daishiro mowing through the island like a firestorm. How could he allow his focus to shift so sharply from the task at hand...
They were about to be entering a war, that would consume every inch of this region, and the only thing he could focus on was the fact Hisao's daughter was kidnapped!? If that man wasn't so incompetent than his eldest daughter wouldn't have been stowed away.
"We have more important things to be worrying about than saving some stupid woman! Leave that to Hisao and the Uzumaki!"
"I can't do that!" Hashirama snapped, anger bubbling in his tone. He normally wouldn't lose himself in his emotions... Well, that was a lie, he would, but it wouldn't be anger. Syrus was focusing on the here and the now, he had no connections with the Uzumaki, the Subatsu didn't and hated the Uzumaki.
However, he couldn't just let Hisao's eldest daughter remain a prisoner in the clutches of Daishiro and Ajo. There was no telling what they'd do to her, the pain and agony that would be inflicted on her. "Hisao has entrusted me to get his daughter back! I promised him that I would ensure her safe return!"
"Have you forgotten that our division leaders will be arriving today!?" Syrus snapped right back, ten times worse than Hashirama could ever come close to getting. "We don't have time for these foolish and frivolous heroics, there is a war right on our doorstep! We are fighting for everyone's freedom in this country, I will say this only once more. Leave this to Hisao and the Uzumaki."
"The Uzumaki are my allies!" Hashirama argued.
"We are your allies! We've been your allies! We've been through the thick with you Senju! The Uzumaki haven't offered any assistance, they've stayed on their little isolated island while we've been fighting alongside of you!" Syrus had a dangerous and explosive temper, and there were many times he would snap and lash out, but there weren't many times when he would actually lose his temper.
Like he was coming so close to doing now. His heart was racing, he could feel sweat running down his face, and there was heat coursing through him that burned to be released. "Our division leaders are arriving today, we cannot, and will not get distracted with something so trivial as this that we throw off all of our careful planning!"
Their argument had captured the attention of everyone, but only Haji and Tobirama were brave enough to walk by their respective brother's sides.
"They don't know we're underground, and they don't know the way to get in!" Syrus roared, barely casting a glance in his brother's direction. Too angry, too focused on Hashirama and his knee jerk choice. He would be damned if his entire division was mowed down by Sasuke or Daiki because they weren't present to lead them underground to their destination.
It'd turn from a strategic move to a trap, a trap that he set to kill his own kinsmen. No, he wouldn't do such a thing, and he wouldn't allow Hashirama to do it either.
"Tobirama, talk some sense into your brother..."
Stoic and cold despite the heated argument taking place between the two men, Tobirama stood just as such unfazed by their yelling. He was always the realist and pragmatic one while Hashirama was emotional and dreamer often times getting very carried away, leaving himself to organize his brother's notions. The Uzumaki had always been allies of the Senju, and were distant relatives.
They gave them their near infinite fuinjutsu knowledge, what allowed Hashirama to create his massive scroll of seals, but he was pragmatic. If they went to save Hisao's daughter their divisions would be lost once they arrived, they'd be attacked in that split second, he couldn't allow such a thing to occur. Even if the Uzumaki were allies and distant relatives, he couldn't take that risk. "Brother-"
"Are you going to tell me to leave her in peril!?" Hashirama seemed outraged. "She is the heiress of the Uzumaki, if she is killed the entire clan can fall apart!"
"The division leaders are arriving today! They don't know their way down to this city, and we can't leave them up on the surface. Sasuke and Daiki would pounce on that chance and attack! We'd lose many. The damiyos and lords are all going to take action, they're mobilizing their armies as we speak." He narrowed his eyes. "We have our mission."
Tobirama scowled, dangerously. They had to be ready for this. Hashirama couldn't be off playing the hero. They needed an edge over everyone else, and they would be getting it today in the form of their division leaders. Hashirama, he'd be throwing this away just for the sake of one woman. Hisao's eldest daughter no less... But, he had to think of his clan first, and the situation at large.
"Daishiro is betting that you come storming the Wind country to save her. You'd be declaring war, brother! This would be all the Wind damiyo needs to start beating the smaller villages and countries into submission."
And, these countries and villages wouldn't submit at all, it'd lead to nothing short of turmoil.
"I'm sure the Uzumaki will continue on as they always have." Syrus snorted.
Hashirama scowled, narrowing his eyes. Tobirama brought up many good points, just as Syrus did. Their division leaders would be arriving today, and it was crucial that they were on the surface to meet them. There was war coming at a fast and steady pace, Daiki made that much clear during their battle, and if the Dunes were looking to mobilize, then that meant every other country and village would be mobilizing.
He would also be declaring war on the Wind country-the Senju clan would be declaring war on a damiyo lord, they'd make an enemy out of a lord who had hordes of soldiers, connections, and influence that could wipe the Senju clan off the map. However...
"Hisao has asked me to keep this in strict confidence and not to let anyone else know, he doesn't want the Uzumaki to appear vulnerable..."
Tobirama's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Brother! I will not agree with this! It is nothing short of stupid!"
Hashirama narrowed his eyes, remaining silent. But, it was enough for the trio to see that he wasn't budging.
Tobirama all but snarled. "We will not to divisions!"
Hashirama just narrowed his eyes more.
Haji narrowed his eyes, expression cold and impassive as he stared down Hashirama. He knew Hashirama was a boisterous and emotional man as well as a bit more than eccentric, but he never thought he could be blinded so easily. Blinded by his sentimentality.
Blinded by Hisao on something close to an obligation to save his daughter. He would put both of their divisions at risk of an attack. No, he'd be declaring a war on a damiyo-the Senju as a whole-and them by extension.
"I want two units." Hashirama started firmly. "I'd also like Usagi to come with, her skills will be needed."
Syrus's nostrils flared. That boiling rage that seethed and cried to be released pained him, made every single cell in his body burn. It was unbearable. It was one thing to just leave two divisions stuck in the middle of nowhere-it's not like the city above was even standing or had remnants. But, now he was trying to put his sister in this, get Usagi to side with him on the matter and then go traipsing along to the Wind country on a suicide mission.
A mission that could result in her death-he didn't doubt her skills, she was peerless in the art of kenjutsu, but he had to be realistic and look at every possible outcome.
Usagi, dying...
This whole world would burn and be crushed under his foot if one hair on her head was touched.
Hashirama would not start turning his clan against him, he would not start trying to turn Usagi against him... Tobirama was wary of them, they couldn't be controlled or tamed, he wanted to just that. And, now Hashirama was doing something even worse...
He expected this out of Tobirama, honestly, but not Hashirama, and before not Tobirama.
The Senju were...
"You can take Senju with you, but my sister will not be going with you. My clan will not be going with you."
"Syrus..." Hashirama paused, trying to stare him down. "I wasn't asking."
Syrus's visage became ghastly.
"Syrus..." Haji said lowly, carefully, a warning seeping into his tone. He could feel the rage boiling off of brother's form, the immense swell of his chakra and that oppressive killing intent. Syrus didn't know the meaning of restraint. If things went on any further it'd only end in one way, it would be better to nip in the bud now instead of prolonging it.
"It seems to be that we've really reached an impasse." Ever one to get to the point, Haji's tone was cold. It was clear to him what Hashirama, Tobirama, they were...
"It would appear so." Tobirama said.
"I'm leaving." Syrus said, narrowing his glinting eyes dangerously. Hashirama couldn't stop him from leaving, Tobirama sure as hell couldn't. The alliance had been fruitful, was... The Council was pleased for once. But, it was beyond clear to him at this point which direction this going to go, and it could only go one way. There were different ways to go to war, and not all of them involved actual fighting. "I think I may..."
Cooperation was nothing more than verbal disputes, it'd only change from all out war to war once every few decades, with a lot of antagonism in between. Was this Hashirama's dream...They were never been on the same page, from the very beginning. He wanted to...He didn't want something so temporary and hollow...
If this were to happen. It would mean, somehow, shinobi clans united in a sense. Like a village of sorts. A coalition.
But, it'd take something extreme in order for that to happen.
It would be more about politics, hidden antagonism, and less about merit and true strength.
Nepotism would follow shortly after that...
There would be certain clans...People..Marginalized, outed, ostracized.
There was a pecking order, now, a hierarchy of sorts and it was meticulously balanced, it may have not been pretty, but it sustained the world. Strength was everything.
One's strength and skill meant everything. There would be clans that didn't want to affiliate with the villages, naturally. Relying on their own strength and being wary of such things naturally.
What of them? Would they be subjugated and oppressed, or wiped out? Pushed out of the territory that is theirs...As many times as he's killed, he's never wiped out an entire clan. He's never subjugated anyone, or oppressed. Nobody was marginalized or ostracized.
And, then it'd catch on and there'd be multiple villages. Nothing would truly change, the paradox would only be furthered...
And, there would also need to be...
That couldn't happen...
Syrus saw Hashirama in a whole different perspective. It was peace Hashirama desired. Perhaps he had good intentions, but the way he was going about and his methods...
He couldn't agree with them completely.
Hashirama would do anything for peace, perhaps even sacrifice his brother...
There would be peace, but...
It wouldn't last, there'd be another war eventually.
The conflicts would be perpetual.
He felt oddly calm, though. Perhaps it was knowing... The resignation. He was wary of this whole thing from the very beginning... When Hashirama hesitated and Tobirama cut in, as well as Haji. He always followed his instincts first, always listened to them. However, Hashirama was eccentric, he marched to the beat of his own drum and seemed sincere...
But...
"I understand now..." With, a wolfish gleam glinting in his eyes, swiftly, Syrus turned away from Hashirama walking towards the pathway. The rest of the Subatsu all starting to follow him after a moment, some right away. Usagi gave one last meaningful look to them remaining in her spot.
"The next time that we meet, Hashirama Senju..We will be enemies."
"Syrus!" Hashirama shouted, tone booming. "You can't go, what of our alliance!?"
Syrus ignored him.
"Syrus!"
Usagi gave one last look before jogging up to Tobirama.
"You can't leave!" Hashirama ctually walked after Syrus, stopping a few steps.
Tobirama looked at Usagi, ruby eyes giving nothing away.
"Here." Her tone was cheery as always, to some extent.
It had been something she was going to give to Tobirama as a gift, but that was for naught, now... It was to ensure his survival, give him an edge that he needed...Izuna's Susano'o was something else entirely. She pulled out a very, very old piece of parchment.
Tobirama was struck surprised, and couldn't hide it. He always paid close attention to materials, and things of that nature, judging from this parchment's condition it had to be several hundred years old. "What is it?"
"It's the Kaiyō." Usagi replied.
The Kaiyton!? Again, Tobirama's eyes widened, a bit wider actually.
He studied up on many clans and jutsus, Kekkai Genkais, and Kekkai Totas. The Kaiyō was considered the predecessor to some the ancestor of the Suiton. Like it's name suggested it was on a massive scale able to cover hundreds of if not thousands of miles, there was also more surface tension and less viscosity.
While his Suiton justus had tremendous impact and finishing power-but there was no comparison. He couldn't push Suiton to that high of an extent, it really wasn't possible. That's why it was highly sought after, if one had the reserves and will they may be able to master it, but it was unlikely considering everything was on such a massive scale.
It was a night and day difference.
A part of him was happy, but saddened.
"You're really giving this to me?" He asked a bit skeptically. He knew it'd just be a flash before he was on the other end of her blade. "Why? I'm going to be your enemy."
"This is just a copy of the original. Think of it as a last gift from me to you." Usagi said a bit softly. There's no way she'd give him the original scroll, it couldn't be touched. "You'll find notes on incorporating the Yōton and the Inton as well, for a Subatsu this isn't a problem at all." She grinned a wolfish grin, jade eyes gleaming.
"I know now that Senju have powerful life forces and chakra, and it's not all just hype. You'll eat this up."
Tobirama didn't quite agree with her way of putting it, but still nodded regardless. He would 'eat this up' as Usagi gracefully put it.
She began to walk away from him, pausing in her step.
Tobirama felt himself nod, his eyes softening just the slightest.
Usagi walked away.
Tobirama said nothing, merely watched. If he had to be honest he had been growing more and more wary of the Subatsu, even Usagi... The alliance was fruitful, but...They were uncontrollable. Wild and unrestrained...Savage. Wolves.
The next time they met...
He turned his eyes onto the scroll.
Madara followed Mikito with full intentions. What those intentions were he didn't care to know or even ponder on. He just knew that she ignored him, and if there was one thing he didn't like more than being called "bossman" by Mikito, it was being ignored by her. So pointedly too. He was Madara Uchiha, how dare she ignore him!
He stayed silent though, watching her brisk yet graceful strides as she cleared a few inches with each step her focus pointed forward. He could understand why she exited so briskly, they in essence fell right into Tunoichi's and Hajime's hands, and her reaction wasn't well warranted. But, they won, and they put an end to their plot, the damiyo was supporting them fully and they had his blessing.
It was even worse that she spared Tunoichi. They had that stupid fool right in their grasp and she let him go, granted he didn't think much of the older man. He was brazen, stupid, and didn't know when to stop.
Killing him right then and there would have saved them a lot of trouble in the foreseeable future, and there was no telling if he would try joining hands with Hajime again...
Even if it was slim, he wouldn't overrule it one way or the other, if there was something to gain Tunoichi would take that risk. Hajime would take the risk and come out on top, like he did this time... Despite losing he wasn't captured-Tunoichi was. Thus eliminating one of his biggest threats.
It was useless to argue about it at this point. What's done is done as the saying goes. Tunoichi would go on his way, and tell everyone who would listen what he suffered. It'd spread fear through their ranks, which would be beneficial, but still...
"Mikito."
No answer.
Okay... Now, this was getting to be a bit much. Usually she'd at least turn and look at him, offer one of those blank expressions or just the softest smile. Even if she didn't verbally respond she always responded in some sort of way and that satisfied him. He had always been straightforward with her, apparently rude according to Izuna but what did he know, and he answered her whenever she spoke to him whether it was rude or not.
Again, what did Izuna know...
"Mikito, I will not tolerate you ignoring me."
"Are you angry?"
Madara sighed.
Mikito suppressed a laugh. Ever since they had seen one another, she always gave him her full attention and in return he gave her is. It was a mutual thing, based on respect and just being direct. Even if the world at large believed him to be some sort of cold blooded monster, she knew better.
He was devout, loved his brother dearly, loved his clan, always striving to do his best, and while he wasn't the stereotypical husband he was a good husband.
"That's not what I mean. Are you angry at me for refusing to kill that man before..."
Considering this, Madara narrowed his only visible eye. It had... Irked him she outright refused. He could understand why she refused, there was nothing to gain from it, and that man by all points wasn't worth it. But, she was his wife, anything she did reflected on him and just the same in return, anything he did reflected on her.
It wasn't cowardice that made her decline killing that man. In truth he didn't want to kill that man either, he was nothing short of slime and wasn't worth the dirt beneath his sandals, but he was a traitor and needed to be dealt with.
"I understand your reasons for not doing it."
Mikito gave Madara a long look. "You're awfully calm."
"It's not that big of a deal." Madara shrugged. At the end of the day it really wasn't. He learned a long time ago that when Mikito set her mind on something, there wasn't a single force that could stop her. And, he could hardly consider that man a grunt even.
He turned the corner, picking up his pace as he neared their room. He was waiting for her to ask about the stake thing, he was quite serious about doing it, and so was Souji. This was the only way that they'd send a message and he didn't frankly care how everyone took it, just that it got the point across.
He halted himself as Aito stepped into his path a few feet ahead with Misaka right by his side.
"Oh, hey you two." Mikito said, carefully eyeing them. "How are you?"
"Speaking of which..." Madara eyed them.
"We got married." Aito said with a light grin.
Madara blinked wide, surprisingly shocked and surprised. He knew they were close, and were seen together more often than not, but he didn't think they were that close. He turned his eyes towards Mikito, and though there was some surprise on her features, he felt like she must have known that it was going to happen. Women were always good with that mushy stuff. And, he didn't think it'd happen-Domou and Uchiha were very stubborn. Aito's marriage wasn't arranged either.
Mikito looked ecstatic.
Women. Madara shook his head.
"I'm very happy for you, congratulations." Mikito said, eyes smoldering with sincerity.
"I am Misaka Domou-Uchiha now." Misaka said with a light smile on her face, normally reserved, her eyes were glowing with a keen happiness.
"It was worth having to say those vows to each other, and doing that other thing." Aito scratched the back of his head.
Mikito laughed softly. Madara, she was certain had been quite frazzled with the whole thing.
"Aito, you can be so flippant." Misaka said, rolling her eyes lightly.
"Well, I've never heard of those vows before."
"Oh, Madara." Misaka said, ignoring Aito's, quite frankly, flippant statement. But, she'd let it fly over her head, the vows weren't used widely except for in the Domou-and Subatsu, and what followed afterwards was something only her clan and the Subatsu did. Normally marriages were more of a show than anything, this was more of a union. A bond.
She rummaged through her pocket, pulling out a small scroll with a contemplative expression. "Yuko had informed me that girl that was disguised as a monk was awake. We went to question her."
"Is she docile?" Mikito asked. That girl couldn't be older than Ahiko, and if she was it wasn't by that much. She'd hate for her to get hurt due to her impulsiveness.
"Yeah, surprisingly." Misaka nodded slowly. "Her name is Hitomi Kazama. She hails from a section in the Lightning country where the Kazama family resides, she was to be married off to the Lightning damiyo in a power play, but Tobirama stopped that before it could happen, and Cho Inuzuka had been interfering long before that."
Here she shrugged at the curious looks everyone present gave her. Nobody was foolish enough to interfere in a damiyo's affairs and Cho as well as Tobirama had done just that, she couldn't guess why.
"She was to be married to the damiyo anyways, but ran away and was taken by Cho Inuzuka. Usagi, Ryoku, Tsugi, and a unit of Subatsu rescued her and wiped out the compound before traveling to the Lightning country some several days later."
Aito took over. "When they got there after seeing her home safely they were asked to leave..." He paused.
How they were asked to leave wasn't the most pleasant.
"Some Subatsu and Senju, but mostly Subatsu attacked the guards that stormed their rooms with the weapons pointed demanding them to leave. There was a small fight and several dozen of the guards were killed, Hashirama apparently quelled the whole thing and kept Syrus from acting any further. They took their leave after that."
"A few weeks after this, her parents sent her to the same damiyo again... But, this time she escaped once again, but left behind one of the maidens disguised as her." The last part was a bit much for him, but a noble didn't frankly care so long as they got their way, as long as the damiyo thought that girl as Hitomi that's the only thing that mattered.
"She has been on the run since and made her way in this direction because of our reputation." Misaka finished.
"Thank you for being prudent." Madara said, taking the scroll out of her hand. He knew they left out the minor and small details that weren't noting aloud, but they'd be written in their full report. He knew Syrus was dangerous, however he didn't guess him and Hashirama would be at odds like this, but it only made Sense.
Him and Syrus were alike. In the sense they let their actions speak louder than their words, and didn't waste time with words...
Through action they achieved their goals not through yearning and dreaming.
"You two are on patrol tonight. Since we've got the damiyo's blessing we're going to start searching everyone and everything that comes in this village."
Aito nodded. "I got it."
"There's one more thing." Misaka's tone was unusually grim.
"What is it?" Mikito asked carefully.
"She said that she was going to marry Haji, wants to." Misaka replied after a moment.
"I understand..." Mikito nodded with a mysterious expression. "Thank you for all of your hard work."
"Don't mention it." Aito said with a lazy smirk, wrapping an arm around Misaka's waist and pulling her close as they walked off.
Madara found himself surprised again as he entered their shared room. The information Misaka and Aito gathered was still very fresh, but there was also something else that had grasped his focal point.
"She took our surname?"
It happened more often than not, but sometimes people would keep their surnames as they are. Misaka seemed like the type to not change her surname and keep it the same. But...
"Now that I think about it you took our surname as well." He pinned his eyes onto Mikito, genuinely curious.
"It's customary, but it's not frowned upon if we don't." Mikito explained.
Madara narrowed his eyes for a moment. "We're not your only allies?"
"No." Mikito said a bit bluntly. She felt no need to lie to him or keep things away, Madara was always honest with her. She would return the gesture.
"We're allies with the Furea clan, Toppi clan, Dasai clan, Sukiru clan,Taiyō clan, Sakata clan, Naidesu clan, Mitibu clan, Musei clan, Wairudo clan, Mugen clan, Tenpi clan, Yasei clan, and Tsuya clan... Well..."
She paused, contemplating another way to put it, she put it as bluntly as possible, but it didn't really affirm anything that she was trying to get across.
"We don't fight each other I mean, and haven't for centuries. So, we may not quite be allies in a sense, but we're not enemies either."
Madara nodded in understanding. The Uchiha were hostile towards just about everyone, however they didn't go out of their way to attack and kill, unless it was a Senju of course then all bets were off, but they preferred to remain reclusive and within their own.
They did have an alliance with the Hagoromo clan, ever since one of his father's advisers married the leader of the Hagoromo of that times' daughter, and it had been fruitful sense. They offered their protection as an extension of this alliance as well-the Hagoromo were a large clan, but they weren't as large as the Uchiha.
The clans Mikito mentioned were all very fierce and powerful right up there at the very top. They were feared and respected. It wasn't a surprise they remained neutral with each other and focused on their own conflicts, if they ever did fight... It'd be the total annihilation of their respective clans.
Nothing good could from it. There were always odd peace treaties between certain clans, they wouldn't fight unless something was violated-or if they felt like it...
But, what Mikito was saying...This was more of an agreement between the collective clans...They respected each other and their agreement. Never came to blows or war. And, haven't for hundreds of years. It was several clans too, not just a few. They stopped fighting, though.
But, they weren't all living together either...Which is what Hashirama was aiming for in the long run. Their clans coming together, forcing the conflicts to end, and then clans would come under them. The, the village would abolish clan boundaries-that was the objective. But, he knew that it was hopeless. Izuna would tear his head off if he even considered it, too much blood was shed between the Uchiha and Senju. They were like oil and water. There'd always be conflict. A small part of him did hope, however, that one day it did happen and was very much possible.
He couldn't have his head in the clouds, he was a realist.
"Madara..." Mikito didn't want to disturb...Whatever was going on. Madara was staring at his cushion, his expression not quite tense, but thoughtful. He looked different without that scowl on his face. She was content to stay silent and just let him grapple with whatever it was, but the thought of her confession-could she even call it that, she hadn't been hiding it, after all?
"I'm curious of something." Madara looked at her intently.
Mikito took a shallow breath. Something about his gaze took her breath away. She had seen his angry expressions, his murderous expressions, just about every single expression except for an actual genuine smile or a goofy grin. He did have that infuriating cocky smirk, but she had grown rather fond of it... Even if she could smack him sometimes. This gaze was much different, there was something...
Something...
"What would it take...For all of you to...Come together?"
Mikito stared at Madara.
"Hypothetically." Madara clarified with his signature scowl.
"Well..." In order for clans to come together... To come together and stay together there would need to be a new foundation, because as it stood there was no way this could happen now. There was no trust and every possible meeting was a power play, every alliance was only used to gain something.
They would need to transcend just the clan, the foundation would need to be new, something like a coalition. A village...
But, they couldn't come to care about the village more than the clan-there had to be balance. One wasn't more important than the other.
Gentatsu... Mikito's eyes misted with emotion before she smoothed out her features. "I think that...People will always care about something, they will put their blood, sweat, and tears into something. A...Village wouldn't be any different. They'll care deeply for it, but..." She paused, pressing down on her bottom lip lightly.
"There will still be conflict, and there will be needless sacrifices all for 'the village'. Most of all, we'd still be dogs of the damiyos...We must care about each other."
Madara didn't quite like her second to last statement. He tried his best to just brush it off, but she had a point. Shinobi were just tools to be used by the damiyos and lords, anyone who would pay them.
Even his own clan was looked upon with such fickleness, weapons... Used and to be disposed. With a village they'd be coming out in the open-presenting themselves.
The damiyos could take it as a threat-the ordinary people could take it as a threat. The shinobi would control the land, own the land, no longer the damiyos. There would need to be concessions, the damiyo would probably give the head who represented the respective village authority in that area, and some control, but all power would be on the damiyo.
So, in the long run things don't change.
However, if they cared deeply for each other like Mikito was saying and were completely united...
But, people weren't like that.
"What would you think needs to be done?" Madara couldn't help but ask. He never considered Mikito to be such a deep thinker, she was thinking along similar lines to him and Hashirama, but there were differences. He had thought this over and over when he was younger, and though he wouldn't admit it, he still tended to dwell on it at times. There had to be a way...
"We would need to be free from the employ of darkness. We'd all have to unite. Every shinobi clan throughout the world, large and small." Mikito said softly, thoughtfully. Her voice faint and fleeting, dissipating in the gentle breeze blowing against her hair. "The entire shinobi world would need to be reformed as a whole. We wouldn't be tools no longer, but owners of the land, or own power. There will be no damiyo, it'd be a Shinobi village. The world now..."
The world that Kagyua took over with her near unlimited strength and became hubris, the world that Rikudo perpetuated even further with chakra and 'Ninshu' and became hubris, the world that his sons... Plunged into war and darkness. Everything that followed. There was so much death, so much hatred. The world was rotten.
"Is rotten, and things can't keep going as they have been... We can't further the paradox, we have to destroy it...We'll have to care about and love one another like brothers and sisters. Sit and powwow together."
Madara realized why exactly Izuna was so for this alliance...Now it made complete sense.
Mikito was guileless and very sincere... But, she was not a simpleton as he had first thought.
"But..."
Madara's eyes shot onto Mikito.
"The only way that could happen though... Is if the person was strong, so mighty, stronger than everyone else...That there'd be no contest." Mikito furrowed her brows together, fists clenching for a moment.
"Words...And yearnings will do nothing if there's no action taken and merit. Without strength..." She looked off into the distance, eyes focusing on the labyrinth of branches and boles left behind by Hashirama. "What can one do?"
Madara found himself nodding in agreement. Dreaming and words weren't enough to see things through, one needed the strength to make things happen, and the will and resolve to see things through.
By simply dreaming and yearning one didn't complete anything except for wishful thinking. Mikito...
She seemed to understand.
She understood the world, and wanted to change it, not only change it but take it and throw it on its head and bring it to its knees. Madara found himself drifting off in his thoughts...
Mikito believed it was possible, or something along those lines, but what differed from his and Hashirama's lines of thought was the fact Mikito was talking about a total unification of shinobi clans worldwide, large and small, they'd all come together in harmony and no longer be weapons...No longer hiding in the shadows.
whereas him and just Hashirama were thinking about the clans in the Fire country. There would be ranks and missions would be assigned accordingly, leaders would be elected by the people and unilateral decisions would be a thing of the past-something he couldn't entirely agree with. It was better to have one person in charge, and whether the people at large disagree or agree didn't matter, because things always ran smoother.
There wasn't nepotism.
What Mikito was suggesting was impossible, quite literally in his opinion...People, they would never come and powwow together as she gracefully put it.
"But...The world is changing." Mikito said thoughtfully, turning towards Madara with an intense expression on her face, eyes smoldering.
Hajime and Tunoichi managed to put their differences aside, Daishiro and Ajo also managed to do the same with those two and use them to their own gain, but nonetheless the point remained.
Every clan was making their way, and it was unprecedented in a very large sense since many clans kept to themselves and would actually avoid conflict. If Hajime and Tunoichi could reach a common ground no matter how slight, then who's to say it wouldn't Daishiro and Sasuke next...
It wasn't that far fetched now that she pondered on it.
"I think eventually things are going to change drastically, it's going to take something extreme but things are going to change drastically, and when that happens we have to set the pace...This could very well effect many generations after us, Madara, our descendants."
Madara made no verbal response, or indication that he gave any thought to it. He never took Mikito for such a deep thinker, she couldn't read or see the future, but she was extremely perceptive with a sharp intuition, she could read people very well. She took the meaning of read the underneath of the underneath to a whole different level and gave it a whole new meaning.
He hadn't thought of having a child, or children, but at this point if it happened then...It happened. He was honestly surprised Mikito hadn't told him anything considering how many times they have been intimate recently. If she was thinking that far into the future, then maybe...
Maybe...
"Did Hashirama send you another letter?" Madara asked, keeping his tone oddly calm and neutral. She rarely spoke of such things with him, and in the same aspect he rarely spoke of such things with her. It gave him an odd warmth inside that Mikito was thinking along the same lines-no a worldwide scale that had completely passed him up entirely up to this point. But, there had to be some sort of trigger...It couldn't be him since he never spoke to her about it.
"Yes." Mikito answered unabashed. It's not like she was going to try and hide it. The message came just before they went to raid the tea house, and after feeding the pigeon she sent the bird on its way. She could say without reservations that she was surprised, Hashirama was completely forward with her this time around, writing at length and in depth about the village he wanted to create, its power structure, how things would be run, the changes he intended to make.
The children...Hashirama's intentions were good, but...
"Where is that letter?" Madara's tone was like ice. He got tired of Hashirama's shit, and had enough of it since that day at the river...Now he was trying to worm his way into Mikito. She loved children and would never raise a finger against one, she seen the way she looked at the Domou children and the Uchiha children, she adored them.
That son of a bitch.
"I burned it."
Madara narrowed his eyes, not entirely convinced. She threatened to rip his arms off the first time around when he tried to snatch it away.
Mikito sighed in exasperation.
"I was a little convinced, at first." Mikito said after a moment, immediately raising her hand to silence Madara before he said something stupid or got angry. She didn't lower her hand until he visibly relaxed and just barely nodded his head.
She couldn't exactly pinpoint the reason as to why Madara was so against this...It seemed he wanted the same thing as Hashirama, their methods were different, but, the way Hashirama put certain things it was like he knew Madara would approve...That she would.
"But, I can already see the darkness and corruption it will bring as the years go on...It'll be rotten with nepotism and favoritism, clans that want nothing to do with the village would be oppressed and subjugated..."
She took a steady breath.
"Worst of all children will still be sent off to the battlefields..." Hashirama believed love was the way to peace as well as cooperation, but peace is the opposite of fear, and cooperation is just verbal disputes. They both believed in different things, clearly.
"They will still die before they can come of age."
Madara sighed, but he wasn't entirely relieved. Mikito must have read about how he and Hashirama met and talked by the river, there was no way he could ramble on and on about his dream if he didn't include this, and even then...He knew she'd figure out that he was in someway tied to it-his unlikely friendship with Hashirama caused many rumors at the time.
She was completely disagreeing with Hashirama, and by extension himself, despite the fact he had his own misgivings with the methods Hashirama wanted to use...
Mikito was thinking on a much, much larger scale. He knew Izuna and Souji would never accept the notion of a truce, the Uchiha and Domou as a whole wouldn't...He had been hoping Mikito would be a bit more...Open minded.
"But, I think..." Mikito closed her eyes, humming softly, a gesture meant to calm and sooth her. "We can only be certain that we are comrades, we are husband and wife, and our clans are in an alliance."
Maybe soon they could unify with each other-it was a crazy thought...The Uchiha were solemn, collected, highly disciplined, militarized and uniformed. The Domou were austere, dour, ascetic, and highly uniformed... It could work out between them close to perfectly. They could all get on the same page... And, they had gained the respect of another through their battles and trials together.
But, their respective clans could be such blockheads and stubborn.
"I agree." Madara was oddly silent for a moment. "I'm going to take care of a few things, if I'm not able, meet our respective division leaders they'll arriving some time today very soon."
Mikito smiled, relieved. She and Madara were on the same page, it seemed. "Of course."