Tales Of The Warring States Era

by Freestyle 763

Growing up in the Era Of The Warring States is hell on earth. One is trained to be a weapon of mass destruction with chakra and nothing more. Alliances are forged, that transcend time. This is a story of those who rise, fall, and endure in this era. AU.

97. Confound

"What kind of a freak is this guy?"

Kidomaru

---

The patter of rain disturbed him, in its maddening staccato he couldn't block it out, no matter how hard he tried, and he found it to be unfortunate since he normally fell asleep hearing rainfall in the first place. However, this wasn't a calm fall, it was voracious and all consuming-thunder shook the ground and lightning crackled through the sky with terrifyingly beautiful arcs. With a quiet grunt, he turned himself over and reached a hand out, grasping, but when he couldn't feel the hot flesh he got a little more motivated.

"Mikito." He called out, voice thick, mouth dry.

"There's water next to you."

He reached out, clasping the rather large glass and sat himself up-practically chugging all of it down.

"Mikito."

Brows furrowing, he realized that she wasn't present.

Not anymore, at least.

He wasn't a lazy type of person, that honor would always go to Izuna, but when he was in this sort of state he did like to just to remain in bed. Mornings always started early in this compound, he realized with a sour expression. Some people like Souji were up and moving before the sun even began to rise, though the brusque man did also spend his time sleeping in when possible.

Mikito wasn't one to wake up very early. She wasn't like her sister that could sleep like a rock for a week straight and didn't wake up until the afternoon, but that didn't mean she was waking up before the sun even rose. He learned a long time ago that Mikito enjoyed her sleep, and if she was even remotely disturbed she'd turn into an angry bear.

He had made the mistake back in the Sand country before they were married. The Sarutobi and Akimichi were constantly pushing passed the borders, and he grew tired of it wishing to launch an attack in the still of night, when both clans and their leaders were least expecting it. Of course, he needed Mikito at his side in order for it to go perfectly, but she had outright refused before slamming him on the bed hard enough to immobilize him for a few hours.

He literally couldn't move for a few hours. The pain wasn't severe, but nagging, and whenever he moved it'd just be like tiny pins prickling through his back and sides. Quite frankly he hadn't expected her to react in such a way, nor did he know she was so frighteningly powerful-with ease she tossed him and she was more than half asleep, more angry than anything.

Sighing he opened his eyes, one hand lazily digging away at the sleep in his eyes. He'd wash up more thoroughly in a few minutes, but he didn't want to look totally disheveled, even if he was in the company of just Mikito. He couldn't afford to look so haggard. Setting his feet on the floor and standing, he was now ready to get the day underway and find his natural disaster of a wife.

Before he could even make it to the door the smell of food was wafting through the walls, and as if reminding him not to slouch on his diet, Madara's stomach growled and grumbled with such ferocity he had to set a hand on it. Truly he was hungry, and Izuna always prepared a big breakfast for the both of them. He usually ate about five meals a day, normally in his office while doing work, but there were times when he wouldn't eat for four days, or just twice a day. Those times were usually when he was on the battlefields, or when he was just too focused on work to care.

But, it was hard to ignore it first thing in the morning.

He searched for his wife after washing up and managing to get his hair to look presentable, but he didn't care if he had 'bed head' as Izuna gracefully put it, he just wanted to get something in his stomach. The aroma was all he had to follow in order to find her, and the more he smelled it the more his stomach began to growl. It was getting a little ridiculous.

Before he could meet his wife he ran into Hiyori who was departing out the front door.

"Where are you going?" Madara looked at him.

"Take care of the animals. Mikito's cooking breakfast." Hiyori replied bluntly, shutting the door behind him.

Madara shook his head not taking the man's actions as an insult. Hiyori was a little weird and wasn't very talkative to start with, according to Mikito and Souji, and everyone else for that matter. However, the man had to be special in order to wed Ahiko. Mikito and Souji wouldn't accept anyone.

"Good morning, Madara." Mikito greeted him with a small smile as he entered the spacious kitchen; not able to look at him since she was focusing on at least four different dishes at the same time.

She had a ladle in one hand, and in the other she was fiddling with eggs.

"Hn." Madara grunted, taking a seat at the table and taking the cup of tea in hand.

He just watched his wife go about her business humming a tune to herself. A serene smile on her face. She was tentative over all of her dishes, stirring something here, frying something here, pickling a few things here, simply put she was all over the place doing a dozen things at once. But, he could see she was happy and enjoying herself, she'd glide a few steps, and at times she'd dance a little-which was a tad amusing.

He admittedly enjoyed watching her be so efficient and swift in her tasks, she loved cooking, and he could feel it from where he sat-she hadn't been trained to be a housewife, but she still got the same training-as it's right for a woman to know manners and such. The only way he knew how to cook was with a fire and stick, that's about it, and sometimes the fish would be too burnt to eat.

Madara grabbed the steaming cup of tea, taking a ginger sip. "Honey?"

"Mhm."

She must have prepared it for him in advance, he deduced.

He took another sip, enjoying the sweet fragrance and taste. He was used to the bitter tea, like the ink he used to write on scrolls, but he just toughed it out. It was refreshing to have some really good tea, something he could savor.

She really was something else, he still couldn't figure her out, but that didn't bother him as much as it once had-women in general were strange and confusing. Mikito wasn't so much confusing as she was strange, guileless to a fault and sincere, but she was also a mystery-the way she thought. He wondered at times what was going through her head-their plans during battle were all perfectly executed, even if they were improvised at the very last second.

However, he took notice that amidst the giant breakfast being prepared for him, there wasn't his favorite food.

He couldn't expect Mikito to know, after all he never told her, and she never asked. But, why would she? He also kept his love for Inarizushi near silent because Izuna always pestered him about it. As children Izuna, and his other brothers for that matter would always say how much it 'stunk' and Jin would always complain about the texture, and in turn they'd all start making fun of him for eating fried tofu.

Being the child he was, he of course got angry and started hitting them, and in turn they hit him back, and hit each other. Needless to say his father and mother weren't happy, his father nearly busted an artery seeing their kitchen in shambles and them covered in everything but the dirt on the floor, and their mother has been tapping her foot, a small, but very scary scowl on her face.

Madara could only shiver in remembrance, his father could be scary, but his mother was frightening!

After that day no one ever got on his case about liking fried tofu again, at least not so boldly. His brothers still continued on with their folly, with Izuna leading the pack calling him 'tofu breath', Tora just found amusement in all of it, and well he didn't like being called 'tofu breath'. In fact when Izuna called him that even now, he'd still get furious.

However, Mikito was different, and she wouldn't say something off the wall like Izuna because he likes the fried tofu dish. Like a good wife she will make it without laughing in his face while calling him 'tofu breath'. No, she wasn't as ridiculous as Izuna, though the two did seem to get along right from the start. Well, either way, he wanted his favorite dish. He really didn't eat meat.

"Mikito."

"Hn."

Madara scowled, lips tightening against the cup as he sipped on the warm beverage.

"That's not funny."

"Hm?"

Madara set his cup down, scowl remaining in place. Never once did he hear Mikito grunt like him, she always hummed, or when she was really agitated she'd click her tongue, but she didn't grunt. She did tell him to stop grunting like that a while ago, maybe this was her way of hitting her point home, but it wasn't going to get much merit. He would keep grunting until the day his time was up on this wretched world.

"It smells good."

Mikito beamed. "Thanks! I even made inarizushi."

Madara crossed his arms over his chest-he had missed his favorite dish! It was in its own little spot. He got the feeling it wasn't for presentation and because Mikito didn't want anything to do with the dish. "How did you know?"

"You know our private time. I could smell it. Each time."

He didn't find amusement in it at all. But, Mikito seemed to be quite amused-she wasn't saying anything stupid Like Izuna, but she was still trying to hold back her laugh just so she didn't cause him to explode. But, since she didn't know Izuna and his brothers badgered him relentlessly about it, she was more likely holding herself back to remain polite-she also had to focus on cooking.

And, she didn't call him 'tofu breath'. She had it smelled like Tofu, but didn't call him that infuriating nickname.

"I really don't like the stuff, but if you like it I have no problem cooking it for you. I just won't eat it." Mikito said, a small smile gracing her face as she began to set down the food in their designated places.

Madara snatched one of the fried tofu pouches and woofed it down without a second thought. It was...a lot better than what the restaurants, inns, eateries, and every other place he's stayed at made. Every place had a new thing to offer when it came to the dish, another way of trying to spice it up, but an eatery in the Fire country and one in the Lightning country served the best he's ever tasted.

But, Mikito's was an explosion. He found himself literally swallowing the pouches whole-he couldn't chew them enough, and really there wasn't enough for him to eat.

"Madara, slow down." Mikito said, a wry smile on her face.

He did the exact opposite.

"Do...You like it?" Mikito asked, feeling shy.

Madara nodded quickly.

He found himself down to four of the fried pouches, having not touched anything else on the table.

He began to take more, casting a glance in Mikito's direction every few seconds once they were all gone.

"I'll make you some more, but try to eat the rest of the food as well."

He was sure to not woof down the next batch she made for him, as easy as it could be to do so, he kept himself under control this time around. She also made about double, almost triple what she did the first time around.

She hadn't found it fit to reproach him for his questionable eating habits-his mother would have been severely disappointed with his performance. He didn't say thank you, didn't thank Mikito for cooking for him, didn't compliment her cooking, nor did he take the time to actually chew most of his food-it'd lead to a two week grounding, but since his father wouldn't have it she'd just settle on good ol discipline.

"So, Madara I was thinking..."

He raised an eyebrow, curious. He was also a little wary, since whenever Mikito would trail off like this it was normally bad news, or something very important. The first time she did something like this was when she spent four thousand something ryo on his sword-which he refused to let leave his side. The second time, he couldn't remember the second occasion she gave him merit for this wariness, but it happened.

"What?"

Mikito was silent for a second. "I'd like to have our ceremony here, and then a party."

It took a moment for the words to sink in. Madara continued to chew his food, but as seconds passed his chewing began to slow more and more. Now, he really couldn't come up with an excuse like before. With the way things were being run now thanks to the changes made, it gave him more free time than before even if the workload got heavy, which it could. Civilian villages were always sending requests, and he was beginning to suspect it made up the bulk of their mission load at this very moment.

But, those very same civilians were starting to be brought back, and they were coming in by the boatloads-literally.

In any case he had more time to do things like this. He didn't need to rush or push things off to the side anymore. If he had children, he'd be able to spend more time with them, but he didn't have children. It was his idea, well a mutual idea between them, to hold the ceremony again just for show and than having a huge celebration where everyone would be invited.

He didn't have to deal with noise and ruckus while completing his union with Mikito which was more than enough for him, he just wanted peace and silence to reign between them.

Not drunken shouts.

However, it was mortifying enough when he had to do what he did in the Sand country-Mikito making him stand up with her in that peaceful temple, even though in all fairness he said that he would. He couldn't really complain about that since it was his big mouth that got him into the whole situation in the first place, well his big mouth, the Uchiha Council, Domou Council, and can't forget about Izuna.

"Mikito is that really necessary?"

"Yes."

Madara scowled. He was expecting her to say as much.

"It'll take too long..." Madara tried not to drawl out his words.

"Our siblings aren't here, so it'll just be you and I. Right there eliminates more than eighty percent of it."

Madara looked at her skeptically.

He knew Mikito just enjoyed seeing him look so awkward.

"Hn."

"We're doing it Madara, it'll be less than two minutes. It'll be nothing like Akame's union."

"Hn,"

"Some of the Uchiha are really tense, and understandably so...They've been through a lot, and now had to adjust to a different wat of like. I think it'll be good if we give everyone the chance to loosen up and get together."

Mikito thought back to Aimi, and all the other Uchiha women that were concerned before. They all hailed from different ladders of the foolish caste system, but they all had the same concerns. Of course, the pregnant women didn't really care as long as they're growing bundles are safe, but for these women who didn't have children as of yet, they weren't in the same state of bliss. They were nervous and scared. Timid and afraid.

It was also the same for the civilian women.

They didn't know much about Domou men in general, and while she could give her confident vote they still needed to meet them on their own and interact with them.

Once they were comfortable in that sense, they'd blossom beautifully into strong kunoichi. There'd be a little stopping them.

She had to do her part in ensuring these women were very comfortable in that sense, it'd be detrimental if they were warily eyeing every single Domou that's a man or young man. It'd confuse the older men very much since they're married, why would these Uchiha women being looking at them like that in the first place? And it'd make the younger men feel awkward having their eyes trained on them so intently, but they'd be confused as well because of the wariness. It's not like they'd have love in their eyes, radiating with such warmth-it'd be caution.

Domou women weren't cautious around Domou men-unless the men lost their tempers, which was truly frightening. Other than those rare times the Domou women had nothing to fear, and never thought twice about their intentions-as simple as it sounds, in many clans, the women could be wary of them as proven by these Uchiha women that experienced something of that nature.

It was a shame there was such contention between men and women in some clans...It wasn't supposed to be like that, at all.

Madara swallowed his food, giving her a bored look. "I can't really say no since it was my idea..."

"That would be stupid." Mikito said shamelessly.

Madara scowled. "Is this a women thing?"

Frowning, Mikito resisted the urge to deck him on the head for his stupid comment. He wasn't entirely wrong in his assessment-he wouldn't have asked the question if he hadn't deduced something prior. Men really didn't care about things of this nature, it's women that focused on those smaller and more important things-things that men didn't care to focus on just in general not really care about.

For Madara it was just a matter of these Uchiha women adjusting to their training regiments and curriculums, their children being born healthy and able, and their children being able to grow up strong as well. He didn't care about if they had relationships or not, if they were comfortable in that sense, or if it'd actually help them excel-since he really didn't care about in the first place. No man does.

"Yes it is."

She felt no shame in admitting it.

Madara sighed. He really didn't have the energy to dispute it, and was certain Mikito would handle everything pertaining to that. He just had to show up and not scowl the entire time.

"Fine. You take care of it, though."

Mikito smiled in triumph, swiping a few broiled fish off a nearby plate, tearing pieces off and setting them onto her rice and vegetables before biting into a blue fruit. "I invited Akame over so we can all go over a few things."

He nodded, mind focusing on the present. At first he thought Akame was being humorous with him about actually building a dojo for training in the gunbai, but after she went into detail about her reasoning to do so he became quite intrigued at the idea. After all, the Uchiha didn't train in the gunbai-it's just something he picked up and made it into his own. He put his own flare on it, making something totally unique to him-nobody else used the gunbai except for Mikito.

Uchiha mostly focused on Shurikenjutsu since they liked to keep their battles ranged, but they also trained in kenjutsu in case battles ever did get close ranged. They kept things ranged in due part to utilize their fire jutsus and cast genjutsu-just a look was enough, but there were more chances to put someone under a genjutsu from twenty feet away as opposed to just two feet away.

He liked to keep things close range, but if he could slip back-by all means he would, thus he adopted the gunbai and sickle combination.

Carefully, Madara drank the rest of his tea-giving Mikito space to fill his cup afterwards.

She left the room a few minutes later after finishing off the eggs-he assumed she must have been letting Akame in.

Mikito entered the kitchen again just a few seconds later with Akame trailing behind, a towel in one hand as she dried herself off with grace, not disheveling her hair at all.

The red eyed girl immediately took notice of the tofu and her nose wrinkled.

"It's for my husband." Mikito said.

Nobody in the Domou really ate tofu, but they didn't engorge themselves with meat. They had just enough so their meals were balanced.

"Ah." She nodded, slowly taking off her blue haori and setting it on a hook.

"Akame." Madara nodded at her, looking into her red eyes before glancing at the rather large sack in her hand.

They weren't red like the Sharingan, but a good deal darker. Much darker.

What was in that sack?

"I brought some meat and fruit. Oh, and some sake." Akame said abruptly, setting the rather large sack on the table where there was enough room and opened it, setting down two bottles of sake a second later.

Madara looked over the assortment of food. There was quite a bit of meat probably chicken and beef from the looks of it, but there was also more gamey meat mixed in as well. Overall there was much more fruit, and the fruits varied in size and color.

"Koshu sake and Nigorizake sake. He grabbed the bottles of sake inspecting them carefully. It was very high quality, and if he had to guess about eighty proof.

"Where'd you get these?"

"From the Rivers country."

"This is high quality."

"Indeed. Mikito told me you like sake, so I got them as a gift. It was hard to find a good Koshu, though."

"You brought those berries, Akame!"

"I know they're your favorite, well one of your favorites." Akame laughed softly.

"We can put some of this meat with the yellow and white rice. Madara can you pass me the broccoli and spinach?"

Halfheartedly, he passed over both bowls-he had no problem eating broccoli, but he didn't care too much for spinach. It was too runny and moist for his liking.

He shook one bottle of sake before poured himself some, taking a ginger sip. He wasn't a lightweight, but this stuff was strong as shit, maybe even stronger than the sake back in that temple he got married in. The fact there was rice sediment left over didn't really do him any favors.

Madara watched the two women go about fixing another dish right there at table while distributing the fruit into bowls and situating those accordingly. The new dish was set where the yellow rice had been, with all of the yellow rice now a part of the dish. It was really strange, watching women interact, he never cared too much to observe before, but since he was now observing it, well it was weird. It wasn't the same way men talked, but that was a given. They were smiling and grinning, their animate gestures speaking volumes of how much they enjoyed the other's company.

Vaguely, he wondered if his father ever felt the same way when his mother would have all the women over and there was one giant gossip fest. At times his father looked to more than enjoy all of the company and commotion going on in their home. There were children, family, and just random Uchiha coming and going at all times.

When the women began to cluck about their cheating husbands was usually when his father left the house, grumbling curses with just enough coherence to pick up. About women loving to waste their time 'clucking' about nothing and trivial nonsense than saying anything worthwhile. He had been too young to really understand, his friends, random Uchiha, and family members would come over and he'd just spend all his time playing, laughing, and making new friends.

Plus, chickens clucked last time he checked, and he was certain that his mother and those women were in fact not chickens.

It wasn't until a few years ago he got what his father meant when he had been saying that-women don't know when to shut up, or more accurate-they just love to gossip.

Mikito and Akame weren't really gossiping though, from what he was hearing. Their conversations were light but purposeful. Speaking about their recent missions, Akame elaborating on some exceptional students within her dojo as well as the progress that some civilians were making, the new litter of puppies and kittens her companions had, how her horses were prospering, and the man who would be her husband.

Mikito was taking a steady interest in all of it going on to evaluate about her own companions, how many puppies and kittens they were having, the horses which were blissfully grazing in the fields while getting pelted by the rain, and even the last subject-which was Akame's love interest was anything but scandalous things such as cheating men or anything of that nature.

Honestly, the Uchiha men just gave the Uchiha women ammo to use in conversations of such a nature. They weren't the most loyal spouses.

He shook the thoughts from his mind, not even sure why he was pondering on such trivial things in the first place.

Looking up from the rice on his plate, he couldn't help but notice how the two ladies were staring at him. He wasn't sure if he should say something to break the now awkward silence cloaking the room. Both women looked transfixed on him, and he felt that if he were to even mutter a whisper somehow it'd have disastrous and even more awkward effects than the situation now.

"Well, Madara?"

He noted the careful but critical look his wife was giving him, and realized that one or both of them more than likely asked him a question. Of course, he hadn't really been paying total attention, just listening and enjoying the food Mikito prepared for him. Perhaps he should have been paying closer attention, but he felt completely relaxed, and thus didn't care too much to hone in on the whole conversation taking place.

After all it wasn't like the tense conversations they had with damiyos and clan leaders at times, a far cry from that.

He was content and his wife was happy; the only thing missing was Izuna, Souji, and Ahiko being present. He was certain Izuna would make a comment on Akame's rather abrupt manner of speaking at times and the way she just dropped a sack of meat on the table.

"What was the question?"

Mikito smiled. "How many techniques do you utilize in total?"

Madara mulled it over before frowning. He never really kept track of how many techniques he had. He was always improvising and doing something new whenever he used his gunbai. He never did the same thing twice, and he couldn't afford to since it'd be quite easy to counter any of his attacks if he got too redundant or repetitive with his attacks.

Well, they were starting a regiment and curriculum after all, he would be the Head Master of this dojo when it is finally built, and he would have to create the regiment and curriculum by himself, though his wife and Akame would smooth things along. It was necessary to have the total amount of techniques, their level of difficulty, and there had to be an ogi as well-an ultimate or final attack. That didn't even include the diagrams and pictures he'd have to draw in order to explain and present things in a full context, but his wife and Akame would assist in that as well.

"Since I normally use a sickle in tandem, about..." Madara mused while shrugging. He was only guessing, really. He could use a lot less, or a lot more.

He had his regular techniques that he used, but he never kept track, and always invented new techniques on the fly. He never had the foresight to draw out everything from his stances, to how the weapons should be held, etc. It's not like anyone else was going to use a gunbai and sickle to fight with, and he already knew the mechanics behind the attacks without having to draw them out for reference.

Scratching at his thigh, he realized that these are all things he was going to have to do. It was quite a lot to start with, and then he'd be the Head Master on top of it, which was a huge responsibility in itself. He had a part in the Uchiha training, but he was not a crucial interval so to speak-there were seasoned shinobi teaching the children, and he was ensuring it was all going well while giving corrections and tips whenever he felt it was necessary.

It'd be a nice change of pace, but he was going to have to adjust. He never really dealt with hyperactive children.

"I'd say I use close to three hundred techniques."

Considering he always had to change his game plan going against Hashirama, he was always inventing new techniques in the heat of those battles.

"Perhaps we could divide the curriculum into three parts-one hundred techniques for each ranging from basic to advanced. We'll need to include the sickle, too. So, that's make it six parts." Akame mused softly, nodding her head as she plopped a piece of fruit into her mouth.

Mikito mulled it over, looking at Madara to see if he wanted to add anything, but seeing as he was chewing food and giving her a rather blank look she could only conclude that he didn't have anything to add. It was a shame, because he'd be handling all of this in due time. She wanted to hear what he had to offer on the matter, after all she wouldn't be the Head Master of this dojo.

She nodded, closing her eyes for a second. If Madara didn't want to offer anything on the subject and just stuff his face, well she wouldn't be upset about that. However, she wouldn't be hearing any of his complaining about hyperactive children, how hard it is to get them to listen, nor would she hear about the bulk of the training he had to implement.

"Dividing into nine parts will be more efficient. We can start with the gunbai, as many techniques as you utilize will make up this curriculum and regiment-you'll have to make the decision which are basic, which are moderate, and which are advanced. Once training with the gunbai is complete, we'll progress onto the sickle. As many techniques as you utilize will make up this curriculum and regiment, you'll make the decision which are basic, which are moderate, and which are advanced. Once someone progresses beyond this they will learn to use the two in unison-this will be divided into three parts-one hundred techniques for each ranging from basic to advanced."

"Sounds reasonable. Can't use one without using the other, and if someone does lose one or the other, they'll be more than prepared." Madara grimaced subtly, his voice was a bit deeper than usual, but it was the way it cracked just now that made him grimace in the first place.

He drank more sake, clearing his throat gently.

"More importantly if they can't master both in single terms, than they won't be able to use both in unison." Madara added, voice now back to its deep and regal tone.

"I'll leave the katas, mechanics, and diagrams to you. Once we have those completed we'll be able to start building this dojo." Mikito eyed her husband with a small smile.

She was getting quite excited.

"Fair enough."

"I think we'll call the Dojo Īe Kyorimasen." Akame looked at the two before her. "What do you think?"

"It fits the way he fights with the gunbai and sickle. Can fight at mid range, long range, and go in for a direct attack at the drop of a hat. So, Īe Kyorimasen is fitting, no?"

"It's basic, but captures the essence." Madara said thoughtfully.

"Now. Let's discuss the ceremony."

Madara tensed, he was certain both of them noted his sudden change in demeanor, but as he was discovering both of the women didn't even seem to notice and were just smiling at each other.

Women.

"Well, I was thinking you and Madara could have yours before mine."

Mikito shook her head. "We're already married, we're doing this just for show and so everyone can get together and just have fun. You'll go first."

Akame hid her eyes, a gentle ray of scarlet flashing on her face.

With his eyes narrowed he turned them onto Mikito and then Akame. "How do you two know each other?"

"We're cousins." Akame answered bluntly.

Madara kept his jaw from dropping.

"What?"

He fixed Akame with a disbelieving look, managing to scowl just a little bit.

"Her mother's brother is my father."

He turned his eyes onto Mikito, starting to flick back and forth between the two of them. They had similarities, clearly, but they also had stark differences-Mikito's skin was a lot darker, and Akame had red eyes with lighter skin.

Mikito tilted her head. "Well, moving on. You and Noboru will go first, it's only right."

Akame considered this for several long minutes, munching on a fruit the entire time.

Madara wasn't sure what he was seeing at this moment. Well, he was seeing it, but...Akame was really sitting here, munching on a fruit, while pondering Mikito's insistence, and Mikito was staring at her with full interest just waiting for her to give an answer. He could understand completely why Akame was so hesitant to do it first-he had been hesitant to do it at all, but Mikito was severely stubborn when she wanted to be.

And, these two are cousins...

"I understand." Akame gave a nod, taking a huge bite out of the fruit, tossing the core out the window a few feet away from them.

Mikito grinned. "Excellent! I'd better get ready after this, in that case."

He wasn't sure where her thought process was going-it'd be a cold day in hell before he put his hair up, again. He did it once, and that would be the only time. He would sooner cut it-no, he really wouldn't. However, Mikito getting ready for this was something he was a bit wary of; she didn't have a white kimono or anything of the sort, and that meant they'd have to contact kimono makers and the such, or go and buy one themselves. He'd also need the proper hakama and everything else, he had to be presentable after all.

"Hold on."

Mikito was puzzled by Madara's brusque interjection-he was around Souji way too much. "I want to finish eating before I get ready."

"Me too, I'm starving." Akame added, tone quite serious.

Madara shook his head. Honestly, these two were unbelievable, really they're unbelievable on their own-he was starting to think the same of every Domou women, and when they got together...It was an explosion. "That wasn't my point. Where are you going to get the proper kimono? Where will I get the proper attire? Who will be making it if we contact a kimono maker?"

Both women looked at each other, and Mikito turned her focus onto Madara. "We do things differently. To be honest when we...We were married then. But, like I was saying we do things differently here, there's not so much glamour or anything like that."

Madara raised an eyebrow, silently bidding her to continue.

"We'll just wear our regular uniforms and say our vows again as well as what we did before we said our vows. We Domou don't care too much about attire or formalities. Like I said, we were married in that second. We became one flesh."

Madara poured himself a generous amount of sake and took a healthy gulp.

"Fine."

He sighed, shaking his head while pouring himself some more.

Before he could give an appropriate answer there was a resounding knock on the door, and to his surprise Mikito was already up and moving to see who it was. She moved with such speed, he swore she was going to level whoever it was at the door with her palm. Well, it wasn't that much of a surprise, she was polite after all. What surprised him is how long it took for her to come back, and the fact there was a scroll in her hand.

"Well?" Madara directed an intense gaze onto his wife.

She was completely silent, but he could tell from her expression and body language that something was troubling her. Her brows were gently furrowed, lips pressed together, but there was a slight smile on her face. It was as if she were truly relieved-like a great burden had been lifted from her shoulders. He really couldn't guess what was bothering her so much since she never did show any outward signs of distress.

"Finally, we've made a breakthrough..."

If he hadn't strained his ears to hear those words then he'd have no idea what she just said. It was somewhat of an annoyance-Mikito would speak so softly at times that he really did have to strain in order to hear correctly, but there were other times when she was loud, mostly when she was angry. Perhaps what bothered him more than how faint her voice was, was the relief in it.

"Care to fill me in?"

Mikito traded a glance with Akame, not entirely confident in sharing this information with Madara. It's not that she didn't trust him, but when it came to things of this nature he'd sooner turn a blind eye than doing anything about it, and quite frankly she didn't even want to hear the jargon leave his mouth. It'd push her over the edge and she would attack him. But, he was her husband and a leader, so it was only proper to tell him.

She took a deep breath, reining in her emotions. "For months we've been focusing on the global slave trade, trying to find absolute proof of who is behind it and who is pulling the strings. How is it that no one can be held accountable for this atrocity? How is it that those who are sold vanish like the wind? We've finally made a breakthrough thanks to my brother, Kotori, and Itsuko. The village that they were contacted by has another one neighboring it, that damiyo is supporting the slave trade...

And, more importantly we finally have proof that it is those damned nobles that are perpetuating this. The Fire damiyo, Earth damiyo, Lightning Damiyo, Wind damiyo, Water damiyo are major contributors and control this. The lesser lords and province lords help distribute their loads through their smaller countries while getting paid. Souji, Kotori, and Itsuko are already taking care of a few as we speak, more are on the move at this very second."

Madara's eyes visibly widened and he felt his jaw drop, and this time he couldn't prevent it from doing so. It was extremely clear what Mikito was getting at by saying this, and he knew all too well from that look on her face where her thought process was.

"You're going to kill damiyos...? Province lords...? Mikito, are you crazy?"

He knew his wife was crazy, but not this sort of crazy.

Shinobi didn't fight damiyos-while it was no secret shinobi did kill them, it was only in drastic or advantageous situations.

Akame tilted her head, a small frown gracing her face. "What's the problem with that? They're behind the slave trade, and since this is true that means they're behind every other human trafficking atrocity going on; like the brothels and the women there. They should be killed, immediately."

All of them were good points, but hearing it come from Akame who was technically a kunoichi was more than surprising. Shinobi and kunoichi could be extremely amoral in general and would turn an eye to even the darkest, worst, cruelest acts. Worse yet they were often committing these in the first place, and if they weren't in the long run they were simply perpetuating them.

He, himself, normally would just turn a blind eye to something like this. As much of an atrocity as it is, he had to put the clan first, and he very well couldn't kill who was paying his clan handsomely. It was a conflict of interest, and shinobi were amoral, whatever worked in their favor they loved, and what didn't they'd twist until it finally did work in their favor.

Slavery was also common, and a part of life. Everyone knew it was wrong, but with it being so integrated into common society, many people just didn't care. Some villages and places slavery was crucial in order to keep up the economy-a sad but true fact.

"He is a damiyo. And, you're not just talking about killing this unimportant fool, you're talking about killing the Fire damiyo. Killing all of the damiyos, the lesser lords, the province lords, the kings and queens, the princes and princesses! This is madness, we can't kill them, they pay us."

But, the truth was shinobi were at their mercy.

"That may be true for you because you once resided in the Fire country but there is no damiyo here in the West. The only people here besides the Domou are the Subatsu, and other than us it's the Summonings and nature itself. Our land is pure. The only reason we have money is because in the outside world one needs it for everything, but here it is not needed." Mikito said, voice clipped.

"You realize doing such a thing is impossible? Shinobi have killed one or two in unison, but never once have they went after all of them in damiyos would mobilize their force and march their way into this land."

"They will be annihilated by me, or Syrus, because he'll beat me to it. I'm sure."

"That's not my point! Do you understand how much men their armies and militaries have!? There's hundreds of thousands, some have tens of millions!"

"We just obliterated that unified force of the Wind damiyo and Earth damiyo-there were only 1300 of us, maybe more, maybe less."

"Mikito!"

"Madara...Do you not understand the severity of this? The importance of this?" Mikito strained through clenched teeth.

"The damiyo will be dead before he can even think of doing such a thing. They'll all be dead." Akame said, eyes set in a glare. "Right now there are people on a ship, clustered together-sleeping in their shit and piss. They have nowhere else to go so they're going on each other. They aren't getting any fresh air and they are in chains. They are dying, women are giving birth in these conditions. Do you not understand, Madara? Infants are dying right now!"

Madara stopped himself from jerking back-Akame's eyes were blistering with rage and it almost put him at a loss. There two weren't listening to him, at all, and the points Akame brought up hit him hard.

The ferocity of both Akame and his wife was also putting him off, and he had to tread carefully. If they attacked him he'd get fucked up, bad.

It was wrong to treat people in such a way, it'd be wrong to treat animals in the same manner-cruelty wasn't tolerated within the Domou, nor was oppression, and slavery was both of those things and worse. He had to steel himself-he knew this was part of following their code and ethics-to fight against oppression and those who wish to oppress. To slay those who oppress others. To slay those who are cruel. To fight against cruelty.

He had to do this. He had to accept it. He had no choice in the matter.

Sighing in resignation, he only nodded.

This was nine miles beyond insane.

"I understand."

Mikito relaxed, eyes softening. "The next ship is due to arrive in a fortnight according to the samurai Souji questioned. It'll arrive early in the morning. It'll be docking in the Tea country since it is easier to access in the winter. We should be expecting more than one ship to be arriving. Souji, Kotori, and Itsuko are going to eliminate this damiyo before bringing back all people they can from both villages."

Madara could only nod-even if he didn't like this, and it felt like a disaster waiting to happen it was the right thing to do and he knew it. He was never fond of such things, much like Izuna, but Izuna hated it even more than him.

"Now since we've got all of that taken care of..." Mikito sighed, a small smile gracing her face as she focused on her husband. "I'll start getting ready after I'm done with the dishes."

"I'll be on my way then." Akame said, expression not quite as blank as before. "I'll let the others know about this who haven't mobilized already."

"Tell the assassins as well. Dominoes."

"Dominoes."

Akame gave a small nod before vanishing in a gust of chakra.

Shaking his head at the girl's strange behavior, he put his eyes onto his wife allowing a ghost of a smile to cross his face. "That's fine if you start getting ready then, but don't take too long."

"I've never kept you waiting long now have I?" Mikito asked playfully.

"Do you need any help?"

Mikito grinned widely, a warm feeling gushing through her. She didn't allow Madara to see her face, but she was certain he could feel her mood shift. For trying to play the part of an inept and oblivious man, he was very sensitive.

"It's fine, there's not too much here. You just go and wash up."

Madara considered his next words carefully, watching his wife go about cleaning everything up. "You're really set on this?"

Mikito gave a firm nod, though her brows still furrowed-like she was agitated. "Indeed."

"This is going to be a domino effect, Mikito. This rarely happens-shinobi killing damiyo or lords. When it's done it's always done in the midst of confusion and war. we're doing it openly on top of it. The only clan do something like this is the Subatsu and the Shimura."

"Yes, Dominoes. You push one domino and the rest fall...The rest must fall, that's how it is. That's why this operations is called Dominoes."

That's why you and Akame said that."

Madara felt like he was going to break his jaw from clenching it do hard. Mikito never had any intention of just letting Souji kill this one damiyo. it was going to be on a widespread scale, and they'd all be getting massacred along with those who supported them in due time or near unison. It going to be like dominos falling, and there'd be no end until every single person a part of this atrocity-noble, shinobi, and civilian were all done away with.

More importantly, she had been planning this for a very long time, and never bothered to tell him until now. He could understand why she made that choice, but he would have preferred if she told him prior to this.

"Are you wary, Madara?"

He was, but he wouldn't admit it aloud.

Mikito smirked. "Within less than 24 hours every noble and those associated with them will be dealt with, we'll get information pertaining to the slave trade and put an end to it within a fortnight for good. We'll also put an end to the women trafficking that's become rampant with the brothels, since these two things are practically interlinked.

This is also a good chance to see what Hashirama will choose to do. Will he stick to what we've planned, and fight at the first bloom, or will he do something else? Either way it's checkmate regardless of what move he makes. In the end the result will be the same, that man is painfully predictable."

He didn't like where she was going with this...He realized this was a side of Mikito he rarely got the chance to see. She wasn't aggressive, she wasn't on the attack, but she was thinking so far ahead. She's already made plans for the future, decades from now, she's already perceived and is anticipating what is going to be coming next. This was something he seen out of her when she was in talks with Daishiro-they'd always trade attacks.

But, it was if she's already reached a conclusion with Hashirama. Like she's figured him out, even if eighty years were to pass, whatever she has in her mind about him is definitely true and will come to pass. She didn't say a thing about Tobirama, and other than her dislike for the man there was nothing notable between them other than the battles they fought. But, it was safe to assume that she's already reached one with Tobirama, just like himself and Izuna, that man was predictable.

"Mikito..."

"There's not much more time left." She said reticently, eyes trailing off outside. Daishiro...Killed the Wind damiyo, and now with this...

She frowned, shoulders tensing a little.

"What is going through that head of yours? Speak." Madara didn't shake her by the shoulders like he wanted to, instead he chose to busy himself with trying to control his anxiousness.

It seems that she would indeed...Be sending a response...

Damn you, Daishiro...

"Do you remember when I told you about Hashirama naming the leader of his village?"

"Hokage..."

The word felt strange for him to say, wrong even. Why even do such a thing in the first place? Titles aren't necessary, and he never invested much in them since the person with them usually held little merit. He was Madara Uchiha, and his kinsmen, as well as everyone else called him such-there were those who used the suffix of sama, or in Mikito's case, chan. But, nobody was calling him 'fire shadow'.

Shaking his head with a less than enthused expression, he fixed her with a stern gaze. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Hashirama told me that when you guys were kids you talked about founding a village to end the perpetual violence and slaughter, and sparred, and talked a lot in general. Not knowing you were from rival clans helped...Listen, for as stupid and goofy as he is, Hashirama is not a man without ambition. He wants to change the world. He wants to change the system."

Madara silently considered this, not very pleased with Hashirama divulging such personal information. He couldn't expect anything less from the moron though, he always had a habit of talking too damn much. However, the fool's quirks aside, he understood what his wife was getting at-Hashirama wished to shape and influence the world at large, the center of that would be the village they talked about.

Hashirama isn't a man without ambition, he could concede with Mikito on that point.

But, he still didn't see what 'Hokage' had to do with anything.

"Madara there are four large landmasses on the mainland, and then the series of islands that make up the Water country. Fire, Earth, Wind, Water, and Lightning. There are dozens more that are smaller-Waterfall, Rivers, Waves, Wave, Grass, etc, but they won't be considered equals to the first ones I mentioned. Hokage. Tsuchikage. Kazekage. Raikage. Mizukage. You remember that letter?"

It took a few minutes, but it finally dawned on him. It hit him with more force than Hashirama's wood oni, more force than anything physical could ever come close to executing. "The Fire damiyo is intrigued by the idea, and since there was that ceasefire agreement that one time...Arata is relocating to the Lightning country."

Mikito remained silent, eyes turning back to the dishes.

"It can't happen, though..."

Mikito shook her head. It was easy hearing the denial in his tone, but she chose not to point it out. She really couldn't expect anything less from Madara-he had this vision in his head on how it'd go, and that was the Uchiha and Senju finally ending their conflict. It went back to what Hashirama told her. "The Hageshii have also relocated to the Lightning country in addition to the Shainingu. Hajime and Tunocihi have been in long talks with the leader of the Yotsuki clan as well as the Lightning damiyo."

"You're kidding?" Those were two men he really didn't want to hear of.

"No, they've been at this since they left what is now the Sand country and Wind country."

Madara could only clench his teeth. That'd mean they've been doing this for weeks, maybe even months...

A village was going to be founded-he could feel it shaking the marrow in his bones, it was going to happen. It is going to happen. The Lightning damiyo was more militaristic than all of the nobles, and three shinobi clans meeting each other, along with Uchiha...There's no way that noble didn't have his hands in this. If the Lightning damiyo is going through with it, then certainly the Fire damiyo would...

That message said as much...

The village would be where the country's shinobi clans reside, all in one place. The leader of this village would be on equal ground with the damiyo-in name and on paper anyway; the noble would more than likely have to fund the village from time to time, and that is checkmate.

"I've been thinking about that a lot recently...When Hashirama and I talked as naïve children, the dreams we shared...We both desired the same thing. But, now I am starting realize...Just how much of a failure it will turn out to be. Cooperation is only a form of silent conflict; Hashirama only wishes to perpetuate the cycle, and Tobirama will do everything in his power to rise his brother into such a seat of power."

Blinking widely in surprise, Mikito turned her eyes on him.

"If that village is founded...More will follow. The world as we know it will burn, and less than half of the clans, even less will remain one hundred years from now...Not to mention, generations from now everyone will be weak."

He gave his wife a steely gaze, eyes shifting crimson as his emotions boiled to the surface.

"Allow me to kill the Fire damiyo."

Mikito didn't back down from his intense gaze.

"Very well. But, keep in mind you must move in sync with the others, all of these nobles will fall at once."

---

The sunny rays wafted through the wooden screens-lighting the room up with a natural, but surreal glow. The food was excellent, and the overall presentation was also excellent. What made it complete was the sun's hue, and the way the aroma of the food beamed with the warmth.

Izuna, normally didn't care too much about formalities and just enjoyed peace. Like the sun at this moment, and the warmth of his food. He enjoyed seeing people happy, and as long as he could protect those precious people so they'd be able to share such small moments was enough for him. He never really hated anyone-there was the Senju, but he hated what they did more than just the fact they were Senju. For him it was much more than just Uchiha and Senju.

However, as he sat with a proper posture, Yuko and Haji on one side of him, with Usagi and Ahiko right across from them, with Shuji and Takeshi seated on both ends of the table; he felt like his breaking point was approaching. He never did enjoy being stuck in the middle of disputes, but it was clear with Shuji's near nonchalant attitude and Takeshi's prideful attitude that there was definitely a conflict.

The Hagoromo weren't an unpleasant clan, in fact when it comes to loyalty they were second to none. There was no one more reliable than them, they'd always assists in battles and take the charge. What made this all the more significant is the fact the Hagoromo had no allies outside of them-they only relied on their strength, and it was astounding to really be allies with them considering their fearsome reputation. The women were loving and demure, and the men were strong, but they had a streak of hubris.

But, if there happened to be a conflict he would hate to face off against them-they weren't savages like the Kaguya, but they wouldn't back down even if they were being picked off, children included.

What put a whole different twist on this whole situation was the fact Haji and Usagi were both present. He was almost certain if it wasn't for this fact they wouldn't have got as far as they did. The Subatsu and Hagoromo had an entente after all, and were on good terms. Arata doing what he did was disturbing a delicate balance, but regardless of how much he tried so, balance would always be maintained.

Takeshi was one of those men fiercely loyal to the Uchiha-Arata's sect. The marriage between their respective kinsmen at least a century ago sealed that alliance. While he was still loyal to those in the West, he felt a special need to ensure relations with Arata's sect were on the up and up. It was unfortunate because he's managed to get several Hagoromo to take the risk with him in trying to shift, but the majority were with Shuji, and that meant that Takeshi and his followers had their hands tied.

Takeshi wanted the alliance with the sect of Uchiha led by Arata to remain intact, and there was no question what great lengths he was willing to go, what lines he was willing to step over, and one too many fatal mistakes he'd commit in order to see it done. Speaking with the older man had made him deduce as much-he wasn't so concerned with him, or the Uchiha at the Domou compound. Izuna wasn't sure if there'd be a way to come out of this unscathed, but if he could help it, he'd find a way to do just that.

"I've heard your kenjutsu is peerless." Takeshi broke the silence, his deep voice bouncing off the walls. His hair was rather short, a spiky mess going down to his ears, with the back just brushing against his first vertebrae. He wore the same white full body attire like Shuji, but unlike the more massive man he kept his chin inclined.

Usagi chewed on her food more thoroughly.

"Very, very few can best her in sword combat." Ahiko nodded, not at all ashamed to admit it.

"That is true." Izuna added.

"But, you're unbeatable with a spear." Usagi said, quick to take the attention off of her. "Yuko is pretty good too. She seems to get stronger every time I see her."

Yuko offered no response, only sipping her tea.

"Be that as it may the three of you utilize left handed techniques."

Haji flicked his eyes onto the older man. "There are few ways to counter a left handed practitioner, and since there's so few that are able to do this makes it all the more advantageous."

"True as that may be, even shinobi know that the right hand is used."

"Only because some shinobi adopted the same ignorance as the fickle samurai. Some things can't be helped, we did take and copy from their kenjutsu styles, at first anyways." Izuna said dryly.

"Yes, the fickleness of the samurai is great, but even greater can be the shinobi's fickleness." Shuji cleared his throat, slowly opening a bottle of sake and pouring himself a glass. He took a sip. "I'd like to get down to business."

The room took a shift.

Haji wasn't at all fazed by the sudden shift. "Yes, I am of a like mind."

"In order to avoid massive bloodshed between your clans as well as those you have ententes with Usagi will marry Shin. This will form the truce so to speak."

Haji nodded. Even if his brother and Mikito would oppose it, this was a way to keep them in check. Syrus wouldn't want to break Usagi's heart, and Mikito wouldn't interfere with their union. Of course, the two could just start fighting each other one on one while everyone else just sits back, and that was a very possible outcome to this whole thing. But, either way-the Domou and Subatsu as a whole will be in harmony, it'll just be a problem if Syrus and Mikito get too radical.

It was a plan he devised with Usagi's help.

If they could keep Syrus and Mikito in check with this...

"Yes, I am prepared." Usagi gave a firm nod, a confident glint in her eyes.

Shuji nodded, satisfied thus far. "In addition to your marriage I'd like a Domou-Hagoromo marriage."

"Shuji-sama, let's not rush to such lengths." Takeshi angrily interjected between the chatter, eyes narrowed, lips pulled into an irate scowl. "Have you forgotten what Arata said? Doing this would only be making things worse for us. The Domou aren't anywhere near us, and neither are the Uchiha with them. If the compound is attacked we can't rely on them."

"At this point it doesn't matter. Can you not perceive Takeshi? Arata has already left." Shuji said, tone rising from its gentle bass as he glared at the second in command.

"If we don't associate ourselves with them then we can maintain what we have with Arata."

Shuji just shook his head, lidding his eyes halfway.

"You know well that the Lightning damiyo is the most militaristic of all the damiyos, and he's been prepping for months now. Remember when our units had to guard those shipments of weapons, as well as the blacksmiths, and the expert blacksmith Susumu who were required to make them? Ever since Tobirama interfered in his marriage with Hitomi, and the Subatsu did what they did with the Kazama family, that man has been assimilating enough weapons for twenty countries. Arata has favor with the noble, and given the damiyo's nature-he will soon have favor with Arata. The fact they both hate Tobirama will only better things between them. I will ask you again, Takeshi...Can you not perceive?"

Not wishing to entertain his leader's stupid words, Takeshi grit his teeth as hard as he could, eyes widening in pure fury. "Our alliance with the Uchiha has been sealed at least two centuries ago with marriage! If we follow through with this it'll end with the extinction of our clan-we can't lose the Uchiha's support, and I will not allow that support to be lost!"

"I refuse to see this clan wiped down to nothing or just a few."

Shuji set his hand on the floor, brows furrowing.

Yuko swallowed slowly, overwhelmed with the sheer gravity pushing down on her. Shuji and Takeshi were glaring at each other, and the sheer energy brewing between them was enough to make her dizzy.

Shuji took a deep breath, gently closing his eyes. "Do you not understand attacking Ahiko would have caused just that? Provoking the Domou is a mistake that we won't be able to recover from. You've managed to convince Enishi and several others that your way is the right way, but it is wrong Takeshi and you'd better stop this before you embarrass yourself. I can't have a second in command with such an image. Arata and those Uchiha with him are gone, in the Lightning country. That's just the fact of the matter. You must make the choice to fight, and drive this clan into oblivion, or make the choice to better things."

"I will not let this clan be driven into oblivion. If that means I have to kill you then that's what it means."

"Arata wouldn't do such a thing." Takeshi remained stubborn, hand twitching-it took all he had not to just smack the table of food in front of him off to the side.

"Arata isn't like Madara, Tajima, or their predecessors."

"It doesn't matter! Our alliance is sealed with that marriage, there is no way for Arata or Madara to back out of it. It binds both of them, and the Uchiha under them. We are the Uchiha's distant relatives like the Uzumaki are to the Senju! We both rely on our own strength, but nothing is more important than family for both of our clans, and I refuse to believe that Arata would betray the Hagoromo!"

With a halfhearted scowl, Haji sipped on the sake offered to him. Takeshi was practically bellowing at this point and it was clear he wanted things to go his way, or there was going to be no solution to the matter concerning them, and conflict would only ensure when all of this was over. His goal was to ensure that things were stable between them after this point-it'd be a disaster if the Hagoromo attacked them and the Domou.

"What if I told you Arata had been in talks with the leader of the Yotsuki clan, Hajime, leader of the Hageshii clan, Tunoichi, leader of the Shainingu, in addition to the Lightning damiyo?"

Takeshi didn't look the least bit amused. "Those are strong words, Haji."

"Facts are facts." Ahiko said sternly.

Shuji slowly opened his eyes. He pulled his focus on Haji before a small smirk crossed his face. "I've heard that the Subatsu and Domou spies can get any information and there's no place in this world where anyone can hide from them. I see there is true merit to that now. Takeshi, what Haji says is true."

At his limit, the short haired man finally snapped.

Shuji raised his hand-palm open. "I know because my eldest daughter Yatsuha has confirmed all of those things, including Arata meeting with the Lightning damiyo and those clan leaders."

"She's been on that mission for two years now..."

"Two years now, yes. She's finally completed it. I also give her freedom and discretion in how she operates, and her missions haven't been limited to just that one. That is what was most important and took up most of her time."

Takeshi was beyond livid. "You mean to tell me you've been spying on Arata and that sect of Uchiha..."

"When Arata said what he said I was naturally wary. I will never forgive him for the way he slighted us, the Hagoromo. It was also strange he asked to borrow four million ryo."

"Because they were suffering from that sickness."

"If they were more productive in longevity it wouldn't have been a problem. I've already come to the conclusion, but it was essential for my daughter to dig up more details. Hajime and Tunoichi have been in talks with the Lightning damiyo for a couple of months now. The Yotsuki clan got drawn in because there aren't many prominent shinobi clans within the Lightning country since it is mostly noble families and those of samurai birth, and since they are a prominent clan it only made sense for them to be involved. It wasn't until Arata began to discuss things with them, that I got wary-this is before he came here saying what he said."

Takeshi could only pale, growing completely silent hearing those words.

Though he wasn't showing it in the least at this moment; he trusted Shuji with his life. The man had ensured the Hagoromo were always prosperous-and together they took down many of their enemies, those who wished to take them out of their sequestered mountains. But, Shuji was extremely cunning and wasn't very boisterous, unlike himself who was quick to act and never put too much thought into his actions as long as the Hagoromo prospered in the end. Shuji was methodical, careful, but all of his plans shined with excellence.

Shuji would never lie to him about such a thing, and if it were a lie he wouldn't have bothered with all of the details. He'd use his own emotions against him with vague sentences-Shuji could do such things if he tried, though it was to those who weren't of the Hagoromo descent. No, the man was being completely honest and wasn't exhibiting any sort of tact-which also struck him as a surprise.

Arata and those Uchiha under him, betraying the Hagoromo...He couldn't fathom it, there was no reason for them to betray them in such a way. The Hagoromo had been nothing but loyal and fervent, and to boot the Uchiha that his kin married so long ago, that man's descendants were with Arata's sect of Uchiha. It is what caused him to be so headstrong, and unbelieving of this entire situation, but Shuji laid it out there.

Yatsuha got further proof, and it couldn't be argued.

It was clear.

The Uchiha-Arata's sect betrayed them.

Takeshi departed the room swiftly.

"Forgive him. He means well."

Everyone nodded.

"I understand, Shuji-san."

Izuna truly did. His father had always supported the Hagoromo in every affair, every battle, their relationship was totally seamless. Tajima's predecessors were the exact same, so he could understand why Takeshi was reacting the way he was. However, there were only so many lines someone could cross before there was backlash for those boundaries being overstepped.

Takeshi was too quick to act.

"Given the nature of this situation it will be safer if you relocate to the Domou compound, or somewhere close."

Shuji raised an eyebrow.

"There won't be any conflict, in the end we all want the same thing. If the Hagoromo remain here the chances of being attacked are far too high. Tobirama will seize that chance if he hasn't done so already to launch an attack, that man isn't like his brother." Haji said, expression dry while his tone was hard.

"I was thinking the same thing." Shuji said after a few seconds.

"It's just Takeshi, Enishi, and those several who are supporting them..." Yuko mused softly, feeling alarm for a second.

"We Hagoromo are a solitary clan and rely on our own strength. However, the Uchiha are our allies, and as the Uzumaki are with the Senju, we are distant relatives of the Uchiha. We have been fervent and fiercely loyal to the Uchiha since our alliance, and Takeshi is rather...Fond of what we shared at one point in time, once upon a time ago, but no longer do share. We Hagoromo hate betrayal, it is a unique thing because it is the closest to you that do this deed..."

Betrayal was something the Hagoromo despised, she realized while pursing her lips. There was nothing more insulting, more low, more condescending for a Hagoromo than to betray them. Arata did just that, but to make it worse he tried to stomp on their pride...

No wonder Takeshi was so furious...

"But, staying here won't do anything good in the long run..." Usagi muttered.

"Leave them to me. Nobody understands Takeshi better than I. You just handle things on your end." Shuji said, lips upturning a little. "Izuna, you needn't worry, our alliance will remain as it has been. But, Takeshi is rather adamant as you've seen..."

Usagi nodded confidently-she'd do her part in this.

"I understand, we'll be taking our leave then." Haji said, always one to get to the point. He was thankful they wouldn't be changing four times just to talk. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"Mmm. We'll stay in contact. I'll inform Madara, Mikito, and Syrus."

"That's a huge help, thanks." Izuna said with a light smile.

He couldn't drop his guard for a second...He was far from in the clear.

---

Clothed in only the finest linens-an array of white, gold, and red; the Lightning damiyo struck a cunning figure as he sat in his throne. He had no problem showing off his wealth and resources. He was well known for his penchant of wine, food, women, and every other vice out there. His inner circle wasn't any better than himself, but regardless of his shortcomings he did maintain law and order within his country-there were few that would openly challenge him.

He sat with trepidation and slight apprehension despite showing off his wealth. The long tables that were capable of holding so much food were now surprisingly vacant, there wasn't a single plate, cup, or chopsticks present.

The red cloth which adorned the tables last night was replaced with a regal purple with the kanji for Lightning stitched proudly on it. The curtains were still the same red, a vibrant hue that wasn't quite rusty, but more appealing, and just like the cloth they also had the kanji for Lightning stitched onto them.

They were completely still, as the windows were closed to not allow any of the frigid winter air in. Temperatures could easily drop to the negatives in the region since they were situated within a vast range of mountains, some towering into the clouds even.

One seat across from the damiyo on both sides sat Hajime and Tunoichi both of them donning their appropriate attire for the meeting, but were also wearing very long hakama-a precaution so they couldn't attack the noble.

Arata and another man-darker and a bit more burly than the other three men gathered was seated across from them-with Arata one seat down from him. They too wore the long hakama.

"We should get this underway, we have a few things to discuss."

Arata kept a scowl on his face, ready to get right to business. His expression was stoic and impassive. He faced off against all of these men, even the leader of the Yotsuki clan, but given the last situation Hajime and Tunoichi weren't at all strangers to him and vice versa.

"Indeed. What you have proposed has caught my interest, I admit. But, I am a little wary of actually going through with this, and you must understand why. It's to my understanding"

"Well, now that everyone is here. I suppose introductions are in order. I am Katsu Yotsuki, leader of the Yotsuki clan." The dark and burly man said slowly looking at everyone in tow.

His tone was low and direct, not really gruff but it held an edge to it that forced one to look twice. He was quite tall standing around six feet, his hair was short and light brown falling just over his ears with messy bangs spread across his forehead.

"Am I to trust that you four won't tear apart my inner chamber?" He asked, eyes warily looking over the men seated before him, tone rising as dozens and dozens of his soldiers filed into the room.

"You don't need to worry about that, I'm all business." Tunoichi said evenly, sipping on the sake offered to him. He gave no inclination to the visible threat. "Fighting at this point in time would be detrimental to what we've agreed upon."

"I admit the enmity between my clan and the Shainingu has driven both our clans to extreme lengths, but that means little at this point in time." Hajime said smoothly, a small smirk touching his face as he relaxed in his chair. Enmity and anything of the like could take a back seat when an opportunity like this came, one that he provided in the first place.

"The Yotsuki clan is the most prominent clan in the Lightning country, you needn't question our standing."

"We're all aware of the Yotsuki. Aside from your clan, the only clans here are mercenary or those of noble descent." Hajime inclined his head, resisting the loud scoff that wanted to escape him.

"Yes, I don't trust shinobi. My predecessors were prudent in ensuring this land wasn't filled with them like the rest of the world. Now that all of the introductions have been squared away, let's get this meeting underway." He spoke calmly, eyes scanning everyone in the room watching for the slightest bit of discontent or emotion.

Once he was certain there wasn't any of the two he continued on setting the document onto the table, flamboyant in appearance, with the Kanji for lightning stamped on the top right corner of it.

"I understand that you four agree with this ceasefire, thus you will stop fighting from here on out. In addition to this the alliance between your four clans will be permanent. Therefore, I will tolerate no fighting amongst ourselves, such things are a pass time. As I promised before hand, I will give you a piece of land within my domain in order to build this village or settlement. Pass this along and read it."

Several silent and tense minutes passed. The only sound that could be heard vaguely was breathing and the shuffling of the paper as it went from one person to another. Expressions varied but no one openly showed what they were truly feeling. It was hard to say who had which expression since it changed every few seconds as the thought and prospect of this occurring sunk in fully, however nobody spoke out and silently read with intent.

It took close to two hour for the paper to be returned back to the damiyo who promptly took it and set it back down on the table so they could all see it.

"I have one concern." Tunoichi started.

"What?"

"This village will be where the country's shinobi live so to speak, so we should be equals."

"I agree." Arata said with an equally firm tone.

"That is a stretch. Let us not forget that I am doing this because of what the Domou did in what is now the Wind country and Sand country along with the Uchiha-together you defeated over one million soldiers, the Earth damiyo's personal army, and not to mention monsters and those Bijuu. You were there Arata, fighting alongside of them. The Subatsu have proven they are a true threat, even if there's only a handful they can wipe out hundreds of thousands." The damiyo said, lips pursing.

"As far as I'm concerned the Uchiha with the Domou are no longer Uchiha; they are Domou. The Domou and Subatsu...They are both from a bygone era, and their traditions are rooted in that." Arata said.

"It is not a question of lineage. It's not the Uchiha that concern me, though Madara and Izuna are fearsome. It is the Domou and Subatsu that concern me."

Truthfully they both frightened him-just one Subatsu cut through four dozen of the Kazama family's personal guards-their best. The Subatsu tore a rift through the next region leaving bodies and destruction in their wake as they departed-the Domou had the Sand country on lockdown along with the Uchiha, and just like the Subatsu they'd just mow down their opposition.

Numbers made little difference.

How would these men not turn on him?

"We are still under your allegiance. We will need our own space to operate smoothly. The leader of this village will have to be your equal, in order for others to take us seriously. The Domou and Subatsu aren't threats as long as they're not provoked." Hajime said.

"I must agree with their points." Katsu spoke, voice cutting through. His expression was ever straight laced and pointed, a pointed frown on his features. "While I am certain in time civilians will come to our village, first and foremost it is a shinobi village. We shinobi will be residing within it, and we have our own way of doing things. We will support you in all ways, and will always be prepared for war. Missions will be taken, in fact there are members of my clan and the Uchiha undertaking them as we speak."

"Very well...I am going to be funding this for a very short time, I presume. How will you maintain this village?"

"We'll take missions of course, and as Katsu-san already stated we are prepared for war. We will fight, of course. There will be times when we are in a bind, but that will rarely happen." Arata interjected, eyes tightening as he focused on the damiyo-how tempting it was to activate his Mangekyo and take control of this fool, however he refrained from doing so. Things were already playing out in his favor. He was so powerful there didn't need to be a second in command, and with his might-they'd carve a path.

"Mmm." The damiyo hummed, nodding. "It seems I don't need to worry about the funds, at least. Let's focus on the infrastructure of this village."

There were collective nods.

"The leader, what should he be called? Should there only be one?"

"There should be only one. Otherwise nobody is going to take us serious." Katsu said.

"But, this will be a village. I know you're used to being the leader of a clan, and all of your clans are quite massive-the Hageshii have over twenty thousand in total. However, this is a village, and things are run differently than with a clan. It'll be too much for just one person to handle."

"Nobody will take us serious, who are they supposed to speak to concerning important matters? If there is more than leader it will only lead to confusion as well as disorder, orders will be coming down from more than just one person... We wouldn't make any progress and again nobody will take us seriously if there is more than one leader." Tunoichi said, lips pursed into a thin line.

"There should only also be one leader because it saves time when we must have discussions face to face. It'll also save time when we are speaking with those who contact us for missions if it all goes to one person. The leader should be the strongest, but strength shouldn't be the deciding factor." Katsu added.

"Why not?" Arata cut his eyes at the man.

"The leader of the village will be representing it. If the leader is unfit or has certain problems it reflects badly on our part, and it falls back onto the damiyo."

"I am in agreement." Tunoichi said.

Arata conceded with a nod. "I suppose having someone unfit would put everyone else in a bad light, but strength is fundamental. It should come down to strength."

"I have no arguments with that, only the strongest should be leader." The damiyo said calmly, putting his eyes onto his hands. His country was known as a fortress and that is because of the natural landscapes, and the fact he literally fortified everything or had his soldiers sweeping through every single part-always maintaining law and order within his domain. It only made sense the leader of this village should be the strongest, he wouldn't accept anything else.

He wanted to show just how superior he was.

"So, we've all come to a mutual agreement that there should only be one leader." Katsu said a loud.

The damiyo nodded his head, mulling it over. He never heard of just one leader-while he was at the top, it was through birthright, and he had many other people assisting him in his tasks. "However, I still think this is too much for just one person to bear...Perhaps there should be an adviser of sorts, or a council.

"I have thought about that, but considering all the trouble our respective clan Councils cause, and your own inner circle can cause, it could have just the opposite effect that we desire." Tunocihi mused

"Hmm." Hajime nodded softly, just barely putting his head into a decline. "Perhaps it'll work better in our favor to concern ourselves with this later, so long as we have a leader things should start out smoothly. If we worry too much about this..." He flicked his eyes from the shinobi to the damiyo. "

Tunoichi resisted the urge to sneer, suppressing it with sheer willpower. Hajime wasn't wrong in his assessment, but he wasn't going to sugarcoat his response to the noble the slightest, nor would he allow Hajime to take the reins. "It'll be better to focus on this finer detail, and the others once we have things up and running. For now, having our respective clan Councils are enough, they can advise and guide us."

"As long as my country and this village remain standing, that's all that matters in the end I suppose." The damiyo mused.

It's why he conceded to this decision. There were roughly one million soldiers in his army, and that would quickly dwindle if battles started to reach his can-that can and could come at any given time, even now. The treacherous terrain would keep them in the clear for a long while, but once shinobi started using their jutsus those mountains would collapse-down onto them, but in that fraction it'd also leave himself vulnerable and he couldn't have that.

Shinobi being on the frontlines first before his men would benefit him a great deal.

"We should finalize this. I see that no one has anything to add or object against."

"I have nothing else to add.." Arata said. As long as this damiyo drew breath the Uchiha with him will always be secure, and he would be able to elevate them into a seat of power. The best thing for them at this moment was to keep away from the Senju in order to focus on the bigger picture here, and then once he does attack once more...He won't be alone.

"Everything seems to be in good order." Hajime inclined his chin in a half nod. Even if he wasn't named the leader of this village, his clan would still be secure and have a good standing with the damiyo.

Tunoichi, Katsu, and even Arata kept their shock at bay. They battled this man for days and nights on end. and quite frankly someone always managed to one up the other in the conflicts, but by no means were conflicts just contained to their clans.

Tunoichi wouldn't even try to sell Hajime short. The man was too damn cunning and wily. But, here he was agreeing with him, and verbally saying as much in front of the Lightning damiyo to boot. For a lot of people it wouldn't matter, but shinobi cared about appearances, and he definitely cared about his.

"Well, in that case let's move forward. You can all sign this at the end of this meeting." The damiyo reasoned with a smile.

"Now we just need a name for the leader of this village, and a name for this village. We also need a symbol for this village as well." Katsu said with both eyes narrowed.

"That is an excellent point, after all it's more than just a clan."

There was a bout of silence between all of them.

"How about we name this village...Kumogakure?" Arata said with a small smirk, looking at everyone gathered. "It is fitting, yes? Mountains here tower high into the clouds, and we are going to be building our village inside of one, or on the summit."

"Village Hidden In The Clouds...Very well, I accept." Hajime nodeed.

"I see nothing wrong with it." Tunoichi offered a few words.

The damiyo carefully wrote the name down on the paper before him-what these men would be signing afterwards. "Kumogakure...In that case how about the leader is called...The Raikage."

"Lightning Shadow?" Katsu raised an eyebrow, folding his arms over his chest.

"Kumogakure. Raikage. It all fits."

There were nods, and he quickly jotted down the information. "Raikage then, excellent..."

It ensured that regardless of equal standing that the leader of this village was just his shadow. The Lightning country's shadow.

"We should use my clan's symbol as a symbol for the village. I should also be leader, because I've dealt with damiyo-sama more than everyone present, even you Arata-san." Katsu interjected.

"Now just wait-"

The damiyo raised his hand, silencing the argument that was about to erupt. "I like the idea, but I'll make some changes to it. It can't be the exact same, and keep in mind gentlemen the symbol has to represent this village, not your clan or a certain clan. The Yotsuki clan's symbol is almost a representation of what this village means. I've also been dealing with Katsu for decades and I know where his allegiance stands. However, we needn't be concerned about a leader at this moment since I am funding this. Now, if you would; sign this."

It was passed around and signed quickly, all of the men while a little annoyed were overall satisfied with the turn of events.

"Now, your first official mission from me...The head of the Kazama family has begged for this, and I am of a like mind."

They stared at him, eyes hard. They waited for him to finish.

"Kill Hitomi or bring her back here to be executed."