"Tayuya, a girl shouldn't talk like that."
Jirobo
It was simple enough.
Wait.
Daishiro had told him to wait.
It wasn't that simple.
He loved his kinsmen more than anything in the world. The whole world could burn, if it meant that the Shimura would remain strong. He went to such great lengths to preserve the Shimura, and ensure that they prospered. When he was ordered to wait, truthfully, he had come so close to flying off the handle it hadn't been funny. While he trusted Daishiro, and respected Daishiro, that didn't mean that they always seen eye to eye on matters.
Normally, Daishiro would have ordered an attack-annihilate all those who are trying to encroach on Shimura land and threaten them, but this time he didn't. The situation was different, and the circumstances surrounding it were different, but his only focus was the fact the end result was still the same. Yet, Daishiro didn't feel this way, and wanted to wait, wanted to maintain patience as to see how things flow. It'd be ignorance to say a change wasn't sweeping through the world, that a new wind was blowing.
What made this situation complicated was the fact a damiyo was involved. A noble. The Shimura were always independent, they maintained it, and they were never going to let it go. They did pay their taxes to the Fire damiyo, when he summoned them, they'd show up, but those days were coming to an end. Ajo was sick of the pompous nobles trying to rule over them.
So, now a shinobi village was in the making, Kumogakure. Hashirama's big mouth seems to have gotten through to some ears. The truth was plain to see, and so painful. So degrading. How could shinobi relegate themselves to the likes of the samurai? To show subservience to the pompous damiyo. To become the damiyo's retainer, and those under become vessels to that retainer...It made him sick, and more than anything he wanted to destroy this village. Burn it to the ground before it could ever get truly started.
However, Ajo knew it was an impossible task. A task that would never happen. The village, simply put, couldn't be destroyed. No, because that'd mean inciting the wrath of the damiyo himself. More over, since the village was rooted, more were going pop up eventually. Since the village was rooted, there was no way to erase it completely. Even if he razed it to the ground and destroyed the mountains above so they crushed it all-the village would just be rebuilt. It's not like the damiyo would see it as a waste, and not bother with it anymore.
Is this the reason Daishiro had stressed patience? Because he was wrestling with these facts of the matter? That no matter what the Shimura did, this village was the one thing they wouldn't be able to decimate. That no matter what they did, there was just no stopping this whole village concept from truly taking root, and coming to reality. That there was nothing to do, that could be done, that can be done, to stop this. No amount of bloodshed or brute force would stop this, if anything, it'd speed it up...
For so long the shinobi clans have maintained their independence. And, now, there was a coming age where that independence would be lost to the nobles. It's not bad enough that the nobles took the land that belonged to them at one point; when Rikudo was alive and peace reigned. The damiyos used them as tools, thought of them as tools, and thought so lowly of them...
Now, the shinobi were going to willingly submit themselves to the will of the damiyo. Whoever the head of the village is will be the damiyo's retainer, and whoever is the leader's closest comrades will be his vessels. They'd get missions and a yearly payment.
It was no different than the samurai serving their lords, and getting their stipend.
Was this truly the way the world was going to go? These winds of change that blew, and the tides that flowed without reprieve, would they all settle after this? Was this their settling? He didn't want to think so, yet alone believe it, but Daishiro had been quiet on the subject. While his superior was reticent, he never remained silent on matters concerning the Shimura, or world events at large.
It was evident he couldn't destroy this village, because there was a person getting in his way. He had slain everyone else, but one person remained defiant. There were more troublesome people; Arata, Hajime, Katsu, Tunoichi...And, the first and third in particular were a tier above.
Daishiro had eluded to the fact Hajime and Tunoichi were after something bigger than the wars in the next region, and evidently this was it. Hajime and Tunoichi, along with Katsu, got this whole shinobi village up and founded, and Arata being added into the mix ensured that there'd be lasting strength. A shame, as he thought Hajime wanted no part of this, and Tunoichi wanting no part of Hajime.
Seems the damiyo had them on leashes.
How sad.
They both got what they wanted though, and as much as they used the damiyo...
That noble had them on leashes. The damiyos to follow, even fifty years from now-they will have these fools on leashes
The Shimura were one of the most isolated, and reclusive clans, next to a few others. Quite frankly, the Shimura hated people. It wasn't a dislike, it was a true hatred for people. The Shimura couldn't stand them, and if a single person stepped on their territory they'd be cut down. It didn't matter if they were a man or woman. Civilian or shinobi. Mercenary or demon. They would all be dealt the exact same treatment. The reason for their hate was simple-many years of people trying to squander and step on them.
The Shimura had enough and fought back, they chased away the cancer that plagued their lands.
And, that very cancer was going to come back-Kumogakure...
He wasn't going to allow it to happen.
Slowly, Ajo stepped over the corpses of Yotsuki, Hageshii, and Shainingu shinobi. His blade was dirtied with their blood, a dark complexion against the steel's brilliant gleam. They had been the first wave-he could sense there were a lot more, but some miles away. Some were closing in towards him, but it'd be a while before they got to this location. Takehito had almost made it too easy, the Uchiha that were with this unit attacked him on the spot, and it led to the rest falling soon after. Attacking a Shimura head on was a grave mistake.
Killing Hajime and Tunoichi was more favorable at this moment, along with Katsu and Arata, but he'd settle for taking down Takehito. After all, this man should have died back at Maison-ya, the fact he managed to escape was a miracle in of itself.
"Takehito..."
"Shut up! Shimura vermin!" Takehito's eyes blazed with hatred and fury, memories dredging themselves up from the pit of his subconscious. The dragon inside of him roared, and his blood turned as black as the smoke gushing out from his heart. Ajo-the singular person he hated the most, other than Mikito-who gave him the scars on his on his face, was standing before him with that same smug and cold grin on his face.
Despite the immense killing intent bearing down on him, Ajo retained his grin.
"You're not going to escape, you little snake. You're going to be finished here, and when I'm done with you, we're going to turn our attention onto your clan!"
Ajo's grin faded, replaced with an emotionless mask. "Those who encroach on Shimura land will be flayed, and their skin will be hung as a warning. We won't subject you to genjutsu-we'll peel off your skin, layer by layer, slowly, carefully."
Takehito didn't even grimace at the threat. "You're all finished, we know it's you and the Domou that did this!"
Ajo barely kept his eyes from going wide. There were very few things that could truly shock him-one of them being his encounter with Yuko, something he'd never forget-that girl was a monster. The second would be this. While his own clan was never fond of nobles, they never just outright attacked them usually, and they did maintain at least a semblance of respect towards them.
That isn't to say they didn't kill nobles-Daishiro ran his sword right through the previous Wind damiyo, and he, himself, had run his blade through the man's two brothers. They had no problem killing a noble. However, it'd be a little foolish to deny the Shimura had a hand in this-there were some nobles that they wanted to get rid of, for the simple fact they posed a threat to the Shimura.
"You think I killed that fat moron?" Ajo stared down Takehito.
"You Shimura don't hesitate to mow down your foes, even the Uchiha and Senju fear your clan." Takehito kept his eyes locked on Ajo's. "I know Daishiro killed the Wind damiyo."
Ajo smirked briefly.
"It makes me no difference. Arata never said that it was your chakra he seen, so it must have been the Domou. However, you being here is enough proof that your clan's intentions are to do the exact same thing that the Domou did."
"Better than becoming a retainer. You mock Samurai" Ajo smirked, seeing anger flare in the depth of Takehito's eyes-because of his statement. "Where's your pride as a shinobi? How dare you bow your head to that noble, all of you should feel nothing but shame."
The Shimura would never bow their heads to anyone, let alone a pompous noble.
That's one thing they shared in common with the Domou.
Takehito smirked darkly. "I wonder if you'll be so confident if you seen the damiyo's forces, as well as our clans' forces, coming into your territory."
Once again, Ajo lost his smirk, but his eyes had a deadly glint.
Takehito phased to the side, swaying on instinct-barely avoiding getting a neat slice across the length of his stomach. He upped his speed, going on the attack, pressing until his blade became a blur. His next stab was avoided, as he expected, and he surged forward with two steps, ramming his elbow into Ajo's forearm. Blindingly fast, his blade arced a path before either of them could shift away from each other.
Ajo phased into sight beside him, sword cutting through the space between them.
Takehito narrowly evaded the chopping stroke, that surely would have left him in two halves, slipped in and slammed a hard knee into Ajo's stomach. Ajo skidded back, exhaling sharply as the force of the strike lessened, just a bit. He took advantage of the brief pause cracking his knee into Takehito's stomach, and drove him back with the follow up punch.
Takehito recovered within seconds, twisting to cut at him, but settled for grabbing a hold of his wrist. With a shout, Takehito yanked him forward and off of the ground. Ajo let the momentum carry him, hardly resisting the hateful pull of Takehito's chakra. Truly the man was unhinged, fighting with all intent to leave his guts all over the ground.
A second later they both collided. Ajo ramming a knee, and Takehito ramming a punch.
Their battle resumed.
"You find this amusing, Shimura?" Takehito snarled, wiping the sweat from his chin.
"Not at all..." Ajo said, tone low.
Shouting, Takehito surged forward.
Ajo skidded back, back, chakra enforced wrists easily absorbing the force and impact, his feet digging for purchase.
Takehito was fighting with nothing but pure hatred.
He shoved Takehito back through a nearby rock formation. Before the man could sit himself up, he was upon him, swinging both swords and fists, hardpressed-Takehito exerted his chakra until it cloaked him, and shot away like a bullet-not until he was roughly twenty feet away did the chakra fade.
Ajo pressed his right foot back, and was gone in the next second. Takehito's eyes flashed with surprise for a second before they narrowed in a hyper focused state. He managed to avoid the punch Ajo had trained for him, but the backlash smashed into him in crushing waves as the Shimura's fist caved through the earthen formation he had been leaning against.
He just increased his speed! Takehito's eyes cut, spotting the next quick flash of movement, it appeared to come from every possible direction at once all honing in towards him in unison. Coming from the ground up, as if his own shadow were his enemy.
There!
Takehito stepped back with a quick flourish, twisting as he honed his blade in for the kill.
Ajo shifted, just barely. He didn't need to move than the tenth of a fraction. His blade flashed, deflecting Takehito's deadly stroke, and leaving a small cut on the man's wrist-something that made him take a few steps back and reevaluate his strategy. Ajo kept his blade forward, watching the small stream of blood slacken as it ran down the length of shining steel.
He shot forward, again, moving with ten times the speed than before.
Takehito could only raise his blade to defend.
Ajo felt a smirk cross his face as Katsu-cloaked in his Lightning Armor. Something similar to blue chaos-his aura was fierce with streaks of lightning and power surging within and around it, his hair spiked up in every direction. Two spikes of chakra seemed to be larger than the rest within his aura, and the lightning surged around and through them with more ferocity.
Appeared right before him, his fist crackling madly.
Ajo hadn't been expecting the strength behind the blow, and quickly compensated it with more chakra, quickly infusing wind through the strike, landing a few feet away.
Katsu was upon him, swinging and twisting sharply the same movement, slamming his shin off of Ajo's forearm. To Katsu's surprise, Ajo evaded most of the attacks.
"Rgghhhhh!" Ajo grunted, shifting his weight to the side, snapping his fist out at the last second.
Katsu frowned, head snapping to the side not even a second later.
Ajo shot back around, slamming a fist and shin into Katsu's own-returning a series of strikes in tandem. The man was moving and faster with each passing second, but he was keeping pace with him.
Katsu spun passed Ajo's feint, winding through with a sweeping roundhouse, but Ajo spotted an opening-not large, but still an opening nonetheless.
He slashed Katsu on the arm, clenching his teeth as a surge of electricity shot through him.
"Took you long enough." Takehito remarked, staring at Katsu's back-feeling the presence of Hajime, Koizuki, Tunoichi, and Arata behind him.
"The unit of Uchiha." Arata's eyes cut at Ajo, spotting the Uchiha lying a few feet away-pools of blood beneath them.
"Your hatred is your greatest weakness...Who did you kill in order to get those eyes?"
Katsu set his eyes on Ajo, narrowing them as far as they could go. He was able to keep pace with me at this level and nullified my strikes just now...
"So, that's your Lightning Armor..." Ajo appraised Katsu with a critical, but wary gaze. Katsu wasn't the only man to devise such a skill, but his was the most shocking he had seen as of late.
This was the man who was said to strike like a bolt of lightning.
"You nullified my strike with your wind, just now. You Shimura are quick thinkers." Katsu remarked, fists clenching at his sides.
Ajo's only response was a glare as he set his feet, ready to attack or defend.
"Don't attack him." Hajime said, tone biting.
"Why?!" Katsu almost barked.
"He's trying to deduce our strength, anything you show him is intel against us." Hajime said a little dryly.
"I should kill him right here and now." Arata snarled.
"If Madara and Mikito couldn't you can't." Ajo said, resisting the urge to laugh.
"I am far more powerful than they are."
Ajo didn't smirk like he normally would, and instead cut his eyes back and forth between his foes.
Clearly, he was outnumbered, but it was the fact these were more powerful shinobi. Arata awakened the Mangekyo, and the other three were more than powerful enough to take the mantle of leader in their respective clans. He could attack them all, do a quick clone jutsu of some sort, but Katsu would mow through those clones before they could attack. Arata would be able to utilize the Mangekyo, and the three techniques that come with it.
He tamed his fury, honing it into a sharpened blade. This is why Hashirama wanted the village in the first place, all of this power of unified clans, with different abilities coming together...There's no way one clan could conquer this sort of union. It'd be simple enough if it was just clans, but it wasn't just clans involved, but the damiyo and his forces as well. With those kind of funds and infantry...
Hashirama...
Damn this village...
However, he and Daishiro had anticipated this...
Prepared for it...
The Shimura had long made their move.
They would no longer have to deal with winter's harsh and bitter cold.
Battles weren't always won through brute force.
There was a momentary pause-nobody spoke or move.
"I've already deduced all I wanted to." Ajo declared, throwing down several smoke bombs, covering the entire area in the thick cloud.
"You've lost the war..."
Katsu made a beeline straight for the plum cloud, arm swiping in a vicious arc. Lightning crackled as viciously as he clenched his teeth, and a bolt struck the ground, tearing through it for some meters. On his flanks came Hajime, Koizuki, Arata, Tunoichi, and Takehito-their kunais glinting with nothing less than murderous intent, as they to cut into and through the cloud..
The cloud dissipated from the force of their attacks, revealing empty space.
"He's gone!" Takehito snarled.
"I can find him. There's no way he can outrun me." Katsu said.
Hajime shook his head, turning his eyes back towards the damiyo's estate. "No, he's out of the country."
"How?" Katsu snapped.
"Together, Katsu and I can capture him. I'll be able to at least wound Daishiro, we can end this now." Arata seconded.
"Remember what we discussed concerning the Domou and Shimura?" Koizuki drawled lazily.
Katsu's silence was all the needed to be heard to see his rage.
Arata glared at nothing.
"We need to center our focus here, for now." Koizuki concluded, warily watching Katsu out the corner of his eye. "We can deal with the Shimura soon, but not before the village is flourishing. The new damiyo may want more steps taken, and we must be able to ensure those steps are taken."
Katsu hefted a sigh, relinquishing his Lightning Armor. If what they said was true, it was better that he doesn't persist. "Very well. Tomorrow, a new damiyo will be named, we are expected to be there at the ceremony."
"Naturally." Hajime nodded.
Maybe there'd be a decision on who'd be the first Raikage.
Hajime would enjoy being the first Raikage.
Hashirama tried not to feel awkward. He tried to chew his fish with the utmost precision, and make no sounds while doing it. The second thing was working out well, but the first-not so much. Ever since he arrived to the Uzumaki land, more over, Hisao's home, a lot of Uzumaki were talking to him and staring at him. Most of these women were in fact women. He had a gentle appreciation for women-he could appreciate their beauty, but he wasn't going to indulge in such things.
Once upon a time he wanted children, but he was a shinobi, and he wasn't going to lay that burden on...
Constructing guard towers and bridges was easy enough-he could smother the entire landscape with his Mokuton if he pushed himself, as he was often forced to, lest he be cut down. They were all interconnected, and surrounded a main portion of the coast-they were spaced a few hundred feet apart at the most. It focused more on attrition and placement, than exacting force. Through concentrated and pinpointed attacks, they'd be able to push back anyone.
His clones also helped, and even now continued to construct many fortifications that would protect the Uzumaki. For, he knew they didn't want any bloodshed or disorder in their home, so he'd do everything he could to ensure it'd remain in its same harmonious state. There were plans for more towers and stations-a station being a large fortification, that focused on communication, intel, and simple patrols, to be built on the islands surrounding the Uzumaki's main island home.
Hashirama was quite excited, even though he was eating at the moment.
He couldn't get over the one thing Hisao said last night, however, that just ebbed his excitement. Of all the things the older man said, that should have stuck with him, this one thing stood out the most, even though everything else said to him had stuck. The Domou, Subatsu, and the clans they have ententes with-not counting the Nara and Yamanaka, are misanthropes, and wanted nothing to do with humans. It just wasn't shinobi clans that this mindset was limited to, people as a whole, even those on non shinobi affiliation, were not welcomed on the clans' lands.
Experiences jaded people...
It calloused them.
People spiraled down the dark path.
There weren't many who would be, or become completely reclusive, and avoid people as a whole just out of principle. He learned long ago, that perhaps people would always fight. There were religions going to war, persecutions, ideals and dreams of revenge, the ever present ill will. The thirst for blood, and for no reason at all. It was no surprise the Domou and Subatsu didn't want anything to do with people-for two clans that put being together above everything else, and lived in harmony...
The outside world so to speak, was truly a living hell.
A sad truth was evident.
The Domou, Subatsu, and all the clans they have ententes, including the Uzumaki will never, ever...
So long as the world...
"Are you okay?"
"Do you not like the fish?"
Hashirama snapped back to reality, looking at the two children who questioned him. "The fish s good."
"Dude, you're seriously a downer. You want a drink?" Airi questioned, tone a bit pointed as she stared at him.
Hashirama realized a few of the Uzumaki present were staring at him, some looking with mild concern. Airi being more like Miyuki in personality, would naturally say something along those lines. He was thankful that Miyuki hadn't made some comment, too busy eating her food and talking with her cousins, because the girl was completely crazy.
He also didn't indulge in drinking, not including that one time with Mito most recently, which he didn't even know was sake. He could really be a mess at times, and unfortunately Mito got to see his greatest genius in action.
"I don't drink."
Akiko looked at him suddenly, eyes focusing with intent.
Hashirama shook his head for emphasis. "I really don't."
"Father, may I marry him?" Akiko asked without any shame, tone a bit blunt.
The reactions of everyone gathered was diverse and comical enough, that Hashirama couldn't begin to fathom what was going through some of heads of these Uzumaki, even Hisao was choking just a bit, drinking water as modestly as he could. His wife was rubbing her chest, Miyuki, along with a few others were quite animate. He, himself, nearly fell back out of sheer shock.
It's not that he was entirely surprised. He was a clan leader, leader of the Senju clan on top of it. There had been many who wanted to marry him-nobles' daughters, clan heads' daughters, but his father refused all of them. He was more shocked that Akiko was being so up front, though, he could feel just faintly, that perhaps she was being a little sly.
Hisao finally recovered. "You can't just ask such things."
"But, he doesn't drink." Akiko said. "All men drink, but he doesn't..."
It was a point she stressed, because most people were drinking before they were even ten years old. Nobody cared if a brat was chugging down some sake in sheer ignorance, there were battles and wars going on, the last thing anyone cared about was a child getting drunk. Children were being sent out to battle-that were of shinobi affiliation.
"Butsuma was a belligerent man, but Hashirama is quite the opposite."
Hashirama glanced at Hisao, seeing a hidden message in the wise man's gaze.
Akiko was proposing a marriage between herself and him, granted she seemed to be a bit more attracted to him than she had been before. It'd be good for both of their clans, if he were to marry Akiko. During his father's reign, such a thing would be literally impossible, in every sense of the word, but now it wasn't. He didn't think the fact he wasn't a drinker would ever, ever get such a reaction out a person, let alone a woman. But, he felt it went much deeper that...
Tobirama would likely be all for it. It was hard to say for certain, because while his brother was pragmatic enough to see the benefits of the marriage, he may not be so keen on it given the time of year and what he was dealing with at the moment. Tobirama would always do what was right, despite his own wants and needs, but that didn't mean his brother would always do the right thing.
He really had no objections himself, but seeing Mito look quite furious, he quadrupled back.
Being leader came with those responsibilities. He was always prepared for it.
He really didn't understand women, though.
"Stop forcing your will, sister." Mito said calmly.
"No need to get so worked up." Akiko said with a light shrug.
"You're taking yourself too serious again." Eiji commented.
"She does make a good point, though. I could never consider a marriage while Butsuma was reigning."
"Father." Mito looked aghast, almost.
"Jealousy isn't becoming of an Uzumaki." Honami said sternly, staring at Mito until she turned away. "We'll be in the next room over, husband."
"I'll be there soon."
After a few minutes everyone left, leaving Hashirama alone with Hisao. The younger man wasn't sure what to think, so he merely finished the rest of his food on his plate and drank his tea, trying to retain a mild expression.
Tobirama always told him he had a bad habit of letting his emotions get out of control, but of all his brothers, Tobirama was the most stoic. Hashirama really couldn't help himself at times, he just couldn't walk around with the same look on his face like Tobirama did so often.
It was strange...How Hisao was a clan leader, but was so much more. He remembered Mito saying something about her homeland being more like a village, and there was some merit to her words. Hisao had the love and admiration of everyone, he could change the atmosphere in a room full of people with ease, and he was very much like a pillar, a root, the foundation of the Uzumaki.
Hisao's duty as leader pertained to more than just battle, so much more, though it can be said the Uzumaki didn't focus on war or battle. This man was like a shining beacon within the Uzumaki-they knew he'd lay down his life for them. He treated everyone like family, people were always coming and going from this home, children, women, elders, total strangers even, but Hisao remained kind hearted.
He remembered the man's grave warning. The danger of putting an ideal before people. Putting the village before the people and clans that make it up, putting it before people in general. To kill his own brother, even a child, if they threaten the village. Right now, he could never imagine doing either of those things, for any reason, but in a few years, or decades...
There'd be no talking on his part...He'd make the decision to kill instead of talk, and find peace.
He couldn't afford to fall into such a mindset. That'd only plant the seeds of war.
The danger of the village...
"We can talk now, Hashirama." Hisao said mildly, pouring himself some tea.
Hashirama had, after all, came here to observe his clan and how they live, and how he runs things as leader. Truthfully, this place was more of a village than a compound. Of course, Hashirama's main priority had been getting Mito back here to safety, a fact he wouldn't overlook. He hadn't even asked for a payment, or compensation.
"I'd like to decline those marriages..." Hashirama said, tone just above a whisper.
Hisao raised an eyebrow. "Which are you speaking of?"
Hashirama took a small breath. "The major ones."
"Why?"
Hashirama considered his answer carefully. Truthfully, he'd never be able to let go of his dream. He had to see it come to reality, he had to see the village getting built, he had to be there building it with everyone else. Madara, down the line, had changed. He no longer shared the same dream as him, and it was a cause of concern for Hashirama.
It was clear what had to happen. He needed to leave the Domou alone. There'd never be peace between them, truly, because they are from different worlds. He couldn't let go of his village dream, and...
"I...believe that a village is for the better. You've shown me that much." Hashirama continued in the same quiet tone.
Hisao narrowed his eyes, nodding gently. "I have experience, however, and this village was founded before my time.. How will you get on the same page with someone like Sasuke? That man is as hot blooded as they come. the Inuzuka are divided into packs for lack of a better term, and they are all vicious. Some can't even get on the same page. these are a couple of clans in the Fire country."
Hashirama nodded stiffly, brows furrowing. The point was clear-founding this village would be very complicated, based on principle alone, but add in the clans that reside in the Fire country, and there was even more complication. The Inuzuka were one of the more aggressive clans, and they didn't hesitate to run through Senju or Uchiha if the opportunity was there.
He had to be a pillar, a foundation, but...
How could he be a pillar for the Inuzuka? For the Aburame? For the Sarutobi?
"There is no harm in telling you this, then." Hisao said solemnly, carefully gauging Hashirama. The man was somewhere else at the moment. "There has been a shinobi village formed, in the Lightning country."
Hashirama's eyes widened, his entire body going slack. He couldn't believe what Hisao was saying. Granted, the Uzumaki did trade with everyone in the world, though some were limited to just the basic goods, while others were more privy to their exotic end. When people gathered a lot of talking happened, and in turn that meant that information was abound without any reprieve. Rumors. Stories. Exaggerated tales. They held a common thread at times.
"It is true. Arata Uchiha, Hajime Hageshii, Katsu Yotsuki, and Tunoichi Shainingu all spoke with the damiyo, made a pact, and began to build a village. Kumogakure, it is called."
Hashirama was so overwhelmed with information he had to grip the table tightly. It was all so shocking-shaking him to his very core, Kumogakure, the fact those people met with the damiyo, the fact the damiyo agreed to it, but there was one glaring fact...
"Are you saying there was a rift in the Uchiha..." Hashirama eyed Hisao carefully.
Tobirama was eluding to this before he took his leave to come here, but he hadn't really given the thought, well, any thought. Once upon a time the Uchiha were spread out, but for the last few decades, they've been together as one. And, it made complete sense why Uchiha were attacking like they were then-they are trying to prove a point.
Hisao nodded. "Less than half relocated with the Domou. Slaves. Medics. Servants. Women. Children. Those who never awakened the Sharingan, and even Madara, Izuna, and a few others left."
Hashirama had no words. This time he nearly fell to his knees, but somehow, remained seated in his chair. So, it was none of the warrior class for the most part, just the 'subpar' Uchiha among the Uchiha's line of thought. The women were likely between the ages of twenty one and thirty six, and younger or older, and they tended to have that Uchiha arrogance.
But, Madara and Izuna both left. That means Hikaku and Aito left. Yuto left.
Yuko left.
Arata awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, as well...
Tobirama was right to be so concerned. The Mangekyo was a terrible power, something born of intensity and despair. The eyes grew stronger. Arata wasn't alone either, he would come looking for a fight. He wasn't like Madara or Izuna, he was from a breed of Uchiha that believed they were superior and everyone-including the Senju, had to bow down to them. Madara wanted to compete for that superiority
"How do you know this?" Hashirama observed the older man carefully. He didn't doubt Hisao, it's just...Tobirama only had suspicions pertaining to this that were nearly spot on, and what Hisao was saying, seemed to be legitimate.
"Mikito sent me a message." Hisao said lightly. "It came down to war or longevity, to save children or satisfy pride. That's why the rift occurred."
The Uchiha were a prideful clan. While the Senju would retreat in order to preserve their numbers and lower the death toll, the Uchiha wouldn't do such a thing. And, the Uchiha wouldn't wear armor on the battlefields. If Mikito made the Uchiha decide to save their children, or to satisfy their own pride-he couldn't see that going over too well. Hashirama wasn't going to doubt it though, because Tobirama was wary.
"You're certain that Madara and Izuna both relocated with the Domou?"
"It seems that Uchiha resented Izuna..."
Hashirama couldn't spend any more time here than he had.
He knew what he had to do, and there wasn't another second to waste.
Hisao looked on with knowing, a soft sigh, and an even more subtle shake of his head being his own answer.
Council meetings usually went one of two ways. The first was they were short and sweet, few words were exchanged and everyone would be on their way; more to the point they didn't happen at all. The second being they ended with nothing short of high tension. However, ever since Mikito changed the way the Council was-things had been extremely smooth.
The room was dimly lit with the light from outside, exotic calligraphy dancing on the walls. Not all of the Council members could make it, as their duties demanded more of them than just advising, but a few were able to make it.
"Can we speed this up, if possible?" Keisuke asked politely.
Shinpachi shook his head. "We shouldn't rush, it is of a severe nature."
"That'd be for the best. Everyone couldn't be here, but that is a given." Misaka added.
"Is this about an alliance with the Shimura?" Okemi took the reins before Keisuke and Shinpachi argued. They were both straight forward, but where Keisuke was quieter in his approach, Shinpachi could be abrasive.
Sakamoto smiled a little. "Their ninjutsu prowess and strength is invaluable..."
"I won't argue that." Mikito nodded stiffly. "But, it seems the Sarutobi and Senju are persistently encroaching on their land."
"I think we should let them relocate here." Okemi said bluntly.
"Okemi?" Shinpachi frowned. "What are you saying?"
"Shinpachi-san, you're a little bullheaded." The elder immediately said, smiling at him.
"It's a valid question."
"We were battling them..." Keisuke murmured in agreement, crossing his arms over his chest.
"It is sudden." Misaka said in thought.
"Madara, what do you think?" Okemi asked.
"It surprises me that the Shimura would even consider an alliance, I admit. They are a very fierce and ruthless clan. Having them on our side would be invaluable, they are highly proficient in all chakra natures. It would be better to have them as allies than enemies."
"Indeed." Sakamoto seconded in agreement.
Shinpachi crossed his arms over his chest. "It just doesn't sit well with me."
"Well, don't forget we've begun 'dominoes' the Shimura's network is second to none." Okemi pointed out. "We can't make our move until we capture all of those boats, however."
"I concede, in that case." Kesiuke said.
"As do I." Sakamoto said a moment later.
Okemi just raised her hand.
Shinpachi nodded, sighing a bit louder than necessary.
"So, we're all for this..." Mikito cleared her throat gently, just for a moment, getting nervous.
"Indeed." Okemi surmised.
Madara knew what Mikito's intentions had been, but it still didn't make him any less tense. He had been rather bemused when the Council had come to a consensus that a possible alliance with the Shimura was acceptable. There had been a few grunts at first, but after some discussion, it was decided this was the better course of action. It still bemused him, even though it happened.
The Sarutobi and Senju had been moving on the Shimura a lot as of late. There was the thought both Sarutobi and Senju would set their sights on their land once again.
The Shimura weren't enemies, exactly, at this point in time.
They hadn't attacked in over five months.
Daishiro Shimura
Kosuke Shimura
Katsumi Shimura
Mikito and Madara were more than familiar with all of them at this point in their lives. Daishiro, leader of the Shimura. Kosuke, second in command. Katsumi, pillar and wife of Daishiro, who ensured everything was ran accordingly behind the scenes.
Katsumi was a slender but shapely tan skinned woman with dark brown eyes, almost black that held a sharp glint to them, dark brown hair that trailed down to her waist-kept up in an intricate braid, and at this moment wore a deep blue kimono, with a white obi tied in a bow.
She looked every bit as cunning and sharp as any Shimura, her eyes glinting with a keen intelligence and a biting ruthlessness that knew no bounds. Indeed, Katsumi would lay waste to anyone, just as her husband would, if the Shimura were to be threatened.
These meetings-clans meetings. Usually went one of two ways. The first was they were short and sour, few words were exchanged and everyone would be on their way; more to the point they didn't happen at all. They'd just continue to battle, and avoid all of the trivial nonsense from the beginning. The second being they ended with nothing short of high tension and war would soon erupt. There could be a scheme for a coup. One could never be too sure.
So far, no blows had been exchanged.
But a word hadn't been said either.
Madara never thought he would be standing face to face with these three Shimura, not throwing punches and kicks, not swiping and slashing at them, but just looking at them. Going over things in his mind. What to say. Their possible ulterior motives. There was a new and different trepidation present, than the one he felt on the battlefield. An anticipation, that made him clench the sleeve by his bicep, and make his neck a bit taut.
He never really dealt much with Katsumi in the past, but judging from the way Mikito was keeping her eyes locked with the woman-they had their fair share of dealings in the past. Katsumi was the one who managed to arrange this whole thing and convince Mikito, but that didn't mean the two women weren't at odds themselves. Katsumi was just as deadly as her husband, many fell to her before they ever realized they had been swayed or tricked in the first place.
Madara flipped through a mental list. Motives behind Daishiro doing this-as the Shimura and Domou have been battling for nearly, if not a decade now. It was all because the Shimura continued to encroach on the Domou's land, and the Domou retaliated. It wasn't impossible to say that Sasuke and the Sarutobi were being persistent, like always, and were pushing the Shimura.
So, the Shimura wanted an alliance of sorts, wanted to relocate here...Anything else didn't make sense. The Shimura wasn't a clan to launch an internal attack, when they were surrounded by the enemy.
Daishiro sat with his arms crossed over his chest, eyes set in an intense gaze. However the dark armor with his clan's crest on the chest plate caught Mikito's and Madara's attention first, as it always had.
The Shimura was wearing armor, the sword at his side was more than enough to get the point across. However, his eyes didn't hold the lethal glint, that they normally would if he were to go on the attack. He wasn't foolish enough to do anything of that sort now, it was useless, and it'd lead to nothing but drawbacks now.
"You're early..." Mikito's expression gave nothing away.
"Yes..." Daishiro mused.
There had been a very strange change within the world, a shinobi village was founded, and the ideas was gaining more traction. The Uchiha here wore different uniforms than before, and everyone-Domou and Uchiha wore thick bandanna-like forehead protectors with the kanji for sincerity carved into the middle of it.
He couldn't see the Uchiha being able to really get along with the Domou, let alone Madara...The Uchiha were divided completely. There were peasants, slaves, servants, civilians, medics, the warrior class, and the royal line. They were prideful and arrogant, always boasting about their Sharingan and their superiority. Madara was a different breed of Uchiha, from thirty years ago, but he was still an Uchiha-they were all the same.
Whereas his clan, as well as the Domou didn't have such a mentality. They didn't divide their own or boast. They weren't prideful or arrogant. Nobody lived to tell of them or their prowess.
He had no idea what had been going on, other than the fact there was a great deal of change going on within the Uchiha clan that effected every single person. Uchiha hated change, they hated everything and everybody for no good reason, they would come resent this change naturally. Resent Mikito, Souji, Ahiko and the Domou as a whole. And, resent whoever was so for this change, which would likely be Izuna.
For that matter-a great deal of change was going on within the world, and it wasn't even the beginning. The situation that had erupted within the Uchiha, that remained relatively quiet, surprisingly, was just a mere speck to the overall picture.
The whole thing made him wary, but his patience paid off.
"Madara."
"Kosuke."
"There's no need for all the pleasantries and formalities." Katsumi said calmly, putting her eyes on Mikito for a moment. "We/re beyond such things."
Mikito gave a small nod, smiling. "Certainly."
Katsumi smiled, just the slightest. "As you are aware, a shinobi village has been formed in the Lightning country. Kumogakure."
"That is the rumor." Madara replied, not wanting to admit it.
"Indeed. I am aware." Mikito seconded, not having the same sentiments as her husband.
"My people are wary of it. The Lightning damiyo's military numbers into the high hundreds of millions, and that's not taking into account his reserves. He's also been getting weapons to go to war with the Water country. We don't need to worry about being beaten into submission in order to join, but an attack is inevitable..."
Madara nodded his head, mulling it over. An attack from Kumogakure was inevitable, but once a shinobi village was founded in the Fire country it'd be join, or be beaten into submission. Through brute force, hurting trade, or political clout. Mikito never turned away anyone that was in need, but when dealing with shinobi, she couldn't be so lenient, and she wasn't. Thankfully. It didn't change the fact there was a crux in the situation.
"I think you've already taken into account you will to leave your old home." Madara said.
This brought a reaction out of everyone, but none were pleasant.
"We have. We refuse to bow down to a shinobi being yanked by a damiyo. We refuse to bow down to the damiyo." Katsumi said, tone soft, yet biting as she spoke.
"What do you mean?" Madara looked genuinely curious, if a bit cautious.
Katsumi was bold, to say the least.
Perhaps even that wasn't the right word.
"We Shimura have a grudging respect for the Domou and Uchiha, but that's because your clans earned it." Kosuke answered.
Mikito blinked a bit widely, head titling to the side. The Shimura were willing to form an alliance with them because they respected the Domou and Uchiha. It was respect forged on the battlefields, where there were no victors. The Shimura weren't willing to form an alliance with a noble who had once been a merchant, but because he knew someone, he got in good and became the damiyo.
There was no merit or strength there.
Daishiro took over before anything else could be said. "As you know, shinobi clans are all independent. Some have sided with nobles in times of distress and got in well, some of us just pay our taxes and leave it at that. However, we've never formed a pact with a damiyo to create a village on their land-and why should we when we can just take it?"
Madara glanced at Mikito, but noted she was dead focused on Daishiro-she wasn't even paying him any mind.
"What Kumogakure is-it is a mocking of the shinobi. We shinobi don't rely on outside help, especially that of a noble. We take missions when we want, as much as we want, as frequently as we want. But this Kumogakure...The damiyo agreed, and gave them funds, man power, everything that they need at the moment. However, he still controls the funds, and will give them funds yearly, he will give them missions. The Raikage becomes a retainer of the damiyo, and those who he or she once called comrades become the Raikage's vessels. Their payments and missions are like a stipend." Daishiro finished.
"Like the samurai..." Madara blinked once, mulling it over.
Samurai found honor in serving a damiyo or lord, but more importantly, it is how they made their living. By serving the noble they got a payment, and got in good depending on their service. However, the noble still held all control. They gave the samurai a stipend-basically a yearly payment that would get them by until the next one comes around. Samurai didn't take missions, as serving this noble was their mission. The payment was so they could survive.
Shinobi getting a payment and missions from the damiyo...That was disastrous. At this moment in time, nobles just contacted them, and if they wanted to do the mission they could, if not, they didn't respond. There wouldn't be that option within the village-the missions will have to be taken, and he hated to think that the shinobi would lay down their lives for the noble, under the false pretense, that they are dying for their village.
Its the damiyo's village in the first place.
But, the shinobi would have the same misled sense of honor and pride in serving the village.
To not serve the clan is absolute madness, to many a man and woman, even child.
"It's a little different." Madara finished at last, eyes narrowed as he stared at his hands. This wasn't mind games or a political battle, this was cold hard facts, and he had to wrestle with them.
The Shimura were quite intense...
"They have their differences, of course, but it is the same thing in the end." Kosuke replied a little dryly. "Things will change from strength and merit to just titles. We'll be serving the damiyo. We Shimura don't care about titles. We don't serve nobles, or anyone."
Mikito nodded softly, just barely moving her head. "That much is clear...however..." She turned her eyes onto everyone present, setting her jaw. "If clans don't join a village they will be targeted."
Daishiro nodded stiffly. "Yes, whether it's through brute force, trade, or political clout."
"Will the Shimura follow our code and ethics?"
Kosuke resisted the urge to snarl, biting his tongue, as Mikito wasn't wrong to ask the question. But, considering Madara had no issue following it, and the Shimura had their own strict regulations, it wasn't that bad to compensate. The Shimura normally didn't, but in this case they were getting a lot more in return for just bending their back a little. They weren't strangers to ascetic and austere, but even he knew the Domou code was ruthless.
Nobody was exempt from it, even the leader and second in command had to follow it. All of the Shimura children, seven and older, would follow the code. The Shimura children would train at the tender age of three, no longer five. It'd be a bit of an adjustment, but they'd adjust quickly. It was for the good of the Shimura after all.
"We will do what we must."
"You're willing to follow our code and ethics. That's the only thing that matters." Madara commented.
The code would keep them in check. It's the reason the Uchiha split in the first place.
"If Shimura aren't capable they will have to take their leave." Mikito said sternly.
"We won't hinder things." Daishiro assured.
"I agree, however..."
"However?" Daishiro locked eyes with Mikito.
Mikito didn't turn away from him. "I know how you operate Daishiro. You're not going to sit here for winter, and then go back when summer comes, taking loads of information with you. Your men would be training here-do you think I'd let my clan's and the Uchiha's techniques go to the outside?"
"Well..." Daishiro mused, not quite denying it.
The older man laughed for a second, crossing his arms over his chest. Yes, he'd never sell this woman short, because he couldn't. If he did, it was a mistake on his part, a mistake that'd come back to haunt him. Just like it was now. Certainly, Mikito wasn't going to just agree-not when they had their share of problems, even though she knew who and what the true threat was.
Things were always give and take. Mikito wasn't asking him for anything in return other than his loyalty. Loyalty to remain here, in the West-they didn't allow anyone to just come and go, and allowed even fewer to be in their midst. Certainly, information would suffice, but Mikito wasn't that type of person. She cared more for fundamental things, than the accessories.
However, giving her a bit of information wouldn't hurt.
Timing was everything, of course.
He had no qualms with saying goodbye to the Fire country-it had always been the Shimura's home, but they could be a nomadic people at times.
"It is true we thought about leaving once winter passed, but Sasuke and the Sarutobi have been persistent as of late. There's also the problem with the Senju, and it's only a matter of time before they join hands. If Hajime, Tunoichi, Arata and Katsu could do it, than these two clans will as well. " Katsumi said, tone still regal-like and composed.
Madara clenched his teeth. When Kumogakure really came onto the scene, so to speak, if the Sarutobi and Senju weren't joining hands, if some clan wasn't now, they would be when this happened. If it came down to clans and villages, a village would defeat a clan, based on resources alone. There were clans that had few in number, but it made them exceptionally skilled, even they wouldn't stand a chance. The Senju wouldn't stand a chance.
"There is also the issue of the Domou's slewing through the nobles. Fingers have already been pointed at us." Katsumi remained relatively stoic, but her gaze was intense.
"Ajo brings that bit of information-Kumogakure is looking to set their sights on us first, and then you." Kosuke supplied.
If that were true then she wasn't going to deny the Shimura a place to stay. She'd never live with herself if the Shimura were to be wiped out by some pompous noble, or for the clan to pass away with time. It was only natural the finger would be pointed at the Shimura, though they wouldn't be the first, or last, to get the finger pointed at them. It didn't change the fact the Shimura could face extinction due to her own actions.
But, this is why this was happening, to prevent that from happening. It just wasn't the Shimura, but all clans, and soon...
The message would get out.
Mikito shook her head-never once did she think Ajo would be valuable.
However, the man wasn't here...
"I have information regarding the Water country's movements-more importantly, the movements of the Yuki and Hoshigaki." Daishiro broke the silence.
He had to hide his smirk, seeing Madara barely react to his statement. It was a tenth of a reaction, but one nonetheless.
Mikito's reaction was even more visible. Mikito couldn't allow the Shimura being attacked, let alone wiped out, because of her or her clan's actions, on her conscious. She really was a bleeding heart, but in times like this, it was her greatest strength and weakness. It could be someone's greatest triumph to accept her mercy, and their greatest misery to abuse it.
Madara, well it was clear what he wanted. The Yuki and Hoshigaki weren't as obstinate as the Kaguya for instance. The Yuki and Hoshigaki would form an alliance, if it meant both of their clans could survive. Such a time was coming, but clans weren't their enemies in the long run of things. It was shinobi villages-the mere presence and idea of a shinobi village. There'd be smaller clans seeking out help, in time. It would happen.
"Let's hear that information." Madara's voice cut through the air like a knife.
Daishiro gave his wife the floor, and with measured grace she turned her focus onto Madara, and then Mikito.
"The Yuki have been on a tear since their Hyoton scroll was taken right out from under their noses, but there was an attack by the Kaguya clan prior to when the scroll was taken. Because of this, the Water damiyo raised his arms, more than he already has, and the clans retaliated from his show of force. The Yuki are going to raid the Uzumaki territory, and the Hoshigaki seem to be on a crash course with the Yuki...They're focusing on their naval strength, building ships, so they can cross over onto the mainland.
As of now, both clans remain in their compounds. But, there are rumors that it was an Uchiha that stole the Hyoton scroll. The Yuki haven't taken this rumor lightly, and they will make landfall, soon. The Water damiyo, has, however, begun a campaign against the shinobi clans in his land, and all those who have a Kekkai Genkai, and a Kekkai Tota. Even the lands surrounding the Water country-the Mist and Fog, have become embroiled in the wars..."
"That's madness. Civil war." Madara didn't show any visible emotion, but he had one thought. Perhaps the Yuki would be open to negotiation...If their clan was being targeted...
Shinobi were more open minded when it came to the longevity of their people, unless it was the Kaguya clan, of course.
"He will declare on the mainland, including the West." Katsumi's gaze intensified. "Civil war has erupted, in that assessment you are correct. By the month's end, early March-their war will have reached here."
Mikito clenched her fist for a second. That's quicker than I thought...
"There's only one thing we can do, at this point..." Katsumi trailed off, gently casting her gaze away from everyone present.
"We will adjust quickly." Daishiro reached forward with his hand.
Madara felt like he was dreaming, as there's no way this could actually be happening. Daishiro, his wife, and Kosuke had their hands reached out. They were going to be in an alliance-the Shimura would be living here from now on. He was actually shaking their hands in confirmation.
This wasn't real...
"You'll be able to see the full report, and our trap that's been set up along the entire coastline." Daishiro affirmed.
"Mikito..." Madara eyed her carefully.
Was she going to...
No, she wasn't going to do that...
Mikito didn't clench her hand against his own-her eyes burned with ferocity. "Just tell me one thing...Daishiro...Was it you who provoked that...That which took them away from me?"
Daishiro looked away briefly. Mikito hadn't been the only one to suffer horribly that day-he had suffered greatly. Ten Shimura children had been lost, five Shimura warriors had been killed, and that didn't take into account all of the injured. He reacted so violently for that reason-if anyone wanted to encroach on Shimura land, they would be killed.
He sighed, letting the emotions go.
"It was Koji-Bustuma's father and the leader of the Sarutobi at that time-Shinichi. Tajima's father-Rafu, had agreed to speak of a truce between his own clan and the Senju, only temporary. But it was all a trap, but things didn't go according to plan. There was renegade Uchiha that ambushed both the Senju and Sarutobi, ironically enough, the trap that was set, happened just a second later...Their battles stretched out for miles, and on for days, drawing clans like us into their conflict..."
It was always the Senju...The Uchiha could be blamed, but Rafu-the strongest leader of the Uchiha sects at that time, agreed to speak on a temporary truce.
The Senju used that as a trap. The notion of peace, if only shortly.
Never trust a Senju.
Mikito slowly relaxed, nodding ever so slightly. "I can't turn you or your clan away now..." She clenched the older man's hand tightly. They always respected each other, grudgingly-she didn't hate Daishiro. He didn't hate her. They didn't exactly like each other. But, they did respect each other.
"It'll set a bad example to those that come after the Shimura..."
Madara felt a smirk cross his face. Mikito was quite shrewd, to say the least.
As was Izuna...
The Hyoton scroll was perfect for a negotiation with the Yuki.