Warning: There is a lot of detailed violence and death in this chapter so do not proceed reading if this upsets you. The story is rated M for a reason.
Chapter seven - Lahar
"Lahar" is a Javanese word that describes volcanic mudflows or debris flows. A lahar of sufficient size and intensity can erase virtually any structure in its path, and is capable of carving its own pathway, making the prediction of its course difficult.
"Katon: Great fireball technique!" Shouted Madara and Tajima simultaneously.
'These trees had to fucking go!'
The Senju was using their home turf to their advantage, hiding in corners and behind everything that grew as the Uchiha attempted to split them up further. Taking them down five to one.
"Nicely done, son!" Exclaimed Tajima and gave him one quick pat on the shoulder while they moved forwards. A Senju was screaming in agony as they passed by without paying much notice. Madara didn't recognise him, but then again, few were recognisable after getting burned alive.
They had the clear advantage, and the Senju had been completely overwhelmed. From the corner of his eye Madara kept Hashirama within sight.
He was fighting by himself, trying to get to his father who was struggling against five of their men. Butsuma was also the person Tajima and Madara was heading for.
This Senju was a strong opponent equal to Tajima himself. That's why he wanted his son to fight with him. The two of them together would be more than enough to kill the bastard.
Madara had also wanted to destroy that man since the age of five. For his mother and brother.
As they ran past Hana and Hina fighting a young girl who looked close to bursting into tears, Madara noticed Butsuma was covering someone while he fought. It was a smaller person who seemed to already be injured. Probably hit in their first assault, since he was clearly in pain but still alive for the moment.
Tobirama.
"Go on the right side Madara! I'll go straight in, you take care of Senju Tobirama!" Shouted Tajima as an explosion tag went off behind them. Feeling the heat at the back of his head Madara reluctantly nodded. He'd rather go for Hashirama, but since his father was going for the Senju leader's brother, then killing his son would be a very good strategy.
It looked like it was time to sever whatever bond Hashirama imagined was still between them. There was no way he'd forgive Madara after he killed his brother.
Running sideways away from his father while focusing on the white haired boy who was gritting his teeth in agony, leaning against a tree behind him while his breath was coming in ragged huff's, Madara started going through hand signs.
"Kage bunshin no jutsu!" He shouted, and four clones popped up on his sides as the Senju took notice of his advantage.
His eyes widened and he stumbled to his feet. The look on his face was determined as they met his eyes. Tobirama's arm was drenched in blood and it hung unusable at his left side. It still didn't stop him from using his right hand to start forming his counter attack.
Damn, one handed signs, that was actually quite impressive.
"Suiton: Water jet stream!" He shouted, and a rush of water took two of Madara's clones out at once.
"Fūton: Great breakthrough!" Exclaimed Madara mid-air as the oldest Senju growled and went through one handed signs while throwing shuriken against Tajima at the same time. Countering both their attacks simultaneously. Madara's two remaining clones swirled to get out of the line of fire, and barely managed to avoid it.
Frowning as Batsuma's earth ninjutsu stopped his own attack in the middle of the distance, he landed crouching low as Tajima and Butsuma clashed. The Senju with a tantō, the Uchiha with his chokutō.
From somewhere to Madara's left he heard a shout of pain and immediately recognised as Senju Suoma came hurtling onto the steadily heating battlefield. He saw Katsu trying to intersect him, but was knocked sideways as he came hurtling straight for his brother who by now was both trying to fight of Tajima and Madara at the same time. The other Uchiha having retreated from this match since they knew it would grow out of scale.
Madara looked at his two clones who was keeping watch of Tobirama. "Take Suoma." He growled, he was slightly frustrated since he wished to kill that bastard with his own two hands.
He focused on Tobirama who was grimacing back at him, his Sharingan focused on every minuscule movement the Senju made. It looked like he'd been hit in his ribs as well as his arm by the shuriken of the Uchiha snipers. His left side looked like it hurt him greatly. Good.
"Suiton: Water dragon bullet technique!" Shouted Tobirama, a raging amount of water building up in front of his hand sign.
Madara would be lying if he said he wasn't impressed by the massive creature that emerged from the young Senju's technique. There was absolutely no water around here, only earth and trees, and still the large reptile formed water beast came at him, ready to bite him in two if he got the opportunity.
Gathering up wind chakra he cried: "Fūton: Beast tearing palm!" and slashed his right arm hard horizontally in front of him.
A blue, sharp, slicing wind of tearing power rushed at the water dragon. As the ninjutsu creature opened his mouth wide, still in it's path to crunch Madara between it's fangs, the wind ninjutsu hit it in the mouth slicing its head in two and making it dissolve violently into puddles of water. The splash made all four of them drenched in water.
It was at this moment Souma caught up with them, having disabled Madara's clones quickly along with Hina who was bleeding on the ground. His eyes fixed on his brother Butsuma, while Madara came pelting at Tobirama at the same moment, taking advantage of the commotion from the water fountain which previously had been the Senju boy's technique.
His kunai ready he saw the young Senju realise what was happening, but this injured he was still unable to move in time. Madara was confident the way was cleared and fury rose up in him at the thought of the leader of the Senju as he stabbed Tobirama.
Or at least he tried.
"Stay the hell away from my brother!" Screamed Hashirama with fury as he caught Madara's arm around his wrist. Madara's kunai had only been an inch away from piercing Tobirama's chest. The Uchiha teen couldn't believe he'd forgotten to keep track of him, and had now only half a moment to realise the predicament he found himself in.
He was in deep shit.
Tobirama growled and kicked him hard in the stomach. They both shouted in pain as Madara flew backwards falling onto his back. Roots shot up to bind his hands and feet at the same moment he landed.
'Fuck!'
He was caught. Madara couldn't even reach his kunai which had flown out of his hand. Legs being bound to the earth along with his arms and stomach, he for real started panicking.
A cry came from next to them, and Madara watched as Senju Suoma fell bloodied and unconscious to the ground. At some point while he wasn't paying attention in the last half a minute Katsu, Naomi, Izumi and Hana had joined their battle and was targeting Butsuma while Tajima dealt with his brother.
It was with a panic mixed pride he understood that his father had just struck down the leader of the Senju. Hashirama's uncle.
A disgusting gurgling sound came from Sumoa's throat and Butsuma was enraged as he blasted the youngest out of his path on his way to attack Tajima.
But Madara had enough to deal with on his own right now. He struggled fruitlessly against the wood release holding him down, unable to do as much as a kawarimi. His only hope was genjutsu but he needed eye contact for that. Every single Senju knew by now never to look an Uchiha in the eye.
Madara heard someone running up to him. he was going to get executed, it was hopeless.
True enough; Tobirama came fast into view over of him, appearing as if snapping out of thin air with his chokutō slashing down on him.
Madara could do nothing but stare as his death approached. He couldn't close his eyes, he had to watch as the younger boy killed him. Disbelieving as he realised that this would be his end.
Madara was stronger then this fucking brat. How could this possibly be his fate?
It was ironic in a humourless way that he'd always been so focused on Hashirama to never notice that his younger brother was growing rapidly in strength. He had royally screwed up. It was strange how fast he could think as the shiny metal came rapidly down on him, his Sharingan making him able to see every dirt patch on the gleaming material.
And then it was gone.
Someone crashed into the Senju with so much force he was knocked sideways while a sound of anger came from Hashirama in the background. Madara was still too much in shock to hear exactly what was being said.
What he could see however, was Naomi.
She'd hurled herself painfully at the Senju boy before the blade could crack Madara's scull in two.
The blade only graced his forehead before it was dragged with it's wielder to the side, Naomi on top of him. The chokutō had only given him a scraped wound, an injury he barely took notice of as he comprehended what the alternative would have been.
Naomi's teeth was gritted in anger, she tore at the Senju with her bare fists while he lay helplessly underneath her. The girl looked beyond reason as she attacked again and again while Tobirama became more unrecognisable from the hits to his face. Tobirama could probably have fought the furious Uchiha teen off if he'd been at full strength, but the wounds was bleeding badly. Taking the opportunity, Katsu came running over to him and broke through Madara's restraints with his tantō.
Naomi had the younger Senju brother by the throat now, squeezing so hard his eyes was popping out of their sockets. Her other hand was raised with a kunai clutched in it. She was about to slit Tobirama's throat when Hashirama screamed; "Mokuton: Wood flow spears!"
Madara hadn't seen this one before.
While Katsu helped him to his feet, cutting at the remaining roots binding him, they watched in horror as pointy spears shot up from the ground.
But not the soft twirling roots. These were hard, deadly spike shaped mass shooting diagonally up from the ground and piercing straight through Naomi's chest before she could strike her captive the final blow.
"Huh..."
The sound was faint from the girl who grew rigid. The wood was sticking out from her chest while she stared confused down on it. Seemingly surprised to see the odd addition to her body. She coughed painfully and blood came splashing out from her mouth, straight into the Senju's face.
Tobirama was staring shocked up into her face as her gaze grew empty, and slowly her eyes fluttered close. His breath was now coming in gasps from lack of oxygen.
Her head tilted forwards as if she had merely nodded off while Madara still couldn't comprehend she'd been pierced to death as she sat on top of Tobirama. Her blood trailed down her jaw as she died, dripping onto Tobirama's cheek as the girl left the world of the living.
"You bastard!" Screamed Katsu in anger and grief. His face going pale as he swirled back towards Hashirama.
Madara was still shocked as he watched Tobirama trying to get out from underneath Naomi. She was still stuck to the wood spike and he had to struggle to get enough space for him to escape.
Hashirama's eyes had gone cold as he stared back at Katsu, his teeth gritted in fury while his hands was still gripped together as if in prayer after his last wood release technique.
"I will not allow any of you to touch my little brother!" He hissed back while he looked pained. Madara had the impression he didn't want to look at what he'd just done. Couldn't get himself to see Naomi rammed to death by his own ninjutsu.
"I'll kill you!" Katsu exclaimed, his hand shaking as he pointed at Hashirama. The younger brother came halting over to his brother, looking pale and nauseous while Hashirama grabbed him around the waist, supported his side.
"Then come at me. I'm your opponent!" He bellowed back, helping Tobirama to sit down and stepping in front of him as a human shield.
Madara stared from Naomi to Hashirama to Katsu. Ignoring Tobirama since he was less of a threat than ever. It looked like Naomi had managed to do some proper damage before she got killed.
He was trying to think of a way to calm Katsu down, he had never seen him loose his head like this. Not even when his five year old sister died three months ago had he reacted like this.
"Calm down Katsu." he ordered, and looked back at Hashirama after studying the spear running through Naomi closely. It was a very dangerous technique. They couldn't be hit by that if they wanted some chance of winning.
Hashirama was panting and looked strained. Meeting Madara's eyes he became determined. Finally ready to battle for real.
Naruto sat crossed legged on a bench in Uzushiogakure while watching the many civilians walking carefree past her. It was absurd to her to be in such a light environment after so many years in exile. She hadn't experienced an atmosphere like this since before the fourth great shinobi war in her first time line.
A boy was laughing and licking an ice cream while his older sister made sure he didn't wander off. A woman was chatting with someone she'd just run into, a man was walking hand in hand with his wife while they enjoyed the warm weather.
It was as if the wars haunting the rest of the ninja world wasn't affecting them at all. As if it couldn't penetrate the spirit of the people on this island. It was so refreshing, and Naruto found herself feeling somewhat as she'd done back in Konoha. Relaxed.
She'd been waiting for over a month to gain proper access to Uzu. It had been a long process of checking out situations and backup questions. She was sure she'd done the right thing in explaining everything they needed to know about her. She felt it only right to be honest with the village leaders if she wished to stay any place for a longer period of time like she was expecting to be here in Uzu. Naruto hadn't been living in a village for more then two days before, usually camping under the night sky or in a cave in the winters.
Naruto needed their help if she wanted to seal Zetsu, which was something she had no choice in. She was no sealing expert, and here they were a majority of sealer's and fuinjutsu experts waltzing the street as she sat there. For a long time she had thought of coming here, but had been uncertain about how she was going to approach them.
Kurama had advised her to tell as much of the truth as she could, he meant they would accept her easier if she was up front with them from the start. They could detect lies through fuinjutsu like the traitor test and other means. So Kurama didn't see the point of trying to deceive them when she didn't actually have more to hide then being from the future. Which he seriously doubted would ever be a question they'd ask her.
The worst thing that could come of telling the truth was to be turned away for being a jinchuriki, it would have sucked big time, but she would eventually have gotten over it. Now however she was on good terms with Uzumaki Ashina and his grandson Kurou who had kept her company for many boring hours while she waited in the maelstrom house on the mainland for a whole month. Naruto had been climbing up the walls, literary, out of boredom while she waited for them to come to a decision.
They had also approached her earlier about becoming a kunoichi of Uzushiogakure. One of the council members named Uzusni Yasu had made things difficult for her by wanting her to swear loyalty to Uzu. Something Naruto couldn't do.
She already had a village, it might not exist any more but someday it would, Naruto would make sure of it. Her loyalty would always belong with Konoha, and there was simply no way she could stay in Uzu for the rest of her life. The village was beautiful, but her resolution was firm. Konoha was her home.
Naruto had almost not been given permission to enter because of this, it was the major reason for why it had taken so long for her to access. In the end she'd been allowed to stay by promising to do a set of missions for them while being evaluated, to prove she could be trusted.
She wasn't sure what they would entail, but Kurama was guessing they would be related to the situation with the Yuki clan.
Her status as a jinchuriki had also gotten classified as a secret. Which meant that the only ones who had heard her words during the council meeting knew what she was. Mito who had just returned from her mission in the land of water therefore didn't know. She had left before the matter was brought up.
Maybe that's why she had so little problem talking to Naruto, everyone who knew except Ashina, seemed to have problems being around her, afraid of what was inside her. Even Kurou, but at least he tried to hide it and act casual, firmly believing in his grandfather's conviction that Naruto was no threat to Uzu.
Uzumaki Mito was different from what Naruto had expected. While she always was polite and energetic, she was also a lot more serious then she'd first appeared. She had a calmness about her that was both intimidating and relaxing at the same time.
At the moment Mito was in a meeting with the council, probably discussing the situations with the clans in the land of water and how to proceed. The only thing Naruto was wondering was how she would convince them to teach her fuinjutsu. It would take a lot of pestering to convince council member Yasu to let her learn some of their skills...
Butsuma had a reputation for being a cold hearted man. On the battlefield he never showed any emotions, the only exception to this had been when his son Kawarama had died in his arms. A pointless death, as his oldest had called it during his funeral. The only reason Butsuma had survived that day, was because his brother had protected him when the Uchiha tried to kill him. The one time his heart wavered.
Right now they'd been battling for only fifteen minutes. That was all it had taken to change it all. It would never stop to amaze him how much damage could be done in such a short amount of time. In fact, it only took a moments to turn a situation so bad it could result in your own death.
The fight between his sons against Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Katsu had somehow merged with his own battle with Uchiha Tajima. His brother was dead, killed after getting trapped in a genjutsu from those horrid eyes, and then stabbed through in the head. It had been terrible, and for a moment Butsuma had almost wavered, like the time with his son, but instead anger had come to his defence.
He had never seen eyes like Tajima had on anyone else.
The Mangekyō Sharingan was a terrifying weapon, Tajima's eyes did no longer have the standard three tomoe pattern, it was a like triangle with it's corners smudged sideways. Butsuma knew he'd obtained them after Suoma had killed his second son, and the ecstatic look on his face when he'd killed Suoma only five minutes ago had made him look insane.
The Uchiha curse of hatred was no joke.
He'd mourn his beloved older brother later, if there was a later for him. His focus right now was to kill Tajima and Madara, and make sure his sons made it back to the village alive. Itama needed them, and so did the village. Especially Hashirama.
Butsuma had been very disappointed in his oldest son after the incident with Madara and the Namikaze girl. Had never understood why he sprouted about with his wild ideas of alliances and friendship. The whole thing was both insulting and naive. It had made him furious many times that Hashirama could even imagine not revenging those who had died. If they gave up on this war, then his son's death would truly have been pointless.
However; he was a father. And Hashirama was his first son. He simply and purely loved him. Loved him and his brothers more then his own life and anyone of the other villagers. Unconditionally.
Now that his older brother and the leader of the Senju was dead they'd need a new leader. Even if Hashirama took over from today and lead them down the path of reconciliation with the Uchiha, Butsuma realised he'd forgiven him. Forgiven him for his ludicrous conviction.
It was with a smile he realised that no matter what he did, Butsuma would forgive him. And as a father it was his job to believe in his children. While he might not ever have told anyone, it was a fact that Butsuma was proud of his children, all three of them.
As he peeked over his shoulder at the solid wooden prison Hashirama had created to protect Tobirama he finally came to his conclusion. How to save his son from getting killed by the boy he once called his best friend.
Tajima was attacking Hashirama, and Madara pelting after as they tried very hard to kill his eldest son since they believed Butsuma was no longer a real threat. He'd lost his leg by getting it cut off by Madara's wind cutting technique only a minute ago. Pain and drowsiness obscuring his thought and vision as he watched Hashirama countered Tajima, making him fall back while Madara went for it. Not paying him any attention at all.
They were so clueless. Clearly they didn't understand the length a parent could go to protect their child.
With his one remaining leg he staggered and used his last, remaining strength to throw himself forwards, in front of the path of the fire ninjutsu flashing from Madara's mouth while Hashirama forced Tajima backwards with his wood release. Getting hit in the back, right in front of Hashirama's disbelieving eyes.
With a stab of incredible pain he realised what they said about being burned alive was the worst way you could go was true, Butsuma no longer doubted them.
He felt his skin being piled off him as the full inferno devoured him. No matter how hard he tried to suppress it, the scream of agony still burst from his lips.
But seeing his son's tear filled eyes as he shouted for him, begged him to survive this, he couldn't regret it. Tobirama was bellowing in denial from inside his protection chamber, even though Butsuma no longer could understand what was being said, only hear the rushing fire eating at his body.
It was worth it, if it meant his son would get another chance to get out of this alive to fight on. Protect their people and lead them to a better future. Maybe there was some hope in his word after all.
He wasn't scared dying, he'd see Kawarama and his wife again. Butsuma was only sorry he wouldn't be able to tell the remains of his sons a proper goodbye.
The silence that followed while Hashirama stared down on the burning remains of his father was filled with trepidation. At least for Madara.
He'd just killed Hashirama's father. His dad.
Or was it really killing when the guy jumped in front of a fire technique on one leg? He had sacrificed himself for the sake of Hashirama who had been so weary of fighting he was stumbling. Attacking and protecting at the same time.
The air was tangible with his pain and anger, and Madara - for the first time - felt something else than fury. For a moment he could feel Hashirama's anguish too.
It was a consuming thing, a silent and roaring scream of disbelief as he stopped paying attention to them. Looking as if he'd completely forgotten that they where in the middle of a battle.
Tajima had already called for their retreat, and most of the Uchiha had pelted into the forest. It was only a matter of minutes before the full forces of the Senju clan was upon them and they had already suffered severe losses, even when outnumbering the Senju they could still resembled cornered wolfs. Attacking and biting to their dying breath. Taking as many of them with them as possible.
Katsu had abandoned their fight since both Madara and Tajima was focusing on Hashirama, knowing how they preferred wide attacks. So he focused instead on their dead clan member. He was releasing Naomi's corpse from the spear and held her close as he mourned the young woman. Madara watched them from the corner of his eye, and recognised the emotions in his friend's pained features. He had loved her.
How ironic.
He felt bad for Katsu, and so incredibly guilty over Naomi's death. Had he not gotten captured she'd most likely still be alive, but now was not the moment for grief. Madara couldn't afford to get distracted right now.
Hashirama looked from the burning corpse of his father up at Madara, or maybe he was looking through him. His eyes seemed dull and was so filled with tears he wouldn't be surprised if Hashirama couldn't see at all.
"Is this what you wanted Madara?" He muttered. "You just killed my father... Does it make you happy to see me suffer? Does it make your life easier when I hurt?" Hashirama asked with such a calm voice it spooked Madara. He didn't respond, just shifted from foot to foot as his father peeked down at him.
To his left he could still see Katsu hugging Naomi and how the ground was littered with the many burned people Senju and Uchiha alike. He could see Uchiha Hina, unmistakable dead from her injuries higher up in the terrain while her cousin Hana was sealing her up while she cried. Izumi was limping into the cover of the forest together with a few of their clan members.
The landscape was completely altered. Unrecognisable if it hadn't been for the mast with a half torn Senju flag higher up. It was unmoving from the lack of a breezy, falling limply downwards. Everywhere there was a smell of smoke, blood and sweat, as if the wind had decided it wouldn't blow away the reminiscences still lingering around them. Make them take in exactly what had happened here.
'Is this… what I want?'
"This fighting… It's so pointless Madara… Things wasn't supposed to be like this… You wanted something better too, once. You wanted Konoha… How can you have forgotten that? Forgotten Naruto and me?" Hashirama's breath shuddered, and he was shaking all over as he spoke. His voice was somehow still steady even through his trembling. Standing there shaking from head to toe, tears streaming down his face while he glared at Madara.
'What do I want?'
"That was the Tsuki no Me!" Shouted Madara in fury, firing up so quickly he was surprised at his own reaction. He'd gone very stiff and felt like Hashirama was mocking him, even if he looked genuine it was a glint in his eyes that said that Madara didn't understand, didn't get what was important.
"You just killed plenty of my clan members! They had siblings and family too! Stop talking rubbish and fight Hashirama!" he shouted so loudly his voice cracked. Damn take puberty and voice change.
Hashirama was shaking his head as if there was a fly he was trying to swat away, not even bothering to let Madara finish before he started.
"Naruto told me to knock some sense into you Madara, and then she left to grow stronger… But she's probably dead too… She said she would come back as soon as possible… But she's not back, and I haven't knocked any sense into you." Madara was unsure if he was talking to them or himself. He was looking from Tajima and back to Madara but his eyes was far away.
"And now you killed my father. I'm so… so angry with you Madara." He muttered while his head still moved slowly from side to side.
"I hate you." He whispered, as if hearing the words coming from his mouth was a test to see how they fit. Fitted with his own opinions.
Even though this was what Madara had wanted for so long, wanted Hashirama to give up on him, it still hurt. There was a rush of sadness filling his chest, making him almost not believe Hashirama had said that. That he hated him...
"We need to leave father. They're coming." Muttered Madara as Katsu ran off with the body of Naomi sealed inside a scroll.
At least she'd have a grave now.
'I hate you...'
"I'll deal with him first. Don't interfere Madara." His father snapped, surprisingly angry at the Senju's words, and not waiting for an answer he ran at Hashirama.
While Madara's mind was still whirling with Hashirama's words, he did as he was told.
Only watching as his father pelted towards Hashirama while going through hand seals. How Hashirama's hand stayed useless at his sides, not moving or preparing to either attack or defend himself while he stared into the eyes of the shinigami. He looked so utterly lost. Just like Madara felt.
"Forgive me."
Madara barely heard it, and afterwards he wasn't sure if he'd imagined it or not.
Tajima was only a hand sign away from releasing his lightning ninjutsu when the ground around him suddenly erupted. Madara stared at his father as if in a dream, because it had to be, this couldn't be happening.
He could only focus, try to analyse what was happening so he could figure out how his father would survive this. He wondered if it was wood or rock or some mixture of the two that latched around his dad. Twirling and engulfing him in it's shadows in less then a second while Hashirama still stood frozen across from him.
How was he going to get out of that? How was Madara going to wake up?
'Is this what I wanted?'
The scream in his throat, the shout of warning was cut short as he saw his father's body get crushed between the thick roots. Getting killed so quickly he didn't even have time to cry out.
The only remaining part not crushed was his head, bloody and still glaring at Hashirama with his spinning, red Mangekyō Sharingan.
'No… It wasn't supposed… to be like this.'
Author note:
First: Thank you for reading! And for those commenting, following and pressing fave on this story, I am really glad you take the time. It's so motivating!
Second: Okay… I hope this didn't get too morbid for you. I was attempting to express some the horrors of war in the life of a child soldier. I can't imagine how terrible it must have been growing up like that, but I'm doing the best I can trying to put it into words what little I can think off.
Third: I'm also trying to improve on my fighting scenes. Please bear with me here, they are so incredibly hard to write. The flow of it, not repeating things, describing movements and do not get me started on all the jutsu names...
Next chapter will be lighter, at least no one dies there….