Chapter 11
The both of them stand by one of the tables with everyone else having vacated the room. Tobirama's face is impassive but there is an underlying tension in the way he holds himself. His chakra is agitated and he does not seem pleased at how things have turned out. Madara himself is none too pleased with what they are about to do. An Uchiha is being given up to hold the chakra beast. Not to mention the very real possibility that Tobirama himself may not survive placing the seal to begin with.
"Madara…. I understand that there is a chance that after tonight Touka will become the head of the Senju clan. I know the two of you have been…at odds. It would be hypocritical of me to simply say Touka has her reasons so I will be blunt. Touka has lost her family whether directly or indirectly to the Uchiha. I can't ask that you tolerate her for my sake. But for the memory of Hashirama and for the sake of this village, I ask that you have patience and give her time to see that uniting the clans was necessary, even for the Senju clan."
"I understand." He doesn't know the extent of Touka's loss, even so he doesn't approve of her irritated behavior towards himself and on occasion other Uchiha. But at the very least she does good work and is an exemplary shinobi. In the past weeks if not months he had come to realize that there are many shinobi that are at odds either with a specific individual or even an entire clan. Once he'd been too blinded by his own pain and hatred to realize it. Now he understands it all too well. It isn't ideal but hopefully the new generation will be free to live the life Madara and his brothers and Tobirama and his brothers had been denied. Even if it would not be a perfect world at the very least it would be somewhat kinder.
That being said he isn't too happy with Hikaku and how quickly he'd brought up Kagami's name. "Hikaku and I will be having words after this."
Tobirama closed his eyes before exhaling and opening them. "It isn't ideal. But we have little choice in the matter. Hikaku-"
"Hikaku should have held his tongue. Or at the very least had spoken with me about it first." He snapped. "Why must it be an Uchiha to be sacrificed. The boy's parents aren't even here to defend him. It's funny, I wonder if it was Hikaku's son would he be so quick to offer him up as a Jinchuriki."
"Madara…we…don't have much choice in the matter. Even if we were to sacrifice a shinobi now and wait for the beast to reform alternatively, we would need to let an Uzumaki take the seal. No one on the shinobi council would agree to it. Would you trust the Uzumaki with a second tailed beast? Furthermore, from what we have seen, an Uchiha in theory could suppress the beast within them with their Sharingan. I assure you should I survive, I will look after Kagami as if he were my own. And if not the Senju will still accept him, they know the gravity of the situation. And he will still be a part of the Uchiha clan despite what anyone might think. He will be connected and have the support of both clans. This is the best we can do by any child given up to be sealed."
"Maybe so…but after this I am having words with Mukan on just what it is the Uzumaki were thinking when they held back such vital information." They don't have much time. As much as he wants to continue this argument, Tobirama is not Hikaku and not the Uzumaki ambassador, and although he understands the reasoning behind the choice, he will still be having a conversation with both men once this is all over.
"Although the Uzumaki ambassador did not speak of it. There is a chance that should something go wrong with the sealing it could end badly for the host. Which is why I will be the one placing the seal on Kagami, though he is Uchiha an not yet my student if something should go wrong, I will do everything I can to ensure he survives." The man doesn't look too troubled at the possibility of his own end, which is troubling in it of itself.
He doesn't know why he feels this way, and were you to tell him he would have felt this way in regards to Tobirama over half a year ago he would have laughed. And yet there is something inside him that curdles and rebels against the very idea of the possibility that Tobirama might not survive the sealing. It almost doesn't seem right. Perhaps it is because Tobirama is like the last link to his life before the formation of the village or perhaps they had simply been through so much together in too short a time, or perhaps it is because he is finally seeing Tobirama for who he really is, but to him, Tobirama must live. He could not accept any other outcome.
"Tobirama, no matter what…you must survive. Do you understand me?" He isn't sure what Tobirama is seeing when he looks at his face but Madara's gaze is unyielding as he tries to convey the gravity of his statement. There is a crack in Tobirama's façade, not that he was that hard to read once Madara had gotten to know him. Without the impassive mask he was wearing Tobirama simply looks tired, pained even at the situation. It's not easy for anyone that the new Jinchuriki is to be Kagami, especially since all the clan heads have seen him around the Hokage tower so much. But it's much harder for Madara and likely just as hard for Tobirama since he knows that the man was serious in taking Kagami as his student once he'd become old enough.
"I understand. It hasn't even been a year from the formation of the village. The balance of power between the clans is precarious. If something were to occur to upset this balance it may not end well. Even were Touka to keep the peace within the village walls and the clans manage to balance the power, on the scale of the elemental nations it may not look good that two Senju clan heads died in the span of a year, especially with the formation of the other hidden villages. I will do everything in my power to survive."
This is…this is not what he'd meant to convey. All politics aside Tobirama is a worthy shinobi a man he has come to respect and whose advice and counsel he places great value in. Tobirama is one of the few shinobi that comes anywhere even remotely close to him in power and capability and strangely enough perhaps the one from all the clan heads that he has the closest friendship with even if he does not speak of it. But perhaps now is not the time for any heartfelt farewells or revelations, if Tobirama does not survive then what he now truly wants to say little matters, and if he does survive then this conversation can take place in better times.
He rested his hand on Tobirama's shoulder gripping it tightly, as if his grip alone can somehow convey his thoughts on the matter. "Whatever reason has you surviving the sealing, I don't care. But you must survive." If Tobirama is startled by his continued intensity he does not show it, he does however incline his head briefly. "As I said I will do everything I can to see this through. I need to review the sealing process and we need to begin sealing the beast as soon as possible. Even if the four-sided barrier seal can hold the beast for the twenty-four hours it is meant to, we should not rely on it overly long to hold such a massive construct of chakra."
Tobirama excused himself to prepare for the sealing. While Madara himself went to assist the clan heads in trapping the chakra beast in the four-sided seal formation. Hoping fervently that the sealing would be successful and that the village would be saved.
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Anbu Eagle appeared in the Shinobi Council room three hours later, where he and Shikan were finalizing the plans for the evacuation of the village. He had assisted in capturing the beast with the help of his Susanoo. And while it would likely not be necessary if the sealing was successful Shikan and even Madara himself had wanted to cover all angles and make sure that the village would be able to be evacuated in time if need be.
"Hokage Sama, Nara Sama they say they are ready and will begin the sealing shortly." Both Madara and Shikan acknowledged the message making their way to where the beast would be sealed.
The place is a rather unremarkable stretch of land, at a distance from the walls of Konoha. It's clear that a good chunk of the trees have been decimated from the struggle that had just recently taken place to put the beast within the four-sided violet barrier that now holds it. Though the Kaguya had unfortunately managed to escape with the Yin shadow that appeared to control it. Shikan said he would intensify his search in the Nara archives for information on it once they had the chance but for now sealing the nine tailed fox was the priority. The chakra blindfold had however dissipated when the Kaguya had escaped so something good had at the very least come out of it.
A cave was set up right next to one of the barriers sides with only a foot or so between the two, guarded by shinobi from both the Nara and Sarutobi clans. Within it, the cave was large and spacious though not overly deep and already had an extensive sealing matrix drawn out across a section of the walls. Mukan and Hiruno were looking at the drawn-out seals with a critical eye while Tobirama was reviewing the scroll in his hands intently. Hikaku was holding Kagami in his arms. Ironically the boy seemed to be the most relaxed of the shinobi present and more curious then wary at what was about to occur. His chest felt tight as he looked at the young boy. He could almost see Kagami's mother, her eyes tight and flashing in disproval and Kagami's father his face pale with fury. There was nothing he could do now but hope that the sealing was successful. His gut clenched at the specters of Kagami's family but the fate of the entire village and its survival was at stake.
In the corner of his eye he saw Touka, she looked exceedingly displeased at the situation, though Madara could not find it in himself to blame her. Thankfully she didn't approach him, but instead approached Tobirama and said something in a tone too low for him to hear before taking up what looked like a defensive position in one of the corners of the cave.
Tobirama having noticed him from when he looked up to speak with Touka rolled the scroll he'd been holding closed before approaching him. "Hikaku and I spoke with Kagami and explained the sealing process to him. Although elder Norusana will put him to sleep and monitor him the entire time. To him not much will seem to change, according to the Uzumaki ambassador, until he is able to reach the nine tailed fox in his mind. Which is something the Uzumaki Jinchuriki and any Jinchuriki should be capable of. I also informed him that I will be adopting him into the Senju clan. As for the ritual itself. It is fairly simple to initiate, though it appears to be long and taxing and will require most if not all of my chakra."
"That is correct." Mukan said as he and Hiruno approached them. "If anything goes wrong toward the end of the sealing Hiruno will finish it. I will be monitoring the fluctuations of chakra at all times. All the seals are already in place, we can begin the sealing when you are ready."
It takes a few minutes to arrange everyone. Touka, Hikaku and Shikan take point, Shikan stands closest to the cave's opening so he can signal when one of the walls should be partially opened. On the signal Madara is to take control of the nine tailed fox with his Sharingan and put it to sleep. Tobirama will then initiate the sealing process.
Kagami is put to sleep closer to the cave's wall on a sealing circle with extensively drawn symbols, with elder Norusana and several other healers close by. Tobirama stands at an angle and at a distance from the sealing circle. The large scroll he had been previously studying is unfurled on the ground before him, his chakra will act as a conduit to clear the miasma from the chakra of the tailed beast before it flows through the many sealing arrays and into the seal Kagami will have.
Mukan and Hiruno are standing at a distance from Tobirama as well and they will be able to assist him should something go wrong. The waiting with his Susanoo form activated is like the calm before a storm, it stretches from seconds into minutes as Shikan waits for Mukan to give the signal. It's almost frustrating how little he will be doing as opposed to Tobirama but there is nothing he can do to change that. Suddenly Mukan gave the signal, it happens quickly and the wall comes down. Madara grabbed the fox's head with the Susanoo and forced the chakra beast to look into his eyes his Sharingan activated. The fox tried to shake him off but he has too much at stake to let it succeed. It collapsed with a heavy and anticlimactic thud before Mukan gave another signal and the sealing begins.
Having completed his part of the mission Madara went to stand on the side by one of the cave's walls. His eyes follow the series of lengthy hand signs Tobirama goes through before the man clapped his hands together and initiated the sealing. It's not what he was expecting but its close. The chakra from the fox is siphoned off rapidly like a stream into the scroll now completely saturated and continuously infused with Tobirama's own chakra. Then tendrils of the fox's chakra siphon off and run along the seals drawn onto the walls before being siphoned into the sealing circle and then onto Kagami's shirt in the stomach area beneath which is likely the containment seal which will hold the chakra construct.
Nothing happened in the first few hours other than the clear and growing tensions in Tobirama's shoulders, the man is sweating profusely by the end of the sixth. By the seventh the man is gritting his teeth in pain and Mukan looks on edge. "It shouldn't be more then another hour now, the majority of the beast's chakra has already been transferred. The last hour will be the most critical. Whatever happens do not approach him."
Madara is tense, he's been tense ever since the sealing started if only because he's not sure what to expect should something go wrong. Nothing happens for another good half out but it's almost like he feels it when the flow of chakra shifts and Tobirama cries out in pain causing Madara himself to flinch at the unexpected sound. The man's muscles strain and suddenly the man is down on his knees chest heaving in clear agony. Before the screaming truly starts and the seals and shadows in the cave suddenly turn vivid with unnatural clarity.
He wants to step in and stop it, but he knows he can't. Though he can see he isn't the only one being affected. Hikaku is anxious, Touka looks downright frightened and close to tears to the point where Shikan, tense himself motions her out. She snarled at the man her hand gripping the hilt of her broadsword before Shikan gave her a look and she deflated before her focus turned back on Tobirama, who is clearly in too much pain to care that others can hear him screaming. Elder Norusana and Mukan are probably the only two that seem the most composed of those present, even Hiruno looks rather pale as he readies his own chakra in the case that he will need to take over.
Madara hadn't realized that he had also been gripping his Gunbai until he hears a snap and he sees that his hand is holding its broken hilt. He exhaled slowly though the tension in him mounts as he can see that Tobirama is barely holding on. He isn't sure what to do or how to help. He can tell that elder Norusana is getting ready to intervene if there is a need, as it looks more and more like the man won't be able to finish the sealing. The strain and the amount of chakra being used is immense, even a non-sensor shinobi like himself can feel it. The man's breaths are coming out faster his screams more ragged. Madara feels a line of sweat trickle down his own temple, the entire cave feels small and suffocating. Before suddenly with an unearthly growl the man pushes himself back to one knee. Madara isn't sure where Tobirama is pulling the strength or the chakra from because his Sharingan, somehow having activated without him realizing it, is showing him that Tobirama has barely any chakra left, but the man is suddenly in control of the sealing once more. The chakra from what is remaining of the nine tailed fox comes stronger and faster in an almost unnatural way before suddenly there is a hiss like the ceasing of a waterfall and the entire scroll before Tobirama disintegrates into dust. The man collapses and Madara finds himself running and catching him before he falls.
He feels a rushing in his ears akin to a flowing river before hands are shaking him and pulling him away. He blinks away the darkness around his vision only to see that Shikan has taken his place half lifting Tobirama from the cave floor while elder Norusana runs a diagnostic jutsu on his chakra system.
"Hokage sama…Hokage sama…Madara?"
Inon is shaking him by his shoulders with Shibiro standing right behind him his face full of concern. The lightheadedness recedes sharply and he is back to himself. "What happened? How is Tobirama?"
"The elder, is checking him over right now." Inon is frowning. "You were a bit out of it, how do you feel?"
"Fine." The word came out sharper than he'd intended. He exhaled slowly, trying to release the tension that he hadn't realized had built up in the past hour.
"How is Kagami?" His eyes went to the boy who was being looked over by two other healers. Elder Norusana as well rose from Tobriama's side and ran her own diagnostic scan on Kagami, who was still asleep, with her chakra. "The boys chakra system is stable. None of the fox's chakra is leaking through, the sealing was a success." He feels something relax within him at the knowledge that the boy survived what looks to be a successful sealing.
"Naturally, the seal is after all an Uzumaki creation." Mukan said running a hand through his beard. He seemed pleased, with himself. Madara wanted to point out that that indeed was the extent of the contribution of the Uzumaki but decided against it if only because he was feeling generous. "How is Tobirama?" Thankfully that came out as a question and not an anxiety laden command.
The elder did not seem alarmed but she did not seem too pleased either. "His chakra is drained. I have transferred some of my own to sustain him. But his system is strained and inflamed. He has severe chakra exhaustion and I doubt he will be awake for the next week or so. Not to mention the severe strain his body has been put through. That being said…he very nearly did not make it. I don't recommend he ever perform another such sealing because he just barely survived this one."
"That is understandable." The relief Madara suddenly feels is overwhelming. They did it, the village is safe. The Kaguya have severely miscalculated Konoha, a mistake he will make sure they learn well. The past night and this day have been exhausting but he is still the Hokage which means he is still needed to give orders for the cleanup. The Aburame push the cave back into the earth, and the rest of the shinobi disperse back behind Konoha.
He gives out more orders on the villages defenses but thankfully it looks to be that the chakra beast had been the extent of the Kaguya's current plan. Although the sealing was successful, he is still furious with Hikaku not to mention the way the Uzumaki who claim to be their allies have been handling the entire situation, keeping crucial information to themselves until the last possible moment. Even if Madara isn't sure that would have made much of a difference in this specific instance. Then there is Tobirama…he had thought of the man as his friend and had assumed Tobirama thought the same and yet…that was not how Tobirama seemed to see it…. There is also all the repairs that need to be done and some new training regiments that need to be implemented for all shinobi in light of the recent attack. There is so much on his mind and yet he is so tired that he thinks he will deal with it all tomorrow after a good long rest.