This chapter has been reviewed for better quality purposes, happy reading! :)
The Adversity of The Warring States
Three months had elapsed since Mito's arrival to Uzushiogakure, and indeed, the family reunion had given the Uzumaki clan leader a sense of peace. After two long years of separation, the stronghold became lively again and the clan celebrated Mito's soon to be motherhood. Mito had now approached her seventh month and was scheduled to leave for the Senju Estate in two weeks' time. The once curvy Mito now supported a large bump with a healthier build. It'd seemed that she was blessed with the perks of her pregnancy. Her once mid length hair had grown into a lush burgundy mane which reached her lower back. Her cheeks were naturally flushed, and her beauty had increased subtly as time kept passing. Her aversiveness to the select few things had stayed but she had stopped throwing up profusely like she had in her first and second term.
Quite often, Mito and Mirai would stroll through the market place and shop for the baby or attend different healing springs to benefit from the mineral waters of Uzushio. Time had hastened, and things had progressed equally fast. Mito and Hashirama had been in consistent touch as soon as she'd left the Senju Estate. However, there were new additions to the communication being sent to the Senju now. Mirai and Tobirama had formed a way of speaking to each other through hand written letters over the last three months.
Once a month, she would write to him in hopes of maintaining her delicate bond to him as he was on the battlefield over the war with the Uchiha. Most days, she would just ruminate about her life with Tobirama at the Senju Estates if things went as planned.
Somewhere Outside of Uzushiogakure
Over the last few weeks, six undercover Uchiha soldiers had been positioned around Uzushiogakure. It wasn't just any unit of shinobi, it was a team of six elite sensory and doujutsu shinobi who performed special operations within the Uchiha army. Some would even say that the special unit had surpassed Tobirama Senju's skill due to their ocular prowess. They had been on standby for the last few weeks now. The captain of the unit kneeled onto the ground as he drew a map with his kunai to instruct those around him.
Hikaru Uchiha.
The Ace of the specialized unit.
The prodigy of the Uchiha Academy, who graduated two years earlier than those around him. He'd had the privilege of training with the Uchiha brothers and his power scale rivalled that of Izuna Uchiha.
Hikaru was an orphan raised with the Uchiha brothers. When the clan elders had noticed his unwavering potential, they invested into his training and upbringing. He stood at a staggering six feet two and resembled the Uchiha traits with pale skin, slanted coal eyes, and long black hair tied in a high ponytail. His pointed nose and high cheekbones gave him a sharp appearance. He supported a faint scar on the right side of his forehead; courtesy of a childhood sparring accident with Madara, who he swore utmost loyalty to. His lean build had been graced with a dark blue soldier vest resembling Izuna's warfare apparel.
Madara had ordered Hikaru's unit on standby at the outer junction of the whirlpool village to monitor for activity. They infiltrated the village to gather intel and intercepted messengers between the Senju and Uzumaki. For them, it was easy to tamper with the Uzumaki's because of the Sharingan. Recently, Hikaru's unit had intercepted a few messengers, only to find some interesting information which was sent to the Uchiha elders after it's discovery.
In all cases, the Uzumaki messengers were led under the control of the Doujutsu of the Sharingan. The strength of the hypnosis would be strong enough to place the messengers in an illusion and the message scrolls would be read for the gist. The messenger would then be released from the doujutsu to carry on with their duties with no recollection of the interception. So far, all information that had been relayed to the Uchiha elders consisted of Ashina Uzumaki's discussion of war formation strategies with Hashirama Senju. Furthermore, there were letters written to Hashirama from his wife, and then came a strange discovery… letters addressed to the second in command of the Senju from the younger Uzumaki heiress.
'This should be interesting,' his brow raised as he sent word to the Uchiha elders.
At the Uchiha Stronghold.
Prior to calling the final meeting before Madara left for battle, Mikoto Uchiha stood in the balcony of the library with a scroll in her hand as she smoked her pipe, letting its remnants float away with the slight breeze. Nothing ever escaped her critical eye for information. The shinobi unit sent to Uzushiogakure had been in place for the past few weeks or so, and she had finally received intel on the current affairs of the Uzumaki Clan.
Her mouth formed into a frown after releasing some smoke from her wrinkled lips. Her eyes scanned over the information in the scroll from Hikaru. The Uzumaki's had lent two thirds of their fighting power to the Uchiha's and had shared battle tactic information in their letters. 'Good,' she thought. This could surely work to the Uchiha advantage. An unguarded village is all they needed to threaten the Senju and Uzumaki. It was surprising to hear that Mito Uzumaki was with pup and due to give birth soon— 'even better,' she mused. She kept scanning the letter until some information caught her off guard though.
Letters addressed to Senju Tobirama from Uzumaki Mirai. From what it seemed, they shared a sentimental bond. Perhaps an illicit affair? Or unofficial courting? Mikoto tried to conjure various reasons. Almost immediately Mikoto sent notice for elders Kagami, Aki, and Hatori to arrange a meeting with Madara before he left for the battlefield. If there was an opportunity to strike, now was the time right moment. They would strategize this information to their advantage.
Mikoto sat down on a floor table within the library as the other elders arrived one after the other. "I have just received intel from Uzushiogakure, and the Uzumaki are on the move with the Senju. Two thirds of the Uzumaki army is waiting at the battlefront," she stated contemplatively.
"We seem to be at a disadvantage Mikoto-san," Frowned Aki Uchiha. "We just need to turn this around in a way that can benefit us. You must know that we have the strongest doujutsu and fire style users on the land. Even if they outnumber us, we can surely balance the scale with our skill," Hatori Uchiha argued.
"Mito is with child and she is currently staying with the Uzumaki clan." Mikoto revealed. "Such a naïve move on Hashirama's part. Leaving her open like that during a war," elder Kagami commented with distaste.
"But wait… you have not heard the most interesting news of all. Letters have been retrieved that are penned from Uzumaki Mirai to Tobirama Senju. They resemble a lover's intent, something illicit that could bring dishonor to her and her clan. Based on the natures of the letters, it seems that no one has a clue," Mikoto smiled cunningly. Kagami slightly raised her eyebrows while staring towards Mikoto. "She's the younger unmarried one…" she recalled.
"This seems to be a big scandal. We can always manipulate the situation and win the wager. Uzumaki Ashina would never promise both eggs to one basket. His clan has built around alliances for centuries now." Hatori replied in deep thought. "How so?" Aki questioned.
"The Uzumaki clan have the largest armies to date. Innumerable soldiers with deep chakra reserves. They have pledged loyalty to the Senju due to the Senju and Uzumaki union of Hashirama and Mito. If we approach the Uzumaki clan for the unmarried one, we can secure their trust. This could place us equally with the Senju. Our clan is one of the strongest out there and Madara holds considerable influence, so no clan would bypass the opportunity to sign a pact with us." Suggested Hatori.
"In addition to Hatori-san's point, since they have already sent two thirds of their forces off to war, they are in a vulnerable position. We already have our specialized unit on standby close to Uzushiogakure. We can threaten to attack the Uzumaki which implies an indirect attack to the pregnant Senju matriarch. They would never risk violence if the it would pertain to Hashirama's pregnant wife. We can then give them the option to settle the issue through a union alliance between the Uchiha and Uzumaki. I know that Tajima-sama, before his passing, had been observing the Uzumaki clan for a possible alliance." Mikoto suggested.
"It seems like a viable strategy. The Senju would not attack the Uzumaki clan allies out of pressure of their loyalty. We could possibly draw the Senju back to their own estates with this move but only if Uzumaki Ashina is pressured into accepting." Kagami said while sending a summons for Madara to arrive for their final meeting before he left for battle.
The decision had been made. Elders Kagami and Hatori would leave for Uzushiogakure immediately after their farewell to Madara. A proposal on behalf Madara would be sent to the Uzumaki clan head and Ashina Uchiha would have to make the difficult decision to avoid bloodshed and promise his younger one in union or risk an attack on his people which could possibly place his older daughter at risk.
Ruthless Uchiha politics.
On the battlefield
Blood washed over the slopes of the muddy terrain where the stench of lifeless shinobi lay scattered around the plains. Various Uchiha shinobi had fought with great valor as the Senju earth style countered the Uchiha fire style fiercely. Maroon Senju crested banners hung in the distance, mixed with a few orange banners which signified the Uzumaki crest. It had been three months since they had begun battling one another without showing any relent or restraint.
Not far off from the soldiers, stood Izuna, engaged in battle with a certain white haired general.
Izuna swung his kunai at Tobirama ferociously. Tobirama performed hand seals as he released his water style to drown Izuna within its wake. However, Izuna countered with his fire release which evaporated the water that was hurled at him. They continued for what seemed like hours. Both had endured assaults from each other which resulted in vicious wounds and physical advantages. Slices grazed Tobirama's forearm with blood smeared across his cheeks. His hitai-ate had cracked against his forehead as he continued to fight with all his vigor.
On the other hand, Izuna's warfare apparel had been ripped to shreds as he supported a largely grazed knee and a black eye. He'd just acquired a large cut on his shoulder from Tobirama's highly pressured water jutsu which made him wince.
No one dared to come close to those two.
In a far off vicinity, shinobi observed another battle between two fierce individuals that everyone had been afraid of intercepting even mistakenly. Fire burned around them, and lightning struck as they intercepted each other, circling one another like prey. The Shinobi no-Kami battled one another, blow after blow. Hashirama had summoned his god-like wooden statue which manifested the art of its hundred chakra fists. Highly condensed spheres of molded chakra energy were hurled at the Uchiha clan leader. In return, Madara raised two fingers to his lips in a concentrated motion, "Kuchiyose no-justsu!" he called out, summoning his notoriously famous demon nine-tailed fox. It ripped at Hashirama and his statue without mercy, while releasing condensed tailed beast chakra spheres.
MADARAAAA!
HASHIRAMAAA!
They both charged towards each other in full swing.
Hashirama finally released his Mokuton, wood style. Branches of wood with thorns formed a forest like terrain around Madara, shooting numerous thorns from its branches at him as they kept growing in length and width. With each new branch, more thorns followed. It was Hashirama's deep forest emergence technique where it spread rapidly over the area and its thorns consisted of poison. Their chakras were so immense and thick that it caused the ground to crack and the rubble to turn to dust around them.
Madara immediately performed his hand seals countering Hashirama's Mokuton with his Katon jutsu. Thousands of inferno spheres rose from the heavens while shooting down upon Hashirama's forest like comets. It was a rare sight.
Hashirama manipulated the wood element and created a large barrier shield, however, the countless fire attacks wore his shield down. He flew from behind his shield at godly speeds charging at Madara with his ken-jutsu. Madara smirked as he now stood on a ledge of a now disintegrated mountain.
'Perfect,' he thought. Three tomoe's swirled in his eyes as his coal eyes turned transformed into the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Hashirama carried on with a perplexed expression, he watched Madara copy his hand seals with accuracy and speed. The Uchiha had finally resorted to using his prowess, and both shinobi refused to back down.
Somewhere outside Uzushiogakure
Two Uchiha crested palanquins had been transported from the Uchiha lands towards the border of Uzushiogakure. Uchiha elders Hatori and Kagami had commenced their journey for the Uzumaki settlements. The motive of the summit was to get Ashina to bend to their will. A difficult feat, but not impossible and if he would refuse, his clan would risk an attack by the Uchiha shinobi already strategically placed outside of Uzushiogakure.
While Madara and Izuna led the Uchiha armies on the battlefront, the elders would work in the background to ensure that the threat of the Senju and Uzumaki would lessened. The palanquins had been granted access to the humid Uzushio plains. Even though it had been the month of September, it was still too humid and warm in the land of whirlpools.
Hikaru's special unit was still on standby as they were joined by three hundred other Shinobi dispersed in the vicinity who were the Uchiha elders entourage. They were all waiting for the signal to barrage Uzumaki soil once given the orders to do so. News had travelled fast through the Uchiha forces. The briefing they had received in the morning indicated that the Uchiha's were leading at the battlefront with the Senju and Uzumaki. Ofcourse, the Senju and Uzumaki army was larger than the Uchiha army. However, intercepting their communication had proven useful.
The third fleet was now awaiting orders under Hikaru's lead.
Uzumaki Stronghold
Ashina Uzumaki had been working on sending a few important scrolls to the Senju on the battlefield when suddenly, he was abruptly interrupted by a messenger.
"My lord, Uchiha convoys have arrived at the south entrance and they await your approval to enter," Ashina sat at his table speechless. 'The Uchiha?! They dare to step on Uzushiogakure soil in the midst of a battle?' He thought. Almost immediately, Ashina sent for his remaining army to close the gap around the stronghold and Uzushiogakure plains. Furthermore, he instructed that all civilians be evacuated within their subterranean caves facing the north entrance, so to escape in a dire situation occured.
The Uzumaki clan leader had left no measure to the imagination. He knew what this move could possibly imply. Messenger hawks were released around the stronghold to inform soldiers to brace themselves for any combat situations if need be. In some other part of the stronghold, Mirai had been sitting behind Mito and braided her long beautiful locks as she hummed a lullaby that was sung to her when she was a child. She dwelled deeper into her thoughts as she wondered about Mito's motherhood, and the excitement of meeting her niece or nephew.
There was much to look forward to as she herself had been promised that once the battle between the Uchiha and Senju had subsided, Tobirama would approach her father. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she thought of herself being promised to Tobirama. She had been too lost in her thought that she did not notice Mito waving her hand in front of her. "You've been acting lost and strange ever since we have returned from the Senju Estates," Mito stated wiggling her eyebrows.
"What? No! nothing of that sort!" Mirai defended herself. Mito smiled knowingly at her little sister.
"Do you really think Hashirama could keep anything from me?"
"I don't underst—"
"Tobirama is infatuated with you." she interrupted. Mirai's couldn't control the expression of shock which now rested on her face. Her face changed to fifty different shades of red as she stammered and tried to clear her throat. "Mira, I waited for you to tell me. You're certainly a sly one, hiding this from your Onee-san" Mito smirked.
Mirai suddenly bowed in apology to her elder sister.
"Gomen! I just didn't know, I mean… I didn't know what to say. Tobirama hadn't given me any inclination that I could tell anyone" she stammered, still shocked. Mito started laughing.
"Silly girl, not that Hashirama had told me willingly, he was a little tipsy on the sake when he had come home that night. He'd mentioned that Tobirama had spoken to him of you," she said knowingly. "One-san, I don't know what to say." Mirai countered.
"You don't need to say anything Mira, just accept him once he courts you formally with father's permission," Mito smiled pleasantly at her little sister.
Ofcourse it was perfect. To think that her little sister would be a part of a similar union as her and being wives to the two most revered shinobi in the lands. It was all too pleasant to imagine. Mirai smiled shyly as she stared at her lap. This was certainly turning out in her favor, she thought, when suddenly, a messenger burst through the shoji panels of her room.
"Hime-sama, the stronghold is under alert! Uchiha shinobi have been spotted in our vicinity close to the Southern entrance and Mirai-sama and Mito-sama have been ordered to evacuate to the underground caves facing the North entrance."
"WHAT?" both women yelled in unison. Mirai rushed to help Mito off the ground to stand. "Uchiha Palanquins are waiting at the village entrance as we speak. It seems like a delegation of elders, but Ashina-sama has taken the liberty to stay alert as our shinobi are fighting on the front lines with the Senju. Everyone except Ashina-sama, the elders and shinobi in the stronghold shall be escorted to the North." The messenger continued.
Mito looked on in protest as Mirai intercepted. "Onee-san, we have to adhere to the code, we can't take any risks with you here. Please don't think of retaliating," she pleaded which quickly packing a few things in a nearby satchel. They would not question their father's orders. If it was to do with the Uchiha, it concerned Mito as she was a Senju now. They were quickly evacuated from the stronghold in an hour walk towards the Northern entrance.
Upon arriving at the subterranean caves, they were greeted by a myriad of Uzumaki civilians. They could see people huddled in close as they were instructed to move closer to the Northern entrance.
At the Uzumaki Stronghold, Ashina Uzumaki granted permissions for the two palanquins accompanied by a handful of Uchiha shinobi to immigrate towards the Uzumaki stronghold. Within an hours' time, the entourage with the palanquins had arrived at the stronghold. Ashina stood at the entrance with his few trusted soldiers as he watched the entourage make its way towards the entrance of the stronghold. 'There seems to be no threat so far, but one wrong move and those Uchiha's could turn into ruthless killers,' he thought to himself.
Two palanquins landed close to him and as two famous advisors to the deceased Tajima Uchiha gracefully climbed out.
Ashina bowed in respect, spotting Uchiha Kagami and Uchiha Hatori in all their valor. It didn't matter that they were enemies at the moment, protocol required him to invite the Uchiha council in due their positions. "Ashina-san, it has been long." Hatori stated returning the bow. Kagami bowed her head in respect and proceeded to state the matter for their sudden visit. "Ashina-san, our apologies for not sending a summons in advance for our sudden visit. We are here on urgent notice because we have some important propositions to discuss if you grant us to do so. If you shall accept the nature of them, it would be humble of you. This is only a delegation for now."
It was partially a lie. Truthfully, if Ashina would have stated his qualms and rebelled, Kagami Uchiha, with a flick of her wrist would have ordered the specialized unit outside the grounds to attack and destroy the village without remorse.
"I invite you to my humble abode, if it is a matter of peace you come for." Ashina said albeit too sternly. His tall and broad frame walked though the double gates of his private meeting hall. The Uchiha's were invited inside the stronghold and now sat in front of him.
"Ashina-sama, I must say, Uzushiogakure has a more beautiful landscape than the territory occupied by the Uchiha. The last I saw it all, I was quite young. At the time, the late Hisa-sama was amongst the living. Such a gentle soul she was" Kagami smiled shrewdly.
That's right, lure him in, thought Hatori.
Ashina smiled slightly at the mention of his first wife. They certainly had mastered the manipulation of emotions. Cunning as ever, Kagami Uchiha; the woman who had served as a vicious kunoichi in her time. Age had taken its course, but it had not altered her wicked nature.
"I appreciate your thoughts on Uzushiogakure, the beauty is in the eye of the beholder," Ashina replied humbly.
"Mito and Mirai, grew up without mothers, how unfortunate it was when we'd heard that both of your wives had been short-lived." Kagami sympathized further with Ashina as she tried to get straight to their motive. The sudden need to bring up his wives and circumstances hit Ashina. Kagami sensing his unease, suddenly changed the course of her points. "However, leaving the past to the past, your daughters have grown into two beautiful women. It was such an adequate decision to have aligned with Senju ideals to gain the upper hand in the shinobi world. We respect your clan values and wish to assimilate based upon certain propositions."
"That sounds like the feasible idea but what are your propositions?" Ashina questioned feeling a little relieved that it was based on assimilation rather than war. Ashina viewed everything from a clan leaders' perspective even when it concerned his daughters and in the past, he had secured Mito's alliance with Hashirama to benefit the Uzumaki. It would benefit his clan to not have the threat of the Uchiha. They were ruthless, and at no point were the Uzumaki's equipped to deal with them despite outnumbering them.
The September humidity had rolled in, affording the atmosphere some dampness as the three individuals sat in the early morning heat.
"Mirai is of age, and so is Madara-sama." The comment made by elder Hatori had finally hit the nail in the coffin. Ashina realized that they did not just come with the intentions of peace talks, they had wanted to form a marital alliance to the Uzumaki clan, but he was unsure if he could afford to take such a decision due to his loyalty to the Senju.
Ashina inhaled sharply, "but, I understand that there is a nine-year age gap between them." he relayed contemplatively. Ashina was desperately looking for a way out before his hand was forced.
"Ashina-sama, surely, I do remember Hisa-sama being ten years your junior. Let's not be silly here. There must be other reservations that you may carry." elder Hatori countered quickly. "We have extended this alliance to benefit both clans. We understand that the Uzumaki have mostly relied on alliances to gain favor of other clans in the past." Kagami reasoned.
"We did, and we still do, but while being aligned with Senju ideals, I cannot accept this for now." Ashina replied sternly. "Ashina-san, we have brought one third of our most skilled shinobi to your landscape in hopes that they could witness the beauty of the whirlpool village, and I must say, they have been enjoying the Uzushiogakure plains quite a bit, but if need be, their bloodlust can be re-exercised." Kagami smiled coyly. The statement had sent Ashina's nerves flying.
"Ashina-sama, please don't misinterpret our intent. We did not come here to slaughter your brethren, and I understand your sentiments as a father. However, I do urge you to reconsider. Being of noble blood, for your daughter, it's better than fornicating with Tobirama Senju." Hatori contended. "What do you mean fornicating with Tobirama Senju? Do you Uchiha even understand the consequence of such an accusation?!" Ashina slightly raised his voice. His insides burned. The audacity of them speaking about the Uzumaki honor and pride. His daughter would never taint herself this way.
"I understand that you are shocked to hear it but we have valid grounds to assume as such. Letters addressed to Tobirama Senju have been retrieved and we can present the letters to you if you would so prefer. For validity purposes, they contain the Uzumaki crest and seal. Your daughter chose a strong contender, but we also know that the Uzumaki don't place all their bets in one pile." Hatori explained his point as he shifted in his sitting posture. "Having Mito and Mirai in the same house may create inner tensions as Touka Senju was chosen by Butsuma Senju for Tobirama Senju's hand in marriage. We know for a fact that the Senju will not take another Uzumaki amongst their ranks in order to preserve their bloodline through Tobirama Senju. You see Ashina-san, we bear no ill will. This will serve as a lasting Uchiha to Uzumaki alliance if you agree to it. Further, This protects your daughter's interests and future as well." elder Hatori insisted in a softer tone.
'This should do it,' elder Kagami thought. Ashina had been shocked with the information haul he had received. The Uchiha carried a valid point. The Senju's would never accept another Uzumaki in their ranks. The Senju council would insist on preserving Senju lineage through Tobirama since Hashirama had been promised for the sake of unity to the Uzumaki.
"Please provide me a weeks' time for the verdict." Ashina requested, feeling furious and disappointed with the news and over the nerve of the Uchiha delegation. He sat there, feeling hardened at his daughter's act. Knowing fully well which option served the Uzumaki interests at that moment. The Uchiha's had joined Ashina for lunch and had left that day with smug smiles. They had openly accused Mirai of debauchery, and about her breaking the noble conduct.
The threat of an Uchiha attack loomed on the Uzumaki, and instilled fear because it would be detrimental to Mito's safety, who was expecting her first child with Hashirama.
Ashina sat in his meeting hall alone as he pinched the bridge of his nose. This would change the course of history, and the nature of his alliance with the Senju.