"Itachi...It seems that in the end...I'm not so terrible after all."
Kisame Hoshigaki
Tobirama was accustomed to battling Izuna, it can even be said they breathed not only the same air, but at the same pace. Their steps. Their pivots. Everything was in sync, block and counter, avoid the Sharingan, avoid water jutsus or repel them with a fire jutsu.
However, he hadn't crossed paths with Souji until now. Souji was nothing short of a machine. His attack style...Worlds different than Izuna's.
He wiped blood away from his chin.
"I've been waiting to cross paths with you for a very long time, Senju Tobirama." Souji said in a ghastly low tone, steadily advancing on the white haired man despite whatever or whoever got in his way. The ground heaved all around them, cracking away into small fragments leaving rifts behind. "You shouldn't have instigated this conflict, you little bastard, your brother isn't here to protect you."
Tobirama blocked the next overhead swing, dashing in Souji's guard, slashing at his side, but Souji stepped completely around the stroke. Now behind Tobirama, he raised his sword with both hands.
Tobirama dashed to the side, winds screaming against his face. He swiped against the follow up attack gritting his teeth, and swung knocking the blade away from his face, but the impact sent him scraping across the ground.
Souji slammed forward, fist rattling against his jaw, sending Tobirama flying back, shattering a nearby branch.
"Damn you..." Tobirama hissed.
"It's about time somebody puts you Senju fucks in your place." Souji snarled. "I'm going to twist your head right from your shoulders."
"I'd love to see you try."
Their battle resumed at a fever pitch!
Tobirama snarled, putting on another numbing burst of speed as he pressed Souji back step by step. Slash by slash. Stab by stab. Each of their attacks shaking their bones, jarring their joints into action, Tobirama grunted shifting his stance as a shock wave slammed through him starting from his wrists. Finally, after a punch and kick connecting respectively, and Souji nearly taking off Tobirama's head, they dispersed from each other.
The bodies of those who came too close spotting around them.
"You Domou..." Tobirama's eyes glinted.
"Heh..." Souji chuckled softly as he shifted his stance, sheathing his sword once more. Eyes steady.
"What's so funny?" Tobirama snarled, brushing some dirt off his shoulder, hand hovering over the spot where Souji slammed his fist. It wasn't severe. No broken bones. But it was definitely going to leave a nasty bruise. I need to take him out now...I was expecting him to be powerful, but not this much. He thought silently, glancing at his arms, which were starting to shake. It was taking all he had, physically and chakra wise, to just keep his sword gripped.
Souji's eyes glinted dangerously. "You Senju are supposed to be proficient in all the shinobi arts, but your kenjutsu is laughable."
"Don't get ahead of yourself." Tobirama snarled, not giving into his taunt. He shifted his stance, raising his sword so the back of the blade was nearly resting on his shoulder.
"Tch." Souji scoffed.
Tobirama grunted audibly, gladly closing the gap between them.
Souji surged forward, his chakra erupting, one fist impacted with Tobirama's jaw, but he continued forcing his way forward. He slashed down violently hoping to tear into his foe's armor. As he expected, Souji dodged with ease, blocking his attack and pressed against him as he shoved one foot forward, clenching the ground with his toes.
"Nrrgghh!" Tobirama forcibly stopped his trek, right leg shaking once as he pressed his instep into the ground, bracing his wrists with all of his chakra. He snapped forward, twisting sharply in the same motion, narrowly breaking the stalemate.
He moved rapidly arcing upwards blocking another thunderous stroke and returned one for good measure, only for it to be blocked expertly by the older man.
Tobirama surged his chakra once again, a light blue cloak enshrouding him deftly as he dashed towards Souji. He slammed his blade against the older man's, teeth grit. He pulled back his fist and sent it forward. Souji ducked under and twisted in the same motion, grabbing him by the wrist with one hand and hammered his shin into his ribs. Tobirama coughed out a mouthful of blood, nearly gagging on his own crimson substance, and with one swift movement rammed his foot into Souji's chest sending him into nearest remnants of a mammoth earth wall, not so surprisingly tearing away at what was left.
BOOOM!
The ground shook as Souji tossed aside the debris with ease. The huge piece of rock slid off to the side, crumbling as it did and leaving a trail behind.
Tobirama took the opening. Tobirama's blade only an inch from puncturing Souji's neck, but lost its edge as it swiped clean through the air. With a quick turn, Tobirama beamed right toward his foe, Souji overpowering Tobirama in a frightening display of physicality sending him darting off to the side. His trajectory was not halted in the slightest.
Tobirama took the opening, sending ten shuriken screaming forward and flashing through two hand seals multiplying the shurikens by one hundred fold.
Souji pivoted through the cloud of agonizing steel, deflecting and batting aside any that came within his reach.
Tobirama narrowed his eyes as far as they could go.
Souji just stared more intently.
Tobirama shifted one way narrowly avoiding a cut to his neck, the deafening screech of his blade against Souji's slammed against his eardrums. He easily blocked his follow up series of slashes all of them aimed for his neck, face, and eyes, dancing around them with swift footwork when they came too close or Souji tried to step into his guard to press the attack.
Souji swiveled away from measured stab, shifting his footing and springing forward. He missed the first slash and twisted ramming the blade against his sword narrowly blocking another slash. He pushed up, teeth grounding against each other, his wrist absorbed all of the impact driving his feet into the sand around him and forcing it to fly away.
Tobirama launched a quick punch forward just missing Souji's jaw as he leaned back and away from the strike.
They collided once more in a series of spins, stabs, and slashes. Tobirama's fury and hatred growing by the second as he skewed just a few inches away from Souji's trachea every time-it was like he was reading his mind. Tobirama began rapidly twisting away from his measured and concise sweeping stabs.
Tobirama shifted on a dime, pivoting to his left just as Souji made to slice into his side. Tobirama spun sharply completing his turn and slashed towards Souji's back. The familiar pounding resistance was there before he slid back from the impact.
"I retract my previous statement." Souji hissed. One. Two. Three. He stepped forward. His steps deliberate and threatening for a moment before he shifted and forced himself to a halt. "Your kenjutsu is exceptional, it's just your strength that is lacking."
He's strong... Tobirama noted mentally shifting his footing and clasping the hilt of his sword with both hands once more. If he could goad Souji into jumping, he'd be able to defeat him or at least put him on the defensive for a moment and use a water jutsu, but if he stayed at close range that could be a problem.
Souji attacked first launching himself forward with a powerful flourish. He swiped upwards gripping his sword with one hand adding momentum to the swing, Tobirama deftly shifted around the stroke lashing out with a quick stab which Souji dodged promptly lashing out with another slash.
Tobirama swung forward deflecting the first slash and stepped forward blocking the second.
"Hgggnnhhh." His teeth ground against each other as he shoved forwards ignoring the hot and jutting pain of his wrists being bombarded. Tobirama hastily correcting his footwork off balance by just a degree, sprung forward, easily clearing the distance between them and struck low for his stomach. Souji shifted around his stroke, sliding to a stop and slashing towards his head.
Tobirama ducked just an inch under the swiping steel.
Night finally arrived. The cloudy skies broke away, secluded under the cloak of darkness that settled over everything with endless bright ripples waning and shining.
For many it would cause worry and fear to bubble from within.
When it was dark...Shinobi could flourish, like shadows.
Death was a guarantee.
But, for him, the Shimura, this was their home.
The shadows.
Darkness.
Danzo ran a hand through his spiky hair, eyes wary but focused as he scanned his surroundings, making his way back to camp. He just turned eight and had steadily proved himself, enough that Daishiro put him on this task with one of his most trusted men-Hoshi. There were Shimura everywhere, of course, this being one of their outposts. Giving a constant influx of shinobi to the nearby region and throughout the Fire country. It was systematical really. In total they numbered in the high eight thousand range, at this outpost, but he wasn't foolish enough to believe they held the upper hand. Right now was such a crucial time, if anyone slipped up...
The Akimichi had been in the area, and it didn't come as such a surprise considering Atsushi and second in command-Hiroshi were in the next region heading a war against his own clan, the Sarutobi, Subatsu, Hyuga, Hageshii, Shainingu, Senju, Uchiha, Domou, and the Hatake.
He made short work of them whenever he did encounter them. They were powerful, physically, but their large bodies in comparison to his own gave him many openings to exploit. Akimichi were not just massive, but extremely tall as well, some tipped the scales at nine feet easily. However, As long as they didn't use the Expansion Jutsu, which they were feared for, he'd remain in the clear. There were few ways to combat a literal giant.
And, then there was the problem with the Yuki, Kagyua, Hoshigaki, Hozuki, and any clan remotely in the Water country coming over in boatloads, after the Uzumaki-the Yuki in particular, the rest going after everyone else in the process following the Yuki and battling each other on the way.
They were getting close to the mainland-near the Ocean country and Fisherman Isle.
Danzo shook his head again continuing his stride. It was such a strange time to live, all of these clans were clustering together. Before it wouldn't be like this. The Yuki and the rest of them remained on the islands surrounding the mainland battling each other day and night, the Hoshigaki with their near endless chakra and able to undergo a strange transformation, would kill until the waters turned red...And it wouldn't wash away.
The Kagyua were just...Bloodthirsty and killed anything that moved, don't let it be Terumi, Hoshigaki, or especially a Yuki , they'd impale him or her.
With all of this happening it wasn't a surprise he had the role he did, and he would prove himself more than capable.
The world was changing, a new wind was starting to blow through...Whether they clashed with the tides or flowed with them...
The world wouldn't be the same after this.
"I've got a message from Daishiro-sama, Hoshi-san." Danzo addressed the older man with scruffy brown hair and slender dark eyes in a formal manner. "He wants us to continue things as we have been, but we are to focus along the coast. From his interrogation of the Uzumaki heiress, it is believed that the Yuki believe that one of the Uzumaki stole their prized and famed Hyoton scroll right under their noses. The Yuki intend on launching a full scale attack on the Uzumaki. Naturally, this means the Hoshigaki, Kagyua, Hozuki, Terumi, and any other clan from that area are going to be coming over in boatloads."
Daishiro was well ahead in foreseeing this. It was one of the reasons he was in the next region.
"Have the borders begun to merge?" Hoshi asked, his slender eyes gleaming under the cover of darkness.
"Not yet, but with the way things are it's only a matter of time. As of a few hours ago, Daishiro made contact with Madara, Sasuke, and Mikito, Tobirama instigated the whole thing it would seem crossing into the Sand country while striking out several of the Wind's forces. Their forces are battling as we speak." Danzo answered with a steady gaze.
This is what they were anticipating, the Earth damiyo declaring war-declaring war on the hundreds of thousands of countries and villages in the region.
the Sand, Dune, Dunes, Desert, Wind, and so forth. Everything was going smoothly, and even better, Tunoichi and Hajime made things shift over that much faster. "There is also rumors that there are two or three Tailed Beasts in the region as well as groups of Cyclops."
"The Earth damiyo is the most arrogant of the damiyos, but he also doesn't trust anyone. He'll make his move very soon." Hoshi smirked, his stubble showing against the light of the fire. "Once the Yuki make it here, I'm sure the fool will declare war on the Water damiyo." By then it'd just be a matter of waiting-the Fire damiyo avoided conflict at all costs, even to the point of seeming like a pacifist, he'd take a bit more convincing. No doubt he'd contact the Senju. "We're going to need to make our move before this."
Danzo nodded in agreement. Once that happened the borders would merge, and it'd turn into a battle for territory between the two regions, and the two regions themselves. Expansion. And then it'd shift into the ocean, and the thousands of islands that were spread across-and countries like the Monsoon, Hurricane, Thunder, Snow, Ocean, Ocean Isle, Fisherman Island, and all the surrounding ones would be pulled into it.
"We should deal the Sarutobi and Senju a blow, they have two units near the borders of the Fire country, and with with the Sarutobi's second in command Genzo now in the next region they've become a bit more brazen than usual. And, the Senju have been pesky around our borders as well, they should be dealt with swiftly." Hoshi's eyes narrowed, if possible, as he mulled this over in his mind before they started to glint. "Syrus ended the alliance he had with the Senju, so we won't need to worry about those wolves teaming with them anymore."
Danzo nodded.
Of course, the Sarutobi were always hard to deal with. They were very powerful, and had very strong wills. There was just no quit in them, and they'd keep going until they died or killed over from exhaustion, wounds, and blood loss. And, then there was their leader Sasuke, for months now he was battling Hashirama, Madara, Mikito, just to name a few and each time it was always to a near stalemate. Their battles were so fierce and destructive they were changing the landscape, he swore he could feel the tremors from his current location a few times or see wisps fire fizzling out to ash.
The Senju were always troublesome, but with the Subatsu backing them they were nearly unbeatable. The Senju bashed their way through, they were forward, forward, and the Subatsu were just savage-like wolves. They didn't bother holding anything back. They'd cut off fingers, cut into the cheek, the forehead, rip off an arm or head with their bare hands. They'd leave a trail of carnage and mayhem in their wake, covered in the blood of their numerous foes.
But, now they didn't need to worry about that ever present danger of the Subatsu.
And, then there was Hiruzen. That boy was very skilled and powerful, and could prove to be problematic.
"I agree. The privy details are in the scroll." Danzo nodded, handing the scroll to Hoshi. "I'll lead this mission. The Senju should already be in route to the next region, I can cut them off or set up a trap and finish them within an instant."
Hoshi's eyes flashed dangerously. "Chojo and his pack of Inuzuka are in the area. It seems they're looking for Usagi." He had to keep things running smoothly here, and couldn't do it himself. Danzo was skilled and very strong, but he was going to be walking into a minefield. When Inuzuka fought they went after everyone and everything, including the dirt and trees, the odds of survival were slim.
"I can use that to my advantage. They should be able to lead me straight to the Sarutobi's outpost." Danzo didn't look away from the older man. He wouldn't show any weakness or hesitance. Basically, Hoshi was saying no. He wanted to send somebody with more experience-which could only help in a situation like this, with all due respect he was only eight years old. People walked into less than this and never made it out alive, this was just nothing short of a huge mess. "You need to stay here and keep things running smoothly, you can't afford to send somebody with more experience because you need them here in case there is a surprise attack."
Hoshi stared at him long and hard. Danzo remained proper, not wavering under the intense and narrow gaze of his superior. He'd prove himself to be more than capable, he'd complete the mission to perfection. The Senju and Sarutobi didn't stand a chance.
"Don't leave anything remaining, burn the bodies when you're finished." Hoshi ordered, nodding his head. "Avoid the Domou and Subatsu the best you can, do not confront them. Take a unit of ten or twelve men with you, be careful in your selection process. Set up traps on near the coastline, when those clans cross over we'll know they're here and blow them to pieces...By that time Daishiro should be finished in the next region."
Danzo gave a slight nod, brows furrowing a little. He could feel the pressure, but he stood ready and proud, it was crunch time and he would succeed.
All these clans were dangerous, but the Domou and Subatsu were so ferocious...Savage. Primitive. They would sooner rip a person in half than execute a jutsu, their strength was just ridiculous. His focus wasn't really the Domou or Subatsu anyways, in the long run, his one focus was Hiruzen and the mission at large. Proving himself once again. Taking some Senju, and flooding the coastline with traps. It was always good to deal the Senju a swift and lethal blow. "I got it, I'll leave within the hour."
Izuna was a skilled liar. So much so that even Madara couldn't tell at times when he was lying. It was easy to forget about him, after all, he didn't use his Mangekyo half as much as Madara does, it didn't make him any less, but Madara was the leader and all eyes were on him. Than himself. He never cared for all the attention anyways, he could continue working like this while Madara was in the limelight.
Of course, he was getting the uniforms made.
Madara was off doing what he did best. Fighting along with Mikito and Souji and the rest of their combined forces, including the Imperial army.
The shop owner was a bit apprehensive first seeing them enter, but Ahiko seemed to pacify him enough. It was a simple matter. He was terrified because of their recent deeds, he thought they'd cut him down because, well just because. Contrary to what people put out, the Uchiha were not mindless killers, and the Domou were far from being as such.
"These will take a week to finish." It was a middle aged man, narrow eyes and rough slightly tan skin. Definitely a native to the Sand. "If there's anything else, just come up to my desk, my assistant will help the best he can or inform me."
He traced his eyes around the shop as he sat down. There fine linens and materials. There was exquisite silk, cotton, just about anything there was to have when it came to clothes and making clothing. There was a great variety of colors as well, he was amazed when he seen this very bright green that almost looked like it was yellow. It was quite the sight, and would be good for identifying, but he sincerely doubted Madara would even look at it. "What's the matter, Ahiko? I thought you'd be more giddy about this. We'll unify our clans this way, well it'll be the start."
"We really shouldn't be doing this." Ahiko looked pensive as she sat just a few inches from Izuna, hands balled in her lap. She had marveled at her surroundings, but then the thought of an irate Madara entered her mind and that was spoiled. She wasn't afraid of Madara, but he could be quite loud when he wanted to be, and yelled quite a bit. However, Izuna's reasoning for this whole thing sort of made up for it, but some of the things he was saying just sounded crazy. "I really am trying to understand your reasoning, but some of the things you're saying are just crazy." She titled her head. "Why would Uchiha start defecting let alone to the Senju?"
She did suggest that Mikito ally herself and their clan with the Senju, of course Mikito refused, and she would just have to deal with that. Of course, she never judged, and some of the rumors of the Uchiha were true, but some of them were very skewed. They were a bit distant, some of them, and they kept their feelings bottled inside, but she had managed to pry into many. And, seeing her sister and Madara together, and Izuna and Yuko, it was clear that the Uchiha loved fiercely. There was no way Uchiha would defect to the Senju, they hated each other, either side would rather kill over than be remotely friendly.
So, her confusion was well warranted in her opinion, but Izuna kept on looking at her as if she were an idiot. Quite frankly she didn't like his expression. Souji usually had an annoyed expression on his face, Mikito's was always passive, but neither of them looked at her like she was an idiot. "Are you going to actually explain this Izuna, or just gawk at me for the next eight hours? I wonder how Yuko-chan would feel about that."
"Look, everyone is tired of the constant wars." Izuna said, noting that Ahiko clearly wasn't going to back down or consider even further until she got some answers. When people just thought of themselves, self preservation, there wasn't any length they wouldn't across, no rock they wouldn't flip over, as long as they survived that's all that mattered. Having no resolve, no pluck, no conviction. There were no rules or regulations put in place within the Uchiha that forbade defection and desertion. "Even members of my clan have grown tired and wary of the constant conflict, my brother is charismatic, but he's not like Hashirama."
Ahiko stayed silent.
"Hashirama appeals to the hearts of everyone, his silly dream of peace, of creating a village. My brother may not show it openly, but he is a dreamer, he's always dreamed of a time where there will be no conflict, where our clans won't battle each other. Where clans won't battle each other." Izuna kept his tone neutral, it was so easy to allow hatred and disdain to enter his tone whenever he talked about this. Madara had been the one to entertain, and even further this idea, and then together the Uchiha and Senju would bring peace to the world.
It was a load of bullshit, peace was impossible, people would always fight. Their clans were like oil and water. Maybe...Just maybe the village could be formed, but that's it...Once the time came to select a leader and anything along those lines it was going to fall apart.
People would side with Hashirama more than Madara...People feared the Uchiha, and for good reason. But, the simple fact was they'd side with Hashirama. He was more boisterous and jovial than Madara, and he was certain Tobirama would insert himself. Make it an open vote-as if civilians have any say in what goes on within the shinobi circle.
Put his brother in the seat of power.
But...Maybe, it could...It would...Work with the Domou...With the Subatsu...
He nearly jumped as Ahiko brought him out of his trance.
"You're afraid some Uchiha have already been swayed." Ahiko pieced it together, eyes narrowed as she really contemplated his words. Izuna was...He wasn't to be underestimated, he focused on the very small and subtle things, things Madara didn't care to even acknowledge until the time came and it reached its peak. She would hate to see what Madara would do to these Uchiha...Or maybe he'd let them go-after all they'd no longer be Uchiha. "That's why you've been pushing for our alliance this whole time. Looks like you're going to make your move."
"Now is the perfect time." Izuna seconded.
Ahiko sighed, massaging her head gently. "Agree to disagree."
"Only the Uchiha who are being outclassed have been or will be swayed. Also those who lack resolve are at risk. There are Uchiha who still have resolve and pluck, though." Izuna said a bit too calmly. Ahiko wasn't as perceptive as Mikito, but she was awfully close. "There's not another clan that loves so intensely as the Uchiha save for yours and the Subatsu. We Uchiha tend to conceal our...Emotions and more affectionate feelings, but when we find that one person, all of those emotions sort of come to the surface. Your clan and the Subatsu hold no such reservations."
"You're weeding them out." Ahiko realized, widening her eyes briefly. It wasn't exactly a surprise members from their respective clans weren't happy about the alliance, they could all be so stubborn, but as time progressed and they faced battles...There was reciprocation between them and they developed a rapport. It was long and hard, but they succeeded.
Her sister and Madara were married, Yuko had been with them for months in the compound, Aito and Misaka were married, Hikaku and Mitsuki were married, and if she wasn't mistaken there were several more Uchiha and Domou getting married, either that or they enjoyed staying in the shrines. But, for all of this and their tremendous progress, there were still more Uchiha who were rejecting this. Though, there was a short few in the Domou, but they were becoming silent.
"Our clans are similar in ways." Izuna noted, his smile appraising as he eyed Ahiko. He wasn't expecting her to pick that up, if he had to be honest. These Uchiha would weed themselves out, and it'd be noticed right away. That's why he was having new uniforms made for them. "But, we do have our drastic differences."
Ahiko nodded dumbly, not entirely sure what to say at this point. Izuna was weeding out his own clan members, and while it did sort of miff her he was doing such a thing, the Uchiha weren't known for their inter-clan relations, and there were many times defection and desertion was prominent in their clan's history. So, Izuna wasn't exactly wrong for taking these precautions, but the way he was talking there were Uchiha that already defected or were about to. Well, maybe she couldn't relate, after all nobody defected from the Domou, ever.
"You want to change the Uchiha..." Ahiko looked at her hands. They were lightly clenched. If he wanted to be allies with both of their clans, then that also meant he was going to implement their code and ethics. It was going to be a wake up call for many Uchiha, probably those who planned on defecting, and defecting...Well, it wouldn't be tolerated at all.
"You could say that."
"Well, I guess I'll do what I can to help you out." Ahiko sighed softly. Izuna made quite the convincing argument. And, he is her brother in law after all, it'd be a little wrong on her part if she didn't offer any assistance. "Getting these uniforms made is a good start, Izuna. I also like how you implemented our respective crests on the shoulders, sleeves, and backs. But, the crests merging sketches, not so much." She wasn't completely on board with it, but she would help him out and work out the small kinks, sometimes a woman's meticulous mind was the best thing to have on one's side. "I can't see Uchiha being happy about it, or people from my clan."
"What do you suggest then?"
"Here." Ahiko walked towards a shelf with forehead protectors. Some were pretty slim while others had horns or other things on them, there were a few that were very thick and wide like bandannas with long cloths. They were quite popular and widely used, by shinobi and your average person. They kept one's head and face protected, the off chance someone managed to land a blow, the steel protector would dull the attack just a bit. She picked up the bandanna type like one with the long cloth.
She couldn't see Mikito wearing this, for obvious reasons, or Souji. They'd both rip off somebody's arms if they tried to remove those red bands.
"We could all wear these. Even if everyone doesn't wear the new uniforms, they'll wear this." She waved the article at Izuna, who just stared at it for a long moment, as if he was pondering something. "We'll etch in the kanji for sincerity in the center." It was very fitting in her opinion.
"Sincerity?" Izuna raised an eyebrow.
Ahiko nodded.
"Ahiko, I think you're a genius." Izuna couldn't help but smile, amazed. He never would have considered sincerity, but it was fitting for both of their clans.
"Hahah, thanks." Ahiko laughed in good nature. She believed she was the furthest thing from a genius, contrary to what some people had to say. It was sorely obvious, glaringly so, that combining their respective crests wouldn't go over too well on either side. They were both proud, in that sense. It was also a better idea to make something new, something that symbolized they were together-Uchiha and Domou, something that could symbolize both of their clans. "Did you plan on changing the color of the uniforms?"
"Well..." Izuna blinked. He had been tempted to, but felt it really wasn't needed. Both of their clans wore blue, purple, and black for the most part. But, when he seen that very bright green he just had the urge to have the uniforms changed to that color, they'd recognize each other in the heat of battle without any issue. He had to consider Madara's feelings on it though, and Madara wouldn't wear that. "I considered it, but I didn't think it was necessary."
Ahiko sighed softly, resisting the urge to rub her forehead or run her hand through her hair. Men. It was so typical. There wasn't much sense in getting these uniforms made if they weren't going to change the color scheme. She had no problem with her blue and purple, but they were unifying, coming together. So, it only made sense that their uniform colors would change as well, at least to her-since they'd all be wearing them. And, they were unifying. "We can add some new colors then. You may not think it is necessary, but it will show that we're united. We're changing our uniforms so it's only natural we change or add colors, too."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive." Ahiko looked Izuna in the eye eye, just so she could get her point across. Men could be obstinate, and Izuna was no different. "I'm going to speak with the clerk or his assistant, have these made as well." She gestured towards the forehead protector. "Did you have any colors or color in mind? We can keep the blue, purple, and black, but we need something else, too."
Izuna felt himself smirking. He was almost sure Mikito would be a little hesitant to change colors, but Ahiko was quite different from her siblings. She was different from everyone that he knew. "That light green over there, and the red, also the light blue, gray, yellow, white, and violet, how's that?"
"Is that it?" Ahiko asked with a light laugh, making her way over to the bright colored fabrics. She was enjoying herself, surprisingly. No wonder Yuko was so smitten by Izuna.
She jabbed her finger at the colors, giving Izuna a steady but curious gaze. She had nothing against the colors, they were pretty cool and unique, not as bland as black and blue, but she wasn't sure if Souji would wear it. She wasn't even sure if Madara would wear it. Then again, it would be mandatory, and they really had no choice or say in the matter. They'd wear them eventually. "Are you sure? they're all a bit eccentric, don't you think?"
"Precisely." Izuna nodded once. He really didn't have a favorite color, though he did like red. Why he chose red. These colors weren't so much for his own pleasure or Madara's annoyance, it was a necessity. When they were in the heat of battle, they needed to be able to recognize each other at just a glance or a flick of the eyes, it had to be instant, right there and then. These colors did just that, they were very bright, and eccentric as Ahiko so gracefully put it, but it'd allow them to identify each other.
"I guess it'd be good for us to identify each other in battle." Ahiko mused, tilting her head. She made her way over to the counter.
"Can I ask you something?" Izuna asked once she got back.
Ahiko nodded, blinking her big and bright eyes.
"What exactly is your relationship with the Hagoromo clan?"
"What kind of question is that?" Ahiko asked, a bit startled.
"I'm curious."
Ahiko turned away from him at the mere mention of the name. Izuna was saying all of these strange things, asking all of these strange things...It was just odd, completely, even for him. "We're not on friendly terms." That was the best way to put it. The Hagoromo had tremendous reserves and extremely powerful chakra, but they were a hubris clan-almost as bad as the Hyuga, and the Domou have no tolerance for hubris, or anything of the sort, at all.
They hadn't come to blows in a very long time, and stayed away from each other for the most part.
It also helped they lived very far from each other.
She already knew the Uchiha and Hagoromo had an alliance. They have for quite some time now. It didn't really surprise her. The Hagoromo were one of the few clans to openly and violently go against the Senju every single chance they got. There was a story, rumor, give it a name, that the Hagoromo were distant relatives of the Uchiha like the Uzumaki were of the Senju. She wouldn't judge too quickly or even give her opinion, since she's heard and read stranger things than this little lineage thing.
"Why?" Izuna didn't seem the least bit angry or offended.
"They are very hubris." Ahiko replied. Her tone wasn't quite biting, but she wasn't going to bend her back on the issue. The Hagoromo were hubris, and unlike in the Uchiha were there were only some with this streak of hubris, everyone in the Hagoromo clan was hubris. They were nearly as bad as the Hyuga, if not worse, their name and crest alone made that clear. "We Domou don't tolerate hubris at all, it's forbidden within our clan, in fact. Power corrupts and that's a perfect starting point for that corruption, hubris. This is why we have never been on friendly terms with the Hagoromo, Hyuga, and especially the Senju. It's why we gave the Senju the soecial scroll that we did so long ago. So they'd leave us alone."
The Senju believed they owned the world.
Izuna nodded. He really couldn't argue against her, even if he wanted to. Some Uchiha were hubris, but not all of them. The Uchiha didn't feel that the world revolved around them, all they cared about was strength and each other. The outside world could all go to shit as far as the Uchiha were concerned, but tread on the land, threaten loved ones...Uchiha wouldn't show a shred of mercy. The Senju were hubris for many reasons, the Hyuga thought they were royalty among shinobi clans and acted like it, and the Hagoromo had the same streak of hubris as the Hyuga.
He could see where the complications would start coming in...The Domou didn't tolerate hubris as Ahiko said within their own clan, there was no way they were going tolerate it from outsiders. He seen it first hand, particularly with Souji.
"And, your rivalry with the Subatsu?"
"We...Don't hate each other...It's just the way things have been since the Great Separation." Ahiko said, looking a bit downtrodden and sour even having to talk about this.
"I've...read about that." Izuna blinked his eyes, very shocked. "It was a point where the whole world, was basically at war. When the Indra's and Ashura's descendants emerged forming the Uchiha and Senju clans, also clans the Shimura, Sarutobi, and Nara among others were also formed and emerged. Not counting the shinobi clans that existed long before that era."
"When Rikudo passed on, the peace he maintained and built came crumbling down. His sons, Indra and Ashura eventually fought over the title of heir for Ninshu. Between these two events..." Ahiko glanced away from Izuna. This was always a touchy subject for her.
She took a deep breath, she wasn't even sure if she should be sharing this with Izuna. But, they were family, now, after all. "There was a clan called the Takedakeshii. Contrary to what some believe, shinobi clans existed before Hagoromo and even Kagyua set foot on this planet, like the Fuma clan, the Toppi clan, the Red Mist clan, but anyways. That is an entirely different subject."
"There was the Takedakeshii clan, without getting too prolonged they were the most massive and powerful, they are one of the ancient shinboi clans-like the Fuma. they weren't followers-they didn't worship Kagyua-Hagoromo and his kin like the rest of humanity. They were the first to rebel against Kagyua, and utilize ninjutsu, and everything along with it...Including creating and honing new elements. When the battle for Ninshu began with Indra and Ashura, when ninjutsu was utilized and spread across the land, something horrible happened in the world."
"It was as if all these ideals and emotions came to the surface of everyone. We...Stopped understanding each other like before. Ashura tried to maintain the unity his father built for centuries, but it became forced in a way-he was dogmatic, and many started opposing him, and Indra sought to destroy that unity with his own two hands. He...He hated Ashura... With all of these ideals, the Takedakeshii found themselves with a problem."
"People within the clan wanted to rule with force, wanted to rule with peace, they wanted to rule over and oppress others-in general. They wanted others to bow to them, They wanted peace, they wanted destruction...Other were tyrannical and sought nothing but carnage and mayhem. They wanted to shackle women down, while others didn't believe in such things. Some just wanted to remain as they were. Indra's ideology and Ashura's ideology didn't help things in the least."
"There was a schism within the clan...Families were ripped apart, daughters fought mothers, siblings fought each other, mothers and fathers each other, children fought each other, children and adults fought each other. They killed each other. It was truly madness. Their battles tore through the world like a wildfire, many were caught in the middle, and even Indra and Ashura couldn't stop them or hope not to get stuck in the middle..."
Ahiko took a soft breath. She felt like she was babbling, but Izuna's stare was intent. He wanted her to continue. "In the end, after so much bloodshed on all sides. Those within what was once the Takedakeshii, and picked their sides, dispersed from each other. There were a few groups that went their own way, eventually forming their own clans, but a severe and ruthless code and set of ethics was set in place for both of the largest groups that would go on to become their own separate clans. The two most powerful people on both sides of that time, Makoto and Shinta, they implemented the code and ethics that would maintain unity. The unity that had been lost. There were no exceptions to the rule. Everyone was held to a standard, everyone was accountable. If Makoto and Shinta went against the code and ethics, even they would be punished."
"That's at least one of the many stories, anyways. I could sit here all day and night going through each variation." Ahiko mused softly, scratching the back of her head as she took a breath. "When the Warring States Era began. And, ever since there's been nothing but mayhem and death. Something has to give, eventually."
Izuna stared a bit more intently.
"There's a new wind blowing, Izuna..." Ahiko looked unusually serious as she stared into his eyes. "Whether we resist the tides, or flow with them, we're going to have to do it together. These are turbulent and uncertain times, what we need the most right now is..."
Izuna nodded. Ahiko may not have been as perceptive as Mikito, but she was more insightful, it seemed. "So, you understand better than anyone else, why I'm doing this."
"I do." Ahiko admitted with a grim tone. "The Uchiha have always been a powerful, but divided clan. That's why I'm assisting you."
Izuna nodded. He intended on unifying the Uchiha at all costs. "With Mikito and you as our trunk, my brother at the helm, and I and Souji being the heart...We'll unify the Uchiha and Domou as one, and if there's anyone within the Uchiha that has objections to this..."
They'll defect and desert the first chance they get. When that happens the rest could be infected.... Ahiko thought silently, furrowing her brows together. It was a long and trying process, but they had a rapport with each other, Uchiha and Domou were getting along and getting marred. They were comforting and supporting each other. They're comrades and some lovers. It was anything but easy getting to this point, but it was more than worth it, and for it all to be shot down...For it all to go to waste because...Because of nonsensical pride. She wouldn't allow such a thing to happen. "Izuna..."
"They'll show their true colors..." Izuna finished solemnly. "And, we will deal with them when that time comes."
Ahiko remained silent, but nodded in understanding.
The Uchiha...Were about to undergo a huge change. Izuna was spearheading it, and he already made his move. Whether the Uchiha became more divided, whether they defected, deserted, or jumped off of a cliff...Neither himself or Ahiko would allow these Uchiha to tear apart the alliance and unity their clans built through their trials and tribulations on the battlefields.
"Things will never be the same again when it is all said and done." Izuna said with a small smirk, turning his gaze up onto the ceiling, closing his eyes for a moment. Soon enough, the Uchiha will become allies with the Subatsu, I'll see that it happens...and when this happens...The Domou will become allies with the Hagoromo and Subatsu, then we can start to build that village brother was always talking about...I need to buy time for now, make my move when this is all over with.
The Senju will be backed into a corner, eventually... Ahiko thought grimly. When this happened...Hashirama would no doubt use his influence and appeal to the people to garner movement from all sides, and Tobirama will continue doing as he has. It would lead to discord among other clans-the clans Hashirama wishes to rally under his ideal. There'd be schisms and separations, naturally...
Things were going to get a lot worse before they got better, in any case.
The winds were getting stronger and more turbulent.
Ahiko sighed softly. She was so tired. Tired of these wars. Tired of all the conflicts that started from nothing. That start for no reason.
Was it too much to ask for there to be peace and harmony between everyone...