"You will always be the leader of Akatsuki...Yahiko."
Nagato
Hours passed and all of those hours consisted of traveling.. The trip was relatively quiet besides the dull pounding of their steps, the critters and birds around them squawking and singing their songs, and the snapping of a twig. They quickly advanced their way through the endless expanses of coarse sand and expansive deserts, slowly making their way back into the moist and dense forest area.
From this point they increased their speed, some taking to the trees to scout around for any enemy shinobi while some stuck to the ground keeping their senses stretched. Despite having numerous sensors in their units, Madara kept his Sharingan activated, and Mikito and Souji kept their senses stretched all around them for miles. The small border leading to the Sand country and back into the dense forest wasn't normally plagued with enemy shinobi, but plagued with natural predators and dangerous beasts. No shinobi tread near the place unless they have a literal death wish
They were getting close to her compound now, the trees were becoming thicker, wider, more massive, and dense with more vegetation. Moss ran its way up and down tree bark leaving a neat path for ants, spiders, centipedes, and everything of the like to travel up and down. If they stopped now it'd just hold them back and they'd end up being attacked. The trees were becoming more and more colossal, hulking; rising for hundreds of thousands of feet like guardians watching over the entire landscape, and a thick abundant mix of mist curled up at the very top of the canopy drifting down into the undergrowth.
The suffocating heat that smothered the entire landscape all day long was slowly lifted by a gentle breeze that ruffled the leaves high above in the gathering bushes on the thick and sturdy branches of trees. Critters became more active revealing themselves from the shady dens and perches, scurrying about searching for food and stretching their limbs.
"We're getting closer." Mikito informed, spotting even thicker vegetation and trees several meters ahead. "Wait!"
Everyone halted in their spot, Madara looking at Mikito with mild annoyance. They weren't going through the route where the Menk prowled around, looking for anyone stupid enough to devour since they were intruding.
"Wait for what?"
Shuriken and kunai pierced into bark.
Explosive tags.
BOOOOOOM!
Everyone dispersed from the impact zones, sliding across the moist undergrowth, avoiding the flaming projectiles as they set their eyes onto their attackers.
"I told you..." Sasuke made his presence known along with Genzo and about one thousand Sarutobi shinobi, all of them landing on the ground or on nearby branches, but remained behind Sasuke and Genzo both as they stood at the helm.
Daiki made his presence known next, landing on the ground with twice as many Hyuga shinobi backing him up. He locked eyes with Madara before his veins became engorged around his sockets. "I warned you Uchiha, I'd catch you off guard."
"And, I warned you, Hyuga pig. You and those monkeys are trespassing. You know what it means to trespass on my land, I don't want to hear any gripes when I start cutting you down."
Madara turned his eyes towards the too familiar voice-spotting Syrus, Haji, Usagi, Tsugi, Ryoku, Asuna, Osen and dozens of Subatsu shinobi, but there were white heads in the mix that completely threw him off guard. Last he checked white hair wasn't a Subatsu trait at all-their hair remained dark for the most part, though some could be blonde. However, none of this mattered at the moment-the only thing that mattered is he was face to face with Syrus-the man he enjoyed fighting the most next to Hashirama.
"Who are they?" Madara locked eyes with Syrus.
"They hail from the Mō clan, the most powerful and influential clan in the Snow country." Usagi said, jade eyes beaming. "You punk asses did it this time, trespassing on our land and seeking out conflict. My sword hungers for your blood!"
Daiki visibly tensed. "Come and try it!"
"You really think I'd back down?" Sasuke sneered with contempt, glaring down at Syrus.
"That doesn't matter. You are trespassing and will be dealt with, prepare yourself." Haji said coldly, his eyes locked onto Souji's.
"Souji..."
Haji..."
"I warned you both, but neither of you heeded my warning. Now you will be in a ditch." Mikito said lowly, drawing her sword swiftly.
Everyone copied her action, and the sound punctuated around them-bouncing off the thick bark.
"You can't fool me, you witch. You Domou are all the same just like the Subatsu, a bunch of monsters and wolves!" Daiki snarled.
"Corner every last Sarutobi and Hyuga here, and trap them near the river I want them all dead!" Syrus roared.
Everyone dispersed in chaos-blades clanging, limbs smashing and crashing, jutsus flying off their hinges.
He was on Sasuke not even a second later, smashing his fist right across his face and sending him crashing back into a tree. These clans were starting to become more and more bold, always trespassing on his land. He'd send a message by killing Sasuke, Genzo, Daiki, and the rest of their cronies.
Mikito surged right towards him next. Her senses on fire as she flipped, spun, and corkscrewed; tearing through Sarutobi and Hyuga with quick and elaborate slashes utilizing her physical prowess to overwhelm them entirely. A small part of her was pained to be cutting down so many-they had families and loved ones as well, but she warned them, and instead of steering clear they came right onto her land.
She skidded back, deflecting a shuriken, and sent it flying right between a Sarutobi's eyes.
Everyone's chakra was boiling-some were rifts and some were vibrant beacons. Cadus was a beacon in the chaos, one of the few signatures she could pick up without any issue. Lunging across their length, she swung hard from her side, and with a grace few could ever hope to match glided around his massive blade, her blade rocketing towards him.
Surging chakra through his body he collided with her again, sidestepping her saya, and gave a swift thrust forward. The air itself shifted as he tore through two Sarutobi, his footwork clean and concise. With another quick step he cleaved through a Hyuga's neck, sending his head flying up and away.
The ground erupted and thanks to years of experience and extreme reflexes he lunged up with a powerful burst of kinetic energy. Where he previously was standing shattered into thousands of dirt and clay. It didn't take him long to find the culprit-Mikito was shooting right at him, sheath already going through its arc while her blade traveled behind it.
He surged forward, the two clashing their blades. bashing their fists and shin against the other, pushing against the other bitterly. Mikito angled her blade downward, sweeping it to the side. Syrus jumped back avoiding the attack that would have cleaved into his thigh, springing back towards Shaak Ti and lashed out with a barrage of brutal attacks, trying to smash through her defenses.
She kept the assault at bay using fast paced jabs and arcs to guide his own attacks skewing them off course by a few inches while also keeping an invisible barrier between them.
Growing annoyed, Syrus surged more strength into his attacks slamming the precise grace of Mikito's attacks aside, countering with a blitz of slashes forcing her back. However, Mikito was no slouch when it came to swordplay; surging chakra through her body she sprung over and around Syrus's fast paced sword display, deflecting the slashes when they came too close, using the pivots in her footwork to add overall power and finesse to her movements-while also keeping his blade inches away from her.
They broke away before clashing viciously again. Syrus continuing to go all out with his offensive attack trying to batter and smash through her tight defenses. Mikito gritted her teeth as she blocked the powerful blows-the kinetic energy not making her fall or stumble back, if anything it only enhanced her own counter attacks. She was more than familiar with his attack style and pace by now-something born out of chaos and disorder, her grace and ferocity was the perfect counter.
She jumped up and over Syrus with a quick flourish slashing down for his head, but he was extremely quick and blocked the attack, shoving her aside as he did so. Soaring through the air she flipped rapidly, slamming her feet on the ground and dashed back slashing towards his legs. He already scouted the attack in an instant, swinging his blade down to deflect it.
However, it was a feint, and with a small smirk Mikito angled her blade upwards, sliding lead foot across their gap, and Syrus grunted snapping his head back and away just in time. With a powerful jump he distanced himself.
Mikito was very well versed in kenjutsu. She was fluid yet powerful in combat, graceful yet ferocious in her advance, her sharp and dynamic footwork allowed her to push the tempo and dynamics of a duel. She utilized physicality to the highest degree flipping, spinning, corkscrewing, and somersaulting evading swift strikes while giving her the appearance of a blur lashing out from all directions. She didn't have a total chaotic pace like himself, but she was magnificent nonetheless. It was a true gift to see her in action. Especially now when she was surging with chakra moving in fractions of a second.
"Get out of my way, Mikito! I've got some monkeys and Hyuga to slay!"
"You're only focus should be on me! I am your opponent!"
He dashed towards her, slashing up towards her neck. Mikito slid to the side evading the blow, and he sprung forward off of the balls of his feet, spinning one hundred and eighty degrees. This time Mikito swung her sheath deflecting the attack and jumped back bracing herself for the next. Syrus didn't disappoint, slashing down in a wide sweeping motion, analyzing her very carefully.
She waited until the very last second to make her move, surging with chakra, she leaped up. Syrus skewed his trajectory thrusting his saber up towards her. Straining Mikito turned rapidly, narrowly avoiding the blade from puncturing her spine.
Tree bark splattered all over as he cut through the trunk with little trouble. He drew his arm down to go on the attack once again, But. Mikito was already dashing inside his guard, hard pressed he jumped back, but she chased after him and slashed forward. On instinct he snapped his head to the side, growling as he felt the familiar wetness of blood running down his cheek.
"RAAAHHH!" He screamed, swinging massive blade, smashing it into Mikito's and launching her back several feet until she slammed spine first into a tree, nearly uprooting it from the sheer impact, but not before cutting her across her right cheek as well.
They both drew blood.
One. Two. Two. one. Mikito sped the tempo up, sweeping wide, Syrus shifted his footing parrying the strike arms already in motion blocking the second attack that followed near instantaneously after the first, and ducked under the third. He retreated back with a back flip, trying to distance himself, but Mikito was swift and closed the distance driving him back through a tree and horde of Hyuga sending them flying back along with their limbs.
He spun about, two razor concise strokes coming forward, one from the side which was deflected, the second Mikito speedily ducked under, bending her back at an odd angle, and slid through his guard evading the attack completely. However, she was sent back by a timely two hand slash.
"You're not holding back this time around are you?" Dooku asked, his tone hold a mocking edge to it.
Mikito slashed sideways turning into her attack with poise, aiming right for his kneecap. Syrus heaved-he had two options either block and try to power through the stalemate, or dodge and brace for whatever attack would come next. He jumped off of the ground, chakra surging through him allowing him to bound up several feet easily, but Mikito had been expecting as much, and snapped her hand out.
Syrus had little time to react, only managing to raise one arm before the blast of wind slammed into him and carried him off. He slammed spine first against a tree, peeling himself out from the bole.
"I never hold back, you know me better than that, Syrus!" Mikito snarled.
"Looks like our match has to be postponed, once again, sadly."
"Damn-"
Sasuke's blade sheared where Mikito had previously been standing, debris rained overhead as the ground was ripped asunder, the massive man sliding along as easily as his blade. He smirked, yanking it free.
"Miss me?" Sasuke chuckled, watching as her eyes glowed with fury. "Daiki is having some fun with your Syrus, and Genzo is occupied with your husband-now it's our turn!"
Mikito eased into her steps, carefully circling around him. She had been expecting an attack, and though it ripped chunks of earth out, it was better than trying to actually block the blow. Sasuke was just too precise and deliberate, especially at the close a range he'd only bash and smash while biding his time and then make one small pivot and it'd be over.
"I'm tired of giving out warnings!" Mikito sneered with anger, and surged forward, clashing blades and fists with Sasuke.
"Ugh!" Sasuke staggered back from a stiff shoulder jab, deftly dodging a blast of wind. He craned his head up, and once again dodged, sliding to a stop and slashing forward
He firmed his stance, maneuvering his blade with careful swings not using more strength or leverage than what he absolutely needed; Mikito bashed and smashed his barrage, ramming and crashing her limbs against his own. No attack could penetrate their respective guards, but Sasuke continued his onslaught.
"Is that all you can do? Glide and deflect my attacks!?" Sasuke questioned a bit haughtily as he batted her sheath, and braced as her fist collided with his, the impact driving him back out and just three hundred or so feet away.
Press. Press. Press. Sasuke tested Mikito's defense extensively, bashing forward and from all sides. His extra long katana adding an extra edge behind the powerful yet precise strokes. Each one drove Mikito back a step, but he maintained his guard batting aside his blitz while returning the favor ten fold.
Sasuke maintained an offensive posture, chakra boiling hot, his movements precise and coordinated not going for the agile and flashy moves.
"Haaa!" He exclaimed twirling about until he merged into a blur, his blade carving trails in the air around his body as his speed tripled easily.
Mikito reacted in an instant, not allowing Sasuke to penetrate her guard. She glided around the strikes, blocking them in rapid succession completing the other half hemisphere to Sasuke's other half. She shifted her footing while Sasue continued pressing his attack and slashed up from her hip in a tight slanted curve.
Sasuke evaded with a powerful leap.
"You'd better watch yourself, Sasuke."
One. Two. Three. Four. Four swift steps and Mikito closed their gap, taking a more conservative approach and stabbed forward aiming for the Sarutobi's left leg.
Sasuke batted the attack aside, muscles flexing as he began shifting to the right but quickly balanced himself, blocking another attack this time an overhead slash with her sheath followed by another stab, each time his balance shifted by the smallest centimeter.
A smirk crossed Sasuke's face, he had Mikito right where he wanted her. Shift an inch. Another inch. Half an inch... Little by little he positioned his saber towards her right shoulder, and he advanced forward with a quick flourish, evading the steel saya, as she tilted back-his blade just grazing her shoulder.
Mikito shifted the weight from the side, upward, skewing his next cut by just a few inches-a few inches was all she needed. She pressed forward, turning in with her attack and rammed her foot right against his armor, gritting her teeth as his knee collided with her gut.
I notice it... Mikito observed, watching Sasuke spur through the air towards her. It's faint, but his attacks while powerful and precise are becoming more aggressive-his arrogance is rising his movements are becoming more abrasive and because of that he is telegraphing... She narrowed her stance as Sasuke rammed into her, both pushing against each other refusing to give-the stalemate broke, and Sasuke was already pressing the tempo of the fight trying to drive her back, searching for an opening in her guard.
"You're going to meet your end by my hand!" Sasuke declared. It was a simple fact. Like the sun rising.
"Your arrogance will be your downfall, that's the problem with you hot blooded Sarutobi." Mikito said, there was a warning in her tone.
"Bullshit." Sasuke said, exclaiming his point with a quick hack from the side. Mikito shifted her footing, blocking the stroke with the upper most part of her blade, gritting her teeth as she pushed against him.
Power would be needed of course, but she'd need more than just power. She needed finesse. Mikito shifted her footing once again, pressing into Sasuke's guard and heaved using what little leverage she gained, and rammed her elbow under his chin.
One. Two. Three. Four. Four strokes in the span of a few seconds, Sasuke blurred in and out of sight struggling to pierce Mikito's defense attacking with renewed vigor.
The first attack was blocked, followed by the second being blocked an instant later, the third one came arcing up from his hip, and Mikito dodged. Just as quickly she ducked as Sasuke swept back in his transition seamlessly.
"This battle is over." Mikito declared, glaring up at Sasuke.
"You're right. I have you right where I want you!"
"Your kinsmen are being rounded up along with the Hyuga, it's just a matter of seconds before the Subatsu finish them off. Consider yourself lucky I or the Domou won't be a part of that frenzy."
"What!?"
"You are a fool, Sasuke. This battle is over, let this be a lesson to you."
"I will be back, mark my words!"
"And, it will be the same as this time except I will run my sword through you, I'm done giving you glib fools warnings."
He was accustomed to it by now. The Council and their glares. Their gripes and complaints. He always maintained respect even when the Council was overstepping their boundaries. He wasn't like his brother that would clash and butt heads with the old farts on every single thing. It could be a little wrong to think that his brother actually enjoyed the arguments and the Council loved to provoke him and vice versa, but he really had to wonder at times. The Uchiha were rigid and strict, it was like that down the board save for the children who haven't been indoctrinated by the same dogma yet.
This is especially true when it comes to the elders and older generation of Uchiha that are so set in their ways that they continue the same indoctrination and perpetuate their hatred onto the new generation. He wasn't a stranger to their dogma and had been subjected to it growing up-of course he couldn't stand the Senju, and it went beyond the enmity between their two clans. He couldn't stand what the Senju stood for nor their ways. For the Council it was just saying the Senju are the Uchiha's greatest enemies-the same old shit that they've been saying for centuries.
For him it was the Senju's way of life-the way they'd hide behind ideals. The way they were so priggish and sanctimonious. The way they'd use ideals to justify what they do. Justify sending children off to battle, justify killing people like everyone else, and justify wiping out entire villages with no sort of shinobi affiliation. There had always been this tendency among people to hold the Senju above everyone else for the simple fact they are a clan of love. It was one of the things hated the most. The Senju were no different from the the Shimura, the Sarutobi, the Nara, the Uchiha, and every other shinobi clan.
Of course, the Uchiha were far from perfect in their own right. They had been in a cycle of love and hate for centuries now and it was only getting worse and worse. They allowed slavery. They enslaved their fellow Uchiha, and put a caste system within the clan adding even further division between each other. There was even a main family and branch family, though they didn't put a Cursed Seal of the branch family like the Hyuga did to their own-it was still they very notion that there was a main and branch family.
It caused even more division.
This was just the division with the influential families of the Uchiha. There were families that had no one out on the battlefields-that were not part of the warrior class and were more towards the bottom. They didn't awaken their Sharingan so that just put them out of the running from the very beginning, they had weak family members, and thus they had a weak bloodline. Only those with a strong bloodline had privileges that others didn't get-for Uchiha that were slaves and servants it was nothing short of a living hell, and for the medics...It could be even worse since they opted not to fight, and instead heal.
He tried to end such dogma before his father died, even went to the length of having his father support him in the cause. His father tried and failed, in the end he didn't even listen to his words, and the Council wasn't any better. He didn't hold it against his father because that's what he had grown up to-listening to the dogma of the Council in his generation and as he grew up he became more and more like the typical Uchiha. It's a common belief that the Uchiha were obstinate, and it was very true, but there was more to it than that...If something didn't fit in their narrow minded opinion they wanted nothing to do with it.
Madara for what it is worth opposed the Council and their father's rigid ways. The first time he opposed the typical dogma was when he befriended Hashirama not knowing he was actually a Senju-his brother bonded quickly with the Senju, they shared their dreams, their aspirations, what they wanted to change about the world, and set out on a way of doing just that. He didn't hold it against Madara that he did such a thing-he couldn't have possibly known that Hashirama a Senju, and even if Madara had known it wouldn't have made a difference at that point in time.
It wasn't until their father and himself appeared-and that tyrant Butsuma and brat Tobirama appeared just across from them that Hashirama being a Senju came into effect. The Senju killed Uchiha, but so did the Sarutobi, Shimura, Hyuga, to just name a few. Their lives were nothing but cycles of death and suffering, anger and despair, forever intertwined with the cycle of hatred. Knowing that they were about to fight, and neither of them would allow their only surviving brother to be attacked, Madara turned his back on Hashirama.
If it wasn't for this even he had no doubt the two would have forged ahead with their friendship despite being from rival clans.
Izuna traced his eyes around the dimly lit room-there were lanterns hanging on every corner of the wall offering just enough light to see everything. The large round table before him was so clean he could see his reflection and everyone else's on the top. There wasn't a lot of anger in most of the gazes, nothing like the Uchiha elders who always had a set in place scowl, but there was hints of annoyance. Agitation. Everyone had been completely silent, even Ahiko wasn't sparing anything verbal-not even sighing.
The austere and ascetic Domou were flipped upside down ten times over before being wrung out like a spare washcloth. Their arrival was accompanied by nothing short of a crown-considering they could sense Ahiko's chakra they wanted to know what was going on. Seeing him along with two thousand odd Uchiha trailing steadily behind, having unsealed them from the scroll once they crossed over into the plexus, there were a lot of reactions. None of them were really positive. Some Domou looked at them blankly, others were scowling and were almost scorning them, and others just didn't look too happy that their usual routine was brought to a halt.
"Ahiko-san..." Takasugi said, clearing his throat, and clearing the silence from coating the room. "I would like to know why it is you thought bringing two thousand Uchiha here was a good idea."
"As you can see it is mainly women and children. There are few teenagers and even fewer adults."
Serizawa frowned visibly. "You didn't answer the question."
"Excuse me. I believe it was a good idea, no a splendid idea, because the Uchiha's compound is a cesspool for bacteria and disease. They've made many attempts to bring this infection to an end, but all have been met with failure. There are many infected with the Rot, and none of them are the adults or teenagers-though there are a few. It is the children and pregnant women that are suffering from Rot the most. Need I remind you what happens when Rot progresses into the later stages?" Her tone was biting as she stared off with Takasugi-she didn't want to think about how many children had been paralyzed and suffocated to death, how many women lost their children, how many women lost their unborn children and had to give stillbirths.
It broke her heart, and she couldn't stand for it! The Uchiha were so fucking stupid and didn't invest anything into their medical training. Nothing into medical arts in general. It's only war, war, war, and more war. How many times had they just sat there and watched someone not even on the cusp of eight years old dying? How many times did they have to witness an Uchiha mother breakdown in tears because their babies were now dead-having to watch them die while being completely helpless to do anything? How could they continue on as they have, doing the same thing, despite all of this death!?
"And, you think bringing them here is going to make anything better? The first thing they'll do the second they get better is go back to their old compound, this is only going to repeat itself. I refuse to let it turn into a cycle. We are not the Uchiha's dogs or caretakers, we are not going to lower ourselves to them! We will not be used by them! More importantly, why would you bring diseased people into this compound, what if Domou start coming down with this sickness?" Takasugi retorted with some heat behind his tone, truly trying to grasp Ahiko's idiocy.
"You know as well as I do our immune systems are so robust and efficient we'll never get sick, let alone with Rot. I doubt they'll be returning back to their old compound, a lot of the women and children here left their fathers and husbands back at that compound to get the treatment that they need. Those back at the Uchiha compound that didn't accompany them are extremely bitter and won't even look at them as Uchiha anymore, this is going to be their new home from here on. They've already come to this realization while they were choosing to stay or leave, they knew this was coming. The Uchiha are my comrades, and I refuse to let any more Uchiha children and women die! We won't be used, we are offering our expertise to make sure these women and children live, to make sure that the women pregnant can give birth to happy and healthy children!"
"I will also not stand for supremacy nor slavery, and the Uchiha do both. They've enslaved their own, and I will not stand for it. My brother and sister were in full agreement with this as was Madara."
"I don't care about Madara, I don't share blood with him. He is an Uchiha. My concern is the Domou, those I share blood with."
"If women and children are dying, then this is just the way we're going to handle it. It's not their fault that the Uchiha can't prioritize between longevity and war." Okemi said-a black long haired woman, with a rounded chin, bright brown eyes, and looked to be in her early thirties despite being in her early fifties or even a little bit older. "I understand where you are coming from Ahiko-san, we all do, but you must take into consideration that this could end our alliance with the Uchiha."
"Things can get very rocky now between our clans. There are still Uchiha who have gripes about this alliance and it's been longer than a year since we've allied with them." Sekizawa added.
"If I may?" Izuna spoke up for the first time-since it really wasn't his place to be saying anything at the moment.
"Actually, you may not." Serizawa scowled. "No offence to you, Izuna-san, but this has nothing to do with you."
"It has to do with my clan."
"Izuna-san, can you tell us all without any hesitation or reservations that those Uchiha in the old compound will continue to be steadfast as they have been? Now that there has been a internal split? Can you tell me those Uchiha who stayed behind will not harbor ill feeling towards us and try to launch an attack? They won't try to destroy our unity?" Takeo-the oldest within the Domou at ninety one years old, asked with a surprisingly gentle but hoarse tone.
Izuna bit his lip.
That was extremely hard to answer for a few reasons. The first being that the Uchiha men-who's wives and children left them are nothing short of bitter and will want nothing to do with them at this point. In their eyes they betrayed them-betrayed the Uchiha clan when they went to get the help that they need. The second was now that the clan was split there wouldn't be a general agreement with this truce like before-where a lot of Uchiha rejected it and soon got on with it, there was even a lot of marriages between them. But, now there'd be Uchiha who agree and disagree. Considering that the majority of the Uchiha are at the old compound and not here in the Domou's...
The third reason why he had a hard time answering was because since the clan was now split-would he go back to the old compound, or remain here. Would Madara remain here or go back to the old compound. In good conscience he couldn't go back to the old compound because it was a cesspool for disease and bacteria. Even if he decided to go back, they couldn't remain there-they would need to relocate. And, seeing as how that went the first time around resulting with this, it wasn't going to be any better.
It didn't paint a great picture to say the least. He wanted what was best for the Uchiha, but he couldn't allow the same dogma as before to continue-there needed to be change within the Uchiha and he was the one driving it. They couldn't continue hating and thirsting for revenge, they can't continue on as they have for centuries driving themselves to doom, and they can't have so much division between themselves nor the need for supremacy. They were all of the same blood, and yet Uchiha were slaves, Uchiha who didn't awaken the Sharingan were scorned.
He wouldn't put it passed those Uchiha to scheme up an attack, but that was foolish.
The Domou were something else completely.
"You've seen what we are capable of, Izuna-san. When and if people or clans provoke us, we do not hold back." Takasugi said coldly.
"If the Uchiha decide to bring conflict to us..." Another elder said, letting the threat linger.
"I believe we can continue on as we have and remain steadfast. It may take a little while, but together my brother and I will bring them around." Izuna answer firmly, careful not to let it waver for even a second. He wasn't afraid by any stretch-but if any of these elders could hear the doubt in his tone or see the doubt in expressions this will be a moot point and he'll never be able to change the Uchiha like he wanted to since he was a child.
"Do you really believe that?" Takeo asked, sharp eyes locked onto Izuna. "I sense doubt in you."
"It's true that the Uchiha are single-minded, and it's true that we've been in a vicious cycle of love and hate...We've divided ourselves with a caste system, and have enslaved our own, but that's why I want to change the Uchiha. Things have been going on like this far too long. The Domou put being together above everything else, I would like the Uchiha to have this mentality."
"It sounds like you're just using us if I have to be honest." Okemi said.
"I'm sorry that it sounds that way. But, if the Uchiha don't change soon we will be doomed to oblivion." Izuna said, keeping his voice as even as he could. These people were seeing right through him.
"It's not just a matter of changing their mentality, and you know as well as I doing such a thing isn't possible. The Uchiha that have relocated to this compound will follow our ethics and code to the absolute T, and there is no question about it. If they refuse then they will go back to the Uchiha compound, that is as simple as it gets. There are no exceptions. That will be their one chance to remain alive-because when they decided that they've had enough and decide to defect or desert, they will be hunted down and brought back here to face the consequences." Serizawa stared Izuna down.
"My brother and I will get them to turn around."
"Izuna-san, we don't have time to be pandering to your kinsmen. If they can't change themselves how are you or your brother going to change them?" Takasugi asked, stern faced.
"More importantly we're not going to go out of our way to satisfy the Uchiha's pride. Your clan has always had a problem with being hubris, just like the Senju, Hyuga, and Hagoromo. We don't tolerate hubris at all. Listen to me carefully, the Domou will not become second to the Uchiha nor are we going to become your servants. We will not lower ourselves to you Uchiha, either." Serizawa snarled, eyes glinting with fury.
Izuna narrowed his eyes, biting his tongue. What Serizawa was saying wasn't exactly false and he was right to be saying it. The Uchiha would try to make the Domou second or feel they are more superior, it was a sad, but very true fact. It was the reason the only clan they ever formed an alliance with was the Hagoromo, and that's because they are both similar in that way. The Uchiha would also feel they are superior because they have the Sharingan and the Domou don't-that'd be more than enough reason, not including anything else for the Uchiha to be so high and mighty.
Of course, he couldn't just agree with this-if he did then what he said before would be nothing short of hollow. He'd be glib and just a smooth talker without any type of merit. He didn't care too much about keeping his image like Madara, but he wouldn't allow himself to come off as glib or manipulative. He set things into motion, but that's as far as he went. He was always sincere when he was speaking.
"I admire your sincerity, Izuna-san..." Okemi said with a faint smile, staring into his dark eyes for a long moment before turning away and rummaging through her yukata before pulling out a scroll. It wasn't massive like the one Ahiko used to seal the Uchiha in before they made it into Domou territory-if he had to guess it was a seal to store a few weapons and some clothes if necessary.
"However, would you care to explain this?" She flared her chakra the tiniest fraction, shrouding the room in smoke for a moment before it cleared revealing dozens of the...Haoris as well as the forehead protectors he and Ahiko selected before. There were a lot of dirty smudges on all of them that came from people stepping on them, as well as spitting on them, and several were half burnt with tattered sleeves. The Domou and Uchiha symbols were dirtied, and some were half of what they used to be.
The forehead protectors were engraved with a deep line through the kanji for sincerity.
This can't be happening... Izuna felt shock take a firm hold of him for the first time in a very long time.
"These were found by a group of our kunoichi that were returning from a mission-these were all a few dozen miles from the Uchiha compound, lying in piles of animal shit with flies all over them. These were the only ones salvageable, there were thousands more. They washed the shit off the best they could, but as you can see it tore the fabric even more. As for these forehead protectors, they have to be burned." Sekizawa's tone lost any of its eloquence and was replaced with biting coldness.
"I don't know how things are done in the Uchiha, but with the Domou every single person is given a haori when they begin their first day of training. It's for two purposes. The first is because it is weighted and part of the training, the second is because they take their first step to handling the burden of what it means to be a Domou. They're taking their first step in the fight to become leader. A Domou would never tarnish their haori, yet alone let it sit in animal shit to the point that flies are all over it. The Uchiha have done just that, despite their own clan symbol being stitched onto them." Serizawa continued.
I can't believe they've actually gone this far! Izuna remained silent, not daring to even move his lips a twitch. There were still Uchiha who were resisting this, and that number only increased with this most recent split within the Uchiha clan. These haoris and forehead protectors were a way to show that they were truly united as one, it was to show they was reciprocation between them, and a rapport had been forged. They also went with the uniform change, which was to represent that they were as one.
The Uchiha going this far...Cutting through the kanji for sincerity.
Why would they do such a thing!?
It was spitting in his face as well as Ahiko's face, but more importantly it showed that they didn't want an alliance...That the unity he was trying to build wasn't wanted. That they resented this unity.
He kept his expression stoic the best he could, but he could feel it falter every few seconds the longer he looked at his hard work gone to waste.
"Can you say with confidence that we can remain as steadfast as we have been?" Takeo broke the suffocating silence.
The answer was simple. It was no. In fact it was hell no. The Uchiha that did this were trying to prove a point, more over they did prove a point. They refused to remain steadfast like they have, and want this alliance to come to an end. However, he couldn't verbally say this-he didn't want this alliance to come to an end, even if his kinsmen were now clamoring for it to end. Only a couple of things could happen at this point. The first would be these stupid Uchiha get on board with the idea and that is that, the second these Uchiha don't get on board with the idea and the alliance is ended eventually, the third the Uchiha that are in the Domou compound will remain where they are, and he didn't even want to entertain the fourth choice.
"Are you going to remain in this compound with the Uchiha currently here, or are you going to go back to your compound?" Takasugi asked with a deadly tone.
"Don't overstep your boundaries. Discussions like this will be held when my sister, brother, and Madara are present and not a second sooner." Ahiko said sharply, staring off with Takasugi until he turned away.
"If the Uchiha are intending to attack us then we should be prepared." Serizawa argued.
Thankfully, it wasn't even five minutes later when Mikito, Souji, and Madara stepped through the doors all sporting disheveled and tired expressions.
"Sister." Mikito greeted.
"You can both deal with this now that you're back. I am done and going back to the cottage to take a nap." Ahiko relinquished her seat without any hesitation.
Great, more bullshit... Souji sighed softly, taking his rightful seat while barely suppressing a glare.
"What is this and why are Uchiha huddled into one space?" Madara gestured to the tattered and burnt haoris before flicking his eyes on everyone within the room, finding a seat next to Mikito, and sat down promptly.
Mikito looked at him for a moment before shaking her head.
"We were just talking about it before Ahiko-san brought it to a close until you three got here." Sekizawa said. "To answer your other question they are huddled in one space so they are accounted for-the majority are infected with Rot after all. The rest are either slaves or servants."
"That's still no reason..."
"Would you rather we play favorites and not treat them all at the same time? Of course there's favoritism in the Uchiha, you even enslave your own kin, but there is no favoritism in the Domou, and slavery is forbidden. Moving forward, what is this?" Souji cut Madara off, ignoring the man's fierce glare while waving towards the tattered clothes.
"Our kunoichi found all of these a few dozen miles from the Uchiha's compound while coming back from a mission. They washed the filth that had been staining the haoris, but it's done a lot of harm as well. There's nothing we can do about the forehead protectors." Takeo said softly, though his expression was one of disgust and even trepidation. He was the oldest in the Domou-he's been through wars, survived wars, seen kingdoms fall and damiyos lose everything that they could possibly own. Usually, such an action like what the Uchiha did could just be laughed off, or at the very least scorned, but it wasn't like that this time.
"Madara, what is the meaning of this?" Mikito asked him without a second thought, shifting her eyes onto him.
"It's the Uchiha in the other compound proving a point." Izuna said with rare solemness-he still couldn't comprehend why and how they really went through with this. It was well known he was behind the uniform change along with Ahiko-this defiance and resentment was not just directed at the Domou, but at him as well. It was common knowledge he was, is, and had been all for the alliance.
"We Uchiha have our pride, and they must be bitter knowing that their wife and children left them to come here." Madara said.
"Do not even use pride as an excuse or reason for this act of defiance! If that is your excuse then the Uchiha's pride is excessive, those Uchiha are all hubris! You promised me that this wouldn't happen!" Mikito said with a low tone, her fingers were tensing against the table, peeling off layers at a time.
"And, I intend to see that through." Madara said sternly, giving her a hard glare, but almost flinched seeing her eyes glowing with pure anger.
"Look at this!" Mikito shouted, snatching a forehead protector and shoving it right in his face until he had to shift back, not the least bit scared at the way his eyes narrowed and bled into crimson. "They've crossed out the kanji-the kanji for sincerity! Izuna and my sister were the driving force behind the uniform change and these forehead protectors, this is spitting in their face! Do you know what it means now that they've done this!?"
"They resent them both! They want to tear apart our unity. I will not let them destroy what we've spent so long forging!"
Madara didn't back down despite her steadily growing volume-he knew she'd go on rampages, but that was during battle and she'd literally start busting heads or start tearing rifts around the landscape. He rarely ever experienced this side of her rampages except with the Grass damiyo-completely verbal and not the least bit physical. He could say it was daunting, she was seething like a rabid animal. "They will come around to see that this is the right way, and I will ensure that it happens personally."
"Just when I thought we've made tremendous progress this has to happen." Mikito sighed sadly, turning her eyes away from her husband and focusing them onto her hands. It was always too good to be true in any situation like this-just when they've eclipsed what was set out before them and broke down boundaries-there's always something that smashes right into that progress and becomes a roadblock.
"We are going to have to prepare for the worst." Serizawa broke the silence, turning his gaze onto Mikito. "It's only a matter of time before these Uchiha launch an attack."
"They won't do that." Souji said bluntly.
"Indeed, they won't. I won't allow it." Madara said sternly, staring off with Serizawa slowly starting to clench his teeth. This older man appeared to be able to see right through him, or more importantly could already see which direction this whole thing was headed.
"They've burned the new uniforms and have crossed out the kanji, they spit in the face of our unity. This is an act of resentment and defiance directed at the Domou, my sister, and Izuna." Souji said through clenched teeth, fingers clenching against his biceps. If it was a five year old doing this, okay then, they didn't really know any better and they were still children. But, this is adults and teenagers doing this-who know better.
"You weren't able to control them while they went and did this, why should I believe that you're capable of restraining them from attacking us? If your Council clamors for it you will follow through with it, Madara. That's how you Uchiha operate and think. All of the Uchiha here are present because they are sick and dying-the family they left behind is bitter, and don't try to tell me different." Serizawa said.
"I won't allow them to launch an attack-we are allies, permanent allies, and I will keep it that way." Madara said without pause, staring down everyone until they opted to look away-or in Serizawa's case just incline his head. He was afraid something like this would happen-both him and Izuna should have been present when they rounded up the Uchiha to get the treatment that they need. Now, they were all going against his word, which was the law. He made a promise to Mikito and he'd keep it-their clans would not ever shed the other's blood.
"You're not denying the last part." Serizawa inclined his head.
"Of course they're bitter." Madara couldn't disagree with that. Even though they made the choice to stay back.
"What do you intend to do if they decide to launch an attack? Are you going to go along with them?" Takasugi glowered at Madara.
"I won't let it come to that."
"If they continue on at this rate..." Mikito trailed off, meeting Madara's gaze before turning away.
One of two things were going to happen. The Uchiha would start defecting and deserting-or they'd try to fight. There was only one place they could possibly go. Nobody would ever be within ten feet of an Uchiha-civilians, when it comes to shinobi clans it'd be kill on sight and then rip out their Sharingan, and that's as simple as it got. But, there is one place they could go where they didn't need to worry about that.
The Senju clan.
Hashirama would take them in.
"I will handle them along with my brother...I need you to focus on the Uchiha here and making sure that they get the treatment that they need." Madara said, crossing his arms over his chest while heaving out a soft sigh. It was at times like this he really couldn't stand his clan and their mentality-here Ahiko was going out of her way to save their sorry asses, and instead of listening to her they just continued on as they have. Instead of embracing this unity there were resisting it. They've went against his order, against Izuna's order, and against Mikito's order-they could all be put to death for such a crime.
Would Madara remain at the old compound if those Uchiha aren't willing to budge? Would he and Izuna get them all to come here or close by-like the Waterfall village which was just a few hundred miles away. Madara and Izuna were both a tier above the vast majority of the Uchiha, if they both left those Uchiha would be defenseless by all means in her opinion-none had the Mangekyo. But, if just Madara or just Izuna left...They'd manage.
"Don't get the wrong idea. Madara-san. Izuna-san. We don't doubt that you are capable of seeing this through and talking sense into them, but there have been times where the Uchiha clan split up and the factions ended up going to war. We can't allow such a thing to happen, not now, and definitely not in the future. We are united together-there can't be factions trying to split up that unity and each other in the same go." Okemi said in a gentle tone, looking over the two young men.
Her marriage with Madara could become very strained if he remains at the old compound.
Izuna nodded softly, looking at Mikito for a moment before turning his eyes back to those gathered. "I understand."
"We will make sure the Uchiha here get the treatment that they need." Okemi continued in the same tone seeing both of their eyes widen briefly, and gave a firm nod just to further her point.
"Perhaps you should accompany them, Mikito-san. You are the Matriarch of the Uchiha, after all." Takeo suggested.
She considered the suggestion, but quickly decided that would do more harm than good. Madara wanted to see this through himself, and while he wasn't opposed to her assistance, the Uchiha clan was his responsibility-he was their leader and one of the strongest next to Izuna and a few others. More importantly he was going to tear into the Council, and all of the Uchiha who decided not to come to the Domou compound out of some misled sense of pride. Their actions reflected on him, and they were anything but positive at this moment. They defied his orders.
She stared into her husband's eyes-and she already knew he reached the same conclusion as her. He would go alone with Izuna, and she'd remain here to assist in aiding the sick Uchiha.
"I have faith in my husband's capabilities." Mikito said resolutely, giving him a faint smile.
Madara felt his lips turning up a little.
"Very well, I know there is no arguing with you." Sekizawa said with resignation. "This meeting is finished. But, if this isn't taken care of soon we will reconsider our options."
One by one they exited the room until the only two present were just Madara and Mikito-Izuna and Souji both leaving a few seconds later than the elders.
"Sorry for losing my temper like I did..." Mikito said softly, unable to meet his gaze directly.
"It's well warranted, I'm angry with my clan's actions, as well." Madara admitted, finding it a little insulting but cute that Mikito couldn't look him square in the eye. She was probably embarrassed for her outburst-though it was more than well warranted. They were husband and wife, she wanted to support him in all ways possible, not yell at him for his kinsmen's mistakes.
"Mikito."
"Yes?"
"Don't ever change. I'll be back, and we will remain steadfast." Madara said decisively.
"I wish you success husband, and a safe journey."
"Those blockheads are mine to deal with. I'd hate to think of what I'd do if one of them got too free at the mouth, I think I'll need to knock out their teeth or cut off their tongue. Besides, you have to deal with those fur balls." Madara said, creasing his lips up into a smirk.
"I understand."
"This won't take very long." Madara continued, rising up from his seat swiftly. It wouldn't take long, because these Uchiha were going to get with the fucking program or he was going to start busting heads and knocking sense into these clowns. Defying his orders was something he wouldn't overlook, and they would all suffer the consequences.
What the fuck were they thinking!? Trying to rip apart the unity they've been working tirelessly to build...
"By the way, I am still going to speak with the Council about that." Madara's tone broke no argument.
"That's fine, she's going to be living here anyways from now on."
Madara almost bristled. "She-"
"It's not up for discussion."
Why do I get the feeling... Mikito sighed softly, raking a hand through her hair to quell her anxiousness. Her husband was gone-had been gone for at least an hour if not longer. Madara was a man of his sword, but he was also a prideful man, and if his Council played to his pride they'd sway him in turn. She knew he would be swayed. He still had the same mentality a lot of Uchiha did, and it worried her even more that because of this mentality he would be swayed-while Izuna was trying to overturn the whole thing...
Izuna was passed such a mentality.
"Mikito-dono, I hope I haven't come at a bad time."
She perked up hearing the man's gentle tone. He was tall and lean built with dark skin and stood at six feet and four inches. His hair was midnight black going all the way to the base of his shoulder blades while the front and sides were spiked with bangs secluding most of his face. He wore a simple outfit-black kimono, light blue haori, gray hakama, and white tabi.
"Yamanami-dono. No, you didn't. I was just thinking." Mikito straightened her back, giving the older man her full attention. "What is it?"
"I've received a letter from Mito Uzumaki. According to the letter Hashirama Senju wants to speak with you to clear things up, so that there is no conflict between our clans anymore. It seems he doesn't want to fight with us anymore, and is requesting a meeting of sorts so you can discuss a ceasefire."
Mikito sighed, feeling agitation getting the better of her. The very last person she wanted to deal with at this moment was Hashirama, or any Senju for that matter. They never kept their word to start with and were the best liars in the world, so good with their mouths and words. Of course, she couldn't expect anything less out of Mito trying to play the middle man and mediate between them. The fool was using the Mokuton-her clan's creation against them, against her, and every chance he got he was trying to confront her.
Now he wanted peace...Mito was playing the mediator...
Perhaps obliterating the entire Senju compound wasn't such a bad idea...
Tobirama wanted to confront them if Hashirama wanted this-they were polar opposites.
"I believe Butsuma never told his sons the truth so they grew up ignorant of the facts." Yamanami said, noticing Mikito's eyes glinting with fury.
"It doesn't make it any better."
"I agree, but Hashirama seems to be willing to make the concession in this case-unlike Butsuma who foolishly tried to go to war with us."
"I don't trust them and I can't trust them. I won't let them..." Mikito said with some anger in her tone.
Hashirama could easily go back on his word if another situation arises that is advantageous-Tobirama could be the one to go back on the very same word, and he will. If Sasuke wanted an alliance they would both jump on that chance, and if Sasuke wanted to launch an attack on the Domou, they would be right by his side doing the deed. Senju were crafty, they worm their way in, and once they're in they start sewing seeds. Not too long after that is their betrayal. Hashirama would try to sway the two morons from launching an attack, but he's a moron himself and indecisive.
After their battles-her wiping out Senju with ease and not even leaving bodies behind...Didn't he get the hint that she wanted nothing to do with him, or the Senju clan as a whole?!
"He is willing to forfeit his life."
Mikito's eyes widened before they narrowed to slits. "Is that true?"
"That's what he's wrote in the letter. Tobirama is against his decision of doing this, but Hashirama is remaining firm on it."
"I don't have time to deal with his shit. There are Uchiha in the compound that need treatment, there are Uchiha in the other compound that are trying to rip apart the unity my siblings, Izuna, Madara, and I have been working tirelessly to build. All of the trials we faced we've forged ahead, there's reciprocation and we have a rapport, but now Uchiha who are bitter and dissatisfied want to do away with it."
"Yes, their pride will always be their downfall." Yamanami gave a small nod.
She wasn't going to let the Uchiha's foolish pride rip apart the unity that they had-not all Uchiha and Domou married, but for the ones that did and were very much happy with each other; she wasn't going to let pride or anything else come in between that. Hashirama was literally the last person she wanted to deal with while having all of this on her plate, and then there was Tobirama who always had ulterior motives. The Senju just couldn't be trusted.
But, if Hashirama was truly willing to forfeit his life...
She'd test his resolution on the matter.
See his true intentions.
Tobirama's true intentions.
There would be no ceasefire or anything of the like, it was formal bullshit that held no sort of merit. There were so many formal things like this, that happened in the past, and every single time somebody or both sides didn't hold up their end. It was just a mere strategy to get an opening and then attack, both sides had the same line of thought and were just being glib through the whole thing.
The Senju would ally themselves with the Sarutobi, and that's as simple as it got. Whatever they'd have after she spoke with Hashirama wouldn't be for long-it was all just a facade. And, more importantly Sasuke already made it clear he would be allying with the Senji-even if he didn't know it. He'd be back for a fight, and next time it'd be with the Senju.
"They will be allies with the Sarutobi clan in time...However, I'd like to-no I should talk to Hashirama face to face and see what his true intentions are, as well as Tobirama's. And, then after that I'm going to..." Mikito said, reclining back in her chair while letting a breath out. Once she knew what his true intentions were with this village-his true intentions, and Tobirama's then...
And only then would she be able to...
First she had to deal with the pride, who would all be showing up any minute
"You might make waves."
She already knew that she'd be creating waves doing this, change always came with waves-it is accompanied by waves.
The world was changing, and there needs to be people on the Council that are with the times and younger, not old people-behind the times and set in their ways.
"Send a response back to them-I will be there in two days before the afternoon."
Now it was Hashirama's chancet to say what he wanted say to her all of this time-for once they wouldn't be fighting, they'd just be talking.