"This is what happens when you talk about hope and ideals...This is reality. Naruto...What do you have in this reality? You have no mother and father...Your master Jiraiya is dead, and as long as you keep opposing, your friends will die one after the other. No one that acknowledges you will survive. And you already know what lies ahead all of this...Loneliness. There's no need to be in this reality, come here Naruto!"
Obito Uchiha
Hashirama had been so elated and relieved, despite the incessant pessimism of his thoughts that lingered, thick like the clouds of chakra on battlefields. Doubt of his village ever being able to be founded-a dream come to reality. Doubt that he'd be able to maintain things within that village, and maintain things with other villages-as they are bound to form soon after. Doubt that he'd die before it could ever come to be.
Most of all it was a growing sense of dread that made him rethink things, once again. He really didn't want things to fracture between the Domou and Uzumaki, and if there were more clans to be involved in this, he didn't want the whole thing fracturing before it could ever really begin. He could already see Shuji declaring war on the Senju, and then it'd be the Inuzuka declaring war on all of them-even though they wouldn't be involved the slightest.
His eyes found themselves lost on the eternal sea before him. Its gentle ripples and waves with the moon's light reflecting off of them. The schools of baby fish and baby turtles, all going about their own business. And, slowly, all of these things, and the night's air, and the chirping of birds, and the skittering of critters, it all brought him to peace.
It wasn't a sense of peace, but he truly felt...Peace.
"For a young man, you spend a lot of time brooding." Hisao's tone was gentle, almost reproachful.
Hashirama wasn't sure how to answer, so he remained silent. His mind drifted through memories, most of the memories were of the war zones he grew up on, being taught the harsh lessons of this era. Being drilled by his father for not listening, for sparing a civilian, for sparing someone a year younger than him. He never wanted to kill, he detested it, but he had to. Yet, he refused, he refused to give into the cycle, and he refused to see violence as the only way.
Itama...He had been so emotional-he tended to get lost in those emotions. He hated the Uchiha just as much as their father, just as much as any Senju. He wanted revenge on them for taking those he held dear, his comrades, his kin, and in turn he gave into the cycle. If someone kills another, surely that person's loved ones will retaliate, and they'd kill, and in turn another would kill, and so on, and so forth. It'd never end.
The only way people could live in peace is to...Resolve themselves to live a new life. They'd never forget the bloodshed, the senseless death and destruction, but they'd have to move on.
That was the hardest part. The crux of the situation. When children are killed, when family members are killed, when killing becomes so common place, there was no way for people to move on. Killing is all they knew-solving things with brute force is all they know how to do. His father once said-this is a battle between people, it doesn't matter who you see, man, woman, child, infant, anyone with a weapon is an enemy. Anyone on the battlefield is an enemy.
The problem with that line of thought is some shinobi clans involved villages in the crossfire, and those turned into battlefields. People that once lived in peace were being mowed down just the same as shinobi-their bodies were pulverized and shredded, cut and ripped.
Unfortunately, even after some minutes passed-his eyes remain transfixed on the glowing water, he wasn't sure how to answer Hisao. True enough, someone his age wouldn't be brooding, if anything they'd be doing the opposite. But, he wasn't like that. He spent a lot of time thinking, too much time, and it was something Tobirama would always comment on.
"That is a good thing, though. You are mindful. Aware of the bigger picture. Do you know why the Uzumaki have remained here on this island?"
Hashirama considered the question. There were a lot of reasons why they remained on this island, though there were a chain of islands surrounding them-that Uzumaki did live on. They were peace loving and kind, gentle and caring. They have their quirks, and their tempers, but they are all good natured people. They enjoyed their long peace on this island, and many considered them arrogant and cowards for doing so.
He didn't though. The Uzumaki were wizen.
"The wars don't reach your island." Hashirama finally answered.
Hisao nodded firmly. That was very true, and a very good point made. The wars didn't reach them, and that was a big reason why they remained on their island, but there was also a more...Esoteric reason why they remain here. "That is true, but it's also because...We are different...I don't mean in the sense that we are superior, but it's in our mentality."
A chill went down Hashirama's spine. He remembered Mikito stressing this to him when they were underground, working together for a change. She had stressed the point to such a degree he was certain she was close to losing her temper and patience with him. He never really considered mentality to start with-his focus was more broad and objective.
Taking a calming breath, Hashirama looked Hisao in the eyes. He'd listen very keenly to what he'd say from here on. "Your mentality?"
"We Uzumaki are kind hearted and gentle. We are giving and kindhearted clan, we only desire love from others. It's why the world at large views us the way that they do. For centuries we've lived on this island in peace-we are a clan famous for our longevity, and more than half of the Uzumaki live to a ripe age of one hundred and twenty years. They die surrounded by their family and loved ones, by their comrades and peers. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of rambunctious Uzumaki, as I'm sure you have seen."
Hashirama nodded.
"They wouldn't even think of hurting a fly. Miyuki for all of her...Unconventional behavior, wouldn't think of seriously harming another person. There are Uzumaki that have killed and battled, but it's not in our nature to seek out conflict. To inflict pain. If anything we avoid it like it's the plague.
On the mainland...We'd never survive, many Uzumaki would be killed for the simple fact they aren't used to such conditions. We are powerful and skilled, our fuinjutsu is peerless, but seeing a man with bloodshot crazed eyes coming for your head...
Here, on this island, we can walk wherever we wish without having to look over our shoulder...But on the mainland, even if you are gifted in chakra sensing, and have keen senses, it's still not enough. But, ultimately it comes down to the Uzumaki believing that love is the way to peace, and the greatest power. When we forge an alliance, we want love and reciprocation, a rapport. However, because most of the world views us in a bad light, we remain here. While chaos reigns beyond these waters, we are at peace."
The first thing Hashirama took from this, admittedly, was the fact more than half of the Uzumaki lived to be one hundred and twenty years old. They lived to the maximum standard of human life, before the organs themselves began to shut down. The day they turned one hundred and twenty, before the year was over, they would pass away being surrounded by family and friends, comrades and strangers. To live one hundred and twenty years-four times the life expectancy. That was unheard of. Remarkable. Impossible.
The second thing that stood out to him was the fact despite the world being as dark and terror filled as it is, the Uzumaki never changed their ways or anything about themselves. They were the same as they were centuries ago, and centuries before those centuries, and to this day they are still the same. The world was in a state of perpetual war, and on this island, where only they resided, there was long reigning peace.
The third thing that stood out to him, and should have been the first was Hisao's last statement. Perhaps the entire world being at peace was impossible, far too large of a scale, and perhaps a village, and villages being at peace with each other was even more far fetched, if not worse than the first one, but if it was an area...No, just like when he was at the river on those long days after battles, when death and despair clung to him-when all was quiet and he had no worries.
Perhaps being at peace with oneself was more important than trying to achieve peace on a large scale, and once one can achieve peace with themselves...Then and only then can they strive forward, to try to bring the same to the world at large. After all, how could he achieve his dream, seeing his village being built, helping that process along-with many others from different clans, if he wasn't at peace with himself?
His heart began to race, and his mind whirled. The peace that held firm dissipated, and the waters vanished from his sight, replaced with the face of Hisao. The image of him using his Mokuton to build houses and structures for people to live in and to support the village faded away. But, one thing stuck, at that was how he'd always seek isolation to grieve, and to clear his head, and in those moments...He always found peace.
As a child he discovered this feeling, and how it relieved him of the despair and anguish he felt before...The feelings lingered, the memories always coming back to stir his heart with a throbbing pain...But, it'd pass, just as the river continued to flow. He wanted others to know this feeling and to feel it, to know peace, and to feel peace...To save children-just not those of the Senju, but all children.
Madara understood, and Tobirama did too-sort of. He thought rules being set in place was best, which was sort of the same, but different...But, he still held the same line of thought himself and Madara did. Mikito understood. Syrus understood.
And, finally going numb from processing everything, and deducing everything, Hashirama wondered where...Why...When...How, all of these conflicts-the root of all of them, when did it start?
He surmised the only thing that mattered was changing it for the better, just like Mito had said before. But, he needed Madara at his side for this village to work-they both shared the same dream, thought the same thoughts. He couldn't do this without Madara. However, he had changed from before...He was still obstinate like before, but it was in a different manner.
"I think I finally understand." Hashirama's voice sounded strange to him.
"Finding inner peace is most important."
"And, from there one will be able to bring peace...One person at a time." Hashirama murmured.
"Indeed." Hisao nodded sagely, regarding Hashirama carefully. He remembered saying the same thing to Butsuma, but the man had retorted that there'd only be peace when all of his enemies were vanquished. The road to peace is a long one, filled with many battles, and there could be no peace as long as my enemies live.
It just proved he was a vindictive and hateful man, a far cry from most Senju leaders.
Tajima had always bragged that the Uchiha would always remain victorious against the Senju because the Senju confront them. It made sense when Uchiha-who were known for relying on brute strength, shutting off emotions, and disputing things with force-clashed with the Senju, who were known for being more diplomatic, showing emotions easily enough, and trying to avoid conflict if possible.
However, Hashirama understood, and wasn't objecting his point. He wasn't retorting something that went against what he just said. He was remaining open minded, trying to understand, drinking in everything.
And, despite all of that-he could see the underlying worry there.
"I'm not sure if you know this...But, the Domou and Subatsu have ententes with more than a dozen clans. Most recently the Subatsu have two more; the Nara and Yamanaka. The Subatsu also have an entente with the Hagoromo, while the Domou don't."
Hashirama could only focus on one thing, though. "The Nara and Yamanaka? Syrus really agreed?"
Hisao laughed for a moment. "Perhaps you rubbed off on him. Though, he's never been like his father, in that regard."
Refocusing, Hashirama pointed his eyes onto the older man. For the first time in a while, he could feel an intensity start to surge through him.
"It is why this will all proceed smoothly. Without any problems. If someone does anything rash, anything stupid...The Mitibu, Mugen, and other clans will attack. The mutual peace that we've all maintained through the centuries will be shattered."
"That is why I am worried." Hashirama felt his stubborn streak coming back.
"But, that is just it." Hisao's eyes glinted with knowing, his lips pulling up. "It has been unspoken, and mutual. An entente. None of us want it to end, or come to an end, and none of us want to go to war-as we know what it'll lead to."
Amidst his swirl of thoughts, Hashirama found himself wondering if he'd ever be able to found his village, if this were to truly happen. If they all came together, it'd be much like what he dreamed of in the future, of many clans, currently it had been more or less the Uchiha and Senju coming together. If all of these clans could come together, including his own, and seal harmony in unions...
"You must understand, that unlike most clans on the mainland and in general...The clans the Domou and Subatsu have ententes with are all extremely powerful, dangerous, and ferocious. Their volumes of chakra are immense. Their chakra is extremely dense and potent. Because of this they don't normally seek conflict. They only care about each other and maintaining their way of life-the world at large for them is but a vague...reflection in a window."
An aversion of conflict and war.
He could remember his father saying those exact words about the Uzumaki.
'They have an aversion of war and conflict, isolated on their island with their peace, they know nothing more, and are thus, useless to us.'
Hisao cleared his throat gently, eyes narrowing as he got ready to hit his point home. "They are all misanthropic."
Hashirama raised his eyebrow in question.
There was no easy way to put this. No way to sugarcoat it. No way to mince words. "They dislike humans and avoid human society. Quite frankly with the state the world is in, and has been in, I can't blame a single one of them."
"And, the Uzumaki feel the same?"
Hisao hissed, though it wasn't aggressive or in anger. "We are more wary than anything...You have to understand that people, even non-shinobi, resolve things through force and conflict. The Uzumaki have never done this, we've only tried to live in harmony...But, if civilians stumble their way here, they'll become Uzumaki. That isn't the case with the clans the Domou and Subatsu have ententes with-if anyone encroaches on their lands, they will attack, and they'll strike like forces of nature."
Hashirama found himself racking his brain for something...Anything. Anything and everything about misanthropic. When he heard the word. There was only one time he could recall the word being said around him, and it had been when his father came back. He had been beaten to an inch of his life, literally, and was just barely breathing. After he recovered, he would go on to remark that they are misanthropic.
That had been Butsuma's battle with Mikito-soon after those children...
"So, they want nothing to do with people?"
Hisao's eyes glinted. "It's hard to explain...But, they are reclusive, and prefer to have their isolation."
It made him feel a sense of hopelessness. If the Domou and Subatsu, and all the clans they have ententes with-not counting the Nara and Yamanaka, were all this way...This wouldn't be like the founding of his village, and in essence it'd be quite the opposite. In essence he'd come together with these clans, and they would build their village, to live in peace thereon after. They wouldn't care about other villages or maintaining relations, sending out an ambassador, or just holding a banquet of sorts out of good will. None of that would matter, not even the slightest.
"If I do this..." Hashirama trailed off, his eyes dimming under the moon's light. Peace and harmony was always his focus, and would be. If this all worked, and more clans would come together with them, it'd be great. It'd be better than his village idea, because that just concerned the Fire country and its clans.
He wouldn't grieve that his village was never founded or came to light, because something else would be in its place. There'd be peace, and that was the most important thing overall. Children wouldn't be killed. Lands wouldn't be ravaged. People wouldn't lose their loved ones for no reason. "I won't be able to found the village."
But, a part of him didn't want to let go...
It refused to.
If he founded his village and more followed, there was a high chance that war would erupt eventually. Everyone wanted to protect their village and make sure it was well off, it'd naturally lead to conflict. If someone took a mission from another, that alone was enough to incite war. Missions were money, after all. But, if Hisao's idea worked there'd be no war in the future, even remotely. A standard would be set in place, and it'd encompass every clan and everyone, not just a particular region.
The fact of the matter was war would erupt again, eventually, and the village...The village system...It'd only pass down hatred. Treaties would happen, but not for the right reasons, and they wouldn't be upheld, and nothing would change...There'd be wars, antagonism, and things wouldn't come down to blows right away, but the suspense and tense atmosphere would be enough to spark a war right there.
Hatred could only be passed down because no matter how much he wanted to spin words and be idealistic...They are shinobi, and the nature of their work would always be a cause of death. Just being a shinobi was danger enough-it put a target on one's back, and one that would never truly go away. Even in death someone would search out their body or DNA to use, to study...
His village would take another village's missions and so on and so forth. It'd all come down to money, which most wars often do. Division among the villages would cause war, and in the end, he realized that war and conflict were just unavoidable. People from his village would hate people from a different village-perhaps he could quell all of this discord, and Tobirama could as well, but after them...
...
Hashirama, feeling older than his years, again, pressed his fingers against the edge of his nose on both sides. He took a deep breath, exhaling all at once.
"Do you believe cooperation is the key to peace?"
Hashirama nodded without thinking. "I do."
Hisao nodded slowly. "Sometimes cooperation isn't enough, though. Sometimes cooperation is impossible."
Hashirama had been encountering this problem, and it just wasn't with Madara and the Uchiha. He knew it was true, sometimes it was impossible, but in the proper setting, and proper time, maybe...
"There needs to be love and rapport. Reciprocation. If you can't touch the heart of those you're speaking to, all words are a moot point. If you can't read the hearts of those you are speaking to-if you can't understand without speaking a word...So long as race and clan, skin color, class and status, country and continent, religion and ideals, love and hate, ill will, fear, so long as all of these things exist, and most off, division, there will always be war." Hisao continued in a calm tone.
Hashirama's eyes dimmed. "Are you saying..."
"There are just some things we can't change, Hashirama...Unless it is through drastic means, but those drastic means cause fear to consume the world. Have you ever read about Kaguya? The mother of Hagoromo and his brother? For thousands of years there was peace, but because she was so powerful, people..."
Hashirama tilted his head, feeling his eyes narrow. "Began to fear and resent her?"
Hisao nodded sagely. "When there is one super power, people grow wary and fearful. They feel like they can't live their lives in peace...But, when there are many that come together-contrary powers and groups of people."
"That is the essence of cooperation, but as you said...Sometimes cooperation isn't enough." Hashirama's eyes widened for a moment.
"We should get some rest. Things like this can't be pondered over for just a few minutes, it takes years, decades, an entire lifetime...And, even then, that is enough. Tomorrow's problems are tomorrow's problems."
Hisao gripped Hashirama's shoulder with a strong hand. "You must not lose faith, Hashirama."
Hashirama nodded, still troubled, but hearing Hisao's words...Once more he felt that wisdom was imparted onto him, and this time he could understand it. And, once more he found himself questioning himself more and more, and not feeling anymore certain...
He wasn't sure if faith alone was enough, but he had never lost faith. Faith in his dream, faith that it'd come to fruition in due time. But, even that...
Hashirama took a slow and deep breath, exhaling a moment later. Tomorrow's problems are for tomorrow.
The heaviness of the layers wasn't a strange feeling to Mikito. She was more than familiar with kimonos, and all the layers a woman had to wear in addition to just the kimono. It was full length, and she'd have to take short, quick steps to just get around, but Madara had almost insisted that she wear this when she had asked him the question out of pure curiosity.
She looked in the large mirror in front of her-it was easily seven foot in length, and so it captured all of her. The fabric was of fine quality, a deep maroon color, and it conformed to every curve of her body, the sleeves were baggy and hung down beyond her hands. Something she had been hoping for, and was expecting with this kimono. The Uchiha symbol was stitched on her back. The kimono went well beyond her feet, and was brushing against the floor.
"Madara."
"Hn?"
"It fits." Mikito ventured.
"You don't sound too sure?" Madara found his place behind her. "You're not used to wearing clothes like this, and there's more layers. You also don't have your weighted clothing...Why are you even wearing this?
"True, but those are my battle uniforms you speak of. And, because some people came to give me reports, it's the first thing I seen when I went into my closet."
Madara blinked owlishly. "You actually have clothes like this?"
Mikito waved her hand. "We're getting off focus!"
"I wouldn't want you to battle in this...It'd be a pain to mend." Madara said, narrowing his eyes. He felt halfhearted annoyance at the prospect of having to go through such a process. "Even more troublesome to get the blood out of the fabric."
"Of course I won't fight in this." Mikito gave him a hard look, shaking her head in pointed disappointment. This kimono, and all of its layers, wasn't something that she'd ever fight in. Something nobody should ever fight in. It reduced all mobility, for starters. She couldn't kick, or knee for that matter.
"And..."
Mikito sighed, a little exasperated. "I was raised to be a proper woman by my mother, Madara. I know all about flower arrangements and tea ceremonies. I was trained in all of that. I know that sitting with my legs crossed is, women sitting with their legs crossed is the biggest no."
Madara nodded, smiling a little awkwardly-that was very true.
He found himself oddly happy seeing Mikito wearing a light purple kimono, with a red obi, tied in a tight bow. Though very unlike the blue and indigo kimonos Uchiha woman wore, he wasn't unsatisfied. It wasn't the high collared shirt, that the men, and just the men would wear for the most part. It still fit Mikito's wardrobe choices in his opinion, as most of the things she wore, did hide her body from view of anyone she'd come across in battle or just in general.
He also preferred her to be in clothes like this. He found nothing wrong with her battle uniforms, and what she wore in general, but this was what she should be wearing in her spare time-whenever people see her.
"Madara?" Mikito took note of his subtle staring.
"What?"
Mikito played with the sleeves of her kimono. "Nothing, go on."
"We should talk. Now that we have the time and are alone." Madara uttered quickly.
Mikito moved over to the bed with grace-folding her kimono just right so she could sit down without worry of wrinkling it, or disheveling herself. She had been keeping a lot of secrets, but admittedly some of them had been in the works longer than she knew Madara on a personal level. Far longer than they've even been in contact with each other.
Dominoes was something that took decades-they could take down thousands of slave ships, free all of those slaves, but the next day...And, even a second later...There were more slaves and the slave trade continued-dominoes was getting to the direct source.
The source could be outside of the shinobi lands, one of the other continents or landmasses in the world. There was abundant trade everywhere on the mainland, even in small villages, and in the desert region, but there was also trade with outside countries and continents. It was a fragile balance, and the other places kept their distance, and just conducted business. These people weren't shinobi, and their chakra was miniscule at best.
But, the one thing that pressed her, and made her heart beat a little faster, was the fact she'd been keeping secrets from Madara.
"I guess I have some explaining to do."
Madara could feel his lips firm into a thin line. That was being entirely too light on the situation, and there was still the information that had to wait for Souji to be present. He killed the Fire damiyo, yes...He resolved himself to. Just because he was a noble didn't make him exempt. For so long he bowed his head to the pompous fools, always holding his tongue, but just last night...
He noted Mikito didn't look sheepish, but was avoiding his gaze.
Madara combed his fingers through his spiky mane. "I don't want you to tell me about Gentatsu, or anything like that until you're ready...The only reason we both shared it that one time was for reciprocation. So we spilled our guts to each other."
"True..." Mikito murmured.
He found a seat on the bed. Strange, he titled his head the slightest-confused with his own actions. He usually sat down straight away whenever Mikito sat down, they had a strange formalness with each other, even after all of this time, and being husband and wife. However, he didn't sit down straight away, and he knew something was wrong, there were some things Mikito didn't want to tell him, and it didn't have to do with Gentatsu.
It could be clan secrets-that'd be a given. He was always more than skittish when it came to the Sharingan. Whenever anyone would ask, that wasn't of the Uchiha, and even certain Uchiha, he remained extremely tight lipped.
"I understand. You a true kunoichi through and through." Madara's eyes glinted with pride for a moment, his lips pulling up into a half smile.
Mikito took a deep breath, exhaling all at once. "You seen Akame and I passing notes?"
Madara crossed his arms over his chest, standing back up with a powerful air. "I remembered."
"Hm."
Madara's eyes narrowed.
Mikito was thankful Madara understood and accepted why she was keeping secrets. "I guess I should start with the Terumi?"
"That's really the only thing that I care about." Madara's normal scowl seemed to be just a little more pronounced than usual. "Everything else can be taken care of, and doesn't make me wary, but this Terumi situation does make me wary."
Mikito nodded quickly.
"Okay, for starters...The Domou and Terumi are not allies, and never have been. Ai Terumi-leader of the Terumi clan, and I, have been in talks for two years now. She's always been somewhat on the fence about it, and I'm naturally wary. The Terumi clan isn't like the other clans in the Water country, and two years ago, Ai basically said she wanted to relocate. After some months that became a moot point."
Madara listened, remaining silent.
"We reached a disagreement, and it was because she didn't want to follow our code and ethics. It also happened because like you've said many times, she could be doing this just to get a jump on the Uzumaki."
"So, why continue speaking to her?"
Mikito's eyes softened, and she focused on her hands for the moment. Before, in the past, she would be wary and furious. She would have the impulse to kill Ai for her deceit, but as shinobi and kunoichi, they all knew that secrets were kept. Motives were always abound, and those two were hidden. However, now, she wasn't furious, wary yes, but...
If Ai could leave the Water country, come all the way here, and brave all those dangers with her clan. Then regardless of her reasons for coming, the point remained she was still coming. If Ai's goal was the Uzumaki, that would be shut down quickly, if she was sent by the Water damiyo, that would be shut down, if the clans and Water damiyo forced them into this-that would be shut down quickly.
There was no need to attack the Terumi as a whole. Ai knew there was only one way this situation could end. If she didn't come to this conclusion, then she wouldn't be on her way now with the rest of her kin, but it didn't mean she was going to back down. She had her mission. Shinobi and kunoichi did anything but make things easier-for anyone. They'd do anything to complete the mission.
Her mission was a simple one, but layered in deceit and betrayal.
"We have a mutual understanding..." Mikito's expression was as mysterious as it was passive.
Madara wasn't going to question it. He knew better. This was a woman thing, obviously. This would never be happening with men, as they'd simply come to blows, and then go to war. Women were different when it came to these things.
However, that didn't mean he wasn't going to consider any and all options. If the Terumi were going to threaten everything here, then he would have to take severe action. He'd have to mow through them-all of them.
Mikito wanted to talk to her, and it was likely to avoid this whole scenario.
She was very avoidant when it came to conflict.
No...It wasn't even that.
Mikito she couldn't...
He resolved that he wouldn't get involved...If his thoughts had any merit, that's all he could do.
The Terumi were well in route, and would be here soon enough. They would have to adjust to the set standard, or they'd have to leave. It would come down to a rather intense, and perhaps heated discussion, but in the end things would be resolved without any violence. It was give and take, and it was more so with shinobi, so there'd have to be something merited. It was just the point of coming to a resolution, as opposed to things just falling out.
They had the advantage, but it meant the Terumi could be or were desperate. When clans, shinobi or not, get desperate...It led to very bad things happening.
Which brought him to his next point.
"What do you think of the Hagoromo...Not your personal opinion." Madara looked a bit awkward-when he thought the question in his mind, it sounded a lot better. Much more fluent.
"I can't say until I hear what is so privy...Because, I'm trying to deduce something..."
"Deduce?" Madara looked at her with a raised brow.
Mikito shifted her gaze to the side. She focused on a shadow. "Yes."
Madara realized that this was one of those times when Mikito would get extremely weird. It oddly reminded him of when Hashirama would get so depressed so quickly, and start sulking and pouting while sitting on his ass. However, Mikito was...
"I think Takeshi is stirring a certain group of Hagoromo within the clan. They will all follow Shuji until the end, but Takeshi is well loved, and respected by all of his kin."
"The Hagoromo won't fracture. That is why Shuji wants a permanent solution, or has one. Such disorder isn't tolerated within the Hagoromo, and has often been met with swift death." Mikito responded.
Madara considered all possibilities. Truth be told he always had the thought in the back of his mind that the Uchiha would eventually split up. It was just in their nature after all. But, it wasn't in the Hagoromo's nature, and Shuji wouldn't kill his own kin, no matter what. Which meant he'd be going to war-the Hagoromo would be going to war, and everyone was going to be pulled into it.
"I'm more concerned about the situation with the Water country and all of its clans." Mikito commented, eyes narrowing the slightest.
"They're just out for blood. It's nothing new." Madara shrugged.
"Yes, but..." Mikito ran a hand through her thick hair. What if the Water damiyo was being manipulated through some means? Genjutsu was something that could more than easily accomplish this. It made the timing of the Terumi's arrival uncanny. If the damiyo was being manipulated, the clans were then being manipulated as well. If they came over-which reports from non shinobi and shinobi were confirming that there were battles starting to erupt within the oceans.
Still far from the mainland though.
"Mikito, you brood too much." Madara felt himself sigh, feeling a little exhausted. He brushed his fingers against her elbow, a gentle gesture for her to listen and follow.
"I have to try and consider everything..."
"Yes, but you get lost in your thoughts, just as you get lost in your emotions."
Mikito scowled.
"Don't give me that look. As much as I fly off the handle, I don't go on rampages like you do. If you keep it up, people are going to start calling you a natural disaster or force of nature. The maps are always being redrawn, but it's going to defy all logic if they have to get redrawn even more because of one person; a woman no less."
"Whatever..." Mikito was graceful in her retort, as she was in her movements, to opening the door and exiting.
Souji didn't wake up straight away in the morning, and he didn't give a report as soon as he arrived in the compound. Instead, he ventured to the cottage where he'd usually sleep, and quickly went to sleep after washing up. He got no thrill or rush from killing his foes, or targets, it was simply him or them, and he wasn't going to be the one lying on the ground. He wouldn't insult them and not go all out against them-he never held any reservations, and to give anything less was an insult to himself and his foes.
Everyone was asleep, or gone on the mission, and there were a few coming back from completing their missions. But, like always, the Domou compound was in a serene silence, save for the life around their compound-which buzzed and hummed, squawked and chirped with vibrancy. It gave him peace, and allowed him to relax into his bed without a second thought.
He awoke late the next morning, the sun was high in the sky, and he sat at the modest kitchen table. He was deep in thought.
Nobles as a whole took things for granted. It was such a glaring error in the noble's make up. They had tremendous wealth and money, they were raised to believe that they were gods themselves, and not simple mortals, raised to believe that they were the cream of the crop and couldn't possibly have an equal. They had slaves and servants to do their every bidding, even something as simple as bathing. They never once had to toil or struggle, claw and dig, never once did they have to heave hundreds of pounds of crops.
However, this wasn't the thing that bothered him the most about nobles. The thing that bothered him the most about nobles is how they had no regard for life or value for their own family members. Nobles would contact shinobi clans, tens of thousands would be killed in battles, and at the end of the day there was only a payment to be gained. The nobles didn't care how many shinobi died from which shinobi clan, didn't care who died from what country, and definitely didn't care if one of their own died either.
In such system,s struggles for power and fights for that power became very incessant. Either through means of might or being wily, the prince and princess would attack each other, plot against each other, if things got too far out of proportion the entire land they rule would be split between the two of them, and swiftly embroiled in the darkness of strife.
Wiping out every single last noble was just impossible. The systems that were in place would only ensure that another one came to take the mantle, and it wasn't his goal-the Domou's goal to wipe out all of them. They were taking out all of the nobles involved in the salve trade, which was a vast majority of them, but the point still remained it wasn't done for something as foolish to gain power. The fastest way to gain power would be to kill the damiyo, but that'd throw the fragile power balance into chaos.
Shinobi had to rely on nobles to sustain themselves. There was no two ways around it. For the simple matter shinobi focus on battle first and foremost, while the nobles focus on ruling over the land-polar opposites. This wouldn't change even if Hashirama managed to found his village, and twenty more came popping up years later. Because they'd be sharing power with the damiyo, they'd need to take missions, and if they didn't take missions, there was no food or anything. The village would crumble.
To further the system and paradox was nonsensical, detrimental, and nothing short of foolish. There was no sense in founding villages when those villages would go to war, and when they weren't warring they'd just be antagonizing each other. There was no need for overinflated, glorified weaklings who carry titles like 'hokage or kazekage', and most of all there was no need for a village. Not if that village was followed by dozens more.
But, there needed to be a place. A place where harmony reigns supreme. A place where there is no contention or glad handing, nor favoritism or enmity. A sanctuary amidst chaos and strife. There needed to be a place where everyone could go to escape. To just get away. They didn't want to be part of a village, part of a clan, part of something. They didn't want to be tied down the rigid expectations of living in a village, ruled over by one, hubris, fool that lives by their title more than by their merit and strength.
Conflicts ultimately came down to one thing. Someone's family or land was threatened, and since talking was completely out of the question, they could only raise arms and take a fight to whoever was threatening them in the first place. They killed, and in turn they were killed, their descendants were killed, and the cycle only continues to repeat itself, almost lazily. There was nothing or no one that was going to change the cycle. That would completely destroy it, and dissipate it for good, so the cycle could continue without reprieve.
Shinobi fight due to being contacted by opposing damiyos, territory disputes, and just because. At times there wasn't any logical reasoning, or reasoning at all, as to how conflicts started.
Damiyos fight over land and political power.
Souji could only chalk it up to it being in human nature to pursue strife, as there could be no other reason. He wasn't going to commit genocide and wipe out billions of people-those who live outside of the continent and shinobi lands, but he also wasn't going to be like Hashirama and be so obsequious, that he'd just make things worse down the line.
And, if it is in human nature to pursue strife, that meant the Domou, and Subatsu by extension, would never be able to live in peace. There'd always be someone from some clan, some village, some damiyo ambassador...
They'd never be left alone.
Villages will be formed now, as it is inevitable. With us striking down the nobles in near unison. They will start to recruit shinobi clans.
His steaming cup of tea-which had been placid-rippled from the discord in his thoughts, or it could have been the slight twitch of his fingers that caused the ripple to form. Clans coming together to form a village was always something bound to happen, eventually. There was only so much people could take of war and death before they had enough.
It just took the right person, with the right personality and skills to see it through to the end. The problem was that it'd never come to fruition, because the clans involved would betray one another to gain an advantage over the other-to have control of the village itself. There was also conflicts between the Uchiha and Senju, Sarutobi and Shimura, Akimichi and Inuzuka, etc-that kept any semblance of peace shattered. Any semblance of trust, and semblance of anything positive was drenched in blood.
It was in the shinobi's nature to behave in such a way, though.
"Souji, your tea is going to get cold."
Adrift, he stumbled mentally as he came back to reality. He focused his eyes on the person that made him react in such a way; Ahiko. She knelt next to him in a light blue kimono, a purple obi tied around her waist and knotted into a bow.
He sipped his tea, hoping it'd clear some of the thoughts away.
"You seem to be on edge, brother."
He shook his head, draining the cup. "I'm just thinking is all. Izuna...He didn't meet me yesterday."
"Yes, well...Things were eventful in your absence."
"Yes, so eventful Mikito is coming here, with Madara and Izuna."
"Well, it's privy you see...Izuna, Yuko, and I thought it'd be better if we waited until you were present to start, and give the last detail..."
This got Souji's attention. It wasn't often Ahiko waited to deliver news or reports, as she preferred to get all of that done with from the beginning, rather than procrastinate. It could only be one thing that was making her behave this way and it pertained two things, first the Hagoromo and their current mindset, and the Subatsu. How the second equated in this he couldn't begin to guess, granted, the Subatsu were on good terms with the Hagoromo-the latter would steer clear from the conflict.
Since there wasn't a conflict, as Shuji kept everyone in line for the most part, that meant...
"Mikito is going to go ballistic." Souji surmised. His eyes remained locked on his younger sister, slowly beginning to narrow as he realized that his thought was right.
Ahiko, Yuko, and Izuna all discussed something with Shuji, and somehow the Subatsu-Haji and Usagi, equated into this. That would explain why he encountered them in the first place. It was also clear that Takeshi seemed to be stirring discord within the Hagoromo, if Shuji was really going to use this strategy as a solution to the problem. He'd bring peace between his clan and the Subatsu, the Subatsu and the Uzumaki, and all those with ententes. It was paramount that the bigger picture remained seen.
He understood this well, but a part of him didn't want to...Stop. He didn't want the conflict to stop-his family and comrades entrusted their hopes and dreams to him, their beliefs and desires, and they were thus entrusted to his sword. To not fight...It'd eat him away, he had to...It was part of his genetics, he wasn't like most of the Domou-who would settle down eventually.
But, he wasn't ruled by his emotions, and knew well enough that this was needed and would be happening. He could resist and cause discord, or go with it, and ensure that everything goes well. Haji was worried, and that wasn't good-few things could make the man wary. Too many were coming onto their land-Sarutobi, Shimura, Senju, Uchiha, Inuzuka, and it was time to put an end to it.
This would put an end to the encroaching and through it all the Hagoromo would find a new home-here. And, there was also the Terumi-who were looking to relocate.
The sheer magnitude of it all could have dropped him to the floor so hard that his chin would snap the table in two, and after a second, his neck would snap in two from smashing onto the floor.
And, that small part of him protested with vehemence...He wouldn't die in the compound-his place was on the war zones.
"I know, that's why I want you to be present..." Ahiko said, fidgeting with the sleeve of her kimono in a bout of anxiety, due to the silence, and due to Souji's extra stony gaze-that made his usual stony gaze seem like paltry.
"Ahiko, do I need to repeat myself?"
"You can control her, though."
When he said ballistic, it wasn't even in the super furious, full of rage way. She'd breakdown in tears, unable to do anything but wail. She had never been able to deal with death well, and losing loved ones and those close to her...It always struck a deep cord, and she'd never forget it. She'd never let it go. She couldn't, because it left a scar on her very being.
Gentatsu, truthfully, would want this to be done. An alliance to be sealed between them, for just not now, but for their descendants.
Mikito was too overcome with grief, though. She'd do nothing to jeopardize the Domou clan, nor would she go against the code, but that didn't mean she'd live to see the very end of all their hard work.
Mikito may lash out when she hears about this, and as strong as Ahiko was-she wouldn't be able to control Mikito after she's lost it.
"Souji..."
He massaged his forehead, letting out an irritated sigh. "I should have expected this to happen."
"It's our only option. If the Hagoromo attack, it'll lead to a wide spread war."
Souji bristled at the implication, teeth gritting as a bout of rage burned through his veins. He never had any dealings with Shuji, but he knew the older man was very powerful, and kept reins on the Hagoromo for decades. Nobody dared to defy him within the clan, but it wasn't out of fear or terror. Takeshi, however, wasn't like the cool headed Shuji. He had a belligerent temper, was borderline hubris, and he had no qualms about attacking any clan, or village.
It'd lead to all the clans they have ententes with to join the conflict, and it'd lead to total extinction.
That was the crux of the situation, something Shuji was taking advantage of, and something anyone else could take advantage of, if they knew well enough. It was something Haji was taking advantage of at this very moment. And, considering Daishiro had almost set Tobirama up into a conflict with just not him, but also Haji and Usagi, that man was going to be taking advantage of it.
The Terumi could be doing the same thing.
"Why would you agree to this, sister?"
"Because-" She started,, but Souji cut her off.
"Why. Did. You. Agree?" Souji's eyes narrowed dangerously, nearly glinting.
The sound of a door opening and closing, and shuffling broke his focus from his sister onto the trio that just arrived. They weren't in front of him, yet, but they would be.
Madara came into view first, followed by Mikito, and then Izuna.
Souji restrained himself from shaking his head. "Well, let's start."
"Can I have some tea?" Izuna asked.
"I'll make some, please sit down." Ahiko said.
Mikito sighed softly, resting her cheek in her hand, while the table supported her elbow. She didn't like having to wake up early-she usually slept until she could feel the sun baking on her forehead, as it was a sign it was two hours before noon.
"Mikito..." Madara's tone was one of gentle reproach.
"I'm tired, husband." Mikito frowned. She didn't care if this was rude.
Madara's eyes tightened as he locked eyes with his wife, and to his satisfaction Mikito straightened her posture with an irritated scowl.
"Happy?"
"Yes, I am." Madara replied-Mikito was a fine woman, and he didn't want her to doing such unsavory things. Her posture would remain straight, not slouching like Izuna would when he was drunk. If she could hold her kimono up while walking, she could keep her back straight.
Ahiko returned with a steaming kettle of tea, and Izuna laid out the cups for her.
Souji felt it was good a time as any to get this underway. He hated for it to feel like business as usual, but they needed to tell him something. Well, he already knew what this was all about, actually. "Now that Izuna has his tea."
"Thanks for the honey, by the way." Izuna smiled at Ahiko.
"Don't mention it. I prefer my tea sweet."
Souji scowled, eyes cutting at the duo. "Are you two finished?"
Izuna nodded without shame. "Yes."
"You annoy me." Souji remarked.
Ahiko shook her head, not at all surprised with Souji's brusque demeanor-it still exasperated her to no end. There was no easy way to say it. No way to sugarcoat it. No way to lighten the blow at all. She had made the suggestion before, when she had been contemplating the Uchiha's alliance along with Mikito and Souji. This was overstepping a boundary.
"Shin is going to marry Usagi. Hagoromo will marry Domou. Both of these things will seal an alliance between our clans. The clans the Domou and the Subatsu have ententes with will be involved as well." Izuna said bluntly.
Madara blinked, glancing at his hand. He wasn't sure why, but he just got the urge to do so, and he got the same urge to look at Mikito. She looked completely impassive. In fact, for the first time since he laid his eyes on her, Mikito wasn't showing any emotion at all. It was like she was on the battlefield and suppressed them completely, but...
He could barely comprehend the fact Izuna, Ahiko, and Yuko had all did this. Shuji more than likely pressed for this, and it was the permanent solution mentioned that was in fact Shuji's idea. This would definitely secure peace, and because the Terumi were joining them shortly, they'd be a part of this, and all the clans the Domou and Subatsu have ententes with will be involved as well. If anyone did something brazen or stupid, it was going to have disastrous consequences.
Shuji had managed to use his own clan's turmoil to his advantage, forcing them to concede to this strategy, because if they didn't the Hagoromo would go to war, and that'd thus throw all the other clans into a war. If they didn't agree to this, there'd be nothing short of battles in the coming future, and quite frankly he was enjoying the silence of the Domou compound. The Hagoromo were also allies, good allies.
"Mmmmm..." Mikito's tone was low, matching the empty look in her expression and in her eyes. "How bold of you, Izuna. Going a step or two beyond your boundaries, I see."
"She's right. Izuna, you've gone too far, this time." Madara bit out, eyes glinting with nothing short of fury.
Izuna only crossed his arms over his chest. "You realize that if we don't agree, the Hagoromo will declare war?"
"I'm very aware, but conceding shows weakness on our part."
"Does that really matter?"
Madara's eyes were glowing. "Yes, it does."
"Brother-"
"Enough!"
Mikito felt a storm of emotions, all threatening to wholly consume her until she was merely a conduit of energy and feelings, of passion and anguish, of hate and rage, of sorrow and woe, of will and presence. However, first and foremost, she'd always do what was best for everyone and everything, so the animals could graze in peace, and so the trees could grow into the clouds.
So no children were killed, and show nothing else was ravaged by the war of man. By man's ideals, and man's selfish need to battle and squabble over those ideals, perpetuating a vicious cycle of hatred.
Fighting this would be useless as many Domou desired peace with the Subatsu.
It'd make her come to blows with Souji.
"Looks like I'll be battling Syrus sooner than I expected. First bloom will come sooner than we expected, Mikito." Madara noted tersely.
"Indeed. I had intended to battle Hashirama at first bloom, but it seems like they've managed to accelerate my inevitable clash with Syrus, and your clash with Hashirama." Mikito said, tone becoming surprisingly lighter.
"You did very well Ahiko, as did you, Izuna..." Mikito smiled a strange smile, slowly crossing her arms over her chest.
"The timing couldn't be better, and Shuji would have never pressed like he did, if you never showed signs of being obstinate. But, I know it was Haji and Usagi who made the move, it had been in the works before you guys set out to the Hagoromo compound. Perhaps, this had all happened the second we came allies with the Uchiha..."
Ahiko began to fumble for words. "Sister-"
"Gentatsu died. Our siblings died. Our comrades and friends died. Our loved ones died. I failed to protect them. So many have died. Yet, everyone..." Mikito felt like she wasn't speaking, and something in her chest became hollow and void, filled with unbearable pain. Filled with rage and fury, insatiable, pure, and distilled rage and fury.
"It wasn't your fault, sister. It isn't your fault that the world is-"
"I should be powerful enough to end all war! I should be so powerful that no one even thinks of causing a conflict as long as I draw breath!" Mikito yelled.
"People would live in fear." Ahiko said, feeling breathless.
"If that's what it takes for people to stop their folly then so be it! I don't care, as long as the fighting ends!"
Madara's eyes widened briefly, and in a small moment, he knew that now...If he hadn't known before, that he and Mikito had a mutual thought process. It had always been unspoken between them, and they often clashed over it, because it was the same thing, and they just had different means of showing and going about it. But, the point being, Mikito believed that power, first and foremost was essential in ending conflict and attaining peace.
Through power others would listen. They wouldn't think of attacking someone, if that person was a million times stronger than them. It'd be prudence, and knowing after this, when to exhibit that power and when not to. So long as it kept people in line, and they went on their lives, it was of little consequence. But, if they tried to rebel, or something ridiculous, well it'd lead to them being made an example out of.
Through power, nobody would ever cause conflict again.
He found himself starting to smile.
Souji knocked his knuckles on the table, drawing everyone's attention onto him. Madara's narrowed eye glare. Mikito...She was drowning in her emotions. Ahiko's worry. Izuna's wariness. "We will proceed with this and make sure everything goes smoothly. The Hagoromo aren't going to hang this over our head, they should be grateful we're allowing them to relocate."
Izuna traded glances with Ahikoo. It all seemed a little too calm. Certainly, Mikito would go ballistic and start yelling. Ahiko had been especially wary about what Mikito's reaction would be, and considering the girl wasn't often worried, it meant that she was worried Mikito would go on a rampage. It wouldn't surprise him if she charged the Hagoromo compound alone and beat them all into submission.
Everyone save for Souji stiffened as Mikito rose up out of her seat, eyes glinting in a flinty stare, but lacking any emotion. Her movements were slow, methodical, almost lazy, but the way she moved inspired fear. Chakra swarmed around her, so subtle, yet to so potent and dense, it threatened to lash out and splatter organs, crush bodies and mountains, and mangle landscapes.
Her chakra didn't lash out, and it wasn't bursting with crushing force...It merely...Hung in the air.
Mikito slid the door open, not turning to look back as she made her way out. Everything she had been planning now had a wrench thrown into it. Now she had to contact Daishiro's wife, something she didn't want to do, as it'd go directly to that man. She didn't hate Daishiro, but she didn't exactly like him, and she hated the fact he was right. Not only was a village founded in the Lightning country, but...the events in the next region, he had been right about those as well, and what they symbolized...
Daishiro was getting worried and impatient, and she could use that to her advantage.
Shimura Daishiro, you are...
"So, you're okay with this?" Izuna prodded, careful in his approach of Mikito. He knew just how swift and quick she was, and she'd be on him before he could even blink, swinging like crazy.
"I don't want to cause a rift, I'll do what needs to be done, but after that..." Mikito laughed humorlessly.
"I'll be there with you. So will Souji." Madara surmised, giving everybody a critical look. "We know this is happening. We know a shinobi village has been formed, Kumogakure, and we know more will likely be on the way. The Water country, its clans, the damiyo, and all of its affiliates will be attacking the mainland very soon. We have our priorities. We know what is most pressing on our attention. We know what we must do."
There was only resounding nods, everyone too consumed in their own thoughts to speak a word.
They knew what the biggest and most pressing problem was, and it wasn't a contest.
The Water country...