"This curse represents a mark of the bird in the cage...It is...The symbol of being tied down to an inescapable destiny."
Neji Hyuga
Madara watched Mikito with pure intent. It wasn't killing intent or anything along those lines, and it wasn't the look he'd get on his face when he so desired a release. This was nothing but intent. Intent to observe and watch his wife, who could lash out at a seconds' notice, given that she was irate or worse. Though, she didn't seem irate at the moment, more full of sorrow, but he still knew better than to just swarm her right away.
They remained in the office they shared-Mikito filing things away as he read through a few documents. The documents were mostly concerning his dojo, where it'd be built, how large and wide it'd be, the interior of it, and at least five other things that were so close to overwhelming him. Granted, if he had taken more time training others like some Uchiha did to the new ones among the ranks, he'd be more adjusted to this. As it stood, he wasn't exactly adjusted, and the thought of dealing with kids wasn't an entirely pleasant one.
It's not that he hated kids. They didn't listen, lost focus quickly, and again, didn't listen. He seen his fair share of hard headed Uchiha while he was growing up that slacked off, that didn't take the training seriously, that spent more time talking with each other than training, and he knew it just wasn't the Uchiha that were like this. Down the board, clan or not, children were nothing short of a nuisance when it came to training. There'd be a few that were more mature, that really grasped the severity of everything, but it was just a few.
Mikito and Akame had both told him they'd handle everything else, while he handles getting the curriculum taken care of. He just wasn't expecting the two of them to get so far ahead-that they were already charting living quarters for high ranking members of the dojo that would be required to live there, as to keep things in a steady state of advancement. There were diagrams, all skillfully drawn, and executed in such a way that it showed the inside and outside of the dojo-it's foundations, and how it'd look once it's all complete.
It was remarkable. Truly remarkable.
Shinobi weren't often trained in architecture and building in general. Layouts of cities, and things of that nature was mere jumbled up mess. They could strategize a battle around such things, rip apart a map to its very seams for battle, but when it came to actually discerning and appraising such things-they were subpar at best and horrible at the worst, which was the worst. Even the Uchiha, who weren't so barbaric that they didn't invest in such things, didn't reach the true potential, because they were so busy focusing on war.
Oddly enough, Mikito was utterly silent. She had been silent on the way to the office they shared-he had been kind enough to hold her kimono up, as she had been so silent, and so wrapped in her thoughts, that he was certain she would have let it drag on the ground. It was not becoming, so he held it up for her. Once they got in the office, Mikito went to her desk, and he went to his which was not even two feet away from her own. He was almost certain Mikito would turn in to get some more rest, but he had been wrong.
Now, granted-several Domou would come into the office to give their reports and debriefings. Mikito was polite the entire time, jotting down every last word and detail of their reports. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, the nobles were falling one after the other, a dozen at a time, with another dozen to follow, and yet Madara found himself wondering as to why Mikito was so quiet. Dominoes was working to perfection, his own assassination of the damiyo and those close to him, nothing short of perfection.
Could this one truce with the Subatsu...This marriage, be troubling her so much? It wasn't like Mikito to let such things, or one thing bother her, unless it was something so severe like children being killed. She wasn't a spiteful person by any means, as she never went out of her way to provoke her enemies or people in general, nor did she flaunt her power.
"Mikito..."
She turned her eyes up from the scroll she was jotting words down in. "Yes?"
Madara leaned back in his chair, arms folded over his chest. "You've been quiet now, for hours. Why?"
Mikito barely suppressed her laugh. It was extremely childish on her part, or very well deserved for her to be behaving this way. True, the whole alliance between her clan and the Subatsu was still grating on her mind, but it's not why she was so silent. It also wasn't because the Terumi would be here in less than forty hours at this point in time. It was because one man-one, singular man. Well, two people. A man and a woman. Daishiro and his wife Katsumi.
This letter is something she hadn't shown to Madara. It was for a few reasons. The first being she wouldn't show him it until she was certain of her decision on the matter, and until she was certain that Daishiro wasn't just being his usual self. The second reason being that Madara would probably object the entire thing from the outset, it was a possibility, and she couldn't outright reject Daishiro. Not at this point, not anymore. Unfortunately he had been right, on a lot of accounts, and she had been wrong, but in the same respect...Daishiro had also been wrong.
The third reason was the most simple. If she sent this back to Daishiro, most certainly the Domou and Shimura would be in an alliance. After nearly a decade, if not an entire decade of battling bitterly, their clans would come to be at peace with each other, and in time live in harmony. Daishiro wouldn't have had his wife take the measures she did, he wouldn't have done all that he's done, and he definitely wouldn't have a bunch of earth clones on her territory...He tried to goad Tobirama into an attack-they'd then have mutual enemies. Senju.
"I'm just thinking is all..."
Madara inclined his chin slightly. "You're pausing again."
Mikito bit her bottom lip, just a little flustered.
How did Madara always manage to catch her?
Discreetly, she slipped him a rather large scroll.
Madara's eyes focused on the scroll like a laser. He didn't even ask what it was, he only shifted it open with a quick flick of his wrist. He drank in every word, devouring every meaning, and didn't rest until he had the entire thing committed to memory and feeling. He didn't want to take these words serious...Since they were coming from Daishiro. The leader of the Shimura, Daishiro who was cold as ice, as calculating as one could get, and he never short stepped anything. All that he said and did was for a reason, a huge reason. Even his father was afraid of the dark Shimura.
The fact Mikito didn't throw this out-even though it was addressed from Katsumi Shimura, showed that there was merit to this.
As opposed to Daishiro just trying to get every single, and last advantage, that he possibly could.
Madara's fear was starting to come to reality-first with Kumogakure. As unlikely as it had been, the Lightning damiyo had agreed to Arata's, Hajime's, Tunoichi's and Katsu's venture. And now there was this...Which given its contents, had been written long before Arata ever relocated. It was before he had slain the Fire damiyo in the first place. The Fire damiyo was interested in Hashirama's village idea, and even made sure to add the Sarutobi along with the Senju in this. As in, the Senju and Sarutobi would build the village. Once upon a time ago, he believed that a village system was for the best, but he seen the flaws within that village now. The incongruity and nepotism that'll become rampant, how it'd turn rotten to the core before three decades even pass.
There was also the problem with the Sarutobi and Senju getting on the same page.
You and I both know that there is nothing to stop this, Mikito. The war in the next region should have painted a clear picture for you of what the future is going to be like. The Fire damiyo's message should have made it glaringly clear.
Madara's teeth clenched, his neck taut, and his eyes gleaming with deadly intent. Daishiro hadn't headed a whole war in the next region just to get an advantage, just to get a quick payment, and not just to cause trouble as a whole. The man did what he did for two reasons-the first was to kill the past Wind damiyo, who antagonized things a great deal, the second was to show Mikito that something wasn't going to go her way-one super village, quashing numerous other villages...And, then there was...
"Is he saying...?" Madara cut his eyes at Mikito. For the first time in about a half hour, he finally took his eyes off of the scroll.
Mikito's nod was slight, barely noticeable. "It is unfortunate that he's right...But, what chance does a small clan have against a village like Kumogakure or Hashirama's Konohagakure? Even if they all rose up and fought with all of their strength..."
Madara looked off to the side, arms tightening more. "This world, it's going to burn...All because of him..."
This era ending wasn't a bad thing, in Mikito's mind. She longed for the day these wars would end, before she lost any semblance of her humanity and just ripped the entire world-and everyone in it, apart. However, this era ending, and more than a dozens of thousands of clans fading away with time-that wasn't good, and that was the worst thing that could ever happen. Perhaps Hashirama was just afraid of competition-a lot of clans went after the Senju before winter struck, and they lost numerous shinobi.
Not to mention Toka took her leave with Hesui taking his leave from the Subatsu...
"This is why we are doing what we are doing with the Terumi, and the truce with the Subatsu." Mikito replied.
"And what you're about to do with the Shimura." Madara commented, giving her a critical gaze.
Because, on the same scroll-was Mikito's reponse, and he read it. He wasn't enraged or even upset-this is something Mikito did to ensure that everyone, including the Uchiha were safe. All the clans that would flock in this direction, it was all for them-their children, and those yet to be born. He didn't have an issue with...Getting on a mutual, good ground with the Shimura, it's just that emotions ran high and there were always ulterior motives.
There was also the Domou's code and ethics-something not all the Uchiha could follow, something Ai and the Terumi didn't want to follow years ago, but he wasn't sure if Daishiro and the Shimura were against following the code. And, if that was the case...
"Domou...Uchiha...Shmura...Terumi. All the clans you and the Subatsu have ententes with, and lastly-you and the Subatsu coming to a truce..." Madara murmured, trailing off.
They were gathering together, but it was for different reasons than those forming these shinobi villages. But, it also put a target on them, more so, since it'd be known soon that himself, Uchiha, and Domou were responsible for taking out the nobles. Since it'd be known they weren't constricted to just one country or region.
"Will Ai and Daishiro be here at the same time? Surely that will complicate things as they'll have their clans with them."
Mikito hummed. That is something she wanted to avoid, as she took care of problems separately. Ai's problem was different than Daishiro's and her being at odds with them, were two different things as well. Daishiro it was simple enough, but Ai-there was a layer of complication there. "I do wish to avoid that. Ai has this thing when it comes to men that rub her the wrong way."
Madara rubbed his chin, recalling hearing a story about some woman in the Water country that was known for melting flesh off of faces. Particularly that of men. She was as deadly as she was curvaceous and seductive. For all of her sexy wit, she was just as deadly and would shove a kunai through someone's neck and smile about it. "So, Ai melts skin off of faces."
Mikito nodded. "The Terumi are known for their Futton and Yōton."
"I guess it's not much a stretch that she'd just use either or at point blank-even though those are more long and mid range." Madara mused it aloud.
"I don't think we'll be lucky enough for her to melt off Ajo's face, a shame." Mikito rested her cheek in her hand, giving her husband an unamused look.
"That's not what I was thinking about it." Madara hadn't been at first, but then he began to ponder what the sound of Ajo screaming bloody murder would sound like. He had been thinking about, the off chance, that more clans from the Water country take the same route the Terumi have. The Kaguya wouldn't, naturally, and the Hozuki wouldn't, but the Yuki, and Hoshigaki...
If they had the Yuki and Hoshigaki...
Mikito remained silent, giving a soft nod in return. Her husband thought a lot like her, but also a lot different. This was one of those times that they were on the same line of thought, completely. "I think Ai should be here before Daishiro, or vice versa...Point being, they, and their clans, shouldn't be here at the same time."
She hummed again, this time more chipper. "I see us being very busy in the coming days, weeks even, plus there's your dojo we've got to get up."
"That can wait until all of this is taken care of...Dealing with one of them would be enough, but we've got to deal with Daishiro and Ai...They have to hold to our standard, though..." Madara trailed off, eyes not focusing on anything in particular as he rolled up the scroll, shifting it back towards Miktio.
"Yes, they must hold to our standard, but you're right...Dealing with one would be enough." Mikito conceded, gripping the scroll tightly within her fingers, eyes burning a hole through it.
"We'll just deal with the situation together." Madara concluded. When the time came for them to discuss, he'd be ready.
There was no sense in worrying about that now, even if Ai and Daishiro would be here sooner rather than later, looking to relocate. For now, Daishiro was at his compound, and Ai was getting closer by the minute.
Mikito gently raked some of her bangs back, sighing a gentle sigh. "I'm calling a Council meeting when we're finished up in here, I can't do this without hearing everyone else's opinions."
"The Terumi?"
Mikito shook her head. "That's already been taken care of, the Domou have no problem with them relocating here, so long as they follow our code and ethics, which had been the problem the first time around. But, this truce and marriage with the Subatsu...And, the Shimura, on the other hand...
"Hn." Madara wasn't going to argue against it-in some ways he'd never be able to best Mikito. More over, a Council meeting was to be called, because there was nothing but extremely severe.
Nothing but severity.
Sadao made sure that he was up before dawn even broke.
Yesterday, Syrus had been talking sheer nonsense, and he didn't mean it in a way of disrespect. It was nonsense, because it didn't make any sense. He didn't press the issue and decided to speak to Haji and Usagi to get all of the details. He wasn't sure what Syrus intended to do, Usagi swore he was going to die, but Haji was of a mind that Syrus wouldn't be going anywhere.
In truth Syrus couldn't, because he'd be needed. It was only right that he was present when everything starting to fall into place. Something like this couldn't happen overnight, in a few days, or even a few weeks.
Sipping on his morning tea, he allowed himself to relax. The Subatsu compound was all but silent, save for the sounds of nature around them. It was always this way, every morning and night. Nobody was training, and nobody was moving around. At this time, they were all resting, and only a few were up and about. Mostly division leaders, Haji, Syrus, and the spy division.
Things had always been quiet in the Snow country, his clan enjoyed their solitude, but there were attacks, and they had to be dealt with. But, this sort of silence was harmonious.
He could understand just why Syrus didn't want anyone intruding on this land. It was so pure and verdant, so vast and abundant.
He could also understand what made the younger man fly off the handle yesterday, too. Syrus wasn't like the common shinobi, who would hide their emotions, he very much let all of his emotions show for the most part. Syrus had lost his friend, and his siblings-Sadao experienced the very same things. His siblings all passed on, even those who lived to the old age of fifty two, and he lost friends. He lost comrades. He lost family. Infants passed away due to sickness.
It was pain, more than anything. A pain that sheared. It was worse than a stab wound. Worse than getting a leg blown off. Worse than being crushed by an earth jutsu. It was worse than any physical wound-as all of these things could be healed, or one would merely die from the wounds-wounds like this, that weren't physical, never truly went away. The pain was just too much, and it caused suffering. Syrus was suffering.
Death...
The thought made him tense for a brief second, a quiet sigh leaving his lips. Many peopled suffered-they all experienced pain, but few had the resolve and strength to turn that into strength, and even fewer continued to...Suffer. They wouldn't feel this, when the one they loved passed, as the only thing they'd feel is the unshakable inclination to kill.
There was also the problem with the Hyuga, and even he felt that swift action needed to be taken.
His quiet musings were all but silently intruded upon as both Haji and Usagi entered the room, the elder between the two sliding the door shut. The whole time, there was an air of silence between them. Haji was careful in how he closed and opened the door, Usagi's steps were as always-light, and Sadao didn't give his usual warm greeting to the two, as he did with everyone else who'd come into his office.
"Tea?"
"Yes, please."
Sadao poured Usagi a cup, sliding it over to her.
Haji watched them both intently.
"Something the matter?" Sadao asked, curious.
Usagi shook her head. "He's just one to get down to business."
"I can appreciate that. Before you debrief me. I'd like to know. What made you both react like you did yesterday when Syrus said he'd remove all of his restraints and training weights? If I am not mistaken, training with weights, can't warrant that kind of reaction."
"This is something that falls into line with clan secrets." Usagi said.
Haji merely shrugged-they were allies, and Sadao, nor his clan, would ever break away. There was no harm in telling him at this point. They were undergoing the same training after all.
"You're right...That's with normal weighted training. You put a little weights around your shins and forearms, your run with weighted gear. The thing is, our weighted training gear works in two ways. The first is physically-it makes us maintain peak physical shape at all times, and as we grow, so too does the weight that we must bear. Everything from our zori, our armor, to our forehead protectors are all weighted."
Sadao didn't comment on how even getting through the compound gates was an almost impossible task, and the fact everything else was weighted as well. "So, someone of Ryoku's build, how much weight would you say he is carrying?"
"Just his armor alone weighs close to eight hundred pounds."
Sadao stared at Haji. "How is he able to move?"
Usagi was quick to fill in the gap. "It's because the second way it works is on a chakra level-just as the weights weigh down the body, the weights weigh down on the chakra as well. Just as the weights take a toll on the body, the weights take a toll on the chakra. Now, we can't exactly measure poundage when it comes to this. It makes us have to maintain at an immense level. It makes recovery most important. But, it also keeps our chakra in check. If someone like Ryoku were to remove all of his weights..."
Sadao mulled the words over.
It made sense, considering the Subatsu were born as powerful as they were, they'd need to go through such means in order to hone and refine their strength. Such strength couldn't be swung about carelessly, it couldn't just be exerted and forced out-there had to be careful training involved, austere and relentless. It also made sense considering when the body took abuse, and one rested, their muscles would get stronger, etc-so if chakra was treated in the same manner, and there was ample time to recover.
Indeed, Usagi was right.
"But, wouldn't it be counterproductive to weigh down the chakra, wouldn't that minimize it?"
"There's times when all of the weighted gear is discarded and we're free to move around. It is a frequent thing to remove our weighted clothing growing up. By my age, most of the Subatsu have full control of their chakra thanks to the intense training we undergo, but there's some that struggle with control until they're in their twenties."
Refine, honing, and tempering their strength, tempering their chakra-just as Sadao thought.
Then, they really had nothing to worry about with Syrus.
"The situation within the Hagoromo."
Haji pressed his lips to a thin line, like he always did when there was a situation like this. It was easy being solemn enough to deliver the report. Shuji made it clear that he wasn't afraid to go to war if push came to shove, if his clan was attacked by anyone or anything-Takeshi and his aggression, as well as the Hagoromo under him could be considered a catalyst for the whole thing to start in the first place. Takeshi was too influential, and Shuji was the inept leader unable to do a thing.
But, it was more than that...Shuji disagreed with Takeshi, but he wasn't going to turn his back on his second in command. He'd fight, and die together, with Takeshi, and all the other Hagoromo. That's why the Hagoromo and Subatsu have an entente, and that's why he wants them to be sworn allies with his clan, and it will happen.
"Things are tense within the Hagoromo. Takeshi and Shuji are on opposing spectrums of a situation and their thoughts on it couldn't be anymore different. Takeshi has managed to rally a considerable number of Hagoromo to his cause, with even a few division leaders siding with him. As of now, things can go either way. Shuji is wants and is willing to participate in finding a permanent solution to the problem."
"That's where the marriages come in. More importantly, the marriage between Usagi and Shin." Sadao declined his chin by a fraction, his eyes starting to gleam.
Haji nodded.
Sadao remained silent.
Usagi drained the rest of her tea, pouring herself another glass. Her eyes were misted with worry "...Arata has become the leader of the Uchiha that stayed behind...Well, to be more specific, there was a rift within the Uchiha, and Madara, Izuna, Hikaku, and less than half of the clan in all relocated with the Domou. Arata, and the sect that stayed behind relocated to the Lightning country. Arata has been in contact with Tunoichi and Hajime, as well as the leader of the Yotsuki clan-Katsu, and the Lightning damiyo."
"He visited Shuji before he relocated the clan. From my understanding, it came down to pride, and Shuji almost drew his sword on Arata. Takeshi, also nearly drew his sword. I can only assume Arata overstepped boundaries or affronted Shuji and the Hagoromo. Arata also asked to burrow a large sum of money from Shuji, without giving his reasons.." Haji finished.
"How much?" Sadao asked.
"Ten million ryo."
Sadao shook his head.
Was Arata smoking crack?
"What's the situation?"
Haji narrowed his eyes. "Takeshi wants to keep an alliance with Arata and his sect of Uchiha, believing it to be the only way. There was a marriage roughly two hundred and fifty or more years ago, and it sealed the alliance. He doesn't understand that Arata and those Uchiha betrayed him and the Hagoromo. Betraying what has been set in place by his predecessors."
"But, that'll lead to war..."
Shuji wouldn't kill Takeshi, yes he'd disagree, yes he'd get hostile, but he wouldn't kill his second in command. That's not how shinobi did things, and it's not how the Hagoromo did things. If the threat of attack was clear, the Hagoromo would retaliate without reprieve. It didn't matter who or what was threatening them, if they were being threatened, the Hagoromo will leave nothing but charred pieces of what had once been a corpse. After all, if Shuji did try to kill Takeshi, that'd make him look bad.
Takeshi wasn't trying to usurp power and control from Shuji, or anything like that. Takeshi wouldn't even try to do that in the first place, as it wasn't his goal. Him and Shuji were of a like mind when it came to the welfare of the Hagoromo.
The Hagoromo were known to run amuck at times, and he could see why now. He never dealt with the clan personally, or battled them, but he heard enough to know that making enemies out of them was something very, very stupid.
Shuji...He's a cunning one. Sadao noted silently.
"Which brings me to why Arata has relocated to the Lightning country." Haji started, clearing his throat gently. "Yatsuha, Shuji's eldest daughter, was able to verify this as well. Kumogakure is the name of the shinobi village that has been founded in the Lightning country-Arata and his sect of Uchiha, Hajime, Koizuki, and the Hageshii, Tunoichi, Takehito, and the Shainingu, and lastly, Katsu, and the Yotsuki have all come together in a unification, forming a pact with the Lightning damiyo to create Kumogakure."
Haji let the statement linger, mind reeling from the fact it was Hajime and Tunoichi that had made it happen...Back when the Domou and Uchiha raided the teahouse, and when his clan was departing...Hajime...
"I thought that was Hashirama Senju's grand plan?"
Sadao may have spent most of his life in the Snow country, but word and tale came abound even in his homeland, and he had been away from the Snow country more than enough to know the outside world around him. There was never talk of a village, anything at all about a village, until Hashirama came along. Before, there was no such thing as a village, no compromise of peace, only the thirst for war and revenge-to find peace through bloodshed.
The world was truly changing, and he knew it was just the beginning. This was only the beginning.
"It is." Usagi was quick to say, a very small ray of scarlet on her cheeks. She always admired Hashirama's abilitiy to put the needs of everyone else before his own. He even treated her with such a gentle touch that she found herself blushing in his presence at times. "Make no mistake, this is not the village that Hashirama dreams of founding...This is anything but that dream he holds dear. That he is willing to die for."
Sadao could remember meeting Hashirama a few times-the Senju and his own clan weren't allies, but when they needed a place to stay, his own clan never turned the Senju away. They'd always give them a place to camp around the edges of their territory, and in the winter months, they'd allow them to be within the city where it was actually warm. Hashirama had been a loud, boisterous, talkative child with a knack for mischief. He was very kind, though, and gentle.
If Hashirama dreamed an ideal shinobi village, where all could live in peace with each other, Kumogakure was not it. Kumogakure was a militant, war machine, that'd stop at nothing to be at the top of the food chain. That's how the Lightning damiyos were as a whole, and it'd be a mistake to think the shinobi village wasn't going to follow in similar footsteps.
"We needn't focus on this village, as surely it is focusing on the Water country at this moment." Sadao said at last.
"I'd agree, but Hitomi and I are married, and she originally hailed from the powerful and influential Kazama family of the Lightning country. I know he has plans to attack her, and myself by extension. There's also the issue with Tobirama."
"What did he do?"
"He cut the marriage short, and defied the damiyo." Usagi replied.
It was basically the same thing, but Tobirama being Tobirama did those things, in that exact order.
"The Kazama family that remained at the damiyo's side all those centuries ago at the apex of the wars in the Lightning country. Tobirama Senju, doing what he did. I'm surprised the Lightning damiyo isn't bearing down here with all of his might and on the Senju." Sadao would be in disbelief, if he hadn't heard crazier.
If he didn't know that the Subatsu would mow down every last one of the damiyo's soldiers.
"It's because Arata, Hajime, Katsu, and Tunoichi are being pragmatic. They are thinking like shinobi. They could send out a few dozen units to this area in order to attack us, but they will keep their focus on the Water country, and their village. If they're smart." Usagi remarked.
"So, we just need to move ahead with this plan to avoid disaster." Usagi concluded a second later, tone painfully soft.
"Yes, because the Lightning country, Kumogakure, the Water country, and all of its clans, will be declaring war on the entire world. This has been a long time coming, the situation in the Water country grows worse and worse." Sadao seconded.
"Indeed..." Haji said softly. There was also the reason, that in order to avoid all at war with the clans they have ententes with, this needed to be done. If the Hagoromo made a move, if any of them did-barring his clan and the Domou, it was going to shatter what mutual understanding they've had for centuries, that's allowed them to maintain harmony between their clans.
The Mugen clan didn't need to attack, and the Furea clan didn't need to attack. the Tsuya clan didn't need to attack. It just wouldn't be contained to one area-these battles would sweep out to encompass the entire shinobi world, and the lands outside of it. If the term the world being on fire ever had literal meaning, this would be one of those times when it was expected to be used.
However, Daishiro was also growing wary, and that wasn't good. The man was cool headed, calculating, sharp, and cunning. He was also very powerful, being able to compete on even ground with Mikito and Syrus respectively, and had been competing with the former for at least five years.
I wonder... Haji glanced at the ceiling, closing his eyes.
If the Sarutobi were becoming problematic, or were...
"There's still the problem with the Hyuga, as well..." Sadao broke the silence.
Haji nearly shivered with a grimace, train of thought crashing to a halt.
Usagi turned to Sadao-noting how his tone became more severe. She knew well, there was no love loss between her clan and the Hyuga. However, they weren't intruding on the Hyuga's lands like the Hyuga were doing to them, like they had done. She didn't think Sadao, nor his kinsmen, would have the same cut throat mentality when it comes to the Hyuga like her own clan does.
"What happened while we were gone?"
Sadao's eyes flashed dangerously, so lethal, that Haji and Usagi were caught off guard. "They attacked a child from my clan and your clan. The children are still alive, don't worry about that. The Hyuga that attacked them were all slain. The Hyuga that backed them up were all slain, and Yamguchi, and some others tailed them yesterday, and pushed them back into the Fire country. There will be many heading out today with Syrus to put an end to the Hyuga."
Haji shot up out of his chair, eyes glinting. He was level headed, he got to the point and remained dry, but he'd never forgive anyone who attacked a child, yet alone a child from his clan or Sadao's. The Subatsu didn't kill children for starters, and when and if Subatsu children were attacked they'd kill their attackers, if their parents and everyone else didn't come barreling through. It was the worst possible thing to do, period. It was one thing to attack an adult or teen, but attacking a seven year old, an eight year old...
It may be a common thing in some parts of the world still, but the Subatsu didn't tolerate anyone attacking their young, and they didn't send their young off to battle.
"Those Hyuga..." Haji bit through his clenched teeth, breathing becoming heavier.
He rarely experienced fury and rage, but when the children were threatened...
Usagi felt her own bout of rage, but more than anything, she felt concern for the children. "Are you sure they're okay?"
Sadao nodded with a sincere smile. "They were a little shook up, at first, but they're fine now. Their training saved them."
Now Usagi understood why Syrus was heading on a crash course with the Hyuga, and why he was in the particular mood he was in. The last thing he wanted to heat at this point in time was she was marrying Shin Domou, for an alliance between the Subatsu and Domou. It had to happen, especially after this, but Syrus still didn't want to hear it.
She was just relieved.
"We will deal with them. Total and complete surrender will be their only option, unless they want to fight to the bitter end." Haji almost snarled, having yet to sit back down.
"What will you do with the children?" Sadao asked, staring at Haji intently-noting how Usagi bristled like a porcupine.
"Our code and ethics forbid killing children, as you know."
Sadao nodded.
Haji said each word, careful and pointed. "The Hyuga will have no choice but to surrender. There was a time when the Hyuga, and clans never encroached on our land, or did anything like this..." Besides, I'd say Mikito has to cover a couple of loose ends first before we can move ahead with this, the Hyuga take prominence at this moment. This isn't something that'll be done quickly.
"They've become more brazen and bold." Sadao commented, eyeing Haji for a moment. "Those who came before you were also more..."
"My father drove the Hyuga clan to near extinction. The only reason the Hyuga survive to this day is because he didn't mow through the children, and they had to, for a time, stop their stupid practice. They would have killed each other instead of repopulating." Haji said, eyes narrowing just the slightest.
Sadao could feel Haji's inclination. He was intent on beating the Hyuga into submission-Hyuga never surrendered. This was going to be a long, and bloody battle. But, the Hyuga brought it on themselves-if his clan and the Subatsu left bodies lying for miles and miles, they didn't do it out of pleasure. The Hyuga needed to pay for this. However, Haji wasn't going to take the same measures as his father, and Syrus wouldn't either. The Hyuga wouldn't surrender back then, or honestly their father, and the Subatsu weren't trying to hear it.
However, this time...The Hyuga would surrender. They would wave the white flag.
"My eldest daughter was one of the first to join the group that will be heading out for battle, she has little tolerance for such things."
Usagi shivered briefly. An angry Kimie was something she didn't wish to see.
"Syrus and I agree that action needs to be taken swiftly, I doubt we need to call a Council meeting for this."
Haji shook his head. That wasn't necessary at all. The Hyuga crossed the line-crossed the point of no return.
However, for this truce, and marriage...The same couldn't be said.
"I'll send this to the other members of the Council and Syrus. You can go back to your wife, Haji. She's missed you dearly." Sadao formed a neat pile of the scrolls he had written on before rolling them up, labeling them accordingly.
"You can leave as well, Usagi. I know you're tired."
Haji and Usagi both gave nods, standing to exit the room.
"You realize your clan will have to be on good terms with the Uzumaki? Shuji isn't going to expect anything less, as he will want peace between the Hagoromo and the Uzumaki as well. In fact, he will want peace with the clans you and the Domou have ententes with." Sadao pointed out.
"Of that I am well aware." Haji replied.
Far too aware, in fact.
Shuji used one broad stroke, and now he held the advantage.
Sadao let out a soft, ragged sigh as he was left alone in complete silence, the only thing tangible being the aroma of his tea. He drank the rest of it before it got cold, and refilled his cup. They found themselves cornered, and there was only one option now, only one thing that could satisfy everyone. Peace and harmony. Nothing less than these two things would satisfy anyone.
Funny and ironic, considering just a decade ago, five years, two years ago-everyone wanted to kill and exude brute force, and would never even think about talking.
"Yes, the world is changing." Sadao laughed to himself, scratching at his beard.
What will the Senju and Sarutobi do...
He always planned and thought ahead, for decades, beyond this point, when he was but a relic. Of all the rumblings of clans and their dealings, the Senju and Sarutobi at this moment were quiet, other than their skirmishes with the Shimura which were turning more and more bloody as the days passed. They weren't making any political moves like Arata. However, they would in time, and if they didn't-that's fine and dandy, but if they do, he'd have a contingency to deal with the problem when the time comes.
Because, Hashirama pulled on the strings of people's hearts, swayed them with his ideals, and talked until he was blue in the face. Somehow, his dream, and idea of a shinobi village, got through to shinobi, and important shinobi at that. The damiyos as well. Perhaps there was no avoiding this change, that was only beginning, but Hashirama most certainly sped things up.
He was a dangerous man...
"Arata!"
The Uchiha bolted to his feet, eyes glowing bright crimson, teeth grit, and his fists clenched. It wasn't wise to sneak up on a shinobi. It was even stupider to scream at a shinobi while they were sleeping, as the automatic reflex was a cut to the throat. However, despite how tired he was, and all the work he and everyone else had been doing to ensure that Kumogakure will stand even when they pass on, he kept the impulse to throttle Katsu by his neck like a ragdoll. Katsu may nearly be twice his size, but that wasn't going to make a difference.
He-like every Uchiha, always through up a genjutsu before they fell into a deep sleep. If there was a family member close by, that was fine, as they could normally sort of just negate the genjutsu. It wasn't fine when someone who wasn't of an Uchiha, to not only intrude on an Uchiha while they are resting, but to break down his genjutsu almost completely...
The Yotsuki were a powerful clan, and other than the mercenary, and demon clans that roamed the mountains-who always attacked, the Yotsuki were always front and center as well. A boastful and powerful clan, they were known for their powerful lightning jutsus, size, speed, kenjutsu, dark skin, and use of Lightning armor which bolstered their already physical capabilities.
However, despite all of that, every time the Uchiha came to blows with the Yotsuki, the Uchiha always pushed them back.
The Yotsuki were a boastful clan.
The Uchiha were proud, but they were cut throat, period. The Yotsuki, were one of the clans, that couldn't hold a candle to the Uchiha in that regard.
His vision was still blurry, even with the Sharingan active. He was beyond tired, exhausted, both mentally and physically. Kumogakure was a huge work in process, and the construction was still underway. With many horses, oxen, the damiyo's soldiers and servants, and shinobi from not just his own clan, but the Hageshii, Shainingu, and Yotsuki, supplies were quickly gathered and transported. People were organized into large groups, using ladders, and the shinobi walking on the walls-speeding things along once more.
The construction was slow at first, as it was decided they'd need to first build around the base, then go to the top, and work their way to the middle, where they'd meet another few groups to work out the kinks. The village would be in a cloistered part of mountains that towered into the clouds, breaking off into spotted formations, some larger, some wider, and some taller. Some had rounded peaks, others more jagged, some even slightly square, oblique at best. It was purely awe-inspiring. They were thousands and thousands of feet in the air, they were hidden within the clouds.
The damiyo gave them this entire range, plus the land beneath, which would be the foundation of the village itself. The village would go up to the Raikage's HQ, which would be situated within the tallest and largest mountain.
The mountains around the central one would have stairs and paths to go traverse without issue, as well as wide platforms complete with railings so people could hang on that weren't trained in the shinobi arts, or if the winds were simply too fierce. Mountain winds at this altitude were frightening, and could knock down someone unaware. Some of these would also act as training areas, as well as guard stations-the latter being the most important, as it'd give them a full view. True, they were this high up, but they also had the land underneath them.
There was no way they'd ever lose or be defeated. The Lightning damiyo wouldn't allow it, ever, and neither of them would allow it either.
However...
Directing all of it was a chore, as he was more accustomed to battle. However, the transition was simple enough, and within just short of a few hours he was already making progress, with Hajime and the others making excellent progress as well. It was something hard to swallow, and fully comprehend, as he was used to serving his clan first and foremost, and any progress made was because of Uchiha. But, this was different, but it wasn't entirely bad.
Besides, if things turned unfavorable, he always had the Mangekyo.
"Katsu..." Arata drawled, slipping out of his bed, and quickly slipping on a black yukata. He tied the sash, hiding his densely muscled, and scarred torso. "You come in my room like a raving lunatic."
The man's expression was only unforgiving and stern. "How can you be sleeping at a time like this?!"
"I've been doing a lot of work...I've been directing a lot of things." Arata's eyes glinted dangerously. He chose not to make a comment about how this man, Katsu, was kissing the damiyo's ass. Instead of hauling up supplies, he was in the damiyo's ear.
"You sealed yourself inside of a genjutsu! You had something to do with this! I knew we couldn't trust you Uchiha, power hungry lunatics!"
"I could crush you with just a look from my eyes." Arata said in a low tone, his eyes were as wide as they could go, and the three tomoes of the Sharingan were just mere blurs, circling a pool of blood.
"I wonder if your Mangekyo can trace my movements when I'm enveloped in my Lightning Armor. I'll knock your head off before you can even take a step, Uchiha."
"You think that compares to my eyes?"
"Eyes you have because you killed your loved ones! Your allies!"
"You'd do well to remember it is because of Hajime and I, as well as Tunoichi that the damiyo ever agreed to this. Nobody can match the Uchiha, and it is for this reason all of this has happened."
"Without my clan you would have been chased out of here like the little rats you are. I don't care about your eyes! You need to learn your place and I'll be glad to put you in it."
"That'll change soon, rest assured."
Katsu narrowed his eyes, and with just a mere clench of his hands-his chakra exuded menacingly. "They say when I exert my full strength into a strike it's like lightning is striking. You understand, Uchiha? Even with your Mangekyo, you're nothing compared to me."
Arata snarled, eyes glowing. "Nobody slights the Uchiha and lives to speak about it!"
The yelling, and more importantly-chakra, brought about more commotion and footsteps. Surely, anyone within a five mile radius had heard the two men yelling. Takehito came sprinting down the hall, eyes narrowed-ready to go in for the kill. There were few reasons why Katsu would scream. The man was prideful and boastful, but also held a cold edge.
"What's the meaning of this?" Takehito immediately snarled, eyes trained on Katsu. He had a kunai in his hand, not at all hesitant to use it on the man. "You Yotsuki always causing internal problems..."
"You have something to say about my clan?" Katsu whirled on Takehito.
"I'm going to put you in your place before you get any ideas."
"That's enough, Takehito." Tunoichi gripped the younger man's shoulder.
Hajime and Koizuki were much slower in their approach looking a bit amused and annoyed as the two began to go back and forth, while Tunoichi took brisk strides to stand beside Takehito, silencing the younger man.
"What's happened?" Tunoichi asked after a long pause.
"Damiyo-sama, his inner circle, their advisers, and some of their family members have all been slain! And some of them looked to have stabbed themselves right in the neck. It's like they all committed suicide, but there's some who don't look like this."
Arata felt eyes train on him, and he glowered with his crimson eyes. "What?"
"Is it too much to think that you'd drive them to this with your genjutsu?" Hajime asked.
"You could have talked them into doing it, Hajime."
Hajime laughed, though he was a little tired, he was always amused when dealing with Uchiha. "The Sharingan is known and feared for a reason. I heard stories of an old Uchiha warlord who would drive people into depravity and make them eat their fingers."
"There is some truth to that." Arata nodded without any hesitation-the eating fingers part was a little blown out though.
"Power is everything to the Uchiha."
"Power is the only thing that matters."
"I understand that your clan split in two."
"More Uchiha are with me, clearly."
"Yes, but the Uchiha who left aren't like the rest of you. Madara, Izuna, Hikaku, Yuto, Aito, and more all left."
"That's true, even Madara and Izuna are disgraces. None of them are true Uchiha. Their absence doesn't leave a gap in our strength, do not make that mistake."
"I should have just taken the Uchiha out from the inside, if that's the case. A shame I couldn't...It'd be amusing watching you call break off into a few hundred or dozen little sects. I'm certain you'd go to war, just like before Tajima took the helm and unified all of you again." He mused softly, eyes roaming around the room.
Arata sneered. "Even Ajo and Daishiro fell short against you and your ludicrous plot in the Sand country, it figures Tunoichi would have joined hands with you..."
"I didn't think the Hageshii and Uchiha were so inept." Katsu remarked. "You have joined hands with them as well, Arata."
"I'm important."
Koizuki would have snapped Arata's and Katsu's neck any other day or time, but not this time. Arata and Tunoichi were merely tools and nothing more. Besides. Liking it or not, they were all allies, permanent, and they needed to work together in order for this village to remain for the years to come, decades after their death. Whoever came to replace the damiyo, and everyone else, they would still want things in motion and progressing, and there's the chance they may want things to be further ahead.
It was a risk on the damiyo's part agreeing with them. This whole thing could fail, and they could spread war throughout the entire Lightning country. Naturally, he could just wipe them all out with practical ease. It was this sheer military might which gave the Lightning damiyo a bit more leisure than other damiyos when it came to his decisions and behavior.
Still, all of that wasn't enough to prevent his death. Somebody had infiltrated the estate, ran through the damiyo, and anyone close to him, and anyone close to those who were close to him. It was necessary though, as the damiyo was more concerned about killing Hitomi, and Tobirama, and Haji by extension, than focusing on their main priority, and the reason he so easily agreed to this in the first. The reason the military had been expanded, and why there were so many weapons made. To get a jump on the Water country before any of those within it can make a move.
"A new damiyo will be named, we needn't worry about that. Things will proceed. We need to find out who did this, or if possible, find anything that can lead us to who did it."
Koizuki took a slow breath, exhaling all at once as he turned his eyes on Katsu. "Send out one hundred units. Two, three, five, eight, and ten person units. I'm going to send out fourteen to work around your flanks."
"I'll send out twenty then, in that case. We'll intertwine, so to speak" Tunoichi nodded slightly.
Katsu nodded, eyes gleaming with understanding. "We must move quickly before any trails dry up."
Arata cleared his throat loudly. "We also need to move quickly so we can focus on our objective. The Water country. I'll send out some units of Uchiha. While this is being done, we should go to the estate with another unit of Uchiha."
Katsu glared at the Uchiha about to speak, but Hajime cut him off.
"Yes, you Uchiha can see chakra. It's not such an esoteric skill with you clan."
Arata smirked. "We'll wrap this up quickly then..."
After all, Hajime was with him.
Hajime was the man who spread war in the next region, systematically brought everyt=one into conflict-though the Wind damiyo, and Sarutobi were both a huge part of this. Once the Wind damiyo sent out that message to all of those villages, which was easily thousands, things were only going to go in one direction.
Sasuke hadn't been able to kill Hajime, Daiki hadn't, Syrus hadn't, Mikito hadn't, Tobirama hadn't, Koichi hadn't, Haji hadn't, even Madara, Izuna, and himself hadn't been able to kill Hajime. There were times he could almost hear the breath leave the man's body for good, until it'd turn to thick earth sludge.
While their battles raged on, Haime had ample time to plan and scheme. For all of his skill and strength, the man's mind and mental capabilities far surpassed those of his physical nature. He could have easily just attacked them, but instead of doing that, he'd just do hit and runs, having many units of Hageshii run the same strategy, and it'd draw all their enemies in to kill each other.
The Hageshii were a fierce clan, but they were also cunning and wily. Hajime being a perfect example.
However, someone had to push the Wind damiyo into solid action, and that had been the Shimura.
The end result of Hajime's plan was this. He was in the very good graces of the Lightning damiyo, a shinobi village was being founded, and oddly enough he was drawn into the whole thing. While everyone else had been fighting to the bitter end in the next region, and while everyone was taking shelter for the winter, he had been here in talks with the Lightning damiyo.
Keeping this all at the forefront of his mind, Arata kept his focus pinned on the older man standing before him. Arriving at the estate was nothing short of eventful. The units they sent out were sending clones back with news, so more clones were needed to scout around the property.
Soldiers were out for miles and miles, searching with vehemence. There were slaves and servants hurrying around to clean the blood and dispose of the tarnished sheets, famers and merchants were hauling bodies onto crates.
The entire place was in a frenzy, after a maiden, who had been cleaning a room up, slipped on a pool of blood on the eighth floor. After quick sweeps, and multiple pools of blood, it was clear that their was an attack on the damiyo himself. He had been found dead, minute puncture wounds all over his body, crusted over from the blood drying.
They along with the unit of shinobi they brought with, were quickly ushered to areas where the deaths had occurred. There were so many bodies lying-so many of the damiyo's closest people were all slain. Some never even had the chance to open their eyes, dying in their sleep. There had to be thousands of people roaming about the estate doing what needed to be done, even some of the damiyo's family was out, doing what they could to help.
Arata scanned the room he was currently in-the damiyo's room to be exact. The first thing he noted was the gigantic bed which was in the center of the room. The room itself was carpeted in a light blue, and there was as many grand tables and chairs within his private quarters, as there were throughout his entire estate. Clearly, he spared no expense when it came to his personal living so to speak.
There were four closets, all of them filled as far as they could go with only the most fine clothes and linens. The closets themselves were as tall as the ceilings and at least five feet wide. The windows were as wide as they were tall, covered in purple curtains with the Lightning kanji stitched in the center of them-they looked to be made of silk.
"He overindulged." Koizuki commented after no one said a word for moments.
"That much is obvious. He's a noble." Takehito's expression was stoic as he kept looking around the room-so much luxury, but little security.
Arata grunted in agreement, arms tight against his chest.
The three tomoe Sharingan granted a clarity and color to chakra, it was visible, tangible, and one could differ one chakra from another. It was basic at best. The Mangekyo on the other hand, granted something similar to seeing a person when looking at chakra. The color and texture, the vibrancy or pulsation, what made the chakra so unique.
Its character.
The Mangekyo seen all of this, but he wasn't going to use it now. He could see the faint chakra trails that were dissipating, rapidly. Whoever came through here was immensely powerful, even with their chakra near fully suppressed and concealed, large trace amounts were still leaked. Most of it was gone, but there were patches spotting throughout the room-with most concentrated near the window, around the bed, and oddly enough on the ceiling and part of the wall.
He peered outside next-the wisps of chakra starting to curl up like mist.
"They must have gotten through with the window." Katsu surmised.
Hajime furrowed his brows. "They made their exit through the window..."
"They moved in our ten o clock, send this out. Takehito." Arata said quickly.
A nod from Tunoichi was all it took for Takehito to go finishing the task.
"They must have struck hours ago." Arata finally concluded, eyes narrowing to slits. The chakra was 'distorted' as if the person took measures against someone who can see chakra.
The skill was esoteric, but there were shinobi who could see chakra as clear as one would see a tree. If one was smart, they'd always do something like this in order to cover all possibilities.
"Tell me something Hajime..." Tunoichi started.
"The Shimura or Domou. It's not a stretch to say they both had a hand in it, if it weren't for the fact they've been battling for nearly a decade now."
Katsu stepped up to Arata. "You do have something to do with this!"
"I'll give you two seconds." Arata hissed.
"Your move, Uchiha Arata."
"Calm yourself, Katsu." Koizuki said sharply.
"Why just those two clans?" Tunoichi could feel the air in the room shift, and he quickly spoke before anyone could say anything else.
In total honesty, he thought the choices were more abundant that just the Shimura and Domou-a lot of clans killed, and would kill damiyos. The Yamanaka and Nara had even done it at one point in time, even though they were more sequestered and peaceful.
Hajime considered his answer carefully. "The Senju cooperate with damiyos, or try to at least. The Uchiha can't care less as long as they get paid. The Sarutobi, Sasuke and Genzo to be more precise would just launch fireballs overhead-not caring if they're caught. And, the Subatsu would just blast through the village."
"The Domou and Shimura are different, though. While not opposed to full scale assaults, they both prefer to..."
"Are you trying to say they're related?" Katsu raised an eyebrow, wondering where this was going exactly.
"They become darkness itself. They become a shadow. It's not like how you and I stay to the shadows, and it's not how the Nara manipulate shadows...They become darkness itself. They are the shadow." Hajime clarified, though he wondered briefly if the Shimura and Domou could be distantly related, it wouldn't be the strangest thing he's ever heard in his lifetime.
Katsu raked a hand through his hair, his eyes remaining stern. "You've fought against them both, so I suppose you'd know. But, this honestly sounds ludicrous. I know there is the Silent Killing technique, but this sounds like something that's not even..."
"Human." Tunoichi finished, eyes focused on Hajime with such an intensity, he was certain anyone lesser would have died from the sheer grip of panic. "Tomoyuki and everyone who followed him were lost in that battle, except for Takehito, who just managed to escape."
He seen exactly what Hajime was talking about first hand-when they raided Maison-ya and the teahouse in the Sand country, the Domou...Then there was the Shimura, and they were no different in how they moved-with such a cutting and ruthless swiftness, that one wouldn't catch them in their peripherals. It wasn't something as simple as running at super speeds-both members of the Domou and Shimura, could clear great distances, clear the distance between floors in a second. It was almost like they teleported
There was a reason the Shimura were so feared, and that even the Uchiha and Senju remained wary of them. There was a reason the Domou were so feared, and everyone tended to stay away from them.
Until recently.
"Would you not agree some of this is conjecture?" Katsu ventured.
Hajime shrugged. "True, but it is better to anticipate. I anticipate the movements of enemies and close ones alike."
"None of it is conjecture, not anymore." Arata said with a deadly tone, that matched the look in his eyes. "Only the Shimura or Domou could do something like this, but it's safe to say that they've both had a hand in it. Every clan we've mentioned for that matter."
"Now I see why you Uchiha had such a low population at one point. You just love war, have a penchant for it." Katsu remarked with a scowl. "Besides the Water country, its damiyo, and the clans there, whoever carried out these assassinations is our target. That means we need something solid, not just an excuse to go to war."
"Katsu is right." Tunoichi mused with narrowed eyes, not exactly happy to admit it. "Granted what we have now is nothing to scoff at, this village is still in its infancy. We can't just go on attacks, hitting clans that have nothing to do with this. If they turn their eyes onto our village..."
Arata grunted, glowering off into the distance.
"So, are you saying that the village is everything?" Hajime raised an eyebrow.
"Our clans live here, together..." Katsu said slowly. "If we don't care about the village, we don't care about our clans. We don't care about each other. It's not one or the other, without one, there isn't the other. There can't be another."
They turned their eyes onto the dark skinned Katsu, looking at him with pure intent. Even Arata, who had been glowering, was giving Katsu a look that was reserved for someone with twenty arms and one hundred legs.
And, Arata realized that this man would be the Raikage of Kumogakure. The Uchiha had to reign supreme, there was no other option, but if Katsu took the Raikage title after himself, that was fine. Arata wouldn't care-it was just the problem if Katsu became the first one.
"We can't have one without the other..." Arata muttered, agreeing with reluctance. Without their clans there'd be no village. No Kumogakure.
"It's safe to conclude that the Domou and Shimura did this. The Uchiha that are with the Domou, also had a hand in this." Hajime said, moving towards the door-he was taking the league, now. "We'll take the Shimura first-they reside in the Fire country. They'll be ready for us, but with our superior numbers we'll get rid of them."
He opened the door, glowering at a few slaves, servants, and workers who stood outside.
"Excuse us, we've been ordered." One of them said.
Another one bowed low. "Forgive me, I'll leave them to you."
Arata bolted out of the room-eyes glowing their blood crimson, tomoes violently rotating. "Ajo!"
"Even together you all still make the same mistakes!" The servant barked a laugh eyes gleaming with a deadly darkness. "However, I see that Arata's awakened the Mangekyo! That explains how you could spot me so easily!"
"It's a clone!" Koizuki barked, focusing his senses around the next eighty miles, if not further, in every single direction. He bolted for the nearest exit. "Takehito!"
"He's a relentless man, he must hate me for what happened in the Sand country."
Hajime cut through the servant's neck, watching it dissipate into an earthy sludge. "Arata!"
"I'm on it, he won't escape!"