"I've realized recently...That everyone is given a life for a reason. Everyone has something important to accomplish. The quest to discover what that is...Is the only freedom us humans have been given."

Kimimaro

The clan leaders departed shortly after it came to a conclusion. They had made their decisions, and now it was going to be a matter of them getting through to their Council, and if that didn't work, and it wouldn't, they'd use their clout as leaders. If that is how it had to be done, then that it is how it had to be done. Hashirama was willing to take it.

The air was a frigid and ice cold as it had been for the last few months. Snow was piling up everywhere, and the citizens were trying their hardest to keep the mounds at bay from their shops. It was crowding through shortcuts and smaller side streets, some mounds were covering front windows. The owners could scarcely keep it from flying through their wooden windows—the screens didn't offer any shelter.

Nobody would know he was present, considering he was in an over sized sort of coat, and baggy trousers that looked more like a hot air balloon about to take off. His footwear was even more comical, long and flat his sandals were, as well as closed toe.

Mito and Tobirama left about a half hour after the clan leaders left. It was the smarter thing to do. If anyone happened to be listening in on their conversation, unlikely, or spying on them from a distance, more likely, they'd be thrown off by the cadence. He could easily use a jutsu that allowed him to appear as someone else, but it took a toll on chakra after a while, and if anyone had a problem with him, he'd rather look at them through his own eyes.

What those clan leaders didn't know was that Kiyoshi was present. The elder Nara was in one of many bars/gambling houses that were a part of the capital. Hashirama was a little surprised that the Nara hadn't chosen a brothel. It provided good cover. And, nobody would question them if they seen them go through those doors. They were men, and had needs. Being a shinobi didn't change that.

It didn't change biology.

Kiyoshi was a man of few words, and less action. It's not to say the Nara didn't or wouldn't take action. He most certainly would. He was known to kill one thousand foes with just a flick of his hand. The Nara's Hiden Jutsu was as sharp and caluclating as Kiyoshi himself. Being at that meeting wouldn't have went well, Kiyoshi understood that.

There had been enough accusations thrown out and a battle of egos taking place. It wouldn't have been smart if Kiyoshi had been there. They'd need to end the meeting until cooler heads prevailed. If that didn't work they'd have to take their leave, go back to their respective compounds, and start back at square one.

Hashirama knew in short, that meant Konoha wouldn't be founded, and things would remain the same as they have been. Kumogakure may be up on its feet, but it was a good distance away, where it wouldn't become a viable threat until later on.

Now that the more troublesome clan leaders were taken care of, and well on their way to conceding, it was the perfect time for Kiyoshi to have another discussion with him. Tobirama and Mito would both be present, or close, so they could hear what was being said. Kiyoshi would keep things very simple, and right to the point. He really had on one objective in mind, and that was keeping the Nara far away from conflict or the reaches conflict tends to stretch. In their forest—nobody really bothered the Nara.

Since news of their alliance with the Subatsu became known, nobody was treading near their grounds like they had been. The Sarutobi backed off, the Akimichi backed off, and all of the more brazen or aggressive clans steered clear from them. Unfortunately, this was looked upon with suspicion by the clan leaders.

Hashirama could understand though. He too just wanted peace, but wanted the peace to extend to other clans, not just the Senju. This is one of the reasons a split had occurred in the clan, and while nobody very powerful left save for Satoshi, the gaps left would always be felt, and were being felt at this very moment. Before—peace would be focused solely on the clan, solely in those walls of the compound, and around that territory.

He changed that. He deviated from those parameters. He wanted to found a shinobi village, for all of the shinobi clans to be a part of. It was only tragic, that all of the mothers, children, and a good portion of the teenagers left the Senju. The older men stayed, regardless of the others' misgivings. They could only move forward, but with this recent split…

A thick musk of smoke, and plum clouds coming from pipes wafted against him. The smell of alcohol was thick. It made him cough, once. The counter was flowing with people, and enjoying their drinks. People were crowding around tables, ryo was stacked, moves were being made, and people were irate because they lost. It was just the usual in a place like this, but Hashirama didn't mind the atmosphere. It was something he was used to, since he had a penchant for gambling.

"What you going to have?"

Hashirama looked at the man behind the counter, cleaning several cups with precision. He was gruff in appearance, but his maintenance was close to perfection. Hashirama had no fear the a bug would be sneaking into his cup, since it was dirty. He didn't have doubts about the sake and other bottles of alcohol having bugs in them.

Hashirama took of his coat, and unwound the head wear protecting his ears from the freezing cold. For now, there wouldn't be a ruckus with his appearance in a place like this. But, once everything began to go in effect, and Shisuke made the announcement, and they held the celebration for his coronation of Hokage, there would be a ruckus.

For now he could enjoy being unknown. While the shinobi community knew about him wildly, the average person didn't know of him. They didn't know how he looked. They only heard rumors and such, and quite frankly didn't care. They were just trying to get by another day without being caught in the middle of a shinobi's battle.

"Some warm sake."

Hashirama sat on the stool, leaning his arms on the table. He observed his surroundings, taking in all of the characters present. As far as he could tell, there were no other shinobi present. A shinobi could blend in well with a crowd like this, but eventually they'd stand out like a sore thumb and become an eyesore.

Shinobi didn't take to gambling with the same vigor the average person did. For the average person it was a way to make extra money or to strike it rich. Shinobi got paid very well for their services, and that money wasn't wasted on gambling. Weapons, materials for weapons, and the such were always purchased first thing.

"Thanks." Hashirama cupped the warmth, sighing softly.

He hadn't realized his hands were so cold. He took a ginger sip, savoring the sweet taste. Enjoying the warmth that spread to his belly. His shoulders loosened, and he could feel the warmth stretch all the way to his fingers.

"I'll take a whiskey."

Kiyoshi took a seat, smoking on a rolled up piece of smoking paper that was turning green. He exhaled slowly, turning so he could see behind him. He was tempted to go to one of the tables and play everyone's strings with ease—when people got emotional, they were open books, and he could see their moves to the very end, before they even happened.

Gambling didn't really interest him, for that reason. He was great with numbers, planning ahead, making people do a task for him. He'd make them quit or fold. Continue in a fit of rage while they're burning through their funds. At one point he would get amused with the stupidity of it all, but at this point, the amusement was becoming scarce.

"Want to have another game?"

Kiyoshi chuckled, sipping on his whiskey. "No thanks."

Hashirama grinned, sipping more sake. "I didn't think you were that good."

Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow before shrugging. "It's only numbers, in the end. I can anticipate people and their moves."

"Kind of takes the fun out of it, don't you think?"

Kiyoshi only snorted. "I don't believe gambling is supposed to be fun. I think of it as going to war. You win, and the person you beat will try and kill you for the whole load."

"Troublesome."

"Certainly."

Kiyoshi downed the rest of his whiskey, sighing. "Your brother and Mito have rented out a room. Shall we go there to have our discussion?"

Hashirama was caught off guard. "How did you-"

"Nothing gets past me."

Hashirama followed Kiyoshi once he was finished with his sake. The elder Nara took his time going up the four flights of stairs. It was a leisure walk, nothing at all like a brisk pace. It was like Kiyoshi was taking a stroll through an exquisite garden and taking in all of the flowers, rather than about to discuss something that wouldn't just effect the Nara clan, and Konoha, but generations to come.

It was about two minutes later that they arrived in front of the bland sliding door. Hashirama could feel his brother's chakra, even though he was doing his best to keep it suppressed and quiet. He could feel Mito's as well, even though she must have been using some sort of seal to keep it to a bare minimum.

Kiyoshi slid open the door, looking into Tobirama's eyes and then into Mito's. He didn't blink one time in that time frame, and he moved a bare centimeter to allow Hashirama to stroll through. Tobirama wore a simple black jumpsuit, his happuri off to the side, and Mito wore a simple pink kimono.

"How-"

"You're a billion years behind to pull one over on me." Kiyoshi said, tone a bit hard.

"I suppose that's why many don't wish to face you in combat." Tobirama said.

Kiyoshi took the statement for what it was worth, and took a seat on one of the cushions. There was food and drink. He poured himself a cup of sake, keeping the cup held in one hand. Hashirama sat next to him, pouring himself some sake as well.

"Am I to assume that everything went smoothly during your meeting?"

"As smooth as it could go, considering who was gathered." Mito replied.

Kiyoshi looked at Hashirama, arching a brow. He had nothing against a woman speaking, but since this was Hashirama's idea, he wanted to hear it from the man himself, not Mito. Not Tobirama. Certainly, their input would be welcomed later, but he wasn't keen on hearing important stuff from their mouths.

"Shisuke is wary of the whole thing, so we just have to show that it is an asset, rather than a threat." Hashirama supplied.

"Kumogakure is what pressured him, in addition to the Water damiyo and those clans converging on the mainland. If he had a choice I'm almost certain he wouldn't even consider Konoha to start with, and we'd have to find a different means of establishing it."

Kiyoshi stared down Tobirama. "That is treason."

Hashirama cleared his throat. "Shisuke saw reason and the advantage of having a shinobi village in the country. Separate, the clans of the Fire country will stand no chance against the coming invasion. We'd be wiped out, one by one, and then the march to the capital would begin. This way, Konoha is the first line of defense."

"It's about building trust." Mito added.

"I wouldn't call it "trust" Shsiuke is not a man that trusts easily, or at all. It is more like he is willing to give you guys a chance, and if this whole thing ends up failing, he has a backup plan. You don't live as long as he has without having a wily and cunning mind."

Kiyoshi could understand where these three were coming from. In their hearts, Konoha was their most valuable. The village meant the world to them, and seeing that it could now be built, they wouldn't pass the chance up. They were so young, yet so old. They learned much, but still had much to learn. He knew Shisuke didn't feel the same way—if they overstepped their boundaries, there would be trouble.

If he joined Konoha—it'd really smooth things along. It'd make the process a whole lot easier. Someone of his caliber would certainly put Shisuke at ease. He wasn't brazen like Atsushi, ill tempered like Sasuke, and he wasn't quick to let loose like either of those men. In battle, he could keep a cool head. He could prioritize Konoha and the capital.

He had the mind to execute such a feat. It wouldn't be smooth sailing of course. There would be complications along the way. But, in the end both Konoha and the capital would still be standing. The threat would be thwarted and chased out.

"What is your objective with Konoha, Hashirama?" Kiyoshi asked.

"To-"

Kiyoshi raised his hand. "I've heard enough."

"But, he didn't say anything." Mito looked at the older man with a frown.

"Do not speak unless you are spoken to. I thought the Uzumaki women are supposed to be demure? I'm sure you've been taught not to interject like you just did."

"I was."

"Then why do you shame your mother and father who raised you better than that?"

"I don't agree with some of the things they taught me, or how my clan handles things."

Kiyoshi drew his brows together. It seemed Mito had a bad, haughty attitude. "That's no reason for you not to honor them, and shame them as you are."

"We're getting off topic." Tobirama interjected. "I will explain my brother's objective with Konoha."

Kiyoshi didn't look amused. He downed his sake and poured more. "I want to hear it from Hashirama. Not from you. Not from Mito. I am not finished speaking to this woman. If you want me to listen, you will silence yourself young Senju."

Tobirama scowled, biting his tongue. He wanted to make a retort, but he didn't. Self control held him back. He wanted to snap at Mito for talking out of turn, and having the shitty attitude that he was starting to realize was just her default. More than anything, his pride took a blow, and he wanted to recover just a shred of it.

He was getting sick and tired of Mito. She was a good talker, but anyone trained diplomacy was. Hajime was the best talker on the planet, and he caused more than one war with just his words. He and Hashirama were trained in diplomacy, and they could both talk that talk.

Clearly, Kiyoshi had been trained in diplomacy. More to the point, he was trained in how to pick it apart, assemble it again, shatter it, and reassemble it again from this smaller fractures. Diplomacy on the surface was a cordial conversation, to avoid war and to let cooler heads prevail.

Diplomacy was more than that. It was verbal sparring. A verbal battle. If one couldn't return an answer in a second, they lost. They lost the interest of those around them, their trust, for what it was worth, and their confidence. Demands were thrown out, fingers were pointed, and if one lost their composure in that chaos…

"Let's just hurry up and finish this conversation, then. We have more important things to discuss than this woman's haughty tendencies."

Kiyoshi didn't pay Tobirama any mind. "It is to my understanding that the Uzumaki don't leave their main island, or the chain of islands that surround them?"

"That is true."

Kiyoshi pointed at Mito. "Hisao has barriers up so nobody can get in or out without his will. You are his eldest daughter, you were meant to take over the clan if your siblings weren't capable. Tell me, why did you ostracize yourself from your own kin, abandon their teachings, and shame the Uzumaki name by doing what you are?"

Mito smiled. "I don't believe I am shaming them."

"I once met an Uzumaki woman in my younger days. She was demure, very quiet. She had been working in a brothel, and dyed her hair brown. I knew she was an Uzumaki because of her chakra, but it was more of her personality and how she carried herself."

Mito's smile didn't falter. "And your point is?"

"Someone in the Uzumaki is on your side, while the others are completely against what you are currently doing. You left your homeland, knowing that you'd never be able to return because you shamed the Uzumaki name with your actions. Your actions up to this point, and your actions in the future. Tell me that I am wrong."

Mito looked as still as a statue. Her smile ebbed by an inch.

"The Uchiha had a rift. The Senju had a rift. Now the Uzumaki will possibly have a rift." Kiyoshi said.

"I doubt that, Kiyoshi. With all due respect, my father will never allow such a thing to happen."

Kiyoshi waved his hand, dismissing Mito and the conversation altogether. He heard enough and knew enough to know that this was the case. The Uzumaki would be torn apart by a rift, or maybe only Mito would sway away from them, point is...If it happened with the Uchiha and Senju, it'd happen with the Uzumaki and any other clan.

That is as simple as it got.

"We got off focus for a moment, but tell me Hashirama." Kiyoshi cleared his throat. "What is your objective with all of this?"

"My primary objective is for Konoha to be a safe haven for children. They won't have to grow up fast, like we had to. They won't be sent to battlefields, and they won't die young. They won't be scared, hanging onto life by a thread, like we were so young. They will study, learn, and be assigned missions based on rank. My other objective is for Konoha to be something that can break clan boundaries—if we all come together to build the village...That is more important."

Kiyoshi looked thoughtful.

"I know that Konoha itself is important. It will be dear to everyone who joins, in due time. But, I don't want the village to be such a focus like the clan is now. I don't want people doing and thinking certain things for the "good" of the village. For the good of clans, we've been sending out young ones to war zones. To protect the clan. The clan is most important. One, two, three, even five hundred people dying isn't frowned upon or reconsidered. Why? Because the clan itself lives on. Konoha isn't a village at this moment, and that's because nobody is in there."

Kiyoshi's sharp eyes widened by a fraction. He never pegged Hashirama to be such a brooding thinker, but it did make some sense. The man would have never considered Konoha if he didn't spend all of his time brooding. Still, what Hashirama said was resonating with him. Konoha itself isn't important, and it's not the village.

It is the people who make up Konoha that are most important. They are the village. It is the people that are Konoha. Without the people, there is no Konoha. Konoha ceases to exist. This also means that it isn't the Senju or Konoha, the Nara or Konoha, the Yamanaka or Konoha—there is no separation.

All of those clans are Konoha, and it isn't a choice between one or the other. A place where clan boundaries could dissipate in time. A place where Senju and Nara could grow up together, laughing, playing, and being children. Not being sent to war. Not facing each other down on the battlefields.

"I will be frank with you, since you're been so honest with me.

"Please." Hashirama said, voice pitching with urgency.

"The discussion with my Council didn't go so well. In fact, you can say it went worse than the worst case scenario. It was very troublesome, and emotions ran high. We Nara don't like to expend needless energy, but my Council is wary of Konoha. They wish to maintain what we have with the Subatsu. There is a chance—in their mind that there will be retaliation.

"They don't attack unless their land is encroached, or if their children are attacked."

"I know that." Kiyoshi nodded. "I think there could be a split coming in my clan, but I must do all I can to prevent that."

"So..." Tobirama trailed off, observing the elder Nara carefully.

"Some Nara won't want to join Konoha. It is only natural. We've been enjoying a long period of peace, thanks to the alliance we entered with the Subatsu. It is only natural Konoha will battle the Water damiyo, and those clans, and any other threats."

Tobirama nodded. "They don't want to be in any sort of conflict."

"Exactly."

"Hashirama has convinced me that...Konoha...It wouldn't be such a bad idea joining."

"But, you could risk a rift within your clan." Hashirama said.

Kiyoshi nodded, a sigh escaping his lips. "I can't be bothered to argue about this. I am the one who pushed for the alliance with the Subatsu, and my Council approved it. It was after long talks and consideration, but now...This is more than just an alliance, we are joining a village, moving out of our homeland."

Silence.

"What if...Konoha's territory is expanded to your compound and everything around it?"

"That may just work." Kiyoshi admitted.

"I'm pretty sure our territory includes the forests your clan resides in. So there's no cause for concern, while I do understand the caution, it is not necessary." Tobirama said.

Kiyoshi stood up, ready to take his leave.

"Kiyoshi-san." Hashirama looked up at him.

"Tell me something, Hashirama. Do you think that assigning children missions will truly prevent them from dying so young? What if they are talented and powerful? What if your village is in dire straights? What if your client is lying to you about the rank of the mission, to skip out on pay?"

"I can only hope so. This is just the first measure, in a long line of measures, that'll ensure the children are kept out of harm's way. They can have all the talent in the world, and they can be strong for their age...But, they lack experience. I've seen men kill children and children gang up on men. I want to put an end to all of it."

Kiyoshi inhaled briskly, eyes a bit wide. "I will be back within a week, my clan and I will help build the village. I will be watching you, Tobirama, when the Uchiha wish to join Konoha. You will be concerned and wary, and you will believe it is necessary. When that happens, you will be a hypocrite and contradict everything you've said to me at this moment."

Knock.

Everyone startled at the sound, jumping up to their feet. Kiyoshi was already on guard. As far as he knew, nobody else knew they were in here.

Unless…

"Who goes there?" Tobirama hissed.

"Another bottle of sake." A woman demurred.

Hashirama went for the door.

"Hashirama, making the same mistake as Disuke."

Yokuna slid the door open, sword already out of its sheath. Todou flanked her, eyes cold as a glacier. His sword was drawn as well.

"We always leave some behind to scope the area for any nuisances...Next time I will kill that ugly old man. Luckily, this time I get you and your brother." Yokuna smirked, stepping in the room, and shut the door.

Todou's eyes raced around the room, and they settled on Tobirama. The threat was clear, and the younger Senju reacted accordingly. His kunai flashed, Tobirama moved as fast as a bullet. Todou shoved his blade against the smaller weapon, and Tobirama tried to push.

Nothing happened.

Todou shoved forward, knocking Tobirama off balance, and slammed the front of his handle against the bridge of his nose. Tobirama flew back, trying to break his fall, trying to fall back into a roll, but he had been caught off guard.

He fell.

"Tobirama!" Mito exclaimed, watching him slam against the wall. "You beasts! How dare you!"

Yokuna lashed out, crouched low. She stepped forward, not thwarted the slightest by Hashirama's blitzing sword strikes. She blocked and deflected them. Hashirama struck out again. Yokuna drove forward, meeting his attack, arcing diagonally.

"Nghhh..."

Hashirama hissed, head slamming off the wall.

Todou moved in on Mito. Yokuna shifted alongside of him. Mito could scarcely dodge. Todou was as precise and swift, and deft as she had known him to be. Merciless and ice cold to the bone. Yokuna was nothing short of a machine. Mito's shoulder clipped the wall, she had tried to evade, but there wasn't enough room for her to do so. The force made her turn so her chest was facing them.

Todou's blade was right before her.

Kiyoshi deflected it.

"Kiyoshi..." Todou snarled, almost losing his sword when the Nara rammed his own against it. He growled, gripping his sword with two hands.

"Don't interfere! We have no problem with you." Yokuna bit out.

"If you are going to harm them..." Kiyoshi said, eyes hard. He advanced on them, sword extended, shadows flailing about. "Then, I, Kiyoshi Nara, will take you on."

Todou and Yokuna were in disbelief for a second.

Their stances didn't break, nor did their sword pitch one way or another. Yokuna took half steps back, shifting forward every few seconds, wary. Todou was crouched low, stepping back only as he needed to. Both knew of Kiyoshi, both knew the Nara's hiden jutsu, and both knew this man could kill thousands of men with a flick of his wrist. He was also a master swordsman, though he'd rarely bring it out unless he was pushed—like he had evidently just been.

Then—Yokuna's wariness faded. It was replaced with a thirst. It was replaced with excitement. Her eyes gleamed, and a small grin began to stretch across her face. Kiyoshi was willing to trade strokes with her. That showed how far he was on this spectrum. She could test her skill against Kiyoshi—a blade that had killed many, with a blade that had killed few.

The first exchange happened in a second—their swords clashed thousands of times, shadows writhed and billowed in fury. Neither stepped back, holding their ground. Kiyoshi was violently swift, blade and shadows cracking across the gap between them. He fended off both Todou's and Yokuna's strokes, slamming a foot forward.

Yokuna and Todou shifted, one struck Kiyoshi's blade while the other swayed away from his shadow. Kiyoshi was quick to recover, standing his ground, not moving an inch. Tobirama was recovering from the strike to his nose, and Hashirama was starting to gather his bearings. Mito hadn't been struck, but when she bounced off the wall, it jarred her.

Kiyoshi didn't expect them to compete with these two—not in a battle of kenjutsu. The Subatsu trained in the art of warfare—every attack geared towards attaining victory in that blow. What would just be an attack for most, was the finishing blow for the Subatsu. One move could end the battle. Cut through a foe.

When they got to be Yokuna's age, they were one man and woman armies. Killing machines that could take on hordes by themselves. He knew exactly what they were capable of, and that's why he was pressing his attack.

"Kiyoshi!" Hashirama started.

"Stay back, Senju!" Kiyoshi hissed, playing up his part.

Yokuna hissed in agitation while Todou growled. Neither broke their stance, maintaining their guard, tip of their blades pointed at Kiyoshi's neck. They hadn't been expecting the Nara to be present, and while many clans would still attack—they honored what they had with the Nara.

Their objective was to kill Hashirama, first and foremost. Tobirama was second best, after they got his elder brother. Everyone else was inconsequential and was to be taken out in the melee of it all. But, they couldn't do that.

If it was anyone else other than Kiyoshi, they could.

"We're not supposed to attack Kiyoshi." Todou said, teeth clenched.

Yokuna broke her stance, eyes locked on Kiyoshi before they roamed the room. Slowly, she sheathed her sword. "You're right."

Todou slowly sheathed his sword, not taking his eyes off of the people before him. "You live this time, Hashirama, but you won't be so lucky next time. You won't have a man like Kiyoshi acting as a shield...Consider yourself lucky that you have an entente with us, Kiyoshi..."

Todou swung the door open, exiting briskly. Yokuna moved with twice the speed, letting out a low growl as he looked at her foes one last time.

Kiyoshi followed after the two as they departed. He went with them all the way to the stairs, and down into the gambling halls—he maintained his distance. While Todou and Yokuna wouldn't attack him, he wasn't going to run that risk. He knew he pissed them off getting in the way, and one of them would be inclined to hit him.

It wasn't until they were out of the capital that Kiyoshi returned upstairs. Tobirama was clearing away the rest of the blood that drained from his nose. Mito was nursing her shoulder. The two had an exchange. Tobirama appeared to be stubborn, and Mito was just mildly concerned. Hashirama was rubbing his skull, fingers carefully sliding across his scalp.

"I owe you one, Kiyoshi." Hashirama chuckled, nervously. "If it wasn't for you, I may have been killed."

Kiyoshi couldn't and didn't find the humor in it. He could understand why Hashirama was chuckling. He wasn't making light of it. He was trying to diffuse the tense atmosphere. As impossible as that was, at the moment. He had just clashed with two killers. Todou's and Yokuna's blade were razor sharp, he could feel that they were through battles. They had cut through thousands, recently, too.

He stared at Hashirama. "Are you...Being targeted by the Subatsu and Mo?"

Hashirama looked at Kiyoshi, eyes growing hard. "At this point...Someone like me can be targeted by anyone, at any time and place. For any number of reasons."

Mito's eyes misted with sorrow. She remembered how badly Hashirama had been wounded during that battle with the Sarutobi. He had risked his own life to ensure that the fools Sasuke and Genzo managed to escape. None of their men had managed to escape, though. Hashirama paid dearly for his intervention, though.

This battle with Yokuna and Todou had been swift and short. But, it was tooth and nail from start to finish. They had been caught off guard. No chakra had been used, and that was the horrifying part. Yokuna and Todou had managed to knock down Tobirama, Hashirama, and herself before Kiyoshi interfered and saved their lives.

She had no doubt Todou would have cut through her if Kiyoshi didn't intervene. If Todou missed, by some chance, Yokuna would have ran her through. And, Hashirama had been their target—He had been their primary objective, and their intent to murder him was clear.

Kiyoshi took in Hashirama's explanation, sighing loudly. Slowly, he sheathed his sword, looping it on his waist. He slammed his knees on the cushion, eyes hard, staring at a corner in the wall nearby. He had never felt death so close than he had now. Yokuna had been intent to run right through him to get to Hashirama.

If there was no entente between their clans he would have been fighting for his life. Yokuna and Todou wouldn't have backed off. They wouldn't have held back their strikes. He would have had to dig into his chakra, and start unleashing it.

"Let's have some sake, before it gets cold."

Hashirama tried to break the tense atmosphere, and while Mito and Tobirama sat down to drink sake, Kiyoshi didn't. He kept his eyes trained on the wall, breaths hard and brisk. He found his center eventually, and rose to his feet.

"Kiyoshi-san..."

Kiyoshi looked at Hashirama, eyes hard. "I'll be back in Konoha with all of my clan, or half of it, or a quarter of it."

"We'll be waiting here." Tobirama assured.

Kiyoshi only nodded, and took his leave.

This is why the Council didn't want anything to do with Konoha. The Subatsu were savage, and their attacks were all geared towards ending the fight. They didn't play games, and they didn't show any mercy when it came to battle. They'd cut off fingers, parts of the skull, toes, digits of fingers, and more. He had experienced what his Council was so wary of. What they feared. What they wanted to avoid by any and all means.

But, this is also what Hashirama wanted to end. Wanted to put a stop to. If they could have all sat down, and enjoyed sake, that would have been perfect. No fighting. No swords. No striking. Just peace and harmony between clans, between people that had once been mortal enemies. To laugh together, instead of shout.

But, it was clear Syrus didn't share the same feelings. He was more than a little wary of Hashirama. Kiyoshi would say the man didn't like Hashirama at all, and put out an order. An order that was to kill Hashirama, Tobirama, and anyone else that wanted to get in their way of completing those objectives.

Kiyoshi wasn't sure what transpired between Syrus and Hashirama, nor what could have lead the two on such an explosive path. He had known both of the clans to be in an alliance, but by the time the wars ended in the next region, they had no longer been allies. Syrus had disdain and hatred for the younger Senju.

Syrus wasn't the kind of man that would just do something like end an alliance out of the blue. It wasn't in his nature. Even if he lost his temper, he wouldn't do such a thing. He understood the political side to it, even if he didn't care for politics. There were few things that'd make Syrus end an alliance—one of those things would be Usagi, and the second would be if the Subatsu were being put into a paddock.

Considering Syrus gave an order to kill Hashirama and Tobirama, it was safe to assume both brothers did those very things. Tobirama hurt Usagi in some way, and Hashirama was trying to rush the Subatsu into a paddock.

His Council was worried about the same thing. The Nara wouldn't be pushed into a paddock, they wouldn't give up their land, and they wouldn't allow their land to be stepped on. If it came to this, they would fight, and they'd fight down to the last man. They would fight to the very end, and leave so many bodies behind, it would take years to clean all of them up.

But, if he told them the same thing that Hashirama told him. About Konoha. The objective of Konoha. What Konoha truly was. And, who the man leading it—what his character was...Tell them that they wouldn't have to give up their lands. He was certain they'd agree to come to Konoha.

That only lead to one problem. If Konoha became an enemy of the Subatsu and Mo—or anyone else, that would mean the Nara would also be enemies of them. They'd have to fight alongside Konoha shinobi in order to protect the village-even if Konoha wasn't Konoha without the people, if the village was destroyed, so too would the people be destroyed.

Risk against reward. Personal against business. These are all things a shinobi had to weigh up in their mind before they made the simplest of choices. The one thing that never struck them was clan or village. To serve a village would be madness. To think of serving anything else other than the clan was madness. To found a village would cause everything as they knew it to burn.

It wasn't a hard choice for him to make. In the end, the Nara would no be touched by conflict. If that meant joining Konoha, so be it. If that meant not joining Konoha, so be it. Whatever choice was the most beneficial for the Nara, so that they would avoid war, so that conflict wouldn't touch them, so that no Nara lost their lives—that is the decision he'd go with.

Koizuki stood on the edge of a cliff face. He had always been a native of the Fire country. Sprawling forests, sparkling laes, glowing oceans, warm air, and hardly any snow—these were the things he was used to.

The Lightning country's coast was a savage war front between land and sea. Heavy swells buffeted the coast, eating rocks and ruins alike, leaving a jagged shoreline like a maw of broken teeth. Ice and snow and hail slammed into the jagged outcrops. On the western flank the sea crashed against sheer cliffs and sharp protrusions. Ancient ruins wound through the cracks in the rock, echoing with the pounding of the waves. The snow and ice found shelter in these labyrinths, quickly filling them.

The snow, ice, howling wind, and frigid temperatures made everything seem longer and more strenuous than what it really was. Even as the days ended as soon as they had begun, time dragged by slowly. The snow continued to fall, ice continued to freeze the ground, and the temperatures dropped even more if it was possible. Snow turned into hail—large in size. The echoes of its turbulent descent kept him awake at night.

Time was used waiting, waiting, waiting, and more waiting. There was also rest, rest, and more rest. There was work still to be done, but as it began to drop blow zero, everything was taking a pause. Nothing less and nothing more.

Arata, Hajime, Katsu, and Tunoichi were handling things having to do with the infrastructure of the village, building designs and layouts, and political aspects of the Capital-the Lightning country at large, and that left him and everyone else that wasn't at the top of the power chain to lounge around or prepare for battle.

Stars twinkled away. Black replaced thick swaths of thick gray covering clouds. There wasn't a single sound save for the howling, cold, winter wind, and crashing swells far beneath him. All the animals were in hibernation, or migrated away.

The only sounds, other than the wind, were the citizens beginning their nights, going to bars, food shops, brothels, and gambling halls. From his spot on the cliff he could see a few men supporting each other—no doubt they were drunk. Women were holding court and going about their business.

Koizuki wore a thick white kimono and white hakama—over his kimono he wore an even thicker overcoat to shield against the bitter wind. He felt oddly at peace, perhaps it was being able to see some of the stars tonight, because the sky wasn't covered in clouds. It could be the fact he was seeing citizens of the Lightning country mingling about—all within Kumogakure or around it.

He took one small breath, eyes hovering up to the constellations. Koizuku exhaled, a white smoke escaping his mouth. He turned his focus inward, as he often did when he was alone. Kumogakure would be a powerhouse soon. He knew it'd take some more time-things of this nature couldn't be rushed the slightest.

Patience was always crucial. It was the most important thing. A shinobi who lacked patience was no longer a shinobi. It was a person with the skills and training of a shinobi, but not having the iron cage mind of a shinobi.

Koizuki stared far away, yet so close. He stared. In the long distance. The tallest mountain. It was no longer just a mountain. Blue tile was embedded through the entire bottom of it, pressed firmly, that not even the fierce winds known to this land could rip them out. Proud and stout. Windows, supported by yellow cement, overlooked the vast distance beyond. Behind those windows, was another set of windows, smaller, but more numerous.

Below this fortress, was Kumogakure.

Koizuki inhaled softly, the frigid air brought a coolness to his lungs. The kanji for Lightning was painted proudly in the center of the yellow mass of cement, outlined by blue. It couldn't be a more fitting building in his opinion, in a more fitting place. The tallest and widest mountain peak, that oversaw all of Kumogakure. The entire Lightning country. They could see over just about every mountain and jagged land formation from that post.

The office of the Raikage-the most important place within Kumogakure. Within the Lightning country at this point in time since the damyo was still in there with Arata and the others. They were talking about war, strategies, contingencies, back up plans, and everything else that had to be done in times like this.

Koizuki's mood soured, knowing Arata was there right now-in the Raikage seat. He was still under the assumption that the Uchiha used his Sharingan to get his way. Arata was such a man that he'd do it, and take the spot of Raikage to throw his weight around.

However, seeing Katsu coming towards him, Koizuki entertained the thought of umping into the ice cold waters below to escape the man's stony scrutiny. It was hard to say who was more dangerous between Katsu and Arata. At times, Katsu seemed to forget he was a shinobi, and wanted to walk around like he was of some noble birth.

Katsu wasn't nowhere as smooth and coy with words, but he had the same ruthless brash that Arata was known for.

Koizuki took the time to observe as the man approached, looking at their surroundings.

"Katsu? Has the meeting come to a close already?"

Koizuki drew his brows together, aware of Katsu's demeanor. The man was usually hard to deal with. Katsu was almost as prideful as Arata, and he was even more bold in some aspects, but at this moment, there was clear rage boiling through the burly man.

Either way, it didn't matter to him, ultimately. As long as this man could keep himself in check long enough for Arata to slip up, he was fine with that.

Katsu grunted, standing a few inches to the side of Koizuki. He didn't turn his eyes onto the man or even act as if he existed.

"So the meeting had to be ended, and will start at another time?"

"What do you think our plan of action should be?" Katsu asked, tone hard.

"Honestly, the weather has become too fierce as of late to launch an attack through a marine or naval force. The waves would destroy our ships. We'd lose valuable men in the process. It will also cost us a hefty amount. It's not enough to have boats and vessels capable of battle, but we need people trained in that art as well."

Silence.

"Why are you asking me this. Didn't all of you come to an agreement with this and find it mutually beneficial that patience is our friend." Koizuki stated, rather than asking.

He was curious. He had to know what Katsu was thinking. He had to know what happened in that meeting. He hated to think that they'd all start going after each other's throats in a bid for power, that could be done away by the Lightning damiyo.

"We are at an impasse."

"What do you mean by impasse?" Koizuki frowned in thought. "It's clear that waiting until the Water damiyo and those clans get here is the best option for us."

Katsu grunted, arms tightening across his chest. "And, I agree with you. That is common sense. What good is it for us to move out our marine and naval forces, when they won't even reach the open waters where that madman and those clans are currently batting?"

"I'd rather you just say whatever it is you are trying to imply with cryptic clues, Katsu."

Katsu didn't look impressed. "Put it together."

Koizuki grunted. "Speak clearly.

"Arata is insisting that we set out to launch attacks. W have shinobi who are capable of using the suiton, and he wants to use them in order to balance out the heavy swells that are battering everything this time of year. Tunoichi is also agreeing with him, under a pretense that it is better to strike first, rather than wait. Myself, Hajime, and the damiyo all agree that patience is key."

Koizuki narrowed his eyes. He wanted to sigh, but discipline kept him from doing just that. He knew what kind of man Arata was, and how to deal with such a man. Closed off, prideful, and never listening to reasom. He was hard to deal with, certainly, but, once Arata was drunk on power...That's where the problem would come in.

He could expect nothing less from Arata, but for Tunoichi to agree with him was something he wasn't expecting. Tunoichi as hrazen as he could be, always maintained caution in everything that he did. If he hadn't, he would have been cut down during the Maison-ya incident, along with Tomoyuki, and all of the renegades.

"We want the same thing in the end."

"Is that right? You say that but I don't feel I have your trust."

"Kumogakure is my home as much. None of this would be possible if our clans didn't come together. I want this village to be standing one hundred and fifty years from now. I want my name to be in the history books that youngsters will learn from."

Koizuki tensed for a second, eyes steady on the burly man beside him.

"If Arata is Raikage for long, I have a bad feeling Kumogakure will be lead into ruin." Katsu said with a heavy sigh.

Koizuki took a seat, crossing his legs.

"Kumogakure is something else. To see our clans, the families, and the civilians working together…It is something that has never happened before. Kumogakure—our home...It is the first of its kind. There will be more shinobi villages, certainly. But, we will always be the first."

"The tides of change have only begun, Katsu." Koizuki remarked.

"It would seem so. I think all of the Elemental Nations will soon change—things will not be as they have been for us. Whether that is for the better or the worst, we've yet to see. We may not live long enough to see the change come fully."

Koizuki hummed, considered something. "Kumogakure can't be wrought with internal strife. If someone is the cause of it, they need to be dealt with."

Katsu drew in a breath.

Koizuki smirked for just a second. Hajime had long since planted the seeds of doubt in Arata's leadership. Even though the man was certainly progressing things along rapidly, to such a rate the Lightning damiyo was more than pleased, there was still doubt. There was tension, there was disagreement.

Arata awakened the Mangekyo, and taking control of a noble with his visual prowess wouldn't be all that hard. If he were to believe everything that is said and whispered about the Sharingan, Arata may have practically given himself the seat of Raikage. He had been under this thought for a long time, and it seemed…

He could be right.

"I agree. Hajime brought something to my attention. I never bothered to listen, not believing it held any merit, but I'm starting to see now that it might have some merit."

"Arata's Mangekyo?"

Katsu's expression gave nothing away. He could feel power radiating from those eyes. There was malice in those eyes. He knew enough about the Sharingan, and killed enough Uchiha to know its abilities.

"It would be folly to not be wary of that man's eyes. If an Uchiha with a different mindset awakened it, I wouldn't be too concerned. If an Uchiha awakened it, with a thought centered on a common goal, I wouldn't be wary, but Arata…He is not that person."

"He only cares about his clan." Koizuki finished.

"I'm worried that he only cares about himself and is letting all of the power he's gained as Raikage get to his head."

Koizuki looked in the distance, eyes narrowing. As far as he knew they controlled the land ceded off to them. Of course, they couldn't move against the damiyo, but he didn't quite dictate them either, and they had their autonomy. Arata trying to kill the damiyo didn't really add up. He mulled it over and over again.

They both slipped into a silence. It wasn't awkward, tense, or good. It was just silence. They were sunken in their own thoughts, and that's where they remained for several minutes. They wrestled with their emotions, thrashed with opposing and contradicting thoughts.

"Are you saying he's going to try and kill the damiyo?"

Katsu chuckled, smirking briefly. He was amused. "I wouldn't put it past him at this point. That discussion got pretty heated."

"How heated?" Koizuki nearly snapped.

"Arata going as far to say he is the First Raikage."

"That's madness. Kumogakure would fall to its doom before it'd be standing for half a decade. The noble families where will clamor for its fall, and the man who becomes damiyo next will certainly see to it we are all wiped out." Koizuki said with a brisk tone, teeth gritting.

"If it comes down to that we will have to kill him, for the sake of Kumogakure. I know Arata is powerful, and having the Uchiha puts us a tier above the rest, but I will not allow them to throw their weight around just because they have power."Katsu sighed softly.

If things went down a certain way, there would be no way around it. If things were going to go the way he was anticipating, they'd be given the order by the damiyo himself, or a middle man. Kill Arata, keep the Uchiha in check. Don't let the Uchiha throw their weight around again.

"He is arrogant, but he isn't mad, yet. The damiyo is a crucial part of Kumogakure at this moment, just as the Raikage is, just as Kumogakure is for the Lightning country. He understand this well. Once he starts to take advantage of this fact..."

"That would be grounds for treason. He'd be effecting the entire country's longevity." Koizuki hissed. "Kumogakure would no longer be an asset."

"It'd be an unnecessary risk that poses a severe threat to law and order within the Lightning country."

"So...We have to get rid of Arata before it gets to that point..." Koizuki ventured, staring down Katsu.

"Exactly."