When men of overbearing personalities and massive egos clash the result is violent. If these men are infected with self-importance and hubris, the situation is magnified.
If this clash is intensified by an unyielding will to power, the situation will turn deadly.
When everyone involved has an unflinching propensity to kill, the inevitable outcome is only one thing.
Cold blooded murder.
Kumogakure was being led by two extraordinarily strong-willed men. Arata Uchiha and Katsu Yotsuki. Bitter rivals. Both had been chief instructors of their respective clans, and held the high honor of being the leader of their respective clans, and both had brought their top men into the contingent to carry out their mission.
Katsu's entire face radiated raw power. His eyes, stern and penetrating. They were complemented by his firm mouth and square, heavy jaw.
Two factions formed. One rallying around Arata. The other rallied around Katsu. The leaders, with input from the damiyo, initiated a system of command to facilitate control over the rank and file.
Beneath First Raikage and Second Raikage Arata Uchiha and Katsu Yotsuki, was nominal Commander Tunoichi, and Assistant Commanders Takehito Shainingu and Hajime Hageshii.
There were more than fourteen captains. These included Ay, Jeisuke, Hirayama, Yamazaki, Hirama, Susumu, Ichigo, Toshiro, Katashori, Hisoka Uchiha, Ichirou Yotsuki, and a new recruit named Jusuke. Jusuke was a shinobi hailing from the Shainingu clan and an expert with shuriken. These captains, with Koizuki and Hajime, formed a tight-knit group around the Second Raikage.
Other captains included Setsuna, Tunoichi, Hirayama, Goro Hageshii, Hirama, Akihito Yotsuki, Akihiro Shainingu, Jin Yotsuki, Kaito Uchiha, Akio Hageshii, and Hideaki Yotsuki were all loyal to First Raikage Arata. In addition to just one of the observers, who was Kazuki Hageshii. They formed a tight knit group around the First Raikage.
Beneath these officers were three observers. The giant Keiji Yotsuki. At four hundred and eighty pounds and nearly seven feet tall, Keiji was by far the largest man in Kumogakure. The shortest man, standing at five foot one, Kenji Hageshii. And, lastly the quiet Kunio Shainingu.
They took to using the kanji for disappearance, a homage to their mysterious home in the mountains. The symbol was emblazoned on the village's banner, white against a purple background. The banner was approximately ten feet long feet long and nearly six feet wide.
Everyone lived at the estate while at the Kizo province, the only four story towering mammoth, overlooking the houses along the narrow roads and byways of the city. The master of the estate, Koji Isabuo, a noble, was the fourteenth generational patriarch of his family and a leader of affairs within the Kizo Province.
The immaculate black-tiled roofs of the dark wooden front gate and four-storied main house, the quaint windows, the sliding doors of the wide entrance ways, the interior tatami-matted rooms overlooking the rear garden through a long wooden corridor. Everything, from the estate, to the house, and the rooms and the garden, so immaculately and meticulously kept, it would be admired by any person with sense.
It was now occupied by a band of killers, brought under the control and banner of the Lightning country and Kumogakure.
For some time Arata had been wary of Katsu and Hajime, suspecting that the two were up to no good. They were planning his death, he knew it too well. If he was paranoid, so be it. His hunch was still correct. His suspicion had only been more agitated over the several days.
But when it was decided that they would hold a party at a spacious inn, everyone from both factions, and even rank and file were present. Flanking Arata were Jiro Uchiha and Daichi Uchiha, both Uchiha elders. Jiro was the stronger of the two, executing a two sword style. Daichi, while weaker, made up for it with incredible foresight.
If Arata's fellow comrades were perplexed by his tirades, they could not help but admire his courage. Just before the Hyuga's attempted coup, as tension mounted around the Palace, the men of Kumogakure received orders to report to one of the gates of the palace to assist two noble clan forces against some Sarutobi.
Five hundred men marched in two straight columns under the command of Katsu and Arata. Their distinguishing clan uniforms aside, the armor-clad men of one noble clan, preoccupied as they were with the impending battle and readying a fortress, did not recognize them.
The guards at the gate were armed with spears and covered in pitch black armor. They, in no uncertain terms, demanded that the men of Kumogakure identify themselves, daringly, they had pointed their spears. The Kumogakure procession halted for a brief second.
Everyone had been confused. They had expected to be welcomed as heroes, but instead were treated with suspicion and even hostility. While Katsu had only briefly paused at the change of circumstances, Arata, prideful as ever, defiantly swaggered up to the gate.
One of the guards, daringly, thrust the blade of his spear just inches from Arata's face.
The fact Arata could subject this simple peon to the most horrid of genjutsu, everyone was aware of. Yet, they could not help but watch as Arata proved his bravery.
"I am the First Raikage. We are the contingent of men from Kumogakure. Under the authority of the Lightning damiyo and head of the Kizo Magistrate. We have received orders to protect the palace and will now enter."
Arata had laughed mockingly at the sudden perplexity of the men standing before him. How weak, he had thought. How pitiful. How utterly insignificant. If he were to activate his Mangekyo this fool wouldn't even be a meat pie, he'd be gone altogether.
Weak.
He drew the heavy iron-ribbed fan from his sash. With a single motion he opened the fan, displaying the Uchiha symbol and smashed the guard's blade aside, snapping a part of the spear. He took another step forward, and smashed the two men brutally, splitting their skulls open..
Of course, The men realized their blunder. To insult Arata was to invite death-not only was he an Uchiha, but he had the ear and audience of the Lightning damiyo himself-his Majesty.
"Next time I will kill you for such insolence."
They apologized and bowed profusely, as much as they were bleeding.
Arata smirked, closed his fan, slipped it in his sash as if it were a short sword, and proceeded with his men, through the gate.
Tunoichi, like Arata, had disdain for the merchant class and it was his conviction that the Kumogakure commanders and leaders were above the rule of law. In fact, they were the law. This disdain was bred from arrogance and this conviction of being the law, coming from distortion, had always proven fatal.
Like Arata, Tunoichi was an expert swordsman. Specializing in a one sword style. His superior swordsmanship notwithstanding, he had repeatedly violated regulations of Kumogakure. Not only did he spend more time at the pleasure quarters than on his official duties at times, but on a number of occasions he had extorted large sums of money from private individuals.
Under the false pretense that those funds would go to Kumogakure.
Now, standing before the Lightning damiyo, they were all silent. It was only natural that they would be confronted with these charges.
"I am most pleased that the rebels are taken care of. However, I have had nothing but bad news in other regards."
Katsu subtly stiffened, his posture almost rigid as a tree. He looked at Hajime, but the man was focused on the damiyo. He wasn't even blinking. The man was so focused it was nearly frightening. Katsu couldn't imagine what that man was thinking.
Law and order were paramount-they brought security and stability. Four of the very things every citizen and native of the Lightning country believed in and fought for...Was being threatened. And, even worse. It was being threatened by someone sworn to uphold those four things.
Hajime said something about having to chip off Arata-and Katsu knew that had to happen, however...
"Arata Uchiha. You are the First Raikage. You were well within your rights to slay the merchant for extorting money to just not ronin, but to the Sarutobi as well. But, using the cannon I lent you to set fire to the shop, not to mention all the others acts you committed. Those were not within your rights."
Arata had the decency to bow his head a few inches. "My actions were indeed shameful."
"It doesn't do the Lightning country nor Kumogakure any good."
"I understand."
The Lightning damiyo inclined his head a fraction. "There must be a unification between the Lightning country and Kumogakure. We need to be of a mutual mind when it comes to our objectives."
In short, the message was clear. The people, the noble clans, and more importantly, the Lightning damiyo could not and would not rally behind a madman. They would not rally behind a power crazed shinobi. Not behind a selfish and indulgent man. This would be the notion. This would be the thought. But, when one came into a lot of power, they changed.
The Uchiha had the Sharingan and their presence made Kumogakure stand tall, and there was no way around that. If the Lightning damiyo was incapable, which wasn't the case, but if he wasn't...There was a chance that he or any noble would bend to the whim of Arata.
"In order to expel those barbarians that are coming from the Water country, we have to have a united front. Otherwise that tyrant of a damiyo will ensnare even the smallest opening." Hajime surmised, tone even.
There was a moment of silence as everyone let those words sink in.
This, everyone could agree on.
"Precisely. If there is any opening, everything will be turned into chaos. It will be no different than the Water country itself, but here on the mainland...With all of the other villages and countries...It will stretch into the ocean, all the way back to the source."
The Lightning damiyo painted the grim picture.
"If we can't fend them off, we will all be massacred."
Without a united front, they would all be doomed to destruction. However, not everyone present had the same end goal when it came to having a united front in the first place. Some of the men gathered only thought of themselves, their own power, and their own glory. To have a united front meant everyone put that aside, and moved as one mind.
The lightning damiyo would not allow thousands of years of stability and security within his country to deteriorate into a lawless and blood soaked haven not just home to shinobi clans and their rogue, but even the lowest of ruck. There would need to be a purging-something that hasn't happened since security and stability was established centuries ago.
They need to focus on the Water damiyo and those clans and purging them. He did not want to set out on a conquest in his own country with such malicious intent. He would not spare anyone he came across that was a ruck or villain. He would not spare a woman if she were a harlot or wife of a shinobi. He would not even spare the young, for the seeds of their elders planted, they would follow in their footsteps.
There was no need to begin a ferocious uprooting.
There needed to be a ferocious expelling.
"The Uchiha's Sharingan will make that tyrant fear us, but at the same time..." Hajime trailed off.
"Hajime is indeed correct. I need the Uchiha's Sharingan to strike fear in that tyrant's heart-I want him to tremble in fear!"
Arata nodded slowly, eyes narrowed. "I understand."
"But understand that will only hasten the Water damiyo's attack as well. For all of his fear, he will want the treasure that is the Sharingan." Katsu said, tone grim.
The Lightning damiyo nodded, reclining back. "My predecessor wanted to set a date for the expulsion of those Water country barbarians, but he died before he could set a date."
Hajime slowly inclined his head a fraction. "And, you want us to set a date?"
The Lightning damiyo shifted an inch. "The First and Second Raikage must both come to a decision and set the date. Then, the military preparations will be completed and we can begin to formulate a plan to use the treacherous mountains."
Katsu nodded. "Our fortifications are almost complete. That brings me relief."
"With our unity, such things can be taken care of in little time." The Lightning damiyo clarified.
Arata nodded, smirking for a moment.
It had been wise to join the Lightning country. This damiyo was more apt to act based on power and action, rather than authority and stature like the Fire damiyo. He wouldn't have gotten anywhere with the Fire damiyo, considering Hashirama had the man's ear and was on good enough terms to build Konoha within his borders.
"It seems we just need to make some last minute preparations...Then we just wait for combat."
The Lightning damiyo met Arata's gaze. "That is all we can do."
"Of course." Arata smirked, eyes narrowing.
"Now, here is payment."
Arata's smirk widened. "Let us go to the pleasure district."
Hajime, always watchful, did not miss whatever happened. Of course, to anyone else the two would have appeared to come to an agreement. Of course, Kumogakure came before misconduct. Of course, Arata would not allow his pride to exceed, at this moment in time, the boundaries of challenging the Lightning damiyo.
So, of course, naturally, everything appeared to be going very smooth. He should have been happy, because this meant Kumogakure would continue to flourish.
However...
Now was time for the end game.
They found a pleasure house and requested themselves a large room, more conducive to the planned festivities. On the tatami matted floor were low wooden tables set with fine porcelain, on which were served dishes to complement the sake and tea served.
In a wooden alcove built into one of the walls was an antique headpiece. Adorning the sliding screen doors were ornate landscape paintings, including several masterpieces that captured the essence of the landscape or person, instead of the detail.
"We've been paid sumptuously and we have also been invited to the Lord of Mishima's castle in three days. Let us celebrate our recent accomplishments." Arata addressed the gathering.
Women of the pleasure quarter had been called in to entertain the men. To dance, sing, play on the three-stringed shamisen, have conversation, and keep cups full with wine and sake.
Arata was cruising through his sake and wine, a lopsided expression on his face as the strong alcohol burned through him like fire. He drained his cup and slammed it on the table.
The woman next to him filled it up.
He groaned as he brought the cup up, downing the wine.
Some got on his collar.
"Dear, you got some wine on your collar. You look silly." Azumi commented.
Arata fixed his eyes, glaring at everyone. apparently slighted that he had spilled some of his drink of the collar of his kimono. He brought down his heavy iron fan and smashed the table, shattering the porcelain in one movement. The women were frightened and hid behind some of the men. When they attempted to leave the room,
Arata stood up and knocked down several of them.
"You are out of control!" Koizuki yelled, finally losing patience.
"What!? Do you stand up against me!"
"Sleep it off Arata." Ay said, tone dangerous.
"Leave the women alone." Hajime added, glaring at Arata sharply. "We don't need you tarnishing our name!"
"Don't go overboard, dear." Azumi cooed. "They are not merchants."
Arata fumed, more than furious that everyone dared to stand against him. Even Azumi took a jab at him, and it pissed him off. He marched around, smashing the other tables, spilling food and drinks on everyone.
"I am the First Raikage!" He roared as everyone assaulted him with rightful insults. "Do not dare stand against me!"
"Sit down or leave!" Katsu roared.
The two got into pushing and shoving battle, one that nearly resulted in an actual fight and was only separated due to everyone else wishing not to have hot blooded men like Katsu and Arata battle.
"Do not order me around!"
"You are not my leader! I am the Second Raikage!"
"You do not object me, damn Yotsuki!"
"You don't lord over me, fucking Uchiha!"
Arata went to the alcove and smashed the antique. He staggered into an adjacent corridor. He went to the staircase and ripped out the heavy wooden handrail. He carried the handrail downstairs, where casks of sake were stored. He gouged the tip right into the casks, a liquid of a slightly golden hue gushed out onto the polished wooden floor.
He went to the kitchen and smashed every dish in sight. The owner of the inn, his staff, and the young women had fled the house.
The men were all disgusted with and certainly ashamed of their First Raikage's behavior, so, they left."
Only Azumi remained with Arata, and Hajime took his leave shortly before Arata stumbled around.
"Tell the proprietor! That he will pay for this! I will cut off his head! He is to be under confinement for seven days! If he is seen outside at all I will kill him!"
Hajime realized that Arata was screaming at no one, but everyone within two miles could hear him ultimately. Arata would not be screaming at Azumi like that for any reason, yet.
A man drunk and mad with power.
"Now begins the descent. You better not have the Lightning damiyo under your control, Arata..."
It wouldn't be long until Arata found someone to terrorize. It could be attributed to his upbringing. The Uchiha were not known for their mercy. They were also arrogant. They took what they wanted. Arata had learned at a young age he could take what he wanted.
He learned of his own importance. He basked in self importance. Being born into a high ranking family only gave him the means to turn into the rude man that he was. For all of his culture and class, he still fell prey to the barbarous nature of shinobi.
Might makes right, and if might doesn't get what he wants...
He'd lash out, like all shinobi.
"Those haughty Kazama will regret slighting me! They can throw around their money for wine and food, but they won't give any to me. I will show them what it means to slight the First Raikage."
Arata led his men back to Kumogakure to retrieve a cannon. They returned to the house of one Kazama, a silk wholesaler. They loaded the cannon with gunpowder-laden balls, and aimed it at the storehouse.
"What are you doing?" Cried the owner-Takasugi Kazama.
"Burn it to the ground!"
Arata stood by and watched as round after round was fired at the storehouse. Sparks and burning cinders flew into the air. Nearby buildings caught fire. The bell sounded in the fire tower, and soon the fire brigade arrived at the scene.
Arata marched up to he brigade, opening his fan, and thrust it forward. "If you interfere I will kill you."
"But, Sir Takasugi-"
"If they interfere, kill them." Arata ordered his men.
They moved forward to take his place, Setsuna at the helm and drew their swords. The brigade backed up upon seeing the glinting blades, but kept their focus trained on the flames.
Arata climbed to the rooftop of a nearby building, laughing hysterically over the havoc he and his men had caused. His men joined in, all of them laughing and roaring in happiness, causing an uproar. They continued until the storehouse was completely destroyed and the owner was killed, his body blasted to pieces or burned.
He returned to Kumogakure later in the afternoon, drunk with the ecstasy of his power. He made no move to hide nor be modest. There wasn't even the slightest hint of shame.
Only jubilation.
"How delightful!"
Invested as they were with making Kumogakure flourish, they marched through their territory, tightening things down, and swaggered around the towns and provinces with pride. As Kumogakure grew, so too, did Arata's arrogance, and he took advantage of his waxing power as First Raikage.
Easily angered and just as easily provoked, he terrified those who dared antagonize him or question his orders, and his extreme violence perplexed everyone.
Katsu could feel it all coming to a head, and he did not like it. The more irate Arata became, the more Katsu became wary, and more over, wanted to kill Arata before he could do any lasting damage. He could not shuffle these thoughts away, even if the outing they were at the Katsura Province, in the west of Lightning country, was of the utmost.
They had to get supplies in order to keep the steady building of crucial points in Kumogakure. Arata had put together a small plan to focus on the important points a little more, and spread the housing and other buildings from these important points.
Katsu glanced at Arata every few minutes from the corner of his eye. He noted the tension in the man's shoulders, the agitation in his subtle movements, and the anger in his posture.
A hapless man who was part of the crew helping them with moving the supplies to and fro accidentally brushed against Arata. Had this happened any of the others, or anyone else, the trivial incident would have probably gone unnoticed.
But Arata flew into a rage.
"You!"
Katsu shoved Arata back, shoving him with thrice the force when he came back for more. "Back off, now!"
"He shoved me!"
Hajime merely observed Arata calmly before making his response. "Go to the red light district."
Arata set his jaw, a sullen look coming over his face as he glared. He looked at Katsu, and then he looked at the terrified man behind him. Koizuki and Ay were both close to the civilian, and Ay's not too subtle grabbing of the hilt of his sword, made the message clear.
The First Raikage could hardly believe it.
"Get out of my way!"
Katsu was like a statue. He was burlier and more massive than Arata-three times as wide.
Arata shifted slightly, eyeing Katsu carefully. His eyes flashed crimson, tomoe whirling wildly. His chakra rose noticeably.
Katsu wasn't fazed.
"I will make sure Kumogakure's name isn't tarnished."
"I am the First Raikage!"
"I am the Second Raikage."
Hajime watched the showdown carefully.
Neither of the men were making an offensive move, but the intention was there. Katsu would strike Arata so fast and hard, the man would be forced to advance to his Mangekyo straight away, just so he wasn't split in two. However, he could see the advantage of it.
There was.
Four of the many Magistrates in charge of keeping the peace in Lightning country and surrounding provinces were disturbed. The Kazama family was vexed at the unruly behavior of Arata, and demanded punishment for his henious actions. Two more noble clans backed the Kazama up.
Officials of the Lightning country, whose lords were direct retainers, issued an official complaint about Arata to the Lightning damiyo.
Arata heard about it, immediately sent four of his top men, including Setsuna, Susumu and Jin, to the Kazama estate apprehend the official.
It didn't work out. They were not allowed access into the estate, to begin with. When it appeared as though they would use force, more guards came, all armed with halbreds and menacing axes. The official still came to meet with them, Haruo Kazama.
"If I go with you, he will kill me." Haruo said.
It was a standstill, and Setsuna realized they were dangerously close to declaring war on a Noble Family of the Lightning country, and one that Arata provoked. The gravity was not missed.
"You can compose an apology letter addressed to Kumogakure." Setsuna suggested.
Arata was naturally placated by the apology when it was delivered. He showed it to the other men gathered in the Raikage Building, roaring with laughter.
"Those Kazama!"
A ruckus was heard from below. Arata looked out the windows. In the light of the early morning sun, he saw a group of some fifty shinobi wielding swords. Beside them were disgruntled soldiers of the Kazama family.
"Those are..." Tunoichi's breath caught.
This was bad.
Really bad.
"Arata, what the fuck!?" Ay roared, glowering at the man.
Arata moved.
Katsu grabbed Arata by the shoulder with brute force. "You will not harm them."
"Arata! You killed a fellow comrade! You are a villain!"
"Traitor!"
"How dare they throw mud on me and call m a traitor!"
Arata shoved past Katsu swiftly, and jumped down to the ground below, drawing his short sword. His comrades followed, several leaping out from the balcony, others sprinting out the door, skidding to a stop at the tension mounted.
Shit...Shit... Koizuki cursed, drawing his sword in anticipation, changing his grip so the blunt side would be used to strike, instead of the sharp side.
You've done it now, Arata. Hajime braced himself, knowing this was going to be bad.
Killing comrades was bad enough, but there were Kazama family soliders-Imperials.
In the moonlight there was pandemonium.
"You dare speak to me that way!?" Arata yelled.
"We will never follow someone who kills his own comrades!" A Yotsuki shinobi screamed.
"You are drunk on power!" A Hageshii shinobi roared.
"You do not care about the stability of this country!" An Imperial Soldiers seconded.
Arata shifted, blade arcing. Katsu knocked his sword out of his hands. As Arata recovered and fought off Katsu, another few men charged him. Arata tried to shift Katsu into a fall, but only resulted in shifting him a few meters to his left. But, it was enough to drop two men with a deep cut to their shoulder.
Katsu struck Arata in the chest, pushing off with his powerful legs, more than ready to send him flying for miles. Araa fought against the brute strength desperately. He struck Katsu on the side of the head. But the man only ignored the gushing blood, and brought his elbow down upon the Uchiha's cranium.
Arata could barely recover from the brutal strike, staggering back.
"Hold it!" Katsu roared.
Many fled the scene. A Yotsuki shinobi and an Uchiha shinobi both lay dead in pools of blood, in addition to ten Imperial Soldiers lay dead in as many pools of blood, while others had been badly wounded from both sides. No one could possibly know who had struck down who, everyone had been swinging swords and yelling, and it could have been anyone who struck down another.
It only brought paranoia.
"Look at them running like cowards. Even members of my own damn clan dare turn against me!"
Arata stomped off, leaving carnage behind.
Katsu fought against the nuance of anger. He could feel himself riding on its course, slipping, seamless, and swift. It was not bolstering or overwhelming. It dug into his veins. It seeped into his bones. It pressed into his marrow.
Katsu had been more than patient, but enough was enough. For the sake of Kumogakure and the Lightning country, he did not vie for supreme authority in Kumogakure. He didn't rally to be the sole Raikage or anything of the sort. But, now, Arata's belligerence had gone too far.
Too far.
All he could do was stare at the man he hated the most.
"Everything is going according to plan."
"I hope so."
Arata and Daichi sat face to face in a private meeting room, just outside of the Raikage building. Both had a cup of tea, but the atmosphere was not lively or calm. It was the complete opposite. No one else was around them at the moment and both ensured it was that way.
Daichi shifted a little, crossing his arms over his chest. "Your acts could put the Uchiha at risk."
Arata waved his hand, a little dismissive. He sipped his tea. "You don't need to worry about that. The Lightning damiyo treasures us too much."
Daichi took a sip of his tea, measuring Arata carefully. He had been working closely with this man and was silently endorsing everything that was he doing. It was a part of the bigger picture, and putting the Uchiha at the top, in what was going to be something inevitable. Though-Arata was too shortsighted to see it this way, Daichi could see the bigger picture.
It was why he was pressuring Arata right now. He would not be taking the fall if Arata dug himself in too deep, which in reality, he had already done so. Killing a fellow comrade and enciting a riot, along with killing a Kazama man...Arata would be lucky if he didn't get his axed off with the next heinous act he would commit. But, the man was valuable with information.
Information pertaining to the Mangekyo.
"If your acts start a trend of power hungry madness-"
Arata's smirk made Daichi pause.
He couldn't understand why this man was smirking-maybe it was because he was so close to expansion that his already power hungry mind was being overwhelmed with even more self deluded vision of glory. But, Daichi couldn't guess, he didn't want to guess, and quite frankly he didn't care, the only thing he cared about was the information and ensuring that this plan didn't fail-it would not fail.
When Daichi didn't speak, Arata felt he had to clarify.
"Here's the thing-we are not dealing with the Fire damiyo or men like Hashirama and Tobirama. We have secured our place here at Kumogakure-I am the First Raikage, the Uchiha have a sold foothold here. Even if I am a villain, the Lightning damiyo would do nothing to slight the Uchiha, nor would Katsu. I cannot say the same for who I mentioned prior."
Daichi could see the point for what it was worth.
"Are you that confident?"
Arata nodded, eyes narrowed just a little. "Given our current situation, I am. I would be worried if this were with Hashirama and Tobirama, though. But, then again, I doubt I would have been leader, that would go to Hashirama."
Daichi could agree with that, but he was still wary. "The information."
"Do you think I can compile the attributes of the Mangekyo?"
"I know you have." Daichi said, tone a borderline snarl.
Arata shifted a little, reaching into the sleeve of his kimono. He procured a scroll, setting it beside him. He did not miss how Daichi's eyes snapped to the scroll.
How badly the man wanted the Mangekyo, it was almost amusing.
"Daichi, let me ask you something."
The older Uchiha shifted a little and took a sip of his tea.
All in a bid to keep his temper under control and patience intact. He had never cared for Arata, and truthfully, he still didn't, but he was the only one who could give him the information that he so badly needed. It wasn't for his own means, but for the Uchiha.
They would establish a foothold on the shinobi world!
For the sheer point of necessity and diplomacy, Daichi just sucked in a breath and relaxed. If he went along with Arata, the man would eventually give him what he wanted. It was just stomaching whatever the man had cooked up in his twisted mind.
"Ask away."
Arata's eyes narrowed. "Do you know how I awakened these eyes?"
Daichi blinked, baffled by the question. He couldn't say a word.
Arata chuckled. "Perhaps it is beyond your capacity and reach, Daichi. Someone younger, more primal, with more vigor can awaken these eyes. Yes, it is possible."
"Enough of this!" Daichi hissed. "Just get on with it."
Arata waved his hand dismissively again, almost as if he were mocking Daichi or blowing off his anger. Either way, the elder Uchiha found it to be an insult. He grabbed the scroll, handing it to Daichi. The elder took it without wasting any time.
The whole while, Arata just laughed.
"You want information compiled on attributes of the Mangekyo when it is as rare as it is esoteric for us Uchiha. It hasn't been since the times of Indra that one of us has had the Mangekyo. You are short sighted, but at least we can agree on what we want for the Uchiha."
Daichi paid more attention to what was in the scroll-which wasn't a plethora of information, but it was more than what he had hoped for.
He could definitely work with it, and if done correctly, he could have more Uchiha awakening the Mangekyo through a tried and true process. That is what he hoped to achieve at least, whether or not it could be done had yet to be seen. There were more details pertaining to the three abilities granted, and their effects and drawbacks, which was also invaluable.
"Daichi. Only four Uchiha have the Mangekyo right now. Madara. Izuna. Myself. Yuko."
"How did that-"
"She is Uchiha. The blood runs strong her in veins. Stronger than in those pure blooded. She is stronger than a pure blooded Uchiha, even superior I would say." Arata's tone was stern.
Daichi wasn't sure if he should be insulted in the direction this conversation was going in, or the fact he had no idea what direction it was going in. What this man was speaking would be considered absolute madness. A half blooded Uchiha was not more pure than a full blooded Uchiha. That went against everything they had practiced to this point, it is why they had to break away.
The tone Arata used was one of conviction, and Daichi could not dismiss it. Arata fully believed what he was saying, and Daichi hated it. He couldn't stand it. It reminded him of the same things Izuna had been saying before. It fell out of line with the clan's ideology. Despite all of that, the elder wanted to hear Daichi say more-perhaps the Mangekyo granted true visual prowess.
Beyond just the simple combat abilities.
"Arata, do you understand what you are saying?"
Arata pulled out a bottle of sake from a sealing scroll, pouring himself a glass. He took a sip, gulping the strong liquid down. "Do you understand what you are about to say? You will merely be putting limitations on the Uchiha."
Daichi blinked again, gnashing his teeth. "You are out of line. First you say a half blood is superior, but now you have the nerve to say that you are more superior than you fellow Uchiha."
Arata focused his chakra behind his eyes, whirling the Mangekyo into form.
A pressure exerted, though there was no chakra bursting.
Daichi froze, looking past the man's gaze. What power...
"You are out of line, you old man. I could crush you right now-look how weak you are, believing in that nonsense. If it is your objective to awaken these eyes, Daichi. You will die before you ever get the chance to. You have proven you do not have what it takes. You have allowed yourself to be tied down in chains. With this power-the power of the Mangekyo, my chains are broken. I broke through my chains and speared through the other side of despair."
Arata slowly stood to his feet, allowing his eyes to shift into the three tomoe.
"What you want is information that can only be known and learned by those who have these eyes, and every Mangekyo is unique. My eyes are not the same as those three, and even though Izuna and Madara are brothers-their Mangekyo are drastically different. Obtaining and compiling such information is impossible."
Daichi took a breath, realizing he hadn't taken one when Arata had the Mangekyo activated.
"It is my objective for other Uchiha to awaken the Mangekyo and use its power for our benefit. We will establish a foothold in the shinobi world. In the world that will come after this Warring Era. Our ambitions will be seen through to the very end."
"And, to that end, we are of a like mind. I will go and do what must be done for our expansion."
"And, what of the consequences of your actions?"
Arata laughed softly. "What consequences? A party is being held tonight."
Security and stability were paramount words. To some extent, they defined civilization. If people were not civil, and could not live among each other in communities, they would be primal. Wild. To the Lightning country, they were everything. Centuries of war had tore the country down to nothing through attrition, and only through spearing through that, and rebuilding, did they ever get these two things.
It was a long and storied history. Everyone born and raised in the country knew the stories. The struggles and toils that the country endured in the long past. An age of suffering. It had been defined by wars between shinobi clans vying for land, noble families vying for the land, and the damiyo himself going to war with all of them for the whole country.
Koizuki had taken the time to read the history and spoke among the damiyo's ranks in order to attain the history. For Kumogakure's benefit, there had to be a mutual and understanding relationship. If there wasn't a semblance of that, they would be separate powers controlling the land. But, instead of that, there was a unification, and it did not escape him that it was with shinobi.
Shinobi from the Fire country that were known for their penchant for carnage.
And, it was all coming to a head.
He sat formally, keeping his back straight and eyes pointed forward. Ahead of him sat Katsu and Hajime, both wearing formal clothes and seated in the same formal position as him. The Lightning damiyo sat ahead, on an elevated tatami matted area.
There was only a tense silence that stuck in the room.
"I have received disturbing news. Arata's actions have gotten totally out of hand. He has killed soldiers of mine, the Kazama and Mishiha families, he has killed civilians as well. Tunoichi and Hirama have both been extorting money and threatening local merchants."
Katsu and Hajime bowed low, remaining stiff.
"Kumogakure is supposed to be a power for security and stability in this country. Arata, the First Raikage, is bringing the total opposite. Tunoichi and Hirama do not help things."
"It is not sightly." Katsu said, tone stern.
He kept his head bowed, just a little.
"I know Kumogakure will do good things for the Lightning country, with the right leader at the helm. Its continued existence is beneficial in the long term. I am not just thinking in the moment. One hundred years from now, Kumogakure could remain standing."
Koizuki kept himself composed, but he still couldn't get rid of the anxiety that overtook him.
"Take care of the problem. Before it gets too out of control."
The Lightning damiyo's tone broke no argument.
In order for Kumogakure to continue to exist, Arata must be killed.
Tunoichi and Hirama had to be killed.
Nothing was enough to please Arata during the party. Large quantities of sake and wine were served by several pretty young women who had been hired for the occasion. There was a sumptuous feast, the place shook with song, and everyone was merry and were glad for a short time to loosen up.
More food came as more wine and sake came.
Hours passed by before Arata, Tunoichi, and Hirama decided it was time to leave. Hirama was the first one that began staggering from too much drink, with Tunoichi nearly collapsing twice.
Ay ordered a palanquin to carry them through the pouring cold rain back to a small quarters by Kumogakure. Azumi was already waiting for Arata at the quarters. Tunoichi and Hirama each called for girls from the pleasure quarter to accompany them.
Once they got settled Tunoichi got more sake and Hirama brought out some expensive. The party resumed with full intensity. After they were too drunk to even sit up, they all went to bed.
Arata's quarters overlooked the rear of the Raikage building through the long wooden corridor, which led to adjacent rooms. Snow poured down, smothering everything around for miles. As night grew still, the temperature dropped twice as fast. Katsu, Ay, Koizuki, and Hajime blurred into existence, pitch black contrasting with the snow.
Arata was sound asleep with Azumi, his long sword within arm's reach. Also asleep in the same room with their harlots were Tunoichi and Hirama. One of their harlots got up to relieve herself.
Staggering, she struggled to clear her vision. As it went from a fog to a just a mere splotch, she opened the sliding screen door of the sleeping quarters.
Her breath caught still as she was confronted in the darkness by two men with drawn swords. Before she could do anything else her mouth was covered and she was run through. Her body deposited off to the side.
Katsu and Hajime advanced forward past the duo, eyes narrowed as they silently opened sliding door after sliding door. Ay and Koizuki sprang for the next sliding door, and swung it open just as Katsu and Hajime did. Hirama and Tunoichi woke with a start, grabbing their swords.
"The hell is this?" Hirama demanded, staring down the four men.
Without speaking, Ay and Koizuki lunged. Hirama barely battled off Ay before Hajime cut him deep across his ribs. Katsu brought his sword down, splitting through the man's skull. Hirama fell dead. Koizuki pinned the harlot against the wall with his blade, slowly sliding it deeper.
By the time he dislodged his sword Tunoichi was bleeding profusely. His arm and leg were both cut, his right eye was missing as well. The man tried to flee. Arata was battling off three men at once, waving his iron fan around like it was a short sword. He nearly got cut four times.
Koizuki and Ay were struck by the iron weapon.
Ay went for a slash, aiming for the forearm, but Arata deflected it with great speed. But Katsu and Hajime cut him badly. Arata leapt, trying to escape through the wooden corridor. He ran to the adjacent room where Tunoichi had fallen. Without any delay, Katsu ran right for the wounded man and delivered the killing blow.
"I've been waiting for this moment." Arata said, a crazed smile spreading across his face.
"Are those your last words, Arata?" Ay asked, taking a wide stance. blade positioned in one hand for the man's shoulder.
Arata's Mangekyo whirled, and in that second, the four men lunged for him. Arata could have easily blasted them away, but he didn't do that. He allowed everything to play itself out, as he had seen it play out before it ever got to this point, and he enjoyed it.
These small minded men could never begin to understand.
"My last words?" Arata chuckled. "That is quite amusing, you speak as if you can kill me."
His Mangekyo continued to whirl, even as he fought for his life. He batted off Katsu and Ay twice, he forced Hajime and Koizuki into a full retreat. He was cut nine more times, but he managed to cut the four men at the same time, stumbling violently and crashing through a wall as a result.
The four men didn't wait. They plunged their blades through Arata, pinning down a door or two to his body in the process. Once there was a growing pool of blood, they retracted their blades.
The next day Katsu issued an official report to the Lightning damiyo, stating that Arata, Tunoichi, and Hirama had been killed in their sleep by unknown assassins.
Their funeral was a solemn occasion befitting their positions in Kumogakure. The coffins of the three men were laid side by side. Their wounds were wrapped with white cotton cloth. Their swords were placed at their sides, with Arata's fan being placed on his chest.
The corpses were formally dressed in wide trousers and jackets adorned with their respective family crests. In attendance were all of the shinobi and members of the clans, including Katsu and the four assassins. The Arata faction all but ceased to exist.
Katsu now gained uncontested control of Kumogakure as the only Raikage.
The Second Raikage.