Disclaimer: All my love for this saga won't change the fact that I do not own Naruto.
English not being my native language, please forgive me for the eventual errors I might do, I'll do my best to avoid doing them in the first place or remove them after the fact.
Summary: A story of Hashirama Senju, the one who revolutionized the Shinobi world. AU.
Season I
Chapter Six: Routines
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Madara appreciated Hashirama company for what it was, a time to relax away from the harshness of their lives - she had a talent to bring forth a smile to his face even when he didn't feel like it.
That stupid demeanour of hers was compelling, he had to admit.
He was happy that the girl came back to him, even though he would never admit it to her face.
When she had disappeared for a while, Madara had thought she might actually have been killed or captured by some other clan and those thoughts had generated a sense of dread he hadn't expected at all.
Far down in the south of the country, there were clans known to kidnap and brainwash their enemies into attacking their own people... without any form of genjutsu!
Chilling stories of children turning on their parents, or siblings fighting against one another… Madara couldn't fathom how he would react if Izuna was manipulated into attacking him somehow…
"You know, if you concentrated on the task, you would be able to match me in those races," the girl said while grinning madly.
They had been racing one another for a couple of weeks now, with Hashirama emerging victorious more often than Madara would have liked.
"You want me to give you some tips on my running techniques?"
Madara shot her a dirty look. That part of her personality he hadn't missed.
At all.
"I don't need your techniques, don't be annoying girlie."
"Maybe, maybe not. I can tell when you're distracted, and you'll need better techniques if your mind is only half into it."
Madara wondered if he was really that easy to read into but elicited to act the part and look unimpressed by her words.
He'd rather hang dry than admit he had been distracted because of stray thoughts about her well-being…
"I could take you at speed whenever I want, I just don't feel like it generally… It's a boring activity in itself," Madara sneered.
"Of course it is," Hashirama said in a fit of laughter. "You're so predictable sometimes, it's baffling."
Madara's lips curled as he looked furiously into the eyes of the girl in front of him.
"Why would I care about that when playing some childish games! I'm not like that where it matters!" he said forcefully.
"Where it matters?", giggled Hashirama, eyes set amusedly on the boy. "You mean the place where most of your rocks end up, at the bottom of the river?"
Madara bit his lip in frustration.
Even though he had gotten a lot better in the last few weeks, he had only a marginal success in getting his rocks across the river, something Hashirama wouldn't let him forget whenever they went at it together. She was unnerving like that.
"No," he said drily. "Where it matters, as in where it matters for a shinobi... On the battlefield, facing enemy combatants."
That decisively sobered-up the girl to Madara's great satisfaction, albeit she recovered quickly with one of her infectious yet infuriating grins of hers.
"Big talk for someone who keeps drowning half his rocks down the river," she summarised with a lopsided smile.
They fell into silence, Madara eyeing her in a different light for a while.
"You've never seen me fight," he finally said confidently.
"You've never seen me fight," the girl retorted, a small smile still gracing her lips, "so I'll indulge you this once..."
"You think you're stronger than me?" said the Uchiha boy with a bit of incredulity transpiring through his words. Hashirama's eyes widened at this.
"Of course I'm stronger than you, I'm better at stone skipping and at racing than you… I can infer my techniques in both throwing and running are more refined than yours for the time being. And those are fundamental for all shinobis... I bet I'm better at other shinobi arts too."
The logic was sound, though grating decided Madara, a deep frown visible on his face.
"You are smack in the head if you really believe that", he said. "You are a kunoichi, you are no match for me!" the boy added provocatively.
They both knew this was nothing more than a way for him to get under her skin, that he didn't really think that kunoichi couldn't be stronger than ninjas - Kami forbid his cousin Rûta didn't hear him say those words, she was such a ruthless shinobi! but it was working, nonetheless.
The girl briefly glared at Madara, outrage etched in her traits, before a smile crept its way back on her face.
"Now, who is smack in the head", murmured Hashirama, said smile not quite reaching her eyes this time. "I'm sure there are strong kunoichis in whatever clan you are from that could make you bite your tongue for this jab."
"Yeah, but they aren't here to make me," Madara snorted.
Their eyes locked for the briefest of moments; then Hashirama tilted her head to the side, real interest sparking her features.
"Then I guess it'll fall on me to do so then."
Madara smirked, feeling himself energised by this sudden development.
"Try to do so… and fail," he corrected half-jokingly, half-seriously.
Hashirama grinned dangerously.
Madara grinned back.
Next moment, they were both jumping away from one another, sliding back as they studied the other's posture.
Silence was reigning near the Naka River at this time of the day - the animals had sated themselves long ago, and there was no unwanted audience, safe for a few birds that observed curiously the two little figures standing in front of one another.
Then, one of them chirped away at the declining sun and all hell broke loose as the boy and the girl rushed at one another, their legs clashing in mid-air only seconds later.
The boy regained balance first and threw his second foot to Hashirama's face.
She fluidly deflected it with the palm of her hand and launched her own balled fist at him - Madara blocked it without breaking eye contact, going for a low swipe in the same movement.
But the girl saw through it and side-stepped him just enough to dodge while the edge of her hand went for his throat.
She would have clogged him if he hadn't dodged the hit by an inch.
'She's… she's really good!' Madara thought to himself as they started trading blow after blow in earnest.
It was new, meeting someone so capable and full of energy.
The girl was able to keep up with him, read his body language accurately and react immediately to any variation in his moves - she was so fast… and seemingly strong, though Madara suspected she was infusing a little of her chakra into her limbs while fighting, a feat that was beyond most of the kids in his own clan…
Was she this good with ninjutsu and genjutsu techniques too? Her chakra control seemed excellent...
Either way, he never expected to meet someone his age with just as much talent as he had… at the very least.
Someone his age able to push him - finally! - to his limits.
'There! An opening!' thought Madara as he saw the girl involuntarily lower her right arm after blocking his left kick.
"You are mine!" he jubilated as his right hook finally connected with her face - then his jaw exploded in pain and all the air in his lung was violently expelled as he hit the ground hard on his back.
Stars danced violently in front of him for a moment, as he tried to understand what had happened…
Somehow - somehow! - she had managed to go under his guard and made the absolute most out of it…
A quick look informed him that she even had managed to stay on her feet contrary to him - and he would have felt a little vexed about that, if it wasn't for the little surprise he had concocted for her.
Smiling largely, he sat on the ground, feeling tentatively for his painful jaw and still observing her with real interest.
"I reckon, you've made a pretty good job pulling that draw against me!"
The look of surprise and confusion Hashirama gratified him in response was absolutely priceless to him, he had to admit.
"What are you talking about?" started the girl uncomprehendingly while pointing an accusing finger at him. "That's not a draw at all, look at you! You're the one on the ground while I'm standing here looking awesome!"
Madara almost chuckled at that remark: she looked just as worn as he himself was, what a bad liar…
"OUCH!"
The boy looked with smug satisfaction as Hashirama fell groggily to the ground, hands grabbing vicariously at her head after the rock he had thrown into the air finally made landfall.
"What were you saying Hashirama? How is this not a draw now? You lost your footing decisively I'd say", Madara mocked.
"How did you do it?" he heard her hiss through the pain.
Madara let himself drop to the ground, with the blue sky being the only thing in his line of sight all of a sudden.
Very un-shinobi-like and his father would have skinned him alive for purposely letting an enemy out of his sight like that, but he didn't care.
That girl…
He couldn't bring himself to see her as an enemy anymore.
A foolish thought for sure: what if it was revealed she belonged to a rival clan?
What if she was Senju?
They were renowned for their prowess in chakra manipulation and its potency in their clan…
The thought sent a chill through his spine, a chill that he tried to thoroughly ignore by laughing at the sky, as he watched the clouds move liberally far above him.
"I threw the rock just when you pushed me back earlier - not bad for someone with 'inferior' stone throwing skills."
Hashirama laughed too.
That was a good one.
Indeed, she could see now how Madara must have taken advantage of that small window during their earlier blows, and the fact it landed on its mark was a testimony to his accuracy and strength…
Now, that he didn't need to hear.
"I'm not going to be beaten that easily you know", continued Madara as he got back on his feet.
"I'm not expecting any less from you" Hashirama smiled as she helped herself to her feet too. "Don't expect that trick to work again on me though! I'm a fast learner."
And she was, as the following weeks thoroughly demonstrated to him.
They fell into a routine where they would come by the riverbank, almost every day, after their respective duties were over, often to talk about a future where peace would prevail, more often than not to spar with one another, show their shinobi moves and bicker about it.
Madara relished these meetings with someone he had come to consider as a friend - the first time he ever did so, let alone someone not even from his own clan.
Sure, she was loud-mouthed, had a boyish attitude that didn't fit her at all, and her humour was just awful.
She also had a vigorous personality, was naturally talented and intuitive in shinobi arts and was so full of optimism, it was almost criminal.
Try as he might, he couldn't consider her as an enemy. In fact, day after day he was more and more looking forward to those meetings with the boyish girl.
"It's all well and good but… How do we go about it? Concretely?"
They had been sitting for a little while, resting after a particularly vicious bout of taijutsu that had left the both of them panting and more bruised than they both cared to admit.
Madara seized his gourd and drank a mouthful of fresh water, mulling over her question at the same time.
A question he had passed many sleepless nights torturing himself with.
Finally, putting down the gourd, he spoke.
"A vision."
"What?"
"A vision", repeated Madara, looking gravely at the girl with his arms crossed. "That is what we will need in order to shape the future."
Hashirama looked at him with astonishment. What did he mean? A vision to shape the future? But how would that work?
"The fundamental steps for us are to hold onto our ideals respectively", said Madara, as if he had anticipated the question on the mind of the girl. "That is essential."
Then he closed his eyes, as if recollecting something back from his memory.
"Then, you and I need to get much, much stronger. Power is everything in the shinobi world - a facilitator, a catharsis for change or a tool for oppression... Only if we are among the powerful in this world, will we be able to make our vision the new reality," he concluded, looking her in the eye and frowning. "As we are right now, no one would take us seriously."
Hashirama nodded.
She understood what he meant: the young and the weak had no say in the matter of the clan, a truth that was common to many different clans in fact…
"Aye. Mastering our skills as shinobi and growing in knowledge will help us to get stronger, that way the adults won't be able to ignore our words anymore. And then-"
If the adults were made to listen to them, they would have to acknowledge their ideals and hope for the future.
That way, peace talks among shinobi would become a rightful possibility, not the dream of foolish, powerless younglings.
"-and then, we'll be able to put forth our vision for peace", she finished. "Madara, I think… I think it could work!"
The boy smirked before getting up.
"Of course it could work, this path is the most sensible for the likes of us. Also, that means we'll have to keep improving ourselves until that day arrives, learn new techniques and overcome weaknesses."
Hashirama wouldn't have minded wiping away the smugness out of him, but everything he just had said she agreed: he was right, they needed to become the kind of person their fellow clansmen would listen to, even look up to…
She got up too just as Madara jumped back on the ground and looked at her above his shoulder.
"You know, I really believe we can do this! I'm already stronger than many adults in my clan."
"Pretty impressive on your part to be honest", Hashirama smiled, hands on the hips.
Madara snorted.
"Yeah, right! I bet you thought I was being cocky right now, but I'm sure you're not considered some weak pup in your own clan either, am I right?"
The girl grinned with pleasure and gave him the thumbs up as he walked away confidently.
He had really meant it.
He knew how good she was and how much potential for growth she held.
He was getting goosebump every time they fought nowadays, the way she always challenged him…
Madara was sure she would, someday, be one of the strongest shinobi around.
If she survived this long, she would make for a fantastic ally and with her support, maybe he would be able to bring peace to the shinobi world the way he wanted to…
Maybe.
But for now, he had more pressing concerns, such as relieving his bladder from the nagging pressure it had built up during their morning spar.
He had had to keep a steady face the whole time, there was no way he would have stopped their booth over such a trivial, physical concern.
Breathing better with a sense of levity coming back to him as he emptied himself in the Naka River, he couldn't help a silly feeling of embarrassment from overtaking him. Really, there would be battles where he wouldn't be able to relieve himself carelessly like this.
Shouldn't he be developing a… resilience… to this kind of thing? He was a ninja after all, handling something like that should be nothing to -
"Weren't you exaggerating? You look pretty capable to me."
Madara gulped, a chill going down his spine. No. Way!
"Ah, never mind… I spoke too fast apparently", came Hashirama's teasing voice from behind. "You really can't with someone next to you, eh…?"
"You are NOT supposed to be here!" blurted Madara in a frenzy. "Stop standing behind me!"
"Relax, I have brothers you know, there's nothing I haven't seen before… Though yours look nothing like my other brothers… Could it be that your weakness…?"
"I said STOP!" rounded Madara on a now laughing Hashirama, face glowing red at the situation. "I'm going to throw you right in that spot if you don't!"
"You wouldn't dare doing that to a sweet, innocent girl like me", said Hashirama with a roguish grin. "Your sister from another clan at that!"
"You're getting on my nerve, 'sister'! Take this, it's my Water Style for you!"
Hashirama had a horrified giggle as the boy flashed his parts in front of her, trying to spray her like she was some sort of humongous plant.
"That's disgusting Madara! Stop whipping it around like that!" Hashirama said with a wary eye on the boy chasing after her unceremoniously.
The chase came to an end abruptly when Madara tripped over his unfastened pant and sent them both toppling over in the cold Naka River, a fact that the girl would gleefully remind him in the following weeks whenever they would walk by the riverside.
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"I said UP, boy."
Itama gritted his teeth, his six-year-old body struggling to obey the command.
He could see himself all those weeks ago, struggling just as much to obey his big sister's orders.
Only then, it had been a matter of life and death against the Hagoromos, not just his father shouting at him during a training session…
Sweating profusely, he managed to get up on his shaky legs, breathing laboriously through the exertion.
"You all right Itama?" Tobirama asked, eyes still fixed on their father.
He hadn't let go of his defensive stance after their father had pushed back their assault, refusing to get distracted.
Only a small inclination of his head showed he acknowledged his little brother's presence next to him…
Like a true shinobi should: never letting an enemy out of sight in battle was a cardinal rule of their world.
"Y-yes big bro', I'm good," Itama reassured him through all his gasping and shaking.
His arms protested loudly when he raised up his practice sword once more.
It was the middle of the afternoon, and their father had been drilling them with gruelling kenjutsu practice for two hours straight.
Not their usual doing, since in general they were training with other groups of young shinobis under adult supervision, while their father had his afternoons busy dealing with clan affairs and meetings…
But not this time.
A farmer's representative he should have been meeting at the Council Hall didn't show up at the time of the meeting, causing the elders to send a small group of shinobis to his farm to know his whereabouts.
And, until they heard news from him, their father had a clear schedule for the afternoon.
Not clear, clear, but with tasks that didn't need his immediate attention or tending.
So, Butsuma had decided to spend some time with them, furthering their training in kenjutsu.
He had plucked them from their uncle Rambuto's weapon mastery training as a result, and they were now sparring in the backyard of their house, after Butsuma had examined their sword katas first.
He had been surprised to not see Hashirama with them, though he hadn't said much in the matter.
Itama was glad for the opportunity though.
Their father made it a point to spend part of the morning with them, where they could all meditate together.
Then, they trained their taijutsu in the small dojo next to their house, under his vigilant stare.
After the midday meal though, he became too busy to spend time with them, and herd them off to the different training sessions organized by their clan for the youngest shinobis.
Whether it was weapon training with their uncle Rambuto, ninja art symposium with elder Bô or genjutsu practice with lady Rukia.
And on the rare day they were off, they had to help with the running of the clan, whether it was with doing errands, tending the trees or helping with maintenance of the village.
The opportunities to spend an entire day with their father were very rare.
It was Itama's third year of training like this with both his family, and various members of the village.
But it was only since he had made it back from the Red Forest, that he had treated these lessons for what they were meant to be: a way to help him and those he loved to survive a battlefield.
His own mortality hadn't been on his mind before those events - before that, he only wanted to make his father proud, follow the steps of his family, and take revenge on those who attacked his clan.
Now, he also wanted to be useful in battle, and to be able to stand on his own and survive without anyone's help was the best way to do that!
Moreover, he wanted to become like his sister, a great shinobi!
So he'd worked twice as hard since their return, pushing his physical limits every day, trying his best to handle a workload that was far too much for a young boy like him…
At least, that was his cousin Toka's opinion.
But she would see, they all would, what working the hardest could make for someone like him...
He might not be at the same level as his elder brother and sister, but by the time the next mission comes, he'd be ready for anything at the very least...
"I can do this all day!" Itama added with a little bravado.
Tobirama couldn't help a small smirk to mar his face as he switched to a proper attack stance.
Itama's resolve was leaps and bounds better ever since his first mission and the Red Forest disaster.
He knew the actions of their sister had greatly impressed his brother's young mind and, even though he always had admired her in some way, this had caused the beginning of some hero worship on his part.
And, truth be told, he couldn't help but feel the same way when looking at Hashirama.
She was so strong!
He had already been on missions before, and already had to face opponents in deathly struggles too…
This was their life, and he embraced that aspect of it with pragmatism, if not fatalism.
But the fact she had managed to fight off Uchiha and Hagoromo warriors on her own, AND save Itama on top of that?
In their age group, it was unheard of.
He was grateful his elder sister was strong enough to fight off such warriors, even more grateful she had insisted to go on that mission despite their father's reserves.
If it wasn't for her, they would have been mourning not one but two little brothers at the recent village funerals…
He knew for a fact the adults had been impressed as well, if only because of the way their uncle Rambuto seemed to well-up with pride whenever they were going through kenjutsu practice together.
Not that it had happened much lately, Hashirama's presence in those practices becoming sparser every week…
"Attack."
Tobirama lunged at the prompt, his wood sword aiming at his father's side, where the liver was.
Butsuma stood his ground, his own bokken meeting Tobirama's.
Unphased, the young boy pivoted, his weapon aiming for his father's left kneecap.
Butsuma blocked him with the tip of his bokken, before jumping backward.
With a battle cry, Itama leapt on Butsuma's open side, his bokken targeting his father's neck.
Butsuma calmly dodged the would-be hit and caught Itama in the gut with the hilt of his wooden sword instead.
Tobirama cursed, as his brother fell on his knees, all his breath cut out from him, but seizing the opportunity of his father' sword pointing in the wrong direction, he closed the distance instantly with a burst of speed and forced his father to stop his attack with the side of his bokken.
"Wasn't… this supposed… to be about… kenjutsu…?" he said with gritted teeth, struggling against the mounting pressure of his father's training sword.
"It is," Butsuma answered calmly. "The blade isn't the only dangerous part of a sword. Now, watch."
Shifting slightly his training sword to an oblique angle, he caused Tobirama's bokken to rip to the side with the lower resistance, dragging the surprised boy with it.
Falling forward while realising his mistake, Tobirama spontaneously accompanied the movement by plunging even further.
A good reflex as it turned out: he heard the air swooshing next to his ears, from a swipe his father's bokken must have taken to him.
He managed to find an awkward balance next to Itama whose breath wouldn't even out, heart beating madly.
In front of them, their father was observing them both.
"Well coordinated you two, though overcommitting one-self in a sword clash leaves you vulnerable to those kinds of openings," stated Butsuma, his bokken wide on the side. "Though you reacted well by dodging the way you did Tobirama."
"Nice reflex… Big bro'!" Itama said with a grimace.
Butsuma eyed him for a moment, before lowering his wooden sword and relieving from his attack posture.
"That's enough kenjutsu for you today, Itama," he said with a final tone. "Sit on the sides and observe. Even though we'll continue this bout without you, there's a lot you can learn from watching me and your brother now."
"Yes Father!"
Despite his disappointment, Itama understood why his father was dismissing him.
He was barely able to stand up after all this training, there were limits he couldn't yet surpass even if he tried to do so every day…
His body actually betrayed him, for he fumbled to the ground instead of sitting diligently.
Cringing, he braced himself for a remonstrance from his father, but none came.
He was focusing on Tobirama, so Itama did the same. He would treasure every opportunity to learn, from now on...
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly after that.
Butsuma had asked Tobirama to follow him to the Council Hall after their training, while Itama was left in their cousin Toka's care, sulking.
After learning of the worrisome disappearance of the farmer he should have seen today, Butsuma asked Tobirama to sit with him, in the inner garden of the Hall.
Tobirama had never set foot in it and felt rather privileged to see for the first time up close what he had been admiring from afar: the intricate designs that were linking rocks, trees, streams of water and a small pond.
Glistening rocks that formed the paths and connections throughout the garden.
Flowering trees whose colors heightened the beauty of the ensemble.
Light streams twisting to and fro between the other features… And the pond, natural focus of the area with small Koi fishes leisurely drifting in it.
Tobirama took in the beauty of the garden, contemplating everything in silence with his father… A silence that didn't last.
"Son, tell me of your sister's progress with genjutsu," Butsuma asked suddenly without preamble. "Is her time with Rukia well spent?"
Tobirama bowed respectfully.
"Aye! Hashirama is becoming more skilled in detecting illusions. She can easily block them now, even throw them off completely once trapped into one, but she has a harder time with more powerful genjutsus like the ones Rukia-san is testing her with. It is a matter of time before she can develop true resistance to it however - her chakra disruption techniques are becoming better and better with every session."
"I see… And what about bukijutsu?"
"Uncle Rambuto praised her progress in shurikenjutsu and kenjutsu recently, so I suppose she's got this under control either… but she has become a bit reclusive, she has been training a lot more on her own these last few weeks."
Nodding, Butsuma casually tucked his right hand into the parting of his kimono shirt, eyes closed and deep in thought.
"What is it father?" asked Tobirama, sensing trouble in the man facing him.
Butsuma's eyes opened and veered into him immediately, cold and calculating.
"Your sister's recent prowess in saving Itama and evading the Uchihas troops has impressed the elders. She will be allowed to join missions outside this region as of now."
Tobirama's own eyes widened in surprise at this news. Shinobis their age were never allowed on operations far away from their region - let alone kunoichis.
"Father, is it… reasonable?" asked Tobirama cautiously. "We still need to pacify Nakasendo Way in our own region, to think Hashirama will be sent to territories outside our borders and control…"
"Precisely. We need to push back the Uchihas ambitions here, the Council feels it's worth the risk to dispatch talented shinobis further away and have senior clan's members at disposal for the fights in our own territory …"
It's short-sighted, Tobirama thought internally. But he kept his mouth closed as he listened-in on his father.
" I can't deny she'll be useful to the clan in this capacity" Butsuma continued. "We both know she's a prodigy, already a capable kunoichi even for her age... But I know how dangerous it is out there, outside our borders, even for someone with a large array of experience, skills and techniques. In this world, there are shinobis younger than her that are stronger than I, with powers beyond understanding... Powers capable of annihilating even the likes of Hashirama."
Tobirama gritted his teeth.
"I won't allow that to happen, father. Don't worry, we'll train her to be ready for any challenge other clans throw at us."
Butsuma nodded quietly.
"I know you will, son - you are brimming with talent yourself, I trust you to help her in that regard. "
Butsuma's eyes closed again, his jaws clenching tightly.
"She has no other option now but to become truly invincible on the battlefield."
"Father…?"
"There's a reason why we don't easily allow women of our clan on the frontlines", he cut tensely before Tobirama could ask what he meant. "Even though they are accomplished shinobis too, an inspiration to us all. The issue is, we are fighting beasts! Being strict about the kunoichis allowed to the battlefield is vital to their survival on it."
"W-why is that?" murmured Tobirama.
Butsuma sighed, his eyes opening again to examine his son's face carefully.
"You are still too young to understand this, but since your sister is concerned you need to know regardless. When I said we were fighting beasts, I meant it.
Other clansmen are merciless toward foreign women. If our warriors were to be wiped out, the defeat would expose Senju women to sexual torture; they would be raped repeatedly until they could spawn offsprings with the desired bloodline limits for the enemies. Spent and discarded as comfort women if they couldn't.
Kunoichis, on the other hand… do not have the luxury to live on the edge of possibilities. A defeated kunoichi will never see the light of day again."
Tobirama was speechless - it was as if his insides had liquefied after his father's words.
Sexual… torture?!
Were there truly such barbaric behaviours on the battlefield?!
But as soon as the question materialized in his mind, he knew the answer to it.
Yes.
Yes, there were.
Not just among the battlefield but also in civilian life.
Crime and criminals were of all natures, he was stupid to assume shinobis were exceptions… In fact, they were uniquely gifted to spread misery around with their skills and knowledge…
This is why nukenins were not tolerated by any clans!
Disgust filled him.
Until now, he hadn't realized how much more dangerous life as a shinobi was for his sister than for him or his little brother...
"Your sister is no different," said Butsuma gravely. "Like you, she is still too young, but I can already tell that she'll take after your mother in the future and become a true beauty of the Senju."
He paused, as if allowing himself a moment to reminisce about some distant memory.
Butsuma never talked of the deceased mother of his children, the one that used to be his "second sunshine" as he used to nickname her…
Now wasn't the time for sentimentality. He trudged forward.
"That will make her susceptible to dangerous targeting on the battlefield. Even though she is my first-born, she's not the heir of this clan - you are.
As a woman, the enemy won't hesitate to violate her, both to ruin her sanity and sense of self, and hit you ,as clan leader, psychologically - to gain an edge on you in case of confrontation. A broken kunoichi is useless to the Senju - for her sake and yours, you have to make sure Hashirama excels in every possible skill if she is to survive clashes with other clans. If something were to happen to her… it would be a disaster for us, and a tremendous blow to our clan's future strength."
"I won't allow her to befall such a fate" spat Tobirama, a torrent of unruly emotions rushing inside himself.
A fate worse than death! He would never stand for it - never!
"Is it a promise you can keep, son?"
"Aye! I'll become the greatest shinobi in order to keep it - keep her and the clan safe!" said Tobirama fervously. "You have my word, Father!"
"Good. Then I'll have a task for you."
Butsuma observed the ripples at the surface of the small pond in front of them, seemingly mulling over the words he was about to pronounce.
"For the next two weeks, whenever the opportunity arises - I want you to follow her", he finally said, turning to his son. "You are stealthy, and a natural-born sensor.
It shouldn't be a problem for you. I've been made aware by your tutors of her change of schedule and frequent marooning outside the village...
This afternoon and her absence only cemented all those reports in my mind. Find out where she is going. Find out what she is doing.
And, if it comes to it, find out with whom she is spending that time. We need to act now, for her sake and the sake of the clan."
"For her sake and the sake of the clan, I will Father", said Tobirama while bowing his head. "This is a promise I can keep too."
In the pond, a small frog leaped to the surface, troubling the clear waters.
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.
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Author's note: Longest chapter yet!
Thank you for taking the time to read the sixth chapter of Hashirama's journey as a shinobi!
Things are slowly unravelling around Hashirama... for better or worse.
I've planned three to four chapters before ending this first season, the next one is scheduled for the next week, as per usual.
Hope you had a great read, dear readers! See you next week!