"Saru, you must protect those who have faith in you and who love the village, and train up to those to whom you can entrust the next generation… from tomorrow, you will be the Hokage…!"

Tobirama Senju

It wasn't a very unusual or a new sight for them. Perhaps surreal and awe inspiring could be used to describe what they were seeing. But, nonetheless it was still a marvel to behold regardless of personal opinions. It was well known that every village and town, no matter how big or small always invested the depth of their funds into their military and defense-which only made sense given the circumstances. But, even few of these had an actual castle. It goes without say that a country was more than wee invested into their military, the Lightning country being one of those at the very top of the scale alongside the Water country, Thunder country, Snow country, and Monsoon country.

"It's been a while..." Aito whistled appreciatively at the mammoth man made structure. The closer they got the more massive it grew. Even the gates towered high above them casting shadows over the desert. It was definitely something to see in one's lifetime.

"Sure does bring back memories." Izuna said wistfully. There had been a few times he raided a castle with his father and mother.

Izuna turned his focus from Aito, centering it forward. Almost by instinct, or just because, his black eyes settled onto Yuko. He glanced at Mikito smirking slightly in good nature. "Mikito, you didn't say Yuko was here."

"Well, she's here." Mikito smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of her head for a few seconds. Though she swore she told him. Izuna. Such a troublemaker.

"You sounded pretty lame right now." Madara's deep and smooth voice yanked her from train of thought. She flicked her eyes in his direction, her focus solely on him and just him as she narrowed her eyes taking note of the upward curve of his lips-that arrogant and smug smirk that always seemed to be present when he wasn't scowling or glaring, which he was more often than not doing on of those two instead of the latter.

"Your porcupine hair is lame."

Izuna snickered. "Brother, you know I think she may have a point."

Madara opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He settled on sighing rather loudly closing eyes for a few moments. He raked his gloved hand through his thick and wild dark mane. He wasn't going to entertain these two or encourage them, that was the last thing they needed.

"Wow, they got here pretty fast." Ahiko said, keeping one hand over her eyes to shield the sun and sand out.

"Why did it take us so long?" Yuko asked, tilting her head curiously.

"Oh! That's easy, remember those fruits we were picking?"

"Yeah, we still have some!" Yuko really enjoyed the fruit.

"They only grow for one night, every year, and it's the same time every year." Ahiko explained further with a chipper tone. "If you're not there, you'll miss out."

"So. It was intentional."

"Yes."

"I had a feeling..." Yuko nodded slightly, slowing her pacing to a stop. Partly because Ahiko quelled her worries for the moment-well distracted her was more accurate. The next and obvious reason was because Izuna was in the near distance watching her. She wasn't going to make a fool out of herself this time. Though, he seemed to have a certain effect on her, and she couldn't quite explain watched as the sand was continuously kicked up by the growing winds forming large 'clouds' shadowing their visages rather well, her Sharingan activated Yuko could 'see' their chakra clear as day. She didn't want to be the one to greet Izuna first. "Brother and sister!" Yuko's ears perked at the sudden exclamation and relief ran through her. She hastily stepped to the side just evading a sprinting Ahiko as she barreled her way towards the arriving party.

"Ahiko! It's good to see you again!" Izuna called cheerfully, waving his hand with a light smile. His smile quickly faded and concern flashed through his eyes as Ahiko continued sprinting full speed despite their short distance. His statement seemed to make her run even faster. "Wait! Slow down!"

"I was getting impatient!" Ahiko shouted, making no attempt to stop.

"Watch out!" Mitsuki exclaimed hastily moving to the right. "She's coming in hot!"

Yuko snapped her hand over her mouth, barely stifling her laugh as she watched the collision between Ahiko and her siblings. Everyone had gotten out the way, but Mikito and Souji as well as Madara and Izuna were pulled down and sent into a wild tumble across the sand, Madara listing off a rather long list of profanities. "Well, I wasn't expecting that." She said, taking a steady breath. It was a rather funny scene. Ahiko could get lost in her emotions, like excitement.

"What is the meaning of this?" Madara asked angrily, the first one to come to his senses.

"Ahiko, calm down." Souji said in a firm tone, prying himself loose and standing up. "Stop being a klutz."

"I'm sorry! I got excited!" Ahiko exclaimed, pushing herself up off of her siblings and the Uchiha brothers brushing off her top and sleeves.

"It's okay, little sister." Mikito returned Ahiko's embrace before stepping away and dusting herself off. "Always a warm welcome."

"Yes!" Ahiko nodded quickly.

"Hah!" Izuna laughed, dusting himself off, and smiled at Ahiko softly. There was mirth in his eyes. "No need to be sorry, no harm no foul." He jabbed a finger at Madara who was fuming silently. "Don't mind my brother, he's always cranky. Anyways, you've got something important?"

"Oh, yeah!" Yuko spoke up without realizing it. All at once she took a shallow breath as Izuna's intense gaze settled on her. "It's a scroll."

"Yuko-san, how insightful." Izuna commented with a small smirk.

"Ah..."

Madara narrowed his eyes more than happy to put the brakes on Izuna. "Moving forward, show us to your room. We'll discuss this there." Ahiko gave one firm nod and gestured for them to follow her, passing through the small but bustling village and town. He clenched Izuna's shoulder, pulling him back. "You're going to stay here." Madara hissed under his breath sending Izuna and firm and deadly glare. Then, I suppose we'll need to speak with the damiyo.

"Brother-"

"Izuna. Shut it."

"I already told the damiyo that you guys would be here within a fortnight at the latest and two days the soonest. He'll be happy nonetheless that you are here, and so early at that." Ahiko said as she lead them through massive halls and corridors of the castle decorated with old world paintings and statues, all of them varying from mythical figures to real life people and past rulers. Mikito and Madara stayed behind her listening intently, Izuna was just a few inches ahead of them near Yuko who was right by Ahiko's side.

"Always diligent." Mikito said with a small smile, resting a hand on her younger sister's shoulder.

"Yes!" Ahiko chirped.

"You have to show us something?" Madara cut right to the chase, more than peeved at the event that took place about a half hour ago. He never would have guessed Ahiko was that fast, he also wouldn't have guessed that she would continue barreling her way forward and plow right into them. He spent the last five minutes ridding his hair of any sand that could have stuck itself into it. He wanted to divert his focus onto something more meaningful and less annoyinh.

"Yes." Ahiko replied, looking at Madara for a moment before turning away from him. She didn't divulge anymore.

Several more minutes passed and after navigating through the massive and expansive hallways, corridors, and staircases they stopped in front of the door to the room she and Yuko were sharing.

Ahiko slid the door open stepping into it and situating herself on the floor as everyone else filed in either plopping down on the floor or leaning up against the wall, the room wasn't big enough to hold this many people, but it would be necessary at the moment. Hiro opened the windows, hopefully it wouldn't get too stuffy. Izuna settled a few inches from Yuko keeping his gaze locked onto her visage. "Yuko-chan and I thought it'd be best to wait until you arrived to read this, it'll do a lot of good to have more opinions." Ahiko quickly unrolled the scroll, pressing it down on the floor and straightening it so there was no curve to it. "Let's put our brains together."

"The valleys sprawl. The earth crumbles. The fire rages in and through the passage." Aito read the few words written out loud, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Well, I've got nothing."

"What an odd thing to put..." Misaka murmured.

"What... Do you think that means?" Mitsuki asked. She read it three times over already, but it was so vague she couldn't even begin to guess what this was hinting towards. It sounded like something one of those fortune tellers in some villages and countries would say, and the person would believe it like a nimrod and then pay them the hefty sum.

"It's too vague..." Hikaku muttered with narrow eyes. We can't deduce anything from this without bearing the risk of it being wrong.

"Maybe it's code?" Hiro suggested.

"It could... Be..." Izuna frowned, finding himself at a loss. It wasn't uncommon for shinobi to write and speak in code, but it differed greatly over time, region, and clan... The most important thing though. they'd take this code to the grave or burn it before anyone could get their hands on it. It almost seemed as if they were supposed to find it. "But, still that's too vague to be a code of any sort. But, then again..."

"Maybe a trade route?" Mikito wondered.

"I don't think it's that..." Madara said softly, though his voice still carried in its deep and regal tone. It definitely wasn't a trade route, it was more likely a code of sorts. But. It just didn't add up, he had seen many codes over his years, but they were all detailed or consisted of numbers and letters in a wild order, and this didn't have either of those things so it couldn't be a code. He hated to think it was just some half ass poem wrote up by some half ass Sarutobi, but what else could it be?

"I don't think it's..." Souji said trailing off as he stared at the scroll intently. "Whatever it is... It is explaining events, I think." He continued in a blunt tone, he hated what ifs and guessing. He turned his focus onto Yuko who looked rather uncomfortable and nervous her eyes flitting to Izuna's every few seconds. "Ahiko, how many Sarutobi were present, would you guess?" Souji stared at his younger sister with a curious but intent gaze. The more he pondered on the meaning of the few words on the scroll, it was just a bit more puzzling. He focused on the now.

"In the five hundred range, maybe a bit more." Ahiko replied.

"Yuko-san?" Izuna asked. Quick and to the point. Inquiring her to explain further with a small tilt of his head.

"Um." She couldn't even begin to guess what it could be. She hadn't even been concerned with the scroll or number of any clan at that moment in time, she was far more concerned about survival and keeping her eyes. She grimaced. That man was dead serious when he said they'd gouge her eyes out. It was hard to believe for her, at the moment in time, she was horrified. It also didn't help Izuna was staring at her so intensely she was feeling short of breath. "The Akimichi attacked and there were a lot more of them than Sarutobi..." Yuko wasn't sure what else to say and the claws of embarrassment began to sink in as everyone stared at her for a long moment, Izuna's gaze lingering the longest.

"How many?" Izuna asked firmly.

"One thousand..." Yuko struggled not to stammer. But, his gaze was burning and intense, she couldn't help but feel naked under his piercing gaze. Exposed. "...Maybe two thousand."

"Are you telling the truth?" Madara clenched his teeth, stopping short before he gave himself a headache. He glared at nothing in particular, folding his arms against his chest scowling. That many men, there was only one logical explanation... Long term conflict. Yuko had no reason to lie to him, she wouldn't or couldn't lie to him, her own fear and knowing would prevent her from doing it.

"Yes, Madara-sama!" Yuko replied quickly, struggling to keep her voice level. She'd never forget hearing Ahiko press that they needed to run as soon as she freed her from those binds.

"If this is really the case, I'll go and speak with the damiyo." Izuna said in a leveled tone, one of the few times he was very serious even his expression was hardened. They'd need to be prudent from this point forward, the Sarutobi made the first move, and the Akimichi overtook them in an advancement, now it was a matter of patience. Who would attack first? And, in that small time span... Would they themselves-Domou and Uchiha make their move or wait. "This castle is something else entirely, I would think it's geared more towards defense, but it can transition into offense easily enough judging from those 'bridges' around the guard towers."

"Sounds good to me, this room is stuffy." Mitsuki said, wiping her brow as she moved towards the door sliding it open quickly and stepped out, everyone else was quick to follow her having more than enough of being crammed together, leaving only Madara, Izuna, Mikito, Souji, Ahiko, and Yuko present.

"I'll come with you." Souji told Izuna.

"Hm." Izuna nodded slightly, turning towards his brother with a stern expression. "Don't delay in taking care of that."

Madara sent one heated glare his way. "Go and take care of what you're supposed to be taking care of, Izuna." Madara grated out.

"Come on, Yuko-chan and Ahiko-chan." Izuna gently pushed them out of the room despite both girl's protests while Souji stayed behind the trio walking at his own pace and slid the door shut. Their foot falls echoed loudly along with their kinsmen, but slowly they quieted into distant thuds before vanishing altogether leaving the hall outside of them deathly quiet and the room which they sat in silent.

Neither Madara nor Mikito spoke for several minutes, their attention was focused on anything but each other and the atmosphere grew awkward and tense. They had their own reasons for not wanting this, but it would happen, there was no point in resisting. It'd only be out of spite and pride that either of them would object an further and fight this. But, this didn't mean neither of the two were pensive about this, it was for the good of both their clans, but what about what they wanted... How they felt...

"Okay, we'd just better get this out of the way now before we're fighting." Madara decided to break the silence first. He directed his full attention onto Mikito, digging under his shirt and pulling out a scroll quickly unrolling it in a cloud of smoke. The smoke cloud dissipated quickly revealing a piece of parchment and an ink brush. Though, that would have been a good reason for not signing this.

Madara set the paper onto the table situated between them carefully, it wasn't the same thickness as scrolls, a good bit thinner and he didn't want it to tear by some freak chance. "We're both not overjoyed about this whole thing, I don't want to marry you, and you don't want to marry me, we have our own reasons for not wanting to... But... We have to do this..." It was hard for him to swallow his pride, it was something he never did... The Council pushed him to this, forced him into this, he'd be damned if there were no consequences. But, they could wait, he would deal with them when the time came. "You will have all the power and influence of the Uchiha clan Matriarch. It is your duty to set an example even if that means going against tradition and the old ways. You also have the power to bring change, if you so desire to."

"I..." Mikito paused, pursing her lips into a thing line. She would have no qualms marrying Madara, he was arrogant and pig headed, but he was charismatic he could rally his kinsmen and even her own, he was a doting and loving brother, and he was devout of his feelings. If the circumstances surrounding their wedding weren't so... She couldn't think of a word to describe it, if they weren't so hardheaded it'd be a joyous occasion. She was frustrated, but didn't want Madara to think she'd regret this... For better or worse they would be husband and wife. "Okay."

She peered up, captivated by his bright red eyes, the Sharingan was beautiful and deadly, and Madara's were especially bright and intense. She stared him eye to eye, and took one long steady breath, nodding her head in confirmation. It was her turn to dig around her hip area, a short second later she pulled out a scroll about the same size and quickly unrolled in a cloud of smoke which quickly vanished replaced with a piece of thin parchment and an ink brush. "You know, I do agree with you on that one." Mikito smiled despite herself, neatly writing her name out in its kanji as Madara did the same thing. She found herself amazed at how precise and neat his writing was. "I will think of them as my own children, Madara."

Madara's eye widened briefly, and his jaw almost went slack. Normally, he'd scoff at her for saying such a thing. He wanted to scoff at her. She was a bleeding heart. The cynic in him mad him want to gag... But, how she said it with such sincerity he found himself unable to doubt her words or intentions. She wasn't saying it just to say it. "I'll send them both back by hawk." Madara said levelly, folding his arms across his chest as he waited to hear her confirmation. "Our compounds are a distance from each other, but the distance isn't too great when traveling by flight."

"Sounds like a plan." Mikito nodded. She laughed softly.

"What?" Madara asked, raising an eyebrow suspiciously, pausing in rolling up the two scrolls. "I don't believe I said anything funny or that should warrant your amusement."

"It's just..." Mikito paused for a second. "It just feels more real now. Us getting married." Mikito stood up shaking her head from the oncoming dizziness, she never would have thought she'd be marrying Madara Uchiha the Madara Uchiha. It had never even occurred to her once before this whole thing was set up behind both of their backs by their respective Councils, and she knew it never occurred once to Madara either. She noticed Madara's posture tense for just a second, he must have been furious. "It's kind of funny, don't you think? The whole world is at war, and here we are signing marriage papers."

Madara couldn't help it and chuckled.

Ah, so you do smile. Mikito thought, her big and round eyes smoldering as she smiled at him. She took a steady breath, exhaling slowly as she worked the knots out from her stomach. Truth be told she was a lot more nervous and frustrated about signing these papers than she was showing on the surface. "I was thinking, we could have the ceremony in the Naka Shrine... Though... There would be Domou wedding traditions."

"I don't see a problem with that." Madara finished rolling up the scrolls, tucking them in under his hip. Every marriage was held in the Naka Shrine anyways, and since it was his there wouldn't be any other place... Though he did wish it was in a quieter setting, just the two of them and their siblings. He grimaced slightly, that was little too sentimental, he turned his focus away from that. "What are these traditions?"

"We both exchange vows. There's a few other things, but that can wait." Mikito replied with an easy smile. "We have other things to take care of at this moment that take precedence over this."

"Sounds simple. I have nothing against it." Madara said with a light shrug sliding the door open, and allowing Mikito to exit first before he stepped out fully and sliding the door shut silently. Mikito turned around looking at him intently, awaiting him to continue. Madara couldn't agree more with her statement, he wouldn't admit this out loud of course, but he was thankful she didn't want to discuss the marriage as a whole at the moment and instead focused her attention on their primary objective. "That reminds me... Before I forget..." Madara pulled out a small scroll an quickly unrolled it.

"Madara, I didn't know you sew." Mikito said, eyes widening in amazement as she grabbed the high collared shirt inspecting it carefully. She had never worn high collared shirts really, low collar was a definite yes, but growing up where she did the thick high collar would cause one discomfort among other things in all of that moisture. She tilted her head, curious as she pressed it firmly against her torso checking its length. It was a bit long, but that was fine. She stared at him with wonder. "Did you really sew this yourself?"

Madara nodded. This one had been half done already so it didn't take too long to finish. He had originally intended to give her a kimono, which was more fitting in his opinion.

Mikito smiled holding it out in front of her. She didn't need to be psychic to know the Uchiha family crest was in the middle of the back of the shirt stitched proudly for all to see, but she flipped it around and stared it for a moment. "Madara, you forgot something. Do I really need to say what is is?"

"It would have taken too much time." Madara told her a bit snappishly. "I intended to put it on the sleeves and shoulders like your haori."

"Hmmm..." Mikito hummed with a thoughtful expression examining the shirt again.

Madara felt himself growing anxious. He never took Mikito for a nitpicker.

"I like it. Thank you so much!" Mikito said, staring into Madara's eyes. She quickly sealed it into a scroll. "I'll wear it when we're done here, I don't want to get blood on it."

"It could easily be washed out." Madara deadpanned.

"That is not the point, Madara."

"Then what is the point, Mikito?"

"Just forget it!" Mikito huffed in annoyance, she didn't want to go any further since it was clear he just wouldn't get it.

Madara smirked. He certainly was starting to enjoy ruffling her feathers. "You're welcome."

Neither spoke, just enjoying the comfortable or uncomfortable silence that settled between them as they neared the damiyo's main room. Madara opened the door swiftly eyes darting to Izuna then Souji, Ahiko, and finally Yuko. He would hate to admit this out loud, but Yuko had surprised him and he was even slightly impressed. Anyone who walked out of the Water country alive was on a different level entirely, this was the norm thought.

Izuna sat before the damiyo with a solemn and passive gaze on his face. A few feet from him Yuko sat staring at nothing in particular looking slightly pensive, Souji sat a few inches fro Izuna with both hands in his sleeves, and Ahiko sat a few feet behind the red haired kunoichi. Just as Ahiko said that she informed him, the man was expecting him and Souji to enter. The damiyo then informed that he already sent out the maidens and servants to prepare rooms for the others.

Madara took a seat just in front of Izuna while Mikito took the chair just to his right resting her elbows on the arm rests.

"This is unexpected." The damiyo said with a careful gaze as he stared at the party before him. He took one steady breath, glancing out his window as the village started to become more lively and his soldiers were starting to file out in their usual routines and into the village to actively patrol and protect it. He tore his gaze from the scene, focusing it back onto the gathered party. "But, it is much welcomed... Ahiko-san and Yuko-san have already told me about the developments and the current state of things earlier..." He paused, drawing in a breath. Things were much worse than he considered... One thousand Akimichi at the very least, this wasn't something he wanted to deal with or a thought he wanted to entertain, the whole place would be crushed... Quite literally. it was a good thing his army was an active force through the entire country and village, the Akimichi being so high in number, the Sarutobi always pressing closer, it all led to the probability of war breaking out. He had them outnumbered by a great deal, and there was always strength in numbers.

"We'll make sure the trade routes are clear." Mikito said with a firm tone, her eyes narrowing sharply. She had no intention of letting this whole place being overrun by shinobi.

The damiyo nodded. "Can you assure me the routes will be clear from here on out?"

"The ones that we crossed are clear." Ahiko informed him with one firm nod of her head. "But, their camp is close... Less than ninety miles away."

"Well, that just make things easier." Madara said with a degree of arrogance that didn't go unnoticed by Mikito who sent a light glare at him. "These routes will remain clear for a hundred years when we're finished."

"However..." Mikito said quickly, staring at the damiyo for a short moment before adverting her gaze towards the large window watching people milling about. "It may take some time to weed all of them out. Sarutobi are persistent. You can rest assured that no shinobi will plague these trades routes again. The traders and merchants will be able to travel with a peace of mind through and to here."

"I will leave it to you." The damiyo said taking a steady deep breath. "Takes as much time as you need." He rose up out of his chair,quickly turning his back to them as he gazed out the large window. "I will triple my pay, granted there's not a trace of the Sarutobi or Akimichi left. I've always done my best to maintain the peace behind these walls. These recent events are nothing short of unfortunate and unsettling..." He turned his eyes onto Souji who had remained quiet for the most part. "What are you thinking Souji-san?"

"We should anticipate an attack on the village... Possibly." Souji replied. A low sigh escaping his lips.

Izuna glanced at the man for a moment. Souji tensed slightly every few seconds. This situation was getting out of control. He could tell it was making him uneasy. "It's better to be safe than sorry, he means; the Sarutobi are close to begin with. It's only a matter of time before they become bolder."

Though shocked and outraged, the Damiyo kept his expressions schooled. That was the one thing he didn't want to happen by any means, he was already taking precautions to deal with that situation when it came... But, it was just between him and a few of his elite men, the public at large didn't know for it would only cause chaos and mayhem as they panicked. He'd only be playing into the Sarutobi's hands-added with the fact they're bogging down the trade routes, there would be unrest soon enough, and when it did happen it would spread like a plague. "I have been preparing for such a thing before I contacted you, I wanted to avoid the battle taking place so close to home... However." Now it seemed that was no longer a possibility. "It's been centuries since this place has seen war, but that's all about to change." His expression darkened. "I have two hundred and fifty thousand soldiers total, they are all highly trained and skilled of course... They have been trained to endure hellish conditions."

"There's no need to resort to that right away." Mikito felt the claws of shock tear into her. Two hundred and fifty thousand was a lot of men... It was a lot of people! It just couldn't be put into words... Mikito swallowed the lump lodged in her throat. They all had families, hopes, dreams, desires, their own quirks, their own lives. She wasn't so ready to just throw them into a battle-even if they were more than willing to die for their lord and for their families. She didn't want them their die... "We'll capture one of those Sarutobi bastards and bring him back here to be interrogated, right, Madara?"

"We'll take care of the problem." Madara assured with a firm tone. He couldn't help but notice that Mikito was practically pleading with him silently, he didn't need to agree with her, he could say the opposite just to spite her or see her reaction. It'd be fun now that he thought about it... But, he did agree on one point, it was better they move than an entire legion, it was too much of a fuss. He could ruffle her feathers later. He stood up from his spot, resisting the urge to stretch as he swept his locking gaze around the room. "We'll be leaving within the hour."

"Okay!" Yuko nodded quickly. It was rather chipper the way she nodded.

Ahiko tugged on her sleeve. "We've got to go and get your some armor, Yuko-chan!" The curly haired girl stood up in a flash bowing to the damiyo, then bowed to Izuna and Madara. "It was nice to meet you again, Madara-san, Izuna-san."

"Likewise." Izuna said with an easy smile.

Ahiko grabbed a hold of Yuko's sleeve again and quickly exited the room. Izuna left shortly after they did.

Mikito swept her eyes over Madara's figure finally letting the settle on his unruly mane and powerful form. "I'll be in the room we're sharing." She stared at him for a long moment, and smiled softly turning away from him and gracefully walking away. Her thick and long mane waved gently from the breeze she kicked up as she glided across the floor.

She's very... Graceful. Madara thought as he watched her leave his sight. He narrowed his eye for a moment. Mikito seemed to be holding back, maybe that wasn't the right word for it... But, that's all he could come with. Hmmmm. The wheels began to turn in Madara's mind.

Hashirama changed out of his battle worn and torn clothes quickly slipping into a white yukata and white hakama, it wasn't the best thing to wear he supposed, but it was better than blood stained armor. Tobirama changed of course and was just wearing a simple black garb, Syrus and Haji both wore a black kimono and matching hakama, but Syrus wore a black haori in addition. "It is pleasant to hear that you've pushed the Sarutobi back, my soldiers reported to me three days ago that there was a large gathering of Sarutobi in the north and west from here, I see there was more merit to that statement than I previously concurred. Though, I was not expecting the Hyuga to be present as well."

The four men gave light bows in return.

Hashiraa cleared his throat, straightening his back. "If I may get right to the point."

The damiyo nodded.

"Have... You got anything on the Bijuu?"

Shock, horror, and realization crossed the damiyo's face all at once spilling into his eyes and running through his veins like ice. "Actually, a report came in just two days ago, some of my soldiers were on their usual patrols in the forest when they came upon this cave system..."

Tobirama grimaced slightly, he had hoped this wouldn't happen.

"They investigated it, naturally... Needless to say they discovered something that was better off left alone..." The damiyo shuddered once before schooling his expression. The horror and fear he felt upon seeing only one of his loyal soldiers returned was indescribable, but the shock and fear he felt seeing the soldier die was far more intense and smothering. All the man said was it devoured everyone. The damn thing ate them! He brought one hand up pressing his thumb and index finger against the bridge of his nose, it was just horrid to think about... Nobody deserved to suffer such a tragic death. "The demon with one yellow eye and one green eye was slumbering within that cave system... They disturbed it, the only thing I know for certain is that this beast devoured them..."

"Devoured?" Syrus looked at everyone present, locking eyes with Hashirama who had the same look of shock and horror spread across his face.

"I still don't want to believe it..." The damiyo said. "We've managed to pinpoint its location to this one cave system about forty miles west from here. They have never been fully explored, they are far too vast even though we've sent out many to explore them in the past."

"That's probably why the two tails was there..." Haji muttered to himself, out of the corner of his eye he seen Tobirama nodded just barely.

"I've obtained this information, but..." The damiyo breathed out a heavy sigh.

Hashirama narrowed his eyes slightly. "Just leave the rest to us!" He said firmly, powerfully. "You needn't risk any of your soldier's lives. We can handle it from here."

"You make a good point, Hashirama." Syrus said turning to look at his comrade with a leveled expression. "The beast will not do as it pleases any longer." There was no need to send soldiers in droves to their imminent demise, the Bijuu just couldn't be stopped... They were forces of nature monsters of pure and sinister chakra. It'd be a slaughter and nothing short of that. There best chance was going into the lion's den themselves and confronting the beast face to face, they were the only people standing in the monster's way from here on in.

Hashirama smiled. "So! Altogether then, it's all or nothing!"