"He has combined Shadow Clone with his own invention, the Sexy Jutsu. What a foolish ninja technique...and he could probably get me with it, too."
Hiruzen Sarutobi
The battle lasted hours.
It wasn't until the sun began its long descent over the horizon that Madara, Souji, and Mikito returned to the village, torn, battered, and looking worse for wear.
The bloodied corpses of the Akimichi and Hatake nearby were being hauled away by several guards thrown into a makeshift wagon upon their return. The bodies in the distance would be burned shortly by a unit of Uchiha. The guards that stood stoically at the gates greeted them with barely perceptible nods, their facial expressions unseen but remained stoic nonetheless, they immediately allowing them entrance inside. The situation was well under control at this point.
Uniforms tattered and torn, blood smearing them in long distorting streaks swiped and spread across their armor. The obnoxious odor of sulfur, dirt, grim, and blood wafted off of them like raging waves that wished to knock the calm tides aside. Madara slowly brought a hand up to his face, paying no heed to his surroundings, hissing softly as he wiped away the blood on his cheeks. His eyes burned.
Everyone gave them an extremely wide berth as they made their way towards the castle, their uniforms easily distinguishing them as their protectors, but fear overran their senses so much so that they parted path just for trio, no single person or group dared to step or even look in their direction for fear of being cut down where they stood.
Souji paid them no attention. If they all wanted to part a path for them out of fear then they very well could. It made traveling easier, and he didn't have a thousand people in his way. Their reactions weren't at all surprising, the actions of the Uchiha and Domou were widespread in this village, mere murmurs and whispers of how they'd run out the gates and come back drenched in the blood of their foes. Of course, they didn't know why they were running out of the gates and who they were after, but then again they wouldn't even care. To them it was just the Uchiha and Domou running out and coming back covered in blood, it was ghastly and terrifying.
He could only assume that at least half of these people were going off the rumors that had been widespread throughout the world. The Uchiha feared for their visual prowess their Sharingan promising a quick and swift death, driving their, making them bite off their fingers, just with one glance. The Domou, their name alone instilled terror in the hearts of many, said to be demons and cannibals that lurked about the jungles and forests in the west, their strength monstrous able to rip foes apart with their bare hands, they'd rip off a person's face.
Yes, the big bad Uchiha and Domou.
The trek was short and mundane.
Short of a few minutes later they made it to the castle, the citizens and anyone else who gave them space were far behind them, and neither of the trio even glanced back as multitudes of guards milling about and training entered their field of vision. There were Uchiha and Domou on patrol, diligently sweeping every inch and centimeter of the place. Some wore their uniforms while others wore simple clothes, blending in perfectly with the workers around this area, giving them another layer of cover.
Before they could even make it up ten floors Izuna flew into their vision. His eyes were steady and his lips pressed to a thin like giving him an impassive but focused expression. He quickly led them to a nearby room, offering nothing but a hasty hand gesture to get them to speed along as he entered the room shoving away the clutter and tossing a few cushions on the floor.
"How did it go?" He asked, head tilting over to his left just a little as he took in their forms, the blood smeared on his brother's face, the tears and cuts in their uniforms, the small cuts and bruises on them, and their disheveled hair. Though, Souji's wasn't that bad.
"There were no more Hatake and Akimichi in this area." Mikito told him. "We went towards the Desert country and encountered the Subatsu and Sarutobi, it seemed that the Hageshii initiated an attack and started to retreat, Sasuke took this chance to launch another attack. They finally pulled back after it was clear their numbers weren't going to overwhelm us." The wide majority of the split and gouged bodies were those of Hageshii shinobi, there were Sarutobi amidst the clutter of course, Sasuke would never pass up a chance... But, the Hageshii outnumbered them all easily. It could only mean Hajime and Koizuki launched an attack against them, or Syrus made the first move and lured them all there.
Sasuke just shoved his way into it as usual.
They came in just as things looked to be reaching a peak.
"I suppose it was satisfactory." Mikito continued. "There weren't any Senju present, not even Hashirama or Tobirama and I couldn't find any outposts of the Hatake or Akimichi either."
"Odd..." Izuna frowned. Hashirama not getting right in his brother's path, it was almost unheard of. Though, Tobirama not being present really wasn't all that much of a surprise, that prick put himself on a pedestal on top of another pedestal. He probably thought it was below him to attack the Hageshii with Syrus, probably wanted nothing to do with it and waited for Hashirama. The so called 'god of shinobi' to tell him what to do. He narrowed his eyes in fury. Those damn Senju. "There wasn't a single Senju present? Not even one? Not even Toka?"
Souji's gaze darkened.
Mikito shook her head.
"Unfortunately. No." Madara admitted, a small scowl crossing over his features as he crossed his arms over his armored chest. It was a shame Hashirama and Tobirama hadn't been there, but he figured Tobirama was working behind the scenes as always, and Hashirama was trying to be diplomatic-probably wasting his breath and time with that stupid damiyo. Toka just followed her orders despite being married to Hesui. It all worked out though in the end. The Hageshii were retreating and the Hatake and Akimichi that attacked them were decimated. "But, we've managed to accomplish something, so it can be overlooked."
Izuna nodded in understanding. Overlooked meant that they wouldn't be taking a one way trip to the Desert country in search of the Senju.
"We didn't encounter Daiki either for that matter." Mikito added, her brows knitting together for a moment before her expression relaxed. "He's been quiet for a little while."
"He's probably waiting to see what action the Wind damiyo takes." Souji said with a light shrug. Now was the waiting game, where one would use the political aspect to their advantage or pay close attention to it, instead of doing that they'd continue making their move. "We don't need to worry about him... For now." Souji mused, flicking his eyes onto Izuna. "Do you have something important to tell us?"
"I do." Izuna glanced around the room for a moment, eyes lingering on the door a bit longer. "I've got a report from Ahiko and Yuko. I got another smaller one from Yuko, she thought it was nothing."
Mikito and Madara pointed their eyes onto Izuna.
"It's her day off." Mikito said, eyes narrowing just slightly at the last statement.
"Why are you telling us if it could be nothing?" Madara asked, clearly annoyed. His eyes were burning horribly and he could taste dirt and blood in the back of his throat, scratching and clawing at his tongue. It was nothing short of painful annoyances, for once he just wanted to get some rest and maybe have something good to eat. Izuna being a halfwit was the last thing he wanted to even entertain.
"Madara, let him finish." Mikito chastised him.
Madara scowled.
"Thank you, Mikito." Izuna flashed a small grin. It was a surprise Madara hadn't stormed off. "Ahiko was showing Yuko around since she knows this place well. They went to the famous tea house in this village, but found that it was closed for renovations or something of that sort. The owner was a little vague and he seemed to be a little on edge of wary. Yuko surmised that it could be because of recent events, but she has also brought up several good points. It wouldn't take longer than a few hours to finish these renovations, this place gets a lot of business, and there is a shop right next door where they get a wide majority of their items. Why would they it down for the entire day if its just moving furniture or something like that around?"
"The tea house with seven floors?" Souji's interest was piqued. What would make them close down that thriving business for even three seconds? He had been there a couple of times since they arrived here and every single day and night that place was packed to the walls. People from different walks of all classes and walks of life went there to talk or simply relax. Farmers, traders, merchants, specialists-such as an architect, simple children no older than five, nobody was exempt.
"That exact one." Izuna gave a small nod in return. "Yuko also stated that they've been getting a greater influx of business, more so than usual. I guess it really wouldn't be noticeable to just a simple passerby or tourists, but even the regulars that go there have said it's been dramatic with the sudden increase of business." This could be credited to the damiyo allowing any and all entrance-without being their searched or the supplies.
"Go on." Madara pressed.
Masa's statement from earlier began Izuna's mind. "Remember what Masa said?"
Madara's eyes widened briefly before they narrowed. She had offered her own opinion, which basically was the damiyo's standing order could their greatest weakness... They couldn't search what was coming in, going out, couldn't search the people coming in or out. It gave any possible enemies an element of surprise over them, and they very well couldn't go against the damiyo's order-without a valid reason. "I do."
Perhaps Yuko is much more skillful than I thought... Madara conceded silently. That girl could have just blown the lid off of an absurd scheme that was being cooked up by fools... But, they had so many enemies at this point, it was hard to say who could be plotting and who could be assisting in it. One, two, six clans... Too many possibilities, too little time to shuffle through all of them.
"I think Yuko may have uncovered something." Izuna concluded with a grim tone, eyes narrowing to slits. His shoulders tensing forward.
"What do you want to do, Mikito?" Madara asked, carefully eyeing her.
An internal attack had always been on her mind. Since the incident of Maison-ya she had been wary of any and all possibilities of one happening again. It happened once already... By all means it could and would happen again, it was only a matter of time before it would happen again. Of course things wouldn't go exactly as they had at Maison-ya, they would plan it differently, try to be more elusive about it, but the same thing would happen in the end. If this was anything, anything remotely like Tomoyuki's absurd scheme to burn down the Grass village and kill the damiyo in the midst of the chaos...
They'd be getting ready at this moment to carry it through. And, the moment it happened everything would be thrown to the wayside.
"Isn't it obvious?" Mikito asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
Madara smirked.
"We'll wait."
"What!?" Madara barked at her in outrage.
"Madara, let me finish!" Mikito snapped in frustration, shooting him a deadly glare. Seeing his only response being a scowl, she continued on. He had a horrible habit of cutting people off. "We'll wait until tonight, by then they should already be settled and in place, we don't have to search them out like before in the Grass village. If we attack now they'll scramble and we may not catch those who are pulling the strings behind the scenes, if they knew that we were aware of this they would have already left this place."
"She does have a point." Izuna agreed quietly. "If we do attack now we may not catch those directly responsible for planning the whole thing. We just don't want to the grunts."
"We need to apprehend at least one of them. Make an example out of them." Souji added.
"If we wait too long it'll already be too late." Madara argued.
"The fact that they're not scrambling despite our patrols having increased means that they're comfortable... Or they're waiting for us to make the next move." Mikito said with a stern tone, eyes locking with Madara's one visible onyx black eye. He was smeared with blood, there was blood on his face-his own and his foes. It was ridiculous, this man was so... So incorrigible! "If it is the second we have to exercise caution, Madara. That tea house is in the center of this village where the markets are alongside several other shops and stands. It is in an advantageous position. When the fighting does start civilians could be pulled into it, we need to avoid needless casualties by all means." She narrowed her eyes. "More importantly with its location, the battle will need to be contained inside. We can't let anyone escape."
Damn it... Madara snapped mentally, closing his eyes for a moment and pausing in his stare down with Mikito. She made excellent points, too damn excellent for his taste. Those fools could be waiting for them to make the next move, they did need to exercise caution, and the tea house was in the center of the village. If they had any sort of allies in here they'd come spilling towards that location. It'd cause a lot more chaos and disorder than was necessary, and once the battle spilled out of the tea house is when it could and would take a turn for the worst.
"Madara."
"Hn."
"We can't just run out there." Souji interjected himself into the conversation, not caring if he was rude or interfering in something personal between his sister and Madara. "This tea house is in the center of this village... They are in an advantageous position.. we're going to need a form perimeter around it-so that if anyone happens to escape they'll be dealt with swiftly. Since this place is also seven floors in total we're going to need to split up into groups once we enter." He sighed softly. "Going in a large group won't play in our favor, but it'll be dangerous to underestimate what we're up against, it could be even more severe than the Grass village."
"We'll have to depart at night in that case." Izuna said slowly, mind flipping through a series of scenarios. They'd need a large group with them, there was just no way around it, covering every inch of that place with just twelve people wasn't going to do anything worthwhile-worst of all it'd allow many to escape and start bringing chaos within the village. "We'll need to take a large group with us, there's just no way around that. Under the cover of darkness we'll be able to move swiftly..." He paused. "This village is always lively at night which will play into our favor, but I've found a few shortcuts that we can utilize to avoid these hordes of people."
Mikito nodded, having nothing to add, she turned to Madara. Curious. "Madara, do you have anything to add?"
Madara pondered this, before giving a slight nod. "Station small units throughout the village and around the gates." Madara crossed his arms across his chest. "They'll be dressed in civilian clothing, If there's any reinforcements that intend to storm in here once we raid that place they'll deal with them and drive them away out of the territory. And, if any slip passed us or our perimeter they'll catch them before they can retreat entirely." He looked at the trio.
"I want a report on Hajime's, Tunoichi's, and Daiki's movements within the last several days." Mikito said.
Souji just nodded.
"Good plan." Izuna said with a light smile. It was a bit ruthless, but it was the best way to go, there was no telling who or what they'd be up against and they needed every route and section blocked off and checked. If there was even one person that managed to escape, this village could succumb to complete disorder. "Souji, do you mind meeting me in my room after you wash up? I'd like to go over a few more things regarding this." He turned towards Mikito. "I'll have Aito or one of my men bring that information to you."
Mikito nodded. "I want everyone in the meeting room within three hours as well, Yuko too."
"I'll be there" Souji said, leaving the room a moment later.
"Take care of my brother." Izuna whispered to Mikito, striding passed her and took his leave. "I'll let them know."
I...Will. Mikito thought silently. She turned her eyes onto Madara, barely holding back a grimace as she took in his form. "Let's go to our room, Madara."
Madara just nodded, sliding open the door allowing her to exit first, and then slid it shut following after her. He wasn't exactly happy that they shut him out-maybe that was being a bit too harsh, but the trio wasn't for his charge head on now. He didn't find anything wrong with this approach, naturally, it was how he took on every problem he ever encountered-head on. But, they did bring up good points, Souji and Izuna, and Mikito took it a few miles further and put eyes around the outside of this village.
Mikito slid open their door slowly and stepped in first moving towards her bed and quickly threw off her torn and ragged clothes. A cool breeze swept against her slicked forehead, wet back, and neck bringing an instant cool to her that she could've drowned in. Carefully, she sat down on her bed, turning her gaze onto Madara who was seated in just his trousers, shirt thrown somewhere in the room, his hands pressing against his eyes as his teeth ground against each other.
"Madara..." She called warily. "Madara are you..."
"I'm... Fine..." He insisted, turning away from her more than he already had been. This pain... This burning... It'd always be there after he used the Mangekyo and even when he activated it. That was one of the many drawbacks of the advanced Sharingan, and though it wasn't something major-like blindness. This burning pain was agonizing. It felt like his eyes and every part of them was being stabbed and prodded. The pain didn't subside or lessen, it persisted. "I'm fine."
Mikito's eyes clouded over with emotion. Uncaring that she was completely nude. Madara was so stubborn. He was tough as nails. But, this pain was of a degree that was beyond comprehension or imagination. The way he kept rubbing at his eyes, gritting his teeth, suppressing pained growls that just reached her ears. The eyes were so sensitive and complex, they were fragile... It must have been over twenty times that for the Uchiha... The strain Madara's suffered in combat, suffered from the Mangekyo. "Madara, I'm going to heal your eyes the best I can."
"Go ahead." Finally, he conceded. Mikito wasn't going to let it drop, and he didn't have the energy to say no. He wished she wasn't so... Concerned, but it was a foolish thought since they were married, she'd always worry about him. She'd always be concerned and fuss over him like she was now. Why couldn't she just let him be in pain?
Slowly, he opened his eyes, but shut them just as quickly. The light only intensified the excruciating burn.
He moved to wipe at his eyes again but stopped. feeling Mikito's chakra entered his body. It pulsated throughout him in wide ripples before pulsing into his eyes and traveling into them moving throughout their entire makeup. It was cooling, soothing, it was like ice was being poured over every little burn quelling them persistently. He groaned softly resisting the urge to lay down and let this feeling overtake him. The burn persisted, but Mikito's chakra fought it off ferociously until the only thing he could feel was just a light dull pain at the very back of his head.
Mikito took a soft breath, moving her hands away from his face. "Stay right here."
"Mikito." Madara watched her run towards their bathroom and throw the door open quickly filling up a bucket and throwing a rag into it, running back towards him and setting it down. "You're naked..."
"You've seen me naked before." Mikito gave him a blank look.
"That wasn't my point."
"I locked our door." Mikito sent him an assuring smile. It was just like him to worry over someone seeing her so exposed, he could be such a pig head, but he was also very sensitive. He'd break the poor person's neck before he even considered it for a second. Laughing softly at the thought she shoved her hand into the bucket clasping the rag in her hand and wringing it out. She straddled him by the waist. "Stay still now." Madara's only answer was a light grunt, but it would do. She wiped and dabbed, carefully pressing it against the bottom of his eye sockets. There was a bit of blood that flowed out but nothing like a stream. She repeated this process several more times until his face was clean and chiseled like before. "All done."
Madara nodded, thankful that she healed him. She didn't have to do it. She could let him sit here and suffer the pain, he did it to himself in every single sense and aspect, she could have smirked in victory while he spent the next few hours clawing at his eyes, but she didn't. Instead she chose to heal him, not give him a lecture about using the Mangekyo, and cleaned him up. "Mikito..."
"Let's go and take a bath, Madara." Mikito said with a small smile, poking his hard and sculpted chest muscles with one finger. "You stink." She laughed softly as Madara directed a glare her way-there was no anger or hostility behind it, only minor annoyance. They both stunk in that regard, but saying he stunk would make him feel like he smelled worse between the two of them, and would hopefully keep anything stupid from leaving his mouth. "I'll wash your back."
"What else would you do?" Madara asked, a bit bemused as he set about getting the bath ready for the two of them. He had declined her offer before to wash his back, but they were married now and it was fitting that they bathe with each other. They didn't have to, but... His hair got in the way, and he could never get all of his thick mane...
"Well..." Mikito tapped her chin a few times, her mind playing through a few scenarios and possibilities. "I can think of a few things that I could do other than wash your back. I could wash your hair."
Madara wasn't stupid and clearly understood what she was implying. However... "You wouldn't mind?" He gave her a quick glance. Their eyes met for the barest of seconds.
"Not at all."
Hashirama arrived to a very strange and almost surreal sight. It was such that he found himself unable to formulate any words, not even a single mutter, he could only stare in what could be summed up as bafflement.
Syrus, Haji, Usagi, Tsugi... All of the Subatsu were gone. Their entire force wasn't present. There were Senju lounging about while some maintained their guard, Tobirama was off to the side waiting ever stoically for him to arrive. Despite his short fuse with him in particular, Tobirama was quite a patient and reasonable person, but he could be a bit too high handed and pragmatic. But... Where did Syrus and the Subatsu go, surely they didn't cut their losses and leave, they definitely didn't cut their alliance because he was certain Tobirama would be in his ear about right now, and there was no way they just went out to get fresh air.
"Brother, what's going on?" Hashirama approached him quickly, his long legs making his normal strides quite wide, he managed to close the distance separating them within a few seconds. "Where's Syrus, and Usagi, and the others?"
Tobirama ignored the question looking to Hashirama with pointed ruby eyes. "Did you and the damiyo come to a conclusion?"
Hashirama nodded. He didn't exactly like the way Tobirama was blowing off his question. He was pragmatic and always ready to get to the point, but he'd give him the courtesy of a response. The fact he didn't meant that he was focused on him completely at this moment or there had been a severe disagreement between him and Syrus. Syrus being Syrus and Tobirama being Tobirama, it'd take less than a tinderbox for something to erupt between them. A disagreement would turn into a brawl, and... It would just be a migraine.
"Yes, we did... Finally." Hashirama focused back on the current objective, letting out a quiet sigh. "He wanted to launch a full scale attack on Hajime and his force... He was very adamant and persistent about it, but I managed to persuade him not to take such a drastic action..." He paused. With Sasuke and his force around, it wouldn't be a good idea in any stretch. "We're going to begin to organize our forces and get ready to set out. I believe the Wind damiyo is going to send out messages again to all countries and villages in this region, it's been several weeks since he's expressed his desire, I can only assume he's grown impatient and isn't liking the widespread rebellion."
Tobirama nodded slightly, crossing his arms over his chest retaining a stoic expression. This damiyo while a bit more cautious, had a fierce streak of pride as well as impatience when it came to certain things. He took action instead of talking things out, quelled problems with force rather than diplomacy, and most of all he did things his own way and that was the end of it. Any type of advisement would likely be shut down, it was his fist against brittle fingers, and those fingers snapped and cracked. He had the best of intentions in mind, but they way he went about doing it. Thankfully, Hashirama talked him down from taking action against Hajime. "It won't take us all that long to get ourselves organized, the majority of our force is resting up, but will be ready to set out at a moment's notice."
"Patience is our greatest ally with this situation." Hashirama said. Voice a bit stern. "I don't want us to look like the instigators or antagonists in this whole thing." The Wind damiyo and Shimura were the ultimate antagonists and instigators at their insistence he threw this whole thing into motion, Sasuke and his force were instigators causing havoc in this region very chance they got, but there would always be sympathizers regardless of the misdeeds being dealt out swiftly. The Sarutobi had deep pockets and the Wind damiyo's desire to unify every village and country in this region under him would appeal to many people.
"I understand." Tobirama agreed. While, he didn't particularly care what people thought of him at large, if the Senju were getting fingers pointed at them for starting all this chaos well it was nothing but ignorance on the parts of those throwing out such claims, and it'd shed them in a bad light. He wouldn't allow anyone to slander his brother's or his clan's name. Sophistry was always at play and those weak willed and minded enough to go with it, by all means they would like sheep. "The Wind damiyo may send messages later tonight, or tomorrow... This time he won't be so lenient, there will be a display of his military strength for all to see."
"Yes." Hashirama pushed the subject off to the side. "Where's Syrus? I was supposed to inform him of this?"
"He's out dawdling." Tobirama said with a bit of disdain.
"Dawdling?" Hashirama questioned intently. Syrus wasn't one to dawdle, dally, or anything of the sort. I smell blood. He frowned, brows slitting together as he trailed the scent to its source-roughly five hundred people stood drenched to the bone in the crimson substance. It was in their hair, on their faces, smeared and splattered across their armor and uniforms. "Syrus..." Finally, Hashirama shook his head. "Where were you? The damiyo has finally come to a decision."
A few people nearby starting screaming and yelping in fear scurrying away from them.
Cute. Usagi thought.
"Hashirama..." Syrus flicked his gaze onto him, sharp eyes glinting and gleaming as the recesses of his killing intent ebbed away from him. Hashirama, of course would put the question so he had to explain himself to him. Why he was covered in blood, why he wasn't present, why his entire force wasn't present, and why he left without even bothering to inform him of such. And, just where he went. "While you've been... spending the last few hours talking, I was out there dealing with Hajime and his forces... Sasuke, his force, Madara, Mikito, and Souji showed up..." He paused, keenly noting of that look...of... Scrutiny? On Hashirama's face, it seemed the younger man was almost... Appalled to see him and his force in their condition. "We put Hajime, Koizuki, and their force to route, unfortunately they managed to escape... My fight with Sasuke, Madara, and Mikito turned into a stalemate."
Haji offered no other details.
"It was a waste of time, now you're not ready. You also weren't here to hear the final decision and action we will be taking." Tobirama said blandly, but with a pitch of anger that didn't go unnoticed. There was a reason he wanted to wait until his brother was finished. Syrus didn't want to wait.
"I'm more than ready." Syrus retorted, not tearing his gaze from Tobirama's. It'd only take him and his force three seconds to get ready and set out, not even three seconds. "We've put the Hageshii in route and forced them to retreat from this area, I would consider that an accomplishment. I am sure the damiyo has misgivings towards them and wants them to be dealt with-Hajime in particular."
"He did mention that..." Hashirama admitted.
"Then it is my accomplishment." Syrus replied.
Tobirama's eyes narrowed with anger, ruby eyes glinting fiercely. He knew Syrus well enough, he didn't give them a chance to escape or anyone for that matter. They'd hunt them down to the last man, chase them until they ran out stamina or chakra, whichever of those two came first, no stone would be left unchecked and nobody left unchecked. It was thorough, but ruthless, precise, but savage. "You are missing the point..."
"Am I..." Syrus narrowed his eyes. "Or, are you just upset that you're not getting all of the glory?"
"Regardless..." Hashirama got between the two of them. The atmosphere was starting to get heavy and poisonous as the two stared the other down-Syrus's stare never wavering the slightest-just like a wolf. There couldn't be tensions building between them at this moment, that was the last thing that they needed to happen... The damiyo wanted action taken against Hajime and barely conceded with him, Syrus was not in the wrong for doing what he did... Tobirama wasn't wrong either, they just needed to forge ahead. "What's done is done. Let's just move ahead."
"The point is..." Tobirama, if possible, narrowed his eyes even more. He wasn't going to let this drop. "You may have put Hajime and his force to route, but that doesn't change the fact your reasons for doing it didn't have anything to do with that..." Eyes glinting, he took in the blood splattered all over the taller man, a ghastly and for some terrifying sight. "Your reasons for doing it are selfish and nothing less than that. You let your rage fly out of on control and you lashed out! How many of them did you kill, you didn't even spare one to be interrogated! You're..."
"Tobirama, that's enough." Hashirama said immediately, tone stern. "The damiyo would have ordered it eventually, just let it drop. We shouldn't be arguing among ourselves."
"Were you going to call me bloodthirsty?" Syrus asked Tobirama. Hashirama wasn't even in his peripherals, despite the tall man standing just inches away from him. How could Tobirama discredit him for putting that fool in route, no... It wasn't discredit. Tobirama acknowledged the fact he put Hajime and his force to route, but his reasons for doing it... Why he did it. It made the accomplishment that's much more less, insignificant, and wrong. His reasons for doing it weren't righteous by any means, but he still did it. "Or, were you going to call us bloodthirsty?" Syrus waved a hand at the force standing behind and next to him, Usagi and Haji flanking him.
"Syrus-" Hashirama interjected himself again.
"You're not answering my question." Syrus grounded out, hostility starting to creep into his tone.
"I was going to say tainted with emotions and you're a nihilist." Tobirama remarked. "But, you're not denying that either."
"Tobirama! Syrus! That is enough!" Hashirama snapped, chakra pulsing out of his pores like a wild tsunami.
Taken by his brother's chakra, Tobirama refused to tear his focus away from Syrus.
"I see, so it has come to this." Syrus mused softly, closing his eyes for a long moment as he reigned in his emotions. He had been wary of it, for a while now, but he always pushed it to the back of his mind. But, it remained there festering and scratching him incessantly, day and night. But, he didn't wish to entertain it, but here it was playing out. It was slightly different than he had anticipated, Tobirama was a motivator and Hashirama, his way of... It was all coming ahead of speed. "I was afraid this would end up happening eventually."
There was this... Tendency for people in general to always put the Senju on pedestal above all others. They were no different than the rest of the clans, they killed children, they sent children to battle... But, their love.
This, somehow, made everyone forget they were pure bred killers as well... Only hiding behind mushy and ideological sophistry.
At least the Uchiha were honest, they were extremely wary of outsiders, if you pushed onto them they'd mow you down within that instant, but they were honest about it. Not hiding behind their ideology.
The Senju... They loved to control and dictate, constantly influence...
"I just didn't kill them, we all killed them." Syrus grated out, sweeping his hand around at his force as he spoke. "If you're speaking to me you're speaking to all of us. No single person carried out the killing." They differed far too greatly it seemed... And, after coming so far... Maybe it's not possible. He pushed the thought away, putting his focus back on Tobirama. "It seems that we've reached an impasse..."
"It does." Tobirama agreed dryly.
Usagi watched him intensely.
"Syrus!" Hashirama shouted sternly.
"An Uchiha is an Uchiha. A Domou is a Domou. And, a Subatsu is a... Subatsu. Isn't that right, Tobirama?"
Ruby eyes locked with narrowed ghastly dark eyes, the atmosphere chilled around them. Neither was going to budge, they were locked, they had always been deadlocked. But, one couldn't stare down a wolf, and Tobirama for a moment turned away from Syrus crossing his arms over his chest with closed eyes. "That's right."
Silence.
So few words, but their impact, their meanings... Beyond comprehension.
The Subatsu will never be influenced... Syrus thought, his expression darkening with a torrent of emotions as he flicked them onto Hashirama, whatever he was saying, it fell on deaf ears, he was beyond words. He now understood completely. Understood too well. Hashirama, he truly desired peace. Peace over anything else... But, Tobirama... He only wished to control and dictate. Suppress and oppress. "Yes, it seems that we've indeed reached an impasse." Syrus nodded once to himself, a low sigh escaping his lips.
"Syrus!" Hashirama stared at him intensely, face clouding over with emotion. Surely, Syrus couldn't be... He wouldn't...
Syrus glanced away from him. "Hashirama, do you think I don't know what's going on? Do you think of me as naive and blind as to not be able to see?"
"I can't do this without you, Syrus. I need your help as my comrade." Hashirama said, neck muscles taut. "I'll handle Tobirama."
He was far from a coward, and would never abandoned a mission before he seen to it that it was complete, but he tolerated all he could possibly tolerate... Tobirama made his intentions and wariness glaringly clear, and Hashirama... While he claimed he'd handle Tobirama, he'd only have a rough talk with him while Tobirama barked and groused never taking anything to heart... Worse yet, Hashirama would start to listen to Tobirama... They'd be right back here at this very point every single time. There was no need to loop themselves into an endless cycle. "Perhaps... It's not possible." Syrus mused softly to himself, glancing away from Hashirama with grim eyes. Unity... Maybe it wasn't possible to achieve, he was a fool to even believe for a moment and keep trying.
Syrus!"
Ignoring the younger man's yelling, Syrus turned his back towards him, hair billowing behind him. "When an alliance is made, it is only for the benefit of the clans involved. The alliance becomes parasitic at best and is eventually broken or the ally shunned away. It's a constant give and take between the two sides." It's what his father always told him-why the Subatsu had no allies, why they didn't need any allies, why they relied on their strength and their own strength alone. The alliance would merely slow them down, and in time the alliance would be counter beneficial for both sides, leading them to war.
But, he wanted to believe it was different-maybe the alliance would last and not become parasitic, that there would be unity, and with that unity there'd be reciprocation, and with this there'd be love and essentially peace. "It's been like this for us as well... Give and take, it couldn't be helped, however there has been no..." He craned his focus onto Hashirama, ghastly eyes glinting as he locked them with Hashirama's beady dark eyes. "It's become all too clear for me now and I understand it perfectly, too perfect..." He kept his eyes pinned on Hashirama. "Consider yourself lucky that I'm not a coward and always finish my mission." There was evident relief in Hashirama's features. "But, know this, the wedding between my sister and Tobirama... It. Will. Not. Be. Happening."
"Syrus, now just hold on-"
"IT'S NOT HAPPENING!" Syrus roared, enraged, chakra gushing out from his pores shaking the ground as he finally lost what patience he had. He clenched his fist until his knuckles paled. "Do not make me repeat myself, Hashirama."
"But-"
"It is my sister's decision... If you push this issue any further I swear, so help me..." Teeth clenched, eyes narrowed, and fangs bared Syrus stared down Hashirama just waiting for the moron to say something else. The issue wouldn't be pressed any further, if the Senju Council didn't like it that was just too damn fucking bad, if his Council didn't like, that was just too damn fucking bad. "I will..."
"Okay, okay..." Hashirama waved his hands in front of his body. The hostility and anger fuming off of Syrus was thick and almost palatable. He tried to avoid this, Tobirama being Tobirama and letting his mouth skip ahead, and Syrus retaliating... Syrus could have turned back and left... He got the feeling the taller man was having ideas to do just that. "Tobirama, is this okay with you?"
"I don't give a damn if he's okay with it or not!" Syrus barked. He was just a hair away from grabbing Hashirama by his neck and crushing the whole damn thing! "You are trying patience which I do not have..."
"It's fine with me." Tobirama gave a small shrug. Usagi was too much for him, and he was too much for her, and, though they discussed a few things regarding it... It was better that they just remain comrades and nothing more. Usagi at this point didn't want anything to do with him in that sense, and he knew it for a fact, and he starting to become wary in general. It'd never work out. "If the Council has any misgivings about it I will deal with them, personally."
"We're going to get washed up." Haji said, tone dry. Whether or not he was effected by this whole thing, he didn't let it show on his expression, nor in the tone of his voice. Though, he was more straight to the point than usual and his dark eyes were pitched with a glare."We'll be back within the hour, until then..."
"I'll wait here." Hashirama nodded, shoulders slacking as they heaved off a sigh of relief. Once they were all away he flicked his eyes onto Tobirama. "Brother-"
"That man is a nihilist and tainted with emotion just like the rest of them." Tobirama hissed. "We'd get along just fine without them-"
"Tobirama, that's enough." Hashirama said sternly, and for once Tobirama's eyes widened briefly. "I am only going to say this once. Do not slight Syrus or any of the Subatsu again. Do. Not. Do. It."
"Brother!"
"Tobirama, drop it." Hashirama ordered, turning away from him and fighting off another migraine. That was way too close back there... Syrus was close to leaving... He turned his eyes up on the 'roof' above them. We cannot afford to make enemies out of the Subatsu... Why doesn't he understand?!
"Are you afraid of him? Afraid of them?" Tobirama questioned angrily.
"They are wolves, brother and you can't contend with a pack of wolves." Hashirama told him lowly, dark eyes narrowed as he leveled a direct and critical stare with his younger brother. "We cannot afford to make enemies out of the Subatsu!"
If the Subatsu happened to join hands with the Uchiha and Domou, the trio would bring the world to its knees and everyone in it...
Hundreds of people clamored and milled about below in the man-made streets. Jovial and merry, wary and cautious, filled with angst, regardless of their internal feelings they set out to complete their tasks and relax. The weather, finally giving just slightly allowed many people who wouldn't dare venture out of their homes unless they absolutely had to, to come outside and explore their not so seen surroundings.
Factoring this in, he was more than confident that he was in the most advantageous position despite being in his enemies' territory. With so many people around he could vanish in the thick of the crowd if things didn't go exactly his way. There would be chaos and commotion that swiftly followed, but in that small span of time it took those not trained to react he'd already be well on his way.
Ajo adjusted the collar of his scruffy, light brown shirt. It was a lot looser than his usual attire, and he felt a bit lighter without his armor. His unit consisting of six men sat close to or near him, their expressions stoic and harsh. Keenly, he pointed his gaze towards Tunoichi, the man was sitting silently and almost frozen his expression giving nothing away as he stared ahead, Takehito as always was right next to him staring ahead with an almost smug expression. Suppressing a smirk, Ajo turned his eyes onto Hajime, taking in the brand new wound on his face. "Nice place you've got here."
"Indeed, isn't it." Hajime remarked.
"I wasn't sure if I had the right place since there's so many people in here." Ajo said. The smells of food and sweets wafted through the thick walls even on this top floor, along with the steaming tea. People were hurrying in just as he arrived with his unit, he allowed himself to be pushed along the wave until he made it to a staircase then slipped into one of the shadows. Every floor except the sixth and fifth was packed with people, and idly he monitored their chatter with barren interest. "But, this building's design is unmistakable, I thought you'd be a little more... Discreet."
"You've managed to make it through, I see. Ajo." Tunoichi started with a calm tone, eyes peering at the Shimura carefully. It wasn't a hard task, but with the Uchiha and Domou right there, it could complicate things. "I shouldn't be surprised, after all Daishiro's most trusted man would not be detained or captured so easily, nor would he allow his cover to be broken."
"The damiyo his given me an edge." Ajo replied simply, taking a drink of the sake set out before him on the large wooden table. There were dozens of men seated around him all hailing from the Hageshii clan and Shainingu clan, dozens more listening close by in nearby rooms. Evidently, the damiyo gave any and everyone an edge. Funny how one order could completely sweep the tides. "Though, I would have arrived earlier, I couldn't risk being spotted by any Uchiha or Domou, and couldn't risk encountering Mikito."
"Yes, that woman is a witch." Takehito remarked. One of the scars on his face he got from her. He turned his eyes onto Hajime, a light smirk crossing his face as he took in the new wound on his face. "This building is located within the center of the village and is most advantageous for us." He chuckled as he glanced at Hajime. "That scar burns doesn't it."
"Hardly." Hajime jabbed a finger at the healing wound, it wasn't extremely deep, but it'd leave a scar indefinitely. Scowling at Takehito, he turned his attention to Tunoichi. "If this turns out to be a waste of time I may just call this whole thing off."
"You should control your subordinate better, Tunoichi." Koizuki rasped, a light glare marring his expression. "I thought we were here to finalize and execute the plan, not for this brat to make sly comments about something that doesn't have anything to do with him."
"You are right. We are not here to make sly comments." Tunoichi didn't look the least bit sorry.
"Maybe you could bring me up to speed." Ajo said coolly, bringing the conversation back to course. Daishiro hadn't given him much to go off, what would happen, who would be present-though he did guess he'd see the leaders and second in commands, he still had little in his hands. Two leaders meeting never boded well in the long run, these must have been after power or influence or something of that sort. Or, maybe their intentions were much more simplistic. He also needed to buy enough time for Daishiro and that unit to return to the Wind country with their prize. Soon they'd have the Hyoton scroll in their possession.
"We intend to take control." Koizuki replied smoothly, closing his eyes for a moment as he sipped on his sake. "The Sand country and Desert country are both advantageous in their own right. By taking control of these two locations we'll be able to control this whole thing and no move will escape our sight. The Sand country being the heart of this region, and the Desert country having the longest territory overall, that even stretches into the Fire country. claiming both of these is crucial."
"By taking control of these two locations we also put our forces into an advantageous position." Hajime added. "We'll control the forces coming and going from the Fire country to this region, in addition to controlling the clans within the region."
Ajo nodded. Once they controlled who came and went from the region to the next, everything would fall into their favor a short moment later. They controlled the routes, they controlled the paths, they very well controlled the influx of shinobi. They could possibly crush any clan they chose, Shimura, Senju, all they needed was the right timing and situation for them to pounce on that chance. Hajime seems to be a man of wiles. Ajo observed in silence, a small chill running down his spine.
If Hajime and Tunoichi proved to be successful and this whole thing went off without a single hitch... It wouldn't bode well for the Shimura in the long run. However, if these two let their enmity interfere and run rampant, it could be just what he needed. "So, let me get this straight." Ajo set his saucer cup down, eyes narrowed and crucial, he stared down Hajime, then Tunoichi. Indeed, these two were dangerous especially working together. "You intend on putting yourself in direct conflict with the Uchiha, Subatsu, Domou, and Senju-defeat them and control the two territories they're in, and from there you'll then out every clan's force so thin that they have no chance to repel your attacks, which would mean there's no escaping genocide... You'd corner several clans with just the move alone..." He let out a soft breath, keeping his expression schooled. "But, your plan will fail. You two are bitter enemies and will pounce on the chance to strike the other when they least expect it."
Defeating those four clans was going to be close to impossible, and by all means was impossible, that wasn't factoring in his own clan, the Sarutobi, the Hyuga, the Hatake, or the Akimichi. These two were either very foolhardy and their arrogance knew no bounds or they were extremely well prepared and had every possible nuance worked out and played over. He was leaning more towards the first option at this point. But, if they did manage to defeat those four clans and take control of the two territories they'd have a serious advantage of everyone else, and could lead out many attacks that could and would crush anything that was being targeted.
It wasn't favorable since the Shimura would be targeted eventually, if not right away, and more importantly he couldn't let them have such an advantage before he did.
Tunoichi smirked for a moment. "Normally, you'd be correct..." Hashirama was to thank for this advantage. That fool. That ceasefire. It swung the tides into motion where Hajime and himself could work together, where they could find a common ground and march forward with that one intention in mind, where they could cease fighting against each other, and start fighting with each other. It all played out in his favor, and he anticipated the ceasefire going as such. "However, we've recently signed a ceasefire with each other including the Chibana and Tachibana clans leaders and second in commands. Our fighting has, for now, been put to a stop, though if we so pleased to continue our conflict that damiyo wouldn't be able to do a single thing to stop us..." He chuckled softly. That noble's arrogance was just like the norm high and mighty, pompous, believing everyone to be under his own authority. "We have found a common ground."
"For now, at least." Takehito was quick to add.
"We should be thanking that fool, Hashirama." Hajime remarked, a deep chuckle rumbling from the back of his throat as he set his hands on the table. He had severe misgivings about signing that ceasefire, but it would prove to be in his advantage, and as far as Hashirama was concerned they'd never fight against each other again. Truly, he was a naive fool. "I am surprised Syrus didn't object the whole thing, he knew it would fall into our favor since the beginning, and yet he went along with it anyways."
"Hashirama can be quite convincing." Koizuki admitted. He could admit that he was a bit moved by how serious the man was, how serious he was about putting an end to the endless fighting and conflicts. However, he was too idealistic and too naive he couldn't see how they swept the tides in that singular moment. A move well played, but for Hashirama it was a step towards peace. "But, he is too naive."
"There have been rumblings about him and his ideals, seems he desires peace." Takehito muttered with disdain. Such a thought process was dangerous and put a big target on your back. "He has even sent ceasefire agreements to Madara and Mikito, though both have declined... I am wary of what his intentions are, is really just for the sake of peace...
"His so called peace will cause half of our world to burn." Tunoichi hissed.
"There are those who will do anything for the sake of peace." Koizuki mused. "It is then that they hide behind an ideal."
"What is he planning to do sending a ceasefire to those two?" Takehito scratched at his chin. "Perhaps he intended to form some sort of a settlement-a village. If the Uchiha, Senju, and Domou joined hands no one would dare move against them... Or even if it is just the Uchiha and Senju that joined hands..." He paused for a moment, continuing. "But, Izuna and Souji would never agree to such a thing they both hate the Senju, and the thought of the Uchiha and Senju joining hands is nothing short of absurd."
"It could be something along those lines." Ajo agreed. "Maybe he intends to create a settlement." But in that case. He'd essentially being pushing many, many, many people into a corner-and that was always dangerous. He couldn't see the turmoil and damage this little settlement would cause down the road, long after he's passed on, no, Hashirama only seen what he wanted and that was as far as it went.
"That man has big ambitions, perhaps it'll be better to get rid of him before he can meddleeven more." Hajime spat. That damn Disuke attacked his unit of Hageshii shinobi near the Lightning country, and he was not going to let that down even if his life depended on it. Hashirama was becoming a serious problem and eyesore and it was time that the pest gets squashed. "He intends to create a superpower."
Ajo nodded in steady agreement. True, Hashirama has big ambitions and desired peace, and it was equally true that this peace he sought after would cause half of their world to burn, and be subjugated. Did he intent to create a village of some sort? It wasn't a bad idea at first glance, but when one unrolled the seams and exposed the true innards of the whole thing it was horrible. There was no doubt that Hashirama would lower himself to the damiyo, and the damiyo would grant him power and control over Konoha and that territory-but they'd still be his dogs.
He wanted to overthrow this entire concept. Shinobi would own and control the land, the cowardly and pompous nobles would be driven into a corner and seek their own haven where there were those stupid enough to relegate themselves to their rule. The shinobi would not be dogs of the damiyos any longer, they'd be calling the shots, no longer would they be secluded in the shadows as nothing more than weapons for hire, but out in the open as owners of the land. They'd take any missions they wanted, when they wanted, they'd give themselves orders, and they'd answer to no one. It would be a shinobi village, made by shinobi, for shinobi.
Hashirama would surely bring peace with his method, if only for a few short years, but nothing would honestly change in the end.
Shinobi would still be dogs of the damiyo living for nothing but the mission, weapons for hire, clans would come together in the form of villages, but then it'd just be villages going to war instead of clans-and to care for a village before one's own clan... That was the true essence madness. Nothing would really change, he'd only further the paradox that the world was set in-not shatter it, not overturn or overthrow it, not destroy it, but further it. It'd be full of incongruity and contradictions.
"In any case it's nothing but a pipe dream." Ajo spoke up over the growing chatter that began to crowd the room. "Madara nor Izuna will ever agree to such a thing, especially Izuna... And, Mikito, she's already seen everything there is to see and has made her decision." Madara battled Hashirama far too often to even consider a truce, Izuna hated the Senju and had his mortal enemy-Tobirama and Mikito was far too perceptive and could read underneath the underneath of the underneath of the underneath. This would never happen, Hashirama could be blue in the face, but it still won't happen.
"Of course, knowing you Ajo... You'd want no part of it." Hajime said with a knowing smirk.
"Naturally, I wouldn't." Ajo answered tonelessly. He'd never want to be a part of this settlement or anything of the sort, he seen it for what it was, and wouldn't be goaded into giving into his baser emotions. There was more than one way to wage war, external and internal, emotionally, physically, and mentally. With frivolous ideals or cataclysmic ninjustus. "Now, I see your true intentions. You've caught my attention." He crossed his arms over his chest. "So, tell me. How is this whole thing going to start?"
"By taking control of this country if we can do that we hold an advantage." Koizuki replied evenly. There were mutters of agreement.
Ajo nodded understandingly, a dark glint in his eyes as he forced a smirk down. "Well then..."