"You've seen reality, you should be able to understand...No wish can become true in this world. That's why I'm pursuing the dream of Infinite Tsukuyomi. I want to build a world where heroes don't have to make pitiful excuses in front of graves."
Obito
The sunny rays beamed through the nonexistent distance-lighting the land with a peaceful radiance. The food was excellent, and the overall presentation was also excellent. What made it complete was the sun's rays, the Uzumaki's dedication and love for their cooking, and the way the aroma of the food beamed with the warmth.
Hashirama sighed in something akin to bliss.
Eating good food was always a great thing for him, but being around good company to enjoy that food, it was even better than eating it alone. There was the saying that food always tasted better when eaten with friends and family. And, he definitely had good company. Just under one of the many canals-its form strong, made of stone and cement-towering a few meters over the river that flowed just to his side; did he get to enjoy good company and good food.
The Uzumaki didn't eat red meat of any sort. Nor did they eat any bird flesh. Beef, chicken, turkey, they didn't eat any of it and so the food that had been prepared was of an aquatic nature. Fish. Squid. Octopus. Sushi. Sashimi. Even Sea Urchins. They did eat rice and noodles as well, and there was quite a few varieties of rice on many of the dishes that had been prepared.
There was the standard white rice everyone ate for the most part, brown rice, and orange rice. There were vegetables mixed into every dish so it was balanced, and there was a variety of fruits on the side for consumption alongside the main meal. He couldn't scoff or be disappointed with the dishes prepared. The Uzumaki took great pride in their work, and their cooking was no different.
Their presentation of that food was no different either.
Hashirama normally didn't care too much about formalities. It was always so stiff and caused him a migraine. He just preferred to relax and in turn, let people relax. Like the sun at this moment, and the warmth of his food. He enjoyed seeing people happy and at peace. It was one of the driving forces for him to found a village, other than the obvious reasons.
If people could come together like this and just enjoy a meat-regardless of their clan or social class, then there was definitely hope. Unfortunately, nobody could come together and do such a thing. Something as simple as sharing food was impossible-people would be quick to pull a sword on the other, and would be quick to take all of the food for themselves.
However, as he sat with a somewhat proper posture, trying to keep his back relaxed. Miyuki, Airi and Eiji on one side of him. Akiko, Amane, Honami, and hundreds of other Uzumaki sitting right across from them, with Hisao and Ashina seated on both ends of the grassy plain. He felt himself relaxing more and more, to the point his back was about to hunch along with his shoulders.
The Uzumaki were a very pleasant clan, kind hearted clan. In fact when it comes to acts of kindness, they were the only clan to give in such a manner. There was no one more reliable or kind than them; they'd always offered their seals and medicinal herbs. What made this all the more significant is the fact the Uzumaki didn't associate with anyone outside of the Domou were wary and distrustful of anyone else, the Senju included, and rightfully so.
What put a whole different twist on this whole situation was the fact Mito seemed to take an interest in him. The sort of interest an adult man and woman take in each other. He was almost certain if it wasn't for this fact, along with saving her, he would have never made it this far. The Domou and Uzumaki were on good terms and have been on good terms. Mito doing what she did could disturbing a delicate balance that has been maintained.
Ashina's words also confused him to some extent.
Ashina was one of the Uzumaki that were wary of speaking on what the Domou and Uzumaki once shared, unlike Hisao, Amane, Akiko, and several others. It wasn't exactly baffling. He was also loyal to the Senju clan, as when marriages did happen between their kinsmen, it kept them on good terms with each other, even if they remained neutral in that regard.
While he was still loyal to the Domou, he felt a special need to ensure relations with the Senju were maintained. It was unfortunate because if Ashina and Hisao ever happened to disagree...
Ashina wanted the alliance with the Senju to remain intact, and there was no question what great lengths he was willing to go, nor what lines he'd step over if he had to. Speaking with the older man had made him deduce as much-the man seemed willing to do something that would catch the ire of Hisao. However, Ashina wanted the Uzumakii secure on all sides-but acting so independently could have disastrous results.
"Are you really a god?" A child broke the silence, his soft voice chambering like an earth jutsu. His hair was rather short, a spiky mess going down to his ears, with the back just brushing against his shoulder blades.
Hashirama chewed on his squid more thoroughly.
"Few can best him in combat, or so the rumor is." Akiko nodded.
"How does that make him a god though?" The child prodded, eyes wide and curious.
"It's only natural people elevate him to such a moniker. Due in part to their ignorance. It is unfortunate, child." Amane said, nudging the young boy on the shoulder and pointing at the broccoli on his plate.
Hashirama offered no response, only sipping his tea, watching as the child barely stomached the vegetable.
"It's gross." The child continued making faces as he swallowed.
"Eat it." Amane said sternly.
Hashirama smiled for a second at the scene, then wondered at times why people ever started calling him god of shinobi in the first place. He was the farthest thing from a god, and he could hardly be considered such a thing. He didn't have power-power to that extent. He wasn't Rikudo, and he wasn't that demon. He was of flesh and blood, a mortal.
The furthest thing from a god or anything divine along those lines...
"I seen you using your Mokuton without any hand seals. Didn't seem to take a toll on you."
Hashirama flicked his eyes onto the older woman-she had to be in her late thirties, but looked to be in her twenties. "Well...I was at peace and didn't need to keep my head on a swivel, so to speak. I was able to just..."
"Wouldn't you do the same in battle."
Hashirama laughed a little awkwardly, resisting the urge to scratch at his head. He should be able to do in battle, and he very well could, but it wasn't to the same extent like he had been able to here. He wasn't totally relaxed and at ease. When his chakra was agitated, it could make things a little more complicated in some respects. While kneading and flaring his chakra was as simple as breathing, in the heat of battle...
Things were different than feeling the wind blowing through his hair and the laughter of Uzumaki.
"If he isn't totally relaxed, it could be problematic. He also has to continuously knead more and more chakra, less he dies." Honami said thoughtfully.
Hashirama nodded gently. "Something along those lines."
"You must learn to articulate yourself better, young Hashirama. Less you wish to cause confusion to those you are speaking to. You must speak clearly and boldly."
Hashirama nodded in understanding. Tobirama would often say something similar, and Madara did when they were children. Though, Madara would get upset with how depressing and vague he could be more than anything. Tobirama on the other hand wanted him to speak his thoughts clearly and without hesitation, as there was no need to hesitate in his younger brother's opinion. If he couldn't get a point across, how was he supposed to found a village? Tobirama often posed that question.
"I think he does just fine, he's just a little dense." Miyuki chimed, giving Hashirama a small grin. "Maybe if he was around women more he wouldn't be so dense."
"I was taught proper manners and etiquette, especially when it comes to women." Hashirama nodded firmly, recalling his mother's stern warnings.
Never lead a woman on. Never lie to a woman. Never make a woman feel wanted just to dispose of her. Never use a woman for personal pleasure or gain. That included missions that had to do with taking advantage of women or using...To get his way.
Hisao laughed softly. "Hashirama isn't so dense. He's just not used to dealing with emotionally intelligent people."
"They are just a bunch of brutes fighting over who has the bigger stick on the mainland. Hashirama is a shooting star in pitch black." Amane said, nodding her head a few times.
"True that." Several women nodded in agreement.
"Not like they're powerful or well endowed anyways!"
"Men who fight over who has the bigger slung have small one anyways!"
"Oh? And men are emotionally intelligent, dear?" Honami quipped, earning a laugh from her husband, and several Uzumaki present.
Talking about men and their parts around children wasn't actually palatable, after all.
"If Honami didn't confess her feelings way back when you'd still be scratching your head, father." Airi snickered.
"Hisao has always been a warrior and protector first and foremost. Such feelings tended to go over his head." Ashina said, gentle mirth shining in his eyes.
Hisao laughed heartily, wiping at his eyes.
Hashirama chuckled, a smile pulling on his face.
"Yes, dear has always worn several faces. When he fights, he is stony and courageous, his valor is second to none. When he parties he is a grinning fool. When he interacts with the children he is gentle and caring. His smile is gentle. And when we are together alone...He wears an entirely different face...I wonder which...One is his real face? I know which one is..."
"Mother!" Mito squeaked, flustered.
Akiko and Airi ducked their heads-smoke fuming off of them as they turned bright red.
"There are children here..." Amane muttered, face completely scarlet.
"They don't know what we are talking about, no harm, no foul." Miyuki said shamelessly.
Eiji sighed, massaging his forehead. "Until they start to ask unnecessary questions."
"The sooner they learn the better-ignorance is a disease." Miyuki remarked.
"I agree, but in this case..." Airi poked at her food, murmuring something incoherent.
Her blush had yet to pass.
"A four year old doesn't need to know that." Eiji almost snapped, sipping tea to mellow his annoyance.
Hashirama kept his laughing down to a minimum.
"Moving on from that, would you care to escort me and some of my friends to the beaches?"
Hashirama raised an eyebrow as he observed Miyuki's grinning face, tea smoothly going down his throat as he remained somewhat calm. He wasn't sure if that'd be a good idea-as a gentleman he couldn't refuse Miyuki. It was always good when a man escorted a woman, it kept the slime and ruck at bay most of the time. However, there wasn't any such rabble within the Uzumaki homeland-the men were all respectful, if a bit rowdy, and the women were just crazy.
"It is perfect for tanning, not like you need it." A few woman added, smiles gracing their faces.
"We tan naked though."
"Some of us."
"The wide majority."
Hashirama cleared his throat gently. "Well...If you insist, it'd be rude of me to say no. But, uh, can you keep your clothes on..."
"You are modest. Maybe you can take me to the beaches too, Hashirama-san? Don't worry, I'll wear my swimsuit." Akiko asked, a sly smile dancing on her face.
Hashirama fought off the blush that wanted to paint him scarlet.
"Hashirama-san is departing later today, so it'd be good not to burden him further, he must prepare for the long journey." Mito interjected gently, eyes locked on the tanned skin man.
"You can come too, Mito. No need to be such a little prude." Airi remarked.
"Not all of us can be so shameless like you."
"Now ladies...Don't crowd around him, he is only one man, after all." Honami laughed softly.
"A valiant and compassionate man." Was the shared statement.
"Dense."
"Handsome."
"I could gobble him up right now."
"He is a lot of man to go around-I bet he could handle three of us at once."
Hashirama was confused and flustered by most of the statements that followed. He was dense, but he wasn't as dense as a bag of rocks! If he had one woman in bed he'd be a mess, but having three, four, five-all of the Uzumaki women present beside and around him.
He made a fool out himself enough.
"Looks like you're a heart throb, Hashirama." Hisao chuckled seeing the confusion enter Hashirama's expression. This was more than amusing and enjoyable, he couldn't recall the last time he had such a good time with someone outside of the Uzumaki clan.
"I don't want to cause a heart attack."
Eiji laughed hearing that-Hashirama was a bit dense, certainly. "Not in that sense, you fool."
"Wouldn't throbbing mean pain in the chest though?"
"You are clueless." Mito mused, shaking her head in evident disappointment.
Hashirama blinked a few times. Miyuki and Airi were smiling at him, like some of the Uzumaki women present, the men were looking more than amused, Mito looked to be in disappointment of some sort-Hisao and Ashina looked like they were ready to laugh until their guts split. Honami was laughing softly, hand covering her mouth.
He must have missed something, because he was certain such reactions weren't warranted. Throbbing in the chest wasn't something to take lightly-even shinobi could enter cardiac arrest and have strokes. They could have heart attacks.
Not wishing to make fun of the subject, he continued before some of them got the wrong idea. "I don't wish to cause any Uzumaki heart throbbing or severe chest pain. I'd be drowning in grief if I learned through my words or actions I were to cause such a thing to happen. You are all good and kind hearted people, it'd pain me if..."
"Nah, nah. It's okay, Hashirama-san. You'd never cause us Uzumaki women pain." A few spoke up.
"But, what about the chest throbbing?" A few children asked, worried.
"That's a figure of speech, my children." Honami said with a smile.
"Like what you said about Hisao wearing different faces?"
"Yes."
Hashirama swallowed his food slowly, overwhelmed for a second. He really didn't understand women. Those Senju girls would always shove snow and ice in his pants before pushing him. Some would pull his hair and kick him. Others would just tease him endlessly until he was red in the face before sticking their tongue out at him. Miyuki teased him in a similar way, Airi too for that matter. Amane and Akiko were more inclined to shove snow in his pants, most likely, or laugh at him for his folly.
The rest of the Uzumaki women would probably chase him around, pulling on his arms and legs.
"You really don't get women, do you?" Honami asked, the laughter evident in her tone.
"Not really." He admitted.
Honami just laughed.
"You know that saying. Learning is best through experience and not books." Miyuki commented.
Hashirama scratched at his head, since he was done with his current plates of food and tea. "That reminds me...You said something about a canoe?"
"Oh yes."
Hashirama looked at Mito-noting her frown, then at everyone else, who looked to be between laughing and grinning. He pushed ahead through his awkward genius at work in full effect. "Well, how would you ride me like one? Is that a figure of speech, too? I'm not even half the length of a canoe and it makes no sense to me. Also, how will you rock my world?"
"Mito will be happy to show you." Miyuki quipped.
"Shut up!" Mito snapped, tempted to throw part of her squad at Miyuki.
Honami cleared her throat. "You say delicate things without care, Hashirama-san."
"I'm just curious...I don't understand what she means."
Several Uzumaki laughed.
"I can't show you...Mito will get herself worked up into a tiff again like she just did. The little snobby prude."
Mito only scowled, eating her food a bit faster, and tried not to break her chopsticks in half.
"Are those figure of speeches too?" Many of the children looked with the same curiosity as Hashirama, awaiting an answer.
"Are they?" Hashirama seconded.
"Well, yes." Ashina cleared his throat, quickly sipping some tea-he wasn't going to elaborate any further.
Hisao cleared his throat awkwardly.
"What does that one mean, Ashina-dono? Miyuki-san?" A few children asked.
"You'll learn when you get older." A few of the mothers present were quick to say.
"But, I want to know what it means now!"
The mothers proceeded to scold their children, eyes hard for just a few moments. "It's an adult figure of speech."
"Adults are weird! I bet it's something gross like this broccoli!"
Amane tapped the child on the shoulder that made the exclamation, finger directed at the remaining broccoli on the plate. "Finish it or no sweets for you."
"But-"
"No sweets then." Amane said quickly.
"For a month." Akiko added.
"That's not fair! Honami-dono, Amane and Akiko can't make me eat this nasty stuff!"
Honami looked at the child with stern eyes. "It is good for you, not nasty. And, you will eat everything on your plate or you won't get any sweets for two whole months. Miyuki, don't even think about throwing their vegetables into the water like you normally do."
"She's been doing that for years, and with her own vegetables." Mito said with a smirk, eyes beaming when Miyuki's cheeks puffed out.
"Traitor!"
Mito shrugged, feigning ignorance. "I don't think fish eat vegetables."
"That was a lame excuse, Miyuki." Akiko added.
Amane and Airi remained silent.
Frowning, Miyuki started stuffing her face. She was so mad. "Coming from the person who still has all of her dolls."
Mito's cheeks puffed out. "They are rare and collectibles!"
"And, they are for little girls."
"Act your age not your sandal size, Miyuki!"
Miyuki snorted. "Okay, little girl."
"I am your older sister!"
"By like three years, not that much of difference!"
"It is still a three year difference!"
"Whatever makes you feel good, sister. I didn't think you were so insecure."
Hisao took a deep breath, gently closing his eyes. It was better to just let the two get it out of their system-no Uzumaki man willingly stepped between Uzumaki women when they were arguing, or anything along those lines. They'd get their head pounded into the ground like a cork. Even Honami had a fierce temper, and more often than not he had to dodge vases, logs, rocks, in addition to her strikes.
"How are you feeling?"
Hashirama considered the question. "A little amused, I guess. Confused as well. I still don't want to cause heart throbs, please understand."
"I won't hold it against you if it happens."
Ashina locked eyes with Hashirama, smiling briefly. "If anything they'll just put you through one of the trees."
Hashirama was amused at the thought, but also terrified. The Uzumaki women could very well put his head through a tree, half of his body for that matter, or smack him upside the head with a log four times the length of his body and ten times as wide. He didn't want experience that kind of pain at all, or get on the Uzumaki's bad side-more so the women than the men.
Their hair would flare and wave as if they were surging chakra, standing within a storm of chakra, but they weren't kneading or exerting any chakra.
There wasn't a chakra storm either.
That meant their hair was doing it on their own-pulsed by their emotions, it left the fact that they were fearsome enough without even having to dip into their chakra. He never encountered such women save from the Domou and Subatsu and more often than not they were so irate and ferocious they weren't even speaking-they were snarling and everything else with so much ferocity it made him want to pee.
Their hair broke free from the thick bands keeping it up and spiked in every possible direction.
It was a good idea not to piss off women, period. His mother had been very scary when she was going to scold or discipline them. Tobirama would even be scared, that wooden spoon hurt like hell. Mikito was scary. Usagi and Ahiko despite being bundles were both scary when upset. Mito was scary too. Honami was scary too, all women are scary.
Especially mothers.
"Bring on the sake!" Miyuki cheered, patting her belly. "I bet I can drink four times your bodyweight, Mito!"
"And vomit your insides out." Akiko said dryly.
"We've had enough partying for now. Most of you got out of hand last night." Hisao said, eyes narrowed as he tried to keep a stern expression.
He did have to get a boat ready for Hashirama to set sail with, after all. That wouldn't be possible if he was indulging in the festivities. It wouldn't be possible because the Uzumaki that would be helping him were far too intoxicated to take half a step. They'd fall over on the spot, he couldn't guess which way, but they'd all be going down nonetheless.
It'd do no good if the boat they were prepping was reduced to nothing because one of his kin pulled down something, ripping part of the boat out before they fall into the water.
Unfortunately, such things couldn't happen at the moment, and never would. No Uzumaki was allowed near boats when they were feeling the effects of alcohol, and since his kin would guzzle it down, despite how bad it burned...The effects were different if one would take their time and just sip the alcohol to savor its taste. But, slamming it like his kin do, the effect was dramatic and it hit hard.
Nobody argued against him, of course. The bruises on some Uzumaki was a clear sign things had gotten out of control. He couldn't expect anything less from his kin. They were a wild and rowdy bunch, after all. But, that meant it was up to him to keep things in order, and prevent episodes like yesterday turning into a common occurrence. Even Eiji was sporting some battle wounds, and Eiji was one of the more quiet and reserved Uzumaki-which were rare.
Miyuki sighed loudly. "That's no fun."
Mito smiled, eyes dancing with victory. "You can't always get your way, sister."
"At least I'm not a prude like you."
Hisao spoke up before his two daughters collided once more. "We'll prepare a boat for your departure within the next four hours. Is this agreeable?"
Hashirama knew he couldn't say no. Hisao was asking as a courtesy to him, more than anything. "That's more than ample, thank you Hisao-dono."
Part of him didn't want to leave though-it pained him on the deepest level to depart from this peaceful and bright place, with amusing and kind hearted people. Never mind the weather, which was better than the Fire country and almost everywhere else in the world at this moment...He didn't want to lose this feeling he had at this moment, and has had since he stepped foot on that first island.
The Uzumaki strove for peace and harmony, were a kindhearted and giving clan...It showed with their homeland. He'd be going from this to the bitter cold of winter and the death that came with it. He'd be going from kind hearted and giving people to vicious, vindictive, bloodthirsty, and greedy people-who would never know these things that he's experienced. They would never experience them.
He knew he had to go back to the Fire country, and do what needed to be done in order to prevent Kumogakure and the Lightning damiyo from going on a mindless conquest. To bring the clans together in the Fire country so they stop warring among themselves...He knew he had to do it, but the same part of him that didn't want to leave this peaceful land, also...
Shaking his head, Hashirama surmised he'd enjoy the rest of his time here with these good people. And, eventually he'd return, and he welcomed the chance when he'd be able to, because...He didn't want to leave.
But, he had a duty to the Senju...A duty to Tobirama, who was keeping everything together in his absence. A dream that needed to come to reality, a dream that did come to reality, though it wasn't with his own hands or doing.
Ashina was correct in his statement...
Fate is a strange and terrible thing.
Hours passed and all of those hours consisted of traveling. Non stop traveling. Non stop running. The trek was a relatively quiet one, besides the dull pounding of their steps, their companions panting and huffing as they kept stride, the critters and birds around them squawking and singing their songs, and the snapping of a twig or two, and the rustle of leaves were the only sounds. They quickly advanced their way through the endless expanses of snow and barren trees, making their way back into the thick and dense plexus of vegetation.
From this point they increased their speed, some taking to the trees to scout around for any enemy shinobi while some stuck to the ground keeping their senses stretched. Despite everyone in the assembly being a sensor, everyone kept their senses stretched all around them for miles. Their five senses focused to an extreme degree, and their sixth sense ever pulsing. The fork which led back into their homeland was normally quiet and tranquil.
But, as of recently there were shinobi clans-the Hyuga and Sarutobi most prominent, starting to push and push.
It began to rain, a sign they were back in their homeland. It was a torrential rainfall like what would hit every day, before it turned into a light drizzle, then almost a blissful mist, and went back to down pouring once more. It was an ever present cycle.
Usagi didn't mind rain, it was soothing and oddly tranquil. It also washed away blood that clung to her form.
She craned her head from side to side, eyes peering into the dense trees around them, she spotted a few critters scaling the trees and jumping across branches, a few scurrying about on the green floor, but most of all she watched the gleeful birds enjoying the light rain shower and fluttering the feathers out to dry them, growing twice as big. Some of the birds-massive with wing spans of over twenty meters, stuck to the canopy-their loud calls echoing through the entire area.
"Let's go this way!" Haji's voice tore her from her thoughts.
"It's a shortcut." She informed, reading the minds of several Mō present. "Camping out in the forest near the compound isn't an option, unfortunately. Not at this time at least."
"Why?" Todou asked.
"I'm a little curious myself." Kimie seconded.
Yamaguchi only grunted in agreement.
Usagi stiffened for several seconds, and Kimie narrowed her eyes as she observed the younger woman, it wasn't timidness but hesitance in Usagi's posture. Wariness. A severe caution. Oddly, she found herself a bit upset Usagi was so hesitant to speak on it. They did make that pact after all, and Usagi even went as far to say she'd be the first.
"It can't be that strange." Ayoko spoke up, saving Kimie the trouble.
"It's stories." Haji said, keeping his eyes trained forward.
"Well, now I have to know." Nao spoke up.
"I've heard a lot of strange things in my lifetime, one more won't drive me insane." Todou remarked.
"Fair enough..." Usagi said softly, silently agreeing to the opening. If they were at least willing to listen than they wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it as a simple tale or she was just off of her rocker. It was a hushed subject among her clan, and others, long before she was even born, she heard the stories and tales of the beast, her kin fighting them-the shinobi clans and the nobles warring against them, and eventually setting fire to the cave from which they came.
It was like hearing tales of Rikudo and even Kagyua. Not a lot of people, shinobi or not, took them very serious.
"Our compound as you've seen is situated within a jungle and rain-forest, I guess it'd be called a plexus of vegetation, technically. Well it wasn't always there. It used to be much farther away, but we were forced to relocate after multiple conflicts with... Something. It started out with growls and howls in the distance, but it slowly got worse, there were rocks thrown, trees thrown, and eventually our compound was raided. After this they showed themselves openly without any fear or regard."
"They?" Todou questioned.
Usagi was being awfully vague, and it wasn't in her nature to be so.
"Menk." Ebisu answered with a dark expression.
Itsume's eyes widened for a brief moment. "Menk? Wait, you mean the menk?"
It sounded familiar.
As a child she was told to never go near the compound's gates after dark, she was only four at the time and didn't understand why she had to stay away.
Usagi nodded stiffly. She feared no one or anything, but these...Creatures were something else altogether.
"Yes." She pursed her lips.
"There were a few that got up to seventeen feet in height, their strength was ridiculous, but there were more in the pack. There ranged anywhere from ten to one thousand in a pack at any given time. They were of course smaller about seven to ten feet, sometimes one would tread close to our gates, other times more than a dozen would attack. It got to the point where nobody was safe, and the leader at that time, like many people back then, led an attack to eradicate these beasts once and for all by burning the caves they resided in. Some managed to escape the fire, and ever since this day our compound has been in its current location, and nobody goes in the forest when it is dark. That is when they roam." Haji finished.
Todou scowled for a moment before his expression relaxed. He could recall one time where his father came back bruised and battered, many of his kin were torn apart beyond recognition, the only thing his father could say was it did this. And he held up the beast's head. Now, he wasn't superstitious, not now, and definitely not then, but he had seen proof that the menk did exist and it was mean son of a bitch too. It was staring right at him.
"We don't call it menk in the Snow country...There we call Yeti, or the abominable snow man. They could get to be twenty feet in height...Even thirty feet." Todou mused.
"The monstrosities that dwell deep within the high mountains where no humans go." Eshi said to himself more than Todou.
Eshi snarled in disgust. "I'll never understand why such things exist and who created those damn things in the first place..."
"Got me there..." Syrus muttered to himself.
"Yeah, they stayed in those mountains at first...But, that wasn't enough and eventually they ventured down into our domain. Into the domain where people live as a whole and began to wreak havoc. We had to use a jutsu that basically made the mountains crumble and crush those damn things."
Syrus chuckled softly, despite the pain he was in-Todou was amusing. "Keep it simple."
"No need to go in and try to smoke them out." Todou remarked.
"Just crush the bastards." Uhi seconded.
Todou nodded.
"Well, then you just lead the way. I'd rather not face off against such an abomination." Kimie said with a small smile, nodding to Usagi.
They continued running for hours, and it was literally hours, the sun was beginning its ascent into the sky as noon neared closer and closer. The sky was clear, save for a few clouds that passed by every so often, not denying the sun its rightful glory. The suffocating heat, and dampening humidity that smothered the entire landscape all day long was just off put by a gentle breeze that ruffled the leaves high above.
Syrus took a glance behind. Everyone was visibly tired and worn, weary and wary, but they were definitely hanging in there and had a lot more left in reserves. Some of the injured were starting to slip into a sleep or passed out from exhaustion and the pain of their wounds. They should stop and take a small break so they could rest and find something to eat nearby, but there was no chance to do that now.
They were getting close to the compound now, the trees were becoming thicker and dense with more vegetation, the boles and trunks themselves were kilometers long, and were kilometers tall-stretching high into the sky, trying to reach the atmosphere and space itself. Moss and other vegetation ran up and down the boles, leaving a neat path for ants, and other creepy crawlies to travel up and down.
The branches were mammoth and hulking rising for thousands of feet into the canopy and a thick and abundant mix of mist and fog curled up at the very top of the canopy, and the level just above that.
"Syrus." Shizuku started, eyes directed on his arms.
"I'll get it taken care of at the compound, we're getting closer anyways." He said.
"About another thirty minutes." Haji added, giving a definite span of time.
"You're so bullheaded it is infuriating." Shizuku remarked, glaring at Syrus's mane of hair.
He grumbled under his breath. "There are people who have worse injuries than me."
"What's worse than two limp arms?"
"Brother." Haji's voice drew him out of his stare down with Shizuku.
Syrus glanced towards him, eyes hard as he felt the same thing.
"There's rats scurrying around..." Nagakura bit out, gritting his teeth.
"I get the feeling it's those monkeys." Syrus grated through clenched teeth.
Sasuke would plan an ambush while he's in such a condition. He would wait for just this moment to spring an attack. The man, for being so hot blooded was more than an opportunist when it came down to it, and if he was wily like Hajime-he'd put him in the same category as the latter, but as it stood...
Sasuke wouldn't hold a candle to Hajime in that regard.
"Kill them." Haji said bluntly.
They were deep into their territory at this point, well beyond the border, and the Sarutobi were lying in wait for them, and would by all means launch an attack, or ambush, depending on how one wanted to word it. While strong willed and powerful, they were a hot blooded clan, that let that hot blooded streak fly out of control.
"Damn those fucking monkeys!" Asuko snarled.
"I'm tired of these shinobi clans coming in our homeland, enough is enough." Asuna seconded her sister, though not as violently.
"Damn!" Syrus snapped, quickly flaring his chakra-even though it made him scream in pure agony, he brought it to the surface, letting it erupt. Hecould only see a towering branch burst into thousands of pieces, before even more followed. He found himself clenching his teeth as as hard as he could, rage and fury making his body tremble.
"Easy..." Shizuku said sternly.
"Syrus, I've been waiting for you! Now that the Senju are no longer your allies and it's just those albinos...Your ass is mine!" A loud voice boomed through the woods.
Heaving a breath, Syrus let the earthen dome that surrounded everyone down, shuddering out a breath painfully as he nearly fell to one knee.
Haji immediately tensed, his dark eyes snapping all around as thousands of shinobi surrounded them. Feeling his rage about to gush out from his pores, he clenched the hilt of his sword and drew it not even a second later. Aside from the red armor that most of the Sarutobi wore, he could tell it was them, because of how their chakra boiled beneath their skin-unmistakable.
"You stupid fucking monkey!" Daji snarled, eyes leering at Sasuke who stood at the helm of the Sarutobi.
"I'm going to bite you, and every other Sarutobi with you in half..." Uhi's face contorted as she snarled.
The rest of her kin and the dogs gathered followed, all snarling and growling.
Sasuke smirked, eyes glinting with cool confidence as they darted to Syrus. "Looks like my timing was perfect, both of your arms are broken. Looks like your showdown with Daiki and the Hyuga took a lot more of out of you than you thought, eh?"
Syrus growled, teeth slipping from their clenched state due to the blood coating them. "I'm going to rip you in half."
"Not much for words, well considering you look so pathetic. I'm not surprised you have nothing to say."
Syrus marched forward before he froze, coughs racked his body, and soon enough he was coughing out blood-gagging as he fought for breath.
Shizuku stepped in front of Syrus, eyes hard as she set her jaw.
"Shizuku-"
"You're hurt enough, I'm not going to let that monkey..." She growled, neck going taut. "You're coughing up blood, you've been through enough!"
Okita and Kimie stepped forward, but Nagakura pushed himself ahead of them, eyes smoldering with anger. There were many adult Sarutobi present, teenagers as well, but he could spot a child or two in the assembly of Sarutobi shinobi. The mere sight of them made his blood boil.
"You treacherous little snake, you Sarutobi..." Nagakura bit out.
"You've brought children..." Usagi all but growled.
"Are you going to eat them? Cannibal." Genzo jeered.
"You're Sasuke? You hot blooded little shit." Todou snarled, pushing himself to the front of the group. "I should take your head right now. Who the hell do you think you are to even step foot on this land?"
"You're an albino cannibal? Haven't seen that before."
Usagi bristled, teeth clenching until her jaw ached. She had half a mind to charge right at the stupid monkey bastard, but that'd be nothing short of foolish, not to mention she was exhausted from the showdown with the Hyuga.
"Gyaaahhh!"
One pained scream of a Sarutobi cut through the air, followed by dozens more-their thudding bodies echoed almost silently.
"I'd suggest you leave our land before you're all cut down." A cold, ruthless voice cut through the air.
Kata, along with thousands of Subatsu swarmed around the area, hanging high from the branches above, standing on the branches, phasing into sight from the thick shadows forced upon the land by leaves, and swiveled from around the mammoth boles. All at once they drew their swords-the sound echoing so loud and fierce, the very bark of trees wished to peel away.
"Kata-san!?" Usagi asked, shocked.
Kata swiped his sword the side, clearing it of any blood.
The Subatsu that drew blood followed suit.
"I'm not nearly as merciful as Syrus and Haji, your head will fly..."
Sasuke immediately tensed as he slammed his hands into the Dragon seal, eyes darting around as he stared down his opposition. His dead comrades. He flicked his eyes on Kata, the older man glaring at him with a measured coldness that made him shiver. He flicked his eyes onto the Subatsu all glowering at him, fury and rage clear in their expressions as their eyes burned ferociously.
His kin followed his example, all forming seals.
"Execute that jutsu and you'll be cut down where you stand, you stupid son of a bitch." Kata all but bit out, completely ruthless.
"I like my chances."
"Knead even a tenth of your chakra and I'll bite off your leg!" Eshi all but howled in fury. "You Sarutobi are a bunch of hot blooded ruck! No better than those hubris Hyuga."
"We are far more powerful than those veiny eyed fools!" Several Sarutobi shouted.
"You're more pesky as well..." Ebisu snarled.
Genzo smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"You think we're playing with you monkey ass Sarutobi? We're not playing, we've cut down millions who have encroached on our land. Nobody here is fucking around, you'll be dragged and stabbed to death in a ditch before being fed to one of the creatures of this land. You'll bleed to death in a ditch. Did you forget I'm the one who killed your grandfather?" Kata all but snarled.
Kata, along with the rest of the Subatsu closed in, forming a wall around Syrus and the others while trapping off any exits the Sarutobi could take-or try to take through force. They kept their blades directed at the Sarutobi-just inches from some of their eyes and throats, the Sarutobi for what it is worth kept realtively angry and stoic expressions despite the glinting steel trained at their eyes.
"I haven't forgotten, you bloodthirsty cannibal."
Kata's only reaction was an even more ghastly glare. "You bring children here, and you're youngest son; Hiruzen."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes as all of the Subatsu present turned their focus onto him and the children within his group, a cold chill sweeping down his spine. The way their eyes were all set, unflinching, unblinking-it made him tremble.
"They're not children! They're fully fledged shinobi who have killed many adults!" Genzo snapped.
"Are you prepared to bury him? What little will remain of him when we're done tearing through all of you?"
Sasuke clenched his teeth, eyes hardening.
"You motherfucking monkeys need to stay off of our land before you suffer the same thing the Hyuga just did. You need to stop encroaching on our land, trying to provoke a fight you will never win. You need to provoke the Senju, the Inuzuka, the Akimichi, the Hatake-clans that won't rip you to pieces with their bare hands. You never know, I might just be the one to run my blade through you, monkey. Just like I ran my blade through your grandfather."
Kata set his blade right on Sasuke's neck, eyes glinting a ghastly glare. "We don't kill children, but I'm certain they'd be devoured once the creatures catch wind of this battle and the smell of blood, and they will come to investigate. They will be hungry."
Sasuke sneered in contempt, knowing full well he didn't stand a chance. If he persisted they'd slaughter him, Genzo, and the rest of the Sarutobi here before marching to the compound and laying waste to it. The creatures in this jungle would swarm around them with nothing short of blood thirst. They wouldn't spare anyone that came in their path or tried to fight, and they would be rip to pieces by their bard hands. Just like they did with the Hyuga. He seen the blistering fire-the plumes and mushroom clouds of smoke that billowed high into the clouds.
"We'll be back and next time we won't be alone, you can count on that." Sasuke said, voice low as he stared off with every Subatsu and Mō present-eyes all blistering with fury and rage, but more than anything...They were all unflinching and resolved. If he continued on with this, it'd be a massacre, a slaughter of the highest degree, and he wasn't a fool.
The dead Sarutobi were hauled up, stored into seals.
Kata smirked coldly, taking a few steps back, keeping his sword directed at the Sarutobi-Sasuke and Genzo. "It doesn't matter whether there's one or a million of you, or if the Senju come with you...The Hatake, Akimichi, and Senju could all come with you, it doesn't make a difference. It won't. The result is always going to be the same, you're all going to get dropped and have blades run through you. You'll be nourishment for the creatures that prowl these lands."
Hiruzen stared at the older man, biting his lip as he kept it from trembling like the rest of his body.
He took careful steps, like the rest of his kin as walked through the path parted for them before vanishing in blurs of hyper movement.
"Stupid damn monkeys..." Nagakura bit out, storming off towards the compound, having yet to sheath his sword.
Sighing, Kata slowly sheathed his blade, his comrades following suit as they followed after Nagakura-who was a few meters ahead now. He turned his eyes onto Syrus and the rest of the group that set out for battle, taking in their disheveled, bruised, bloody, and dirtied forms. "The gates are already open. Those who need to be healed go to the medical wings. Everyone else will wash up. I want a report on what happened when this is finished."
"Right." Syrus nodded warily.
"I'll take care of that, you need medical attention." Haji said sternly.
"That's acceptable, you are coughing up blood, Syrus...Let's move."
Nobody had the energy or courage to argue against Kata, his presence was nothing short of indomitable.
Mangekyo Sharingan blistering-Yuko closed the gap between herself and Ajo, bypassing Madara and Ahiko, all within the blink of an eye. Ajo had little time to raise his guard before Yuko's fist collided with his jaw, the force trembling the bone and sending him flying off of his feet. With a vicious thud he hit the ground, sliding across until his cranium slammed square into a bole.
"Ajo!" Yuko's scream was shrill-eyes glossed over, as if she were in a trance.
"Damn..." Ajo grunted, slowly standing up to his feet.
Yuko's eyes flicked left to right, continuing to glow intensely as she eyed up her road blocks. Madara and Ahiko. She set her feet, pulsing her chakra out until it kicked up waves of force and threw her hair all over the place, her teeth ground, and her neck went completely taut from the force of the exertion.
She charged within a heart beat-even quicker than a heart beat. Madara and Ahiko fell on her in tandem, Mikito and Daishiro coming from her blind spots-but with her Mangekyo she seen the movements coming before they ever happened. She set a hand on Madara's shoulder, contorting her back so the soles of her feet touched the back of her skull, and twisted at another odd angle-fishing her way between Daishiro and Mikito.
Ajo was ready for her this time, and dodged the sweeping kick that would have bent his torso in two. With a quick series of flips, he made to distance himself from the ferocious woman, but like a shark to blood-Yuko was right in his face the second he set his feet. Rather than go on the defensive, he throw a quick series of strikes, keeping it on a linear pattern at first before he broke the sequence and detached it.
Yuko snapped one hand out, clutching Ajo's right wrist in a vise grip, but his follow up punch crashed into her stomach, folding her forward. Not seemingly fazed by the attack, Yuko bent at another odd angle, spine contorting as she evaded Madara's palm before it could connect with her forehead. Whatever he intended to do, she was going to have no part of it-the chakra seemed to be a suppressant of sorts.
The feeling made her uneasy, and with careful steps she paced away from Madara-eyes remaining trained on Ajo who was nursing his forearms.
"She's quick..." Madara noted with some shock, eyes aglow, three tomoe whirling rapidly. "She's moving and bending her body at inhuman angles..."
"It's part of our training as women. The men begin at a young age, but men aren't as flexible or supple as women. Us women can roll ourselves into balls if need be, and I mean that literally. We twist and bend at angles that would normally kill a normal human or snap their spine in two. Yuko never complained or whined during her training, even when she was bent and twisted at odd angles, she endured it all..." Mikito explained.
Madara frowned. "That means..."
"She can fold herself to fit into a box if she wants to." Mikito said, gaze growing dark.
"How are we supposed to detain her then if she can just bend and twist away from us? The Mangekyo is allowing her to read our movements much more fluidly." Daishiro remarked.
"If I can get my palm on her forehead I'll be able to suppress her chakra so the Mangekyo deactivates. It'll take less than a second." Madara replied.
"Yuko-chan." Ahiko said, voice wary as she extended a hand forward.
She stepped ahead of the trio, eyes a bit wide. She didn't grimace or flinch when Yuko's eyes hyper focused onto her, losing their glossed over appearance just a bit from before. Something about Ajo just made Yuko snap, and as a reflex...Her Mangekyo activated and now she was attacking. Trying to attack her wasn't going to do any good-they were all going to get injured to some extent.
It also appeared that Yuko was going to be avoiding Madara's palm at all costs. The way her Mangekyo was pointed on the man's palm was more than a clear sign Madara wouldn't be getting the chance to touch her forehead.
"Don't get too close, sister..." Mikito pulled her back, keeping her feet purchased with the ground.
"What did you do to her, Ajo?!" Ahiko all but yelled at the older man.
"It must be from our previous battle...However, she isn't..." Ajo trailed off, eyes darkening.
The memories swarmed through his mind. Yuko's eyes-completely white before flashing with her Mangekyo, a cloak of chakra surging around her with so much force her hair stood up on end, and how one simple touch degenerated the Inuzuka, those cultists, and his fellow Shmura to just...Nothing. How she rose-the wound in her torso completely healed-that shriek that shook him to his core.
The black flames that consumed Chojo...
"The past is the past, if we don't stop her..." Madara trailed off, almost dreading if Yuko managed to start forming the Susano'o in her current state.
There'd be no end to it, literally...
"Letting her form Susano'o will be a disaster..." Mikito said, putting the pieces together.
Madara only grunted.
"I should have known the Kizoku and Domou were together this entire time. These last two decades, they've been sequestered here with the Domou..." Daishiro mused.
"You had your hunch, Daishiro. Playing the fool doesn't fit you well." Mikito snapped in annoyance.
Yuko charged again, speed increasing thrice fold. Her Mangekyo glowed and whirled about-openings, possible movements, clarity, texture-nothing was missed by her ferocious gaze, and with a sharp twist of her spine she bent back, sliding under Daishiro, and heaved herself up with one arm-spine bending at another odd angle. Her fist snapped up-impacting with Daishiro's sternum, driving the man back.
She kicked up, one leg crashing into Madara's shin, the other clipping Mikito on the side-both of them were sent away in opposite sides from the sheer force of the strikes. With another flourish she was on her feet. Ajo was right within her sights, and she wasted little time in closing the gap between herself and the man. Her elbow rocketing at terminal velocity, smashing right against his nose-flailing his arms as he flipped over twice, Ajo barely landed on his feet.
He heaved a breath, wiping the blood from his face. "No doubt about it...You are a...Kizoku."
"Yuko-chan, enough!" Ahiko yelled, wrapping both of her arms around the girl and squeezed.
"Let go of me!" Yuko screamed, thrashing against Ahiko-punching, kneeing, kicking. "Let go! Let go!"
Ahiko refused to let go, even if the strikes hurt and threatened to break her bones. She clung onto Yuko even tighter as her attempts to get lose turned from violent, to frantic, to desperate. "Please Yuko!"
Something inside of her snapped back to reality, and with a start Yuko looked around before her eyes focused on Ahiko. She glanced around, spotting Mikito and Madara both on guard, eyes hard-Daishiro and Ajo glaring at him, and Izuna sprinting into the clearing with Souji leading ahead by more than a few steps.
Again, she looked at Ahiko, staring deep into her eyes-those big brown irises and a sense of horror...Dread swept over her that immediately deactivated the Mangekyo and returned her eyes to their normal color.
She hurt...
Ahiko...She...
Hurt...
"It's okay, Yuko-chan. It's okay." Ahiko murmured, not turning away from her.
Yuko bit her lips struggling to keep them from trembling, but it didn't stop her eyes from overflowing with tears. It didn't stop the scream that tore free, scratching at the back of her throat-full of anguish and grief. She gripped Ahiko as tight as she could, unable to keep herself under control.
"How is any of this okay? How is this world okay? This rotten and wretched world where people kill others just for amusement! That kill just for no reason! That kill for the clan! That kill children for the clan! That just kill and kill! How is any of this okay? I don't understand! Why is the world like this? Why is so rotten and wretched and cursed! Why!? How can any of this be okay!? How can it be acceptable!? How can children dying in war, dying for no reason be okay!? How can children dying be okay!? How can we live as if none of this effects us!? This whole world is in chaos and discord, and it just isn't people! Animals kill each other for nourishment! We kill them for nourishment! The weather is chaotic! Why is any of this okay? How can it be okay!? Why...!?
I've killed and killed, but I had no choice! If I didn't kill I would have been killed! How can all of this murder be okay!? How can people killing each other like this! For the sake of the clan! For the sake of their own bullshit be okay!? How is any of this okay!? Why do we fight!? Why do we kill each other!? Why! Why! Why do we pollute and corrupt everything we see and touch!? This world of shinobi is wrong! It should be destroyed! My mother's clan was nearly wiped out down to the last infant because of fear and bullshit! Why? How is that okay!? I'm sick and tired of all of it! I'm sick of the shinobi! I'm sick of this world!"
Madara stiffened completely, frozen in place. His mouth would have dropped if he had let it. If he didn't have the wit to keep it shut. He looked at Mikito, her eyes trained on the ground as her fists trembled, paling from the force she was exerting. Souji looked away from everyone with his teeth clenched to the point his jaw was visible, even from this distance.
Even Daishiro and Ajo looked shocked, frozen in place just like himself, unmoving, unblinking, and unable to say a single word.
His brother, Izuna, looked stricken.
His eyes were wide, and he could see it clearly...Grief.
Izuna was...
Ahiko only held Yuko close, letting the girl vent her emotions. But as Yuko's crying become more and more rampant, she began to consider going somewhere indoors or secluded.
Yuko never blocked out the emotions, she never...
Tried to suppress them...
And, it was breaking her...
It broke her...
Ahiko picked Yuko up with ease, turning to face Izuna for a moment before looking away again. "I'm going to make you some tea."
Souji took a deep breath, smacking Izuna on the shoulder. "Go."
Without speaking a word Izuna followed after the duo, taking Yuko in his arms once he got close enough.
Silence.
"She snapped..." Ajo noted with a careful gaze, wiping blood from under his nose.
"But, all of her points are beyond valid...Things have gone this way for so long, even before the shinobi came into existence humans were at war with each other..." Daishiro mused.
Souji crossed his arms over his chest. "She did make one extreme valid point, amidst all of those..."
"Shinobi as a whole are our enemies..." Madara murmured, eyes trained on a tree several meters away. It sounded like madness, but it was true. "Whether it is a shinobi village or a shinobi clan...The shinobi as a whole, the shinobi sect...What Rikudo started, the system he established so long ago."
Souji's gaze darkened as he peered up at the sky, then turned it onto Daishiro. "Indeed, it is broken, and needs to be dealt away with and soon...This is what you were talking about, what you're anticipating, and what you have been preparing for?"
"Yes...There's only one thing we can do at this point. Total annihilation of the Shinobi sect. We will destroy what Rikudo-that senile fool created." Daishiro said dryly.
Madara's eyes widened as far as they could go. "You're talking about what he separated..."
"The Uchiha Stone Tablet...It seems you're well informed, Madara. Your father was rather ignorant. Yes, that is precisely what I am talking about, but first...We need to handle the shinobi clans-the villages will use what we will be searching for after we handle the shinobi clans next as equalizers for their power squabbles. At this point, most of the clans in the Elemental Nations should be here with us...Those that aren't will be in shinobi villages-enemies, as they will be part of the shinobi sect. What Rikudo put into place. There will be five, seven shinobi villages at the very least..."
"Not finished..." Ajo said, trailing off.
Souji took a few steps forward, eyes glinting. "Go on."
"Mount Myōboku."
Madara directed a sidelong glance at Daishiro, Sharingan still active, and narrowed his eyes. "The land where those toads reside?"
"What do they have to do with anything?" Souji brusquely questioned.
"They're just toads." Madard added.
"They've been interfering in the affairs of shinobi and humans in general for thousands of centuries now, and will continue to meddle and interfere. They've done it most recently, but I can't say if their warning was heeded or not..."
"How percipient of you, Daishiro..." Mikito locked eyes with him, her lips gracefully pulling up into a cold smirk. "To think you've thought that far into the future..."