Day 36
"Do you sincerely believe he will accede to our request?" Sakura inquired.
The two shinobi sat around the central table, sharing a midday meal.
Two days had passed since dispatching their missive, and the anticipation of the response from the Daimyō of Ta No Kuni was tangible. If his answer proved positive, their plan would proceed with increased speed. However, in the case of a refusal, the only plausible course would likely be elimination.
"In a way, he has little choice," declared Madara confidently. "It would be in his best interest to consent. Refusing a request from the Uchiha clan, especially from its leader, would be poorly received." He explained this while delicately picking up a piece of fish with his chopsticks.
"We will know soon enough, anyway," added Madara, his gaze fixed in the distance. A dark spot appeared on the horizon, gradually taking shape: a bird of prey. Madara's summons had returned, approaching and finally landing on the table with a few beats of its wings. The bird bowed respectfully to its master.
"Uchiha-sama," the animal greeted with a tone full of respect.
"Report," commanded Madara in an imperious voice, an intonation Sakura had rarely heard. Through his voice emanated all his power, determination... he was born to lead, a true leader.
"The Daimyō of Ta No Kuni reacted immediately upon reading your missive, Uchiha-sama," reported the royal eagle, standing proudly. "After taking a few moments to consider, he made a decision. He dismissed all witnesses from the room, except for his bodyguards, and ersonally penned his response."
The Uchiha found particular satisfaction in these initial words. The Daimyō attached real importance to his letter, to the point of taking the trouble to personally write his response. A rare act among the leaders of nations.
"What did he do with the message we sent?" he inquired.
"Burned in a brazier, Uchiha-sama," promptly replied the bird, ignoring Sakura's gaze superbly.
"Perfect," exclaimed Madara, opening the scroll case to reveal its contents. A high-quality parchment: the Daimyō took this matter very seriously.
To the esteemed Uchiha-dono,
The incessant flow of time shapes the world, molding its destiny through the events that unfold. The venerable era of Muromachi has given way to a new age, burying the age of the Shinobi Gods, once the guarantors of a precarious stability. As you astutely pointed out, the beginnings of war loom on the horizon.
Despite my profound aspirations for the prosperity of my homeland and the pursuit of peace, I understand that your proposal is intrinsically linked to the inevitable clash of battles and the flow of spilled blood. As the saying wisely asserts, he who desires peace must prepare for war.
Refusing your offer would indeed be suicidal on my part. Your imprint on the genesis of the elemental nations that breathe life into my country is undeniable. I dare to envision that your apparent demise is a shrewd strategy, orchestrated to allow your retreat into the shadows, where you would maneuver more easily.
As Daimyō Hashuba Shōta of Ta No Kuni, I bow before your proposal, Uchiha-dono. It is with hopeful tension and prudent expectation that I take responsibility for this crucial choice.
In anticipation of your directives, I stand ready to act according to your wishes.
Perfectly yours,
— Madara placed the parchment on the table. They now had a free hand to manage the country of Ta No Kuni. "I will let you go hunting, my friend, and rest. In three hours, I will entrust you with another letter, and you can return home after delivering it."
"At your command, Uchiha-sama," bowed the animal before flying into the valley to hunt for food.
"We need resources now," said Sakura more to herself than to the brunet at her side
"Yes, and we must do this discreetly," confirmed Madara, as Sakura headed to her desk. Once again, she took out a scroll and prepared to write a new missive to the Daimyō.
"I'm listening, Uchiha-san."
Lord Daimyō,
Within any nation, a robust economy is the cornerstone of any endeavor. I assure you, my coffers are filled with an inexhaustible wealth ready to support a series of conflicts. However, financial power alone is not enough without the necessary resources.
I implore you to amass immense provisions. Regardless of the method, you must gather as much food as possible for resilience over several years. Reach out to various countries to obtain food supplies, such as grain, wheat, rice, and anything that can be preserved for the long term. Additionally, if you have access to a sealing expert in Fūinjutsu, consider sealing vegetables, fruits, and meat.
Collaborate with your advisors to devise various excuses with different nations. Poor harvests, infestations, sudden population growth — the choice is yours, but exercise discretion.
You are also responsible for accumulating significant raw materials. Launch a project to expand your capital, build new homes and businesses. Why? Everything will become clear in the near future. Order abundant amounts of wood from Hi No Kuni, stone from Tsuchi No Kuni, iron from Kaminari No Kuni, exploiting each national wealth at the most advantageous cost possible.
It is imperative to build substantial reserves for the future, regardless of the methods employed. The key is to remain discreet and astute. If you manage to operate without arousing suspicion for at least six months, victory will be ours.
As soon as my commitments allow, I will come to your court laden with money to enrich your coffers. Use your current treasury wisely until that day.
Sincerely yours,
— "Do not seal it and bring me a kunai along with an unused quill," ordered Madara imperiously.
"What do you intend to do?" Sakura asked, approaching her patient at the central table. She conjured a kunai from one of her many seals in a puff of smoke and handed it to the brunet. He brought the scroll in front of him before taking the weapon. With a confident gesture, he made a small cut on his thumb, then dipped the top of his ring to saturate it. Thus imprinting the Uchiha clan seal with his own blood on the parchment, he then took the unused quill, placing it on the cut, covering it with the scarlet liquid. He signed emphatically: Uchiha Madara.
"I have just made a blood pact, demonstrating my commitment to keep my word in the letter," explained the brunet in response to the young woman's silent question. He began to gently suck his thumb to stop the bleeding.
"All right, but show me your thumb first so I can fix that," demanded Sakura, grabbing the Uchiha's arm.
"I have done my part; now I would like to know what your intentions are once the war is triggered. How do you plan to proceed, Haruno-san?" Madara asked, his thumb now devoid of a scar.
"The major powers will not engage in battle on their own territory..."
"What do you mean?"
"The smaller countries will bear the consequences. Several alliances are made between large countries and smaller ones that are mere vassals. But it will be on their lands that battles will be fought. So, I intend to go to these countries and evacuate as many people as possible... after the battles," explained Sakura, her own words causing her pain.
"Why not before?" inquired the brunet.
"Because unfortunately, I need them to be desperate to offer them our help, a home, something to eat, and a new family," said Sakura with determined voice.
Day 50
"Okay, I want you to try to stand on your two legs," Sakura announced to the brunet who was currently sitting at the edge of his bed. The young woman stood by his side, ready to support him in case of failure.
Madara expected another healing ritual from the young woman, aiming to relieve his back and prepare his legs. However, it seemed that while working on his nerve endings, she had also restored the function of his lower limbs. It was with great surprise and satisfaction that Madara complied. He placed his right hand on the edge of the bed, initiating the task of standing on his two legs.
He felt pain in the lower part of his body due to the effort, sensing the trembling in his lower limbs.
"Stop!" ordered Sakura, seeing that Madara was struggling. She then positioned herself in front of him and offered, "Place your right hand in mine and use me as support."
Maintaining his pride, even in the effort to regain control of his body, Madara was able to set it aside for the moment. He slid his hand into the young woman's, surprised by its softness. Normally, a ninja's hands were rough and marked by the rigors of training. However, hers were delicate, a characteristic that captivated him. He had noticed this gentleness through her previous care, but today, it was different.
Using the strength of his arm, Madara slowly stood up, and Sakura remained impassive despite the weight of her patient. Gradually, he managed to stand, his limbs trembling under the unusual demand placed on them.
"Sit down," ordered Sakura after a short moment. "It seems that the damage is almost all repaired," she confirmed with satisfaction.
She had accomplished a perilous and complex task. On several occasions, she could have unintentionally caused the death of her patient, but she was not a novice; she was Sakura Haruno.
Back on the bed, Madara settled, and Sakura knelt, placing her chakra-charged hands on the brunet's lower limbs. While applying her healing chakra, she performed bending and extension movements on Madara's legs.
"Any discomfort?" she asked, her professional tone barely hiding a hint of concern.
"No," replied the concerned one, his gaze fixed on the woman in charge of his care.
"Good, now try to bend your right leg as much as possible by yourself, without using chakra," Sakura said, placing the concerned leg on the ground. Madara complied and managed to bend it very slightly, his muscles still too weak to lift the leg higher. "Is it comparable to the feeling you get during abdominal exercises?" she inquired, seeking to understand her patient's experience.
"No, I feel my leg responding to my commands, but I simply don't have the strength," confessed the brunet, attempting in vain to bend his leg a little more.
"Now, stretch your leg, but do not overextend it," Sakura continued before the brunet executed it with increased ease. "Okay, extension seems easier than flexion," she remarked. "Now, rotate your leg outward, then inward, slowly."
"I felt a slight shock from the knee to the lower back," Madara confided after turning his leg outward. Without delay, Sakura placed her expert hands on the knee, deploying her Medical Ninjutsu.
"Continue the rotation movement while I locate the problem," Sakura ordered.
Madara rotated his leg again, and the small shock manifested.
"There! It's the same," Madara signaled, tensing.
"Stay in that position. If the pain becomes too intense, stop," advised Sakura, identifying the source of the problem.
"Why does this happen?" inquired the Uchiha, who had recently finished reading Sakura Haruno's first book, thus developing an increased interest in the human body.
"It's one of the side effects of what Hashirama did to you. It affected the sciatic nerve. The pain you feel is due to a mechanical problem in the lumbar mobile segment, whether at the level of the joints, ligaments, or muscles. These factors are responsible for the pain radiating from the spine to the back of your knees."
Sakura presented these explanations before getting up to inspect the man's back.
"Maintain the position and tell me when the pain reaches its peak in your back," she ordered, placing two fingers at the base of his back and slowly moving up his spine.
"Here," exclaimed Madara once she reached the D12 thoracic vertebra.
"Inhale," announced the young woman, placing two of her fingers perpendicularly before injecting once again a large amount of chakra.
"Ah!" Madara screamed, and even though it wasn't the first time he experienced this kind of pain, he still felt excruciating suffering with each injection. A new wave of pain invaded him, spreading relentlessly throughout his being. It was certainly less unbearable than the first time, but the pain persisted, lingering.
"Take small breaths," Sakura whispered in his ear while massaging his back.
Since Madara had agreed to let her help, Sakura had adjusted her attitude. She had relegated her perception of the Madara of her own timeline to the background, focusing her attention on the man in front of her. A man with a completely different vision, who had not had the opportunity to contemplate the Eye of the Moon plan and was not influenced by Black Zetsu.
If one disregarded this knowledge of a potential monster, Madara emerged as a fascinating personality. Certainly, an individual with a strong character, to whom she would gladly remove all masculinity but who now seemed to consider her as his equal. This evolution, probably resulting from the careful observation of all his skills and the care she provided, was an element that added to the complexity of their relationship.
In just two months, Sakura had discovered a captivating individual, animated by palpable curiosity, affirmed determination, manifest pride, and a deep sense of honor. She intermittently discerned a softer and more fragile aspect in him, a facet that he skillfully concealed, wary that no one perceived this vulnerability.
"Feeling better?" Sakura asked gently, continuing her massage on the vertebra.
"Yes," Madara responded weakly.
"Repeat the movement with your left leg and tell me if the sensation persists."
The brunet applied himself to perform the prescribed movements and found that he no longer felt discomfort or pain. The treatments had slightly winded him. The young woman waited for him to recover before kneeling in front of him, explaining that they would proceed in the same way with the right leg. Although the Uchiha was a little apprehensive, strangely, it seemed easier on this side. Why? He had no idea, but he managed to lift this leg a little higher than the other. Inquisitive, he soon questioned the woman with pink hair, who continued to monitor the movements of the right limb while giving instructions.
"I suppose you're right-handed, aren't you?"
The man nodded.
"You have inadvertently developed more muscles in your right arm and right leg. Since the latter was more developed than the left, it is easier to use it now," Sakura replied professionally.
"I have no pain when I pivot," Madara anticipated, already performing a rotation after extending the leg.
"Perfect!" Sakura exclaimed, giving Madara a slightly sadistic smile. "Now, every day, we will integrate rehabilitation exercises for your legs. But let's start by resuming your abdominal exercises."
She helped the brunet to lie comfortably on the floor, then placed her hands on his knees.
"Come on, do a set of five, and hold your trunk on the sixth rise," Sakura ordered, staring directly into the brunet's eyes.
Madara complied, gradually strengthening his muscles without jeopardizing his back. For a few days, the upper part of his body responded correctly, except for his left arm. The pain in his scars had completely disappeared, leaving only the sensation of effort.
"Hold for another ten seconds..."
It had become their new morning routine. Internal care was performed more quickly, but physical exercises now extended over a longer period.
Day 52
The day had passed in the apparent tranquility of Madara and Sakura's world. They had completed their medical ritual, followed by rehabilitation exercises, punctuated by a silent meal accompanied by enchanting melodies emanating from the gramophone.
For Madara, however, rehabilitation had left exhausting sequels, quickly plunging him into a deep sleep that night. He no longer needed the support of chakra to fall asleep, except when his doctor deemed it necessary.
Two hours later, in the peaceful darkness, Sakura decided to join the comforting arms of sleep. She extinguished the candles in the main room after meticulously inspecting all entrances, an inevitable habit for a ninja navigating a perilous era. She carried the burden of the world's future on her shoulders, which kept her constantly alert.
Moving silently to her room, Sakura gently placed her candle on the bedside table. The young woman undressed completely, placing each piece of clothing in the laundry basket. She then opted for pink silk panties and a black t-shirt, her usual night attire.
As she observed the growing pile of laundry, Sakura realized that she would have to devote part of her morning to the mundane chore of washing by the river.
The kunoichi's room was of modest simplicity, housing two furniture pieces containing her personal effects, a bed sitting in the center with a bedside table, and a discreet wardrobe built into the wall.
On the bedside table lay two precious photographs for Sakura. One captured the radiant smiles of her parents, an image filled with warmth and nostalgia. The second featured Team Seven, immortalized after Kakashi's ascent to the rank of Rokudaime Hokage. She was aware of the danger of exposing such photos, but Madara's situation did not yet allow him to move freely. However, she knew that the time would soon come when she would have to conceal these two photographic memories.
Sitting on her bed, Sakura stared at the floor, delving into her thoughts and revisiting the last three months of her life. Her home was now established, bonds woven with a village, and a friendship forged. She had eradicated Black Zetsu and had decided to save Madara, guiding him toward a path of pacification.
Many would judge her as foolish and treasonous for aiding such a controversial figure. But such criticisms mattered little to her. Sakura had listened to the teachings of the Sage of the Six Paths, adopting a perspective that allowed her to see the world as it was, corrupted. What troubled her most was not so much the prevailing misery but the deliberate blindness of people, hoping that the problem would resolve itself.
With time stretching ahead of her, Sakura had meticulously analyzed the vision of Madara from her time. Unfortunately, she understood why he had considered submerging the world in a Genjutsu. The observation remained overwhelming: the world was reckless, greedy, selfish, and seemed condemned to perpetually repeat its mistakes. Plunging the world into an illusion might seem like a solution, but it was not the right answer.
Sakura feared the accuracy of this vision while refusing to accept it. A world devoid of free will would only lead to an illusory peace, much like the one she had experienced in her time.
Fortunately, Sakura had prevented Madara from being misled down the sinister path of the Eye of the Moon plan when she saved him. The Madara in the adjacent room had not yet had sixty years to contemplate this Machiavellian conception. Thus, peace according to Uchiha Madara seemed within reach, and Sakura was determined to support him while refining this vision.
As their strategy took shape, Sakura wondered about the fate of the people she had known and loved. Would they exist in this remodeled future? Of course, they would not recognize her, but would they exist nonetheless? The aspirations of the two protagonists were about to transform the world as it was.
A melancholic gaze fell on the bedside table, where the frame containing the photograph of her parents rested.
"Father... Mother..."
Unexpected tears glistened on the frame. Even though she had forged her strength, the thought that her parents no longer existed and perhaps would never come to exist remained heart-wrenching. Even if, by some strange circumstance, they reappeared in the new future to come, they would not recognize her as a child, their temporality having undergone a radical alteration. Never again would the cherished beings of her past be an integral part of her life.
She lay down on the bed, keeping the photo in front of her, and suddenly, emotions overwhelmed her. She tried to hold back, in vain, this flood of pain that plunged her into her past, evoking memories of loved ones. Tears flowed gently, silent signs of persistent distress.
Madara awoke slowly, cradled by muffled whispers. Was it a dreamlike illusion dancing in his mind? It took him a few precious seconds to regain his composure, to gather the fragments of memories floating in the darkness of the night. The room was softly lit by the silvery glow of the moon, and he remembered. He was in recovery.
However, what disturbed his rest was this muffled, persistent sound. With expert discretion, he focused his chakra on his ears, thus amplifying his hearing. Thanks to this technique, every rustle became distinct, revealing any suspicious presence, especially that of a possible intruder in the house. But instead of an adversary, he identified the source of sorrow in the shadow: Sakura.
Why was she crying? Was it because of his presence? Or was it the burden of her own past tormenting her? Although she had not revealed the details of her story, the weeks spent by his side had allowed Madara to deduce that she had been through trials, lost a lot.
Madara, whose view of women had always oscillated between indifference and contempt, considering their weakness and uselessness, had seen his convictions waver over the past two months. A transformation had begun, a metamorphosis of his thinking. A lifetime of perceiving women as insignificant had found a refreshing counterbalance in Sakura.
She possessed a captivating duality: gentle and graceful on one side, beautiful, and on the other, deadly danger. It was largely thanks to her that Madara had evolved. The second woman not to bow before his strength, the only woman he considered his equal. He was eager for a friendly confrontation or to see her on a battlefield.
She had also taught him the value of a helping hand, a lesson that had saved his life. Above all, he hated it when those he cherished were harmed. Sakura fell into this category, and he felt a lingering pain at the thought of hearing her cry. His body acted on its own initiative, pushing the covers aside with a determined gesture. He slowly sat up at the edge of the bed, ignoring the persistent pain. He didn't know how to console her, but he was ready for anything.
The most challenging task awaited him: he placed his feet on the floor, trying to maintain his shaky balance. His legs trembled under the effort, and after a few moments, Madara managed to stand. He took a step, then another, but his balance ultimately betrayed him, his legs not yet ready to bear such a burden.
He collapsed noisily, emitting a groan of pain, managing nonetheless to cushion his fall with his valid arm. Barely a second after hitting the ground, Madara heard hurried steps resonating in the house.
The next moment, the door of the room opened loudly, letting Sakura in. She had regained her warrior attitude, ready to face an imaginary intruder. Wearing only a black t-shirt and underwear, she emitted a combative aura. Her green eyes slightly glowed in the darkness, a sign of chakra flowing to enhance her night vision. Holding a kunai in each hand, she was ready for a confrontation. Madara silently thanked the darkness that concealed his blush at such a sight.
"Uchiha-san!" Sakura exclaimed upon discovering Madara on the floor.
Casting a quick glance around the room for a threat, she quickly understood that Madara had probably fallen from the bed. Dropping her weapons, she hurried to him to take him into her arms.
Squatting down, she lifted him to gently place him on the bed. Alerted by the noise of the fall, she had rushed, ready to defend her home and her patient. In that moment, she cared nothing about her light attire or the tears still present on her face. Nothing mattered more than protecting Madara. Totally ignoring the embarrassment he might feel seeing her in this outfit, she quickly lit a candle on the bedside table and worried about why Uchiha was on the floor.
"Did you have a nightmare?" Sakura asked, examining the brunet's body for injuries.
"No... I'm sorry," apologized Madara.
This caught Sakura off guard. She didn't understand why he was apologizing to her. It was the second time he had apologized to her, the first being after an assassination attempt orchestrated by a member of his own clan.
"Why?" Sakura asked, uncertain.
Finally, Madara turned his face toward the young woman. Tears still streaked her cheeks, and her green eyes seemed slightly reddened. The image deeply moved him.
Gently lifting his right arm, Madara placed his hand on Sakura's cheek, wiping away the remaining tears. Sakura remained petrified, surprised by this unexpected gesture.
"I don't like seeing you cry," Madara declared in a deep voice while wiping a second wet cheek. "It doesn't suit you."
Perplexed, Sakura didn't know what to think of the man in front of her. He showed delicacy and genuinely seemed concerned about her emotional state. Who would have imagined that Madara harbored a heart in his chest? Moreover, he had just made another reference to her beauty.
The blush that appeared on Sakura's cheeks did not go unnoticed. She delicately took Madara's hand, which continued to wipe her tears, to put an end to this unexpected gesture.
"Sorry," she apologized while wiping the remaining tears herself, without letting go of Uchiha's hand. "I didn't mean to wake you up. Is that why you fell?"
"Your past?" Madara questioned, ignoring Sakura's remark. He saw her lower her eyes as if feeling ashamed.
"Yes," she answered with an emotional small voice.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Madara offered with an unusual solicitude.
"The people I love are missed," Sakura confessed softly, squeezing the brunet's hand a little tighter.
"Do you have any family somewhere?" Madara gently asked, receiving a simple nod of denial from Sakura. She seemed on the verge of giving in to emotion, and that's when Madara let his chakra emanate, forming a soothing aura in his hand and around him.
Chakra, often used for what ninjas referred to as "the intention to kill," could also serve the opposite. When powerful enough, it could envelop someone in feelings. Madara then released a surge of understanding, protection, security, warmth, and comfort.
"The people we love will always stay with us," Madara declared wisely, his voice filled with comfort, before pointing to Sakura's heart with their intertwined hands. "Don't cry for them; live your life to make them proud of you."
Sakura had never imagined that chakra could be used in this way, and she felt a slight relief. Madara's power, perceptible through his chakra, seemed to gently soothe her painful thoughts. However, she couldn't help but wonder about Madara's motivations. Why was he taking the time to comfort a woman? Why couldn't he be the man she had known? Hating would have been so much easier than allowing these new feelings to take root.
"Thank you..."