Chapter 23 - Fate
Land of Fire - Konohagakure
"...Madara…" a distant voice rang out around them, and Zetsu gazed up at the skies of Madara's inner world. "It appears your presence is required on the outside, Madara Uchiha. I apologize for my interruption. We shall continue our conversation another time."
Madara started as his surroundings shimmered, and he found himself lying on his side in the Valley of the End. He could sense Hashirama's chakra signature very close by. So were Isshin, Ichigo and Orihime's. He could not feel Harribel anywhere, though.
"Madara!" Hashirama demanded. "What happened here?"
Madara shook his head. "What are you getting so worked up for, Hashirama?" He extended a hand, and the Hokage took it, helping Madara up. "Where's Harribel?"
"Look." Hashirama pointed, glaring at Madara. The Uchiha looked in the direction of his finger, and only saw Ichigo, Orihime and Nel surrounding what looked like a stone statue. …Harribel? Orihime had her Soten Kisshun enveloping the statue.
"What am I looking at, Hashirama?" No sooner did he ask the question, did a black ooze begin to seep from his arm, coagulating in a large puddle beside him. As the puddle began to rise up into the form of a man, Madara noted with relief that his headache was gone.
Hashirama backed away in alarm as Zetsu slowly sprouted up from the puddle of ooze. "Ah, it's good to be out, again," Zetsu said. His voice was still deep, but had lost the unearthly resonance it had in Madara's inner world. "Allow me to explain, Hashirama."
The Hokage raised his eyebrows in surprise as the unknown entity addressed him by name. "Madara was teaching Harribel how to absorb nature energy, and I daresay she was doing quite well… For her first time, at least."
Harribel's reiatsu signature flared back to life. "Ahhh Harribel!" Nel cried in her scratchy, high pitched voice. "I thought you were dead!"
Madara looked toward where Harribel's statue was, and in its place, the Tres Espada knelt on the ground, still in her Resurreccion. "What happened to me…?" She breathed.
Hashirama sighed, placing a palm against his forehead. "Damn it, Madara. I don't know where you learned to use sage mode, but having a complete beginner absorb nature energy in the amount that Harribel tried to do is just blatantly inviting disaster."
Madara looked indignant; "Nobody taught me. I just used my Rinnegan to absorb the nature energy from you. And once I saw how you were drawing and managing it, I did the same thing. It didn't seem too hard to control at all."
Hashirama scrunched up his face and buried it in his palms. "Alright, we get it. You're a genius, Madara, but that's all the more reason not to start telling people who don't even use chakra to start absorbing nature energy by the bucketful."
Madara shrank away slightly, and Zetsu chuckled.
"Harribel." Hashirama called, "You're coming with me later. You're going to need to know exactly how nature energy works before you can reliably use sage mode without turning yourself to stone. We're lucky Orihime is here… Until now I thought the petrification was permanent."
Harribel reverted out of Resurreccion, and nodded. "Yes, very well. Thank you, Hashirama."
"Now," the Hokage said, directing a cautious look at Zetsu. "What is this thing, and why did it come out of you like that? Was it why you were unconscious just then?"
Madara looked at Zetsu. When the creature did not answer, he spoke. "His name is Zetsu, and he appeared to me just now. I think it was within my own subconscious. He introduced himself to me as the will of the Rikudou Sennin, although now…"
"...I am the will of Madara Uchiha, the one who will succeed my late master," Zetsu finished for him.
Hashirama's eyes narrowed. "Madara will succeed the Sage of Six Paths?"
Zetsu inclined his head. "Yes, Hashirama. Madara's power grows closer and closer to that of the Rikudou Sennin. As he now possesses the power of the Rinnegan, it naturally falls upon him to take up the mantle."
Hashirama crossed his arms. "You believe this thing, Madara?"
Madara frowned contemplatively, but Isshin joined them before he could respond. "Did you have agency over your inner world, Madara? Could you shape it according to your will?"
The Uchiha grunted in affirmation.
Isshin looked thoughtful for a moment, before turning to Hashirama. "It's rare, but not unheard of for Zanpakuto spirits to manifest themselves in the physical world. What is the name of your Zanpakuto?" He asked, addressing the latter to Madara.
Madara looked at the gunbai and scythe in his hand. "...Name? I've never thought of one."
Ichigo had joined them, then, having heard the tail end of the conversation. "You don't name your Zanpakuto, Madara. It gives you its name when it is ready to accept you as its master."
Madara gave his weapons another once over, before settling his gaze upon Zetsu. "...You have declared yourself my will, but will you obey me as your master?"
The black, humanoid creature closed its eyes, bowing deeply. "Of course, Madara Uchiha. I am Zetsu. Although I originated from the Rikudo Sennin, this incarnation of me is your Zanpakuto spirit, birthed from your very soul. You alone are my master."
Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "Zetsu, huh? That's an interesting name for a Zanpakuto."
Orihime giggled, having joined them with Harribel and Nel, by then. "It almost sounds like Zangetsu."
Ichigo recoiled in mock offense. "Hey! Zangetsu's special. And he's way cooler than Zetsu. You should meet him someday."
"I thought your Zanpakuto was Luna Carmesi," Harribel said. "It was your release command, wasn't it?"
Madara frowned. "It was. It is."
Zetsu chuckled. "Tier Harribel. Have you ever spoken to your Tiburon? Do you know what he looks like? Or even if it's a he or a she?"
The Tres Espada glared at it. "No… And no."
"Is it not possible, then, that your resurreccion release command and the name of your Zanpakuto are different?" It proffered.
Harribel thought for a moment. On some fundamental level, she felt that the creature's assertion must be wrong, but she could not come up with any convincing argument. "It is possible," she finally relented.
"It's not that odd, actually," Ichigo interrupted. "Just like a Shinigami's Shikai and Bankai release phrases are different. Maybe Zetsu is Madara's Bankai, or whatever counts as that for an Arrancar? Isn't that right, Dad?"
Isshin was studying Zetsu intently. "Yes, Shikai and Bankai release commands are different, but often bear some resemblance. The strangest thing to me is the fact that Zetsu is only one spirit."
"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked.
"I've known a few Shinigami with dual Zanpakuto. In fact, Captains Shunsui Kyoraku and Jushiro Ukitake, who you saw earlier both have two Zanpakuto when their Shikai is released. To the best of my knowledge, those who manifest dual Zanpakuto also have two Zanpakuto spirits," Isshin stated. "That, and Zetsu doesn't feel like a Zanpakuto spirit. To be honest, I don't know what kind of energy signature I'm sensing from him."
The creature laughed, slowly positioning itself in front of Madara. "I pity this life that you have led, Madara. An existence where you are constantly doubted by even your own allies must be a painful one indeed." As it spoke, half of its body shimmered, and split off, taking on an almost identical, white clone.
The white being spoke: "You can call me White Zetsu," it said, introducing itself in a playful tone. Its voice was much higher pitched than its black counterpart. As it spoke, White Zetsu dissolved into a thick, bulbous puddle, before latching onto the gunbai in Madara's right hand.
"We are both Zetsu, Isshin Kurosaki," Black Zetsu continued. "You do not recognize our energy because chakra is our origin. As it spoke, it, too, dissolved, absorbing into Madara's scythe. "We shall stay within your inner world for now, Madara. Our presence here is clearly unwelcome. Call upon us when you need us."
The Uchiha nodded, before raising his eyebrows at Isshin in silent challenge. Isshin held up his hands in surrender, inclining his head slightly. "You have me convinced. This is the first time I've seen an Arrancar's Zanpakuto spirit, after all. We can always learn something new..."
Hashirama cleared his throat. "So what did you want to show me, Madara? You mentioned becoming the Juubi Jinchuriki, but what even is the Juubi? Is it even real? And what do you intend to do with all that power?"
Madara reverted out of his resurreccion. "Ah yes. Zetsu's appearance was an unexpected development, but on to more important matters. Perhaps it is best that I showed you something, before explaining," he leaped back as he finished, putting some considerable distance between himself and the rest.
He clasped his hands together, activating his Rinnegan. "Summoning Jutsu: Gedo Mazo!" He declared, thrusting his hand out toward the sky. His lips turned up into a snarl of exertion, as his chakra shot up into the atmosphere, and Hashirama frowned in confusion. This was unlike any other summoning he had witnessed before.
He turned his gaze toward the direction Madara was reaching out to, and to his surprise, saw a flicker from the moon. He squinted, before bracing in alarm as a titanic shadow crashed down into the ground. It landed behind Madara, punching a deep cavity into the valley floor. Madara smirked, crossing his arms, and Ichigo swiftly placed himself in front of Orihime and Nel as the earth split open before them.
Mighty cracks snaked out from the point of impact, and Ichigo felt the girls latch onto him with a cry of surprise as an enormous, sinewy arm erupted from the depths. Each of its puckered fingers was more than the length of a man, and as they braced against the edge of the cavity, an unearthly horror clawed its way to the surface.
The Gedo Mazo struggled until its entire, humanoid torso was unearthed. Its body appeared to be wooden in composition, with a shriveled, blindfolded head. Huge, gnarled branches spiraled up its body into blunt, twisted protrusions that crowned its upper back. Opening its mouth, it revealed two rows of razor sharp teeth before unleashing an eldritch, spine-chilling roar that reverberated throughout the valley. And then it fell forward, planting both hands into the ground with a mighty thud, supporting its weight as it loomed menacingly over Madara.
The Uchiha's only reaction was to call upon his susanoo's ribcage, shielding himself from the dirt and debris raining down from the organic statue. He did not even spare it a glance as he stood back up, and closed the distance between himself and the onlookers with a light sonido.
Ichigo instinctively retreated from Madara, herding Orihime and Nel back behind him, as Isshin took position protectively in front of the trio. Harribel had also backed away further from the Gedo Mazo, reaching back to wrap her fingers around Tiburon's hilt. Only Hashirama stayed his ground.
Hashirama's eyes were wide with concern as he gathered his chakra, ready to defend himself. His instincts were screaming at him to fight it. He didn't know why, but everything about the Gedo Mazo just seemed so fundamentally wrong to him. That feeling was reinforced as a series of rolling movements beneath the statue's blindfold sent a wave of nausea through his gut. The thing had multiple, bulbous eyes.
"Calm yourself, Hashirama," Madara said placatingly, crossing his arms. "This is the Gedo Mazo - the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Despite its name and appearance, it is harmless, and completely under the control of my Rinnegan.
"I see," Hashirama said cautiously, but the tension remained in his body.
Madara continued; "It is the chakraless husk of the ten-tails, and what I will be using to seal the tailed beasts into. I'm sure you're familiar enough with the legends of the Rikudo Sennin, but for the benefit of the others-"
"Madara." The forcefulness with which Hashirama uttered name stopped him mid sentence.
"Yes?"
"I am familiar with the legends. The Ten Tails of legend was split into nine tailed beasts." A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes as he continued. "The Kyuubi is sealed within Mito. Is there a way to reform the ten tails with only eight of the tailed beasts?" Hashirama said darkly, staring intently into Madara's Rinnegan. He knew the answer before he even asked.
Madara returned the stare. "No. The chakra of all nine tailed beasts is required," he replied honestly, his voice taking on a softer texture as he did.
Hashirama scoffed, shaking his head. "I've lost my village… I've lost my little brother, and now, despite all the power you already have at your disposal, you would take my wife from me in a bid for more?"
Madara shook his head vehemently. "No. Allow me to explain, Hashirama. That's why I called you here in the first place," he said. "With the power I would acquire as the Juubi Jinchuriki, I can cast the Tsukuyomi, the ultimate genjutsu - over the entirety of the Elemental Nations."
Hashirama's expression darkened further.
"By reflecting my ocular jutsu off of the moon, it will place every inhabitant of these lands under the Infinite Tsukuyomi, allowing them to live out their lives in a dreamscape tailored to their individual tastes of perfection. Mito would be alive again, Tobirama would be alive and Izuna would be alive. This is the will left behind by the Rikudo Sennin himself." Madara was grinning as he finished, his voice full of hope, but he quickly realized that he - and Zetsu within him - were the only ones excited by the prospect.
Hashirama walked up to him deliberately, clasping his hands firmly on Madara's shoulders. "Madara…" Hashirama said, stupefied. "Are you mad?"
"...What?" Madara asked.
"Listen to yourself: 'Mito would be alive again,' you say? But she is alive now. You speak as if she has already died."
Madara opened his mouth to speak again, but Hashirama did not give him the opportunity.
"You've seriously already planned to sacrifice Mito's life to extract the Nine Tails? And then put us all into a Genjutsu, where we live out the remainder of our few days of life until our physical bodies die from a lack of sustenance? You're talking about a senseless extermination on a scale unheard of in all of Shinobi history-"
"No, Hashirama!" Madara roared, batting his old friend's hands away. "There will be a choice. Anybody who does not want to participate in the Infinite Tsukuyomi will be free to leave the Elemental Nations-"
"Anybody, except Mito?!" Hashirama roared back.
"One more sacrifice, Hashirama. Just one, final sacrifice in the name of eternal peace for everyone!"
"You would be forcing them to abandon their entire lives, their legacies and their future! Where would they even go?"
"A few days in the real world will equate to a lifetime in the Tsukuyomi. Nobody would know any different. Not even you or I, Hashirama. There will be no memory of our previous lives… only the perfection that we desire from the deepest reaches of our minds." Madara's eyes were earnest, but Hashirama's expression grew increasingly more mortified as he spoke. "Don't you understand that this is the only way for our childhood dream to be realized?!" Madara had brought his face closer to Hashirama's now, daring the Hokage to challenge him.
"No, Madara-"
"Yes! You yourself have mobilized Konohagakure to war. What do you think will happen after you march on the Hidden Cloud? You massacre them, and then what? Are their allies going to roll over and just suddenly join you? No. The entire Shinobi world is going to be embroiled in conflict. We would have ended our civil war only for you to start a world war a few short years later."
"Madara-"
Madara again ignored Hashirama's attempt to speak, instead grasping the Hokage by the front of his shirt and shaking him violently. "War, betrayal and conflict is the history of our world, and it will be the future, too. The Rikudo Sennin foresaw this, which is why he engraved the blueprints of the Infinite Tsukuyomi into the Uchiha Stone Tablet. And now, there is finally someone powerful enough to carry it out."
Hashirama wrapped his hands around Madara's wrists, and even through his Hierro, the new Arrancar grimaced in pain at Hashirama's strength. "Madara. Shut up and listen closely," Hashirama ordered, prying the Uchiha's hands off of his shirt, but maintaining his vice-like grip. Madara's sealed Zanpakuto clattered to the ground as his fingers were forced to open.
"I understand and appreciate what you're saying - make no mistake about that. This world needs to change, but in order to do so, it must move forward. This Infinite Tsukuyomi of yours will place life itself into stagnation. It will spell the end of the Shinobi world. Not just the corrupt systems that we want to reform, but the end of all life within it as a whole… There will be no future beyond this Genjutsu… How could you even suggest such a horrid thing?"
"...It is the will of the Rikudo Sennin," Madara said, and Hashirama scoffed.
"Oh? And what about your own will, Madara? It's only been mere hours since you accused Isshin and the Shinigami of being 'a puppet of those infinitely their greater.'"
Madara's eyes widened at Hashirama's accusation, and he opened his mouth to speak. When no rebuttal came to him, however, he sighed, and broke eye contact. "There is no other way," he whispered, hanging his head. "Look at us. From the minute we are born, our Shinobi lives are wrought with tragedy and death. Don't you wish for it to all just be over, Hashirama?"
The Hokage released his grip on Madara's wrists, and the Uchiha allowed his arms to fall limply to his sides. "I want the tragedies to end, Madara, but not the entire cycle of life. The Konoha war machine will display such overwhelming strength that the nations will unite around us. Only the Raikage, and those responsible for Tobirama's death need to die. The rest of the Hidden Cloud will be spared upon surrender. As will their allies, and then I will teach the Will of Fire to all the nations of the world."
"How naive, Hashirama. You were betrayed by the Kage once before, when you were crippled. Now, even if they submit to you, they would only be doing so because they fear your restored might. Whatever transient peace you may be able to piece together in this hell on Earth… It will die with you."
The two old friends stood at a stalemate, then, neither willing to back down, before Orihime tentatively walked up to them. "H-hey… guys? Lets just all have a rest, okay? Hashirama, how about you teach Harribel about how to use Sage Mode properly so she doesn't turn into stone again?"
The Hokage looked at the girl, and his features softened. "Yes, you're right, Orihime. We just need some rest to clear our minds. Harribel; follow me. I will teach you the art of meditation first. Some meditation would be good for me right now, too." Turning to Madara, "Madara. Consider my words, as I will yours. Let us reconvene at the Hokage's office tomorrow at dawn for further discussion."
The Tres Espada looked uncertainly toward Madara, and then back at Hashirama, before nodding. "Sure. Lead the way, Hashirama."
Madara was stoic as the two left, his features not betraying any hint of emotion as Orihime walked up to him. Once Hashirama was out of sight, he knelt down and retrieved his Zanpakuto, sheathing it.
"Madara, I don't really understand what it is you're trying to do, but are you really going to kill everybody in the Elemental Nations?"
The Uchiha squeezed his eyes shut, and turned a pained expression toward her. "Please don't word it like that, Orihime. Just forget about all of this. This doesn't involve you."
"I'm your fraccion now, though. If it involves you, it involves me," Orihime asserted.
"Wait!" Ichigo shouted. "This is still going on? Why are you willingly going along with him, Orihime?"
"Because Aizen will come after her regardless," Madara answered in her stead. "Unless you believe yourself powerful enough to protect her from Aizen, there's no safer place for her than with me."
Ichigo grit his teeth, but Madara had a point. Whatever his plans were, he had at least been doing a good job of protecting Orihime so far.
"Madara is a good person, Ichigo. I'm sure of it. How about we figure out this Infinite Tsukuyomi of yours after we find out more about the Soul King from Aizen?" Orihime suggested, and Madara nodded.
"Yes. One step at a time. Once Hashirama's calmed down a bit, we'll bring Hashirama with us to Aizen, and go from there. That was the whole point of coming here in the first place, after all." Madara paused, then looked toward Nel, who had been staying completely silent the entire time. "That reminds me, Orihime. Can you have a look at Nel? I think you should be able to use your Soten Kisshun to reverse whatever damage she's sustained to her mask."
Seireitei - Squad 4 Barracks
"I did as you asked, Urahara," Shunsui Kyoraku said. "I told him you two were both in critical condition, so the old man won't come to bother you for a few days, at least. He said wants you two to join him for an assault on Hueco Mundo, though, so you'd better get back quickly."
The only people present in the room were Kisuke, Yoruichi, Kyoraku and Unohana. The Squad 4 Captain pursed her lips. "Are you sure this is necessary? With Captain Kenpachi's Nozarashi, our fighting strength has already dramatically increased."
"Thank you, Captain Kyoraku," Urahara replied as he got dressed, gingerly stretching his abdomen. He was relieved when there was no pain. Retsu Unohana had used her Bankai to heal both himself and Yoruichi as fast as possible. "It may leave a bitter taste in your mouth right now, but believe me when I say that by the time we are in desperate need of the Zero Division, it'll be too late. We need them here as soon as possible."
Yoruichi was in her cat form, perched on the bed next to Urahara. "Yes. We were able to weaken Madara with Kisuke's gigai trap, but Hashirama alone was still able to overwhelm both of us combined. He is a terrifying opponent."
Urahara nodded slightly. "More so, Captain Unohana, if he truly has something else up his sleeve even more powerful than what he has revealed so far."
The Squad 4 Captain frowned. "I suppose you are justified in your concern. After I crossed swords with him in the world of the living, he spoke as if he had another technique that could undoubtedly bring him victory. It was after he had witnessed Yamamoto's Bankai, too."
Shunsui Kyoraku leaned back into his chair, looking up at the ceiling. "Hmm. Yes. Even after we all showed up, he still looked ready to throw down. I suppose it would be safest to have the Zero Division's support in this. If we do end up requiring their strength, then its better that they be present than not."
"That's exactly why we are petitioning for their aid," Urahara agreed. "Plus, if Aizen has subjugated the Hogyoku, which I believe he could have by now, there is honestly no telling the heights of power he may rise to."
The group lingered in somber contemplation at Urahara's words, before Yoruichi jumped off the bed. "Come on; we don't want to keep Kukaku waiting. We should be back within a day or two, at most."
Kisuke Urahara stood and inflated two gigai, one of himself and one of Yoruichi, to take their place in the infirmary. "You can figure out how to fabricate convincing injuries on these gigai until we return."
Captain Unohana raised an eyebrow, but Kyoraku just nodded. "Godspeed, you two."
Land of Fire - Coastline
Hashirama and Harribel stood, side by side atop a sandy beach marking the edge of the landmass. Before them spanned a vast body of water as far as the eye could see. The sun had fully set by now, and the moon was at its highest point in the sky. The tide was low.
Hashirama drew a deep breath, spreading his arms as his clothing and long black hair billowed in the ocean breeze. "This was one of Tobirama's favorite places to be. He was a master at water style, you know?"
Harribel tried to recall Tobirama's techniques. She did not remember much about him, and did not remember him using any water abilities. "No."
Hashirama looked at her quizzically, before laughing heartily into the wind. Between his laughter, and the peaceful churning of the waves against the sand, the tension of just minutes before was completely gone.
"Ah, it was a rhetorical question." Harribel smiled. "You are so very similar to Madara, you know?"
"What do you mean?" Hashirama asked.
"He laughed at my conversational skills, too, when we were incarcerated by the Gotei 13," Harribel said with a hint of playfulness to her tone. "Almost exactly the same as how you just did."
"Ah..." Hashirama said. His smile had instantly became strained at the mention of Madara. "Anyway. You're a water style user, so where better to teach you to control nature's energy than in the heart of the ocean itself?"
Harribel nodded, striding slowly into the ocean until she was waist-deep in it. She drew her Zanpakuto. "Hunt, Tiburon." Releasing her Zanpakuto, she gasped as she was overtaken with a sense of longing.
A wave of nostalgia washed over her as the salty ocean breeze stung at her lungs. The ripples of the water on her bare skin flowed invitingly outward into the ocean. Without a second thought, she dove beneath the waves, swimming out and away from the land. The water did not sting her eyes. In fact, it was almost as if her vision had been enhanced; everything looked magnified by the azure mirage around her. Opening her Pesquisa, she could feel the energy signatures of the marine life around her. From the smallest speck of algae floating by, to the large fish and marine mammals hundreds of kilometers off the shore, she could feel them all.
She honed into a particularly large signature of a great white shark, closing her eyes and feeling its body pulsing with each powerful heartbeat. She smelled what it could smell; the blood of its prey, swimming away for its life. It was futile. She felt the resistance of its teeth sinking into the flesh of its prey almost as if it were in her own mouth.
Harribel gasped involuntarily at the vividness of their connection, inhaling a mouthful of saline water into her lungs. To her surprise, her lungs drank up the water, demanding more. She obliged.
In all her years as a hollow, breathing the arid air in the desert of Hueco Mundo, she had forgotten her past life. Her mind no longer recalled what she was, or where she lived, when a heart still beat within her chest, but her body remembered. This was my home… She thought, as each new breath of water brought renewed vitality to her form.
She tumbled in the water, turning until she was upright, and propelled herself upward.
Hashirama smiled as he saw Harribel rocketing out of the ocean in a stream of golden reiatsu. The resulting trail of water splashed over him lightly, but he did not mind. Her spiritual pressure had been increasing steadily over the few minutes that she had been underwater.
"Harribel. I see that I was right to bring you here."
"The ocean is my home, Hashirama. I could feel everything within it." Harribel breathed, flexing her muscles experimentally. "It's like my body is growing stronger just breathing in the water."
Hashirama smirked. "I was wondering what you were doing down there for so long. I was worried you'd drowned. I should have figured that you could breathe underwater."
It was then that Harribel noticed that Hashirama was standing on a thick pillar of wood, having been summoned up from the ocean floor by his wood style. They were hundreds of meters from the coastline, and Hashirama had summoned a few pillars that he must have used to reach her.
"I was ready to dive in and rescue you, but I guess that's no longer necessary." Hashirama chuckled to himself, "Here. Have a seat." Even as he spoke, he sat down on one end of the pillar, and crossed his legs. Harribel alighted in front of him and mimicked his posture. They were about a meter apart.
Hashirama fixed a dumbfounded expression at her, before averting his gaze with a blush. "Uh…"
"What's wrong?" Harribel asked.
"Do you have any other clothes you could put on?"
"No…"
Hashirama shifted uncomfortably, before taking off his shirt, and handing it to her. "Put that on."
"Wha-"
"Please, Harribel. I can't concentrate if you don't. Do you want to learn Sage Mode or not?"
Harribel looked confused but obliged, and Hashirama let out a sigh of relief. "Make sure you give that back to me when we're done here, and remind me to dry it. Otherwise, Mito's going to kill me."
Hokage's Office
Mito did not even look up from where she was dusting the Hokage's table as the new arrival walked in. "What do you want, Isshin?" She said shortly. "I thought you and Hashirama would be with Madara."
Isshin cleared his throat. "They had a falling out."
Mito scoffed, before rising from her work and putting down the duster.
"He wants to extract the Nine Tails from me," she said. It was not a question, and Isshin hesitated briefly before nodding.
She put her hand on her belly, and looked down ponderously at it. "The Kyuubi...He's been telling me about the origin of the Ten-Tails, you know? Since Madara mentioned it earlier."
Isshin did not quite understand, but he nodded anyway. "Madara wants to put the entire world into an illusion of happiness, until their physical bodies expire."
Mito closed her eyes with a pained expression. "Those two… They are so similar in so many ways. Their desires have always mirrored each other's, but Madara must always go about realizing them in the worst way imaginable."
Isshin stayed silent, and Mito continued. "Did you and Hashirama tell him about your decision regarding Aizen and the Soul King?"
The former Squad 10 Captain sighed heavily. "No. There was no opportunity to."
Mito laughed humorlessly, sinking into the Hokage's chair and shaking her head. "It may put Madara more at ease, especially after their falling out."
Isshin grunted, before turning to leave. "I just thought I'd come and find you, to let you know."
"Isshin…" Mito called out, her voice suddenly small and uncertain. Her hand was still on her belly. "I…"
The Shinigami paused, looking over his shoulder with a raised eyebrow.
"I…"
Isshin turned fully, a serious expression on his face. "I can sense it, Mito. It's three or four months old now. Have you told Hashirama?"
"No."
"You must. Fatherhood changes a man. Perhaps the knowledge may further inform his decision."
Mito grimaced. "I know, which is why I don't want to burden him with the knowle-"
"Mito." Isshin interrupted. "A child is not a burden. Besides, Hashirama deserves to know the truth of what is at stake if he leaves the Elemental Nations with us. I have three children. I know. Hashirama has asked us to reconvene here at dawn tomorrow. You must tell him tonight."
Mito pressed her lips together, but nodded. "Alright, I'll do it. Thank you."
Konoha Outskirts - Valley of the End
"Wow, Orihime. You're really amazing!" Nel cried as she felt for the crack in her mask, noting with satisfaction that it was gone. Brandishing Gamuza, she went through a few slashing motions before sheathing her Zanpakuto and flexing her reiatsu. "So what do you think, me or Harribel?"
She just happened to glance at Ichigo as she asked the question, and the substitute Shinigami gulped. "Uhh… I think you're both really beautiful..."
Nel's playful expression morphed into a look of surprised confusion, before her face scrunched up in cackling laughter, and Orihime elbowed Ichigo in the side with a huff.
"She means who is stronger, Ichigo!"
Ichigo's face went red. "Uh…ah…"
"Harribel," Madara replied as Ichigo seemed unable to find his tongue. "At least judging by your current spiritual pressure."
Nel pouted. "I thought so… I guess I'll need to do some training of my own, if I want to regain my rank."
Madara nodded. "First thing's first, though. Let's all get some rest. Tomorrow we return to Aizen in Las Noches. I need to know more about this Soul King before planning my next move."
The group nodded, and they made their way back to the village.
The Next Morning - Hokage's Office
Walking through the door, Madara scowled as he saw Hashirama behind his desk, dressed in the Hokage's robes. His battle armor was nowhere to be seen, and Mito was beside him, looking more pensive than usual. Isshin, Ichigo and Orihime were also already present. "You are not coming with us, Hashirama? I figured that you coming to meet Aizen with the rest of us was a foregone conclusion."
Nel and Harribel entered, too, following closely behind him. He could sense from the atmosphere of the room that something was not right.
"Madara," Hashirama began, his eyes fixed on the table before him. "I didn't get to mention to you yesterday, what with the bombshell you dropped on us, but Isshin and I had come to an agreement."
"Oh?" Madara crossed his arms, drumming a finger on his bicep. "And what might that be?"
"Isshin has me convinced that not all residents of Soul Society are like the Gotei 13. There is an entire world up there, Madara. The Gotei 13 just happened to be our unfortunate introduction to that world-"
Madara snarled, raising his spiritual pressure until it billowed throughout the room, scattering loose papers all around them. "Hashirama, have you forgotten that our village was just attacked by the Shinigami?"
The Hokage was not intimidated by Madara's display. "I have not. But now that I have had a chance to consider the events of late with a clear mind, we cannot hold the entire Soul Society as a whole responsible for the actions of a few."
Madara clenched his fists. "These 'few' represent their government."
"So what, Madara? As I said to you yesterday, I will have the Raikage's life, but the citizens of the Hidden Cloud have done me no wrong. Do they deserve to die, simply because of where they live? For actions that they had no part in?"
Madara narrowed his eyes, breathing heavier. "The Gotei 13 have been trying to kill me from the very beginning. Just be cause I am a Hollow-"
"So you will help Aizen kill them all, just because they are Shinigami? Is that not the same?" Hashirama challenged. "Just because the Gotei 13 have a history of prejudice, be it against the Quincy or the Hollows, it does not justify holding that same prejudice against all inhabitants of Soul Society."
Madara looked back toward Harribel and Nel, but neither woman looked like they had anything to add. "By your logic, then, the Gotei 13 deserve to die, but not the entirety of the Soul Society. I can work with that."
Hashirama closed his eyes. "Yes… I had plans to join you, and lend both my temperance and strength to your campaign against them."
Madara relaxed his fists. "...You had?"
"I wanted to see just what this Soul King is all about, too, and maybe even find Tobirama again, reborn in the Soul Society."
"...But?" Madara pressed, annoyed.
"Mito is with child, Madara." The Uchiha's eyes widened at the revelation. "I cannot leave her now."
"A Jinchuriki's seal is weakest at the moment of childbirth…" Madara mused, and Hashirama glared at him.
"Careful, Madara," the Hokage warned. "My stance regarding your Infinite Tsukuyomi has not changed. I can turn a blind eye to whatever you choose to do with Aizen regarding the Gotei 13 and this Soul King, but if you threaten Mito again, even in implication, I will not forgive you."
Madara shook his head slowly. "To think, Hashirama… that even a man as mighty as you could be made so passive by the prospect of a family."
"The entire Konoha; no - the entire Shinobi world will be my family, Madara. I will unite the nations and gather the tailed beasts, but they will be sealed within jinchuriki of my choosing, safe from that Demonic Statue of yours. That is my solution to peace, and my decision is final."
Madara smiled mirthlessly. "Peace is always short-lived, Hashirama. The more value you place in it, the easier it is for your enemies to exploit those you care about. Declaring the entire Shinobi world your family is tantamount to opening your heart to be trampled on. Look at Konoha now, and compare it to only a few short weeks ago. Even you and I…" he trailed off.
Hashirama stood, then, slowly walking up to Madara. "It does not have to be this way. Forget this insane plan of yours. Help me create the allied Shinobi nations, Madara," Hashirama pleaded, holding out his hand.
Madara did not take it. "Do you remember, Hashirama, before I left the village, that I told you that it was no longer possible to show our hearts to each other? That it was not possible to be completely transparent to each other?"
"Yes..."
"What are your thoughts on that matter?"
Hashirama smiled warmly, but let his hand drop. "Believe me, Madara, when I say that I have always been transparent with you. It's taken...what, twenty years? But I think that you have also finally reached that point of transparency with me, too. There is nothing more to hide between us, Madara. No matter what happens from now on, know that I am truly grateful for your friendship throughout the years."
Madara moved in closer, smiling too. "If I moved against Mito at this instant, what would you do, Hashirama?"
"I would protect her. At the cost of your life, if it comes to that," Hashirama replied without hesitation.
Madara chuckled. "And you would be justified in doing so. But these are the kinds of eventualities that will never happen in the Infinite Tsukuyomi."
"Is there nothing I could do to change your mind, Madara?"
"No. Your plan of unity will fail. I have no doubt about that. You are not the first great uniter who dreamed of peace through community, and you will not be the last, either. I will learn what I can about the Soul King from Aizen, and then I will be back for the tailed beasts. One way or another, I will see the Infinite Tsukuyomi become reality."
Hashirama embraced his old friend, closing his eyes. "Then the next time we meet, it will be as enemies," he whispered solemnly, a tear slowly rolling down the side of his cheek.
Madara returned the hug. He was always excited at the prospect of fighting Hashirama, but this time, his expression could not be further from joy. There was a slight quiver in his voice as he replied; "I fear it was always fated so."
AN - And so the cycle of Indra/Ashura continues...Also - to those of you who have read this far. Do you want Madara to have a romantic interest? I'm not going to give options - just let me know in the reviews if you're interested in seeing him have a love interest. There will be no explicitness regardless, but maybe his journey will be a bit less depresso. heh
Respond to some reviews:
Spedyalarm: I'm a firm believer of the saying "If you introduce a shotgun on the wall in chapter 1, then that shotgun had better be used by the end" (paraphrased). The 'Cleaner' and the time dilation effects of the Dangai will come into play, but I've got no plans to introduce Minato at this stage, unfortunately. Re; The Otsutski, only Kaguya will play a part. The others I'm kinda meh about.
Luv Boy: Yep; and now he's got everybody thinking he's Madara's dual zanpakuto spirit :P
Obama: Madara is a hollow so he naturally has Sonido already - now that he's an arrancar, he also has Hierro. There's some big wood style Jutsu that he hasn't used yet in this fic, though, that he's definitely going to break out soon :P
Witcher: You're right re; Harribel. I re-read the section and it does seem like too rushed of a powerup with sage mode. Hopefully this chapter makes it a bit more reasonable - i.e In canon, Madara learned it zero diff just absorbing it from Hashirama, so it makes sense to me that he would think it's easy to manage with whatever his standard of 'decent' energy control is. So now Harribel manages to do it imperfectly, then turns to stone, and then learns it properly from Hashirama.
JustDusty: Yes, but only Kaguya.
KuramaUchiha7: Don't worry re; powerscaling going out of hand. I'm going to do my best to keep things interesting, and though there will be 'bigger and bigger chakra nukes' Madara is certainly still going to need to use his brainpower and etensive arsenal to navigate some of his future battles.
MadaraLimboClone: Hmm...Madara ship? There was a bit of a back and forth when I first posted this fic about pairings. There's definitely not going to be a Harem, but we'll see how people respond and I'll weave something in if there is enough interest :P
ToLancer: Thanks for your support!
Until next time!
