The landscape was still and quiet. There was the occasional rustle of leaves and twigs in the foreground by the neighboring critters all coming out after a long day of rest and isolation from the suffocating heat. It was serene. The moonlight glared down on the land below, it was nearly full or was full, and it held a majestic awe as it highlighted small pathways across the terrain.

Usagi enjoyed the scenery but was hungry. Tobirama wanted to keep moving, it was dark, staying still in the dark wasn't a wise thing to do. Shinobi could spring an attack at anytime. She wasn't worried too much about them with her sensory skills, Tsugi's, and Tobirama's freakish sensory skills they'd sense anything within the next quarter mile. Despite this however, Tobirama was insistent that they keep moving. She wanted chocolate pudding.

She wasn't going to argue with him. Tobirama would raise his voice. She'd raise her voice back, before she knew it they'd be at each other's neck. She didn't like him trying to scold her and tell her what to do, but there was something oddly enjoyable about it. It was a challenge. Point is it was not her fault he was so bossy. He really needed to loosen up. She kept these comments to herself as she dashed through the dense woodland easily keeping pace with Tobirama's quick strides despite being several inches shorter than he. Tsugi lagged behind her just a few yards, keeping Hitomi in a light grasp.

Usagi nodded to herself once. Perhaps that was why Tobirama was pushing for them to stay on the move-they were nearing their destination after all. But, then again that couldn't be it, Tobirama seemed like the realist, and from her observations he was also stoic. No there was no way Hitomi was just the only thing making him firm on this decision. Ultimately she settled on just staying quiet, enjoying the moment and the wind gusting passed her ears cooling her moist skin and brushing against her neck, it wasn't so bad.

They made it to the Fire village short of an hour later. It was still dark, the moon was towering towards its highest point in the darkened sky. Usagi looked up for a moment, awed by the glistening stars above, she would love to sit here and admire the scenery but Tobirama and Tsugi were already on the move, she hastened her steps catching up to the two. They made their way to the estate, where they were staying for the time being, thanks to the damiyo. Tobirama opened the door, nodding to a pair of guards who eased at their entrance, going back to their posts, Usagi casted a glance in their direction before following after Tobirama.

"If we don't do something about her hands, I've got a bad feeling they're going to get infected." Tsugi spoke up as they went up a staircase, his eyes carefully skimming over her bloodied hands, it wasn't hard to spot the gash running down her middle knuckle, for that matter both of her knuckles were torn up.

"I don't know medical jutsu." Usagi shrugged, what else could she do? "How did she get those? I doubt Cho would have wanted to cause any harm to her, at least not in the beginning."

"Don't worry about her. My brother will have her hands back to normal in just a few seconds." Tobirama declared, turning to look back at the two of them-as he was expecting Usagi had a curious as well as confused look on her face. Tobirama closed his eyes for a moment, she was extremely inquisitive. Of course she was going to want to know just how and when Hashirama learned medical jutsu-in truth it was something he just picked up on, had a knack for and just kept at it. "Yes, my brother knows a lot about medical ninjutsu. Something like this won't even take him long."

"You never told me this..."

"You say that as if you expected me to tell you."

"Well, yeah." Usagi frowned, completely thrown off. She understood the need for secrecy, but then why let her see that scroll before?

"Well, now you know." Tobirama sounded smug. His ruby eyes even shined with what appeared to be mirth.

Usagi scowled at that smugness. Luckily she wasn't going to be dealing with that smug smirk anymore, she pushed open the door to the next room, spotting her two brothers-Syrus seated across Hashirama, Haji off to the right, and lastly Hashirama across from Syrus. The three each wore focused expressions, small frowns wrinkling their foreheads and between their eyes. Hashirama glanced up, almost surprised to see them, he was so focused on the current situation he wasn't kneading any chakra to keep a sweep of the area. "What's the matter?" Usagi tilted her head, asking the obvious of course.

"Tsugi, you should hear this too." Haji looked at him with full focus, flicking his eyes onto Hitomi. "Take her to my room. It'd be good for her to be comfortable when she wakes up." Nobles... He scoffed lightly. Tsugi just inclined his head. Yeah... Comfortable. Tsugi kept it to himself, he already knew before that there was a chance she'd be his woman. He denied it then.

Without another word Tsugi left, already knowing where Haji's room was located. He returned ten minutes later, armor discarded now that he was indoors-though he kept a sword under his obi.

The room was tense-Tobirama wasn't a fool. But, Hashirama could never cover up his emotions well. He was prone to sulking, in any case he knew when something was bothering him. A small frown, thoughtful not malice, comprehending... He took a seat next to Hashirama, folding his arms over his chest. He'd wait to speak, knowing somebody would, eventually. Whatever did happen while he was away caused a great deal of tension.

"I'll be blunt." Hashirama broke the silence, turning to face Tobirama. "The Shainingu-their second in command Tomoyuki plans to set fire to the Grass village, raid the Damiyo's domain in the process, rescue Sumichi, and at the very end they'll behead the damiyo laying waste to the rest of the village."

There was a tense pause. Perhaps shock from Hashirama saying such things, he never outright spoke about violence. He was more often than not happy, despite the turbulent times they lived in. Shock from learning the Shainingu-and more importantly Tomoyuki were planning such a thing. He was the second in command, he could rally the more rowdy among them. "Tunoichi came here, asking if I'd go with him back to the compound-his compound with him."

Tobirama frowned visibly. Knowing Hashirama he actually went, or at the very least was considering it. How could he be so careless?

"I didn't go."

Tobirama's expression softened. That was more than a relief to hear. Doing something as reckless as that was stupid, and above all else dangerous.

Hashirama exhaled a steady breath, straightening his back. "I'm really concerned about this..."

"Hashirama." Syrus said with some edge to his tone. "It isn't our problem... Mikito wouldn't let those fools burn down the village even if she is a bleeding heart."

Usagi blinked, resisting the urge to nod. Well, that's why it felt so tense, it would appear, at least to her these two had a disagreement. Could she say she was surprised? Not really, both were... Emotional in their own ways. It is outrageous the Shainingu would even consider doing such a thing-it wasn't unheard of to hear of a damiyo being killed by shinobi, but it was an occurrence, damiyos paid for their service. But lately that was changing, it was common, especially in the Sand Country. There isn't anything we could even do... If we did go we'd just add to the chaos, we know Madara and Mikito are there along with Souji and Izuna. We'd be dragged into it...

Hashirama was silent for a moment. If they did something, they could cause the conflict to swing into even more chaos. But, if they didn't do something, there was still a chance no matter how slight that the entire village would be burned down. All of those people-who aren't even shinobi... He swallowed slowly, clenching his jaw slightly, then relaxed. Well, there was something that needed his attention. "I'll go heal Hitomi, her hands were pretty bad." He gave a quick glance in Tobirama's direction, it wasn't even noticeable-one had to really focus. Hashirama excused himself. "Tsugi makes a good point, she could get an infection."

A few seconds later Tobirama excused himself.

"You guys are kidding right?" Usagi asked. She was greeted with silence and felt the need to ask again. "Please, tell me you are..."

"I wish." Syrus sighed, raking one hand through his thick and slightly scruffy-spiky hair. It shouldn't be a big deal. It really shouldn't be. It wouldn't be. He could care less if that village burned, or this village, he put the clan first as long as they prospered he'd do whatever needed to be done. But. Now it mattered, it mattered if the Grass village was burned down and ravaged, if the innocent people were killed in the chaos of it all. It was common, the age for shinobi and civilians alike was thirty-if one is lucky they'd see fifty even sixty. But, now it mattered... Damn Hashirama. "It's ridiculous. There is nothing to gain from this stint..." He narrowed his eyes for a split second. Mikito isn't going to let them burn down the village, even if she is a bleeding heart.

"Maybe it's a statement..." Haji shrugged. He didn't care for nobles, but he never went out of his way to hassle them or hurt them-in the same light he didn't go out of his way to help them either. Hitomi would be the on exception, and she wasn't as conceited like most nobles.

"I think it's to make a statement. Stupid or drastic, the point is they are, well making a point." Tsugi chimed in, resting his hands in the sleeves of his shirt. It was crazy to even consider, the damiyo was their paycheck in every sense. But, now it was all too common for shinobi to attack a damiyo or try to, he supposed if they could take out their vast forces the spoils of war could be worth it. It was still stupid. "

"It doesn't make any sense...It's ludicrous..." Usagi muttered.

"For some reason that makes some sense." Syrus chuckled softly, thankful for Usagi's bluntness. Perhaps way with words is a better way to put it. "Well put, Usagi."

"Usagi-chan!" Usagi corrected.

Syrus chuckled, rolling his eyes. She was always so polite, something their mother in particular drilled into them.

Ryoma. A light skinned man with dark brown hair, brown eyes, and short spiky hair, made his way up the stairs. Maison-ya was the second largest inn within the village and was seeing a lot of business tonight. It was a bit more grand than most inns having large wooden screen doors, sliding doors, and various rooms some large enough to hold twenty others up to fifty. There were workers going about their duties washing the floors, dusting the screens, and other small tasks. Tomoyuki and Aoi rented the entire second floor, the rooms could be opened to lead into one another. It was perfect because their presence would go completely unnoticed and they could speak openly without worry. He had been one of the first to back up Tomoyuki in this mission, Tunoichi may have been his leader, but he thought the same as everyone else who followed Tomoyuki. Tunoichi was afraid. This was a misconception, Tunoichi was only cautious and doing what what right.

He didn't see it that way though. "Ryoma." Aoi said. Ryoma gave him his full attention. Aoi was an aged man with dark black but graying messy hair that fell to his shoulders, his chin was very pronounced as was his jaw bone and his eyes were especially sharp. His build was muscular, but not overly massive. He was dressed in traditional shinobi attire-consisting of a plain dark blue low collared top, black trousers, black sandals, and bandages wrapped around his shins; his armor was discarded situated in the closet just a few feet away from him. He was one of the go to guys if Tomoyuki or Tunoichi wanted something taken care of no matter how bad it was. Not a man to take lightly in any regard. "The others, where are they?"

"They're bringing the weapons from the outskirts and situating them here as we speak." Ryoma responded. That's where he had just come from. "It grows darker by the minute, and the winds grow stronger as well.

"Good." Aoi replied with a firm nod, folding his muscular arms tightly over his chest, a small smirk crossing his face. This is very good, indeed. He noted silently, pleased to hear both parts, but especially the last. "It will swing completely in our favor. The Uchiha and Domou won't stand a chance nor will the damiyo nor his army slow us down." He stood up, moving towards the wooden screen and peering outside at the gathering crowds of men, women, and children alike. "Who are the leaders of the Uchiha and Domou?" He asked, turning his head around with an intent look.

"I believe it is Madara Uchiha and Mikito Domou." Ryoma responded, taking a seat next to dozens of others.

"I see..." Aoi scoffed harshly, spitting outside as if he got a bad taste in his throat. "So it's Tajima's and Heisuke's brats, eh?"

"Despite their young age, their prowess in battle is nothing short of amazing." Takehito, a tall and light haired man spoke up. He did well to research potential enemies and the Uchiha and Domou were both high on the list. "News of their alliance has reached all corners of the shinobi world."

"Yes, well be it as it may they are still nothing but brats." Aoi said rigidly. "Then the alliance of the Subatsu and Senju is most likely true as well, in that case..." He smirked a hint of sadism touching his eyes. "Heh, we take out two birds with one stone, then move onto the next two."

Takehito opted not to speak, while so many others agreed and even rejoiced the claim. He should have been indulging like them, but he came at the last minute. His loyalty was torn between Tunoichi and Tomoyuki, but Tunoichi's refusal to rescue Sumichi is what sealed the deal for him. Perhaps he should have stayed back, but he was talented and one of the stronger amongst the clan, this is where he had to be. It was his place. "Have you checked the seal?" Takehito cut into the chatter.

"We have three rotations going by three hours." Aoi answered, narrow eyes taking on a sharp glint. "They won't be able to sense us in here, and once they are in here they still won't be able to."

"Don't worry too much." Ryoma chuckled, looking at Takehito. "Everything will go as planned."

Madara hated nobles. It wasn't just a matter of him being impatient, and wanting to hurry things along. He hated nobles. Their mannerisms, the way they lived and thought of people, thought of shinobi. But, the thing he hated the most would be their cowardice. So high and mighty, how fast that they changed when they were staring into the tip of a sword. He had to ask himself why he was going with, sure to get permission. He glanced at Mikito, flicking his eyes forward just as quickly, she was the reason he was coming with. She may very well go on a rampage and killed the stupid ass, now he couldn't have this. He wanted to get paid for their services first.

They walked in silence. Besides Mikito muttering a soft 'you first' when Madara opened the door. He would have insisted that she go in first, but Mikito was stubborn. He blinked, taking in his new surroundings, it never ceased to amaze him just how fine everything here was. He himself wouldn't know of such things, everything here he deemed as useless, it wouldn't help him get stronger, or help the clan thrive, it had no uses. Madara turned to Mikito, she was oddly quiet, her steps were silent and precise as always never a wasted motion even when she was walking. She wasn't normally silent. "You know what they say about a man overcompensating for something through various means." Mikito said, and Madara edged his lips up.

"Ah, you're a joker?" He stared at her. "I must say I'm surprised, you take everything so literally and seriously."

"I have my moments." Mikito scratched the top of her head, not denying his last statement. She did take everything so seriously and literally, it had been pointed out many times, actually. They shared a glance, their eyes lingered, and Mikito turned away from his gaze setting her hand on the door. "I really hope this idiot doesn't try to negotiate with me, I am so not in the mood for a negotiation..." She exhaled, hearing Madara grunt softly in agreement, she sighed in relief mentally. So he hadn't seen her looking so long and hard.

"Mikito-san! Madara-san!" The damiyo wasted no time in greeting them. He had left their investigation to tend to his duties, he would have stayed much longer, but he couldn't ignore certain things. And the late summer festival and early autumn festival would be starting soon-the summer festival going on at this very moment today. He shivered, a chill running down his spine, that reminded him. "Please, tell me. Did you find anything out, anything at all?" He noticed Madara and Mikito share a look, neither answered for a moment verbally or non-verbally, and finally Mikito gave a very soft nod. There was no easy way to put this...

"I'll be blunt with you." Madara said, deep voice traveling around the room. "You were wrong about your citizens not harboring any shinobi." As he expected the damiyo frowned deeply, it was a blow to his pride and Madara knew this-it is why he said it. Paying no heed to the expression, Madara continued on. "There is someone in your village harboring shinobi as we speak-the Shaningu to be more precise. We believe that they number at least one hundred and thirty, and could be growing at this very moment."

"I can't believe this." The damiyo shook his head, sighing loudly as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I've done everything within my capacity to ensure that everyone living within these walls is peaceful and well off... We've avoided conflict by any and all means. And, I'd like to say we've lived in peace for a very long time." Two decades was a very long time. He scowled deeply, his late father enjoyed stirring up chaos any chance he got, pitting shinobi clans against each other just for the sheer thrill of seeing them kill each other. It was also the reason this estate was destroyed and burned to the ground not too short of two decades ago. He was arrogant, yes, seeked amusement, but he never played with lives the way his father had. Innocent or shinobi. "And, you are more than certain about this?"

"Absolutely positive." Madara replied with no hesitation. The damiyo found it odd he was only just talking, but shrugged it off a second later, Mikito wasn't a headstrong and rash woman. She could keep her distance, though her temper was frightening. "During my interrogation of Sumichi-A Shainingu shinobi that had been within your village and near the borders for over two months, he admitted that there is a plot to overthrow you and take the village." He was just blending the truth, in fact that wasn't a lie technically. Hopefully he'd just shut up and not ask anymore questions.

"What!? That is absolutely outrageous!"

"Sir." Mikito spoke up for the first time, eyes narrowing just a bit. "... Tomoyuki-their second in command is leading them. They to set fire to the city on a windy day, while chaos ensures from that they intend on storming this estate, killing anyone who gets in their way-that includes your military force and any workers you have here, rescue Sumichi, press forward and take you from the seat of power, and finally behead you, laying waste to the village in the end." She wasn't surprised at his reaction, his eyes widened and his mouth dropped open, and she couldn't blame him. She almost did the same thing when she first discovered the plan, and the full extent to which it covered. She hoped he'd give them the okay to search all of the inns and taverns. She didn't want to argue with him about it, nor did she want the village to burned down-she wouldn't allow it...

"I... I don't know..." The damiyo was oddly quiet. "It's just outrageous... The summer festival is tonight! The streets are packed with people... If they even dared to do something like that..." He growled softly, getting angrier than he would like to.

"We wouldn't lie about something like this." Madara said, voice lowering a few tones as it gained an edge.

"And, just what do you want me to do?" He had his own army which numbered into the hundreds of thousands-but these were shinobi.

"Let us search every inn and tavern in this village tonight." Mikito replied, staring straight into his eyes. "We have good reason to believe that they will be making their move tonight."

Again, the damiyo was silent. Thinking. Considering. Finally, he nodded looking at Mikito and Madara with nothing but seriousness. It may be a bad call, the civilians may be a bit spooked, but it was for the better. There was no way he could allow his village to be burned down, more importantly there was no way he would going to be dying anytime soon. These damn Shaniningu had a lot of guts... "Go." He said simply. Mikito was surprised greatly, turning her focus from the floor onto him in an instant, almost in shock. The damiyo nodded without any hesitation. "Take care of them. I give you full permission to do whatever must be done. Don't allow those shinobi to set fire to this village by any means. Kill them all if you must." He gave another nod, leveling a serious stare with both Madara and Mikito, and Madara nodded in response hiding an arrogant smile behind his hard eyed stare. He was itching for a good fight, considering they weren't holding a demonstration where they could spar, this was the next best.

He wasn't going to allow himself, Mikito, or their respective kinsmen to showcase their abilities to him. That will wait until they returned home.

"Yes!" Mikito bowed just slightly, more like set her jaw. Truly grateful he gave them permission rather than arguing against it. With that Madara and Mikito excused themselves, they'd be busy the rest of the night, and the damiyo had more important things to attend to besides some rowdy shinobi. Also, this is why they were here, the Shainingu and other clans were starting to get closer and closer to the walls-now they were within the snapped her hand out, snatching a piece of paper thrown by the damiyo. She narrowed her eyes, reading it to herself as she and Madara ventured back. Izuni-ya. Omitsu-ya. Shiko. Shikoku-ya. Izumi. Maison-ya. Imitsu-ya. Shokou-ya. Izumo-ya She frowned, clenching the paper in her hand. There's got to be over eighty inns and taverns, from what I'm seeing there's at least twenty inns and double the taverns.

"I'll narrow it down." Madara said in a low tone, peering at the list. There were many, too many. He watched her shuffle the list into her pocket before continuing "We can't separate into two groups. Not a chance in hell."

"But, Madara..." Mikito furrowed her brows slightly. "There's over sixty places we have to search. We can only hope to cover that much ground by splitting into two groups."

"We're searching along the Hanji road and the Zanjo road."

"It's still a good twenty or more..." Mikito clicked her tongue softly, a habit she picked up long ago. She twirled a stray bang on her finger, frowning ever so slightly.

"I'll narrow it down all the same." Madara responded with no hesitation. "Hikaku is experienced when it comes to reconnaissance as well as Mitsuki from what I've observed." He set a hand on her shoulder, almost snapping it off as soon as he touched it. She was so damn tense, especially in her shoulder area and upper neck. "We won't let them have their way. We'll stop them long before they can begin to execute their ill thought out plan." He gave her a shoulder a light squeeze, turning her attention which was focused on the dark sky onto him, their eyes meeting and lingering for a long moment again. It was oddly satisfying he capture her attention so easily.

"Thank you, Madara." Mikito murmured, for the moment he was quelled. And, Madara was touching her, actually touching her. She shouldn't have been so stunned and amazed at the simple gesture, but she was, the only time they touched each other was when they were sparring that one time and he ended up tripping her, taking her down to the ground and getting too close, way too close. So close she could just kiss him, or he kiss her...

"What?" He asked noticing Mikito seemingly spaced out, if only he could read her mind. He grunted, shaking his head as he took his hand from her shoulder, hand lingering there for just a second longer. He didn't even want to know what had her so preoccupied. He watch her open her mouth, ready to explain why she was thanking him, and how he helped her through whatever it was, shaking his head he bit back a sigh. Mikito was so serious and literal all the time. "It's nothing. There's no need to thank me" He held back a laugh, for some reason amused. Not quite sure why. Mikito looked quite humorous when she was confused. Her head tiltled and bright eyes searching and ever observant. "Don't start getting soft on me."

"No worries, bossman!" Mikito replied. "I'm being polite. "

"I told you, don't call me that." Madara scowled.

Mikito laughed to herself.

They were on the fortieth floor. Izuna, Souji, and the others were on the first. It wasn't a long time before they got there, they easily bounded down the stair sets altogether or put on short bursts of speed easily gliding over them just the same. Neither decided to speak anymore, they said what they had to say, felt what they felt from the other in a subtle way, now it would be on Izuna and Souji, and they together with Madara and Mikito would devise a plan of attack. Madara kept the mental note he made earlier about narrowing down their search choices. Mikito would want to split into two groups and they'd search parallel from each other. He didn't want to do that. It could be beneficial, but keeping their forces together and attacking at full strength was a much better route to go.

Without any hesitation they opened the door. Souji and Izuna both waiting on the other side. "So, what'd he say?" Izuna asked quickly, curious and anxious all the same.

"Be ready within the hour." Mikito said, nodding her head when Izuna gave her another curious look.

"This is good news." Izuna nodded.

"I'm going to send Hikaku ahead of us. He'll narrow our search down." Madara spoke up.

"You don't have to." Souji told Madara, looking at him for a moment. "I've already sent Mitsuki and Misaka while you two were still with the damiyo, they'll be meeting us there." He shrugged. "Never hurts to be more thorough."

Madara nodded. This would speed things along a great deal.

"Where?" Izuna, of course asked the obvious.

"The meeting hall in the village, the big place with the double windows we passed on the way here." Mikito replied.

Izuna nodded. "I'll be going then, see you in an hour." He stood up, opening the door and taking his leave.

"Inform the others." Madara called after him. Izuna stopped in his step, nodded, and waved his hand in acknowledgement.

Quietly, Hashirama opened the door of Haji's room. The abundant light of the moon was shining in through the window, the curtains moved more towards the wall to allow a better view to be seen. His eyes turned from the large windows to Hitomi. She was wearing new clothes than the dirtied rags she came in with, and her hair was no longer a tangled and wild mess but back its semi wavy nature, his eyes caught her bandaged hands, spots of blood staining them every couple of inches some around her knuckle area, and some on the front of her fingers just under the knuckle. "These wounds seem self inflicted." Hashirama said, shutting the door just as quietly as he opened it moving towards the bed. "Do you have any idea how?"

"From what Usagi and Tsugi told me about her. Hitomi can be quite emotional and lose herself." Tobirama replied, shrugging his shoulders once. "I'd guess she punched something in her fit of emotion."

Hashirama nodded. He had to agree, the position of the cuts on her hands showed definite signs these were self inflicted and not inflicted by somebody else. She had to be a spitfire of sorts in this case. Even with his healing abilities, he just wouldn't go and inflict a wound on himself in a fit of rage. Hashirama stood over her, eyes taking in her image, hands carefully moving forward, but he stopped at the last second as if unsure. "She'll be asleep until morning." Tobirama told him. "Tsugi gave her an herb with some tea. The pain was getting to her and don't want her freaking out when she wakes up with you standing right in her face."

"That is a good point, Tobirama!" Hashirama grinned. "Why didn't I think of doing that?" With his worries quelled he reached his hands forward again, keeping them in place just a few inches over Hitomi's hands. He was almost touching them but not quite, he needed just a small space to make sure it was kneading right. Okay, not too much. Hashirama carefully flared his chakra, kneading it into his hands, a deep humming and buzz sounded quietly around them as a deep blue aura encompassed Hashirama's hands surging into her hands through the bandages. The wounds weren't too severe, they looked a lot worse than what they really were, he hovered his hands above her knuckle area feeling his chakra sewing her skin anew and washing the wounds away with near omnipotence. "There we go. She's good as new." Hashirama murmured unwrapping her hands from the dirty and stained bandages, smiling as he took in his handiwork, there wasn't a single gash or laceration nor a spot of blood just very small almost invisible scars.

Tobirama took the bandages from his hands, disposing them in a nearby basket. "What is it, Hashirama?" He asked after a moment. He knew when something was bothering his brother, and very clearly there was something bothering him.

"This may be a bit much to ask of you since you've just returned." Hashirama started looking apologetic. He knew Tobirama wouldn't hesitate to do what needed to be done, to follow through on the order he gave him, but it was good to just relax. Tobirama leaned against the wall, folding his arms over his chest and fixed his brother with an intent stare. Hashirama continued. "Go the Grass village and make sure nothing happens... I know Syrus is right, it really isn't our concern, but I can't let those people die if there's a chance to save them."

"Brother..." Tobirama started dryly in his baritone voice. "You want me to go to the Grass village where Madara, Izuna, Mikito, and Souji are to make sure that Tomoyuki and the Shainingu following him don't burned the village into the ground?"

"Yes." Hashirama nodded. "Syrus is confident Mikito will stop them but..." He paused. He knew some things about her before their first encounter. She had titan-like strength and was feared gaining the moniker witch. She had two siblings one sister who was Ahiko and the brother was Souji. Ahiko was more versed in sojutsu and kyujutsu though she did have a mastery of the first basic five elements and was talented in kenjutsu and taijutsu. Souji was more versed in kenjutsu and gained the moniker of devil. "I'd just like to be sure. This will just be between me and you." He learned two things after his encounter with them, one was that they were indeed fierce in combat ferocious was a better way to describe it, and Mikito was the farthest thing from a witch. If Syrus was confident she wouldn't let Tomoyuki and his followers burn down the village, then she couldn't be a witch. Witches were evil and would kidnap children using their skin to brew concoctions. That's what he heard when he was a kid at least, and he knew Mikito wasn't peeling skin off from anyone. Especially a child.

Tobirama sighed, but nodded. Looks like he was going to need more elusive and stealthy than usual. If Izuna, Madara or even Souji for that matter caught sight of him the only thing that would be happening is a battle that would have no definitive end. But, his brother's heart was in the right place even if he was thinking with it and his emotions rather than his brain. "I'd love to say no. I should say no..." Tobirama sighed softly, resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. This was classic Hashirama. "I'll take care of it." Tobirama nodded.

"Thank you." Hashirama smiled. "I know you're rather not do this, but you're the only person I can trust to see this through."