"You think you're the only ones who matter. You think you can put off death. But that peace made you foolish and thoughtless. If you kill someone, someone else will kill you...This hatred binds us together. I want you to feel pain, to think about pain, to accept pain, to know pain."
Nagato
Mikito was still vexed despite being in their shared room, and her husband as well as Ahiko being just a few feet from her. Everyone was just about settled in from the Desert country, there weren't all that many people after all and getting them situated took just a few hours. Most of the civilians were evacuated, and they were just put with them for the time being.
Izuna and Souji were doing what they did best and preparing for another attack. There had been numerous recently, and it was stupid to think there wouldn't be another one. Hikaku, Masa, and the rest of them were performing their duties perfectly. They patrolled inside the village, outside the village, and when enemies came flying through they dealt with them in short order.
So long as Sasuke, Daishiro or any other leaders weren't in the fray she could remain in the castle and strategize for the moment.
Hashirama, that dogmatic fool, and Tobirama always looking to cause trouble or place the seeds of it for it to start. The Senju weren't just dangerous on the battlefields, rightfully so they were, but they were dangerous outside of the battlefields. They used words as weapons, toyed with people's emotions and feelings, used those emotions to make the person or group step in stride with them. She couldn't care less about the tree huggers, but now they were trying to confront her.
Well, in any case of events the Senju Council should have already tore Hashirama and Tobirama a new one respectively. She could already see Tobirama objecting and cutting them off every single chance he gets. The man had a streak of pride, and he kept his nose in the air and above others a vast majority of the time. It was another reason the Senju vexed her so-they walked around with their noses in the air like they were all that in a bag of chips. god of shinobi, a foolish moniker given to a glib and foolish man.
The Senju's power surpassing that of a mere mortal, a foolish statement made considering they're all mortals. If she crushed their windpipes, nothing would stop them from dropping dead at her feet. They wouldn't even have the chance to choke to death.
The only reason she hadn't caved in Disuke's face was because Mito had the nerve to pull her off the priggish man before she could really lay into him. The only reason she hadn't caved in Hashirama's face was because Madara took the initiative to haul her off of her feet and carried her to where they'd be far enough away. It also helped that her baby sister was there to calm her down, after all she only became so enraged the second time around because Hashirama was too free with his mouth and talking out the side of his neck.
Fucking Senju
Was he so naive and shortsighted to think two clans coming together-even if they are two of the strongest clans, would be enough to stop the endless wars? Such a thought process belong in the mind of a child who had not yet witnessed the horrors that they have, it did not belong in a man that was the leader of an influential and powerful clan. Besides clans rebelling against the Uchiha and Senju, there'd be the problem of the damiyo-damiyos taking action because of their paranoia and fears. The one way to avoid conflict with the damiyo was to make a pact with the pompous noble, and let him be part of the central command chain.
Hashirama would do just that.
He would make a pact with the damiyo, thus inflating the noble's ego. The damiyo would give out missions, and then Hashirama would take those same exact missions and give it to the shinobi in the village. He'd have little ranks for everyone, including children. He will send those children out on missions, and those children will not return because they lack the experience middle aged and full grown shinobi do. Even if they had a teacher or something of the sort with them, once the battle started their emotions would infect them. They'd have no resolve.
They would be killed. Children trained to be soldiers, sent off to the unknown, just like now, to never come back except in pieces or corpses, just like now.
She didn't need to worry about it now, though. So far, nobody wanted to buy into his farce and she couldn't blame them.
However, she just pushed the thought of that farce completely out of her mind, she already made it clear she'd never become a part of such a farce, and she was going to remain firm on that. If Madara wanted to go along with it eventually, then that choice was his own to make, but she would not be going with him or the Uchiha to settle into the village.
"Madara, how's that situation we talked about before?" She steered her focus on something far more important than caving in Hashirama's face.
The Uchiha stopped his pacing, and turn his focus from outside onto her. It was another thing that was weighing heavily on his mind, and he needed to do something about it, but he had to keep his focus here at the moment. However, that didn't mean he was idle, he was having Uchiha in the compound send water samples through scrolls, and while Uchiha medics were totally good for shit, Domou medics were highly advanced. "The same as before."
"No improvement?"
"If anything it's gradual deterioration." He said a bit gruffly.
The most infuriating part for him was that the people who would come down with this just wasn't women with children, but the children themselves, and even the grown men. They'd be fine and healthy, and then over the course of a few weeks that would change completely and they'd be bedridden with barely enough energy to even breathe. They couldn't move because they were paralyzed, or their nervous system just simply wasn't working-which was the same thing when it came down to it. Not long after this happened they began to suffocate to death. Paralyzed and suffocating to death.
The very thought made him grimace.
He should be anticipating the battle that would no doubt be coming soon, but instead he could only feel dread. Knowing this situation hadn't had any type of progress in getting better.
"We're going to take care of this now."
"I am in agreement, this has gone on long enough." Madara nodded, eyes locking with Mikito's.
"What are you two talking about?" Ahiko asked, some concern pooling into her tone. When the word deteriorate was used, it was never good, especially when it came to people or a person in specific.
"You miles well tell her, Madara." Mikito said, eyes looking a bit tired as Madara pursed his lips. He really didn't like sharing anything, even if it was of the utmost importance. Was he going to continue to let this go on until he himself could personally fix it with his own two hands? Or did he intend to just let it continue? The Uchiha medics still couldn't figure out what was causing this, even after this long stretch of time. "My sister is the most adept medic in all of the Domou, you will do well to trust in her."
Rather than explain it all in one breath, Madara simply unrolled a scroll. "These are water samples." He gestured to the liquid in containers labeled with the month and day of the month they were taken and studied. The most recent one was from just two weeks ago. Fairly recent. "The medics of my clan have been working day and night for months now trying to figure out just what the hell this is that's effecting everyone, but there's only questions in the end with no progress towards a solution."
Ahiko nodded slowly, inspecting the water carefully. "Mind giving me some more details?"
He never liked it when people died, even when he was growing up and knew that loss was inevitable he didn't want to lose anyone precious to him. The only thing worse than losing those precious people was admitting to himself and out loud that they were now gone, and he hadn't been able to a damn thing about it. It was a thousand times worse with this, because he simply couldn't grasp it fully-he was good at healing, but knowing poisons, venom, flowers, herbs, etc were not things he was well studied or versed in.
Now, more than ever he wished he had that knowledge, but his father found the healing arts to be useless and only Uchiha who were sub-par, the women, and those who didn't activate the Sharingan were medics in the clan honestly. There was a lot of tension between the two classes so to speak, and there always has been. The warriors looked down on the medics and the medics were disgusted with the warriors.
"Madara?" Ahiko pressed gently.
"It started close to six months ago, maybe before that even. Aya, a former Uchiha kunoichi had a miscarriage. She wasn't the only one to go through this, there were about two dozen more Uchiha women that had miscarriages, and three of them were back to back. It hasn't gotten any better since then. There's also been an outbreak of some virus, which doesn't help matters in the slightest. The children are ill, and some are so ill they're close to dying. The men and women seem fine for a few weeks, but then they come down with the same thing and it's like they're rotting..." Madara said, crossing his arms tightly against his chest.
Ahiko immediately unrolled an empty scroll, jotting down everything he just said to her. "I would think the Uchiha have vaccines piled up." She wasn't trying to make light of the situation-in fact it was anything but that, which is why she asked. Uchiha had visual prowess, they could make thousands of different remedies, vaccines, medicines, they could do a whole lot honestly. If they were so good with fire jutsu, it made no sense not to be proficient in healing. It was like doing chin ups but not push ups. "To be honest I thought the Uchiha would have them triple stacked on shelves and in drawers."
"We don't focus on that." Madara said a bit gruffly. Uchiha were fighters, period. They didn't heal, and if anyone did heal they were often scorned. It wasn't something to be proud of within the Uchiha, and it led to tension between the warriors and the healers. The warriors felt they were better, but the healers believed they deserved due respect for saving their asses. However, hearing Ahiko say this made him feel incompetent. She figured the Uchiha were more than stocked, and they could be in the healing arts were more of a focus.
"It's not good your clan isn't reproducing fruitfully." Ahiko said, voice tinged with worry. In the past it was because children were sent out to fight, the Uchiha weren't exempt from this practice. Now, it was because the children were being killed before they could even born. Such things don't happen naturally, and they couldn't. There was no way a mother-an Uchiha mother on top of it was going to take any risks to harm their child. Unless, they had no idea they were harming the baby. "It is good you've got these water samples, though, that should be the first place you check for anything odd."
Madara nodded slightly, trading looks with Mikito as she took a seat next to her sister.
"Is it poison?" Madara questioned.
"There are many poisons which can thrive in water." Ahiko said, brows sliding together. "But, there are few that can thrive in water, remain undetected for so long, and do damage over a prolonged period of time. The Uchiha's medical knowledge is rather limited if what you told me before is true, they're probably trying to find something common or rationalize that it is something common since they can't figure it out." She inhaled softly, exhaling with some force. What do they see with the Sharingan?
For all of their visual prowess, the Uchiha were a blind and arrogant clan.
"Do you have an idea of what it could be?" Madara sat himself down on a cushion, staring at the curly haired girl with all intent. He needed to fix this before the Uchiha were pulled back a few generations due to things outside of their own control. He wouldn't allow that to happen by any stretch. He didn't stop sending children off to war just for them to die still, in the safety of the compound no less. He was going to look nothing short of a fool. The Council would just use the reasoning that they're going to die anyways, it's better if they die serving the clan.
He'd break the elder's neck how even dared to say such a thing. It wasn't better if the children died serving the clan or not, he didn't want any children to die.
Ahiko shook her head. "No, not off the top of my head. I can't say for sure."
"Let her finish." Mikito cut Madara off before he could even cut Ahiko off.
Ahiko grabbed the most recent container of water giving it a good shake, and flicking it several times for good measure. The water moved on its own accord but kept itself contained to the shape of the container. There was nothing odd about the water at a first glance. It was clear just like regular water, and had no odor like regular water, but there was something she spotted.
"Sister take a look at this..." She shook the container again, gesturing to a spot where the water swirled. It wasn't completely clear like regular water, but it'd take razor eyes to spot the subtle difference.
"It's like a...Layer." Madara muttered, eyes widening for a second before narrowing.
"There must be a river that runs through your compound...I take it you use that as your main supply of drinking water."
"Naturally." Madara nodded, a sense of dread coming over him. It was the quickest and closest water route, and it ran right along the inside of their compound.
"Do you boil the water?"
"Not usually."
"Sister, do you still have that giant sealing scroll?" Ahiko seemed to ignore Madara completely at this point and turned all of her focus onto Mikito.
"I do."
"We're going to need it."
Ahiko scowled, gently pushing her bangs back before flicking her eyes back onto the containers. If this is what she thought it was, and she really hoped it wasn't what she was thinking it is, that would mean these Uchiha weren't catching a virus-it would mean their immune systems are so weak and beat down they can't even defend against the common cold and it turns into a virus. Their bodies become nothing more but houses for bacteria, and those bacteria fester and thrive. "I don't want to conclude anything too early, but it will be best if we move all of the Uchiha to the Domou compound."
Madara felt his jaw go slack for a second. "You mean you want the entire Uchiha population to relocate? There's over five thousand of us."
"Why do you say it like that? You're our allies." Mikito frowned just a little bit. The Domou didn't welcome anyone onto their homeland
If it was any other time Madara would have laughed at the sheer idiocy of it all. The Uchiha didn't like outsiders, and they didn't like change. The Uchiha also didn't like relocating to new homes, especially being in a foreign territory like the Domou's compound-even if they were allies.
He didn't share the same sentiments as his brethren, but there was no way all of the Uchiha were going to up and move without an explanation, and even then they might just not listen, period. "I can't relocate the clan if I don't know the reason they have to be relocated in the first place. If it was because a nearby threat..."
Ahiko looked at Mikito with genuine confusion, only getting a light nod in return. She would have thought Madara would understand already, and this was more than enough reason to relocate. If there were Uchiha that would be this obstinate about her helping, and trying to save these children. She would not be her normal patient and loving self. "I'll put it like this, if you want to see this next generation of Uchiha children grow up and be born into this world you will relocate the clan as soon as possible. The drinking water is contaminated, and the fish in there are also contaminated. Your bodies are cesspools for disease and bacteria."
Madara felt mild annoyance. Ahiko was being even more firm than Mikito, and that was saying something. "I don't want to repeat myself."
"Right now there are members of your clan that could very well be infected with what is known as Rot." Ahiko said, annoyance, severe annoyance coming into her tone as she stared Madara down. "It is a disease that first targets the immune system. It takes a while to decimate the immune system but when it does the rest goes downhill from there. It will attack the nervous system next, and in time paralysis from the neck down will happen. After the nervous system is attacked the respiratory and circulatory systems are attacked next and this when the most damage occurs. Without the nervous system there to align everything, people often suffocate to death. They can't even move a twitch, so they sit there suffocating, paralyzed. For those that are lucky or unlucky enough, the reproductive system is targeted, and it is much worse for women."
"Don't make me repeat myself, Madara." Ahiko said with firmness.
Madara clenched his teeth, turning completely away from both sisters. He knew what Rot was, and it was something no single person ever wanted. It was rare to get, and more often than not it was children and elders that came down with the horrid sickness. One could also get if their immune system wasn't up to par, or was exposed to high amounts of lead. Lead was something that given in small amounts over time will cause death and health to wane. It was very slow, very subtle, and one wouldn't even consider they had been infected by the substance and pass it off as a common cold or another ailment of some sort.
But, the thought of telling the Uchiha they have to relocate with the Domou wasn't one he welcomed. There'd be a lot of rebellion in that matter, he could already hear their irate shouts. The Council in particular. It was only going to be a matter of time before every Uchiha was infected with this disease and wilted away. Rotted away from the inside out.
"I don't care what your Council has to say about it, and I don't care what the Uchiha have to say about it. If you care about those pregnant mothers and the children you will put down the order to relocate, immediately. They'll need plenty of clean food and water to work this out of them, it will take time, but I'll do everything that I can to help these mothers and children." Ahiko said, voice even more stern than before. "I'm really not asking you Madara, I'm trying to stay polite."
"I'll give the order, but I can't leave to oversee the whole thing." Madara said, turning back around to face the duo with a deep frown marring his features, noting Mikito's small smirk. "There will be nothing but rebellion if I'm not present or if Izuna isn't present. It'd be best if we were both present, honestly." Having him around was always a huge motivation for the Uchiha to listen and do as they're told, there were those few that didn't listen to any type of reason at all. Ahiko telling them all they had to leave immediately and sealing them inside of a scroll on top of it was going to incite nothing short of rage from some Uchiha.
"Then, Izuna and I will go to the compound." Ahiko concluded, her tone and expression melting into something more soft. "I doubt I'd be able to get through to most of the adult Uchiha men, but I know the Uchiha women pregnant and with children will listen. Hopefully Izuna will be able to get through to the men." A mother would always put their child first before themselves, they'd fight to the death to protect their child, and they'd do things they never wished to as long as their child would be safe in the end. It tripled when it came to unborn children.
These women would be the first to relocate and not resist her at all.
"And, what if the Uchiha split?" Madara questioned. "One sect living with the Domou and the other back at the old compound?"
"Why would they even do that?" Ahiko questioned, a genuine frown on her face. There were times in history where the Uchiha were spread out over some miles in different compounds, with a different leader for every compound, but that was simply because inter-clan relations were never a big part of anything for them. These compounds often didn't get along and Uchiha were battling Uchiha, and other times there was just hostility and nothing less. It was sheer lunacy. "It's lethal to even be breathing that air, if I have to be completely honest."
Madara shrugged. There was no explaining how obstinate the Uchiha could get.
"Because they are a clan of blockheads." Mikito said a bit dully.
"It's not my objective to split the clan apart. I just want to help these women, children, and the people who need it the most." Ahiko said, trying not to sound desperate. She couldn't let unborn children just keep dying, it was horrible, they deserved their chance to live as well. They were all gifts, and they couldn't even see the light of day...
"I know, I trust you. I know you have nothing but good intentions in mind." Madara said, quickly trying to pacify the younger girl, catching the murderous glare Mikito was burning into him with her shimmering eyes. Probably from the way Ahiko sounded like she was grasping for straws at this moment to help the ungrateful wretches of his clan. "It's just there will be some Uchiha who don't trust you, and will want to remain in the current compound. Not relocate. Forcing them to leave will only cause more trouble. They will start saying you want the Sharingan or some other folly."
"We can only help those who accept our help." Mikito said, gently nudging Ahiko's shoulder with her elbow. If Uchiha wanted to stay back in the compound and suffer from what many considered an incurable disease than that was strictly on them. It would in no way go back around on her, Ahiko, Madara, or the Domou as a whole-the Uchiha that stay back are making that conscious decision to do so. She knew the women would relocate without a question, at least a good majority of them would, while those not pregnant and foolish will stay behind.
"I-I guess you're right." Ahiko conceded softly. She didn't want to split the Uchiha clan up, and if the clan did split, she only desired to help them. If the Uchiha clan split up then Izuna's handy work was going to be front and center much sooner than what it should be. She didn't want one side of the Uchiha clan opposing the other, it happened too many times in history. As long as she helped these pregnant woman and the children she'd be able to live with herself, if everyone else wanted to be obstinate that was their choice. Even if it did unnerve her in the long run of things.
"Just do everything within your power to help those who trust you, I'll be right by your side." Mikito said gently. But, she knew what Ahiko really wanted...Ahiko wanted to save all of the Uchiha, not just those who trusted her...She wanted to save everyone. My baby sister, you are the kindest soul.
"Ahiko go and speak with my brother about this, reach a mutual decision between yourselves. You already have my blessing." Madara said, heaving a light sigh as he stood up going for the door. "It'll keep those old fossils in check, if they push their boundaries they'll be going against the law."
If the Uchiha split...
Would the one that remained in the compound...Side or sympathize with the Senju...Give into their talks of peace...
Move against the Uchiha and Domou in the Domou's homeland...
He just couldn't shake the feeling, even if he knew it was nothing short of absurd.
Uchiha would always hate Senju.
"Where are we going to go?" Mikito questioned, giving Madara a confused look.
"Need you even ask?" Madara cocked an eyebrow, his gunbai nestled on his back should have been a clear sign where they would be going. "This has gone on long enough, it's time we put the nail in the coffin. Sasuke, Genzo, and those monkeys are going to be put in route to the Fire country. Daiki, Tunoichi, Atsushi, Hajime, and Daishiro have been targeting them for days now. We're going to wipe out any opposition we have here." There's bigger things to be concerned about. I should have went with those two to the compound.
"I'll use some earth jutsus then." Mikito concluded solemnly. She rarely used them, for multiple reasons. "They've been warned more than once, and I don't like to repeat myself. The Wind damiyo and Earth damiyo need to be put in their places."
Madara smirked. Shit was about to go down. Mikito had that dead set look in her eyes.
Seeing her go on a rampage was something to truly behold.
It took less than a day to get back to the Uchiha compound, and that's because they were pushing it from the next region all the way over until they made it one piece.
The guards opened the massive gates without a second thought as Izuna sent a glance up in their direction, striding forward quickly with Ahiko right at his side with her spear nestled against her shoulder. It was hustling with activity as it always was, there were Uchiha women visiting shops and getting supplies for the night's meal or just shopping in general and enjoying some lady time with their fellow sisters. Children were running around and laughing, and the few Uchiha men which were present went about their duties as always.
"Izuna-sama?!" An Uchiha woman, had to be in her twenties approached him with two young boys at her side. "Excuse me for my tone..." She turned towards Ahiko, dark eyes studying her carefully before a smile graced her face. "Ahiko-san, is it? Madara-sama's wife's younger sister. I am Akane, pleasure to meet you."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, too." Ahiko beamed a smile at the older woman. Her skin was fair, her hair was black, and her eyes were black, but there was something about her that was mystique. Almost mystifying. She hadn't seen a lot of Uchiha women except for Yuko. "You're really pretty."
"You flatter me so. You have wonderful eyes."
"Don't be rude." She nudged her little ones.
"I'm...Ryuichi."
"I'm Teruo."
"How old are you guys?" Ahiko crouched down so she was eye level with them.
"Four and a half." They answered in unison, counting four fingers before holding them up.
"You guys want some candy?" She grinned seeing their eyes light up like stars. She rummaged through one of her pockets, pulling out two hefty bags. "Don't eat it all at once, okay?"
"Thank you, Ahiko-san!" They chirped, grabbing the bags with smiles.
"Excuse us, Akane, but we have something important to handle." Izuna said with a polite smile, cutting between the two women's chatter. It was a good sign Ahiko could hit off so easily with Akane and her children, though kids would always love sweets.
Uchiha women were well...A lot of them were tall, broad, and virile. Others could be cold and vixens. Others were warm and loving. A lot of the men only married them because they needed to sire a son, or in many cases just needed to marry because marrying outside of the clan simply wasn't an option. It was also common knowledge Uchiha men weren't the most faithful and would sleep around with multiple women outside of the compound.
Ahiko being able to speak so easily with Akane and bonding with her children was a great sign.
"Excuse me, Izuna-sama." Akane gave a hasty bow. "I hope we can see each other again soon, Ahiko-san."
"She was a really nice woman." Ahiko said, smiling slightly as she looked up at Izuna. She figured they had to be in the western sector of the compound considering there were multiple gardens spotting the ground, and there was a huge building looming in the distance. The Uchiha compound was a lot different than her own-there were no tree houses nor was their any vegetation surrounding them. It seemed the Uchiha tore down nature and built on it, rather than building within it like her own clan; that's why tree houses were so common in her compound. Though she seemed sluggish, so did her little ones.
"She is a sweet woman." Izuna nodded, returning Ahiko's smile with one of his own. "I should give you some warnings before we get this started. First, the Council are old and grumpy, don't expect anything less than grunts, scowls, and frowns. Second, they are all obstinate and high handed, it's a reason why my brother and them have never gotten along. Third, they will assume you want our Sharingan."
Ahiko felt a sigh escape her lips. She was used to old, grumpy, and obstinate people. Her own Council was somewhat of a joke, and both of her siblings never seen eye to eye with them on anything. It was up to her to keep things moving along smoothly before one of them broke the table-more often than not it was Mikito and she'd swing the table into the wall for good measure. However, she wasn't used to people assuming she wanted something, when the only thing she wanted to do is help to the best of her abilities.
The Sharingan was beautiful to her, and she wouldn't mind having it, but she wasn't going to tear them out and put them in her own eye sockets. She wasn't luring the Uchiha to the compound so all the Domou can have a brand new set of eyes. She was more than content in her own skin.
Did the Uchiha have to be so quick to hate and assume the worst? She's been healing their wounded for months and they're going to give her that sort of treatment?
"I won't let them overstep their boundaries, but you had better stand your ground." Izuna said, tone dropping as he got dead serious. He knew her own Council had to be something else, considering they almost forced Mikito to marry Madara, but it was better to be prepared. His brother couldn't last five minutes speaking with them. "They are vultures."
"Thanks for the warning." Ahiko said gratefully, letting him lead her to where this meeting would be taking place with the Council. She would rather gather all the Uchiha around and explain it to them, but this way was a lot better in of itself. The Council had to approve everything so to speak, so going to them first gave them a bit of leeway.
He paused in front of a rather large door.
Ahiko nodded.
Izuna slid a door open all the way, dark eyes peering into the lantern lit room. There was a huge table situated in the center with four men sitting on each side parallel to each other, there were two empty seats-one at the head of the table and the seat right next to it solely reserved for Madara and Izuna. There was one woman who sat in the middle of the men on the right.
"Izuna-sama. Ahiko-san." Daichi spoke first, naturally. "What is this important meeting about, if I dare ask?"
Izuna traded a look with Ahiko as they took the two open spots, Izuna sitting in the head chair. There was no way to sugarcoat this, and there was no way to put it lightly so they could just ease it on these old fools. It made it so simple, yet so difficult at the same time. "There's been no improvement with that problem."
"You are right." Another Elder-Jiro spoke up, giving Izuna a straight gaze. "We've been working day and night without any success." It was more than a dilemma for all of them, while the medics weren't as...Popular? As the warriors, they played a pivotal role in maintaining the common ground. Without medics the warriors couldn't fight and be healed. Without medics they couldn't decipher certain things-but medical things in general were not something the Uchiha focused on. "Have you brought Ahiko-san here because she has a solution?"
"I think we should trust our medics." Another elder-Hayate spoke up.
"And keep running into failure after failure, I don't think so." Another elder-Norio interjected, a scowl stretching across his face. "We've done everything in our power and still can't figure it out. If Ahiko-san has a solution we will listen to it. She is the most adept medic, clearly."
"Very well, in that case..." Daichi flicked his eyes onto the curly haired Domou. "What is your solution, Ahiko-san?"
"It is something we've both come to a mutual agreement on after long discussion with Madara and Mikito," Izuna said, voice turning stern as he locked eyes with every person gathered save for Ahiko. They were all for the solution now, but when they heard it he had no doubt in his mind they'd be throwing a fit and screaming like they'd gone half senile. Whether they liked it or not though, it was the only solution they had. He wasn't going to lose another Uchiha, especially a young Uchiha. "We will be relocating to the Domou compound."
"We will do no such thing!"
"Have you gone mad, Izuna-sama!?"
"We won't move!"
"They just want our Sharingan!"
"I told you." Izuna whispered softly so only the girl next to him could hear.
Ahiko just nodded dumbly as one elder after the next, except for Norio started screaming at the top of their lungs in objection. Now, she was used to such a display-Serizawa and Souji would argue for hours if they could, before one of them decided to leave or end the meeting. Things never usually got as far as screaming since her sister would close the meeting by punching the table to splinters and glowering at the Council. So, this didn't surprise her honestly, it was just the fact they were on the 'the Domou want the Sharingan' rant-it was beautiful, but the Domou didn't need or want the Sharingan.
"Silence! As I've said before, this is a mutual agreement between us. Madara has agreed to this as well and wants it to be done, immediately. Going against this is going against our word." Izuna bellowed, standing up from his post and glaring at everyone gathered until they fell silent and only glared at the table. Satisfied they were now silent, he nodded his head once before sitting back down and exhaling briskly.
"I will be blunt with all of you." Ahiko noted Izuna's eyes were on her, meaning he wanted her to take over and explain the case. He gave her the floor, now it was up to her to get the point across as swiftly and even harsh as possible. "Many of your kinsmen are infected, or will be infected with the Rot very soon. It is beyond imperative that the women pregnant with children and the children are relocated and have access to clean water and clean food. They are the most vulnerable to catch this disease, it will be in the best interest of the men, teens, and elders to relocate and have access to clean water and clean food, too. It will take time to work its way out of your systems, but having clean water and clean food is a must."
"You expect me to believe that?" Daichi asked mockingly.
"Facts are facts." Ahiko said bluntly. "Get over your pride."
"With all due respect, how have you come to that conclusion?" Hayate asked, raising an eyebrow. "The Rot is a disease that is rare, and even civilians aren't effected by it."
"The water in the river that runs through your compound appears clear, but there's a thin layer covering it that is barely noticeable." Ahiko replied smoothly, locking eyes with Hayate for a long moment until he turned away. "I believe there are trace amounts of lead in your water, and there have been for months. Rot is so rare because it attacks people with weak or underdeveloped immune systems-children and elders. The majority of people, regardless of being a shinobi or not all have relatively strong immune systems and won't catch Rot, but say if there was slow and steady deterioration of the immune system...Rot could strike even a full grown male."
"You're saying someone has been poisoning us!?" Jiro practically snarled.
"Over time, yes." Ahiko nodded, maintaining a passive expression despite the older man's outburst. "Lead deteriorates and kills over time, unless you shove it down someone's throat they're not going to die from its effects right away. It takes time, and during that time their immune system could be attacked-if they are already sick this would only amplify it."
"I refuse to believe that, if this were the case we'd have already discovered it." Daichi said.
"You let your arrogance blind you." Ahiko said bluntly, in no mood for the Uchiha's trademark arrogance. "Whether you refuse to believe me or take my word as the Gospel makes little difference to me. What else would cause that many miscarriages?"
Daichi clenched his teeth, glowering at Ahiko. She didn't even speak with any disdain or arrogance for that matter, she just simply stated it. "Tell me why we haven't discovered lead was the cause of it."
"I never said lead was the cause of it." Ahiko corrected, gently clearing her throat. "There is lead in your water, and someone has been using that in conjunction with another poison to cover that poison's trail so it can't be discovered. I would guess it thrives in water and can't be detected unless you really know what to look for. Honestly, it's bad enough there's lead in your water, you don't need anything else added...The reason you haven't been able to discover the cause is because whoever is doing it isn't stupid and is keeping their tracks covered. The other reason you haven't discovered it is because the Uchiha don't put any focus into medical ninjutsu or anything having to do with the art."
Something she'd never be able to understand...The Senju were very well balanced, and her own clan specialized in a multitude of things including healing so they were well balanced. Even the Subatsu were very broad and diverse in skill and had healers.
"We are warriors." Another elder spoke up, proudly. "Only some Uchiha become healers and they are sub-par in comparison to the rest, don't awaken the Sharingan, or are women."
"We have no use for the healing arts." Hayate said, equally prideful.
And...They wonder why they're making no progress. Ahiko thought, struggling not to frown or scowl. It was like the Uchiha didn't care that their medical expertise was absolute crap and that children were on the brink of death. That women were losing their children before they even had a chance to give birth and hold their bundles in their arms. They're so prideful and arrogant about their abilities. They want someone else to pick up the slack. They can't prioritize between war and longevity. "You realize that Uchiha women are having miscarriages? They can't give birth to their children, let alone hold that child in their arms."
"We are well aware." Hayate said.
"So, why do you continue to pool all your effort into war when it should be invested into healing and the Uchiha's longevity?" Ahiko asked, tone becoming uncompromising. If the Uchiha could risk their own just for the sake of battle...She was going to need to speak with Mikito about this alliance, because the Domou didn't need people with such a mentality in their midst.
"If we were versed in the healing arts we wouldn't be in this situation now, it is because of our own incompetence that it's gone this far." Izuna said, a rare solemn expression on his features. "This is the situation that we are in now. There is a generation of Uchiha children that may never see the light of the day, there is a generation of Uchiha that will die soon enough, and our women can't fulfill their greatest joy and desire."
"Why can't you just figure it out? Why do we have to relocate?" Daichi asked, there was bitterness in his tone.
Bitterness that didn't escape Ahiko's ears one bit. "In the time it takes to figure it out there could be more deaths, that could have been prevented if we simply took action sooner. I'm trying to save as many lives as I can-the Uchiha women that are pregnant and children being the most paramount. I won't waste time dallying when I can better use that time to help people who need it" She struggled to keep her tone polite, but it was extremely hard.
These elders, particularly Daichi were resisting her.
"You are kind woman, Ahiko-san." Norio sad softly. This girl was going out of her way, speaking to these obstinate men who were rejecting her at every turn, all in order to save children that are not yet born and save the children that are breathing at this very moment. To give the Uchiha women the chance they all deserve to be a mother. It was hardly noticeable, but he could see just how much she was struggling to maintain her politeness, her intentions were good...Pure even. But, Daichi and the others were too arrogant, too prideful, and too hubris to see it. "I can see and feel your sincerity."
"You trust an outsider?" Hayate asked, eyes narrowed to slits.
"Indeed, how can we trust her word, Norio-san?" Jiro seconded.
"She only wants the Sharingan!" Another elder shouted.
"I'm sure if she wanted the Sharingan she would have ripped out an Uchiha's eyes by now." Norio said, resisting the urge to pound his fist on the table.
"Ahiko-san has healed many Uchiha-Uchiha that would have died if it wasn't for her expertise." Izuna said, voice cold and lethal. He could understand if it was anyone else, but Ahiko has been nothing but selfless to this point. "She is our ally. Our comrade. If she wished to take the Sharingan she could have done so by now, instead of healing the Uchiha that suffered severe wounds."
"She's still not an Uchiha." Daichi said rigidly.
"She is our ally. Our comrade." Izuna bit out, close to losing his patience.
"State the obvious, Daichi we can all see she isn't an Uchiha. She's our ally, it doesn't matter if she's Uchiha or not." Norio snorted, glaring back at Daichi as the man whirled around on him. Yes, how dare he back up Ahiko who isn't an Uchiha. How dare he back up Ahiko who was going out of her way to save lives. Ahiko was like a breath of fresh air, literally, in sea of death and hate. The Uchiha had been in an endless cycle of love and hate now, and if they kept this up they'd destroy themselves. "I am in full agreement with Ahiko-san, we will relocate to the Domou compound. It is the best move."
"How can you say that!?" Daichi asked angrily.
"How can you go against us?" Jiro asked.
"Ahiko-san believes every child is a gift, and those unborn are to be cherished even more. You've all lost sight of what is most important. Here you sit speaking with nothing but arrogance and hatred while she's been nothing but polite. She's showed no signs of wishing to have our eyes, nor has she acted selfishly." Norio said with a stern tone, clasping his hands in front of him. "I agree with this."
"Well, I don't!" Jiro shouted.
"Nor do I!" Daichi erupted with a yell.
"That goes double for me." Hayate jeered.
Ahiko looked downtrodden until Izuna nudged her with his elbow. "It'll work out, trust me."
"They think I want to take their eyes." Ahiko whispered a bit harshly. The very thought disgusted her.
Izuna suppressed a chuckle, these fools. Did they not hear what he set from the beginning? This was a mutual decision they discussed, Madara was all for it as well. Quite simply there was no objecting or flying off the handle like every elder here was save for Norio. But, Norio wasn't as arrogant or baleful as the other Uchiha elders, he kept his concerns on the population rather than war and death. "I am in complete agreement as well, and like I said before you all started flying off of the handle. This is a mutual decision we discussed, Madara is all for it. Are you really going to go against our word, which is law?"
"If it's for the better of the clan, yes." Daichi answered without hesitation.
"At this rate there will be no clan left to better, you fool." Norio said, tired of Daichi overstepping his boundaries. "Our people are dying, and I don't need to mention the other thing. Your dogma has gone on long enough."
"Then I am not leaving this compound!" Daichi roared before exiting the room, followed closely by the rest of the obstinate elders save for Norio who remained seated with the younger duo. Of course, Daichi slid the door shut with as much strength as he could muster without ripping it to shreds.
Ahiko sighed.
"Don't take it to heart, Ahiko-san." Norio said softly, offering an awkward smile. The girl was really sensitive, and it wasn't even hard to tell or see that those who left weren't fond of her despite all the work she'd done, or just didn't trust her. Though, he had no such qualms with her. "They are blinded by arrogance and pride. They are hubris. They can't see what is before them, what is happening before them more importantly." He slowly stood up from his seat, gliding towards the door with just a few steps. "I will gather every single man, woman, and child within the compound. They will make their choice then, by now I'm sure half of this compound already knows what happened in here. Speak your piece to them, for I support you in this."
"What happened to privacy?" Ahiko asked after Norio was long gone.
"You haven't been here until now, but the Council aren't known for their secretiveness." Izuna said a bit blandly, shrugging his shoulders carelssly. "And, considering what we just discussed, well it's not really all that surprising."
Ahiko glared hell fire at Izuna. She told him she'd help him with his goal of changing the Uchiha for the better, and unifying the Uchiha with her clan, but she didn't think he'd go this far to see it done. She didn't think he poisoned his own clan, he could never do such a thing, but that didn't mean he couldn't use that to get the Uchiha out with the bunch that wanted to remain as they are-stagnant. "Izuna-san..."
"It needed to happen sooner or later." He tried not to be fazed by her glare, but for someone like Ahiko who didn't glare at all, it was quite scary. "You don't need to worry. There will not be any families ripped apart. I'd be surprised if some of the Uchiha men even cared enough to frown at the thought of their wife or wife and children leaving them behind."
"Izuna-san..." Ahiko lost her heated glare. Hearing such a thing broke her heart. Marriage was sacred in the Domou, man and woman joined as one through flesh. There was no other way to get closer to someone than through marriage and sex. Domou men didn't sleep around with other women when they were married-Izuna basically implied the Uchiha men would move on or keep on screwing as they have been. "That's so..."
Domou men were just the opposite, they only had eyes for their wives. How far gone were the Uchiha that they just cared about war, strength, and death more than their living families? How could the men cheat on their wives? If they needed that comfort, they should be going to their wives, not to brothels!
The husband gives himself to the wife, and the wife gives herself to the husband. Together they heal and comfort each other, they are not to seek that comfort outside of each other for any reason.
"I know it sounds cold, but that is the truth of the matter." Izuna said, keeping his tone soft. For Ahiko who hailed from the Domou, who put being together above everything else, this was as alien as it could get. How could a husband not be shaken losing their child and wife? How could he just let them go? "The only reason a lot of Uchiha marry is because marrying outside the clan is basically forbidden and they need to sire a son to carry on their bloodline."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done this. I should have never even agreed to this in the first place. Why couldn't you just be quiet, Izuna-san?" Ahiko shook her head furiously. The Domou and Uchiha were just too different from each other, it was become glaringly obvious at this point. Domou cherished their spouse and treasured their children. The worst thing to do other than tread on their land was to threaten family, when that happened there was no mercy. No remorse. Whoever did the deed was going to be in pieces. Literal pieces.
Apparently, The Uchiha men couldn't care less one way or another as long as they were shoving their dick in something wet. As long as they had a son to carry on their blood. A daughter was probably nothing short of a burden in the Uchiha man's mind. Never mind the fact it's their child and has their blood just the same as the son. That child was a gift but Uchiha men couldn't get passed their dogmatic horseshit.
The Uchiha also seemed to be idolaters...But, she could be mistaken-such things weren't uncommon in this era. The Domou were anything but that. They didn't worship idols or anything of the sort, nor did they idolize anyone or anything to start with-it's why the Senju were their most hated enemy...The Senju made themselves into idols for everyone to worship, they demanded to be worshiped as gods when they were anything but.
She got the sinking feeling the Uchiha had this same streak of hubris, if not worse. Think they're gods because they have the Sharingan, despite the fact they are mortals.
"Don't blame yourself for our mistakes and for our mentality." Izuna gripped both of her shoulders, turning her around sharply and staring her dead in the eye giving her a firm shake. She blushed just for a second at their closeness before staring him in his eyes, awaiting him to continue. She didn't do anything wrong. She was only honest, she was only trying to help, she even stayed polite when she could have went on a rant. She should have went on a rant, actually.
Izuna closed his eyes for a moment. She spared these fossils' pride when she could have ripped it to shreds, it would have been so easy too. There's no way they could even refute it, and they'd look stupider than usual if they tried. Daichi, Jiro, Hayate, and the other elders were the embodiment of the current Uchiha...Arrogant, prideful, Hubris, stagnant, and complacent.
"You have nothing but good intentions in mind for everyone, you love the children boys and girls most importantly. That's what matters the most to me, and what will matter most to the Uchiha women."
Ahiko nodded, she tried to remain optimistic, but it seemed like there'd be Uchiha who resisted her every single step of the way. It was nothing short of a headache. As long as the children and women are saved, that's all that matters in the end.
"Let's get this settled and over with." Ahiko stood up, briskly heading for the door. "Sister is right. I can only help those who want my help."
Daishiro observed the widespread destruction with a cold gaze. The Earth damiyo and his army were making their presence known. The Wind damiyo was starting to dig into his reserves to prove a point and swarmed the landscape with his Imperial army. Every second more villages and countries were surrendering to the machine known as the Wind, only those villages that employed shinobi were battling bitterly-but the writing was on the wall, clearly for all to see.
Since the Wind damiyo was starting to dig into his reserves that would mean he will soon summon the monks who keep the peace.
The battles are just about over at this point. He surmised in silence. It'd just be a few more days to a few more weeks before the Wind damiyo reigns supreme and completely unifies all under his banner. That left him more than enough time to kill the stupid bastard, and see what these monks are really all about. The only people that were going to give him a hard time were the Uchiha and Domou, The Sarutobi, the Hyuga, the Hageshii, the Shainingu, and the three Bijuu and cyclops that continued to rampage at this very moment.
"Daishiro-sama! Madara and Mikito have been spotted and are tearing through our forces and the Earth damiyo's! The Wind damiyo has dispatched his monks with what he's calling equalizers. The cyclops and Bijuu are tearing through our defenses as well!"
Daishiro wasted no time in honing the chakra and beaming right for it. He leveled our cyclops as he shot across the ground, splitting them down vertically like a sheet of paper. It took less than three minutes for him to come across Mikito and all the other leaders, including the leader of the Hatake, but he kept his focus pinned on Mikito as he collided with her in a series of strikes.
Her chakra continued erupting without any restraint at all as her hands pressed together in the snake seal as she forced rifts to form in the landscape and close...There had to be thousands from the clans contacted, several cyclops, and thousands of Imperial soldiers that fell to the black depths of the earth before being sealed inside, effectively crushed. "You're resorting to those jutsus, I see you've run of patience."
"The Sand won't be subjugated." She said coldly, eyes locking onto Daishiro and remaining set. "I've warned all of you enough. If you won't back off then I will obliterate all of your forces! I'm not going to show any mercy."
"As if I'd really let you do that." Daishiro chuckled, drawing his sword swiftly.
"This is over, Daishiro. You won't be furthering this conflict anymore than you have been, this ends now!" Mikito clenched her teeth, slamming her hands together in the snake seal. "You will call your men off if you don't want them to be sealed in the earth."
"It's over when I say it's over!" Sasuke roared, slamming into a landing just a few feet away. "Not when you say it's over!"
"You monkeys are about to be put into route." Saburo snarled, making his presence known. "You've got a chunk of land that doesn't even belong to you."
"Correct, it belongs to me and I'll put you both in route." Kenzou said coldly.
"Indeed, this is far from you witch." Daiki came from the side, sliding to a stop. His veins were bulging all around his eyes, the Byakugan glaring murderously in Mikito's direction.
"This doesn't end until the Uchiha and Domou pay for their crimes against my clan." Tunoichi said gruffly.
"I'll agree to that." Hajime chuckled.
Atsushi slammed his colossal feet into the ground, though no words left his mouth, the point was far too clear.
"Indeed, the Domou and Uchiha have slain many Hatake and have put their heads on stakes. There will be retribution." Koichi said venomously, his blade slowly vibrating as streaks of lightning stretched down it becoming more ferocious until they completely engulfed it and sent a glaring light out in every direction. "I hope you've all made your pieces."
Seeing the older men smirk or start flashing through seals, Mikito simply flared her chakra and forced it into the earth, activating the jutsu with one hand seal. Bird. Rifts, hundreds upon thousands tore themselves across the landscape, starting from small cracks before converging into mammoth fissures splitting and tearing everything at its seams as they spread out more and more. The pits of darkness swallowed thousands whole, and forced many to dive out of the way so they didn't suffer the same fate. My husband is right, there are more important things to be concerned about, not this perpetuated conflict. We should have all went to the Uchiha compound...I'll end this, now.
"I'm going to give you all one last warning..."
Seeing fire, earth, lightning, and spheres of chakra shooting towards her she resolved herself to put an end to this. These men were beyond words. "Don't say I didn't warn all of you!"