"I hate Suigetsu always running his mouth."
Karin Uzumaki
Hashirama was rarely nervous. It's not to say he wasn't an emotional mess, he'd be the first to admit he was a mess, but he wasn't easily deterred. Nervousness was something he experienced rarely-even when his father would go on his tirade and they'd end up getting into an actual fight, he wasn't the least bit nervous. He knew it was just a matter of seconds before his father would explode, lash out, and then he'd return fire.
Tobirama would usually intervene, after he put his father down with a punch to the mouth and had blood everywhere. Before it escalated to that point Tobirama would try to mediate it, but it was no use in sheer honesty. He was the polar opposite of his father-there is no way to justify sending children off to battle, to be slaughtered along with the countless others that never make it back from the unknown, and for the Senju to say they're a clan of love-what his father stood by. It was absurd.
A clan of love would never send their own children off to die. Sure five hundred of them are lost, but the Senju clan is massive easily over the six thousand mark. Losing five hundred wasn't going to be detrimental, but he didn't have such a mind set. Those five hundred children that were lost, were the future, they'd bear the burden of the Senju clan on their shoulders.
The Senju had no right to call themselves a clan of love in his opinion-they killed just like everyone else, and while he didn't send children off to battle they still died through other means.
Every time his father ordered a retreat wounded children were left behind, he was told to keep on running; he's the heir and his life is more important.
Their lives were more important than his.
He'd do the exact opposite and turn back around, and not relent until they well into the distance-then and only then would he retreat himself. Whether his body could take it or not didn't matter, he would see it through, it was his will, and if there's a will there's a way. It was sad to say that Tobirama never once turned back around to save them-he was always pragmatic and followed his orders down to the T, he wouldn't leave a child behind now...But, back then he would have without a question because that was the order.
"Relax, Hashirama-san." Mito tried to placate him tugging on the sleeve of his white haori, smoothing out the few wrinkles that were in it with a less than happy expression. He was such an emotional and compassionate man, but he could be a real oaf and tended to be an open book. "You keep on wrinkling this, anymore and you're going to start ripping the sleeves."
Hashirama could just nod and try not to sulk, he never did like being scolded. He occupied himself with Mito and her meticulous hands, how they traced across the corner of his neck as she adjusted the collar and brushed down his back as she evened out his haori, her red hair, and those glittering green eyes that danced with life. She worked diligently and made sure he was without blemish-now he believed he had a sense of style, but tying hakama and maintaining them in general was something he didn't enjoy doing, but did since he had to wear them for this sort of occasion.
She smells really good... Hashirama blinked, watching with wonder as she completed her task and tightened his hakama one last time. The dark green kimono she decided to wear was without a single blemish, it looked like she was used to dressing up so fancy.
She's really pretty...
He shook the thought away, ashamed for looking at her in that way, and just hoped she didn't catch onto his thoughts.
"I believe in you, Hashirama-san." Mito gave the man her full support, smiling at their reflections in the small mirror a few feet in front of them. This is what Hashirama has desired for the longest time, aside from speaking with Madara face to face which would never happen, he's wanted to speak with Mikito for quite awhile. Upon the letter being returned she was both surprised and a bit not surprised, it wasn't in Mikito's nature to back away, and Hashirama was elated.
That elation turned into nervousness until it got to the point like he is now; completely jittery.
"Thanks, Mito-san." He was grateful she supported him in this whole thing, because Tobirama certainly wouldn't and had no intention of supporting him. He made it abundantly clear in less than two minutes after finding out about it that he wanted no part of it, and was continuing to try and convince him that this was a horrible idea. Of course he didn't listen to Tobirama and was going to see it through, but it didn't stop his younger brother from voicing his opposition.
This is also what the Council wanted and they were by all means well within their rights to want it. He also wasn't going to argue back and forth with them on the point of the Domou being allies with the Uchiha making them mutual enemies and pushing for conflict. It already happened once due to his ignorance, and he wasn't going to have it happen a second time, he would not step in the same path as his father and start being a warmonger.
This would be resolved amiably.
His door slid open, but he didn't even turn around to see who it was. He already knew who it was by the blue haori he was wearing. Tobirama stood tall and proud in a pair of white hakama, white tabi and zori, a blue kimono, and a blue haori with the Senju symbol stitched on each shoulder to complete his attire. Whether he liked it or not he would have to attend this at his brother's side, but he would continue to try and talk sense into him. Letting Mikito in the compound was a huge mistake, one that would doom the entire Senju clan to extinction.
Madara could easily use those black flames to scorch every last person here, but he'd be able to combat him before the whole place was drenched. He would not be able to combat Mikito who would form one of those destroyers or rain down storms of fire-when it comes to sheer destructive power she was in a league of her own even surpassing Hashirama in that regard, and Madara. It's one the main reasons he was wary of her and the Domou, if one thing set them off they'd all rampage and start leaving valleys of bodies.
"Good morning, Tobirama-san."
"Morning." Tobirama bowed slightly to Mito, eyes flickering towards Hashirama not even a second later. He was going out of his way to remain polite and civil in his opinion. Mito had been rather mouthy with him, and he never let anyone speak to him the way she did-but she had no fear of the consequences nor what his retorts would entail.
"I'm still going through with this brother, nothing you say is going to discourage me." Hashirama said resolutely, giving Tobirama one of his rare hard looks whenever he was extremely serious. He could appreciate his brother's concern for his safety, and the overall safety of the Senju clan, but Mikito wasn't coming here to battle to the death like they were before. No, this time they'd be face to face simply talking, no fists flying, no shins smashing, no forests being decimated by her bare hands, it would be anything but the clash of wills it always came down to between them.
They'd be talking.
Tobirama clenched his teeth, struggling to rein in his temper. He was a stoic man, not easily riled, but when it came to the safety of the Senju clan he wouldn't hesitate. This was really pushing him to his limits, and Hashirama seen it fit to continue doing just that. "You know this is a bad idea."
"If there's peace between us that's all that matters to me." Hashirama retorted stubbornly, not budging on his decision. Peace was the most important thing to him, and he'd achieve peace through cooperating with others. If he allowed Tobirama's wariness and prejudice, as well as rightful wariness of Mikito and the Domou get in the way of this then there is no way they'd ever be able to found the village and ensure that it remains for many generations later. If he can't resolve this, and if Tobirama can't get on board with this idea...
"They're going to speak to each other Tobirama-san, they aren't going to battle to the death." Mito said with some exasperation. If battle were Mikito's intentions then she'd be here cutting down hordes with all of the Domou backing her, while smashing Hashirama into the ground until his body indented it. Tobirama was just too pragmatic in her opinion, what he feared he tried to contain, what he didn't understand-he feared just like any other human. He could blow this entire thing before it even has a chance to begin and ruin Hashirama's chance.
"That woman is a monster..."
"Are you upset that she broke your nose after Souji did?"
Tobirama narrowed his eyes, directing a lethal glare at Mito while clenching his teeth. Uzumaki could be very bold, and Mito for being so refined had to be the most bold of the Uzumaki by any stretch. "I'm afraid of what she'll do once she is inside this compound!" Pure fury bristled from his pore, but it wasn't boisterous or all consuming like lava it was as cold as ice. As still as the night.
"If it was her intention to fight she would've done so already."
He snorted at Mito's statement. "You speak as if you know her, personally."
"We were very good childhood friends." Mito nodded shamelessly.
"That figures..." Tobirama muttered.
"You should speak louder." Mito stared him down.
Hashirama noticed the obvious tension brewing between the two of them and stepped right in the middle before things could escalate any further. He was wracked with anxiety and here these two were about to get into a brawl. Tobirama just couldn't get over his fear for Mikito and the Domou-it wasn't like with the Uchiha clan when he believed they wer simply cursed, he was afraid of Mikito and the Domou. Mito was only pointing out facts, and answered his question without reprieve, she wasn't going at length to defend Mikito. Not to such an extent that his brother should be so angry, at least.
"Brother, I NEED you to get with the program!" Hashirama rarely rose his voice in such a demanding way, but this was one of the rare times where he did raise his voice and didn't feel the least bit bad about it as he normally did. If Tobirama was going to have this attitude talking to Mikito would be impossible, she'd pick up on the hostility before they even sat down to talk about what they were going to-quite frankly he couldn't allow Tobirama to continue on with this. It's not like Mikito would just laugh it off, she'd call Tobirama out-or even punch him in the mouth.
Tobirama crossed his arms over his chest, pointing all of his attention out of the window. He directed his ire at a nearby tree-its leaves were all gone and in their place was sections of snow. He really didn't like when his brother would do this, especially in front of other people-forcing him to concede to his point. He really didn't like having to concede in the first place.
"Fine, but don't think this means I am in agreement with this. I will not allow you to forfeit your life."
Hashirama didn't need him to agree with it, in fact Tobirama could disagree all he wanted and throw a huge tantrum for good measure-the only thing that mattered to him was that Tobirama kept himself in check during this whole thing. He wouldn't allow this potential disaster to spiral between the Uzumaki and Domou to the point where they are enemies-he would never forgive himself if such a thing occurred because of his own and his clan's actions, and he'd do everything in his power to ensure it never did get to that point. Tobirama was his right hand and had to be present during this, there was no other option.
He opted to remain silent and look away from Tobirama-who refused to turn his focus away from the window. He brought one hand up to his curtain of hair and began to scratch-an awful habit that he never did outgrow. He never enjoyed arguing with Tobirama, but lately they'd been going back and forth more than usual-normally Tobirama would support him in his cause, but now he was resisting with vehemence. It was puzzling.
Mito turned towards the dresser off to the right side of the room, green eyes narrowing as she took note of the subtle vibration. She must have been the first to notice because both brothers were doing what they were before-Hashirama scratching the back of his head and Tobirama looking out the window. Perhaps it's because she was great childhood friends with Mikito, that she could pick up her presence without much effort.
Then again Mikito and Souji were both doing nothing to conceal their presence or chakra.
"They're close..." Tobirama hissed, spine shivering as the chakra gusted against him almost drawing goosebumps from his fair skin. The air itself felt charged like it was alive and swirling all around them-it wasn't quite oppressive, but it was extremely overwhelming. He swore he could hear quiet cracks coming and going, as if the air was struggling to compensate for such chakra and was openly resisting.
He was at the entrance in a second with Hashirama and Mito right behind him. Without any hesitation he flicked his eyes up, spotting both Mikito and Souji sporting their bright colored haoris, Souji n light blue and Mikito in violet-the Uchiha's symbol stitched proud on the shoulders, and their thick forehead protectors with the kanji for 'sincerity' carved right into the center of it. It wasn't their attire that truly caught his attention, but their chakra.
As they floated to the ground the very snow began dispersing, thousands of flakes at a time, and once they landed entire shock waves rippled around them all the way through the surrounding area. It was almost like their chakra was a stone thrown into a pond-the earth was their pond, and they were the stones forming ripples. He could see snow behind him flaking upwards exposing the frozen ground beneath that'd still take months before it began to thaw.
He felt a lot of chakras, but both the Domou's and Subatsu's were just overwhelming, wild, gargantuan, and potent-it wasn't like the Uchiha's which was akin to fire, and it wasn't like the Senju's which was lucid like a flowing was it like the Sarutobi's bold nature.
There were more Senju behind him, all ready for a fight, their chakra brimming without restraint.
"Cool it!" Hashirama ordered sternly, staring all of the Senju down until they suppressed their chakra and walked away-still remaining close in case they needed to spring into action. The last thing-the very last picture he needed to paint was one of him and his clan being the aggressors when he just simply wanted to speak with Mikito without having to draw a sword. If they showed the slightest sign of attacking-her and Souji would go on the attack; Hachiro made the mistake of trying to attacl her and he suffered the consequences of that rash action.
"Hashirama." Mikito spoke softly, but her voice held a small edge to it as she locked eyes with the tan skinned man, he was just a bit taller than her, but not to the point where she'd have to crane her head up to look at him fully. She let her eyes trace over Tobirama before flicking them onto Mito, and then the Senju behind them all looking to be one edge or ready to attack.
"You two came alone? Where are those two Uchiha?"
"Where are you manners, brother?" Hashirama glared at his only surviving brother. "You must have journeyed a long way, please come with me."
"We don't need to worry about anything you Senju have to throw at us. We've just finished battling a million strong of the Earth and Wind damiyo's combined Imperial amies not including monsters, demons, cyclops, and those Bijuu a few days ago. You're but mere paltry in comparison to that." Souji said with no concern for Tobirama's pride.
He was always a blunt sort of person, he didn't care if he wounded pride or not, pride was nothing short of trivial and people need to learn to get over themselves in his opinion. The fact Tobirama thought they'd come with an entire army along with Madara and Izuna was absurd-then a fight can erupt instead of a discussion.
That's just what the prick wanted.
"I'd appreciate that, Hashirama-san. My husband and Izuna-san had things to take care of. You will have to excuse our attire-the Domou don't put too much stock in our appearances, preferring to put stock into our training and strength." Mikito finished, stepping in stride with Hashirama and Mito as they led the way towards what she would guess was either Hashirama's home or his main office where they'd have all the privacy in the world. It'd be good to have that privacy since most of the Senju around including Tobirama would sooner fight her and Souji.
"It's fine, as long as you are comfortable." Hashirama slid open a door once they in the main building where he'd spend the majority of his time, allowing everyone to enter before him then slid the door shut looking over his shoulder. Mikito Domou. Souji Domou. Both were present before him and Tobirama, neither of them were gunning for him or his brother-they weren't blitzing forward with such ferocity that it was inhuman, they both looked to be relatively calm, though Souji's expression remained stony.
"I am grateful that you've both come." Hashirama showed his gratitude by bowing his head low, smacking his forehead right off of his desk.
Tobirama scowled.
"There is no need to bow your head before me, Hashirama." Mikito gently waved off his formal display. She never did like when people bowed their heads to her-even if it was to show respect, she never thought of herself superior or better than anyone. "You wanted to talk, and Mito has made your feelings quite clear. I figured I should speak with you face to face instead of fighting like we usually do. It'd be a nice change of pace, no?"
"I have to agree. It is a nice change of pace." He felt no shame agreeing with her on that. It was such a relief to be able to talk things out and not resort to brute force straight away without even considering the possibility that things could be talked out. He never enjoyed fighting Mikito-he didn't like fighting in general, but facing off against Mikito was something he dreaded to even think about.
He already had agonizing memories of her burying her fist in his gut repeatedly before stomping on him, then tossing him some hundred feet so he crashes into Sasuke; it takes all he has not to vomit from those gut punches, and shakes every bone in his body when he collides with another body.
"I just wonder if she'll be so eager if things don't go as she planned." Tobirama cut in.
"Or is it the fact we don't see eye to eye with you Senju nor wish to step in stride with you..." Souji countered, expression still stony as his voice dropped. "My sister is here to talk, nothing more."
One hard look from his brother was all it took for Tobirama to bite his tongue.
"I have recently discovered the truth and I am ashamed that I've started and perpetuated a conflict between our clans that should have never even been started in the first place. Even if you are allies with the Uchiha clan, it's still no reason to confront you as well, what our two clans had was set in stone because of our predecessors, and I ruined it. I would like to avoid anymore conflict between our clans, it's best for the children." Hashirama said, placing his hands on his desk to look somewhat assured at this point.
"The children?" Mikito tilted her head for a moment, trading glances with Souji.
"Yes."
"Hashirama, did you know your father...During one of the many times he was confronting the Domou and myself ordered a retreat. There were exactly twenty wounded children left behind, none of the adults even bothered to pick them up. They could have picked them up instead of slowing down, but instead they left them behind. The adults that were wounded were killed..."
"However, we didn't kill the children." Souji took the reins, knowing Mikito was close to erupting even if she did look modest. If there is one thing Mikito couldn't stand it was adults killing children, children being sent off to the battlefield, children being left behind by adults, anything that had to do remotely with children and death in the same sentence absolutely vexed her.
"We took them back to our compound and gave them choices. The first choice was that we heal them and send them on their way. The second choice was that we don't heal them and they remain in cells. The third choice was that they commit seppuku. They chose the second and third because your father would have had them killed should they return to the compound, and others were just too proud to be healed and let go by us. Many of them bit their tongues off."
Hashirama could barely control his ire that just...Burned through him. He did remember a time where his father returned from battle and there were many children missing, he was of course furious with his father and let him have it. To this day he blamed himself for those children's deaths-if he had went with they'd all be alive right now, but he was injured and his arm had been broken in three different places. He couldn't be put out on the war zones with such an injury, but because of it those children who were his age didn't come back.
It was all his fault...
"I stood there and watched every single one of them split their guts open in some misled sense of pride and honor for the Senju. I watched them bite their tongues off. I would never allow a child to do such things, but they were resolved to see it through-because your father and any other Senju wasn't present and left them behind they lost all hope; I watched them do this one by one." Mikito's eyes shimmered with emotion, and she could feel her fingers clenching against her hakama.
"Those children weren't older than ten years at that time-the same age that my baby sister Ahiko was at that point in time. But...There's no sense in reliving the past. If we were to go to war, Hashirama, and Senju children were left behind would they do this? Would you-your men leave them behind."
"I'd never leave them behind let alone put them on a battlefield. They're only children, I don't care how talented and powerful they are. They're still just children." Hashirama said sternly, narrowing his eyes to slits. He never left a comrade behind, if he had to fight off a horde to ensure they came back so be it, if he had to carry them so be it, if he had to haul them up with one arm because the other is broke and his is on the brink of exhaustion then so be it, but he'd always save his comrades.
He'd put their lives before his own every single time.
For Mikito, who adored children and could never lift a finger against one-just what agony did she endure seeing those Senju children killing themselves and refusing treatment?
She must have wanted to save every last one of them desperately, but they wanted nothing to do with her. They just wanted to die because they failed the clan. Because his father would punish them for being caught, for failing-never mind the fact their legs were broken and they couldn't run even if they wanted to!
It wasn't right that they died alone, and Mikito knew that, so, she remained where she had been and watched them die slowly or even put them out of their misery-not many would be able to do sepukku correctly. It was extremely painful from start to finish. She could have easily stopped them, but the Senju had honor and pride and there's no way they'd let the Domou heal their wounds, nor would they allow her to interfere with their seppuku. They would just stab themselves before she could ever reach them.
It was agonizing to think about.
He felt like he should apologize, but he couldn't apologize. It was far too late for that.
Apologizing wouldn't bring those children back...It wouldn't undo the evil choice his father made to leave them behind.
Mikito nodded slowly, eyes softening from their rage as she absorbed his answer. That was good, Hashirama had no intentions of ever sending children away, yet alone leaving them behind. Butsuma held no such reservations and as long as those children died serving the clan that's all he cared about, that is all that mattered in his eyes, and it truly made her sick to her stomach. Thinking of children as soldiers, and not even giving them proper training before they're sent off to the unknown.
Hashirama shared similarities with his father, but he didn't fall prey to that evil mindset Butsuma stepped to.
"I am happy to hear that, that is your answer, Hashirama." Mikito relaxed in her seat, heaving out a small breath as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Tell me, what are your true intentions?"
"To have peace between our clans once again."
"I mean with this village that you are trying to create."
He had to do a double take hearing that. He could have sworn Mikito basically swore the whole thing off and didn't want to hear anything about it or want to have anything to do with it. He rifled through the possibilities, but none of them could really explain why she wanted to know this. However, he wasn't shy about speaking of his dream to those who were willing to listen to him and not just blow it off. "I want to come together with Madara and the Uchiha to end the fighting, with our two clans together nobody will hire their services anymore. We'll start construction of the village soon after we reach a truce."
"And, what of clans like the Yuki? Hoshigaki? Fuma?"
Hashirama carefully considered his answer. "They will be welcome into the village, but if the Water country forms a village then I'm certain they'd be a part of it."
"The leader of this village-what will you call him or her? Will there be more than one leader?" Souji looked at Hashirama with steady eyes, watching for the faintest drop of sweat.
"I don't know, but I was thinking of Hokage. There will be only one leader to avoid confusion." Hashirama tilted his head gently, a little puzzled with the question Souji asked but nonetheless still answered it to the best of his abilities. He wouldn't lie to either of these two and would be completely honest-he learned his lesson the first time around with being vague.
"Fire shadow?" Souji mused to himself. It defeated the purpose of shinobi coming out in the open like they would with this village system in his opinion. Fire shadow implied that well there was protection from the shadows-instead of being light for lack of a better term and the person just being who they are. Would the villages start with hidden too?
Once again shinobi would be coming out in the open but they'd be using names like fire shadow and hidden village; which totally defeats the purpose of the whole thing. in the first place.
Of course he wasn't going to voice his opinion on the name thing-his focus was the same as Mikito's. If Hashirama intends to ally with the Uchiha and get this village off of the ground than that would mean the Uchiha would be playing a critical part. Would Hashirama treat them well? Would Tobirama treat them well? What did the two intend to do with the Uchiha once everything was settled?
"It's not wise for the power to center around one person." Souji said bluntly. If a Senju was selected as leader no doubt would certain Uchiha especially Madara and Izuna start to feel threatened. If an Uchiha was selected as leader Tobirama and the majority of the village would start to feel threatened. There needed to be a different way of going about this leader thing, but he wouldn't bother with it at the moment.
"What place has more than one leader? If there's more than one nobody will take us serious." Tobirama crossed his arms over his chest.
"Anyways...You wish to ally with the Uchiha clan in order to found this village?
"Yes." Hashirama replied, nodding towards Mikito.
She would ask about her clan and the Subatsu, but that was nothing but a moot point-they'd never be a part of this. "I see, so let me ask you this. What are your plans for the Uchiha, will you be keeping them in the center of politics? Be honest."
Hashirama wasn't so surprised with the question and it was a valid question. He wanted everyone to have a voice and that included the Uchiha clan. He wasn't going to exclude any single person or clan from the political affairs concerning the village-the Uchiha's view would be just as important as the Sautob's view, just as valid as the Yamanaka's or Hyuga's view. He wouldn't slight the Uchiha at all and would treat them with due respect-they were founders alongside the Senju, so naturally it was only right that they got their say in these sort of affairs.
"I will work side by side with them along with all the other clans that join the village. I won't slight anyone nor will I exclude any single person or clan from affairs concerning the village especially those of a political nature. They are all part of the village, so it's only right that I give them all an equal say and not favor one over the other." There was no hesitation on Hashirama's part getting his answer out, though he carefully chose how he worded it.
Mikito wasn't a nitpicker, but if he spoke in a certain context and used certain words he'd be painting a bad picture.
Mikito nodded, her long bangs splaying across her face to seclude her bright eyes. Hashirama didn't seem to by lying at all, in fact she couldn't sense even a smidgen of deception in his words. Madara would be able to trust Hashirama, they'd be able to work together towards the same goal, and perhaps even become best friends despite all the battles they've fought. Hashirama had no intention of marginalizing the Uchiha clan from what she could tell.
"And, what are you intentions Tobirama, will you keep the Uchiha in the center of politics?"
"Don't you dare lie." Souji growled in warning.
Tobirama inclined his head towards the two, sending a light glare in his brother's direction as he spotted Hashirama giving him an extremely hard look. He wasn't going to mince his words-he never did, but he could see the way Hashirama was choosing his words and the context he put them in carefully, and he wouldn't be so cordial for lack of a better term. Keeping the Uchiha in the center of the politics would be a disaster in his opinion, they'd only want what is best for themselves, they'd be better off focusing their energy into something more productive.
"I'd like the Uchiha to be peacekeepers of the village. Uphold the law and order."
Silence.
Mikito looked at him carefully, head tilting to the side as she observed him more keenly. Now, he wasn't just outright saying that he didn't want the Uchiha in the village politics, but he made his point extremely clear in the fact that he doesn't want them a part of it. He wants them as part of the village as a whole, but having a hand in the politics and village's affairs was the cut off point for him.
Clearly.
"So, you're talking about some kind of police force?" Souji raised an eyebrow, staring into Tobirama's ruby eyes. There wasn't anger there, but there was hostility and bitterness-he got the feeling it was making Tobirama sick to be in the same room as him and his sister, but he couldn't care less about that. The only thing that mattered were Tobirama's intentions-if the Uchiha were left out of political affairs and village affairs they would become resentful and they would try to launch an attack and take over, anyone would for that matter!
Just not the Uchiha.
Tobirama nodded stiffly.
He's going out of his way to try and contain the Uchiha... Souji barely held back a snort.
It was the only confirmation she needed. Maybe Hashirama's intentions were pure and just, but Tobirama's were anything but. He just wanted to shove the Uchiha off to one side of the village, most likely the outskirts, and just let them be foot soldiers for lack of a better term. Meanwhile the Senju, himself, and Hashirama could spend all of their time glad handing and buttering up everyone that wishes to join the village-meanwhile the Uchiha are nowhere in the picture. It wouldn't take long for the thought of the Uchiha-Madara having nothing to do with the founding of the village.
"And, I suppose you'll elect the leader of this village through a democratic vote of sorts?" Mikito blinked her eyes, thick lashes batting themselves as she sharpened her focus.
"Without a question."
"If and when other villages are formed, what are you going to do to maintain the peace?"
"That's where the Uzumaki come in, if things get too out of hand we'll be able to seal a Bijuu inside of a person...It will tip the scales." Mito said with some hesitance.
"That's going from bad to worse." Souji snarled.
"If it has to be done, then-"
"No!" Souji snarled again, cutting off Tobirama. "The Bijuu were never meant to be encountered, yet alone sealed. They are to be left alone, this is what Hagoromo himself declared long before his death."
Mikito felt cold sweat brushing against her spine, the precipitation hoped to make her shiver, but she held herself firm and maintained a stoic air. So, that's what they'd do if it came down to it? Seal the Bijuu inside of a person to utilize their power better? Have they no concern or care for the Bijuus' own desires to be left alone, and most of all not be contained. Rikudo created them from the Jubbi-a monster of sheer force with no ideals or conscience, and meant from them to live in peace not side by side with humans, but still the point remained. There'd never be conflict between the two.
It was bad enough Tobirama wanted to exclude the Uchiha from any and all village and political affairs concerning the village, but now Mito was going to offer her support in the lunacy and start sealing the monsters of chakra in people!? Would they charge the other villages for the Bijuu like they're just some toys to be handed out at Hashirama's leisure!?
If Hashirama had his way the world will be a different place, in more bad ways than good. Tobirama was only going to cause more problems down the line if he had his way, and the implications of sealing Bijuu inside of people...
It'd just lead to more war. Hashirama would become the very thing he despises the most-a warmonger.
If things were going to take this sharp a turn then she'd take action against the Uzumaki and Senju-to ensure that the Bijuu remain free and not captive. No, she would need to make sure the rest of the Uzumaki clan isn't wiped out because Mito decided to marry Hashirama and turn her back on her blood because of the village.
She'd have to kill Hashirama and Mito.
She'd need to...Make sure it never got to that point, and if it did, have measures to stop it. She'd have to go right to the source.
"I see...So, that's it, huh?" Souji allowed a small smirk to cross his face as he folded his arms over his chest. He couldn't say he was surprised with the answers he got from the trio-the Uzumaki would always support the Senju and kiss their ass being distantly related, Tobirama was nothing short of a controlling prick who feared the things he can't understand or control, and Hashirama is so stupid he'd just go along with what either of them say and instill war for future generations.
But, the landscape would change because Bijuu would be sealed in people-something that hasn't happened since Hagoromo sealed the Jubbi.
And, only then was it out of sheer necessity-after fighting his mother and the beast for months alongside his brother and seeing that there'd be no defeating the monster did he seal it inside of him, finally defeating his tyrant of a mother with his brother's assistance. The world had been ravaged by the battle that took place between them, and if the Jubbi was let loose ever again there wasn't a person alive that'd be able to stop it.
"Yes, what must I do to have peace between our clans?" Hashirama asked, dark eyes locking onto the both of them with sheer intent. "I am ready to forfeit my life."
"Is that right?" Mikito eyed him curiously.
He wasted little time grabbing the kunai from his pocket and putting it right on his neck.
"You needn't take your own life."
"Shall I give back the Mokuton scroll?" Hashirama asked when silence stretched on far too long for his taste.
"That's not necessary, I have many copies of the Mokuton and the original scroll. You needn't worry, there will be peace between our clans." Mikito concluded with narrowed eyes. She could now understand why Madara was so resistant to this ceasefire, and quite frankly she couldn't blame him. His real problem was with Tobirama and his ways-just as he showed with this meeting he'd use sophistry among other things to put his brother in the seat of power.
Meanwhile the Uchiha are just cast off to the side to do their policing, as if they're the Senju's dogs all of a sudden. She knew her clan and the Subatsu would be in a similar position should they ever even consider joining this farce. It wasn't even the Senju that was her primary focus of worry, but this village, and when it was founded through some means...
Never trust a Senju.
"Really?"
"I'm not glib, Hashirama." Mikito crossed her arms over her chest, leveling a hard gaze with him.
But, should the day come that he decides to murder and send children off to the battlefields-that will be the day she takes his life, and since he can heal without any seals she'd just have to tear his throat out or send his head flying.
But, for now...
"You've made it clear the safety of the children is your number one concern, just as it is mine. That's good enough for me."
He grinned. "Shall we formalize-"
"No, just leave it at that." Souji said stonily, practically hissing as he rose up from his chair swiftly, staring down Hashirama for a few seconds before turning his focus onto Tobirama and Mito. If anything they were honest this time around, and now he and Mikito got to hear and see what their true intentions were. It was exactly what he had been expecting, but it was good to hear it right from the source instead of assuming.
"However...I still want to fight you, Hashirama."
Hashirama visibly deflated hearing that.
"You and I-one on one at full power, no holding back. None of our kinsmen will be involved, this is just going to be you and I." Mikito said with a harsh tone, keeping her eyes locked with Hashirama's-refusing to let him turn away from her.
"If I agree...And, we fight, and after we fight-regardless of who wins and loses...There will be no more conflict between our clans?"
"There will never be conflict between our clans." Mikito nodded for emphasis, holding up her pointer finger. "However, you and I are going to fight."
"Okay." Hashirama steeled his tone-if this is what it took for there to be peace between them and their clans, then he would see it through until the very end. There was no other possibility in his mind at the moment, he would fight Mikito with everything he had. Whether the battle lasted for an hour or entire months didn't matter in the least. "I have no objections."
"I do!" Tobirama raged, teeth clenched.
"Be silent, Tobirama!" Hashirama snapped, for once throwing his weight around.
"You'll be fighting me, Senju." Souji said with a frightening look in his eyes.
"I'm not scared of you."
Souji chuckled.
Mikito ignored the scene, allowing a soft smile to grace her features. "When there's first bloom, you will both find Souji and I. I'm looking forward to seeing your will, Hashirama."
Souji only leveled a glare with Tobirama, remaining silent.
Before any responses could be said both she and Souji vanished in a whirlwind of chakra, the gusts were so powerful they slammed into the walls-forcing them to rattle.
"I'm glad that went well." Hashirama sighed loudly, raking a hand through his hair. "It's too bad she wants to fight, and Souji wants to fight you, but if that's what it takes...I have no reservations on seeing this through."
"You are truly an idiot, brother. But, I'm not going to let you go into that fight handicapped, I'll be at your side." Tobirama could only glare at the wall before deciding to leave.
If Souji wanted a fight he would give it to him, and he would make sure that Mikito didn't rip his brother apart piece by piece.
Hashirama may be off in no field with his thought process actually agreeing to fight her, but he wasn't going to argue with him-the only thing he could do at this point is only support him and ensure that he isn't just piles of flesh.
I don't expect you to understand brother, and I don't think you ever will. Hashirama thought, scowling in frustration as he began the painful and tedious process of picking up all of the papers that had been dispersed thanks to the Domou siblings' chakra.
Mito watched his figure trudge outside, disappearing towards the city part of the Senju compound. She shook her head at the man's belligerence, focusing on something more meaningful-helping Hashirama get all of this paperwork organized.
"Thank you, Mito-san. I wouldn't have been able to do this without you." Hashirama looked to her for just a second before organizing a stack of papers as quickly as he could.
"You needn't thank me, I'm happy to be of assistance. If you want to thank anyone, thank Yamanami Domou-he's the one that convinced Mikito in the long run."
The first place Kagami headed to the very second he got on the other side of the gates was his home. His grandma would be waiting for him, a plate of dango with his name on it and some green tea. It was his favorite snack, but it is also what he yearned for on the return back home. The warmness, the way his grandma would smile at him and treat him like a child. He never resented her over that, he loved his grandma with all of his being.
Seeing that she wasn't home he became immediately concerned. She was always home waiting for him, but he wasn't even sure if he could call this a home anymore. Everything was cleared out of the living room and the dining room, the kitchen was scarce with plates and bowls-there was just enough food for him to eat and that was it. He knew it was his grandma's doing, she'd always leave stuff out for him to eat if she was out shopping when he returned.
That had been yesterday, and now he was running around the compound searching for her. Things changed drastically-it looked like half of the Uchiha were gone, the slaves and servants, the medics, those who didn't awaken the Sharingan, and there were hardly any children present for that matter. It could only come down to two things, either they all died, or they defected.
However, he heard Uchiha talking among themselves with disdain about Ahiko-how she suggested they all leave their homes to get treatment, the men speaking ill of their wives and children that left to get the treatment that they needed. He had been under the assumption the Uchiha were pedigree and healthy, no one looked like they were suffering from any disease, but he wasn't privy to that sort of information and his assumption was terribly wrong.
He just wasn't sure if grandma remained here, or went to the Domou compound with the others. If she was in fact sick and decided to remain here he may just have to drag her to the Domou compound, because there's no way he'd allow her to die just because of Uchiha pride. But, if she was in fact sick she would have most likely taken her leave and get the treatment she needs to be all better-for the lower class it was the prospect of escaping the hell that it was to live in the Uchiha compound, but his grandma always put him first before everything else.
"Noguchi-san!" He called out, waving his hand for extra emphasis as he closed the gap between himself and the older man.
"Kagami."
Noguchi was of short stature and stern faced with the trademark Uchiha spiky black hair. He wore the old uniform, the simple high collared shirt with the Uchiha symbol stitched on the back.
Kagami found it odd considering he was wearing a red haori-part of the new uniform that was mandatory.
"Have you seen my grandma?" Uniforms could take a back seat for the moment, his number one priority at this time was finding his grandma or at least knowing where she was and then ensuring that she is okay wherever she may be.
"She left with those weak and sickly Uchiha with elder Norio. I really can't believe they all left just like that...Have they forgotten our pride as Uchiha, have they forgotten what had kept this clan stable and pure for centuries? Well, I guess some of them were just pure trash-like the slaves and servants, and then there's those pathetic medics that don't have the pluck to fight a shame to all of warrior Uchiha."
Kagami restrained his anger, listening to the man ramble on. It's the same shit he heard since he could walk and talk-The Uchiha pride, knowing that they are so different and special because they have the Sharingan. Quite frankly he was sick and tired of hearing their boasts about the Sharingan-he awakened it, but he didn't rely on it so much like the others, nor did he allow it to make him so arrogant. Madara and Izuna awakened the Mangekyo-an even more powerful and acute Sharingan and were so far the only ones to attain such a feat.
They're so busy boasting about the regular Sharingan, they haven't taken it a step further like his leaders.
"Is she at the Domou compound then?"
Noguchi nodded with a dark look in his eyes.
Again, Kagami restrained his anger, just barely. He'd be taking a one way trip back to the Domou compound then in that case, his grandma was the most important thing to him-the whole Uchiha clan could take a shit and roll in it. "Thank you, Noguchi-san."
Noguchi just muttered incoherently before walking off, not wasting the chance to turn around and glare at Kagami-Sharingan bleeding into form.
With bared teeth Kagami allowed his to bleed into form, tomoes rotating rapidly.
"It seems you've forgotten the Uchiha pride as well. It's a true shame because you are of the warrior class, and should have no part of this mindset that you have. We Uchiha are not humble, we are not modest, we are proud-proud of our Sharingan and the visual prowess it grants us. Proud that we are different from everyone else-proud that we are special."
"Pride is fruitless if there's no merit, caliber, and preeminence to back it up." Kagami said coldly, recalling all of the times the Uchiha refused to retreat-even when they were taking heavy casualties and children were being picked off by the dozens, despite giving it everything he had to protect them. It wasn't enough.
It wasn't...enough.
The Uchiha were an extremely prideful clan and would fight to the very last person if it meant victory and showing that they were superior to everyone else.
What a waste!
Uchiha like to walk around so arrogant and lofty just because they've awakened their Sharingan, but they have no merit or caliber-just because they awaken it they believe that they're invincible. Never mind the sensory art-many Uchiha would sooner use their eyes than actually try to sense out their foes.
"What are you saying brat?" Noguchi turned around fully, fists clenched at his side.
"You shouldn't be so arrogant for no good reason. There are people out there that are stronger than you and I, that are more skilled than you and I. Your overestimate your own prowess, and underestimate mine just because I'm a little brat." Kagami said, eyes cold and hard as he stared off with the older man.
Noguchi drew the sword that was resting on his back.
Kagami tensed, but more of becoming hyper alert and ready for the attack to come. He faced off against Hiruzen and Danzo-and despite their ages they were extremely powerful and skilled, Hiruzen's chakra was especially bold, and Danzo had a biting ruthlessness. Regardless of Noguchi's age and being his senior, he didn't compare to either of the two mentioned. He didn't even need his Sharingan to defeat this man-but to ensure he could instantly break any genjutsu, he kept it active.
Before the fight could even get underway Kagami was behind him, one hand gripping Noguchi's wrist while the other jammed under his elbow, bending his arm at an odd angle. The sword clattered to the ground, covered by the small chunks that fell onto it from the side. Foolishly, Noguchi continued to struggle-Kagami stared impassively keeping his grip tight, and slammed his shin into the man's knee, jerking him off of the ground in one motion sending him crashing headfirst into the ground.
Pride be damned he wanted to be with his grandma!
He would be leaving, immediately.
"I'd like an explanation for disobeying my direct orders, my brother's, and my wife's. Why you all decided to tarnish the new uniforms and why you tarnished them forehead protectors." Madara got right to the point, stone faced and tone brewing with nothing short of barely restrained anger. He glared at the Council eyes glowing a frightening red. Now, they always annoyed him-he can think back to one of his earliest memories that aren't so pleasant and it'd involve these old farts, but now he was close to knocking some sense into them.
"We refuse to leave." Daichi said.
"Why?" Izuna asked coldly.
"We have our pride to think about, we will figure out a solution to this on our own without the Domou's assistance. They only wish to steal our Sharingan for themselves and that's the only reason they are so eager to have all of us go there. The weak all left with them, but we don't need those medics, slaves, servants, and sub-par excuses for Uchiha in this compound." Jiro explained his reasoning.
"To answer your other question we are not fond of this unity and reciprocation between our clans-we Uchiha rely on our own strength, but recently there have been Uchiha that are forgetting their pride and don't rely on their own strength, but on teamwork and rapport with the Domou." Hayate said smoothly.
Izuna felt actual shame. The last statement was the only one he could really pay any attention to. It was great that these Uchiha were getting over their narrow-mindedness and not going with the same dogma, in his opinion at least. There was nothing wrong with reciprocation and he had hoped from the beginning that there would be such between the Uchiha and Domou, he knew that with time they'd build a rapport like they have. Why are these Uchiha going to such lengths to tear that apart...
It didn't make any sense.
"I don't care what gripes you have-Mikito is my wife, she is the Matriarch of this clan! We've finally unified together, and I will not let you tear that unity apart. We will all be leaving this compound." Madara glared at everyone present, daring them to try and object.
"I resent that, and refuse!"
"What do you intend to do, Daichi? This compound is swarming with bacteria and disease, staying here would only prove harmful in the long run for everyone involved in such a foolish thing." Izuna appeared to be collected, but on the inside he was brimming to his pores with trepidation. This is what he had been waiting for since he made his move, the very thing he had been anticipating.
"I will do what is best for this clan."
Madara growled. "That isn't your decision to make. I am the leader and you will do as I say-you've all already disobeyed my orders once and you could all be put to death for such defiance. We will all be leaving this compound and locating closer to the Domou compound, somewhere in the Waterfall village which is only a couple of hundred miles away from their compound. But, I'm going to make this abundantly clear to all of you-this is mandatory. I won't allow the Uchiha to be wiped out by some damn virus!"
"We are the Council!" Jiro snapped.
"You are the Council, but you are by no means the leaders of this clan. That'll be myself and my brother, you are all here to advise, and with this most recent turn of events I'd say you're failing with advising. This is going to happen, I don't care how much you resist-the Uchiha will not be wiped out by a virus." Izuna said sharply, crossing his arms over his chest while fixing the older man with a flinty glare.
"I see what's happened here, that witch has got a hold on you." Daichi sneered at Madara, inclining his chin even more when the younger man narrowed his eyes dangerously. "And, that half breed has a hold on you, Izuna-san"
"You speak ill of my wife again, so help me..." Madara shook visibly, teeth grinding against each other as his eyes flared into bright crimson. He wasn't going to let these clowns play to his pride, just so he divorces Mikito in the long run and ends the alliance. He made her a promise, and he had no intention of breaking it. Normally, he would have knocked out teeth for such a disgusting remark about his lover, but he restrained himself just barely from doing just that.
"You say that again and I'll have your tongue. My wife has done nothing but serve this clan to perfection, you ungrateful wretches." Izuna said coldly, leering at the older man. "We're going to relocate with or without you fools-you've managed to convince a large part of the clan not to leave before, but unfortunately for them that means they're disobeying direct orders. They will be leaving, or others will be leaving without them-we can't remain at this compound any longer. Where do you intend to go if you're not going to come with us?"
"As pure Uchiha we will manage." Daichi said.
"You intend to leave?" Izuna raised an eyebrow.
"If it preserves our purity and our pride, then yes."
Izuna suppressed a sigh. So, that's what this was all about...The future offspring of the Uchiha and Domou-these fools were more concerned with keeping the Uchiha line 'pure' than recognizing the fact these offspring would be even stronger!
How short sighted of them...
"So, in other words you plan to defect and desert?"
"Damn right." Jiro nodded.
"So, you're going to play this game? Okay then, leave. Go ahead." Madara gestured towards the door, and then to the outside. If Daichi and his followers wanted to resist and go a different way then so be it, he wasn't going to entertain their bullshit for a second. There was no place they could possibly go that would take them in, and anywhere they went to stake a claim they were going to be met on all sides by foes. There were a few Uchiha that weren't happy, that bought into Hashirama's peace bullshit, they could leave too.
Now was their chance.
"But, know that you are defecting and deserting the Uchiha clan...That you will never be Uchiha in my eyes again after this, you don't have the pluck to wear the Uchiha's crest on your backs!"
"How dare you!" Hayate roared.
"You are all blinded by pride, can you not prioritize between longevity and war? Longevity and death?" Izuna couldn't even muster up the energy to say anything more than that. It was exhausting dealing with them normally, but this was truly weighing down on him like tons of lead. They resented the fact the Domou and other Uchiha were reciprocating and getting married, resenting the fact that he pushed for this whole thing and changed the uniforms with Ahiko, they were resenting the whole thing in general... "Tell me this, do you resent the fact that I've pushed for this alliance and am behind the uniform change?"
Madara whirled on Izuna almost ready to pounce on him. He knew why Izuna was asking this question, because if they resented him despite everything that he has done for them it'll seal the deal for him. It'll prove that Uchiha resent and hate other Uchiha, just not those outside of the clan which was automatic hate and resentment. However, he didn't even want to entertain one of these fuckers actually answering his question. If they said one wrong thing, he would flip this table over and start choking them all to death.
The only thing Izuna cherished more than the Uchiha was Yuko, and while he was more than hesitant at first to accept this, he has now. So long as she didn't become a distraction he couldn't care less-of course he had to accept it and support him like Mikito told him before. Izuna wasn't willing to budge at all, and was even more stubborn than himself. He wasn't sure if his brother loved her, but she was the center of all of his adoration, so there was something there.
"Answer me." Izuna said, slamming his fist on the table. "That is an order!"
"I resent it!" Daichi snapped.
"As do I!" Jiro seconded
Nobody else had the nerve to verbally respond, but one by one everyone gathered save for Madara, Jiro, and Daichi nodded their heads by the barest inch. If he were younger he'd be crushed with this-his own flesh and blood resenting him for the efforts of making sure they were well off. But, he wasn't crushed at all, in fact it was the total opposite. He was almost at peace, because he had been expecting this sooner or later. There was always problems with power trips in the Uchiha, and this was one of those many times when such a thing occurred.
"You ungrateful wretches, my brother has done nothing but..." Madara trailed off in his furious tirade, too angry to get words out, and too busy watching Izuna stand to his feet with his eyes closed. This meeting wasn't over and he had no intention of ending it until he got this off of his chest and put these old fuckers back in their places! Izuna didn't need him coming to his aid, but he would be damned if he allowed these bag of wrinkles to speak so flippantly when the last thing they did that held any merit was at least twenty years ago.
"Izuna stay right where you are..."
"They're only being honest brother." Izuna said softly, turning his attention onto the Council for a brief second before focusing on his brother. "I thank you all for your honesty. It's good to know that you all resent the fact I've been the one pushing for this alliance since the beginning, it's good to know you all resent the fact I was a driving force behind the uniform changes, It's good to know that you all resent the unity, reciprocation, and rapport we have the Domou through our trials on the battlefields, and it's good to know that you resent me."
As soon as he pushed for the alliance with the Domou.
There.
Were Uchiha.
That began to resent him.
Izuna left silently, eyes remaining close-even as he opened the door and departed.
Madara slammed his fist down on the table, too much anger was brewing within him and it begged for release. He gripped the underside of the table, and flipped it over with ease sending it crashing through the closest wall and taking a chunk out of the entire building along with it.
He exploded soon after, venting his rage by squeezing necks.
Madara didn't follow through on his impulse, but it would have been more than a delicacy to do exactly what he was imagining at the very moment. But, it'd only take one punch from him to level these big mouths, one punch would knock half of their remaining teeth right down their throat, and one punch to cave in that throat with the teeth lodged inside of it.
"Do you think you're all going to get away with speaking this way?" Madara's tone was surprisingly low-nowhere near the loud and fiery explosion that it'd normally be in similar circumstances. Quite frankly he would lose his temper and yell pretty close at the top of his lungs before destroying this table-considering the table wasn't reduced to splinters and his throat wasn't aching, maybe he needed to just let loose and destroy everything within a ten foot radius. "Do you think there won't be consequences?"
"It seems we've reached an impasse. You and Izuna-san want to take the clan in one direction, and we another. But, there is some good that came out of this, those pesky medics are gone along with the weak Uchiha. " Jiro said, coolly clasping his hands in front of him.
Madara chuckled humorlessly. "However, one you will take responsibility for disobeying my orders, my brother's, and my wife's. Or, you will all take responsibility. Do I need to remind me I could kill all of you right now?"
How dare they resent Izuna.
Everyone stiffened upon hearing those words leave the wild haired Uchiha's lips.
"Y-You can't kill us?" Daichi barked, eyes wide with something akin to fear.
A true Uchiha would have taken responsibility for their actions. Madara wordlessly stood up, moving towards the door briskly, not holding back the slightest when he threw it open. Part of the wall ended up crumbling down like little toy blocks being kicked by an angry four year old, along with taking the door clean off of its hinges. These weren't Uchiha in his eyes, they turned their backs to him and Izuna, and looking at all of them now-they weren't the proud and strong figures he once viewed them to be.
"No, it's a waste of my time."
With that he departed through the gaping hole. The only thing he could do now is to rally Uchiha to join him and Izuna-hopefully they listened and didn't remain obstinate. It's good and all to be prideful, and he did have pride, but there was a lot of merit and caliber to back up that pride-those old clowns, and other Uchiha were so prideful, despite having no merit and caliber-just because they activated their Sharingan they thought they were so special.
He was killing adult Senju, Sarutobi, Shimura, Akimichi, Hatake, Yamanaka, Nara, Yuki-the list goes on and on, he killed all of them without even having the Sharingan awakened.
There was no turning back at this point, though. He wanted to make sure they were all healthy, because he wouldn't allow the Uchiha to be wiped out by some virus!
He wanted to be together with Mikito, and Souji, and Ahiko, the Domou-with Izuna and those Uchiha at the Domou compound. His comrades, his family, his lover.
To be together.