The Hokage Residence was a large circular mansion occupied by the Hokage. It was located close to both the Academy that was being built, and what was designated as the Hokage Rock. Circular in design, it was also one of the largest buildings in Konohagakure, towering over every other building at the moment. It had exactly five stories which included a floor for administration where Hashirama spent most of his time. There was also the kanji for Fire painted on the roof of the building. It was filled with many forbidden scrolls, in which lie the secrets to many techniques.
It was one of the first buildings that were built during his reign as the First Hokage.
The knock on the door wasn't unexpected. Hashirama had known that Tadakki would come to speak with him as soon as the opportunity presented itself. He started for the door, but paused, and moved instead to retrieve his Hokage hat and robe, aware suddenly that he needed to at least be formal during meeting likes this. His movements made him curious, for never before had he harbored any feelings of extreme formality. Still, he pulled the robe tight as Tobirama opened the door, finding, predictably, Tadakki standing before him.
"Hashirama-sama." He said, and it seemed as if he could hardly draw his breath. "Is everything all right?"
Hashirama got a response out. "Yes."
"You don't sound too confident."
Hashirama managed to say another response. "Kiyoshi has gone to the lower levels to check on the damiyo's security measures, but all seems quiet."
"You sound disappointed."
Hashirama gave a big laugh.
"You don't enjoy this suspense." Tadakki remarked.
"There is nowhere else I'd rather be." Hashirama said, and it was Tadakki's turn to give an embarrassed laugh.
"We should be more aggressive in our battle with the Water damiyo," Tadakki insisted.
"And so sitting around guarding our small village is not your ideal."
"We could be doing better things to stay ahead more so." Tadakki said, and there was a double edge to his voice, one that intrigued Hashirama and made him set his jaw, tilting his Hokage hat forward.
"If we catch him alive...We might find the root of these attempts to dominate the mainland..." Tadakki explained, quickly putting the discussion back on course.
"If that's his objective." Hashirama said, as if to remind himself.
"Either way, Konoha will be safer, and our duties will be made far easier."
Hashirama's mind whirled as he tried to sort out Tadakki's motivations. He was surprising him with every word, considering that he was a proud shinobi, and yet, given the fire that he clearly saw burning behind his dark eyes, he was surprising him. Hashirama saw pride beaming there, in those simmering and passionate eyes, but even more than that, he saw the promise of victory.
And, perhaps, the promise of finding out what it was the Water damiyo was after.
Kiyoshi leapt off the branch tentatively, warily, glancing left and right. He noted the two dozen posted guards, alert and ready, and he nodded his approval to them. Every corridor in the village and surrounding area had been like this throughout the massive complex, and in this particular area, above, below, and near the Hokage building, the place was locked down tight. Kiyoshi had been given many of the damiyo's army at his disposal, and he had situated them well, overseeing as fine a defensive perimeter as he had ever witnessed.
Hashirama took great comfort in that, and knew that Kiyoshi was making his job easier. But Kiyoshi could not relax. He had seen the attack on the coast and forest line in great details, he heard about later battles in great detail from from Danzo, and considering the many precautions that had been taken to protect those savages from entry-everything from broadcasting false entry lanes to the traps, to the many shielding rogue and ronin looking to tear out their own territory, the mainland shinobi confronting and accompanying the ships directly, and many more, both mainland and amalgamation, covering every conceivable attack lane-the Water damiyo, those Water country clans, and the foreigners could not be underestimated. They were savages and good with weapons and they were well connected, to be sure.
And, likely, they were stubborn.
To get at them through the halls of this building, though, would take an army.
Kiyoshi nodded to the guards and walked a circuit of the lower floor then, satisfied, headed back to the branches to get a higher view.
"It's all right. We have protection here."
"The others may not agree with your methods, but I do." Tadakki extended a nod in agreement.
Hashirama looked back to the door, recalling again the last images of Disuke and Yosuke, the older man's tall and lean form. He stood in the middle of the office room, absorbing the silence around him, using the lack of physical noise to bolster his connection to that more subtle realm of chakra, feeling the life about him as clearly as if his five physical senses were all attuned to it. His eyes were closed, but he could see the region about him clearly enough like a perimeter, and could sense any disturbance in the chakra network.
His eyes popped open, his gaze darting about the room, and he pulled the hilt of his sword, stopping fast when the door slid open and Tobirama walked into the room. Tobirama looked around with narrowed eyes, letting his gaze settle on Hashirama. "Kiyoshi has more than enough men in the lower levels. No one will try that way. Any activity up here?"
"It is quiet." Hashirama replied. "A part of me doesn't like waiting here for something to happen."
Tobirama gave a little shake of his head, a movement showing his knowing of Hashirama's restlessness, and opened himself up to the realm of chakra, checking his perimeter. His expression slowly began to shift from curious to confused to calm, spoke volumes to Hashirama. He knew that Tobirama could see only part of the village-the huge gate that'd be acting as the entrance, the front of the village, and guards standing by the walls, but nothing more.
Tobirama's expression asked the question before he even spoke the words.
"Mito is working on Fuinjutsu." Hashirama explained. "I don't think she liked me watching her."
Tobirama's face relaxed and he let out a grunt. "What is she thinking wandering off like that? Her security is paramount."
"She has the damiyo guards and some of our shinobi close to her, to warn her if there's an intruder." Hashirama explained, trying to calm Tobirama before his concern could gain any momentum.
"It's not an intruder I'm worried about." Tobirama countered. "There are many ways to kill a shinobi."
Hashirama grunted softly.
"I know, but we also want to catch them. If we catch them alive we can find out their motives." Tobirama said, his tone determined.
"You're using her as bait?" Hashirama asked, his eyes widening with shock and disbelief.
"It was her idea." Tobirama protested, but his sharp tone showed clearly that he agreed with the plan. "Don't worry. No harm will come to her. I can sense everything going on in our village. Trust me."
"It's still too risky." Hashirama scolded. "Your senses need to be sharper."
Tobirama chose his words and his tone carefully, trying to sound not defensive, but rather suggestive. "And yours are?"
Hashirama could not deny the look of intrigue that crossed his face. "It's possible."
Tobirama smiled and nodded, and closed his eyes again, falling into the sensations of the chakra network, following them to Mito, who was working intensely and quietly. Hashirama wished that he could see her, could watch the quiet rise and fall of her chest, could hear her soft breathing, could smell the freshness of her hair, could feel the smoothness of her skin...
He had to settle for this at the moment.
Feeling her life energy...Reminded him of a place of warmth.
"You look tired." Tobirama said to Hashirama.
Hashirama, still standing, opened his eyes and came out of his meditative trance. He took a moment to register the words, and then gave a little shrug, not disagreeing. "I don't sleep too much anymore."
That was hardly news to Tobirama. "Because..."
"I don't know why I keep dreaming about her now." Hashirama answered, frustration coming through in his voice. "I haven't seen her for a few days now."
"Your love for her is deep." Tobirama said. "That is hardly reason to lose sleep."
"But these dreams are..." Hashirama started to say, but he stopped and sighed and shook his head. "Are they dreams? Could they be visions? Are they images of what has been, or do they tell of something that is yet to be?"
"Are they just dreams?" Tobirama said, his gentle smile showing through his composed expression.
"I overthink too much at times..."
"Not every dream is a premonition. It's not always some vision. I doubt it's some mystical connection. Some dreams are just dreams, and even we have dreams."
Hashirama didn't seem very satisfied with that. He just shook his head again.
"Dreams pass in time." Tobirama told him.
"I'd rather dream of peace." Hashirama replied with a small smile. "Just being around Mito is...It makes me see things differently."
Tobirama's sudden frown erased both his and Hashirama's smiles. "Mind your thoughts. You and I both know that they can betray you. You've made a commitment to peace, to Konoha, and the stance we take on such relationships is uncompromising. You must trust her to do what is right."
Hashirama grunted and looked toward Mito's place in the village.
"And don't forget that she's an ambassador. They're not to be trusted."
"She's not like the others, brother." Hashirama protested strongly.
Tobirama eyed him carefully. "It's been my experience that damiyo, shinobi leaders, or in Mito's case-an ambassador...Focus only on pleasing those who fund their campaigns, and they are more than willing to forget the niceties of the democracy we're trying to establish to get those funds."
"Not another lecture." Hashirama said with a smile.
He had heard this particular lecture repeatedly.
"Can we not discuss the economics of geo-politics?"
Tobirama was no fan of the geo-politics of the Elemental Nations. He started speaking again, or tried to, but Hashirama abruptly interrupted.
"Brother, please not this." Hashirama said emphatically. "I know that Mito has her heart in the right place-"
"I wonder about that." Tobirama sternly corrected.
"We can trust her." Hashirama finished. "The Fire damiyo doesn't seem to be corrupt either."
"Mito is very clever at following the passions of everyone here, including you."
"I think she is a good woman." Hashirama stated. "My instincts are very positive about that."
Tobirama trailed off, his eyes widening, his expression becoming one of composure. "I hope you're right. She's our best ally besides the clans that joined us and that will join us."
"And yet?" Hashirama looked at his younger brother with an arched brow.
Tobirama shook his head. "We just have to trust her."