Day 198
"Easy now!" roared the man in his forties, his voice slicing through the crisp air like a samurai blade wielded in defense.
For about ten days, their Daimyō had decreed the renaming of the capital of Ta No Kuni to Heiwa. This name change, although surprising to many, met with widespread agreement, thus testifying to the firmness of their convictions towards the rest of the world.
Initially, after Madara's detailed explanations on the necessity of urban development, the construction of new structures and businesses had begun, but these efforts seemed modest.
Despite the impressive rise of new buildings, the ongoing projects remained relatively conventional for an expanding city.
However, from the official announcement of the name change, a new dynamic seized the city.
"One, two, three, pull!" shouted a worker, vigorously pulling a rope alongside his companions.
It seemed the city was gearing up for something that would shake the global balance. New jobs, paid at exceptional levels, emerged, leaving one perplexed about the Daimyō's generosity or the country's underestimated wealth.
Then one day, young Daiki Shōta appeared, accompanied by a cohort of architects, ready to usher in a new era in the capital. They first placed numerous signs along the roads and in the surrounding areas of Ta No Kuni, indicating the way to Heiwa. Next, plans to erect a wall were brought forth, thus announcing a radical change in urban planning and city defense.
"Release!" ordered the foreman as the colossal stone block found its place, emerging like a sentinel in the landscape.
It was not just a simple barricade to build, thought the experienced man, eyes widening at the plans detailing a wall worthy of an impregnable fortress. This was a large-scale project, requiring considerable financial, material, and human resources. And here they were entrusting this titanic undertaking to Midori, an exceptional artisan.
He accepted without hesitation, aware that this task represented a lifetime opportunity. But above all, it testified to his unmatched competence; the entrusted trust could not be underestimated.
"Pull!" the order rang out again, following the movement of the rope attached to the pulley, an ingenious tool for moving heavy loads with a handful of workers.
"Place a support beam!" shouted another, promptly assisted by two sturdy arms bringing the required element to bear the weight of the stone. "Don't let go yet... second pulley... pull!"
A second group worked to raise another block, defying the skies at over five meters high. Yes, over five meters, because this project was monumental, and it was not the only place where such instructions resonated. The bustle of the construction site spread hundreds of meters around the city.
"Lower!" roared the foreman again, allowing the two stones to fit perfectly together due to their weight and balance. "Prepare the next ones, and you up there, reinforce that!"
"Quick, the mortar," ordered a brown-haired man to a young one, who brought him a bucket filled with mortar and another filled with small rocks to fill the gaps. Behind them, several ovens warmed the atmosphere, from which fresh bricks emerged. Because the wall was not only made of stone blocks but also of bricks, mortar, sand, earth, reeds, and willow wood. All these elements combined to erect a majestic structure.
If such a project were to be undertaken on a kingdom-wide scale, spanning hundreds of kilometers, it would take millennia and legions of workers to complete such an undertaking. But this one was limited to a single large city.
"Hand me a brick," ordered the brown-haired man to his son, who hurried to hand him the object. The wall took shape day by day, in small touches, allowing time for fragile areas and mortar to dry and solidify. For building in one go would lead to collapse. Only certain sections already rose to five meters in height: strategic locations such as towers or the main gate. The rest of the structure did not exceed a meter in height, with some parts not even started yet.
"Caravan in sight!" shouted a soldier perched on an improvised watchtower. Since the beginning of the works, the vigilance of the soldiers had intensified, their numbers too. It seemed that the bulk of the Daimyō's army had gathered in the capital. They were either engaged in the works or deployed to secure the area.
"In which direction?" another soldier below inquired.
"Two directions! One from the east and one from the south... The southern caravan seems particularly imposing," explained the sentinel from his tower.
Without wasting a moment, the second soldier ran towards the main building of the city, where the Daimyō and his council convened. Lately, the council had established its permanent residence in the capital, thus moving with their families to Heiwa.
In just a few minutes, the soldier reached the building and headed straight to one of the guards stationed there. He took a few seconds to catch his breath before delivering his message.
"Two caravans approaching, one from the east and the other from the south. The one from the south is particularly imposing."
"Good. Lay down your weapon and follow me," ordered the guard before entering.
At the heart of the council meeting, the guard accompanied by the soldier gave a respectful salute to two of his colleagues stationed in front of the door. The repeated gestures in unison spoke volumes: an important message was to be delivered. Two knocks resounded on the wooden door.
"Enter!"
The man pushed the door and advanced towards his superiors. They bowed respectfully before speaking.
"Repeat what you told me," ordered the personal guard to the sentinel.
"Two caravans approaching, sirs. One seems to be of our faction, but the other is unknown and of unusually large size," detailed the soldier, one hand proudly resting on his chest.
"Could it be our last caravan from Mizu No Kuni, the Water Country?" suggested Taisho, the wealthiest counselor in the country.
"Perhaps. After all, it's been a while since it departed," added Riku, stroking his goatee.
"And the southern caravan? Why such abnormal size?" inquired Rômaji, concern marking his features.
"It's at least twice as big as the one escorted by Suzuki-sama when he left for Hi No Kuni, and it seems disorganized," the soldier promptly replied.
"Estimated time of arrival?" Suzuki asked.
"Probably within the hour, my lord."
"Hashuba-sama, if you permit..." intervened Suzuki, already ready to depart.
"Proceed, my friend," answered the Daimyō without hesitation, his mind already calculating the implications of a caravan in this pre-winter period. Such an occurrence was rare, and convoys of this magnitude were usually better orchestrated than what the soldier had suggested.
"Follow me," Suzuki ordered imperiously to the messenger, as the three armed men left the room, leaving the council deep in thought.
"Could it be what Uchiha-sama and Haruno-sama talked about?" Daiki inquired, thinking of the families that had already emigrated, proclaiming their quest for "true peace."
"It's not to be ruled out, Daiki," Rômaji acquiesced, sharing this hypothesis. "But why now? The war has not been officially declared yet. Why act with such haste?"
"Planting the seed in people's minds," murmured Hashuba, his gaze lost in the distance. "Uchiha-sama has already demonstrated his ability to feign his own death. I have no doubt about his capability to carry out our plan. If this caravan is indeed another group sent by them, it will only hasten our ambitions."
As he finished his sentence, a bird made its entrance through a narrow opening in the window. It landed with imposing grace just in front of the Daimyō, its eyes fixed in his direction, a scroll case tied around its neck.
"Is this a missive from Uchiha-sama?" dared to ask Daiki.
"I do not think so," replied the lord, reaching out towards the scroll case. Uchiha-sama prefers falcons for his messages. He opened the case and extracted a quality parchment, clearly an official announcement.
Daimyō-dono Hashuba Shōta,
As the winds of stabilization stretch across the Elemental Nations, a concerning shadow looms on the global horizon. I earnestly wish to be mistaken, but prudence dictates taking preventative measures without delay.
Over the decades, our relations have woven a strong bond of friendship, forged in the fires of trials. It is in this spirit that I address this missive to you, proposing an alliance between Ta No Kuni, your illustrious homeland, and my own country, Hi No Kuni. Together, we can ward off the storms and ensure the prosperity and security of our two nations.
The beginnings of a threatening conflict loom on the horizon, and it is high time to stow away the tools of diplomacy to hoist high our war banners.
Tobirama Senju, Nidaime Hokage of Hi No Kuni.
"War approaches," declared Hashuba in a grave voice, as he let the parchment roll back up, placing it carefully on the table. He thus offered his advisors the opportunity to grasp and read the troubling news it contained.
Hashuba closed his eyes, silently admitting that Madara Uchiha's warnings had proven true. An imminent war loomed on the horizon, a conflagration of unprecedented scale.
"Takana," began the Daimyō after a long silence during which each council member had time to peruse the parchment. The one addressed immediately lifted his head towards his lord upon hearing his name.
"Daimyō-sama?" responded Takana promptly.
"Prepare an official parchment," ordered Hashuba.
"I suppose this missive means that our caravans will no longer be able to be sent to Hi No Kuni before the end of the war," remarked Rômaji.
"No, I believe our reserves are sufficient to hold out," replied Hashuba as Takana arranged the parchment properly.
"I'm listening, Daimyō-sama," responded Takana, ready to act according to his lord's orders.
Nidaime Hokage Tobirama Senju,
As the first bites of winter are felt, I acknowledge your concerns regarding an impending period of hardship. However, like yours, my people have already suffered too much, and I am reluctant to spill more blood already too precious.
We are a humble country, our wealth resting on the hard work of rice fields. The path of war does not resonate with our values, and I wish to maintain this neutrality to preserve the well-being of my fellow citizens.
Furthermore, a disastrous harvest has left us destitute. I regret to inform you that I cannot answer your call. The only assets at my disposal are men, but what can an army do against a single seasoned Shinobi? Thus, I am compelled to decline your proposal for an alliance between our nations.
However, our friendship remains precious to me, and I invite you to contact me when the situation has calmed.
I also pledge to keep your concerns confidential, thus preserving the trust that binds us.
Hashuba Shōta, Daimyō of Ta No Kuni
"Bring me a fresh quill, Tanaka," ordered Hashuba after dictating his message.
"Blood signature?" asked Rômaji, stroking his usual white beard.
"Yes, technically we will not reveal to everyone that Hi No Kuni is aware of the situation... it will keep us in the shadows," explained Hashuba, taking a small blade to lightly cut his thumb. He dipped the quill in the resulting drop of blood before signing his title on the parchment. Then, he pressed his ring onto his thumb, leaving a blood seal just below.
"Suzuki will surely agree with me, but with war looming, we should establish watch outposts on the hills surrounding the valley," suggested Rômaji, who knew the region's topography as well as the strategic location of the capital. "If you could be informed as soon as possible of an approaching army, it would allow you to better prepare."
As he spoke those words, Rômaji realized that his old friend had given way to the warrior who had slept within him for a long time. Being a lord in times of peace was one thing, but in times of war, it was a whole different story. Lately, the peaceful man had turned into a determined strategist. He had become more serious, more meticulous, leaving nothing to chance... because their lives were now in his hands and those of the council. One mistake, one leak of information, and all their plans, especially that of achieving lasting peace, could be thwarted.
"That's an excellent idea," Rômaji, approved Hashuba, furrowing his brows as he contemplated the optimal location for these outposts.
While Suzuki, accompanied by a soldier, strode through the streets of the city with determined steps towards the barracks, passersby quickly moved out of their way. After all, he embodied one of the most prominent figures in the country.
"You there, gather the cavalry troop!" thundered Suzuki as he headed towards the stable, addressing a guard stationed nearby.
"At your command!" replied the man before hurrying off in another direction.
"My horse!" demanded Suzuki, his voice bearing unequivocal authority.
Promptly, a man approached him, leading a magnificent brown-coated stallion. The animal was harnessed with a black leather saddle, clad in lightweight armor that covered much of its body. Unlike most horses, this one did not wear blinders. It embodied what was commonly referred to as a "warhorse."
Trained for melee, for delivering kicks, and for never flinching in front of predators, this type of mount was of precious rarity. It took an exceptional rider to master it. In the capital, only two warhorses were registered, and Suzuki had the privilege of riding one.
A quick caress was given to his mount before he mounted it, gently pulling on the reins as a deep horn sounded through the city, resonating in every corner of the valley.
"Yah!" announced Suzuki firmly, lightly pressing his heels on the animal's sides. With a light neigh, the beast surged forward, ready to answer his call.
As he crossed the city on horseback, the main thoroughfare emptied at the sound of a horn, announcing the mobilization of the cavalry. This signal doubled as an alert, inviting every exterior patrol to converge towards the main artery. And there, before their eyes, was the fulfillment of this instruction: fifty riders, led by Suzuki, trotted through the main streets of Heiwa.
Once past the main gate, the group galloped towards the major road, where about twenty lone riders, coming from various horizons, converged. If no watch post or outpost had yet been erected, patrols were already circulating, ready to relay information and alerts.
Thus, seventy riders dashed towards the mysterious caravan from the south. Their mission: to protect Heiwa. For any potential threat would be removed far from the walls of the city, thus sparing its inhabitants. But it was also a message, a warning to anyone who dared to threaten their security.
In the face of this show of force, the caravan sent by Madara and Sakura could only falter. For its members, simple peasants in search of peace, suddenly found themselves plunged into a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty, far from their native lands.
The riders approached rapidly. The caravan came to a halt, and its leader stepped forward, eager to be the spokesperson for his community. They all hoped to escape a dire fate, devoid of any valid reason. The mounts grouped together in an imposing circle, scrutinizing each face with attention.
Suzuki advanced with two of his men towards the one who seemed to lead this strange procession...
"Why have you trespassed on these lands?" demanded Suzuki imperiously.
The lives of these intruders rested in his hands. Suzuki was not one to jest, and an unsatisfactory answer could well cost them their lives. Thus, the old man who seemed to be their representative hurried to utter the words that the woman with pink hair had advised him.
"We seek true peace!"
At the utterance of this affirmation, repeated countless times through the ages, Suzuki lifted his head, scanning the assembly. They were numerous, far more numerous than the few individuals usually encountered. A thought crossed Suzuki's mind regarding Madara. They did not lie.
Day 205
"Are you categorical in your statements?" queried a man with gray hair, his voice carrying the assurance and power that few could claim across the Elemental Nations. He embodied one of the most formidable shinobi deities, renowned for his unparalleled mastery of Suiton techniques.
This man was Tobirama Senju, the Nidaime Hokage of Hi No Kuni, whose reputation was built on his name, lineage, deeds, and exploits. He observed with gravity a team of three shinobi reporting to him.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," replied one of the Konoha ninjas, standing at attention under the scrutinizing gaze of the Senju. "There are no survivors. Everything indicates that they were either abducted or fled... Unfortunately, the roads are so busy that it's impossible to determine whether they left of their own accord or not."
Tobirama interlocked his fingers in front of his face, furrowing his brows. This was the fourth similar report he had received in a few days. Entire villages abandoned, crops ravaged, buildings destroyed as after a war, but with no bodies. It was this last detail that concerned him the most.
There had been battles, that was certain. But who would have the audacity to attack Hi No Kuni without facing Konoha? Furthermore, the first report had mentioned the discovery of a headband from the Land of Earth at the scene, along with a few bodies. Was it a genuine enemy attack, or was someone trying to sow discord between two powerful nations?
"It's regrettable that we didn't have a member of the Inuzuka clan among us," remarked one of the patrolmen. "Their sense of smell and their animal companions would have been valuable assets for tracking down the perpetrators of this guerrilla warfare. Or at least, to determine the direction taken by the fugitives: captives or not."
After the third report of an attack on Hi No Kuni's lands, Tobirama had stepped up patrols at the border and begun considering alliances. Tobirama was not one to underestimate the stakes. The current world was forged in the blood of victims, and some might be tempted to repeat the mistakes of the past... on a much larger scale.
"You may leave," declared the head of the Senju clan with a wave of his hand.
"At your command, Hokage-sama!" replied the three men before leaving the office, leaving Tobirama alone in the room.
"Hm," mumbled Tobirama, frustrated at not having all the answers to his questions.
Nevertheless, he had managed to seal a new alliance with the Land of Water, adding to the existing one with the Land of Whirlpools. This alliance was the result of the marriage between Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki. However, he had not yet obtained the adhesion of Ta No Kuni. Despite this refusal, he had at least confirmation that this country aspired to neutrality: a rarity, attested by a letter written in blood, in these troubled times.
"Where are you, Hashirama?" whispered Tobirama, thinking of his brother.
For Tobirama, his brother's disappearance sparked deep skepticism and raised a multitude of questions. Who would have had the ability to make him disappear, or even kill him? Unfortunately, the only person with the potential to accomplish such a feat had been eliminated by his own brother! In a way, the disappearance of Uchiha Madara was not a great loss; Tobirama had always harbored a deep aversion towards that individual. But the current Hokage couldn't help but have doubts about his brother's death... Yet, the signs were there. But he refused to accept that his brother could have left in this way... or was that an illusion he was creating for himself?
"Bear," called the Nidaime, and a man materialized instantly before him, his arms crossed over his chest. Clad in the traditional attire of Konoha's Anbu, a red tattoo adorned his left arm while a mask concealed his face.
"Hokage-sama," the soldier greeted humbly, awaiting instructions.
"Take two of your most competent men with you, along with a member of the Inuzuka clan, and find out who's behind all this. It's an S-rank mission!" announced Tobirama as he wrote the mission on a parchment in front of him.
"Any specific instructions?" asked the soldier before taking the parchment handed to him.
"You have carte blanche," decreed the Hokage.
"Understood!" replied the Anbu before disappearing instantly, as if he had never been there.
Day 210
"They should have been back over a week ago already. Something must have happened to them," declared a man in his thirties.
"Do you doubt the abilities of your student, Onoki-san?" questioned a man with a deep voice, his body entirely wrapped in bandages.
"I am not questioning Fuji's skills, Mû-sama. But all it would take is for them to encounter someone too formidable to overcome," replied Onoki to his master.
He had carefully trained his apprentice, Fuji. But faced with an ambush, survival chances were slim.
"However, from what I've heard, he would have sacrificed his life to allow his comrades to return and bring back the news," Mû added, observing his own apprentice.
"That's true. Either they've fallen into an ambush, or they've crossed paths with Tobirama Senju, or... or Konoha has more competent ninja under its command than we thought," replied the small man floating slightly above the ground using Jinton techniques.
"There are two other individuals who could have handled Fuji without difficulty: this Sarutobi and this Danzo. Two very talented individuals, both trained by Tobirama himself," explained Mû, scanning the assembly.
They were in the middle of a meeting.
Mû, announcing that he would be the next Tsuchikage, supervised meetings regarding the country's security while the current Tsuchikage rested. Growing old, he had to conserve his strength as much as possible, and he had absolute trust in his apprentice.
"Do you think Konoha is aware of our plans?" asked an advisor around the table. The man immediately lowered his head as the future Tsuchikage looked at him.
"I don't think so. We've been extremely cautious," replied the bandaged man.
"Yet, it's not the only team to have mysteriously disappeared. Compared to Fuji's team, which should have been back for a week, three-quarters of the other ninja teams tasked with guerrilla warfare on Fire territory have stopped giving signs of life," added the advisor.
"It's possible that a third party is involved. If Konoha was truly informed, Tobirama would already be at our doorstep with his troops," reassured Mû, aware that this shinobi should not be underestimated.
"Should we accelerate our action plans?"
"Yes."