Chapter 8
Tobirama didn’t take his eyes off the group of supposed lost foreign shinobi as he wove the handsigns for the clone jutsu he was still refining.
Unlike other clone techniques – including ones he had created himself – this one was unique in that the created clones were tangible yet didn’t use nature transformation to achieve that effect. Instead, they were composed of chakra, taking up half his stores. If they were to be dissipated or deactivated before the provided stores ran out, however, Tobirama had managed to figure out a manner to make the remaining chakra flow back to the jutsu user.
This had an unintended side-effect of also carrying over the clone’s memories of what had transpired since then. Tobirama wasn’t sure how, exactly, but he had theories regarding the Yin chakra having imprints left on it by the mind.
He had been experimenting on improving the memory transfer and seeing what applications that could have, along with the sturdiness of the clones themselves without any underlying material to strengthen their forms. There was also the matter of having multiple clones, which was another matter by itself-
Regardless, none of these factors had to do with his usage of the clone now. It was simply to report back to Hashirama about how he had found the errant faction within the forest.
It appeared a few steps to his left, in a slight cloud of smoke he had been attempting to tone down, and went into the forest, taking a meandering route to the main Senju clan compound. No words had to be exchanged, as they were of the same mind.
The Hatake straightened up upon seeing this display. “You’ve created the Kage Bunshin technique already? Most sources put it at around three years later-” he determinedly stopped talking.
Tobirama frowned, his displeasure unnecessary to hide.
Shinobi dealt in trickery and half-truths; this group and the tenuous deal struck between them was no different. Tobirama wasn’t willing to believe that they had truly come from some strange foreign place – even if their clothing and slight verbiage seemed to reflect a great deal of distance from the Land of Fire customs Tobirama was familiar with. But there was something extremely pressing that they were leaving out.
He hadn’t decided on a name for the clone technique just yet. But he had been considering calling it the Kage Bunshin, seeing how its main separating feature from the other non-nature-transformation clone technique was the fact that it was tangible; ergo, it had a shadow.
How had this one known that, when he had discussed this with no one, nor ever took the risk of writing his techniques down in full until it was time to register them in the clan archives? He almost considered a borrowed Yamanaka technique – after all, they had stolen Uchiha, Senju, and Hatake traits and techniques. But he had developed seals he knew were effective against that kind of mind tampering.
Tobirama contemplated whether he would enjoy the Uchiha dragging this information out from the two pretenders. Those brutes were never light-handed on the torture, he would reluctantly commend. Eventually, he had to settle on the answer that no, he would prefer if all the information they had was only his to behold. Especially that seal. He needed to see that seal again.
To the credit of the shinobi he was watching, none of them attempted to try anything misdirection while Tobirama awaited clearance from Hashirama for this plan.
“We need to use the peace talks residency,” was how Hashirama’s brother began the conversation.
There were few times where Hashirama’s brother thought it prudent to get clearance for a plan beforehand. Usually when he knew the possible consequences were severe enough to warrant stepping back and warn people prior to the eventual fallout of whichever experiment he was running now.
“Is it going to be filled with noxious fumes by the end of whatever you hope to achieve?” Hashirama asked, opting for pragmatism. Another letter had been delivered by ninneko – this time addressed by the official Uchiha council of elders. The situation on that front was escalating to a war being fought through missives. Soon, it might not be confined to such.
Tobirama’s near-perpetual frown deepened. “I wish to use it to house people. Which is what it was intended to do. I believe that I have found the source of this undeserved development in the conflict between us and the Uchiha.”
Hashirama startled a little. “Wait, really? You couldn’t have led with that?”
“I was already working on the internal logistics of it,” Tobirama excused. “I’m still observing the situation, so this is just one of my experimental clones.”
He thought he remembered this one. It could down anyone without immense chakra stores, and the mental strain it caused made it impractical for what most clones were used for. This, however, was an application Hashirama hadn’t considered.
Tobirama was clear and concise about what he had discovered within the woods. Four individuals, all with observable ties to major clans. Leader clearly wished for no hostility, but one of the subordinates had been quick to escalate, until ordered down.
They said that they had traveled from somewhere quite distant, through the use of a faulty space-time fuinjutsu and needed Tobirama’s help in returning them home, but the story was highly suspect.
“If they’re truthful, that would require a great many things to conveniently fall into place,” Tobirama continued. “But whether or not they’re abandoning their clan to escape to wherever this seal will take them is something only the Uchiha clan can confirm.”
Yes, that had caught his attention, too. Substantial proof that they had nothing to do with the encroachment on Uchiha territory. That the invaders were in fact Uchiha themselves. Possibly. Except for…
The subordinate Tobirama had identified as having the Mokuton.
It explained why Madara had thought he sensed Hashirama’s chakra in the area. No one but him had had the Mokuton in generations. But even if they were able to hand over the captured Uchiha deserters over to the Uchiha clan as a show of goodwill that might lead on to finally quelling the animosity between them, they wouldn’t be able to make excuses for that chakra signature.
But he and Tobirama were of the same mind in that regard; this ‘Tenzou’ could not be released into Uchiha hands.
“We can play it off as genjutsu,” Hashirama said, grasping at straws. “Or say we don’t know! If we know too much about the situation, that’d be doubly weird, right?”
“I’m concerned that they might lie while talking to the Uchiha,” Tobirama divulged, frowning. “Uchiha are wily people, and deserters are more so. Of course they might lie to save their own skins. Maybe claim that we kidnapped them.”
It was a no-win situation.
“So, we don’t talk to them about this immediately,” Hashirama decided. “Keeping them in the peace talks residence for the next few days will be the best course of action, while we get their story straight and look for any intention to double-cross or deceive.”
Tobirama’s hair looked extra bristly as he glared. “That was what I suggested at the very beginning.”
“And it was a good idea! Which is why I’m sanctioning it now!” Hashirama said, waving him off.
There was also a small matter from Tobirama’s report they had not yet addressed. While Hashirama was quickly signing off on a report to send a squad out to secure and guard the peace talks residence, he addressed this detail.
“The Hatake you mentioned. They’re going to demand he be killed once they find out about the bloodline theft.”
By all means, he and Tobirama were actually half-brothers, though that rarely came into conversation. Hashirama didn’t know much about the Hatake, except that they were a far-flung and heavily separated nomadic clan. There were fearful rumors that were spread around, some of which were of actual veracity, Hashirama had found in the few times when the group Tobirama’s mother had hailed from came to visit.
Fiercely loyal as they were, he wasn’t sure what their reaction would be to finding out that a clan member was being charged with violating another family’s sacred traits like that. Would they jump to defend?
Tobirama breathed through his nose. “I don’t recognize him. Out of everyone, he’s the one most likely to actually be from somewhere astronomically far away. Surely, this group would have thought of the consequences when they agreed to this.”
Deserters were killed more often than not. Bloodline thieves most definitely were. And the Mokuton holder would be tried for encroachment, if the Senju didn’t step in with the claim that he was also a bloodline thief they wished to deal with on their own terms. Tobirama was effectively leading the group to their deaths.
It didn’t sit right with him.
“They sought you out,” Hashirama said, putting too much force when he stamped in his seal into the missive. “They asked for your help.”
“To decipher their seal,” Tobirama replied without an ounce of conscience. “Never for protection from their own mistakes. I’m prioritizing the peace you want.”
Hashirama especially hated when he turned out right. He was accused of naivete for his ideals, and found that Tobirama’s pragmatism was better at steering them to a more desirable outcome. And yet.
He couldn’t help but note how they stood at an impasse.
The orders were dispatched. The peace talks residence sprung back into functionality. Tobirama’s clone dissipated, taking memories of the successful negotiation to the real Tobirama.
Tobirama was… an immensely exhausting person to do statecraft with, Hashirama noted. He played at being single-mindedly devoted to the service of the Senju clan, but in large part it was a justification for his own innate fervor to know and progress and push the boundaries of possibility.
That same mad curiosity glinted in the eyes of the summoned clone just then. Probably focused on the seal that had been part of the negotiations. It wasn’t something Hashirama could begrudge him for; he was curious about this group, too.
Especially the Mokuton user.
He had never met another like him.
Eventually, the future Second Hokage moved from his post overlooking Team Ro. He had not shown any signs of communicating with anyone, but he moved with surety towards a specific point, commanding that they follow.
Tenzou shadowed Kakashi – they had removed their Anbu masks, with no alternate identities beneath it, and the captain had expressed a wish to remain as truthful as what was easily believable to the people of this era, so he supposed they were going by their real identities right now – and they moved in silence until they reached a wooden structure presumably to house guests.
Far away from the actual compound, with patrol units situated both openly and in secret, it was clear that this was set up for visitors who weren’t trusted wholeheartedly by the Senju. A prudent arrangement.
Another thing of note was the fact that despite the structure being carefully painted with paint and lacquer, all the beams, doors, and walls were carefully crafted of the same type of wood. Indeed, most of it even melded together perfectly. And grew out from the ground itself.
Tenzou couldn’t help but compare his own structures of this sort with the one created by who could only be the future First Hokage. He found that the wood in this one had a tendency to be warped and curved, knots visible in certain areas and patches were the bark was still attached. Some areas were green and spongy to the touch from the wood still maturing and growing.
In sharp contrast, his own had always been perfectly straight and angular. The wooden planks would be level and perfectly matured. Imperfections like knots and curves were not allowed, being visible signs of shoddy workmanship.
Privately, the thought sprung to mind that his own wooden structures were better than that of the First Hokage’s. He stamped it down with prejudice, knowing not to assume himself more capable than his betters.
He had already acted out of turn, and almost ruined the tenuous peace they had managed to establish with the Second Hokage. Making sure to not repeat the mistake was tantamount.
The observation rankled at him, even as it was understandable. But it made it hard to be conveyed orders in the straightforward manner Tenzou required. Otherwise, he was just left adrift, watching the others move with purpose and having no idea what to do with himself.
Not for long, thankfully, as Kakashi helpfully signed towards him while they were checking the sleeping arrangements.
“They’re trying to see if we break character. Act as you normally do, so there’s no character to break. Just don’t mention the future, and you’ll be fine.”
Understood.
With this in mind, he decided to stand with his back to the wall, next to the closest exit and do nothing.