Chapter 1
It was another lazy day in Konoha, it’s been some time since its foundation, you could see people walking in the streets, a mix of colours people not only from the Senju and the Uchiha clans but also the Nara, Hyuuga and the most recent ones are the Uzumaki. The noise of the vendors and children could be heard all the way to the Hokage’s office, where Hashirama was sitting in his chair, surrounded by tall piles of paperwork that never seemed to end.
Just as he was about to flip the paper, an Anbu soldier appeared before him.
“Hashirama-dono I have the report from the south of the Land of Fire as you have ordered”
Yes, lately there are many rumours surrounding the area, normally he wouldn’t have requested any investigation of a lousy rumour, they were nothing new. Especially to the newly founded village. People were talking, they looking for something to bond over, and more often than not it would be some juicy gossip. His mind couldn’t help but wonder to Madara, who’s been time and time again the subject of many of these gossips. Huh.
Right, back to the matter at hand, the difference about this particular case is evidence that keeps coming, people coming from the area looking for refuge or some comfort have been reporting the same vaguely worrying claims about the place.
“It seems that a small village in the south has become the reason for these events” the Anbu soldier said. “There is a shrine up the hill near the village called Oharta, The shrine is of the Sun-goddess Amaterasu. The latest reports suggest that an abnormal amount of Chakra is surrounding the place. There is also a barrier inside the shrine itself which has come up right after some civilians have entered the shrine.”
Hashirama stroked his chin, indeed this rumour has proven serious. That might become a threat to the village if not taken care of soon.
“The villagers in the area have reported that screaming and shouting were heard from the shrine for several days, afterwards they could smell blood and smoke. No person that entered has yet to come out” The Anbu continued, although a mask was placed on him Hashirama could sense his grim expression.
“Thank you, you’re excused. I’ll take care of it from here” Hashirama tilted his head slightly and smiled. The Anbu had disappeared not a few minutes after.
“You can come out now Madara, I know you’re here” Hashirama said chuckling lightly.
“I may not be a very good sensor like you and Tobirama but you shouldn’t be eavesdropping and actually come in like a normal human being” Hashirama said, waving his hand back and forth towards Madara, whose standing with his arms crossed looking very unimpressed by Hashirama calling him out.
“Hn. Well, maybe I wanted to make sure you’re doing your job instead of slacking off like you usually do whenever I’m here” Madara answered, Hashirama could see him pouting a little. He let another chuckle escape from his mouth.
“Don’t be mean to me! Look how much paperwork I have to get done! It’s too much!” He points dramatically at the stack of papers sitting on his desk. “I should have made you the Hokage had I known it meant sitting at this desk all day!” He threw his hands up, looking at his best friend with pleading eyes.
Madara shoved his hand to block Hashirama’s face, angrily looking away. “Serves you right! You imbecile, you should have known better. Didn’t you have to do the paperwork yourself as clan head?” Madara tilted his head slightly, looking at Hashirama with a small grin. He let his hands off Hashirama’s stupid face.
“Aww come on Madara! You and I both know that Tobi helped me with this all boring stuff!”
Hashirama said happily, as if it were something to be proud of.
“I suppose that’s true, you don’t have enough brain capacity to do it all by yourself!” Madara teased him, although both know it was not the case. At times of war, bureaucracy is not something a clan head needed to be entirely focused on. True, it was important for clan politics and resources. But the battles were more important. Hashirama was a tactical leader, so was Madara. They had to choose which fights are worth fighting for to insure their clan’s survival.
But now, at this point of peace, Hashirama found himself dabbling in civilian work such as crafting and farming. He too used his Mokuton to build most of the houses in the village. Which was quite a change of pace from the bloody battles he used to fight in.
Politics weren’t a new thing either but now they had to represent the village and not only their clansmen. Every move was crucial for the growing village, especially when dealing with the Daimyo or with other villages. Naturally, all these new developments have led to a lot of bureaucracy and hence the overwhelming amount of paperwork. Of course, Tobirama and Madara are both sharing the workload with Hashirama.
“Anyway, I have finished my clan’s papers and approved the additional contraction near the Uchiha compound.” Madara said, pulling the papers from his pouch.
“So what was that about?” Madara asked immediately after giving him the papers, referring to the talk he was very much eavesdropping on earlier.
“Ah yes, I assume you have heard the rumour about Oharta shrine, it seems to be an actual issue that I should deal with.” Hashirama said, looking at the newly added papers.
“I think you just want to get out of here don’t you?” He eyed Hashirama and continued.
“But yes, I agree it does sound unusual, especially for that village. It is a mostly civilian village it has no significant Chakra users in the area. And it might become a major threat in the future.” He stopped, and looked at Hashirama who is looking back at him with a sour expression.
“Are you sure it’s something that requires our personal attention though? The village needs you here, especially after the attack on Uzushiogakure”. Madara said, crossing his arms once again.
“Yes I know, but we already have an alliance with them, and some of the refugees have already settled here. This seems to be no less important, I don’t want anyone else dying because of Chakra-related issues especially innocents and civilians who have nothing to do with Ninjutsu!” Hashirama shouted, he clenched his fist in anger.
“Very well, Hokage sama. I expected nothing less from you. Have Tobirama replace you, we’ll go investigate this matter tomorrow morning.”
Madara huffed and let another smile creep upon his face. He could feel Hashirama’s anger leave him. As he looked at Madara with a shiny smile and wide eyes as if they were going on a field trip.
“Madara! I’m so excited for our mission we haven’t fought together for such a loooong time!” He threw his hands up and hugged Madara with a bear hug.
Madara tensed for a second, not used to being held, and returned the hug “yeah.. it’s been awhile” he said softly leaning into the hug.
Hashirama was the one who broke the hug, walking back to his seat. “Madara, can we have some tea at your place tonight? I haven’t seen your house yet if I recall correctly.”
Madara jerked up from where he stood, a couple of emotions passed across his face. He looked uneasy for a moment, then opened his mouth again.
“Who taught you manners?! You invite yourself into my house? It’s nothing special. Besides don’t you want to spend time with your little brother before we leave?” Madara shot at Hashirama and closed his eyes with annoyance, rubbing them as if he knew a headache was coming.
“Madara! Don’t be like that! I just want to spend more time with you, we have been so busy lately I really missed you!” Hashirama cried as he slams his head into the desk in despair.
Lately dealing with Madara has become more difficult, he feels as though he’s stepping on glass. Every move he makes might result another fight or unpredictable response from the Uchiha.
“Hashirama, we’ll have plenty of time tomorrow" Madara said softly, trying to cheer up the overgrown man-child.
“Get your job done so Tobirama doesn’t kill you for neglecting your duties again. I’ll come back at dawn with dinner, instead. Spend the night with your brother. I’ll see you later.”
He jumped off the Hokage tower and disappeared.
Hashirama was left looking confused for a minute before he retreated to his work.
Although he had a lot to do, he couldn’t help but smile over the thought of their adventure tomorrow.
Hours later, as the sun was setting, Madara arrived at the Hokage office with homemade bento he had prepared for Hashirama. However, he found the esteemed “God of Shinobi” sleeping on his desk, drooling on the papers, no less. Hashirama was blabbering incoherently but wore a smile even when he was asleep.
Madara sighed softly as he examined the work Hashirama had done. He finished most of the urgent documents he had to hand over to the Daimyo.
Pleased to see that, Madara set the bento on the desk, and took off the ridiculous thing Hashirama called a hat. He looked at Hashirama once more and whispered
“I’m looking forward to it too". He blew off the candle sitting on the table and slipped out of the building.