Chapter 3
The travel to Oharta will take roughly three days. The small village is located south of Sora-Ku city. It was a phantom city, abandoned by the Uchiha clan amongst others. Later, it was destroyed due to the raging battles in the area. Nobody took care of the city after Konoha was founded. Although few people were left behind. Some of them were old allies of the Uchiha clan. They often had to restock their weapons and supplies there in exchange for different sorts of services.
Lately, the city became more and more known for its black market for one of a kind weapons.
It was an open secret of the Land of Fire. These weapons were banned across the official marketplaces around the country but in Sora-Ku, the law wasn’t applied hence the city wasn’t unfamiliar with licentious behaviours from the people there.
Even Madara had once been to the market, as he ran an errand for his father, getting fresh supplies and munitions back to the clan. He stumbled upon a merchant who offered him his now infamous weapon, the Gunbai. It was a wooden fan used usually by the samurai in the Land of Iron. However, he recalled how fascinated he was by the weapon.
Legend has it that the fan was inherited from generations of Uchiha clansmen but got lost centuries ago. It was blessed and carved from a sacred tree.
At the time, Madara saw it as an opportunity to utilise his abilities as he was able to use wind release aside from the signature fire release the Uchiha clan was famous for. Thus he purchased the gunbai and wielded it both as a defensive and offensive tool, in the process he developed techniques and fighting styles around the mace. He spread the flames from his Katon across the battlefield and used the battle fan to reflect and block extremely powerful attacks from his foes.
Hashirama too, was familiar with the place, although he never went into the city for weapons or ammunition, as he was a Senju. His clan held no allegiance to Sora-Ku. But to help the refugees of the war as a healer. Since it was an unclaimed land the people were forced into bloodshed although they never actually fought in the war. Resulting the Daimyo’s intervention, hence why the Senju clan was hired to guide people out of the town to neighbouring villages.
They will probably have to cross the abandoned city to get to Oharta which would make things complicated.
“So, the Anbu team have said anything more about the situation?” Madara asked as they were heading towards their destination.
Hashirama shook his head “Nothing useful, I think it is something to do with the Amaterasu goddess though.”
Madara nodded “I thought so too although I found it hard to believe, the goddess haven’t intervened with the mortals for eons. It could be related though.”
“It would be weird for the goddess to do something like that in a near-abandoned shrine too. The Land of Fire has lot more shrines across it, and this one, in particular, doesn’t seem to stand out in any way.” Madara continued, looking up at the sun as he spoke.
“Wouldn’t it be more efficient if it were in a more shinobi abundant area? These people are mostly civilians.” Hashirama asked his companion.
“The thing is.” Said Madara, waving his hand “Most of the people who worship Amaterasu are civilians and farmers. It might be one possibility as to why.”
“Most shinobi clans moved on to believe in legends like the sage of sixth paths. Like the Senju, right?”
“Yes. But according to the Anbu report, I do find it weird that a barrier was placed there, especially when none of the citizens there can use ninjutsu at a high level. What’s its purpose?”
“There is only one way to find out I guess!” Said Hashirama, trying to change the subject, he wanted to talk with his friend as they were no longer bound to their duties at the moment.
“Sooo…” Hashirama said awkwardly, Madara only eyed him as an answer.
“Oh! I forgot to thank you for the food yesterday, It was delicious! Where did you learn to cook so well?”
Madara’s ears redden a little as he grunted. “I learned cooking from my mother. She would ask me to help her in the kitchen when I wasn’t training or when my father let me retire from the day.”
“I wish Tobirama would let me help him in the kitchen, it seems so rewarding y’know?” Hashirama said with a soft smile.
“Ha! I wouldn’t let you go anywhere near a stove let alone a whole ass kitchen, you’re a disaster waiting to happen!” He giggled at Hashirama.
“But you’re right.” Madara said quietly and tilted his head slightly.
“Huh?” Hashirama asked confused.
“It is rewarding, food is an entire experience. Aside from a necessity of course. Cooking for Izuna when I had the chance, was always the best.” he smiled at himself as he lowered his head. The high collar of the Uchiha attire covered most of his face.
“Yeah. I know what you’re saying, I would make wooden toys for my little brothers. It always made my day, looking at them playing games and acting like children instead of adults in a cruel world that forces them to fight.” Hashirama nodded softly at Madara.
“Really? I can’t imagine Tobirama being a little kid with a wooden doll, are you kidding me right?”
“Hahaha! He’s a hard ass from childhood but I’m pretty sure he kept my gifts!” Hashirama laughed at the thought. “But you better believe he sure played with those toys”.
“He probably tried to experiment with them, I’ll even bet that he tried voodoo!” Madara let another laugh escape his lips.
“Betting now, are we? I thought you disliked when I gambled” Hashirama pointed at him.
“Only whenever I’m sure to win!”
“No way! you mean hedgehog! No way my brother will never do such things!” Hashirama declared.
•
Madara and Hashirama kept jumping from tree to tree at a fast pace. As they were two of the strongest shinobi at their time with great stamina and chakra level, they could afford such a journey without having to stop. Still, they agreed to take a rest at the next village since they were halfway through the village.
“I can’t detect anything out of the ordinary here. But I can feel some sort of disgusting, off putting chakra coming from the south, probably our destination.”
“Yeah” answered Hashirama. “I can feel it too.”
“We should retreat for tonight, at the pace we’re advancing we should reach Sora-Ku by tomorrow evening.” Madara suggested.
“We’ll search for an inn, and we could ask the locals if they heard anything suspicious in the area. And maybe have some fun at the bar? Huh? What do you think Maddie?”
Hashirama looked at him with puppy eyes.
Madara flashed him a disgusted expression. “No we’re not drinking on the job Hashirama, take it seriously!” He crossed his arms.
“Oh come on! I haven’t seen you outside of work since I was appointed as Hokage, and besides talking to the locals with this stiff face of yours won’t help us learn anything, they will run away!” Hashirama exclaimed and threw his hands up at the Uchiha.
“Ugh! Why is everything with you have to involve alcohol in it? Fine! But don’t get drunk we have to continue tomorrow, we can’t afford to lose any more time here.” Madara cupped his head in his hands in disbelief as he agreed to go along with Hashirama.
Hashirama smiled widely at him and grabbed his hands, pulling them close to his chest. “Thank you! Let’s have some fun together Maddie!”
Madara blushed hard and looked away from Hashirama. “Since when do you call me that? stop it! Or I’ll tie you to a tree for all I care!” Hashirama didn’t mind the comment and lead him to the closest inn they could find.
It was relatively full, considering the small town. The business was booming, most of the people there must be passengers like them, seeking a place to recharge from their travels. Hashirama approached the counter, but before he requested any rooms he looked at Madara with pleading eyes.
Ugh. He knew what it meant, the idiot didn’t bring any money with him, or rather, had lost all of his Hokage allowance to gambling and now he was silently begging for another loan from him.
Madara grumbled and reached for his wallet, he pulled out a couple of coins and set them on the counter. “There. You feckless fool, I expect you to return this money you hear me? I already lent you enough as it is.”
Hashirama looked at him with a nervous expression “sure! I’m sure to win some big bucks today! I can feel it. Here, in my knee, touch it!”
He raised his knee and pointed at it.
“What the fuck is wrong with you? No! Stop fooling around and give the man his money already you pain in the ass!” Madara could feel his face visibly burning. He slapped Hashirama’s leg and took the keys from the poor man standing in front of them.
The man laughed awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his head. “We’re currently almost at full capacity, Is one room will be sufficient sir?”
Madara, who wanted nothing but to get away from the situation accepted the room. “Yes thank you it is fine.”
Madara was the one to grab Hashirama’s hands this time as he dragged him out the hallway to their assigned room. The moment they reached the door, Madara kicked Hashirama forcing him into the room. “You’re such an ass It’s not even one day of this bullshit and I already have regrets. Ugh!”
“I told you, Madara! You need to loosen up. Nothing happened, now put your things down, and let’s explore this place!” He got off the ground and put his luggage down.
The next thing Madara knew was that they were standing in front of a bar. He sighed, Hashirama always got his way with him, it couldn’t be helped. Fine, it’s time to get some information from these folks.