Chapter 45

War. War- an occurrence that was desperately kept away, came barging into the doors of the peace.

"I told you it was a horrible idea."

Madara berated depressed Hokage for the hundredth time during those last few weeks.

" I didn't have a choice at that time. Once Kyuubi no Yoko was sealed inside Mito, other great nations sent me an ultimatum. I'm either catching and giving Tailed-beasts to them, or they will all unite and eliminate Konoha."

Hokage said while being buried under the pile of paperwork about preparations for the upcoming war. Usually, there is ten times less work, but... A heavy sigh escaped his dry lips as he continued. " It's too late now. I didn't manage to stop them. Human greed is enormous. Madara," Hashirama looked up to his friend that came here with the reports on Hogosha and police activities, "you will have to stay inside of Konohagakure.."

"HASHIRA-"

"Wait, let me finish." The Hokage extended his hand, gesturing the other party to sit.

"Madara, look. Does my body look ok to you?"

Hashirama turned to face his tired and enraged childhood friend making it possible for the other to clearly see his face and hands that weren't covered by his robe.

A slightly wrinkled skin all over his strong, tanned arms. His black eyes sunk a little deeper into his skull and grey hair were let loose, reaching his thighs.

"...."

"That battle with Fukushū did not leave without leaving its mark on me. I used my healing ability way to much and the hunt for other Tailed-beasts took even more of my life force. Do I look like a 54-years-old?"

Madara shook his head.

For someone like Hashirama, 54 is a small number. He has some of the Uzumaki blood flowing through his veins, that just can't have any effect on his body. Rather, it was precisely for its presence that his friend is still alive.

"True, you look terrible." He said with a weak laugh. He still couldn't believe it. His childhood friend and rival, the one who was always beaming with energy, was now only a shadow of his previous self.

"I won't live a lot longer. At most till the end of the war. War will take the rest of my life force."

Hashirama told him with a weak grin. Madara stared at his dear friend with emotionless, black orbs. However, on the inside, he was burning in agony of helplessness. He only wished, he could somehow help him. He would gladly exchange his own years of life if it was needed.

Rage was also his constant companion. He was furious at everyone. The student that let himself become a puppet, the other great nations, the Tailed-beasts, that black abomination of existence and most of them all, himself. Even though he knew, he wouldn't really change anything, he wanted to go, find Fukushū and the thing controlling him, and destroy both. He no longer cared or at least he tried not to, but it was not possible.

As Madara was further drowning in his emotions, he was brought back by the knock on the door.

"Come in."

Izuna and Tobirama came inside with new reports. They too were working hard and were in battle with almost the same set of emotions.

They left as soon as they place their documents on the desk. Reports of possible combinations of the teams, likely places for ambushes for their side, as well as their enemy's, supplies and medications and so on. The new unit was taking their job seriously and now, many of the possible strategic points of their enemies were uncovered and appropriate precautions were taken.

While Hogosha was busy with patrolling the streets and fishing out spies

Taking another paper, Hashirama continued.

"Madara, the reason why you must stay behind, is this war. Uzushiogakure is our ally and look." He gave a piece of paper to Madara.

"So from the reports of our spies, those villages might make a temporary agreement and cooperate to wipe the village from the world's maps."

"So, our new unit is working just fine?"

"Yes. Creating Root was a good idea. We needed that kind of specialisation at our house."

"I hope that you wrote about it in the scroll. If Malika would not know about it, she has the right to destroy the force."

"And the power to do so...Hahaha."

He heaved a sigh.

"So that is why I have to stay. If Uzumaki will send a request, we must respond immediately and since I'm the commander, I must be present. Huh...."

"Yes, just like she predicted. Sometimes I really wonder, could she be able to foresee the future?"

A burst of weak laughter filled the room.

"I don't think so. If she could, she wouldn't leave. I can't help but worry for her. So many years have had passed, yet she is still yet to exit. How is she holding up without food and water? Is she even alive?"

Madara shared his mind and saw the exact same thoughts on the Hokage's face.

"I know she is fine, but I fear that we won't be fortunate enough to meet again."

"Yeah."

"Hey, Madara."

"What is it?"

"Whom should I appoint as my successor for this post? I was thinking about you and Izuna. Tobirama as well, but he said that he would rather support than govern."

"Izuna. He is second to me in strength and is really good with politics. He is a big help with our internal clan affairs. Also," Madara grinned, "he said that this is a secret, but he dreams to be the next Hokage."

"Alright then! He should be the one!" Hashirama exclaimed, but quickly calmed down. "Wait, if Izuna was to become the Hokage, who would you appoint as the next head of the Hogosha and the clan head?"

"You don't have to worry about that. My son, Nichro, is more than enough to fill in the role of the leader of Hogosha. True, he isn't as strong, as some of the other members of Hogosha, but he is only 17 and has great potential to become even stronger than I was at my prime! As for the position of the clan head, Izuna's son, Kagami, is already being trained for it."

Madara boasted about his son and nephew to Hashirama and couldn't hide his pride. Hashirama only smiled happily. He too liked to boast about his daughter and granddaughter.

****************

"I'm home!" - Danzo exclaimed as he entered his home.

"Welcome! Come in and sit! The dinner is already on the table!" - the voice of a happy Uchiha rang in the halls.

"It is not fair. Why didn't you get a mission, while I had to break a lot of sweat out there, Kagami?"

"I dunno. Since the time we became jounins, we had split a lot, no? Besides, I had my mission just a few days ago, so I'm on a vacation!" - Kagami answered, but was too devouring the food and decided to stop their conversation there.

"Hn..." - Danzo took his chopsticks and joined his best friend.

A lot of things have had happened in his life. He met this weird Uchiha, became friends with many clan children, trained with them and at some point, was nearly adopted by Izuna-sensei, whom he loved very much. He declined the offer only because he wanted to have his own clan. An ambition that he got after socialising with his friend's clan. Even his dream to be the Hokage became somewhat os less importance.

With time he learnt more and more about the world, villages, towns, people and life. And the more he learnt, the more he wanted to protect what is dear to him. His village. Its people and his family.

Their team is one of the strongest teams there is in Konoha. Kagami, Torifu and Danzo were very powerful shinobi, while their med-nin became the head of the hospital.

"Oh, it is good to see you here, Danzo. Did you finish your meal? Could you please come with me?" - a tired voice appeared in the doorway.

"Yes, Tobirama-sama. Would you like to eat as well?"

"No need. I've eaten."

"Hai!"

*****************

They walked for a long time and by the time the sunset, they reached their destination. Long, gloomy corridors greeted them with busy noises.

Danzo wanted to ask many things but held himself off. He wasn't an impatient anymore. He was a 16-years-old shinobi. If he needs to know, he will.

"I would like to talk to you about something very serious, Danzo. Anything that I tell you, will not leave this room, understood?" - When the two of them entered into one of the numerous doors, Tobirama finally spoke.

"Hai!"

"What do you want to do in the future?"

"I want to protect what is dear to me. My home and its people."

"Uhm. Do you want to become the Hokage for that reason?"

"Eh...." - He wasn't sure what to answer. Does he really want to be the at the top? Sure, it would be much easier to do what he wants, but... Hokage is someone who is always in sight and has to be the role model for shinobi. Danzo didn't want that. A role if the shadow of the Hokage sounds more attractive. - "I thought about it and came to the conclusion that I don't want to be the Hokage. The role of a secretary or someone in the shadow would be better."

Tobirama weighted him with a heavy gaze, sighed and uttered, - "Then, do you want to be the next head of the Root?"