Chapter Text
Hashirama is confused.
Hashirama has always used others' misperceptions of him to his advantage. Oftentimes people will see him as a bubbly over emotional idiot prone to random crying. He's not ashamed to say he uses that perception to convince others he is well meaning and weak minded, and that perception allows him to use 'puppy' eyes to sway others to his viewpoint. They tend to forget he is a shinobi.
It’s funny really, how others tend to forget whose son he is, and how hard the training to sharpen his mind as well as his fighting skills was. Having been trained from infancy to become clan head wasn’t easy and while he prefers to not intimidate or be rude, doesn’t mean his eyes don’t catch incongruences in people’s behaviors.
That’s why he notices from the very start that something is wrong with his otouto.
Tobirama used to be a happy, inquisitive child. Carefree and curious about just anything. From the start he knew his little brother had a heart of gold and a mind of a scientist. It saddened him to see that innocence stripped of him early on because of the war and their father’s policies.
Hashirama didn't know how it had happened but when they lost Kawarama and then Itama it created a chasm between them. He wasn’t sure how he missed that Tobirama needed him while he was so wrapped up in his grief. It all came down to that fateful day on the river. At the time, Hashirama felt betrayed and hurt by the person he trusted most.
Now that the feelings aren't fresh and he can revisit them without the anger coloring his vision he feels ashamed of his behavior. Hashirama sees now that the majority of their distance was his fault. His anger had pushed Tobirama away, it broke the bond they shared, not because Tobirama was cold, but because Hashirama left him. He would do anything to fix what they had.
But things had changed so much, and Tobirama had certainly contributed to their distance now. The original cause may have been on him but they were both responsible for the gap widening.
That’s not to say he ever doubted the love Tobirama felt for him and he’s certain his otouto knows he’s loved as well but it’s not as it used to be. Even with Butsuma’s illness and death, the gap between them remained. Hashirama never knew how to circumvent it and he suspected neither did Tobirama. He doesn't know why he can't just apologize, why he can't push for them to talk things through. It just feels like an impossible task. He doesn't even know if Tobirama would be open to it, if it would change anything between them.
Perhaps if Hashirama had focused on being there for his last remaining brother, they’d have overcome their shared grief and gotten closer.
The unshakable trust he had in his brother had been ever since damaged beyond repair and Hashirama simply had to get used to it.
Tobirama never opposed him openly - and never would, he trusts his brother that much at least. Tobirama would never risk the stability of the clan, and disagreements between the clan head and heir always leave the clan on shaky ground not knowing who to support. But Tobirama was convicted in his beliefs, especially about the peace Hashirama wanted for so long, and his brother isn't so easily swayed. He knows why: it’s difficult to dream about something when you only ever experienced the worst of war and grief. Hashirama can't fault Tobirama being unable to forgive the loss of Itama, it was no secret that Tobirama had felt their youngest brother die. He just wishes he had a way to show Tobirama that peace would save so many of their clanmates.
He doesn’t blame Tobirama for siding with the Elders, even if he uses careful words and aims for the middle ground between factions. He knows his brother thinks him too soft and only wants to ensure the survival of the clan.
That’s why it’s so bizarre - not that Hashirama thinks anyone else notices - when Tobirama returns from a mission with a haunted look in his eyes. It's not that he doesn't think Tobirama had never been affected by a mission, it's just the first time he's shown it to Hashirama (that he hadn’t successfully hidden it from him).
It’s the first sign that something is off with him. Hashirama receives the report from his quarters, sitting behind his chabudai while assessing Tobirama from the corner of his eyes. He pretends to read the written report his brother diligently assembled while searching Tobirama for more signs of distress and trying to understand what he is seeing.
In other people they’d be quite obvious. Trembling hands, paranoia, even sweat. In Tobirama, it is subdued and controlled, as all things that are Tobirama, his strong emotions are no different. He can see it in the way his brother sits rigidly in front of him trying to appear stoic but cannot hide entirely the subtle, almost imperceptive tremble of his fingers as he hands his report. Even in the way he circulates chakra in the room more than once and circumvents Hashirama, never prodding, but as if checking for his person. The most obvious is the way his eyes don't quite meet Hashirama’s, as if in fear of discovering something, or perhaps of revealing too much, either way Hashirama can’t tell.
Hashirama is careful to keep his observations to himself. It wouldn’t do any good to question his brother now when he looks so defensive. He’d just deny and next time Hashirama sees him, his defences and masks would be so well placed he wouldn’t be able to read a single thing from Tobirama. He’s learned the hard way that prying doesn’t work with him.
“...I see.” Hashirama says when Tobirama finishes. “It couldn’t be helped. Sooner or later, the Hagoromo would start to interfere with our fields and receiving confirmation that they’re allied with the Uchiha just accelerates the inevitable.”
Honestly, Hashirama couldn’t care less about the Hagoromo at this moment, but he is their clan head and he knows better than anyone the importance of putting duty above his personal feelings and needs. Figuring out what happened with his little brother would have to come later.
Tobirama, unaware of the scrutiny, gives a tiny nod.
“Well, no point in worrying about it now.” Hashirama concludes, seizing the moment to pour them both more tea and openly look concerned. “You didn’t get hurt, did you?”
Tobirama scoffs. “Of course not, anija.”
“Tobi, don’t scoff at me, you know I worry.” He lets his voice reach high whiny notes, Tobirama accepts his words easier if they sound silly instead of serious. “Your anija wouldn’t survive if anything happened to you.”
He says it with his big, sad puppy eyes that he knows Tobirama hates. Because unlike most others Tobirama knows how fake and manipulative it is. It almost makes it more fun to do it to his otouto.
In a normal interaction his brother would shake his head and say something harsh but not really meaning it and would hurry to get up and run away from the hug that Hashirama would certainly try to give him.
Except today that doesn't happen, all signs are pointing to this being anything but a normal interaction. A warning bell sounds through his mind when he swiftly manages to move into Tobirama’s personal space without being shoved away (more like kicked hard) and the big theatrical hug he is aiming for is actually received without a fight.
Hashirama does his best to pretend he doesn't find this awkward, something he never thought he would feel about hugging anyone let alone his brother. Hashirama has always loved to give hugs, he usually prefers to physically express himself. But it's rare for him to be allowed to give more than brief casual touches to his brother, and it's something that despite Tobirama thinking he doesn't need it, Hashirama knows people need physical affection to be healthy, and he will always do his best to give his brother what he knows he needs.
In his arms, his otouto has turned stiff and stone-like. Hashirama tries to not let that disappoint him, instead focusing all his energy into holding Tobirama close, pleasantly surprised that he’s being allowed to.
He can feel the moment Tobiram starts to relax in his embrace, it fills him with such deep relief he feels it in his whole body.
Unfortunately it's short-lived.
As if remembering their usual script, Tobirama tenses all over again and this time Hashirama braces himself for the punch in his ribs, noticing that it wasn’t as hard or precise as previous experience dictates, ultimately breaking their tender moment.
Getting up in a blink of an eye, Tobirama looks out of balance and troubled. Before Hashirama can even say a word the expression in his face is gone, making him doubt if he even saw it. His brother is bowing his head to him and all but running away, leaving Hashirama to ponder what really had happened on that mission.
-.-
Hashirama is astonished.
Admittedly he had been confused. After that disaster with the mission report, he had taken to carefully observing Tobirama as often as he could without making their interactions seem forced.
That didn’t reveal much, if only because Tobirama hid himself away inside his damned lab, and the last time Hashirama had tried entering there with a flimsy excuse of calling him to dinner he had his chakra coils fried so badly it had taken him an entire week, of what basically amounted to bed rest, to recover.
He couldn’t recall when Tobirama had developed such nasty seals to keep people away from interrupting his mad scientific quests.
Lesson learned: do not disturb Tobirama in his lab, ever.
It makes things harder for him but Hashirama is a persistent man. He had yet to give up on offering Madara peace so he knows he can wait for his little brother to open up, and he feels like it might actually happen this time.
If that one incident hadn’t been enough, the next was like alarm bells in his mind.
It started exactly two weeks after the hug incident - as he was calling it.
During a council meeting (nothing unusual) about their next steps before winter would come upon them it was suggested a final attack on the Uchiha’s lands. As always, it was Elder Haruto who spoke in favor of it.
“It’s a perfect opportunity to show our strength and let those cursed eye bastards know that they don't have the upper hand against us! The Senju are the superior clan!” He was referring to the Hagoromo incident - again.
“If we don’t take action, our reputation among the other clans and in the capital will be damaged. The Senju already favor more diplomatic approaches,” Elder Hanabi, from a neutral party, continued and the subtle criticism of Hashirama’s desire for peace wasn’t missed by him, “but to let that rest will make us look weak and perhaps we’ll even lose favor of our clients.”
Which was a valid concern and if they wanted to retaliate against the true culprits - the Hagoromo, as opposed to the Hagoromo’s new allies, the Uchiha - Hashirama would still oppose it, his primary goal is to pursue peace above all, but it would be justified and Hashirama would be hard-pressed to actually verbally contradict that.
It would avoid more reasons for their long war with the Uchiha to go on. Hashirama always thought the math behind it was simple if one so desired for it: by not adding any more pieces of wood to keep the fire going, eventually the fire would burn out.
“...a quick attack with our full forces-”
“-would ensure our winter is without troubles…” Damn. They even completed each other’s sentences. He was tired of fighting and it saddened him that these old shinobi were willing to sacrifice their young daughters and sons’ lives for a war that no one even remembered why it had begun. “...Tobirama-sama will surely agree.”
Oh. Right. Of course he will, Hashirama's definitely going to lose this argument.
As it was Tobirama who originally ran that mission and therefore had the most information, his opinion will hold the most weight with the clan, the Elders especially. Hashirama is well aware of those old bats' goals, and he knows his brother's opinion on war and retaliation. Hashirama has no choice but to hear it, and most likely will have to acquiesce and allow retaliation. There is only so much he can do and prevent before he risks a loss of confidence in his leadership abilities.
Hashirama has always hoped, still does in fact, for the day his brother would truly understand his desire for peace. Madara and he wanted it so that their younger brothers could live in a world where they could grow up slowly, remaining children for as long as possible. Where their eyes wouldn’t carry the heavy weight of grief and their bodies and senses wouldn’t be alert all the time, paranoid about being attacked, fear their constant companion.
But he lost his chance at making Tobirama understand it when he lashed out at his little brother after their father’s confrontation about the Naka river meetings. He is older now and he sees how his words must’ve hurt Tobirama, forever damaging their relationship and his brother's ability to trust Hashirama's dreams.
Doesn’t mean he cannot hope for one day to be able to gain his brother’s favor again. Maybe even reestablishing mutual trust between them once more - Hashirama thinks if they can achieve that he would have a much easier time proving to his brother peace can happen.
“It is a wise course of action,” Tobirama says, drawing his attention back to the present, “but not against the Uchiha.” Hashirama felt the room deflate, disappointment obvious in most of the faces in attendance, “otherwise we’d have to prepare for the possibility of fighting in a two front war and so close to winter it would be inadvisable. We don’t possess the manpower for that. It would also water more resources and money we need to comfortably survive the winter. I assume none of you are interested in a lean hard winter.’’
It was just like Tobirama to point out the obvious and come to the most logical conclusions. His brother may not agree with him on everything but the clan's prosperity was a priority for both of them. Hashirama is more than happy to take it from there and remind everyone about the real discussion here about their winter stocks of grain-
“Moreover,” Tobirama continues, “I’ve come up with a solution to avoid more meaningless confrontation while also preserving our lands from damaging attacks, especially our fields, you all know how vulnerable they are.” He sends Hashirama a quick look, trying to determine his reaction, and fishes a scroll from a seal he has tattooed on his arm, opening it on their table where everyone in the room can see.
It’s a map of their territory with circles in red, looking almost like…
Hashirama is so focused on the map he misses the first start of Tobirama's explanation,“...barriers that we can place to ensure no trespassing and with some modifications here and here,” he points to the circles surrounding their crops, “it’s possible to establish a connection for it to absorb nature chakra, instead of needing a constant supply from our shinobi, to ensure a constant flow of it and modify its affinity from neutral to whatever our needs.”
Hashirama knows very little of seals and fuuinjutsu as a rule - that had always been his brother’s interest - but if he is guessing right, what Tobirama is saying is…
“Whatever do you mean, Tobirama-sama?” Elder Hanabi asks, looking as confused as anyone is no doubt feeling when Tobirama tries to explain some of his scientific developments. Hashirama always takes a bit of pride in what a genius his brother is, and it always gives him a bit of vindictive pleasure when Tobirama has to dumb things down for the Elders, knocking them down a peg from their high and mighty pedestals (nevermind that he also needed it to be dumbed down in several past occasions).
“In other words, by modifying the chakra to our needs, our crops would benefit from a stable environment throughout the time the barriers are operating.” Not letting them process that he proceeded to stun them into silence. “Provided we maintain a rotation cycle through the fields to avoid burning the soil’s minerals and making it barren, it should be easy enough to sustain production throughout the year without climate changes such as colder seasons ever being a problem again.”
How Tobirama can drop those kinds of mind blowing revelations with a blank face is beyond Hashirama. His brother truly is a force to be rebound with.
He is, as always, entirely grateful that Tobirama is his brother. He simply can't imagine his life without all of Tobirama’s inventions, the clan wouldn't be nearly as prosperous without him. Hashirama actually shudders at the brief thought of having his brother as his enemy.
Clearing his throat to break the silence, Hashirama steps forward. Tobirama isn’t looking directly at him, but his body language is easy enough to read: he’s waiting for Hashirama's approval, he feels warm at the knowledge that his approval matters to Tobirama. It proves to him their relationship isn't as bad as he sometimes fears.
Not only did Tobirama change the trajectory of this meeting from war to the real meeting’s objective, but he also managed to present an unconventional, and very welcome, solution for their winter stocks. If it works, and Tobirama’s experiments rarely failed them before, they will have fresh grains even during the colder months and rationing food won’t be a problem anymore. They didn't have to ration too sparsely, but rationing is still rationing. If this winter they not only won't have to ration, but will have an abundance, then that means they could possibly even sell food during the colder months. It would be incredibly profitable, or be another reason for the clans to come together for peace.
His otouto is a genius. Even if his brother's goal was only to improve their clan, it might just be what Hashirama needs to push his goals forward.
Hashirama smiles and nods so they can discuss it in detail, the retaliation to Hagoromo clan all but forgotten.
Hashirama lets out a silent breath of relief.
-.-
It becomes a routine.
Once winter passes, Tobirama comes up with even more ideas that he presents at their clan meetings. If Hashirama didn’t know any better (and he knew, spent the entire winter cautiously observing) he would almost dare to say that his brother’s focus changed from neutralizing, or the total annihilation of the Uchiha, to improving the Senju’s way of life. Not that he didn't do that before - Tobirama has always worked to make the lives of their clanmates better where he can.
Sometimes Tobirama would propose the strangest projects for the clan to focus on and Hashirama would watch with wonder every time. The proposals were always so out of the blue and so beneficial to them that it became rare for the Elders to even have a chance to fuel the fires of war or fear monger.
Just like when Tobirama proposed an academy so that every child could go and receive proper education in all areas - including shinobi training, which sometimes was not given to girls because of more traditional families who wished for their daughters to become good housewives.
It was no secret that he loved children, but he actually brought a thoroughly written proposal with all kinds of subjects that should be taught: reading and writing, mathematics, physics, chemistry, history and more, including taijutsu, ninjutsu and genjutsu. It was more than that though, Tobirama himself volunteered to teach their young spring shinobi fuuinjutsu and iryojutsu. His suggestion even included lessons for children not becoming shinobi, this way all children would receive an education.
Hashirama wasn't even aware his brother had become such a proficient healer. Their father had always discouraged learning healing techniques, calling them kunoichi skills. Tobirama had argued that he would be more efficient if he was able to heal himself in case of injuries. The skills Tobirama talked about teaching are far beyond the skill level he thought his brother was at.
Tobirama suggested more advanced lessons for adult shinobi, indicating that in five years or so, their clan could establish a reputation for themselves of being the best healers in the continent.
If they can become known for healing it would be revolutionary, except for a little detail that Tobirama mentioned:
“If we can spread our reputation as reliable healers, we can expand our usual contracts to include medical services to civilians and even other shinobi clans in Fire.” He explains while showing the numbers. “The Nara are the only clan known for its apothecary services but what we can offer is more than medicines, as our kekkei genkai, the properties of our chakra are uniquely suited to deal with pandemics and cancer related treatments, even simple things as pregnancy and birth complications can be treated with iryojutsu. The nobles in the capital will pay well for a team of our healers if we can make this common knowledge.
“If we start now, we can have a generation of healers ready to take charge in less than a decade. We can begin including healing in their training and give them a well rounded education, even our younger shinobi already taking missions can learn between them.”
What Hashirama heard was: in less than a decade, you’ll have a new generation of shinobi ready to defend themselves and the clan, but whose focus will be healing, making it so that war will become so anathema to them that they’ll probably choose to openly support his policies of peace.
In less than a decade, their clan’s focus on war will have shifted. In a few years, actually. It’s there. Hashirama’s dreams are so close he can almost taste their new reality.
Hashirama refrains from hugging his brother, but only just barely.
-.-
Then Tobirama starts behaving very out of character for him: he actually starts engaging Hashirama in discussions about peace talks during their dinners together. The questions start simply enough, no harm done and at first Hashirama couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at his brother’s attempt to fill in their silence, something he never bothered before as he seems to prefer it in place of Hashirama’s constant ramblings. It was almost as if Tobirama was truly interested in knowing more about Hashirama's dream (as if in none of their many fights through the years Tobirama hadn’t said it was a child’s dream with an insulting tone).
Hashirama treats it with caution, refraining himself from talking too loud or excitedly. He tries to put his dreams in a few sentences, without spoiling this rare moment between them.
Apparently, it isn’t enough.
“You’ve said that enough times, anija,” Tobirama tells him when he repeated his speech of wanting to see children grow up and never know war. “I didn’t ask you to repeat it. I asked how you planned to do it.”
Uh.
Oh, that.
“Uh.”
Tobirama’s face softens then. He looks almost…fond. It was a strange feeling, being the one on the receiving end of that expression. Usually Tobirama would give him a look of contempt for his ‘useless’ fantasies.
“You’ve never actually thought about it, have you.” His otouto sighs, talking more to himself than to Hashirama across from him. “Well, I suppose I will need to help with that if we are going to make your dream reality.”
Wait.
What?
“What?”
Tobirama actually smiles. It was a small curl of lips but it is there and it had been such a long time since he was on the receiving end of it. These days he only ever sees Tobirama smiling at the children of their clan.
Sometimes their cousin Touka manages to wrestle an amused huff out of him but never a smile this sincere, never mind one so fond.
It only reinforces his theory that something happened to his brother on that mission all those months ago. His brother has changed. Hashirama doesn't know what happened but if it made his brother believe in peace then he is thankful for it.
Hashirama makes a mental note to pray more often to their gods so that they know he is thankful his otouto has finally found a motive he believes in that makes him want to pursue peace (at least by the looks of it).
“Your dream of peace, anija.” He repeats with an eye roll, as if Hashirama is a child who is in need of guidance (he's starting to think that Tobirama does think of him that way). “Was there anything you and Madara actually planned about this? Or did you just plan to throw the clans together and hope for the best?”
Hashirama freezes.
Madara was never, ever mentioned between them. It became a forbidden topic, it hung over both of them, but never mentioned after his father confronted him about his friendship. For Tobirama to mention the Uchiha clan head so casually…do wonders ever cease to exist?
“We-” he chokes, unable to help himself, “we talked about a village.”
Tobirama nods.
“We…we wanted the clans to live together. No more fighting.”
“I know.” Tobirama says and somehow Hashirama believed him. “I know I’ve made my opinions about it clear-” Hashirama nods, not daring to interrupt. “And I won’t lie and say, as things are right now, that I can see it happening with the Uchiha.” Hashirama knew he was going to say it and it still hurts to hear it, even knowing Tobirama had no intent of purposefully hurting him. “But I think I can picture it.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It’s not wrong to want that.” Tobirama’s voice sounds distant. “I think it could be possible but perhaps not with the Uchiha, at least not at first.”
That doesn’t make much sense to him but Hashirama is too busy holding onto ‘I think I can picture it…I think it could be possible,’ to attempt to solve the mystery that is his brother’s new personality.
-.-
After that strange dinner and the others that follow, Hashirama almost decides to confront his brother about what had changed. Because it’s clear as a sunny day that Tobirama is different, even if others don’t notice.
His brother's focus has changed, no longer it is just on war. Instead Tobirama is personally creating the academy blueprints, and it’s clear he wants more than a hastily built structure that Hashirama can create.
It seems as though every time he sees Tobirama walking around the compound he seems to have a child attached to his hip. Soft smiles pointed down and kind words spoken to them. He frequently sees his brother teaching children ‘silly’ skills and jutsu. Hashirama honestly heard Tobirama telling one of his students how to sneak cookies without being caught. Cookies. It defied reality, or at least it used to. This was starting to seem like it might be the new normal.
He always knew, not only because of his Hatake genes and their known fondness for children, but because his otouto is a teacher at heart and he is right in his element helping shape young minds and making their eyes glow in wonder at new discoveries. It makes his heart sing with how happy Tobirama seems when he is surrounded by them.
Tobirama continues to surprise him by offering unexpected comfort and reassurance when Hashirama desperately needs, but would never ask for.
Hashirama has been going over the proposals for strengthening the clan's ties with Uzushio, their sister clan, and he feels so out of his depth. The Uzumaki left the back in his court, leaving it on him to offer terms, but he's been so worried about what he’s asking: if it’s enough, or even if the Senju are offering enough, even if he is following the guidance of previous proposals!
It makes him want to pull his hair out.
Just when his stress is getting ready to overflow, Tobirama is suddenly there. Offering to help, praising the suggestions he agrees with, and offering constructive criticism on the things he thinks his anija should change. Not a single unkind word, or hurtful scoffs are heard.
When the finalized accord is signed, the clan throws a party for Hashirama’s upcoming nuptials.
It’s more an excuse to drink collectively than to actually celebrate his union. Not that Hashirama can blame the clan - they don’t usually have these occasions to enjoy themselves freely with the war and concerns about winter and all of that.
This is changing now that Tobirama has put up those barriers. Hashirama is more than happy to allow himself to indulge and make silly bets he knows he will lose - and that’s how Tobirama finds him much later.
After being dragged from his lab by Touka’s insistence, his brother arrives with a thunderous expression - Hashirama pities Touka but he still admires her courage to knock insistently at the door in his lab (since she can’t bypass the seals either) without fearing for her life - which he smooths after catching sight of Hashirama and coming to him.
He actually smiles at him when he gets close enough. He smiles at him. And then gently tells him that he thinks Mito will match him perfectly. He is confident Hashirama will be able to have a happy marriage filled with love and support even though it's arranged. He never would have dreamed of a conversation like this.
“How can you be so sure, Tobi?” Hashirama even dares to call him by a nickname, testing his luck (and his life). “We could hate each other and be miserable for the rest of our lives.”
“Anija, you are incapable of hating anyone, and I highly doubt you could ever inspire those feelings in anyone else. You have a good heart. Don't be so pessimistic about it, it's unlike you. I am certain you’ll learn to love each other and live happily.”
“Since when you’re so positive?”
“Since you’ve become a cry baby about it.”
“But Tobi-”
“Anija.”
“What if-”
“Anija.” Tobirama cuts him off. Though it isn't harsh, lately Tobirama is rarely ill tempered, or severe the way he once was. Especially with Hashirama, he has been strangely soft many times while talking to him. “You’ll have a courting period. Everything will be fine. Give her a chance. I remember you always wanted a family of your own.”
“I did, still do.”
“Maybe the Uzumaki princess will surprise you and be the woman you have been waiting for. I am confident she will come to love you.”
Hashirama sighs. There’s no turning back but at least the Uzumaki won’t throw a fit if their courting period doesn’t end in marriage. Well, he has a trip to Uzushio to plan.
He forgets about confronting his brother, he's just too happy to have his support and to be the subject of his brother's kindness and reassurance.
-.-
Uzushio is the most beautiful place Hashirama has ever seen. It’s so blue and adorned with bright seals and colorful. Full of red haired people whose personalities are so intense and explosive.
His fiance is a marvel.
Mito is his one true love (just like in the storybooks his father would have beat him for reading), he’s never been in love before but he’s sure he is in love with her and she is the most perfect creature for him.
He doesn't know why but he just feels like he can talk to her about anything. Today being a prime example.
Mito's laugh is musical, he could listen to it all day.
“And then he walked out of his lab without eyebrows! I don't even know how he did it, to this day he refuses to tell me what his experiment was for.” Hashirama's laugh drops into a conspiratory whisper, “I think he was learning sealing and messed up. But he swore he knew how to do it already.”
Mito covers her mouth with another sweet laugh. “Where did he even learn to seal? I assume he had a master, I'm surprised they allowed him to practice on his own. There are usually strict rules on things like that to prevent injuries.”
Hashirama smiles proudly, “he taught himself with books I found in the capital, he wanted to learn for years so I was very excited to find them for him! Tobi really is a genius.” Hashirama chuckles lightly. “It's embarrassing for the rest of us when he talks circles around everyone. It always infuriated our father.”
Mito narrows her eyes slightly. “Hm, I've never heard of someone teaching themselves. It's very difficult to learn. I suppose I will have to ask him myself. I want to hear more about your life.” Mito's face clears up and morphs into a kind smile.
“I don't want to weigh you down with any of the negative things, but I suppose you need to know more to understand what you would be marrying into,” Hashirama says gravely.
“Hashirama, I know your life isn't sunshine and rainbows. Unlike my own clan you were born into war, but I want to bear your burdens with you. I know it's only been a few short weeks but I already feel connected to you in a way I could never have expected or even believed was real.”
Hashirama feels a tightening in his chest. “Do you really? Because I feel that same connection. I feel like I can tell you anything. Things I've never told anyone.”
“Then tell me. I want to know it all.”
Hashirama has to take a deep breath before he can start speaking, and then another. “I killed my father.”
He watches as shock crosses Mito's face, but no fear. So he continues, his head dropping with the weight of his confession. “Not even Tobirama knows. My mokuton makes it easy to manipulate cells, and it’s not that difficult to accelerate the reproduction and division of them to a speed fast enough that the body starts to produce them with defects and uncoordinated growth. It’s undetectable, it took only a couple of days for it to take his life.”
“Cancer.” She deduces. “You can create cancer.” At his nod, she asks: “Why did you do it?”
There’s no sign of judgment in her voice or face. It gives Hashirama the power to continue.
“He was going to send Tobirama on a suicidal mission. I know my brother, he would have taken it if he thought it was for the good of the clan. My father had always had a strange hold over Tobirama, he’s always done what father asked, even when he hated it, even if had nothing to gain for the Senju. It was like our father had some kind of control over him, I've never understood it. I wasn't about to let it happen. I only saw one option and I took it. I knew he never would have stopped using and hurting my brother if I didn't stop him.”
Mito's hand cups his face, bringing it up so she could look him in the eyes. “Then you did the right thing. I would have done the same,” her voice is firm and convincing.
Hashirama lets out a shuddering breath. He didn't realize how much that secret had been weighing on him until he finally let it out.
The two of them continued talking through the night. Going from happy stories to dark ones, they talked about fears and dreams. It was the most open he had ever been with anyone. Hashirama had no idea how much he needed this.
Tobirama is going to be insufferable when he returns to the Senju compound. He thinks his brother is being merciful to him when he knows he has let his feelings spill between the lines of his letters talking about his trip. He wishes he could be more open with Tobirama about it all.
Despite his expectations Tobirama lets the opportunity pass to make fun of him. Hashirama doesn’t know why but he appreciates it. Tobirama is being a little too reticent in his replies. He tries not to read too much into it.
Which worries him.
He can't shake the feeling that something big is happening and he isn’t there to help his brother. He knows he is being foolish, that Tobirama is a capable leader and a strong shinobi, they received the same training after all. Should any harm befall upon their clan there’s no one Hashirama would rather have acting as a clan head in his stead.
Doesn’t make him worry any less, though. He thinks it’s the fate of all older brothers to worry.
Still, the sky is bright blue, roses are red, Tobirama is his heart and Mito is his love.
He cannot imagine living without either of them. It is a shame, really, that he has to return so soon to the Senju compound. If not for his responsibilities he would certainly write to his brother and say he would stay for a while longer. More than anything, he wishes Tobirama was here with him even though he knows it's not an option.
Mito and he will write to each other as frequently as they can, and within a year, hopefully (if she doesn’t tire of him) he’ll return to Uzushio to marry her. He thinks if their barriers hold well and their plans to sell their excess grain work, he’ll visit her before winter truly comes and spend it here with her.
She will love to meet his brother and he has half of a mind to worry it might be a bad idea if only because the two of them put together will definitely conspire against him and his reputation won’t survive it. Despite his trepidation he thinks it will go well, Mito showed genuine interest in the fuuinjutsu knowledge Tobirama has demonstrated.
He explains to the best of his abilities how their barriers work and she appeared to be very impressed. After that, it was easy to talk about his otouto with all the pride he keeps inside. He explained their plans for an academy - which he suspects will be finalized by the time he gets home, and all about how Tobirama likes to invent new jutsu during his free time.
He fears he’s talked more about his brother than himself but he knows Mito doesn’t mind, as she herself had talked in turn about her cousins and their adventures during their childhood.
Officially, Tobirama has been invited to spend a few months in Uzushio during their courtship. It will work like an exchange of sorts, so that they can know their family members. The Senju will receive three of Mito’s cousins (since she doesn’t have brothers or sisters) while Tobirama is away with them. Ideally, Hashirama himself would stay more time or travel more often but as a clan head, he can’t afford to be away for extended periods of time, so a compromise was reached.
It’s a beautiful place to live and Hashirama thinks that with a few more trees and flowers, this place could be as good as home. He can only hope that Mito will like living among the Senju.
-.-
His intuition was right.
A lot of things happened while he was away.
Hashirama can’t leave his brother alone for barely two months that he will turn the entire place upside down. Not that he is complaining. It’s just that…he had no idea this was what Tobirama had been cooking up during his lab time.
It’s a lot.
Honestly, if he wasn’t the strongest Senju in the clan, he would be happy to retire and be a husband to Mito and leave Tobirama to deal with all of the chaos he creates with his genius.
Well, at least his brother creates an organized and neatly detailed described chaos.
Hashirama comes back home and is pressed with all the preparations he must do before receiving three of Mito's cousins, who will arrive in a week’s time to inspect the compound and decide if they think Mito will be happy and safe with the Senju - well, as safe as it can be while they're at war.
The first thing he does when he returns is to schedule a meeting with the council followed by a clan meeting. Though Tobirama has of course compiled a report for him, Hashirama prefers to hear things from everyone so he can get an idea of the thoughts and feelings his clan may be having. His brother’s reports are detailed and logical but lacking personal feelings.
So while he knows the harvest went well, (just as Tobirama predicted they have an abundance), he wants to know what the clan’s take on it is: Are they planning to store the grains for later and indulge in plenty in the months ahead? Do they want to sell it to other clans, who surely are tight after winter and still waiting for their own harvests to be ready? Or maybe they will want to set up a shop at the capital, since it seems likely Tobirama's predictions will continue to be correct and they will now always be over producing grains and vegetables? With preservation seals they can bring fresh grown food right to stalls for what basically amounts to same day sales even if a week has gone between harvest and transport.
Also Tobirama is intentionally vague about the fact that two of their Elders have given up their positions.
Hashirama has never heard of an Elder that would willingly give up their power, so something must have happened but his brother is refusing to explain it. Simply telling him it's for the best and that he doesn't need to know all the details before a meeting does wonders to his imagination about what really happened (and he dreads it).
“Just to enjoy having less bloodthirsty Elders, anija.” Tobirama had said.
Hashirama isn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth but it really feels like he should know what happened. He holds back a sigh as he walks into the meeting hall. Well, it's time to put on his usual facade to inspire confidence for his clan to feel more at ease and confident in sharing their opinions.
Walking into the room is a surprise, so far none of the Elders are arguing, it's a rare occurrence for them not to be arguing about something. It's almost like the second they decide to meet they build up all their grievances and thoughts, ready to spit them at each other and worse, on himself.
But it's quiet and not even Tobirama is saying anything. In fact he looks unusually relaxed. Hashirama has to narrow his eyes at that. He looks too relaxed. Tobirama is never relaxed in council meetings.
This confirms more than anything that Hashirama is missing something.
“Thank you all for meeting this morning, I appreciate you being willing to meet on such short notice. I feel it's important that we meet before I return to my usual duties.” Then with a brief nod to Tobirama he continues as protocol dictates: “Thank you Tobirama for handling the clan in my absence.” That done, he deals with the first agenda of the day. “I see we only had one small scrimmish with the Uchiha so far. That's unusual, was there a reason for that?”
Elder Arata clears his throat before speaking, “If I may Hashirama-sama, it was...ah...mutually decided that the clan would not invite aggression with the Uchiha and if the opportunity presented itself to instead disengage.”
Hashirama feels his jaw actually drop.
What?!
His mouth flutters open and closed in an attempt to speak but nothing legible comes out. All he can do is dart his eyes from each face until it comes to a stop on his brother, who has the most curious blank expression he’s ever seen.
Hashirama can clearly see the tiny upturn to the right corner of his lips.
What did he do?
He doesn't think he could come up with a coherent thought if he tried.
“Close your mouth anija, it's unbecoming for a clan head to have such a nonsensical expression on your face. It was mutually agreed by the Elders, and then the clan, that our focus should be on the improvement of the compound.”
Hashirama can see the Elders shift in the corner of his eye but he keeps watching Tobirama while he repeats dryly:
“Mutually agreed. The Elders mutually agreed to non aggression until we can finish improvements to the compound and our clan.” He says it while looking over the council, sensing they are clearly nervous and not telling the whole story. “I see. And did Elders Haruto and Hanabi step back before or after this agreement?”
This time it's Elder Riku, a new addition on the council, who speaks.
“They didn't agree with the plan originally, however we had a clan meeting and Tobirama-sama made it very, ah, clear, his thoughts on Elders choosing their own agendas over the welfare of the clan. There were some slight disagreements but we all came to see Tobirama-sama’s point of view.”
That must’ve been some clan meeting indeed. Hashirama itches to ask Tobirama about these thoughts he had expressed and what on earth he said to get the clan to agree to this. He cannot even begin to guess what he could possibly have said to the Elders to get them to willingly step down.
Unfortunately this wasn't the time, and he can't risk it looking like he disagrees with Tobirama's decision or worse, as if he doesn't trust Tobirama to make the right decisions. Instead, he makes the mental note to talk in private with his brother and continues as if he isn’t fazed by the news.
“I'm pleased to hear everyone came to agree that our focus should be on the clan over pushing a war focused agenda. Is there anything you would like to discuss or share before we have a clan meeting?”
“Yes, I would like to hear your thoughts on Tobirama-sama's suggestion for creating trade agreements with other clans.”
Hashirama looks at Tobirama again, confused, “I apologize I didn't get that far into your report, what trade agreements?”
“I think it would be beneficial to open trade plans with some of our allied clans and even the neutral ones, as thus far our alliances hadn't progressed more than assisting with missions, the occasional backup in battles and siding with each other at the Daimyo's court.” He explained. “What I proposed is mutual trade between our allied clans. Such as providing grain to the Akimichi for their food pills, or providing the same or even healing knowledge to the Nara in exchange for their blood pill recipe. I don't see why we shouldn't be benefiting from each other in more ways than just through violence.
“If you are to attain your peace we need to focus our efforts in proving that there is more to the Senju than war. We need to show the other clans that we want to create stability and peace between clans. All they see of us is battle and murder. That image has to change.”
Hashirama is shocked to hear his brother talk like this. Tobirama has never advocated this vocally for peace. He barely explained his train of thought on most days, often just sharing the plan and expecting others to agree with him.
“I will admit I didn't anticipate this but I am definitely in favor of this course of action.” Hashirama didn't even try to hide a cheesy grin, this one wasn't even fake. He is actually giddy right now!
Elder Akane, the other new Elder, lifts her hand. “I'm only speaking for myself right now, but I feel it might be more prudent to store as much as we can away so if something happens we’ll have excess to rely on.”
“I too am in favor of creating a large supply of emergency food in place of trading it.” Elder Riku supported.
Elder Arata spoke next, “I personally believe if there is a chance to get our hands on food or blood pills those should be our priority. They would do far more good for our clan than excess food. We have survived all these years without needing it. I think the best thing to do is to put it to work for our clan. That way we see a return on our investment right away.”
The remaining council members seem to all nod or mutter in agreement.
Hashirama can't believe this is happening. He is witnessing a change in their clan that will echo for generations. Even if peace doesn't happen, the benefits from better partnerships between allies and neutral clans cannot be undersold.
The rest of the council meeting was much the same, talking about the way Tobirama's seals and experiments have improved things for their clan and discussing further plans to avoid conflict with the Uchiha without appearing weak.
It was decided that the best plan was to confront their aggression with appropriate force but refrain from instigating anything. If they were engaged and they couldn’t withdraw without risking appearing weak or risking harm, they would use as much force as it’d take to either cause the Uchiha to retreat or to buy enough for Hashirama or Tobirama to arrive and provide back up.
Hopefully it all works as they are planning it.
Hashirama isn’t sure what to expect for the clan meeting.
His hopes were up after the council meetings, but changing hundreds of Senju’s minds must surely take more work. Though he is shocked, an understatement, that Tobirama convinced the council, he doesn’t think his brother has enough leverage to get the whole clan on board.
Hashirama sits at the head of the room with Tobirama to his right, Touka to his left and three Elders on either side of them.
Everyone comes in and takes their seat with the usual murmurs of conversation as they get settled.
He isn’t sure why but it fills him with apprehension. It felt like the other shoe was about to drop and all the hope he felt in the council meeting was going to come crashing down. Despite that he smiles boisterously as he usually does and greets his clan, pushing all negative feelings down.
They start the meeting as they always do with their meeting scribe giving a run down of their last meeting.
Which has Hashirama nearly dropping his jaw again.
“In the last meeting Tobirama-sama deposed Elders Hanabi and Haruto, and we established two new elders Akane and Riku. It was agreed that pending Hashirama-sama’s return all acts of aggression against other clans would be on a defensive basis only-”
Hashirama stops hearing anything else, it takes every ounce of his training and willpower not to look at his brother and gape.
Deposed?!!
That was definitely something Tobirama should have told him. Deposed how? Hashirama's eyes search those in attendance but sure enough neither elder is in attendance.
By the Sage what happened while he was gone? Did he arrest them? Kill them? The elders surely would have told him if Tobirama killed them, right? What if they thought he knew?
Just as a full panic was trying to set in he felt his brother's cool chakra wash over him as if it was soothing the overwhelming panic that was trying to ruin his composure.
Tobirama would never go so far against his wishes by killing them. So either he arrested them or got the majority of the clan to agree they weren't fit for their roles as Elders any more.
“-last question left to address was if Hashirama-sama intends to continue with Tobirama-sama's plans.”
And there is panic again. Just how much has he missed? How many questions were there?
“Kenji-san, could you please provide the listed questions for Hashirama-sama? It's unfair to expect him to remember and respond to every question without them in front of him.”
Hashirama sends a quick, grateful smile at his brother. To which Tobirama responds with a subtle nod.
The questions aren't too bad. They all seem to revolve around plans for trade, battles, increased food predictions and plans to utilize the money they can potentially bring in.
His brother was clearly busy while he was gone. Hashirama wants to fall down in gratitude and push Tobirama's face in the dirt for conveniently not warning him. He can be such a…such a brat. He is probably laughing inside at all the flailing Hashirama is doing right now.
Thankfully he's easily able to ask clarifying questions so he can answer them all without issues.
By the end of the meeting everyone seems to be in good spirits. There are a few he can tell are disgruntled with his decision to follow Tobirama's lead and in fact don’t appreciate further plans to de-escalate the war between them and the Uchiha. But over all the majority seem to be in favor.
As soon as they enter the house Hashirama whirls on Tobirama with a finger on his chest pushing his otouto back a bit. All Tobirama does is raise his eyebrows.
“You didn't think it was important to share all this information with me beforehand? Really?”
Tobirama scoffs, “if you had read the reports on your desk you would have known everything you needed.”
Hashirama pauses with a confused look, “there was more than one?”
Tobirama just rolls his eyes, “yes I had a report for each topic and then the summary on top. Did you really only read the first summary?”
Hashirama runs the back of his head, “I just thought it was paperwork I would need to go through later. I didn't realize it was important.”
“As if I would leave so much out of a report. You thought months of you being gone would result in only two pages?”
Hashirama playfully pushes Tobirama's head down, “I thought you were being nice and making it easy for me! And then after everything else I thought maybe you were being a brat because I irritated you somehow,” Hashirama admits sheepishly.
“You honestly thought I would leave such important information out to mess with you?”
“Well I don't know! There was that time you cut the seams on my pants before battle and my pants split.”
“I was fifteen!” Tobirama exclaims with a light blush peppering his cheeks. “Besides that was completely different. You grew a tree out of my bookshelf and ruined three of my favorite books!”
“I'm just saying you could have been messing with me. But now that I know you aren’t, you have to tell me how you got rid of Elders Hanabi and Haruto.”
Tobirama smiles with his sharp canines on display, it looks a little feral on him. “I called a clan meeting and called them out for their cowardice. I explained to the clan how they both have their children on the back lines and neither has any grandchildren in the battlefield. Yet they are the most warmongering in our clan. They have accounted for a quarter of incited battles on the Senju side. I explained how they weren't willing to make equal sacrifices while expecting our brothers, parents and children to die for a war no one wants any more. It didn't take long for the clan to agree they were no longer fit for their positions.”
Hashirama smiles at his brother with water eyes. He managed to do in months what Hashirama has tried to do for years. Apparently Tobirama's insistence that trying to convince people peace with the Uchiha is better wasn't the right way. Clearly he should have been focusing on the clan and how it is better for them, not bringing up peace with the Uchiha at all.
Hashirama has never been so grateful for his brother and his level-headedness - even if he still has no idea what exactly happened on that fateful mission for Tobirama to change his mind.
-.-
To be continued…