POV: Tobirama Senju.
Treacherous.
The day was beautiful. The sun shone and the sky was clear. From the open windows of his office, Tobirama was capable of hearing the incessant activity of the village's populace, buzzing with happiness and excitement. The faint laughter of children and the rustling of leaves in the wind.
This day, bearing all grounds of being a beautiful one, was one Tobirama Senju could only describe as Treacherous.
The Second Hokage of the Leaf sat at his desk in full gear, the desk itself devoid of any Papers or documents, with the exception of a single Letter, bearing the signature of the Daimyo of the Land of Water.
It was a rather longwinded letter, filled with words upon words of formality, yet not convoluted enough for Tobirama to not understand its purpose.
Reasoning. It provided political reasoning for the main point of the letter.
Which was a declaration of War.
The word "War" hung in Tobirama's mind like a Storm above Sailors. It was something he had long seen coming, long deemed unavoidable and prepared to weather.
Yet, it came from the place he wished it didn't.
The Land of Water. Or rather, Kirigakure. The Village hidden in the Mist.
Tobirama's brows furrowed. Byakuren, the Mizukage of the Mist, had always kept more to himself. He was a frank fellow, who spoke bluntly and fearlessly, going as far as to imply "hidden motives" in the First Hokage's goals during the First Kage Summit.
But he was also old. Too old for it to be reasonable to begin a war in which he personally would partake, especially against a powerful village like Konohagakure.
Kirigakure's situation also made it difficult to gauge them. They were secretive and isolated, and the only contact between the two villages had been when Konoha had moved to intercept the Kiri-Shinobi harassing the Merchants of the Land of Fire.
'Yet now, they declare war upon us.'
Tobirama had expected War, but he had thought it coming from Kumo, Iwa or Suna.
'This letter claims the Daimyos to have a meeting to discuss the matter.'
Which meant that Kiri was likely already mobilizing. Or that they had been mobilizing since months. Konoha's forces were spread around their more northern fronts. Whilst they had enough reserves to fortify the south, their actual defence depended on how quickly the Terms of War would be decided by the Daimyo.
'Regardless, we need to act now and reinforce the souther borders. An Emergency mobilisation. The Clans may complain and question me, but the situation warrants my actions.'
A curse upon the powerhungry and the opportunistic. This was sure to hurt his position.
And so, with little flourish, the Second Hokage took up a page from his notebook and wrote down his orders before unceremoniously tearing it out and handing it to Kagami, who flickered into the room at Tobirama's call.
"Show this to the Shimura and the Sarutobi. And... also to the Leader of the Auxiliary Corps."
Kagami's eyes widened a bit behind his mask at the mention of the auxiliary corps, but he did not hesitate, body-flickering away frm sight.
Tobirama leaned back in his chair, his thoughs grim.
'I suppose its about time that our fresh graduates experience a bit of War.'
The cynical thought was the last of his kind before Lord Second called upon his Advisors, whom he spent the rest of the day with.
-
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POV: Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Come again?"
If Sasuke Sarutobi, the Sarutobi's current Clan Head felt any offense at his Son's disrespectful speech, he did not show it.
"Lord Second's orders. He has commanded us to south-eastern fronts. We are to mobilize some of our troops towards the northern border of the Land of Mangroves, and establish base there. From there on, we will contact and collaborate with the Land of Whirlpools, if they answer Lord Seconds call for aid."
The young Sarutobi blinked. "No. You mentioned the Auxiliary Corps? They're being stationed in the Land of Tea? Along our southern peninsula?"
Hiruzen's father nodded, his face impassive. "Indeed. I assume that this is Lord Second's attempt to introduce them to War. They will most likely work with what they are experienced with. Skirmishes and disruption, to grant Konoha more time to strategize."
Hiruzen's face tightened at his father's dismissive speech.
"Most are only a year or more out of the academy! And... they aren't exactly our most talented. How can Teach...Lord Second expect them to hold the front?"
Sasuke Sarutobi's face softened at his son's worried tone, but his voice became more harsh.
"Do you not listen? They are not expected to fight directly. The war is only beginning and we are mobilizing. They will be there to harass Kiri and put on a front. Additionally, it is the best opportunity for them to gain experience of true conflict. Experience they will truly need if the future of Konoha is what i think it is."
Hiruzen did not answer, but his eyes shone with understanding and slight sorrow.
"We will not fight with them?"
His father shook his head. "No. The Shimura Clan will. They have been positioned further south than us, to manage the Auxiliary Corps and partake in the war against Kiri. Meanwhile, the Sarutobi Clan is to contact Uzushiogakure and coordinate with them for battle. If everything goes right, we'll have a powerful ally seated right between Kumo and Kiri."
Hiruzen nodded, lost in thought. "Then, i assume that there will be need of a delegation for the Land of Whirlpools?"
"Indeed. And you, are going to be part of it."
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POV: Danzo Shimura.
"Yes, Clan Head."
Danzo's head remained bowed as he ruminated over the situation, whilst sitting in front of his father. The beginning of the war, did not particularly surprise him. The fact that Kiri out of all villages started it, did.
However, it made no difference. Conflict, would be conflict, no matter who it was with. As such, he held no grievance with being stationed so far south.
"You, will share command over the Auxiliary Corps. You will bear responsibility over each of their Lives and you will learn how to balance the costs of victory with their benefice."
"Yes, Clan Head."
His father cast an approving glance his way, before refocusing on the document perched upon his desk.
"Do you have questions about your assignment?"
"Yes, Clan Head. Whom would i share command over the Auxiliary Corps with?"
"That, would be me, along with whomever else the Auxiliary Corps can spare. They are getting stretched thin."
Slight surprise colored Danzo's face before the emotion was quickly wiped away. Yet, his father noticed.
"You will watch me, Danzo. You will see and learn about the battlefield. How to manage your ressources. Keep your men alive and fighting. How to win a war.
But, you will not stand aside as i do the job. You will be put to work. I expect Input, Danzo. Ideas. Strategies. You will stand there, not as an apprentice, but as a Military leader."
His father's attention remained on the document.
"This opportunity is not one you should allow to go to waste."
-
POV: Tobirama Senju.
The room slowly emptied. Tobirama did not bother to look at the time, given the lack of daylight telling him all he needed.
'Only a few more things.'
His earlier so clean desk, was now littered with documents, maps and instructions which would remain on his desk overnight. He'd need them tomorrow anyway, once the meeting with the Clan Leaders would begin.
'Oh, that meeting...'
A flicker of dread entered his thoughts as he thought of the thrice-damned meetings with the wolves who called themselves "Clanheads."
The constant stream of criticism and judgement was one he'd much rather been spared off but alas, the world did not go as he wanted it to.
The window rustled and Kagami's figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Lord Second. The Shimura, Sarutobo and Auxiliary corps have been informed of their tasks."
Tobirama nodded, not letting his tiredness show on his face.
"Kagami. Tell me about the Uchiha. Are they ready to fight?"
His student hesitated a little, but his answer was firm.
"I believe so, Lord Second. The Elders have spent many days discussing the situation. But the Clan is ready to prove itself in combat.They await orders."
Tobirama's face remained impassive. "Yet, i assume they will not do so for free? Do they have demands?"
Kagami's face was hidden behind his mask, but the apologetic mirth in his tone was obvious.
"Nothing specific so far, Lord Second. But... the Elders have been vocal about not displaying the Uchiha Clan as Konoha's attack dogs. A few bones, will not be enough...."
'Of course...'
"Let them know that i am ready to hear out their Requests, privately if they so wish."
Kagami did not react, yet Tobirama knew he was surprised at his words.
"Whatever the case, Konoha needs manpower and competent Shinobi. Concessions are to be expected. We can only hope that they are reasonable."