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1 | Fragmentary

He's preparing to leave when Toka went to his office.

"See you tomorrow, Hashirama-sama."

The Hokage smiles at her. "Thank you for today, Toka. See you."

"Will you be heading home, too?"

"Ah, I think I'll walk around the village first," he replies. "I'd like to see how the people are doing."

Toka smiles back and nods, then proceeds on her tracks.

Just like what he said, Hashirama didn't go straight home after he left his office. In his very own little tour around the village, he passed by the buildings being constructed. The Academy and the hospital are almost done by now. Hopefully at the start of Spring, which is only three months away from now, the Academy will be finished and they could finally conduct their classes there instead of the open grounds near the site.

Before they started building the infrastructures, Hashirama had volunteered to do all of it himself using his Wood Release. It's actually not a bad idea because by doing so, they could save a lot of time and effort. Of course it would be too chakra-exhausting on his part, but he wouldn't mind that at all. He's got a lot of reserves and he could always take a break from time to time. However, Tobirama reasoned out that it'd be better if the people do the construction instead. In this way, they will develop a sort of a bond which might be a key factor in establishing cooperation between the villagers.

Hashirama walks past various establishments, several houses and compounds, and the bustling marketplace. As he walks along the streets, people would greet him here and there and he would greet him back. His heart flutters, confidently knowing that he has the love and respect of these people as their Hokage.

He glances at the Hokage Rock and sees the sculpture of his face. It's almost done by now. This 'face on a rock thing' was of course his own idea. Yes, it's a bit tacky (Tobirama says so), and kind of narcissistic (if one doesn't know what it truly means), but he hopes that the people would appreciate what he really wants to convey through it—that the Hokage watches the whole village and he will keep them safe.

He continued walking until he reached the top of the cliff overlooking the village. The sun had finally set and the evening sky is taking over, bringing with it a pleasant cool breeze. 

This has become his habit now, going here when something is troubling him. The solitude that the place offers helps to calm his mind.

What is it that troubles him, however, he couldn't really pinpoint.

It has been eight months since Konoha was established. His clansmen doesn't have to fight in a war anymore and the same goes for the people of other clans who have allied with them. 

Like every change, it had not been easy especially during the first few months. After all, they were at war ever since they can recall. Families, friends, clansmen, everyone had loved ones who died fighting other clans.

It goes without saying that it wasn't easy to convince the other clan heads to agree with his beliefs. It would've been impossible, if not for the help of Tobirama, Toka, their clan members, and of course, the Uchiha clan who found the village alongside their clan. And now finally, they have peace.

To say that Hashirama was happy is truly an understatement.

So it's a complete wonder why he'd feel discontented sometimes. Going back, this started more or less two months ago. No matter how joyful he'd be, it would always feel like something is missing, something very important.

The moment he became aware of it, he thought maybe it's because of the rapid changes happening around him, that perhaps he's not just accustomed to peace yet, having been fighting in a war for more than half of his life. But as days go by, that feeling never went away, even growing stronger and stronger.

He keeps all these thoughts to himself, even from his own brother. Loving and thoughtful as he is, Tobirama might not be able to understand him. Another reason is that the younger one has his own things to handle, too, and Hashirama doesn't want to be a greater burden.

In each and every day that passes, that feeling of emptiness only makes itself known that sometimes Hashirama feels as though there's a gaping hole deep inside him.

Engrossed in his own thoughts, it was already late when he went home.

"Where have you been, anija?" Tobirama welcomes him with this question. He's an excellent sensory shinobi, surpassing even Hashirama at that skill, but he's still young and the range of his sensory abilities is yet to improve. Hashirama finds him sitting on the couch in the living room, several scrolls splayed on the low center table in front of him—it's already late in the night but he's still working.

"I roamed around the village and lost track of time," Hashirama answers honestly, leaving the part when he went to the cliff.

Tobirama isn't completely convinced, however. "That's odd," he ponders out loud. "I looked for you everywhere but I didn't find you."

Hashirama momentarily freezes but is quick to put an act and grins rather awkwardly. "Sorry."

Fortunately for him, Tobirama decides not to delve deeper into it. "Anyway, the head of Uzumaki clan wishes to have an audience with us tomorrow. They'll arrive in the morning so I scheduled the meeting in the afternoon. Is that alright with you?"

Hashirama contorts his eyebrows, somewhat perplexed to hear the news. Sure, a clan that reaches out to talk with them is always a good news as they can be a potential ally. Hearing which clan has reached out to them this time is the shocking part.

"The Uzumaki clan? Aren't they our cousin clan?" he asks, joining Tobirama on the couch.

"They are. Why'd you ask?"

"Well, they might be our relatives, strictly speaking, but they distanced themselves away from other clans since like, ten, fifteen years ago? I remember when father told us about them when we were kids, but I haven't even met their clan leader before. I wonder what he's like."

"Ashina-sama is their leader. He's a kind and peace-loving elderly. At least that's from what I gathered."

Hashirama sighs. "I hope he is."

"I've already prepared everything. He and his envoy will be staying with us for the duration of their visit." As expected, Tobirama is the more responsible one among the two.

Tobirama slumps his back onto the backrest. He shuts his eyes and lets out a long sigh, seemingly trying to make the fatigue go away.

"You should go to sleep now, Tobirama," Hashirama says. His younger brother has had an exhausting day, getting up very early in the morning and still working up until now.

"I'll go to sleep once I finish those," the younger replies, and as if on cue, he suddenly yawns. Hashirama chuckles.

There's a pout on Tobirama's lips as Hashirama helps him roll the opened scrolls and bring them back to where he keeps them. "You should eat your dinner," Tobirama reminds him. "We are to personally welcome the Uzumakis early tomorrow morning. You can't be late," he says before retreating to his bedroom.

Hashirama replies with an 'okay'. He goes to the dining area and as he eats his dinner in silence, he can't help but wonder what business the Uzumaki clan might have with them.

It'd be good if they would offer an alliance, he thinks.

-End of Chapter 1-

A/N: Huge thanks to apmcoma, for enlightening me that Mito's father's canon name is Ashina Uzumaki. We'll proceed with his canon name :)