(Kirigakure)
Tobirama quietly sat at the dining table of his prison home. If he focused a bit, he could feel the presence of two dozen Anbu and Hunter ninjas scattered in all directions outside the residence, watching his each move and ready to restrain him should he make any unexpected action.
Still, it didn't worry him but the information relayed to him by the man standing before him certainly did.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked sternly,
"Yes, Lord Second. It seems Lord Hiruzen has agreed to quite a few demands related to trade between our nations apart from a ransom for your release. Kirigakure has won the diplomatic battle" reported Sakumo Hatake with a heavy frown,
"I can't believe the Jounin Council, the elders and even the clan heads would be so weak willed. All for the sake of one man!" cursed Tobirama furiously, wondering for the first time whether his decision to choose Hiruzen had been the right one or not.
"You are the head of the Senju clan, brother to the great Hashirama, a war veteran and capable military commander who can lead our nation back from the jaws of defeat it is currently facing against our enemies. The sentiment back home is quite weak, Tobirama-sama. Our losses are horrific, at this rate we will run out of ninjas before our enemy loses theirs. The people are desperate and so is the Fire Lord" explained Sakumo patiently,
"Then they all have lost rationality! Saving one man at the cost of the future might win them this war, but ultimately they would lose nonetheless. Only the enemy they shall lose to will be Kirigakure" said Tobirama bitterly,
"It is exactly why we need you back in Konoha, no matter the cost!"
Tobirama sighed but gave a reluctant nod in agreement with Sakumo's feelings, a part of him was disappointed in his prized student and people but another could understand what they were going through without him there to lead them.
Their options were very limited to begin with.
"When will the transfer happen?" asked Tobirama in a resigned voice,
"Once the Seven Ninja Swordsmen are back. They will escort you back to Konoha and oversee the inking of the treaty between our nations" answered Sakumo hesitantly,
Tobirama blinked in surprise but didn't take long to understand the real reason behind such an unusual move. Usually, clan heads or professional diplomats oversaw the inking of such treaties, not the nation's most lethal soldiers.
"That crafty Mizukage" praised Tobirama reluctantly,
"My lord?" asked Sakumo in confusion,
"He'll send his own son who will represent not just the Hozuki clan but entire Land of Water as an important delegate. I suppose Gengetsu wants to groom both Mangetsu and Naruto to replace him in the future, both are fine warriors but this event shall give them a diplomatic experience as well which is necessary for any future Kage. The presence of the Seven Ninja Swordsman is a stark display of Kiri's power and that it should be feared. All of this...I underestimated that man" admitted Tobirama with a reluctant but respectful nod towards the Mizukage tower in the center of the village.
"My lord, there is another thing that I wanted to bring to your attention" said Sakumo hesitantly,
Tobirama didn't miss how nervous Sakumo looked and his chakra was unbalanced which could only mean the news he wanted to share would be unpleasant.
"Speak"
"Ino Yamanaka is pregnant"
Tobirama grit his teeth in order to restrain his feelings on hearing the news. Instantly, memories of his last conversation with Naruto came flooding back to him just before the boy embarked on his current mission in the Land of Lightning.
YOU ARE READING
The Seventh Swordsman
Fanfiction"My sword is yours in victory and defeat", Naruto remembered pledging those words to the Second Mizukage as he became one of the feared Seven. He swore to defend Kiri, to protect its people and serve its Kage until his dying breath. But he also made...
