Trigger Warning: Some of the scenes at the later part of this chapter contains physical and attempted sexual violence. Nothing visual or explicit, but still. Please do not proceed if you might find that disturbing. I'll put a marker before that part so please proceed with caution.

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After their breakfast, Hashirama went straight to work only with one goal in mind. He's been planning about this for a while now and now that everything is ready, it's time to set his plan in motion.

A group of five Senju shinobi are already present in the room as he arrived. Leading this small group was none other than Toka.

"I'd like to thank all of you, for being here today. I know that Toka has explained to you the details of this mission beforehand, and I'm sure you that you understand the danger. Madara is an extraordinary shinobi, and those that were sent after him never made it back. That's why the most important matter now is to pinpoint his location. Once this information is obtained, notify me and retreat, immediately. I'll come for him personally."

The group nodded in unison. Given the gravity of the mission, they have been thoroughly briefed regarding every detail of it beforehand.

"We'll be going now, Hashirama-sama," says Toka.

"Take care, Toka, all of you."

They put up their masks and left for the mission.

Hashirama sighed. This is something that he should have done a long time ago, for the sake of Konoha and for his as well. He just hoped that the count of Konoha shinobi who never made it back wouldn't increase further. That's why he gave this a lot of thought. They can't continue to send shinobi after shinobi to capture Madara. Those that were sent so far never made it back, and it really wasn't hard to figure out who's doing it all was. Whatever Madara's motive is for doing all of these—for leaving the village in the first place—Hashirama believes, still, against all odds, that he has a great reason. But this blind faith was because he knew Madara (or so he'd like to tell himself). The people of Konoha don't. They don't know Madara like he does—did. With all of the things happening, Madara is now known as the rogue shinobi who killed the Mizukage and those Konoha shinobi that were sent after him.

The majority of the clanheads are urging him to launch a full-on attack, saying that they have to "solve" this problem first so that the village could finally focus on preparing for the alleged attack from other villages. Furthermore, some villages have already reached out to them and offered an alliance in exchange for Madara getting subdued. Because of what happened to the Mizukage, other villages apparently have considered Madara as a threat.

That was the last straw for Hashirama. First of all, they couldn't afford to divert even a small portion of resources and men because it could barely suffice to begin with. They'd have to dedicate all of it to defend the village once the time comes. And second, he can no longer sit by and watch while Madara is out there, fighting for his life and for whatever goal that he has.

This mission is necessary in order to secure Madara's location. And who could Hashirama trust more to lead this covert mission but his valued friend, Toka. She specializes on recon missions, but most importantly, Hashirama could trust her to make it back alive.

He plans to tell Tobirama at a later time though, knowing that the younger would protest about him going to Madara alone.

A week later have passed when Hashirama finally received a scroll from Toka. 

It said that they're in a small village a few miles away from the border of Land of Fire, and the locals have confirmed seeing the man a few days ago. Madara was close. At this rate, it would only be a matter of days before they pinpoint his exact location.

Hashirama takes a deep breath, closing the scroll bearing the report. The day when his questions will be answered is finally drawing near.

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One morning, a shocking news came from Uzushiogakure. Mito's father fell sick and is in a serious condition.

"I need to go home," Mito tells the two brothers, tears streaming down her worried face.

"I'll come with her, Anija," Tobirama says resolutely.

Hashirama weighs their remaining options now. As much as he dreads it, there was no question that he'll have to postpone that mission about Madara.

It would be dangerous for Mito to go, especially in these times, and the only way to ensure her safety is for one of them to accompany her.

"I'll go with her," Hashirama decides. Tobirama looks at him perplexed.

"Do they have a diagnosis on Ashina-dono yet, Mito-san?" the older asks.

Mito wipes her tears, shaking her head, "No, Hashirama-sama. They just found him unconscious last night."

Something clicks on Tobirama's mind, causing him to look at Hashirama. Their eyes meet and it seems that Tobirama has now come to realize why Hashirama must be the one to go--his brother just happens to be the best medical-nin there is.

"Very well," Tobirama concedes. "I'll take care of things here while you're gone."

Hashirama gives a nod and a smile. "I know you will, Tobi."

They didn't waste any more time and departed immediately after a few necessary preparations. Hashirama made sure to bring enough weapons, ready to defend and attack if need be.

The small group comprised of Hashirama, Mito, and the other Uzushio shinobi who came with Mito and Ashina when they came. Akari was her name, Hashirama learns from Mito. 

This small number was essential not to draw attention. Hashirama also left a clone back at Konoha, since it wouldn't bode well if the people are to discover that the Hokage himself wasn't at the village now that they could be under attack at any given moment.

They moved swiftly, only having quick stops to rest and replenish their energy. On a normal pace, the trip to Uzushio from Konoha takes ten days. They plan to lower it by half, at the very least.

As luck would have it, they were met by a heavy storm on the fourth day. Hashirama knew that it is impossible to travel in this weather without risking his companions' health--the wiser thing to do now is to wait for the storm to pass.

Fortunately, they found a small village nearby. Wearing their disguises, they booked rooms two stay for the night.

"Here are your keys. Dinner would be served at the dining hall in thirty minutes," the woman at the front desk of the inn instructed. If ever she was perplexed at the sight of the three who are soaking wet and visibly shivering, thankfully, she didn't voice it out.

They booked two rooms in total, one for Hashirama and one for the ladies.

"See you at the hall, Mito-san, Akira-san."

The two nodded and entered their room.

Hashirama took a very much needed warm bath. Afterwards, he went to the dining hall to meet with them as agreed.

"They have nice baths here," Hashirama attempts to start a conversation. They've exchanged very few in the course of their travel so far, and those few exchanges mainly involved giving out instructions and discussing if they're going in the right direction. Hashirama knew that the whole premise of this trip is nothing to be glad about, but it wouldn't hurt if they get to know each other more on the way. Furthermore, Hashirama also wants to cheer Mito up a little.

Mito nods absent-mindedly. Hashirama could only frown.

Dinner was served shortly and the next couple of minutes was spent in complete silence.

Akira excused herself afterwards. They couldn't afford to be careless, even now. Being a trained shinobi, she already knows what to do.

"I'm sorry, Mito-san. We'll have to stay the night and wait for the storm to pass. I don't want to risk both you and Akira-san getting sick. Let's try to get all the rest we could get while we're here, hm?"

Mito looks at him now. "Please don't be sorry, Hashirama-sama. I completely understand that this is for our sake."

Hashirama puts his palm on top of Mito's hand, giving her a small smile.

"Thank you, Hashirama-sama." She smiles, too, albeit bittersweet.

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Mito tried to get some sleep that night. Her mind was restless, but her body was tired. Some time later, she finally fell into a light slumber.

However, just a few hours later, she jolted up her futon and was forcefully dragged from sleep. She dreamt of her father. In the dream, she was holding his lifeless body in her arms, blood seeping out of his mouth.

She takes a look around the room, only to find Akira nowhere in sight. Something's not right, she was supposed to make it back after patrolling the area.

Against her better judgment, Mito hastily packs up her things and leaves, making her way home. He'd have to apologize to Hashirama later on but she's certain that he'll understand.

Fortunately, the brunt of the storm have already passed, and now only a light drizzle remains.

She made sure to be careful, paying extra mind to her surroundings, prepared to defend herself whenever (if ever) the need arises.

It was uneventful during the next three hours. Mito continued on with this pace, but eventually, she has to stop when she sensed some company.

Although it was still dark, the moon provides enough light for her to see their appearances. There were at least ten of them, all wearing black, without any mark or symbol to recognize which village they're from. The only thing that stands out was the tengu mask that they're wearing.

Mito's heart raced. She specializes in seals but she was also trained for combat. However, it had been a fair amount of time since she had some practice, so this isn't going to be easy.

**Trigger Warning. Please skip this part if you're uncomfortable.**

One of them lunges at her, a sword in hand. With graceful motion, Mito dodges the attack and swings her dagger right at his chest. One down, nine more to go.

Nine bodies down later, Mito thought this was finally over when suddenly, she was caught off guard with a kunai pointed at her throat and an arm around her torso keeping her still. There's still a kunai left strapped on her upper thigh, and if she could just reach it...

"You put up quite a fight, ojou-sama," says another man appearing in front of her. Just like the men he'd fought earlier, he was wearing the same outfit. 

"What do you want?!" Mito snarls.

"Oh, us? We just want money, and some fun, maybe." The man replies with a wicked laugh. "You can give us both of that, can't you?"

The man in front of her closed the remaining distance between them, and when he's about to touch her cheek, Mito packs her remaining power and kicks the man right where it hurts the most.

The man cried in pain while the other one behind him shouted at her, digging his kunai on her neck just enough to draw blood.

"Be careful, ojou-sama. You almost forgot that I can kill you now if I want."

Mito closed her eyes. The wound on her neck stings but that's not what's important right now. She has to find a way to get away from here. Slowly, she reaches for her last remaining weapon, only to find it nowhere where she kept it tied to his thigh.

"Looking for this?" Another man appeared, along with ten other men, all in the same outfit.

Mito was about to form a hand seal only to realize that her hands are have been tied. But what was really alarming was how she could feel her chakra being drained by those ropes.

"Feeling a bit tired now, ojou-sama?" the man behind her taunts.

When all hope was seemingly lost, the man behind her suddenly drops to the ground and when Mito looked back, she sees that a shuriken was pierced right in the middle of his forehead.

All of them looked at the direction where it came from.

A man dressed in red armor appeared at the scene. Half of his face is covered with his long spiky hair, and his skin is white as snow.

-End of Chapter 19-