[Otogakure - Level 2, Shimura Clan Compound]
After the overwhelming victory against the Black Thunder, Marui, Otogakure took a pause to strengthen its position and analyse the battlefield.
In the council, the six Shimura elders and each clan head were summoned to the Shimura compound. Shinobi could be seen training amidst the beauty of nature. Despite being underground, light crystal illuminated Otogakure as if there was a miniature sun above them, each light well acting as lamps, although inextinguishable.
Danzo regarded his stat sheets and smiled.
[Danzo Shimura - Stats sheets
Attributes:
Strength: A+ | Agility: A+ | Vitality: S- | Chakra: S-
Kenjutsu: A Taijutsu: B+ Genjutsu: B Fuinjutsu: B+ → A- | Ninjutsu: S-]
His fuinjutsu mastery reached A-level. His latest achievement, after all, lied in the sealing of the two-tailed beast into an Otogakure shinobi. Someone who bore the name of Shimura. His wife. Harumi Shimura, matriarch of the Hebikaze clan, now a monstrous existence, just like him.
[Harumi Shimura (Hebikaze matriarch) - Stats sheets
Attributes:
Strength: A- | Agility: A+ | Vitality: A -> A+ | Chakra: A+ → S-
Kenjutsu: C Taijutsu: B Genjutsu: B Fuinjutsu: C | Ninjutsu: A+ | Summoning: A+]
However, stats were not everything. In the Otogakure's first meeting, despite being at the peak of the elite jonin realm, Harumi had been caught in Byakuro's seal formation and was suppressed almost instantly. Compared to him, Harumi lacked experience, and a trump card.
Even if her chakra had risen to the S- rank, her ninjutsu and overall power was still not exactly at the same rank as Danzo, who could be considered a kage-level figure.
In other words, despite having a stat above the elite jonin realm, Harumi was still not strong enough to be considered a kage-level figure. She was somewhere between the two.
"The village has become stronger", Danzo smiled as he looked at his wife, who was struggling with the voices in her head. Her eyes were slightly bloodshot, but it was nothing compared to the first days. Unlike him who had the soul of someone who experienced death itself, Harumi had the spirit of a regular shinobi, furthermore, a shinobi who had achieved little in her life despite training and rising to the seat of Hebikaze matriarch.
This caused her ego to be small, and if not for the seals and Danzo's overwhelming force, she would have succumbed to the two-tailed times and times again.
Danzo did not believe in making friends with the tailed beasts. Although it was one way to use them, it was just as efficient to bound them with seals and strength over and over again. Becoming a jinchuriki and using their chakra for tailed bombs only was a shame. Danzo believed the shinobi arts were much deadlier, and retaining one's skills with a beast inside oneself was more efficient, a path that was barely explored in the series.
The Shimura compound, however, was hosting one more guest. He was not a clan head, or a shinobi.
He was none other than Takeshi, the Rice Daimyo's must trusted samurai.
A young Shimura entered the room. She had rough hands, and wore the military Shimura uniform dyed in black and red. However, no one complained at her attire. She was one of the strongest kenjutsu specialist of the Shimura Kenjutsu corps, Hanna. Still, she served tea and baskets of food proficiently, before taking her leave.
Slightly taken aback by those shinobi antics, feeling the strength of a mere 'servant', Takeshi wryly talked: "I appreciate the reception, Danzo-sama. The Rice Daimyo wanted to convey his feelings of gratitude. The Northern farms are no longer occupied, and the Kumogakure forces retreated at once last week. Surely, you already know that"
Harumi paused slightly before speaking, but as soon as Danzo gripped her hand, the pressure of the monster she harbored alleviated immensely: "Of course. This was part of our agreement, too. Surely, the daimyo did not send you empty-handed, did he?"
Takeshi nodded: "Of course. Here is his token of gratitude"
Taking a pouch out of his armour, everyone titled their head.
"What might it be?", Boku asked, interested in any treasure that might have some scientific value
"This is royal rice", Takeshi spoke, "And the secret underlying the strong samurai forces of this country. It should never leave those walls, as it might attract unwanted guests. Actually, the Daimyo thought that you might be after this treasure, but after seeing your strength, judged that you were serious about forming a new hidden village. He is aware of the difficulty it entails, and would hate to see it being crushed after such a great start. Please accept these seeds, and let them be the foundation of Otogakure"
Boku was ecstatic, and even Danzo revealed a hint of surprise, something that all present at the table saw for the first time in a while.
"We will double our effort to make the Iwagakure threat go away", Danzo merely said, before adding, "Also, tell your lord that Otogakure is going to have a new heir soon"
The elders and clan leaders were all surprised: "Do you mean-"
"Harumi is pregnant. We did not know of this when we sealed the tailed beast in her, but this is a good surprise, and a good omen for the village. Many of you voiced your opinion against me going to the battlefield, but with an heir, the succession is warranted. Shimura and Hebikaze blood...I hope my child surpasses me, one day", Danzo spoke with some pride
Harumi embraced her husband.
It was an unofficial meeting, causing everyone to be at ease.
They were safe, hidden from the world, in a warm house filled with food and beverage.
This was pure heaven, built upon a chaos engineered by their schemes.
After some time, Takeshi left the meeting, and a more serious note began.
"What is our next move?", Yukiko ended up asking
It was no secret that Yukiko had fallen in love with their leader. Although she had strongly disapproved Danzo's marriage, she had lost this battle. But, her feelings never left her, and seeing Harumi in blissful happiness caused her to fall in a deep depression. Others did not notice it, but her hands were covered in bandages from over training, neck covered in lashes from stress and frustration.
"Observation", Danzo spoke, "Hebikaze sensors have intercepted a letter from the Raikage..."
However, Yukiko stopped at the name 'Hebikaze'. These snakes had stolen everything from her. Her lover, her teacher, her...patriarch. She could still remember the moments when Danzo saved her, promoted her, trained her...But now, everything came to 'Hebikaze' this, 'Hebikaze' that...
The meeting was going to be long for the Kenjutsu Corps' vice commander.