#roman history buffs pls look away

[zelianthos-capercaillie]

A sneak peek of my contribution for the HashiMada Week 2024 event Day 7 prompt, “Historical AU”

It’s a Gladiator AU set in the world of Warring States Period x Ancient Rome

(Wordcount: Approx. <1k)

@hashimada-week

***

“There, Tobi,” Hashirama said after a while. “I’ve healed the worst of your injuries, but I can’t do anything more than this. That last blow was a fatal one so your body needs to properly recuperate. On top of that, your chakra reserves are nearly depleted so you must let Mito help you get back to safety.”

Then he turned to Mito. “Mito?”

“Of course.” She bent down to assist Tobirama.

Hashirama made to stand up and execute a shunshin, but Tobirama grabbed him by the arm before he could do so.

“You’re not—you’re not coming?”

His voice was pained that Hashirama suspected was not just because of the injury, so he gave his brother a smile that he hoped was reassuring. “I have to go back to the frontlines.”

“Hashirama—” Mito began, but Tobirama was faster.

“We’ve already issued the command for retreat. You’ll only end up running straight toward the enemy—”

“I’ll be fine, brother. I’ll meet you at the rendezvous poin—”

“No.” Tobirama’s face crumpled. “Anija, don’t go. They’re going to capture you.”

“Tobirama.” Hashirama gently cupped his brother’s face in his hands. “If there’s even a single one who got left behind, then I want to save them.”

Tobirama closed his eyes in despair, and nodded in resignation. When he opened them again, his expression was resolute. “Then, if you get captured—”

“I told you, I w—”

“If you get captured, then they would most probably take you first to the Capital to be paraded as spoils of war. Once you’re there, seek out—” Tobirama swallowed. “Seek out Izuna. He’ll protect you.”

Izuna?

“Uchiha Izuna? Your childhood friend?”

“Yes.”

Hashirama furrowed his brows. “But... how would I find him? I don’t even know what he looks like.”

“They will take you to him since he is…the current Emperor.”

That bit of information shocked both Hashirama and Mito. Save for the crest bearing two uchiwa, no one knew the true identity of the monarch outside the Capital.

Except Tobirama, it seemed.

“This battle would most likely be declared as a triumph in Izuna’s name,” Tobirama continued. “So you’re going to be meeting him when they hail the general of the army as Imperator. Ask Izuna to grant you sanctuary the moment you have the chance to speak to him.”

“Very well.” Hashirama nodded. “I’ll plead my case to him. Still, I'd like to at least get a description of what he looks like.”

“He…”

“Didn’t you say he’s a beauty?” Mito piped up, casting a knowing glance at Tobirama.

Hashirama raised his eyebrows even higher at his brother. Now that was high praise, considering “passable” was the best compliment he had ever heard his brother say about someone’s appearance (Mito was still disgruntled about that). Today was full of surprises, it seemed.

Tobirama clicked his tongue as he looked away. “They say that he’s grown up to be a beauty. I didn’t say that he is. Beauty is subjective, anyway.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “He has the typical Uchiha features: pale skin, deep black eyes, long dark hair. He’s going to stand out in any type of crowd. Your first interaction with each other will be him smiling at you. Mention my name, and…take this as proof.”

Tobirama still had difficulty moving, so Hashirama took it upon himself to reach for the pendant necklace. He secured it over his head, beneath the armor.

“Emperor Uchiha. Got it.”

“Not Madara. Avoid any interaction with Madara at all cost if you hadn’t made contact with Izuna first. Madara is extremely protective of his brother and you’re going to escalate things fast if you make even a tiny misstep.”

“Avoid Madara. Got it.”

“I’m serious, Anija. If he—” Tobirama broke off coughing, curling on himself as he gasped in pain.

“Tobirama, we have to go.” Mito’s voice brooked no argument.

“Go, brother.”

“…fine. Be safe, Anija.”

Hashirama smiled. “You too, Tobi. I’ll see you both later.”

He watched the two retreat and when they were a good, safe distance away, he turned on his heels toward the frontlines.

🍃🔥

Later, much later, as enemies swarmed around him, Hashirama let out a rueful smile before losing consciousness.

I guess Tobirama was right after all.

🍃🔥

The conquering general, now hailed as Imperator, stood tall, his shoulders broad, his bearing regal.

He’s going to stand out in any type of crowd.

Well, Tobi, Hashirama thought, casting a glance around him, the only one standing out in this crowd is the Imperator himself, so…

Then the Imperator faced the crowd, the high priest holding a laurel wreath above his head, and—

Oh.

Without the red face paint, Hashirama could see what Tobirama was talking about. Smooth pale skin, penetrating deep black eyes, and a wealth of long dark hair. Now unfettered by the helmet, the jet-black spiky mane ran wild, the strands shot-through with blueish-purple starlight under the sun, swaying with deadly elegance in the wind.

The conquering general was the Emperor himself.

As if with preternatural instinct, Emperor Uchiha zeroed in on him, meeting Hashirama’s gaze with unsmiling midnight eyes.

Your first interaction with each other will be him smiling at you.

Here goes.

Hashirama mustered a tremulous smile, transforming into a brighter one as he slowly dredged up his confidence. To his dismay, however, the scowl became even more thunderous. He could practically hear the contemptuous snort that followed as the gaze slid away from him.

Ah, Tobi, Hashirama thought in lament, resisting the urge to shed crocodile tears. It seems that you’re wrong on this one. I’m probably too much in his bad graces to even be deigned a smirk, let alone a smile.

No problem. He would simply show the shard blade pendant the first chance he got. That would win him over.

And as the procession continued, Hashirama was left with one thing in his mind.

Emperor Uchiha was indeed a beauty.