Naruto: Tenth Dragon's Poison

Chapter 33

Target Locked On

The look upon each of their faces in response of this latest reveal was one of surprise. None who stood in the room was expecting to come face to face with the one who now stood just feet away from them.

"Granny Goodness of Apokolips, never would I have imagined you'd be taking part in this as well." Medusa said in light of her made appearance.

"Make that the two of us." Black Manta spoke in his own regard.

"It's good to see that you're all now here, which means we can now truly commence," Granny Goodness said as she looked. "In my absence how much have you explained to them thus far?"

"The necessary rundown," Sosuke replied. "I was just in the process of assigning their specialized groups just before you arrived."

"Good to know we're at least that far along."

With not so much as a seconds warning Black Manta took a step forward, a move which gained the attention of them both.

"What is it?" Sosuke asked curious behind the made move.

"I have a question, about something what was said." Black Manta notified.

"And what might that be my dear?" Granny Goodness inquired of him.

"When you first appeared you detailed that this plan you two have been planning won't fail," Black Manta referred back to. "You even went as far to saying the mighty dark one has foreseen success."

"And your question is?"

"This mighty dark one you speak of," Black Manta said with a pause. "Were you referring to Darkseid, is he in on all of this as well?"

"In some ways yes, but what will benefit him through all of this will ultimately benefit everyone who stands in this room tenfold." Granny Goodness answered.

"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" Mirror Master asked.

"Why answer that when you'll all find out for yourselves.. very soon."

"Yes, there's no doubt any questions that you may have will eventually be answered through the coming proceedings." Sosuke added.

"Captain Aizen, earlier before when I asked if I would be traveling alone you replied by saying no," Killer Frost brought up. "You said you had an alternate plan in mind, what did you mean by that?"

"It's simple, instead of you traveling with Medusa you will instead operate with another."

"And who might that be?"

"You'll have the honor of working alongside Metallo." Sosuke replied looking her way.

"But I thought you were branching us in groups of two," Killer Frost recalled. "Isn't Metallo already paired with Shiva?"

"Yes, are you altering our approach?"

The shinigami simply smirked at the posed, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked over the two of them.

"You see, things aren't as they would appear."

This proclamation brought an immediate to almost all who stood in attendance.

"What in the world are you blabbing about now?" Medusa asked.

"It is just as it sounds, there's something that isn't what it seems, or should I say.. someone."

While the asked wasn't answered completely, this gave a very incriminating hint.

"What are you trying to say?" Mirror Master questioned.

The grin upon his face only widened.

"One among you stands posed as another," Sosuke finally revealed. "And if we're to commence as a unit all curtains must be wide, it is the only way to cement an open honesty."

"What, that's ridiculous." Black Manta groaned in disbelief.

"Well, who is it?" Poison Ivy asked.

"It certainly isn't me." Metallo said stamping his innocence.

Not wanting to keep them guessing any longer his eyes trailed slightly right of where he stood to face them, staring sharply into their eyes before speaking once again.

"You Lady Shiva, you are the impersonator," Sosuke revealed while still maintaining that devilish grin of his as he uncrossed his arms. "Now why don't you remove that disguise and show us all your true face, Wilson Rose."

There was no use in denying it. She reached up to her face to pull off a sophisticated mask of fine latex that had been set in place. This was followed by her removing a wig that sat atop her head, bringing view of her cloud white hair which fell down past her shoulders.

She didn't stop there, next tearing away the clothing currently worn to showcase body armor that lied away beneath. Her final action to make was pulling out a gun and pointing it at the one who they all had come to call 'captain'.

"Clever," The now armed woman remarked with a complete change in voice. The pulled gun was held tightly in hand with a single target locked in. "How long did it take for you to realize?"

"My dear, I've known since the start."

Her eyes slightly widened after learning this.

"If that is true then how come you didn't call me out on it when we first arrived?"

"I only wished to humor you," Sosuke replied. "No other reason."

"Oh, how so entertaining." Granny Goodness commented.

"Why the hell were you disguised as Lady Shiva," Metallo asked. "You must have an explanation for this."

"That one's obvious if you ask me," Mirror Master said prepared to share his assessment on the matter. "She dressed as Shiva for no other reason than to infiltrate the weapons meeting that we were holding. The only thing I'm uncertain of is what she was after."

"That one is simple," Rose said confirming his belief while lowering her weapon and turning to face him. "I was sent to steal the Klarax device you were to present, the disguise was nothing more than a needed decoy."

"Why am I not surprised," Mirror Master said after learning this. "May I ask who sent you?"

"And why would I share that information with you?"

"None of that matters, because you're both operating under me now," Soskue said interrupting the two. "As it stands now Killer Frost you will be working with Metallo, and as for you Ms. Wilson your talents would greatly work in form with the mission I've handed to Black Manta, thus.. the two of you will work alongside one another."

"I have no objection to that," Black Manta said giving his opinion. "But still, you haven't given any details as to what that will be."

"You'll know more in time."

"And when will that be?"

"Tonight, all will be explained then." Granny Goodness assured.

"A fact which is true for the rest of you as well" Sosuke added in wake of her words.

"Why not now," Poison Ivy asked. "Why wait until tonight, I hardly see how there'd be anything to gain by such a wait."

"Timing is just as important as preparation," Sosuke remarked in response to her words. "Take the next hours to rest yourselves, you'll need it for what the coming days will bring for you all.. that is all."

After speaking those words he turned for the tunnel way as he proceeded to make his way out with Granny Goodness following soon after.

"Where are the two of you going?" Rose asked.

"To make some final adjustments, we will return soon." Sosuke replied.

"Make yourselves at home." Granny Goodness added giving the last words.

And with that the two marched out, leaving the assembled team alone for the first time, having not the slightest idea for how long they'd be left alone.

…

A move to advance further into Kumogakure was made by the two masked individuals who now found themselves walking the streets along with the general public. Not too far behind followed the two who had come to sight them while in the forest the previous day.

"So, where do you think they're going?" Bart asked as they maintained a ten yard distance from the targeted.

"Why ask something you know I don't have the answer to, I mean it's not like I can read minds you know." Uryuu stated in response.

"Ouuuhh, I know," Bart said with a bright possibility surfing to mind. "Maybe they're heading to their super uber secret hideout, yea that's right.. and I bet there's a legion more of these purple masked thieves, but unknowingly to them two secret agents lurk in the abyss of the shadows, tracking their every move until."

"What in the world are you babbling about now," Uryuu said interrupting him. "And at what point was it determined these two are thieves of any kind?"

"The masks don't lie, that's clearly why they're wearing them."

"Forget I asked."

The two ahead now moved at a moderate pace, a complete shift from the way they walked before Kumogakure had been reached. There wasn't much to make of this, but through his mind this meant wherever they were headed was close.

"Can't let either of these two out of my sight."

It was after having that very thought come to mind that the sound of someone quickly approaching from his blind side could be heard. He looked downward just as a group of three children dashed by with a heap of speed, clearly in a rush to wherever it was they were heading.

"Just a bunch of kids, I thought it was something else for a second there."

He then looked back to the path ahead to come to a shocking sight which made his heart jump in reaction.

"They're gone," Uryuu exclaimed. There were several others who walked the streets besides the two they followed, leaving him to carefully survey the crowd in attempt to relocate the two. With no success he called to the one who walked at his side. "Bart-kun, did you see which way they went?"

No reply was given as he continued trying to pin point them once again.

"Bart-Kun, did you hear me?"

"Woooooohh, COOOL!" Bart exclaimed in excitement.

Curious as to what grabbed his attention he shifted his focus that way.

"What is it?" Uryuu asked.

"Look there, at that sign!" Bart directed with an undeniable energy ringing in voice.

He looked to the pointed to spot a sign which read;

'TaG T Rap Battle Challenge Tomorrow; Food, Prizes, and all!'."

"What's so special about some music event that literally has nothing to do with our current voyage, really, can you even stay focused for a minute?" Uryuu questioned.

"What's wrong with having a little fun at the same time."

"Are you even listening to yourself, we're on a man hunt for a bunch a guys who are responsible for the deaths of at least a dozen, and possibly more," Uryuu said quick to remind. "We don't have time to get caught up in any side activities, now I'm going to ask you once more, did you see which direction they went in?"

"Why are you asking me, I thought it was your job to keep an eye on them."

"What did you just say?!"

"Geez, calm down," Bart said as he chose to survey the area for himself. He placed a hand over his eyes as a means of blocking out the immediate shine of the sun.. "No need to stress about it, I'm sure they couldn't have gotten very far."

One long look was all it took for him to come to an ultimate conclusion.

"Whelp, they're definitely gone."

"Nice to know you've noticed genius." Uryuu stated

"Not too worry, I'm sure we'll find them soon enough." Bart said confidently.

"No way that's going to happen if we just stand here."

"Well then, we better get moving." Bart declared as he made a diagonal move for the left.

"Hey, how do you know they went that way?"

"Only way we're going to find out is by checking."

"But what if they went the other way?" Uryuu stated.

"Then I guess we had better split up." Bart replied as he continued to walk.

"No way we're separating, with my luck you'll end up lost next!" Uryuu declined as he followed after him

"Hey, after we track these guys down and find out what they're up to we are so signing up for that rap challenge."

"Would you please stay focused, there's no telling whose life might be on the line as we currently speak."

"So… is that a yes or no?"

He gave no answer of acknowledgement. There was only one thing on his mind, and that was fining the those who they encountered in the forest at all costs.

"I will find them, there's no way we're letting them get away," Uryuu declared to himself. "The two of them along with any others involved will answer for what they've done."

…..

The night had come and gone, and yet the wait continued. He sat at in the chair with his hands sitting atop the table, tapping a finger every few seconds or so to help distract himself from the passing time. His eyes were closed, but that didn't keep him from honing in on anyone who approached his current location.

"Dammit, it has been too long, you said you'd be back shortly… so where are you?"

This thought was immediately followed by the emerging presence of someone.

"The door, someone's outside.. but who?"

He stood up from where he sat just as the door to the cabin was opened.

"I have returned."

"It's about time, I was wondering when you'd come back," Conner said. "You stepped out last night and said you'd return shortly."

"I wasn't gone that long." Bruce said in response.

"I don't consider overnight a short stroll."

"Your point is?"

"I don't have a point to make, however I am curious as to where you've been."

He stepped into the cabin as he closed the door behind him.

"I was out investigating." Bruce informed.

"Investigating," Connor inquired. "Investigating what?"

"The background of an individual, a woman," Bruce conveyed. "Tokae, Myiou."

"Who the hell is that?"

"You'll find out soon enough." Bruce replied as he walked in right past him.

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"

He watched as he made his way to the center of the room, stopping the moment the ground door was reached.

"Don't tell me you plan on going back down there so soon."

"Yes," Bruce said looking over at him. "And you're coming with me."

…

Her eyes peered from side to side every few seconds as the two of them pressed on in search. A good deal of time had passed since they had begun. There were several others walking the streets as they did, making it difficult to pin point an exact location of where the two could be. At this rate one had to wonder where they could have possibly gone. After another walked step she came to an unannounced stop.

"What's wrong?" Kakashi asked as he stepped up to her side.

"We've been looking around for almost twenty minutes now and we've still yet to find them," Sakura said in response. "Where could they possibly be?"

"Nothing specific really comes to mind," Kakashi said putting some mind to it. "Though we still have the option of asking around."

"What?"

"There's a chance someone could have seen the two of them traveling together, and if that is the case then perhaps they could point us in the direction of where they went." Kakashi explained.

"While true, there's also the fact we might not be searching the right places." Sakura noted.

"What do you mean?" Kakashi asked not fully on board for what it was she was talking about.

"Think about it, put yourself in Ino's position," Sakura said putting things into perspective. "If there was someone who was visiting Konohagakure for the first time where would you take them?"

"You know, you might be onto something."

"Come on," Sakura said with the wave of her hand as she began walking once again. "I think I might know where they are."

"Then what are we waiting for." Kakashi said before following her once again.

With that the two of them took off once again. Standing from afar unknown to them they were being watched by those of outsiders who stood at the top of one of the building structures nearby, each individual wearing full body cloaks which shielded their physical appearances. Of the two, there was only one they had their eyes set on.

"So, that's Hatake Kakashi… the man who the boss sent us in search of," The mystery person thought to themselves. They pushed up from they sat as they continued to watch their target fade out of sight. "Time to put phase one to the test."

….

Every minute that passed brought a loss of confidence in the current task that hung in the balance. For the first time in several hours it felt as if they were now back to walking a directionless path. Without warning he brought all to a halt, resulting in the one who traveled at his side to do the same.

"Hey, why did you stop," Bart inquired of him. The expressed look on his face told a story in itself, one which he wasn't entirely sure of. "Is something wrong?"

"We've been trying to relocate those two for almost five minutes now, I fear the place they've been traveling to is close to being reached, or already has."

"That wouldn't be good."

"You're right, it wouldn't," Uryuu said. "If they reach their destination they'll be able to commence with whatever their next step may be, and with us not being present we'll never find out what that is."

"How can you be so sure they're close to reaching their destination?"

"For one we're already in Kumogakure, the stated place they're set to meet with someone," Uryuu reminded. "And secondly since arriving they gradually slowed in their pacing, a sign which would indicate the destined location is near."

"So what do you suggest we do?"

He brought a hand to his chin as he thought just about that. His eyes leveled down to the ground as all options began to weigh on mind.

"While splitting up at this point makes a lot of sense I don't want this boy falling out of my sights, after all he could very well be the one we were sent here to find," Uryuu went through in mind. "But on the flipped side if we don't split there's a good chance we won't find the two who lead us here and more people could wind up dead."

There was a lot to consider, on the flipped side there wasn't much time to scale on all detail leaving him to make a quick decision. He lifted his head back up with a ultimate decision ready to be conveyed.

"Alright, we're going to split up."

"Wait, what," Bart said clearly surprised by the announced. "But before you relayed splitting up was a bad idea because of the fact we could get lost, which is understandable since this is the first time either of us has set foot here."

"While true, I won't allow the ones we've been in pursuit of to get away," Uryuu declared. "We must find them at all costs."

"So let's say one of us does somehow find them, what then?"

"We'll meet back at this very spot, we'll set a time limit of ten minutes," Uryuu said setting a time as he turned away. "Find them or not, we'll return to this spot within that time frame."

"Aye captain." Bart gestured with a salute.

"You go right, leave everything left to me.. and don't get lost." Uryuu said turning around to find he was already gone.

He shook his head at the sight of this but there was no time for stall, turning back for the left with one focus in mind, finding the two who had lead them to this very place.

…

The splash of wetness underfoot was the only sound that echoed throughout the walls as the two coursed through the dark sewer. He followed along with not so much as a hint to where it was they were going. Finding himself becoming growingly curious as to where the path would lead by the minute he finally found it in himself to speak up.

"Ok I'll budge, where are we going?"

There was no stop in progress as he replied to the asked.

"To get clarification."

"Clarification for what," Conner asked. "Does this have something to do with that woman you mentioned before?"

"Yes, this has everything to do with her," Bruce confirmed. "Myiou Tokae."

"So are you going to tell me who this Tokae girl is, why the interest?"

"She's someone I met while down here."

"Surely there's more to it than that," Conner said. "You must have a good reason for why you've been asking around about her."

"I do."

"Mind sharing?"

"Let's just say something is going on here in Amegakure, and not only on the surface but down here as well," Bruce conveyed. "And from what I've been able to gather Myiou Tokae is one of a few at the center of it all."

"I have no idea what you're talking about, but I must ask," Conner said ready to get to the point. "What does any of this have to do with us, do we really have time to get side tracked by public affairs?"

He continued to walk, saying nothing in response to the inquired. It didn't take long for him to press once again.

"Hey, aren't you going to answer me?"

The asked prompted him to stop after another step taken.

"What I seek is far more than an answer to a simple question, no, what we're now in pursuit of is clarity."

He didn't understand any of what was being explained in the least, leaving him as confused as ever. They walked for a while longer before finding themselves now in position of an intersection of sorts, leaving them with three options; continuing straight or going right or left.

"Alright, which way do we go from here dear captain?" Conner remarked in light of their latest path of choice.

"Right," Bruce replied as he headed directly that way. "Come, we're almost there."

"Well that's a relief, at the rate we were going I thought it'd be another day or so before this so called placed would be reached." Conner said voicing a hint of sarcasm.

Unlike before there was now lighting that helped guide their path, all granted by the ceiling lights that hung roughly ten twelve feet above from where they now walked. They walked for almost a minute more, listening to the continuous tune of the splashing water below. Wanting to make conversation he brought focus to the very thing that had brought them down here.

"So, do you plan on telling me what's so important about this Myiou woman," Conner asked. "I think it'd be advised if I even knew a little about this situation before meeting her."

"To be honest with you I know very little about what I came across the last time I was here," Bruce began. "One thing I can say about her is that she is part of some underground guild known as Huenatar, and not just her but several others."

"What?"

"Yes, I discovered their activities after hearing them chanting while down here on my previous visit here," Bruce informed. "And after making my way back to the surface I decided to do some asking around about Ms. Tokae."

"And?"

"I came to learn that she was legally pronounced dead four years ago."

"Ok, that's not what I was expecting to hear," Conner admitted. "But if that is true, what does it mean?"

"That's why we're here," Bruce declared. "And not only for that, but to find out what this Huenatar Guild is really all about."

It was after cementing this that the two came in view of a door on the right side, a finding which brought them to a stop.

"We're here."

He wasted no time in stepping up to the door, balling his fist as he prepared to knock on the door to announce his arrival. With his hand just inches away the door without warning opened on its own; and there she was, looking him directly in the eyes with a simple message to give.

"Step in, I've been expecting you, Jellester-san."

…..

The winds blew steadily from the ground up, coursing along the faces of the past that gazed on from their on looking positions above. The sight was astonishing to say the least, especially for someone getting who was facing its stellar architect for the first time.

"This is it, the Hokage Monument, a cemented spectacle that remembers all past and the present Hokage of Konohagakure." Ino said more than pleased to detail.

"I don't think it has been brought up, so I guess I'll ask now," Orihime said taking a moment to look away from the prized mountain. "But what is a Hokage, would I be right in assuming it is a status of some kind of importance?"

"You're exactly right," Ino smilingly confirmed with the nod of her head. "The Hokage is the ultimate enforcer, a leader if you will."

"Ok, this all makes perfect sense now."

"So, what do you think about it?" Ino said looking up at mountainside.

She struggled to find words that could truly express her thoughts, simply falling to the simplest answer there was to give.

"It.. it's amazing," Orihime finally voiced. "I can't say I've ever seen anything quite like this before now."

"Is that right?"

"How long did it take for it to be completed?"

"Over a several years span." Ino answered.

"Really," Orihime said in complete surprise. "It took that long?!"

"Well of course," Ino said looking to her once again. "After all the head of a Hokage can't be added to the lot until they've been elected, the construction is never ending."

"Ooohhh, now that you put it that way it kind of makes since," Orihime said now facing her as well. "But that does raise the question of if they run out of space on this mountain, where would that leave future Hokage's from now to stand?"

"I guess we would have to find another mountain." Ino chuckled lightly in response to the inquired.

That very moment brought the sound of footsteps from behind, causing the two of them to turn around to find they had now been joined.

"Sakura, Kakashi-sensei," Ino said surprised to see the two of them. "What are you doing here?"

"We were looking for Inoue-chan, I felt it might be too soon for her to be moving up and about," Kakashi answered. "I had a feeling she'd be wherever you were, and it would also seem Sakura-chan's hunch about you bringing her here was correct as well."

"I'm perfectly fine, I'm feeling much better than a day ago." Orihime stated in her own defense.

"As I can see."

"What made you think to look here?" Ino asked as she turned to her friend.

"Because this would be the very place I'd bring someone to see if it was there first time visiting Konohagakure," Sakura said before turning to face the girl who stood at her side. She expressed a warming smile as she held out her right hand to greet her directly. "Hello there, you must be the girl I've heard so much about since this last hour, my name is Haruno Sakura."

"And I am Inoue Orihime," The cheerful girl replied accepting the proposition of a hand shake. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise," Sakura replied pleased by her positive demeanor. "I have so much I'd like to ask of you."

"What did you want to ask," Orihime asked showcasing a clear interest. "Does this have something to do with what happened the other night?"

"Never mind it, we'll go over that at a more appropriate time," Sakura smiled in response to the asked. "For now why don't we continue on this little tour you're on, I hope you don't mind if I tag along."

"I for one don't," Ino said as she looked to the other who had joined them as well. "Kakashi-sensei what about you, will you be joining us as well?"

"Well.. I don't have anything planned, at least not for another two hours or so," Kakashi said weighing the option aloud. "I don't see why not, if the three of you'd like for me to come along I'd gladly accept."

"Then it is settled," Ino declared before marching on once again. "Let the tour continue."

"Hey," Sakura said following after her. "But we haven't even decided on we're going next."

"Don't worry in the slightest, you just follow my lead."

"What do you mean just follow your lead," Sakura replied with a noticeable change. "Shouldn't we all at least speak about where we're going next?"

"I don't remember anyone asking for your opinion on the matter." Ino deliberately provoked with an added roll of her eyes.

"What was that?!" Sakura retorted angrily.

That brought a back and forth between the two of them. It was a bickering which resulted in a smile forming across her lips once again, clearly humored by the verbal standoff between the two.

"Kakashi-sama," Orihime said looking up at him as they too began to walk. "Are they always like this?"

"We all have our ways of expressing affection for one another, this just so happens to be one of the many ways these two express that very thing between eachother," Kakashi explained. "But don't worry, I'm certain this episode of theirs will keel over in small time."

"I imagined that much."

"Well unless you have anything more to ask, what do you say we get moving as well?"

Nothing more needed to be said. The two of them began following after the two who walked a short distance ahead, managing only two steps before hearing the roaring shout of a name called, one of a deep voice which caused all four of them to stop in their tracks.

"HATAKE KAKASHI!"

His head spun around, immediately looking up toward the Monument of Hokages to find three individuals standing right next to each other atop the display of ultimate pride, all three onlookers staring directly down at him in return. The person who stood in the middle of the three took the initiative of speaking the next line of words.

"Kakashi of Konohagakure, it is time."

His eyes widened at the proclaimed, not having a clue as to what was going on. An immediate tension was felt, and not just by him, but by those who stood at his side.

"Who the hell are these people… and furthermore, what is this all about?"

To Be Continued