Who is Behind the Scenes
Darkness filled the entryway to Tori's latest hideout a stark contrast to the brightly lit rooms inside. Kota sat at the table of the small dining room having no desire for food. Tori munched on grapes sitting opposite him as they discussed their plans.
"They aren't aware of our plans yet are they," Kota asked.
"Not at all. Oh how I love grapes. If you could only see their faces after all the nightmares…It is fun to watch them squirm around trying to figure out what is going on," Tori said.
"They still believe our target is the women in the village," Kota asked.
"Absolutely and the strongest team is falling into our trap so easily," Tori said gleefully.
"Bringing me back in this shape…The three great dojutsu and a bonus Uzumaki jinchuriki. I suppose it will be worth it to you in the end," Kota said.
"All that power," Tori said.
"We must be careful yes but we have time on our side for now," Kota cautioned.
"We lost the Byakugan but do we dare start another war to recover-
"Lost? Who says we lost anything…No war will happen. Our new world will have the most powerful Shinobi protecting it after all. You never really wanted a war anyhow," Kota said.
"You are so sure that all three will fall into place," Tori asked second guessing herself. She wasn't confident she could succeed and needed someone…anyone to pump up her confidence.
"Yes," Kota said.
"And the Rinnegan? I've never faced it before," Tori thought excitement in her tone suggesting she couldn't wait to face it.
"Everyone knows the only one is Uchiha Sasuke," Kota said.
"Yes and I can't wait to see him once again. Orochimaru-sama had him right where he needed him yet did nothing. How disappointing and even after searching so long for Kabuto-san I must settle for his substitutes. In all this time all I can do is push myself harder to become great like Orochimaru-sama all on my own," Tori said.
"You're not alone," Kota said.
"The others are hardly worth my time. Fully expendable," Tori said standing from the table.
"Like I was," Kota said.
"Oh no you are someone precious to me…why else would I bother to bring you back," Tori said.
"And you will bring me back for good once we gather all the elements," Kota asked.
"Absolutely. You know how I feel about promises spoken. I have every intention of bring everyone back that I can manage. It is amazing what people are willing to do to bring back the ones they love. Just think-
"I don't want to think about it. I just want to make sure that I'm in line to return. I didn't give up my life without a reason," Kota said cutting her off. Tori stared at him upset that he cut off her plans but she did have a bad habit of talking way too much. Kota was right to look out for her she thought so she calmed down.
Kota was still loyal to Tori so he said nothing choosing to believe in her still. It was too late for him to do any different anyhow.
000
Naruto was all set to meet up with Sasuke at a weapons warehouse. The job of his subordinates was to shore up the place and protect it from intruders. Whoever built the place to begin with was preparing for a mighty large scale battle at least a war. Needless to say the place couldn't fall into enemy hands.
"How long are you going to stare," Sasuke asked.
"When they told me how many weapons I never imagined a place like this. We don't fight using these kind of large scale modern ninja tools so I am just surprised is all," Naruto said.
"As long as we get the right people here guarding the place things should be fine. That is what the Gokage have agreed to do. What has been recommended," Sasuke said.
"But you think something else should be done," Naruto asked.
"Disarm," Sasuke said simply.
"Shut the place or seal it up like…that kind of makes sense I agree with you. Maybe we should-
"I don't think we should go against what they want for the place," Sasuke said.
"Is that you talking Sasuke…for real," Naruto asked.
"I had some time to think and it is in my best interest to just stay out of the politics of this," Sasuke said.
"By the way how bad did Karin take it? You know you didn't have to leave like you did. I could have made other agreements with the rest of the-
"Stay out of it Naruto," Sasuke said.
"Geeze she is my family too Sasuke. They matter to me I can't just ignore it. The way she is now is unacceptable. We are all friends now and you know I can't ignore her. You know what it means that you left Konoha the way you did," Naruto said.
"Hey usuratonkachi worry more about taking care of Sakura and leave me alone," Sasuke said.
"You would bring up Sakura. I'll tell you what teme I am treating her fine. She is doing so fine as a matter of fact dattebayo…why the hell did you bring her up. I worry about her all the time teme. She is suffering that is why we have to find these bad guys and beat this Nightmare Jutsu the hell out of them," Naruto said.
"No question about it. So don't focus on Karin. Karin is fine," Sasuke said.
"Fine," Naruto said raking a hand through his blonde hair in frustration.
"How did Konoha lose the leader once more can you explain that to me," Sasuke asked.
"She had help. Apparently she is a skilled student of Orocimaru's, Naruto said.
"Orocimaru again. Ever notice that he isn't a priority to be found by anyone yet his actions and crimes have caused such reactions that people are still paying for to this day," Sasuke said.
"Yet he wanders free…I doubt he could tell us much about this woman and her plans after all. Maybe he could help us take her down but with a child who knows what kind of life Orochimaru's living after all," Naruto said.
"Maybe I was wrong to leave Karin the way I did. We do have a child and one on the way. If someone like Orochimaru can weigh his actions against his child where does that leave me," Sasuke asked.
"I don't know if that comparison is fair but if you look at someone like Shikamaru who just had a newborn baby and is already back out there working for Konoha it shows our sense of duty," Naruto said.
"Let's get this security clearance done so we can get something to eat," Sasuke said to his friend and motioned that they should head over to the gates.
Naruto nodded in agreement and the twosome walked towards the gates of the weapons warehouse. It was nearing two o'clock in the afternoon and the wind had started to pick up outside. The place was quite a few guards stood outside the perimeter. A mile or so down the road was a factory where some of the gadgets that ended up in the warehouse were manufactured. It was all the beginning of a new era in modern warfare technology.