Chapter 55

Ay sat in a darkened office with only his rage and a half-empty bottle of whiskey for company. He was contemplating what could only be considered an insurrection he'd experienced. Shi using medical ninjutsu to render him unconscious and then Darui and he sneaking their Raikage out of a village. As if he were some disobedient child and not their supreme commander! If that weren't bad enough, they said both B and Yugito planned to surrender to stop any attempts on his life.

His enemies had his brother. His enemies thought him a coward. And his most trusted men did this to him. It was a minor miracle he hadn't killed the both of them. He still might, the desire was there. He didn't care about their justifications, it was not their job to question or challenge him. He ordered, they obeyed. And to think, he considered Darui as his future replacement. How could he now? How could he continue to have either of them around him when he couldn't trust them?

Ay took a hard swig from the glass bottle. The burn of the alcohol a mere afterthought. He'd have to stay his hand for now. His first attempt failed, spectacularly and B gave Konoha significant leverage. But it wouldn't matter, he would see Konoha fall regardless of what his idiot brother promised. He'd have to be smart. Wait until the perfect time. He'd also need an ally that excelled in deviousness.

"Mabui," Ay shouted with a drunken slur.

"Yes, Raikage-sama," she answered from the door.

"I need you to dictate a letter and send it high priority." his assistant came into his office, pen, and pad in hand. Ay took a moment to gather his thoughts trying his best to decide how to get the Ol' Fence Sitter to join his cause.

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"Ahh," Tsunade said as she slid down into her office chair basking in the comfortable familiarity. It wasn't a long trip back but it was a trying one as the female container, Yugito, kept shooting dirty looks at Naruto. To his credit, he ignored her but the Godaime wanted to launch her back to Kumo via fist or foot. The only thing more annoying than Yugito's scowling gaze was B's incessant rapping. Everything came out as a rap. Everything. And once again, she had to give credit to her surrogate nephew as he didn't seem to mind the large man's odd form of expression.

Either of those could be dealt with except Tsunade was also worried about her friend. Orochi had been subdued during their return. Not silent or withdrawn but decidedly flat. It was clear something was bothering her which is why it wasn't a surprise she requested Koharu join them. So, the three women sat as two waited on Orochi to start.

"So, I may need your help planning a wedding," Orochi said. "Guests lists, decorations, the whole deal. I never really thought about it so I'm somewhat at a loss. You think Naruto-kun would have some opinions? I don't imagine wedding planning is high on the list of concerns for men of any age but I really don't know." Once she finished, Orochimaru looked to see surprised faces aimed at her. "What?"

"Details, girl! We need details," Koharu exclaimed.

"Not much to say really. After we got reacquainted-"

"By bangin'," Tsunade interrupted but was ignored.

"He told me he loved me, found out I was pregnant and then gave me a ring as he went to chase down Ay," recounted Orochi as she blandly went through the events.

"You make it sound like a mission report, Orochi-chan," Koharu remarked. "What did he say when you said yes?"

"I haven't said yes, yet."

Tsunade looked a little concerned as she asked, "Are you having some doubts? You don't have to do it if you are."

"Kukuku, no, that isn't it. He was in mission mode so it wasn't the time and I was wondering how long I had to plan. I don't want to be huge in my wedding photos," she reasoned. The reactions of the other women in the room annoyed her.

"Stop grinning like idiots."

"Don't be like that, Orochi-chan," Tsunade said, teasingly.

"Yes, if we're going to undertake this planning, then be nice. It's good to remember you can act girly on occasion. Just know, I am not sewing your kimono. Tsunade can do that."

"With what time and what skill? You're retired and are like her mother so that responsibility would fall to you," Tsunade argued.

"And as her surrogate sister, I say you do it or I'll cane you."

"I'll just go to a seamstress," Orochi said.

"Yea, no. We can't chance you being a bridezilla and ripping some poor soul in half," Tsunade responded.

"Give me some credit. I haven't done random acts of violence in yea… months."

"I rest my case," Tsunade said looking blankly at her best friend.

"I agree with Tsunade-chan. That's why she'll handle it. And while we're brainstorming maybe you should tell your young man his proposal has been accepted?" Orochi nodded and excused herself.

Once Orochi was out of earshot, Koharu's smile faded into a hardened mask as she looked Tsunade in her eyes. "You have a tough choice to make, Tsunade," Koharu informed her. Tsunade didn't ask what the choice was, she already knew. The Godaime turned away from her longtime mentor to look upon the village.

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Kakashi entered his apartment, relieved to be home. The trip had been trying in a way he hadn't experienced since he'd left ANBU. Having that many high ranked ninja in one location was just begging for an incident and it appeared Ay really wanted to stir up some trouble. The Copy Ninja couldn't believe Ay really ran in fear of them, there was more to the story but the truth would hardly matter; the story to come out of the Chunin exams would be Ay fleeing from Konoha's contingent and his brother begging for the Raikage's life. That would eventually lead to conflict.

"Hey, Kakashi," Obito said from the couch. Kakashi responded with an eye smile to his roommate. The initial meeting between them had been awkward. Some part of him hated Obito for taking Minato-sensei away, for the damage he'd done to Sasuke and Naruto but most of him just felt sorry for his friend. To have watched Rin die, to be broken down by Madara Uchiha of all people, it was just too much. Kakashi understood why he gave up on the world. He also understood the desire for redemption even when knowing it was likely to never come.

They had to form a new dynamic, they had grown and experienced too much to fall into old habits but Kakashi felt lighter having his old friend around. Obito had a long road ahead of him but Kakashi wouldn't abandon him.

"How was Suna?" Obito asked, scooting over so Kakashi could join him on the couch. Kakashi then explained the events, including the foiled ambush and the arrival of Kirabi and Yugito. Obito laughed. The bastard laughed.

"There's no way you got paid enough for that."

"No, no I did not," Kakashi answered rubbing his one visible eye. "Things are going to get bad and I am not prepared to send my kids off to war, especially since I may not be there to watch over them," Kakashi confessed. Obito only nodded. With having one student as a Jonin and the others as experienced Chunin, chances are Kakashi would be pulled away to more pressing or specialized missions.

"Don't be so preoccupied with discussion with the future you don't allow the present to have its say," Obito cautioned.

"Mah, mah, Obito. Sounding all wise and stuff, that's going to take some getting used to."

"Ha ha ha," Obito laughed sarcastically. "It is generally the failures and the screw ups who are the most wise, if they live long enough to mature. We know everything not to do."

Kakashi forwent correcting his former teammate knowing he often thought of himself as a failure even when others would vehemently disagree. "Then, can I borrow some of that hard earned wisdom?"

"I can try but I make no promises," Obito responded. "What's up?"

"What's up is I can't for the life of me make sense of why the Raikage seems to have a special and focused dislike of Naruto. If things go for the worst, I have no doubt he'll have assassination squads for much of the next generation but there is something about Naruto that just really gets at the man and I can't imagine why."

"Because he saw sensei as a rival?" Obito questioned knowingly and Kakashi nodded. "Like with many a broken boy, you must look to the father, Kakashi. From the information Zetsu provided me, Ay plateaued after his father's death meaning he likely never surpassed the man in strength-"

"And given his belief that you rule and govern through strength he sees himself as what, a pretender?" Kakashi asked, interrupting the Uchiha.

"Maybe or somehow not altogether worthy."

"And how does that relate to Naruto?"

"As strong as Ei was, he was not considered the strongest Kage of his era. He was not able to define the era either. Who was?"

"Sandaime-sama," Kakashi answered, his genius level intellect erecting a full picture. "Ay gets a dossier from Rasa warning him of a burgeoning ninjutsu prodigy, having mastered all five elements and creating original jutsu left and right; excellent weapon user with a great lineage. He thinks Naruto could have been his Hiruzen?"

"Yup and the Sandaime didn't have the strongest of the bijuu sealed in him. If Naruto were just powerful or extremely fast like sensei, Ay probably wouldn't regard him as he does. But you know how hard it is to create one original jutsu, no telling how many Naruto actually has. Ay sees the next God of Shinobi before he reaches maturity and sees a way to finally eclipse his father. This could only be more textbook if the guy secretly wanted to fuck his mother," Obito explained. When he was met with silence he saw Kakashi looking at him blankly.

"What?"

"You were sounding really smart right until the end there, dummy."

"Shut it, Kaka-teme. You know I'm right."

"I don't read any books about men wanting to screw their mommies and I've read some wild porn in my day. I didn't know you got it like that, Obito." Kakashi teashed. Obito squawked in protest.

"I'm talking psychology!"

"Mah, mah, I don't kink shame, Obito."

"Stupid, one-eyed bastard. What do you want for lunch?" Obito asked, heading to the kitchen.

"Oh, I'm not picky. Just don't put an eye out or people might wonder about your preferences." Obito said nothing but Kakashi saw his neck muscles tense in annoyance. He didn't laugh, choosing to savor his silent victory instead.