The Festival Kicks Off! (Open)

people had begun to gather as the festival was finishing its set up. Some stalls were already selling food and souvenirs as they were smaller and the set up took less time. Masks were being given out as the arrival dock for the flying shuttle. A smaller ship retrofitted with hot air balloons within its hull to sail through the skies as a normal ship would the sea. Its cargo hold for trade was easily refitted for transporting large groups to and from the ground beneath where the Heavenly Emporium floated. The city temporarily parked over a large open field away from any nearby settlements. This was planned so anyone who traveled there would likely need to stay the night at least at the Emporium before traveling home. Meaning more money spent at food and lodging establishments. More money for the Stag in general. There was a large assortment of masks of every type of animal or Oni available. Even Victorian style masks. All were welcomed with warm smiles and even people offering to be their guide for a fee. The Heavenly Emporium was a huge market city after all so virtually everything legal was for sale here. And some less legal if you knew where to look.

There were only two parts of the Emporium that truly stood out within the city. There was Stag tower which stood several stories taller than any other building in the center of it all. The Stag symbol branding across the front of it. Some said the very top of the tower was where they steered this flying city because it was the only place high enough to see where you were going. Some knew the top floor was Okanes private office. Still the bottom few floors were essentially a mall and then above that were apartments for staff and VIP guests. The other notable location was widely being considered the most secure place on the planet. A palace on almost a fourth of the island with Senju trees on either side of the road leading to its walls. The massive palace was an amazing feat between Senju wood and Tetsudashi steel mesh. The Japanese style palace was a permanent structure that many considered unbreakable. It would in fact require one of the mighty who did the impossible regularly to break it. Or someone who could unravel the series of seals holding it all together.

Towards the end of the market street the Diplomacy center had been temporarily remodeled for the purpose of this festival and birthday party. They would wait until sunset to really kick off the beginning of the festival. People would be encouraged to gather there and be welcomed. Just as the sun set and the last of it faded over the mountains in the distance flames would burst up from the long walkway stage in the center. Drums would begin to pound distantly at first but growing louder. Lines of drummers would emerge as they pounded away in perfect rhythm. Lining up on either side of the stage before the top of the stage would suddenly fill with ravens bursting forth as if from the floor. In truth it was an illusion made with a trap door and steps. As they dispersed it would be as if Okane was suddenly just standing there. Emerald green and gold robes mixed in a beautiful pattern with black feathers around the neck and shoulders. His dark hair laying loosely on it with jewels of all shapes and colors braided into his hair. An upper half mask in the shape of a ravens face decorated him but his emerald green eyes would glow brightly behind the mask.

The drums would continue as Okane stepped forward. His steel release being put to use with minimal chakra as gold petals seemed to shower from him and drift away before fading as he glided along. His graceful form so beautiful it was as if he didn't even walk to move but merely floated along. There was no mistaking him as he stepped to the end of the stage. The drums building in a crescendo until he stopped in front of a microphone. Finally they would slow and grow to a quiet and dim sound in the background as Okane spoke. His words even amplified by the speakers were soft on the ears like silk. His voice as mesmerizing as a lullaby. The drums all but fading away as he continued.

"My dear friends. Each and every one of you, I welcome you all. Peace has come at last between all our great nations and prosperity can truly begin. As such I welcome you to my Summer Festival and as luck would have it a belated birthday celebration to me. Eat, drink, be merry. Mend broken bridges and learn to live and love once more. Please I implore you, enjoy yourselves and know nothing of want while you are in my care. May the festival begin!"

Okane would raise his right hand as if reaching out to touch the heavens and dozens of fireworks would launch in the background filling the sky with brilliant bursts of green and gold kicking off the festival. Torches were lit along the streets for a certain vibe though street lights were kept running. Incense was lit as the festival truly began. Okane himself would exit the stag and say hello to a few well wishers before moving over to take a seat in a covered but public area no one was utilizing for the time being. There was tables and food as well as wine and water available there. Okane of course would reach out and a puppet string would emerge from his right index finger before touching the ground. A storage seal forming with a modification to it right on the ground where the string touched before a lavish chair covered in silk cushions all in green would emerge. Happy with that Okane would settle into his chair as he collected a grape from the table in front of him and quietly began to peel it. Watching the festival from a short distance for the peace of it.

"Much obliged," he murmured, and took the mask in hand.

Vibrant flashes of fireworks and stoccatto drumming reverberated through the night air. The festival had already started in earnest. The swell of cheering and clapping only grew like a tidal wave. He looked down at the back side of the mask, a dark color emblazoned with red kanji and luck charms. With this he could become a different person, and for a moment, wear a completely new face.

He pulled back the hood, and in a smooth motion, pulled the string over his messy hair and secured it around the back of his head. Then he pulled the hood forward, fully obscuring his face. He took a moment, looking in the mirror at himself.

My, Mora would be proud. He thought, looking like a true Kumogakure ANBU if only in image. He cast a sidelong glance at the clerk through the eyeholes; a young man in his early twenties, not much older than himself. The clerk gave him the thumbs up.

"Look's great!" The man smiled.

Irui slid crumpled ryo across the counter, and slipped into the festivities. He moved with ease, stepping in time with the crowd. Here he was back at the Heavenly Emporium, this time it was teeming with lights and colors. There was fireworks and flame everywhere, music, and food, truly bursting with joy. Food stalls hissed with woks bubbling with oil. Children laughed, men and women walked arm in arm, some held bottles of fresh sake and other imported alcohols from distant lands.

He paused to study himself in a mirror, and touched the white cheeks and nose; utterly flawless, and fat, with thin red lips. It wasn't his face, not anywhere near how he remembered it. He drew in air and sighed. He'd need sake if he was going to get through his night.

A cacophony of noise filled Chika’s ears as she blended inconspicuously with the crowd. A plain girl like her wearing something that looked like a purple students blazer didn’t stand out very much. She didn’t exactly have the greatest view since there were many people between her and the stage but she was doing her best to watch Okane, She could easily make him out better if she were to use her Byakugan but she didn’t particularly feel like using her powers at what was supposed to be a festival celebrating the end of the war.

It wasn’t like she was stalking Okane but she was somewhat fascinated by him, and wanted to get at least once glimps of what he looked like. The thing was he was essentially what she wanted to be. Maybe not the owner of a multinational conglomerate part though. She was way too shy and bad at talking to ever run such a big business. No what she admired about him was his craftsmanship. He was one if not THE best engineer in the entire world rivaled only perhaps by Kara Darhk.

He was like an Idol for someone like Chika who’s dream it was to build the ultimate puppet, one that could rival even a Bijuu in size and power. She wanted to go over and ask to become his apprentice but at the same time she felt she was unworthy of speaking to him. After all she had no accomplishments to her name and the only puppets she had in her possession were hand downs from her Papa. In all likelihood she’d just be wasting both of their time.

With a sigh she turned around scanning the crowds for someone more down to earth that she could speak with. So far she’d spotted one particularly noisy individual but he was acting far too flamboyantly for the reticent girl to easily approach, at least while she was on her own anyhow. If only her big sis or someone else she already knew was here to assist her.

[1]

It was true that Okane would fail to notice anyone blending in with the crowd. He was basking in the praise and glorious purpose. These people loved him and adored him. He sold weapons to all sides to build his company as it were and yet still they lusted after this merchant of death. He breathed fire on war and fueled it ever onwards. And they were his customers. His beautiful precious customers. He felt like the devil without the horns. Speaking of a devil his green eyes would settle on Gyo and his large cup of saki. Oh such a man was hard to miss. Even if no spotlight were on him he shined brighter than the stars. An investor in a way. Yet there was an outstanding issue with the man toasting him. He had been paid for a service...one that he had not done. Okane was a businessman and as such he expected those who worked for him to ...well work. He wasn't sure where Gyo had been or why he had been out of contact but this meant he wasn't dead. Green eyes would glow as he saw this person. Glowing so brightly it was as if green mist were coming from his eyes.

Still he wouldn't lash out publicly. Not there on the stage of course. He would need to hear reasoning when others weren't listening. So when he retired to a public but otherwise vacant tent he would wait until Gyo was looking his way and calmly wave him over. Sitting back in his chair as he collected an apple and a peeling knife in his hands. Settling back with a smile playing on his face. Green eyes watching and waiting with that glow as he would slowly turn the apple. Removing the shining red skin from the pale juicy insides. A small amount of the apples juices running in a single droplet down his right index finger. When Gyo would arrive he would lift that finger to his mouth and place his lips over the drop on his knuckle. Sucking the juice off a moment before returning to peeling the skin off all in one long piece. If Gyo would join him he would look him in the eyes a moment. Gyo was intelligent and charismatic so he expected to hear quiet the story about this. Still Okane would speak first in an amused yet quiet tone.

"One would think an explanation is in order...yes?"



[2]

Irui paused in the midst of the crowd, inclining his head slightly. He let others move past him, and let his senses truly drink in the environment. He fidgeted for a moment with the bandages around his neck, pulling at them as they itched, and he scratched at bare scar tissue. From behind the panda mask he watched men from the Hidden Cloud socialize.

Maybe I knew them at one time.... He thought sourly.  Even though the Heavenly Emporium had put on such a gracious and lively event, he doubted its security forces wanted him in attendance. After all, he did stow aboard to escape the Land of Earth a year previously. Surrounded by so many bodies and open flame, the hood was quickly becoming stifling.

He pursed his lips as two men conversed not far away. He'd seen them somewhere before within the Land of Lightning. Perhaps in passing in the village, but they'd never exchanged words.

"I have no idea what happened, and neither do any of our medics. I woke up perhaps three weeks ago and have been, well, regaining my faculties and piecing together everything I missed." One of the men spoke in a hushed tone.

Come to think of it.... Irui paused, I don't remember what happened between here and the psychiatric hospital. That doctor, she'd said something but I can't recall it. He swallowed and steeled himself back from approaching. There were others like him. Two could simply be a coincidence, but were there more inexplicable comas?

The war had done terrible things to the continent. He had done terrible things. Once the opening skirmishes had begun, chaos had broken free and ravaged populations. At the behest of a higher power, Lord Jashin, he'd sacrificed many to appease his God and to quell its maddening wartime hunger. He hadn't been the only member of the Church committing atrocities in the name of their Lord; there had been rumors of Mora's loyalists taking part.

Irui's jaw set as his ears caught the tail end of the discussion. There was something to be gained here.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," He said, approaching the two men. Even after all this time, Mora's flames had scarred his vocal cords, and words came as a rasp. "But I couldn't help but overhear a story all too similar to my own. I too am trying to find my way after waking up after the War." He ventured further: "Take comfort knowing there are others."

The words sounded so much like Mora, he'd wondered if he'd said them aloud at first. She'd always had a way with others; how she'd held herself, conducted her conversations. Everything was proper, everything had its place, but always with a touch of of mysticism. Now, Irui found himself speaking to another, in very much the same way she'd first approached him: on that cold, snowy morning in the mountains of Kumogakure.

Chika was looking for someone who seemed relatively harmless to approach when she spotted someone who practically screamed the exact opposite.   Wearing a Panda mask over his face and a cloak over his body he looked like the classic image of what you would expect to see when you came face to face with an Anbu.  Not that you generally wanted to do something that would warrant coming face to face with one.    

She still remembered the time just over a year ago when one had graced her doorway to deliver one chill line.  “Your father, the traitor, is dead.”   Without even waiting to see her reaction the Anbu had swiftly vanished from her sight leaving her to her tears.   Were they all as cold hearted as that?  It wasn’t a question Chika was very eager to answer.

Of course she was just assuming it was a man under that mask. For all she knew it could just have easily been a woman.   She herself wasn’t exactly the bustiest woman in the world and while she wasn’t flat as a board it wouldn’t be hard to disguise herself as a man either and that was before her shapeshifting became involved.    She was a Spider after all, her human form could be just about anything she wanted it to be. For her gender was more of a fluid concept rather than a defined thing, she simply preferred her current face as her default since she’d modeled herself after her Papa.

In any case she felt a little jealous that the masked Anbu was going to speak to the flamboyant man she’d seen earlier and Okane.   She wished she had the courage to be able to just march up to them and introduce herself like that,  maybe if things weren’t so public she’d be able to  manage but the idea of being at the center of attention like that made her shy away.  She was a person meant for the shadows, not the spotlight.   After all Spiders that got noticed tended to be squashed.

Still that said she couldn’t help but wonder what the three of them, such august people would be talking about.  With a slight twitch of her index finger she had the Faithful Karakuri puppet behind her scoop her up in it’s arms and bridal carry her closer to the event tent so that she could listen in better over the noise of the music.    Sure she could walk over herself but she was as slow as molasses in January so having her puppet carry her was always the faster option. Technically she was kind of eavesdropping but again they were in public so it wasn’t exactly her fault if she happened to hear them.  

As a Hyuga she knew people were always worried about what she might see so she loved to subvert their expectations and go after what they said instead by planting bugs.  She had no way to record what she saw just yet, whereas a good sound byte could be great for blackmailing someone.  Not that she had any bugs on her at the moment or that she was planning to blackmail Okane.  She respected him far too much to pull that kind of stunt.  If he’d been in a boardroom or something she wouldn’t be trying to infringe on his privacy like this.

It was more  because he was out in the open for once that she wanted to take advantage of this rare opportunity to see how he did business from as close as she could manage without literally clambering into the tent with him and Gyokusho and now Irui.   She was just in time to hear the latter speak, his raspy voice making her wonder if he was something else in human form like her.

Man from this range what a show she was getting, it almost made her wish she’d brought some popcorn to munch on.   Still at least she had something to wet her parched throat with as she lifted her glass of fruit punch to her lips only to find that it was already empty.  Darn she didn’t realize she had guzzled it all quite so fast.  

[2]

Okane would listen to Gyo with his green eyes never leaving the mans. He was clearly uncomfortable but there were not many signs of lying. The face after all told a tale even if the lips did not. They called them microexpressions and Okane was adept at recognizing them. A mixture of shame and fear. Nothing of lies and deception. He was concerned with what had happened to him and no one could truly answer. Perhaps the sheer amount of alcohol was adjusting his microexpressions but that was unlikely. Typically one turned to heavy drinking to forget their worries. Due to stress or anxiety they drank to calm down. Of course Gyo had his uses as he was famous but he would need to see something from him work wise in the near future to see the value of his worth. For now though the arrival of a second individual would bring pause to the trimming of the apple for a moment. This one was rougher around the edges. Even their voice was one of a fighter over a businessman by the sounds of it. Of course who was truly themselves here at a masked event? Still Okane would smile before he continued to slice the skin off the apple.

"Well that is something. Beyond that it appears you have an immediate supporter to back up the illness. You are resourceful at least. That said this sickness you spoke of isn't unknown to me. My cousin Masaru has been under its influence for a couple of years now. The fact that you awoke from it so quickly should be celebrated. For now lets chalk it up to sick time. However when you are back up to working condition your department has lacked oversight for some time. Bring your house in order Gyo and all is well. As for you good sir. What should I call you? Panda perhaps? It seems silly not to know the name of who I am talking with. Even rude of me. As I am sure you know who I am I should show the same courtesy."

His voice was like silk unlike the an behind the mask. He didn't comment on Gyos outfit or drinking habit. Nor did he press for anything in reimbursement for lost time at work. He would roll over for now and let it go. However he would keep a closer eye in the future. Still his deft hands would remove the last of the apple peel and with a twist of his fingers the peel would fall to the table. Folding over itself until it took the shape of a rose. Okane was a very graceful man. He then would cut off the top of the apple and begin removing the core. At least until those glowing green eyes would spot an oddity in the crowd. Someone being held in the arms of another and staring at them. Close enough to overhear at least. He would wait for those emerald eyes to meet hers and smile with a wink to her. Working away at his apple without a word to her. He was perceptive too.

"...As for you good sir. What should I call you? Panda perhaps? It seems silly not to know the name of who I am talking with. Even rude of me. As I am sure you know who I am I should show the same courtesy."

Irui couldn't help but smile behind the mask at the remark. He had to admit, it was funny, but he had absolutely no idea who the man was. "Tatewari," He replied and cleared his throat: "You can call me Tatewari. I'm from the Land of Lightning."

"Thank you, Panda-san." Replied Gyo, though his words were unsteady: "It is… good is not correct, but comforting to know there are others who have lost time as well."

Irui sensed unease in the man's voice. With every response and action, it was overzealous and cheerful. It reminded him of how the elders in the clan had spoken, always quick to move onto the next subject and add a splash of humor.

"Agreed," said Irui, accepting the glass. He looked at the alcohol.

"... I will, Okane-san." Gyo continued jovially, looking to his companion across the table.

Ah, Okane... Irui realized, That's who the man with the apple is. Only one of the wealthiest individuals outside of the Five Nations....

Irui looked back to the glass, holding it awkwardly with both hands. He raised his glass with the others , and tilted the chin of his mask up far enough to lightly sip. The liquid burned as it touched scar tissue and he grimaced as it washed across his palate and throat. He turned away briefly from the men as his throat smoldered. He coughed lightly, and steadied the glass. Warmth radiated from his gut, and he felt his skin flush briefly.

"What are we drinking tonight?" He asked, clearing his throat again.

Zenaku arrived at the festival with a smile for it has been some time now in his life of being a ninja that he has been able to come to something like this. Zenaku had on his all black outfit with the sleeves of his arms hanging slightly off his hands, he also had on a mask that looked like a wolf which was really nothing more then his anbu mask tho being where he was and lots of others also wherein masks he was sure that any one would just assume he was blending in with the crowed.

He was not sure if he was gonna run into any one he knew here but being a chunin as well as a jenjuriki of the four tailed beast he was sure a lot of people would recognize him by name or renown alone. Zenaku had noticed some people sitting at a table so zenaku would approach them as he bowed respectfully then took a seat before taking up a glass and holding it up.

" it's a pleasure to meet all who set here at this table, my name is Zenaku and it's it's honor to meet you all." Zenaku was not going to say his last name just yet cause he knew that the Uchiha clan even out side of his village was not very much liked by many so he would wait to say his last name unless some one already knew of him.

Did… Did Okane just smile and win at her? Chika asked herself as she directed her puppet to pinch her arm just to make sure she was dreaming.   She was too pragmatic to make a big display of things and embarrass herself but inwardly she was practically swooning.    She wondered what about her had managed to catch his attention?   Most likely it was because she was being carried about by what looked to be a person.  She must have seemed like a spoiled rich girl or something thanks to that.

The truth was she was just manipulating a puppet that looked like her late Papa to move herself around in order to make up for her general lack of speed.  She had been blessed with great dexterity but on her own she wasn’t going to be making Skanda proud with her dashing anytime soon.    It was a testament to her late fathers work that the puppet he had made in his own image was so lifelike that it was hard to tell at first glance that it was even a puppet at all.   Chika had to wonder how long it would take her to match that level of craftsmanship yet alone exceed it.

Since Okane had noticed her she figured she ought to introduce herself but she hesitated wondering to break the ice.  She wasn’t bold like the masked Zenku who had strolled right over and said hi without hesitation.   She had to wonder what the point of the wolf mask was if he was just going to introduce himself with his real name anyhow.    First a Panda and now a Okami…. Had  Okane hired the two masked men as additional security or were masks simply in fashion for this festival?

Luckily for her it seemed the flamboyant man had noticed her dilemma and thrown her a lifeline, waving her over and offering her a refill of her glass.   He was a bit on the excitable side but he seemed like a pretty nice guy after all to welcome someone as gloomy looking as her into the tent.   Twitching her index finger she had her puppet carry her oven into the tent and then held her glass out so that Gyo would be able to top it off for her.  She was so comfortable sitting in her puppet’s arms that she didn’t even bother trying to climb down.

“Thank you Mr….” she said acting like she was fishing for a name even though she had already overheard his.  She knew Okane had caught her red handed staring at them but she was trying to play things off as if she hadn’t been able to hear them so well over the music.   If she let that slip she might just crawl into a nearby hole and die of embarrassment.

“Non-alcoholic please.” She requested.  Not because of her relatively young age but because of her weight.  She was so light that she couldn’t handle much liquor and the last thing she wanted was to get drunk and make a fool of herself infront of her idol.   She had used to be so fragile that a single drink would have been enough to make her very sick but luckily she’d managed to toughen up a little since the last time she’d ran into Zenaku.   Did he even remember her from that encounter or had she just been a tiny forgettable blip on his radar?


“You appear to work for Okane-dono yes?” she asked Gyo.  Being the most boisterous he was the easiest for her to approach after Zenaku who she already knew.  Given that the masked men had both had to introduce herself she felt it unlikely that either Tatewari or Zenku were employed by    The Stag Emporium.   “For reference can you tell Chika about how you got the job?” she asked, introducing herself in the third person. Prehaps he could tell her a few ways to pad out her resume or something.

[3]

Gyo would accept his job responsibilities and Okane would nod happily before his eyes shifted to the man in the panda mask. He introduced himself when prodded politely and that was good enough for Okane. He wasn't interested in pressuring people too much at a mask festival after all. It was an interesting name and Kumo was a wealthy nation filled with powerhouses, but he knew little of it. After all that was essentially Karas territory and well, he did not tread on the toes of his business partner. She was as capable as him and splitting their attentions to either side of the continent suited him fine. Besides he had millions invested into her company and as of yet she did not waste time. So he would remember the name for later and perhaps even suggest Gyo introduce himself to Kara at some point. After all he was the head of advertising for the stag and she was a partner. Perhaps he could work for both companies and one of which was far closer to home for him. Even if it needed to be rebuilt overtime. Still he would remember to send her a request for information on this Tatewari.

He was about to respond when another figure approached them with a wolf mask on. This one carried himself differently. A calm walk of a man who was prepared for a continued war and an aura of danger about him. He would approach casually though and introduce himself. Ahh now that name he knew of. Not someone holding any particularly impressive office but a potent soldier all the same. Zenaku Uchiha had arrived at the emporium. He would smile as Zenaku introduced himself and Tatewari would cough a little over the alcohol Gyo insisted on. However Okane would hold up his hand still holding the knife to indicate he was good on drinks at the moment. Before returning to cut off a piece of fresh white apple. "Well met to the both of you. It is wonderful that two nations so recently at war can congregate and share a drink now. Especially given how much influence the Uchiha clan had over the war. Tell me Zenaku what did you think of the war? It was a member of your clan that declared it after all." Okane would say with a glint of mischief in his eyes before popping the piece of apple into his mouth.

The point of the comment was to play around. To put Zenaku on the spot with recent enemies and see if they all would make the effort to move on and make friends or if they would harbor hate for some time. Still he would enjoy the succulent juices of the piece of apple as he listened to the other conversation. Gyo had invited the girl over and she had only spoken to him so far. She was inquiring about Gyo's position as head of advertising within Okanes company and pointers for herself. Of course Okane could interject but Gyo was fine for this. People were his territory after all. His specialty even. Still Okanes eyes would shift to her puppet and an eyebrow would raise as it became apparent to him that what carried her was not a person at all. It did not breath or blink or even show signs of any strain from carrying her. He would smile to himself as he swallowed the apple piece and its juices. What a realistic looking puppet. He wondered how difficult it would be to sneak that somewhere or even to replicate the human like design...improve on it...

(4)

Irui clinked their classes together, trying his best to join in the fun. He set the glass down on the table, with his elbows propped and crossed, and watched everyone intermingle. A man wearing a wolf mask had approached-- Zenaku he'd called himself. There was another, a curious female being carried forward by a large puppet she controlled with unseen strings.

He swallowed again, grimacing as the alcohol stilled kicked in the back of his throat. Try as he might, he couldn't recall the last time he'd been at a gathering. How long? Years he'd speculate. The masks hid everyone beneath a facade and stripped back their shinobi exteriors. Rank, clan, and village seemed to bear little meaning at the Heavenly Emporium tonight.

"Port for now, Tatewari-san." Chimed Gyo, who looked back at him now. "Though there is champagne aplenty and, well, many other things to enjoy." He' turned his attention back to the other, and Irui caught only pieces of conversation over the din of the party.

He raised a hand to his mask, and stopped. Would there be any harm in removing the mask? Would they recognize him, with all his scars and bandages? He stayed his hand, and instead accepted bubbling drink from a passing Waiter. With everyone keeping their hands and mouths busy, he figured, a refill was needed.

"...Well met to the both of you." Okane went on, across the table, speaking directly now to Zenaku, "It is wonderful that two nations so recently at war can congregate and share a drink now. Especially given how much influence the Uchiha clan had over the war. Tell me Zenaku what did you think of the war? It was a member of your clan that declared it after all."

Irui smirked beneath the mask. This Okane was sharper than most. He adjusted his mask slightly, just to make himself more audible.

"I fought a member of your clan during the war." Irui offered, and continued: "Her prowess over Fire Style was breathtaking--No hard feelings over here.I know not all clansmen speak for their clan."

He raised his mask just enough at the chin for the straw to reach his lips and pulled on the drink. He detected something herbal, a woody, pine-like taste in the drink. It had to have been Gin, but a particularly exquisite variety.

Things was getting a little spicy at the festival as it seemed that even with his mask on okane knew that he was a uchiha so he did not see any point in keeping in on so zenaku grabbed his mask and placed it inside of his robes. Zenaku would not just throw away his mask cause that was his personal anbu black ops mask. Okane would mention him being a uchiha then asked him what his thoughts was on the war seeing as it was one of his own clansmen who brought this war upon them all.

" If I'm speaking frank I do not care about this war for no matter what the outcome things never truly change. As for Akihiro well he was a traitor who went off and did things on his own with out our hokages blessing. What he did and how people view my clan should not be connected. But if we are talking about the war I heard a small rumor that you okane have been helping to fund it so I'm not sure what is worse the man who started it or the one who is keeping it going, but like I said it's just a rumor and I have no proof to back it up."

Zenaku would say with a grin on his pale face as he took a drink of his alcohol. He wondered what kind of comeback okane would have but as he was waiting another person spoke up saying that he had fought a member of his clan on the battle field before, he said that she had a great display of fire style jutsu which made him wonder.

" this woman you speak of she would not happen to be Kimiko uchiha would she."

If this person had fought Kimiko and managed to get out alive this ninja must surely be a excellent shinobi. Tho being in this festival he would not be surprised that he ran into a lot of great and powerful ninja in there own right.

Chika had been a bit intimidated by Gyo at first glance but he seemed like really swell guy as he gave the impressionable girl some advice that she would take to heart. The part about if you’re good at something don’t do it for free particularly stood out to her. She was going to need money and a heck of a lot of it for her to achieve her goal of building the best puppet in the world. Being paid to build them seemed like the ideal solution for her problems and if she could be paid for the other stuff she could do like spying then so much the better.

“Thanks Gyo, I think I’ll try just that.” She said in reply that if she needed work she should just ask. Okane was right here after all, no time like the present to at least try. Well once she worked up the courage to speak to him at least. Maybe she should have asked for a little bit of alcohol after all. Nothing like a bit of liquid courage to grease the wheels of socialization.

She wasn’t quite sure what Public relations was exactly but it sure sounded important. If things went well Gyo would be her co-worker, perhaps even her boss so it wouldn’t hurt to continue to get along with him at any rate as she flashed him a smile. She was almost tempted to offer a toast but she was a bit too reserved to try something so forward when she was still getting used to the company she was now keeping.

Tatewari and Zenku were talking about the war, a subject Chika knew very little about. She’d been at the academy while it had been taking place, kept safely away from the front lines. By the time she had finally graduated things were pretty much already over, sparring her the horrors. The battlefield was no place for a child like her but desperate times called for desperate measures. It wouldn’t have been the first time a country had used the underage as canon fodder but thankfully things had never come to that point.

Her papa had taken part in some battles before his execution but had stoically refused to talk about his experiences. Because War was still so mysterious for her this chance to hear from other veterans was simply cool and exciting for her. The Spider part of her knew death was just a part of nature but the human part was still young enough that death in war was still an abstraction. Other than extreme cases like had happened to her father, she thought of it more as an advanced game the adults played with each for fun other than something with actual tangible consequences.

The minute the word Akihiro crossed Zenku’s lips her eyes blazed over with hatred. That was the name of the man who had accused her papa of being a traitor and gotten him executed. The man who had turned out to be a traitor himself. Had he been working against the village’s interests even back then? What better way to undermine them then kill off one of the most loyal soldiers? Chikamatsu lived and breathed for the village, the idea that he had betrayed them was such an alien concept that Chika refused to believe it was possible. She was sure he had been innocent and that she was going to be able to prove it eventually. She just didn’t know how quite yet.

“Akihiro might have been Uchiha by blood but he certainly wasn’t one by Spirit. He knew nothing of honor.” she practically spat his name but didn’t actually spit since she didn’t want to dirty the floor of the Emporium that had been built by her idol. As far as she was concerned he deserved everything that had come to him and that you shouldn’t judge the rest of his clans for the actions of one (or perhaps three in this case) bad apple.

She almost scoffed at the idea that Okane would be funding the war. The man was a merchant, perhaps the greatest one in the entire world. Sure he’d made money off the war there was no denying that but the idea that he’d fund it was absurd. Where would all of his profit go if he was pouring it into prolonging things? Of course if she actually said anything to defend Okane it’d sound just like she was kissing up to him. Sure she wanted a job but she didn’t want to seem desperate about it either.

“Never mind the war.” She said as she had the puppet carrying her set her down. Now that she didn’t need to get anywhere fast she didn’t need to stay in it’s arms anymore as comforting as that could be. Sometimes she needed to stand on her own two feet particularly when she was trying to make an impression. “The question is what will you do now that it’s over?” she asked as she glanced at each of them men with her in turn before settling on Okane. It seemed that in talking about the person she had hated most she had found her backbone, it was now or never to introduce herself before she lost it again.

“I am Chika Cerise Hyūga and I’m Konohagakure’s best Kugutsu user” really she was Konohagakure’s ONLY Kuguster user so she was the best by default. Still she figured by what Gyo had said that she should sell herself up as high as possible. “My goal is to build the most amazing, most awesome puppet of all time. To that end I want to become your apprentice Okane-dono. Please hire me to work for you.” she said as she gave him a deep bow.

She was already a fairly decent engineer and weapon maker. With some time she would learn how to make amour and mix chemistry as well. She had a ways to go before she could become a Master Craftsman… err Craftswoman but she was already a chunk of the way towards her goal. If Okane took her under his wing she was sure to be a strong asset to him even without mentioning what she could do for him outside merely crafting.

[4]

Okane would smile a little as he continued to cut into his apple. Taking another bite as each of them spoke in turn. His attention would first settle on Gyo. He saw the man stiffen ever so slightly and his green eyes would fill with mischief. Oh well Gyo was polite all the same even if the Uchiha clearly bothered him. They were all drinking but Okane hadn't reached for anything besides the apple he was working on. The skin left on the table in the shape of a flower as he ate only the juicy white flesh of the apple itself. Tatewari on the other hand didn't reveal much. He didn't recognize the name which surprised Okane. He was sure he knew the names of virtually any active shinobi. Especially with his good relationship with Kumo and providing Shimiko with her weapons. Still the man was polite so he wouldn't dig. Even complimenting Zenaku on an Uchiha that was particularly skilled in katon. Ahh yes they did have an affinity for that didn't they? Those silly Uchiha and their dark flames. Dancing against the light as if they may just snuff out all the light. Still they entertained him.

Zenaku would speak up. Answering Okanes question and then it seemed to get interesting. He seemed to wish to turn this against Okane. As if making weapons and armor was a cruel mans work. Green eyes would settle on Zenaku as a slow smile spread across those perfect lips. He would swallow the apple in his mouth and lean back. Green eyes taking in his guest as he considered how to retort to that a moment. His expression seemed to be one of someone more amused than offended by far. The issue was the wording really. So Okane would reply to it instead of ignoring it. A soft voice on the ears like silk filled with amusement.

"I think you meant profited off of it. At no point did I send money to any side of this war. I did sell weapons and armor true but lets be honest...you would have gone at each other with rocks and teeth if you had to. If the question is...are crafters a greater evil than terrorists? Well I would invite you to examine that statement. Besides....those funds are building up villages and improving lives. I am funding food and water and homes. But you don't care about that do you? No evidence you say...I think you should do some research first my friend."

He would smile and continue to sit back and slice his apple. Now less interested in eating it and instead his well attuned hands would begin to shape it like a small statue. The white apple being molded into a replica of Zenaku for the time being. Since he had his interest for the moment. It was so easy for Okane to do this that he made it seem effortless. Still his attention had turned to the young...lady with them. She seemed to be passionate about the subject and his green eyes would glow as he would let his smile remain obvious. Gyo and Tatewari had been civil but she was just aggravated over it. Still she would turn her attention to him and he would pause a moment at her request. His eyes settling to look into hers as they seemed to search openly. Those glowing emerald orbs almost seeing through the windows to the soul. As if nothing could be hidden from him.

"Is that so? I did not know Konoha had Puppeteers. I have no puppet of my own as of yet as I am not a fighter but...there is a special department that may interest you. Our research and development could use someone keen with puppets besides me. We have a special project happening right now but for the time being I can't discuss it. But it would interest you....Of course I hired someone else from Konoha to manage the company so....well I am sure you will be allowed to work for the Emporium if she parks it there. Perhaps even our dear Gyo could join you. As he is a talented puppeteer himself."

"This woman you speak of," ventured Zenaku, "she would not happen to be Kimiko uchiha would she?"

Irui set his drink down and rested his chin in his palm. He lightly stirred the drink with the black, thin straw, and watched the ice cubes shift back and forth as he mulled his words. "I didn't catch her name, but you may know her by her mask--" He said, and tapped his own. "A rabbit or hare's mask. She also had quite the penchant for Shadow Clones and gave our team quite the headache." He looked up from the drink, and met Zenaku's wolf mask.

"Our team of seven versus just her...." He continued, and stopped stirring. "And there was a child." Irui raised the glass again and sipped through the straw, falling silent. Beneath the mask, he couldn't resist he recalling Ashitaka with a bit of fondness. Now there had been a child that had seen too much for his age.

“Never mind the war.” The puppetmaster said from across the table, now locking eyes with the other attendees. She was small, but her voice carried clearly over the noise of the partygoers. “The question is what will you do now that it’s over?" Proudly, she introduced herself to them as Chika of the Hyuga family, another resident of Konohagakure, and her goal of producing only the best puppets in the Shinobi world.

Excellent question. Irui thought.

Would he venture back to the Land of Lightning, and take up another identity there? Maybe live in the countryside, continuing his days as a damaged individual? The Orthodoxy would come for him  in time; the likes of Li He and Anne had been arduous follows of Mora, and had always seen him as a traitor. He sucked on the straw again, washing that word down the back of his throat. Try as he might, it stuck there.

Traitor.... Irui chewed on the word.

That's right. I betrayed my country at the beckoning of my God. I did as Jashin commanded. The flickering of light through the ice cubes called to mind the violent, bloody flashes of lightning; The red mist and smoke that settled over the streets. While Airships tumbled from the sky he had unleashed horror on the ground. He scratched at his arm, remembering the man that had held onto him and stained his robes, how he'd stepped over severed limbs, and stepped on another's throat. Jashin had demanded culling; their village was overpopulated, overrun with too many bodies, too many mouths to feed.

Power. He remembered, That's what it truly felt like to have power.

That's right.... Ashitaka had been there. He found the dichotomy of the situation almost poetic; his lightning wrought death while Ashitaka's jutsu (Wood Release he'd later learned) saved lives with life itself.

"I don't know what I'll do," Irui said after that trip down memory lane. "I saw a lot of things during the war. Did a lot of things as a Shinobi I am not proud of." Through the eyehole of his mask, he cast an eye towards Okane. The man bore no visible scars; his face and complexion was too soft, too pampered for the battlefield.

"I think you meant profited off of it." Okane was saying, " At no point did I send money to any side of this war. I did sell weapons and armor true but lets be honest...you would have gone at each other with rocks and teeth if you had to. If the question is...are crafters a greater evil than terrorists? Well I would invite you to examine that statement. Besides....those funds are building up villages and improving lives. I am funding food and water and homes. But you don't care about that do you? No evidence you say...I think you should do some research first my friend."

"I find you're position a bit interesting, Mister Okane." Irui ventured feeling the alcohol loosen him, "You possess immense amounts of wealth and influence. Yet despite all that wealth, you invite the very people who fought in that war to your doorstep." He sipped again on his drink, hearing the gurgle of the straw reaching the bottom. "People who, with their fingers can bring down the Emporium-- and no amount of money and crafting could stop it."

"Have you ever thought about coming down to the battlefield? Taking a tour with Shinobi? After that conflict, it would be wise to level the playing field. The wealthy are too comfortable, and the Shinobi are too powerful. If anything, the continent is just smoldering for now."

Things was really getting interesting around the table, from words that okane spoke he basically just said yeah he was part of this war and was funding it. See zenaku had to evidence that he was funding the war but as soon as he said that he needed to do some research that helped to make his accusation correct. As every one was talking he heard one of the cloud ninja speak up when he had heard zenaku say akihiro name as he said that tho akihiro was a uchiha by blood he was not one in spirit as he knew nothing of honer.

On one hand it slightly pissed him off to hear of some one diss the former clan leader like that for they was not a uchiha and so they knew nothing of there culture or how they did things. But on the other he really could not blame chika for akihiro was the reason that this war had been started in the first place which is what make him a traitor to his village and clan. " I shall agree with you chika on that but I would kindly ask that people not be using his name so lightly. He might have been a traitor but he was still a uchiha and a member of the village so he is a sore spot at the moment." Zenaku would say tho he was not only saying it to chika but also to any one else that would wish to speak his name.

Zenaku would place his attention back to okane as he listened to him speak. He made it sound like what he was doing was actually helping the ninja villages for he made a statement that they would have went at one another with rocks and there teeth if they had to. Zenaku just smirked before he would speak.

" I'm not sure about the other villages but the hidden leaf is much ro intelligent to be fighting with our teeth and rocks, something like that has not been done in many of centuries not since the birth of the great sage who invented ninju or what we now call nonjutsu. I do not see why ninja who can use powerful jutsu would need to use weapons but not every one is as skilled as us uchiha clan I guess. "

Zenaku was not much to flexing his clan like that but there was just something about that moment which seemed right. Either it was the alcohol flowing though his Vains or it was cause of okane smart ass remark about rocks and teeth. Okane would ask if zenaku thought crafters was of a greater evil then a terrorist but he was not thinking about what he was saying with that remark.

" is a crafter more of a threat then a terrorist, that I can not say for crafters do a lot of help building homes, making useful tools to help people and like any skill some one possess it can be used for the greater good to help or it can be misused for evil and that can be said for any one. Let's take you Mr okane for example, your a crafter yes so instead of saying no to making weapons for the war you instead sold to any village who asked for weapons. If it was me I would have said no but instead crafted healing items but for some money is more important then people's lives. I do amend you tho for using some of your wealth to help those that need it but that still don't take away the it was cause of your weapons you sold that these people your now helping are in this situation. "

Zenaku said as he took another drink from his cup, once he said his peace he looked back to the other guy who was talking about the ninja lady. The more he spoke about this shinobi the more he thought of kimiko, but he also spoke of a child. " a rabbit mask you say, I can not be for sure but that just might be kimiko for she is a very skilled shinobi, as for the kid he might be ashitake senju, he was a good kid who had great potential."

It seemed the young girl had hit a nerve.  She’d run into Zenku a few times already and by now  could tell by the look on his face that he wasn’t happy about the way she had spoken about his fellow clan member.    Chika for her part just blinked in confusion.  She had been trying to defend the Uchiha clan by saying in her own way they were nothing like the traitor so why was Zenku so offended?   Once again it seemed that the limited nature of the spoken word had betrayed her intentions and she had been unable to fully convey her thoughts on the matter.

She might not have been an Uchiha herself but she was a Hyuga. The two clans had an rivalry that went back ages which meant that she did in fact had some understanding of how the Uchiha clan culture and how they operated.  As a famous tactician once said. know thyself and know thy enemy and one need not fear the result of a hundred battles.   While she herself was privately hoping to make friends with the Uchiha, the Hyuga clan elders had been sure to drill information of them into her head.   To them she might only be a half Hyuga at best but even a halfling ought to hold her own against their rivals.

“So what? Do you want him to become another person who must not be named like Tatsu?  Is that what we do whenever our village produces someone that shames us? Stick our heads in the sand and pretend they never existed?”  Chika asked.  Because she was a Spider and had a different mindset then most humans she was a strange girl who flaunted subjects that would normally be taboo.  She didn’t understand why people were so afraid to speak the names of people like Tattsu who were dead and gone.    It was hard to learn from someone’s mistakes if you never spoke about them.

“We’re talking about the man that was directly responsible for my Papa’s Death.   Satomi might have been the blade that executed him but it was Akihiro that unjustly declared the head of the Hyuga clan a traitor and put him on trial to begin with.”  If anyone had the right to speak about Akihiro’s name outside of the Uchiha clan it was her.  She hated Tatsu about as much as anyone but if the flea-bag was right about one thing it was that Akihiro was no good.  She wanted to make it crystal clear that when she spoke Akihiro’s name there was great weight behind her doing so and she was far from doing so frivolously.

“You should know that I meant no offense when speaking about him Zenku. I was merely trying to defend The Uchiha clan’s honor by implying that an entire clan should not be judged by the actions of one member.  Many of my kin still hold enmity towards your family particularly after what happened to my Papa, but I for one admire the Uchiha’s fiery passion and hope to mend relations between us.” she said, speaking of the two clans in a broader sense when she said us.  

Airing all this out in public likely wasn’t the best course of action but then again Chika simply didn’t know better.  Physically she was an adult but she didn’t have the same experience level as one and attacked the issue with the typical bluntness you might expect from an innocent child.   Decades of rivalry and tradition that said they shouldn’t get along? Screw that, she was a free spirit and more importantly an engineer.  If she didn’t like an old structure then she’d just build a new one.

“A weapon is merely a tool.  An Ax can be used to cut down trees, an arrow for hunting food.  If someone uses it for something else that’s hardly the fault of the manufacturer.” said Chika dispassionately.  She wanted to build the greatest puppet ever but she had zero interest in killing anyone with it. Ironically for a Spider other than hunting to eat she wouldn’t hurt a fly.    

To her puppets were simply very handy tools since using them allowed her to lift things she couldn’t otherwise and get around faster.  If someone asked her to make one for them she would happily do so for a price because she needed the money to survive.  If they went on to use that puppet to hurt someone that was their problem not hers.

Besides with a big war going on someone was always going to profit from selling weapons. If not Okane then it would have been someone like Kara or Damian instead.  Better the money went to someone who put it towards charitable ends then someone completely amoral with no standards but she didn’t say that out loud because she wasn’t some brown nosing synophant.  

Hearing about Kimiko was very interesting. Now there was a woman she’d like to meet in the future.  She was the former finance of the man she despised and yet Chika couldn’t bring herself to hate her.   She was too logical to place the blame for someone else’s actions on another person’s shoulders just because they happened to be related.  

She would have liked to hear more about Ashitake as well since he had been her Papa’s Teammate but she didn’t like how the boy was being spoken about in the past tense.  Was, had.   She had a bad feeling about where that story was going.  In all likelihood her big sister Ari was the only teammate left standing.

Tatewari had mentioned people capable of bringing down the entire with a finger.  It was hard to believe that one person could bring down something so massive so easily but then again it had only taken three people to demolish Moonspire and most of it’s inhabitants so Chika supposed just about anything was possible.   While she herself was far from helpless and intended to use the puppet she had on her to defend Okane if someone was dumb enough to make a move on him she would be pretty much useless against anyone with the level of firepower Tatewari was talking about.

Her eyes positively sparkled as she stared back at Okane. The word special project had a special ring to it that sounded exciting as heck.  So what if there were monsters out in the world,  she simply resolved to build a puppet that could beat them.  

“I’m more of a crafter than a fighter myself but a girl’s gotta be able to defend herself.” She remarked.   She wanted to know more about this project but Okane said he couldn’t speak about it at the moment so she wouldn’t press him on the subject.  When it came to stuff that should be kept secret even she knew that discretion was the better part of valor.

“I’m not a high ranking member of  Konoha or the Hyuga clan. I doubt there would be any problems with me working at the  Emporium regardless of where it’s parked as long as it continues to remain neutral.”  said Chika.  If it came down to it, the opportunity to work under Okane was so important to her that she was prepared to ask the Hokage if he would allow her an honorable discharge.

Turning back to Gyo she held out a hand in hopes of shaking with her more charismatic senior. “I’m looking forward to working with you Senpai.” she said with a grin.  Even if he didn’t join her on the special project he’d still been working with the company longer than her. Between that and the fact that Okane had described him as Talented with puppets meant that she figured she owed him some measure of respect.

[5]

Kara was fashionably late, as always. She arrived after the official opening of the Festival celebrating her good friend - Okane Tomi. She had taken extra time to make herself as stunning as the stories described, better even. She wore a long red gown, her shoulders bare save for a white fur drape encrusted with diamonds on either end to allow the fur to lay flat as she moved her arms. Her long blonde hair was not braided today, a symbolic showing of her supposed willingness to ‘let loose’. Over her left ear she had pinned the hair back from her face with a gold and gem filled hair pin, the effect being that half her face was shrouded with her platinum locks giving a slight air of mystery. Plainly visible was her metal prosthetic arm, she made no effort to hide it, even going so far as to wear a long red satin glove on her left arm and leaving the metal one unadorned. Beneath her hair she wore an intricately designed mask, which did little to hide who she was though she did enjoy the vague sense of anonymity wearing a mask offered. Trailing just a few steps behind her at all times was her faithful bodyguard Doku.

Making her way through the crowds, she easily spotted a beautifully dressed man who she was sure could be none other than Okane himself, even with the raven mask he wore. Her own gold eyes practically glowing as she strode confidently forward, she called out towards the group of assembled festival goers. “Apologies for the late arrival my darlings. Better late than never though.” She was not the least bit sorry, and this was merely a bit of practiced rhetoric that she frequently employed when people were being less than civil. Kara was easily one of the most intelligent people on the planet, but you wouldn’t have had to be even elementarily academically capable to notice the rising tension at what was supposed to be a birthday party. She had no intention of allowing such rudeness to occur here of all places, so she did the only thing that came to mind; rudely and charmingly interrupted. Though they didn’t speak often as of late, she still held a soft spot in her heart for her first friend. Unless stopped she would ignore those sitting and drinking and walk straight towards Okane, counting on him to recognize her, lean down and plant a gentle kiss on his cheek in greeting. Assuming she was able to do so, she would whisper into his ear. “Happy Birthday, old friend.” Standing straight once more she would look over those assembled with a critical eye and a charming smile. “And who do we have here?” She wasn’t asking anyone in particular, but she would meet each of their gazes and give them a smile before moving to an empty seat.

Okane would pause and set his apple and knife down. He didn't want to have to resist an urge if the wide eyed nuclear child accusing him actually continued to try and prod a nerve. Though it did bring up an interesting idea to experiment with later. Perhaps even bring the idea up with Gyo and perhaps Chika...depending on how her stomach held up to it. What if one could use chakra strings to simply pluck out someones eyes? He wasn't much of a fighter or a medical professional himself. Though science was about testing a theory wasn't it? He would smile with mischief flaring in his glowing emerald eyes...the effect appearing like green smoke around his eyes from the shadows of his mask. It was designed to look that way after all. But he felt like this was...an attempt to bait him. To see if he would lash out in anger in some verbal or perhaps even physical way. What did this Uchiha seek to gain from this encounter? To simply boast about his clans strength? No one at the table could doubt the Uchiha. They all knew just how terrible they could be. Still he would smile to himself at one memory...The two Uchiha kage had come to him to make something. One had even sought employment from him briefly after he retired from office. But let the boy think the Uchiha were too powerful to need equipment. Perhaps that would cost him eventually. Still Okane would laugh in response heartily. His voice sounding pleased instead of irate.

"Yes well, you can eat noodles with your fingers if you like but a good utensil does make the job easier. As well as a great deal more......civilized."

He would lift his right knee to rest on his left at an angle with his hands settling one on top of the other on top of his knee. The panda would speak next. The mask still of great amusement as he listened to the mans stance. His green eyes shifting to him as he searched the mans eyes. All this talk of bringing down his creation...and they thought it so simply a task. He would tilt his head as if he thought about it for a moment. As if this were the first time he had to consider this question. A soft sound of thought passing through his lips before he would respond to the concern with again...amusement in his voice.

"No law is in place because it fully prevents an action from happening...its so the consequences often outweigh the gain one would get from said action. As the Uchiha mentioned before is proof of...such a crime means death. My city falls and they die. So long as I survive...which I intend to. I can have it rebuilt within two years. The world hunts them and I simply rebuild. It's the same as a common arsenest and the average house. There are consequences. Besides many of the peace talks were held here. Or back in Iron where I am a prince as well. As for joining the battles below... I know I am no fighter. I have different talents and focus there. I spread wealth and growth wherever I go. Yet some will go to other countries and murder an entire outpost of the rightful landowners and call it conquering. As if its for anything besides greed."

He would shoot a glance at Zenaku with a very white toothed smile directed at him. That comment was about something recent and the man would likely know what. Yet there should be little to no reason for Okane to know of it right? Still even as he was reassured about Konoha from Chika his eyes shifted passed them and that sly smile would grow to something more genuine. Ahh finally she had arrived. She would approach him and whisper in his ear. He would smile and whisper back to hers.

"Brace yourself darling. I am going to speak a little harshly now."

With that he would do something interesting. His fingers on his right hand would lift and two chakra strings would emerge. One would move to touch the ground beneath her and the other to touch the ground beneath a nearby chair. In both places an identical seal would form from chakra ink and the chair would poof from where it was and appear right behind her directly to his right. He had used the ground as a surface to seal and then unseal the chair simultaneously without moving with chakra strings and chakra ink. He would answer her question while watching her and Zenaku as he spoke.

"From what I can tell...our Uchiha friend here seems to think we crafters selling weapons and armors are worse than those going to war with our equipment. He states that they would go to war even without them but still finds us to be monstrous. It all reminds me of the excuses of those responsible for your late dear husband."