Enter Maku..........not my best entrance

Naoki remained silent, occasionally sipping from his bottle as he listened to Maku. It was interesting to learn that Shimagakure was unique in its defense and the boy's summaries. It would then switch over to Den, as Maku asked if Den was the Tenkage. Honestly Naoki assumed he was, or at least someone of equal power, but not post. His eyes would dart over to the Med-nin. He couldn't help to notice that the two appeared somehow similar, despite their appearances being quite different.

Den didn't really have much to the conversation about other villages and their defenses. as far a she was aware, Maku's observation was correct, though he recalled Takigakure believing it was hidden somehow, despite people including Den finding it quite easy.

Maku's attention shifted to Den however after a moment, he was curious of Den's position within Tengakure. Den's chakra levels were on par with both of the leaders, so he supposed it did indeed make sense for him to be curious about Den's position, however he was unsure as to how to respond. In the short term it might be easier to lie, however if they found out he was more or less banished form Tengakure later that could cause problems somehow.

Den decided that, he might as well tell both men the truth. It could prove dangerous, especially seeing as Naoki knew of Den's prowess as a medical nin and Wood Release user, but hopefully his confession would not end in violence.

"I'm actually the former Tenkage, the 3rd in fact." Den paused a moment as he thought about how to approach speaking of his banishment, "a few months ago a shinobi of the village told me that Amegakure was plotting something that could be dangerous to the village, so me and my predecessor decided to investigate." Den's tone had shifted to become serious, no longer informal and easy going like before.

"Before we even arrived in Amegakure, he ran into some trouble and were delayed. Some shinobi who were loyal to me managed to catch up to me because of that, and revealed to me that while we were gone the same shinobi who informed us of the plot had taken control of the village." Den was unsure why Takeo had led a coup against him, but it seemed that the rest of the village had willingly allowed it. "The shinobi who informed me of the event stated that no one had opposed this man, and that the village seemed to be running fine under him, so rather than take the village back by force I decided to simply move on. If the people are fine with him as a leader, I didn't see any need to take it back."

Den wondered what Maku and Naoki would think of the story, would they think him a terrible kage for allowing someone else to take over his village? Or would they suspect his story false somehow, and would this lead to an altercation?

Listening to the story of Den, he really wasn't sure why the man changed his tone.  In fact to him it sounded like he did the right thing.  Attempted to solve a problem, someone usurped him when his back was turned like a pussy, then the people of the village turned their backs on him.  Maku would have done the same thing in all honesty.  

"SO did you actually discover the plot?  I don't know if you know this, but Amegakure seems to either be a ghost town, or shut down.  I was in communications with the former leader, Worr Terumi, however all info went cold prior to our meeting.  I had scheduled someone to investigate.....Unfortunetly she was a traitor and had to be, well removed from service.  Since then I have not be able to contact them.  Perhaps their plot blew up in their face.  As for your village Den, I can't speak for Naoki, but it sounds like, in my opinion, you attempted to hep them, and they betrayed you.  Maybe that's a little harsh, but I speak my mind without the sugar."  Maku said dropping the smile, but remaining a positive body language, almost consoling, saying its alright.  

"I had to guess you were the leader though, I mean it only made since.  Well damn, 3 village heads at one table at a bar.  Sounds like the start of a bad joke a little bit." He said with a chuckle before becoming serious again.  "Also, Den, I don't really know you, and you don't really know me."  He would say before standing straight acros from the former Tenkage.  "But, I have an an associate, and well we aren't afraid to get into the mix when times are tough.  If you need help, with this village situation, I would be glad to assist you."  He would say with a nod and extending his hand as if for a hand shake.

This was in a word, perfect.  He needed strong allies, and he found a man who was strong, with a problem.  He could help, and get the alliance going, and besides Youka might get to rough some folks up in the process, he did enjoy that.  Maku and Youka had gotten to were they are by the simple fact, they hired themselves out to be mercenaries, so something like this wasn't to difficult to think about.  Sure fiscal gain might not be the reward, but in times like this a solid partnership was just as good if not better.  He would wait to see Den's and Naoki's reaction for that matter.  The way Den broke the news and told the story he guessed, it was news to Naoki as well.  Damn, whoever was the asshole who took Tenga was his new best friend, this seemed the perfect plot point to start something.  Shame he would probably have to die, but o well.

Next, he would probably have to bring up his plans to ally with Shima, but best to make one plan at a time as it where.

The leader would listen to Den's story. Although he did not assume the man was an active kage, it was new to him. In a sense he was not an exile, a missing nin, in other words a criminal. But that did not bother Naoki much at this point, as Denkiteki has done rather enough for him to establish enough trust. When Maku began speaking the Uchiha soon understood that this whole village situation was quite complex and very sticky. It was something he had to be very careful about, so he would not rush to any conclusions. Waiting for Den's response, Naoki would put down his finally empty beer bottle and order another.

"No, I ended up not going to the village. Knowing that my village had turned on me, I decided to take steps to protect my parents rather than check to see if the shinobi had told the truth about the plot or if he was merely trying to get me and my predecessor out of the village." Luckily Toma and the man who called himself Tomoya had indeed managed to teleport Den's family out of Tengakure shortly after Takeo's take over, he was unsure if Tak would have targeted them but it was better to be safe then sorry.

Den would lighten up at the mention of 3 village leaders at a bar, especially seeing as both men at least hadn't become hostile because of his story. Den was surprised by Maku's offer of assistance, he had just met the man and already he was saying if Den needed help with Tengakure him and his associate would be willing to give him aid, "No, I've decided to let Tengakure be, I have no interest in forcing the people under my control. I've been dedicating my time towards trying to find the killers of an old friend of mine." Den wondered if Maku would be willing to assist him in that, with him and his associate they would become a powerful force, especially if Naoki was willing to assist as well.

"If you'd be willing to extend that same offer to help me avenge my friend, I would be in your debt." Den hoped that Maku would be willing to agree to the proposal, if so Den would gladly accept the hand shake. Den would ntoice that Naoki was being extremely quiet, but hopefully that didn't mean he was concerned abut Den's status as technically being a missing ninja.

Listening to Den, he had the impression that Tengakure had obviously made the wrong decision in who would lead them. An old addige that never the less often came true, was those who were most fit to lead didn't because they weren't willing to do everything it took to maintain the position. His unwillingness to force himself back into position showed, he put the villages safety in front of whatever personal aspirations of position that he had. While his face didn't show it, his stomach dropped, because his easy way out of making a grand gesture seemed lost until.....

Well finding some murderers wasn't as fun, but still seemed to be a legitimate way to accomplish the same thing he had originally intended. Grabbing Den's hand he would shake it, "Well, I think I can do that. Information gathering is something I can do just fine, and we can see this friend of yours avenged in time.....If that's what you want of course." He would say as he released Den's hand and sat back down. Well that was convenient, he had almost lost his chance. Avenging some ninja mattered little to him, almost as little as the lives of some killers mattered. What did were the implications of these actions as they pertained to the future. Maku while sitting would watch Naoki, and see what he would do. He had been relatively quite so far. Perhaps he wasn't as impressed with Den's decisions, he couldn't be sure. Personally, he couldn't judge Den for anything. His actions seemed more rooted in values and loyalty than any of Maku's had been. To each their own he supposed.

Once he got the gist of what Naoki would do about this revelation, perhaps then it would be time for them to speak or find some way to cement a Shima x Yuki alliance.

Naoki was somewhat relieved to hear Den refuse the offer to take back Tengakure. He agreed that taking the position back in force would not be the right choice if the citizens were okay with the new leadership. This request however seems quite honorable. So, as Maku confirmed he and his associate would assist Den, Naoki would ask "Who was this friend and how do you plan to find the killers responsible?" Revenge was not the best pursuit, but maybe it was more than that. He needed to learn more, before he could decide, for such decision could put his village at risk.

Maku seemed to like the idea of helping Den find Minorin's killers, at least so far. This was good, to have a village leader on his side would increase Den's probability of success drastically. He didn't know Maku, but if the man could assist him in tracking down and defeating these men he would indeed be indebted to him, "I'd like to know more about who performed the deed before I commit to what I want to do with them." Den would probably choose to kill the men and avenge Minorin however, but he would like to have his option open in case there was some sort of strange circumstance involving her death.

Naoki didn't seem as easily convinced, curious of the details involved in the death of his friend. Den didn't think there would be anyone nearby who would be listening in on the 3 kage, but Den was an overly cautious man, so for now his response was simple, "I'd prefer to talk more on those details in private." Den wasn't sure how much information he would be willing to give these men, for now at least he wasn't sure he'd tell them of his own status as the Gobi jinchuuriki, or Minorin's. If they seemed trustworthy enough he might, Naoki had trusted him enough to keep the secret about his sharingan, perhaps Den could trust him with the fact he was a Jin.

Maku, he wasn't entirely sure about, he seemed kind, and there was that strange familiarity about him, but Den thought it best to be safe for now, rather than inform Maku of the beast sealed within him and threaten to provoke a battle over the creature.

Maku heard the desire to speak in private.  It made sense, as they had already said much in the open.  Besides maybe it would be better, if the proposal of the village alliance was discussed in private.  Maku was fairly certain this Naoki was a cautious man, one who made plans and wanted them to go through the letter.  This wasn't Maku's style but he didn't condemn others for it.

"I think that might be a good idea if our host apologized.  Perhaps the discussion of If Yuki and shima can be allies takes place."  Maku would wait and see what Naoki said.  He would allow him to dictate the groups next action.  Maku hoped he would be given a room and some amount of ability to travel the village at his leisure when they weren't discussing plans.  However, he wasn't goingf to ask, he would let Naoki bring it up.  Maybe he didn't want a stranger traipsing the village.  Maku finished his second bottle and waited on their hosts word.

Den let them know that he would rather speak of the topic in private. Naoki was quite okay with that, he doubted that anyone in the bar were of any danger to them or the security of the information, but even then, some things are better said in private. He also knew a good place, not much of a change in theme, but they would lose the additional ears. After paying for the drinks of all three of them, he would make a one handed seal, expelling a bubble of chakra to encompass him and his guests. Den was already familiar with this move, but hopefully it would not spook Maku either. Then, assuming neither of them left the field he would pull them through the void into a remote location in the village.

They would appear on a beach. Under a shade they would be standing by an outdoors bar, however nobody except them was around. The reason for that was the this beach and bar were home to parties at night, but hardly anybody would come here in day. Was the perfect spot, especially since Naoki knew the man that run this bar, he knew where he kept the drinks. "I hope this is private enough. Anybody want something?" He would mix himself something, something without alcohol, made mostly from fruit.