Plans and Measures for Dealing with Akatsuki

The return journey was relatively safe, though it was a close call.

Ninjas don't easily give up on their missions, even missing-nin. The Akatsuki members are the type to fight to the death.

In the Original Story, even when the Akatsuki members knew that their chances of winning were slim, they would still fight to the death with their opponents.

They could have run away, but no one chose to do so.

Fortunately, the guy who could self-destruct has been taken down, otherwise Hinata was really worried that Deidara might not be able to handle the stimulation and would self-destruct without warning.

Without aerial reconnaissance, Sasori of the Red Sands, Kakuzu, and Hidan not being sensory ninjas and therefore unlikely to help them, Hinata and her group returned safely to Konoha.

The Hokage's Office.

"... Well! That's roughly the situation this time."

Kakashi's mission report was still as bland as a diary, omitting the entire process and only mentioning the beginning and end briefly.

Even Hinata couldn't stand it anymore and rolled her eyes at Kakashi several times.

For some reason, ever since Kakashi stole her grilled meat, Hinata felt that Kakashi was a bit annoying and couldn't stand anything about him.

Perhaps this is the cause of Deidara's death!

"I see!"

Tsunade's expression was serious as she said loudly, "You've worked hard. Go back and rest now!"

Hinata, stay behind!

Kakashi respectfully replied, "Then I'll take my leave!"

After Kakashi left, Tsunade turned her gaze to Hinata and asked in a deep voice, "Hinata, what are your thoughts on this encounter with the Akatsuki?"

"Huh?"

Hinata paused for a moment. "Thoughts? I don't really have any particular thoughts!"

Tsunade rolled her eyes and explained helplessly, "I meant... the assessment of the threat posed by the Akatsuki, and the subsequent countermeasures!"

After a pause, Tsunade continued, "Jiraiya believed that the Akatsuki would be a great enemy of the entire Shinobi World, so he had been secretly investigating the Akatsuki..."

At this point, Tsunade gave Hinata a deep look, and then continued, "There's something you might not know. We have a spy in the Konoha Akatsuki. When the Third was still alive, he sent back some important intelligence."

"The leader of Akatsuki... possesses another Dōjutsu that is considered one of the three great Dōjutsu, along with the Sharingan and Byakugan — the Rinnegan!"

Hinata was startled, not expecting that Konoha had such a high level of knowledge about the Akatsuki.

But thinking about it, it makes sense.

As a spy infiltrating the Akatsuki, Itachi Uchiha couldn't possibly have failed to send back any intelligence. Even though Itachi was constantly being monitored by Akatsuki members, he could still have used some means to transmit information back.

If Itachi Uchiha had no information at all, Konoha could not have trusted Itachi Uchiha forever.

However, in the Original Story, when Jiraiya went to Amegakure to investigate, was he really completely unaware of the Akatsuki leader?

Or do they want to test the power of the Rinnegan?

I think the latter is more likely!

Otherwise, Jiraiya would have no reason to fight to the death; he only needed a Reverse Summoning Technique to escape back to Mount Myōboku.

Perhaps Jiraiya hoped to influence Nagato and Konan through his own death...

Hinata considered for a moment and said softly, "The Akatsuki members are still very strong. Those people are not people that ordinary ninjas can deal with, not even the Anbu."

Even the Anbu wouldn't dare to lay a hand on Orochimaru, let alone the Akatsuki.

Ultimately, although the Anbu is the Hokage's direct force, it can only deter ordinary ninjas.

Even missing-nin of Momochi Zabuza Raiga Kurosuki, could roam freely despite being pursued by the Kirigakure (Kirigakure Hunter-nin. This demonstrates that the Anbu were truly easy targets, capable of being wiped out in an instant.

Tsunade nodded; she also had a clear understanding of this point.

Hinata muttered, "Actually, it would have been better to ask Teacher Kakashi about these things!"

Tsunade waved the mission report in her hand and said calmly, "Kakashi also gave a report, but I'd rather hear your thoughts than Kakashi's!"

"My thoughts..."

Hinata pondered for a moment, then pouted and said, "Since there is a missing-nin Sasori of the Red Sands from Sunagakure among the Akatsuki members, and he even turned the Third Kazekage into Human Puppet, we can inform Sunagakure about this and draw Sunagakure attention to it."

"With the testimonies of Temari and Kankuro, Sunagakure will likely not allow the Third Kazekage's body to be handled at will."

Tsunade nodded and said, "Yes! We should definitely inform the Sunagakure."

Hinata said with a hint of disdain, "But given the current situation in Sunagakure, they probably wouldn't dare to take any action against Akatsuki, would they?"

It's not that Hinata looks down on Sunagakure. The Sunagakure, which once dared to start Shinobi World war because of the 'disappearance of the Third Kazekage,' might not even dare to chase after the Third Kazekage's body from Sasori of the Red Sands now.

Tsunade frowned and said, "Perhaps this matter can bring out a few old guys... If they come out of seclusion, perhaps Sunagakure will change its current decline."

"While this is not a good thing for Konoha, it makes a big difference to the overall situation of the Shinobi World."

After a pause, Tsunade said, "Hinata, please continue!"

Hinata nodded and said thoughtfully, "Actually... we can also inform Kirigakure of Akatsuki's information."

Tsunade was taken aback. "Kirigakure?"

"Kindness!"

Hinata said seriously, "Before our last investigation of Kirigakure, didn't we see some information? Itachi Uchiha once injured the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura... Perhaps Kirigakure and Akatsuki have some unspeakable hatred between them!"

"Oh, right! We also need to inform Iwagakure, since Deidara is dead!"

Sticking out her tongue, Hinata casually remarked, "Maybe Deidara is actually a spy sent by Iwagakure to Akatsuki!"

Tsunade and said, "Okay!"

"By releasing information about Akatsuki, their living space will be greatly reduced, and the pressure on Jiraiya will also be less."

"Although the Five Great Shinobi Villages don't trust each other, they will most likely still believe some of the information about the common enemy of the Shinobi World!"

"Only..."

Hinata asked, "Just what?"

Tsunade her head and said with a sneer, "I guess Ōnoki and his gang think that Konoha wants to use Iwagakure to deal with Akatsuki!"

That's possible.

The threat posed by Akatsuki has yet to be revealed; some ninja villages are even unaware of Akatsuki's objectives. Even though the Akatsuki members are incredibly powerful, they probably won't attract the attention of the Five Great Shinobi Villages until Pain makes his move.

Hinata asked in confusion, "So all we're doing now is putting a little pressure on the Akatsuki?"

Tsunade said helplessly, "That's about it!"

"The Five Great Shinobi Villages will only see each other as rivals, and Akatsuki is currently in a period of dormancy. No ninja village will waste its strength to deal with Akatsuki."

Hinata scoffed, "Perhaps they're all thinking that Akatsuki's target might be other ninja villages!"

Tsunade snorted, "That's about it!"

Looking at Hinata, Tsunade chuckled, "You seem to have grown quite a bit since you came back from the Sunagakure... Hinata!"

Hinata looked slightly smug, then a little embarrassed, and said, "Is that so? Actually... I think so too!"

Tsunade: "..."

"Never mind!"

Tsunade said calmly, "Hinata, after the New Year, you should take the Jonin Exams!"