Asuma Sarutobi and Chiriku of the Fire Temple had both once been members of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, so they were old comrades-in-arms.
Upon learning that Chiriku had died in battle, what Asuma Sarutobi wanted most was to avenge his old comrade.
Besides, Akatsuki was already Hidden Leaf Village's greatest enemy. Avenging his comrade while dealing a damaging blow to Akatsuki would serve both public and private interests, so Asuma did not think the Hokage would refuse his request to take on the mission voluntarily.
Yet in reality, the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, did not agree immediately. After he arrived, he found that several people had gathered in the Hokage's office.
There were two mysteriously dressed "unknown Anbu." He could barely recognize one of them as the Hokage's guard reputed to be the most mysterious person in Hidden Leaf Village. Supposedly, only a very few people in the entire village knew his identity.
There was also Lord Jiraiya, one of the Three Ninja alongside the Fifth Hokage, as well as... Yinsen, who was gradually becoming a legend of Hidden Leaf Village and currently served as the Hokage's advisor.
"Hokage-sama, regarding the Fire Temple's request for aid..."
"I am considering it."
Under normal circumstances, upon receiving the Fire Temple's plea for help and learning that Akatsuki members were still roaming the Land of Fire, Tsunade, as Hokage, would certainly mobilize every available force for a carpet search, dig those two out, and bring them back—if they could not be captured, then they had to be killed.
That was the natural course of action. But ever since Yinsen had lured Itachi Uchiha back from Akatsuki, Hidden Leaf Village had gained a more detailed understanding of Akatsuki's strength.
As for Kakuzu and Hidan, although Itachi Uchiha did not know the details of their Combat