"Everyone."
Gaara spoke first.
"Since we're all willing to sit here, I'd like to begin with one basic fact.
Sunagakure's intelligence network has confirmed that of the Nine Tailed Beasts, all eight except Konoha's Nine-Tails have fallen into Akatsuki's hands."
A wave of hushed murmurs passed through the Summit Venue.
A deep furrow formed between the Raikage's brows. Ōnoki's narrowed eyes opened a fraction, and Mei Terumī's fingers tightened around her teacup.
"The One-Tail was taken while Akatsuki held me captive."
Gaara spoke without the slightest attempt to conceal it.
"Though I've returned to Sunagakure, the One-Tail's whereabouts remain unknown. From what we know, Akatsuki isn't collecting the Tailed Beasts merely to make weapons. Their purpose may involve an ancient forbidden technique."
"An ancient forbidden technique?" the Raikage asked, his voice low. "What do you mean?"
"I've been investigating that too," Tsunade said, taking up the thread. Her voice was steady and carried across the room. "Konoha recently suffered a large-scale attack by enemies known as the 'Six Paths of Pain.' They used six corpses as vessels, sharing the power of a single pair of eyes. And those eyes..." She paused. "They were the legendary Rinnegan."
The Rinnegan. The name struck the still water like a stone, and every gaze in the room changed.
"The Rinnegan were the eyes of the legendary Sage of Six Paths," Ōnoki said slowly, uncertainty edging his voice. "They were said to be capable of creating every ninjutsu—and destroying every ninjutsu. If Akatsuki possesses those eyes..."
"But Konoha drove back the Six Paths of Pain," Tsunade said, still composed. "Our investigation found that the six corpses weren't the true wielder. They were puppets controlled from afar. The person using the Rinnegan was hidden behind them."
She raised her eyes and slowly swept her gaze across