Relocation

Bird Country temporary camp.

The allied forces' pursuit had naturally failed. After slipping free of the alliance's surveillance, Itachi, Juzo Biwa, Scorpion, and Deidara had vanished without a trace.

The allied forces searched all of Bird Country afterward, but found nothing.

Then the Third Tsuchikage arrived first. After traveling a thousand miles, the Kirigakure reinforcements led by Mei Terumi arrived in Bird Country as well.

At this point, the allied forces of the Five Great Shinobi Villages had gathered once more, marking the end of the brief peace in the Shinobi World that had followed the Grass Country war.

Inside a military tent.

The leaders of the reinforcements from each village gathered for a high-level meeting.

As he looked over the intelligence compiled from every direction, Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki's face darkened.

Both of his village's Jinchuriki had been abducted, and none of their intelligence outposts had found a single lead. The Akatsuki Organization's operation had shown Iwagakure no respect whatsoever, and had dealt him, Ōnoki, a resounding slap in the face in full view of every power in the Shinobi World.

Still recovering from his injuries, the Fourth Kazekage attended the meeting on Sunagakure's behalf.

His pale face could not conceal the fury in his heart. If their failure to stop Hiruko and the others from breaking through could be blamed on a lack of intelligence, then losing to Scorpion was a stain on his record that he could never erase.

And it wasn't just a personal disgrace. His defeat had brought shame upon all of Sunagakure.

Kakashi looked grave.

He had taken part in the entire operation and experienced the Akatsuki Organization's terrifying strength firsthand. He understood clearly how dire the situation had become.

Mei Terumi also remained silent.

That was mainly because Kirigakure had arrived late and missed