Led Astray

A few days later, Konoha's reinforcements returned to the village without incident and gave the village leadership a detailed report on every aspect of the mission.

After confirming that the rescue mission had failed and that both Iwagakure's Four-Tails Jinchuriki and Five-Tails Jinchuriki had been captured, Konoha's leadership grew anxious.

The Akatsuki Organization had been lying low, yet its first move had caused such a huge stir. It was a sign that a new wave of turmoil was about to sweep through the Shinobi World.

To prepare for the Akatsuki Organization's threat, the village immediately called a meeting of its leadership.

As the top student at the Ninja Academy, Shinji was already entitled to attend high-level meetings. His outstanding performance during this mission earned him a seat as well—and a place closer to the front.

The main topic of the meeting was the immediate mobilization of a ninja force capable of wiping out the Akatsuki Organization. That meant gathering intelligence on its members and assessing their strength.

Kakashi said at the meeting, "Based on this mission, our estimates of some Akatsuki Organization members' strength were seriously off!"

The Third took a long drag from his pipe before finally lowering it from his lips. "Go into detail."

"We badly underestimated three members of the Akatsuki Organization: Hiruko, Shinnō, and Sasori of the Red Sands." Kakashi paused to choose his words. "Based on this battle, they're all extremely dangerous. It would take a Jonin squad to stand against them, and several Jonin squads to hunt them down. I've already distributed the detailed intelligence to everyone."

After hearing Kakashi's report, the village leaders opened the files in front of them and carefully examined the information on the three men.

When they read that Hiruko had somehow acquired five Kekkei Genkai—Nether Release, Swift Release,