The Hokage Office.
As Kakashi and the others gave their report, the Third sat in silence, smoking his pipe.
The three adviser Elders listening in all wore different expressions.
Utatane Koharu's brows were nearly knitted together, and her eyes were full of confusion. The news Kakashi had brought back had not dispelled her doubts; if anything, it had made her even more puzzled about the recent disappearances of the shinobi.
Mitokado Homura looked thoughtful.
The strangest of all was Danzo. His gaze was lowered, and anyone who didn't know better might have thought he was dozing.
After a long silence, the Third waved a hand. "Kakashi, stay. Everyone else, leave."
Asuma hesitated, then turned and left the Hokage Office with Kurenai and Aoba Yamashiro.
Once his teammates had all left, Kakashi bowed to the Third in apology. "I'm sorry. I couldn't make contact with that person this time."
The person Kakashi meant was, of course, Itachi.
The Third looked disappointed.
If Kakashi had been able to get in touch with Itachi this time, the mysteries might have been solved.
Utatane Koharu couldn't help asking, "What exactly is going on with the Akatsuki Organization? Why have they recruited so many S-rank rogue ninja? What are they planning?"
Mitokado Homura glanced at Danzo. "Danzo, I remember you dealt with this organization called the 'Akatsuki' before, didn't you?"
Addressed by name and questioned by Mitokado Homura, Danzo seemed to come back to his senses.
He didn't deny it. "I did take part in an operation targeting the Akatsuki Organization. However, that operation was planned by Hanzo of the Salamander of Amegakure. I was merely a witness. Besides, the so-called Akatsuki Organization was wiped out by Hanzo during that operation."
"Hanzo of the Salamander..."
Mitokado Homura's expression darkened.
In his understanding, the leader of