Hokage Office.
The Third Hokage and several of the village's elder advisors were listening to Kakashi and Asuma's more detailed report on the operation.
Kakashi concluded his report. "That was the full course of the operation."
Asuma added, "I have nothing to add."
The Third Hokage removed his pipe and exhaled a plume of smoke. "So the demon from the Land of Demons and the wandering doctor who went by the name 'Shinnō' have both joined the Akatsuki Organization?"
Kakashi nodded. "Yes."
Danzo raised his brows, his expression dark. "Why did the Akatsuki Organization lure Sasuke out of the village?"
Utatane Koharu asked as well, "And they let him go in the end. That's quite unusual."
According to Kakashi's account, the Akatsuki Organization had plenty of time to kill Sasuke or take him away, but they had done neither. Instead, they had left the unconscious Sasuke alone in the canyon.
That was difficult to explain.
Kakashi said, "I'm sorry, but we haven't found any clues about that yet. We may have to wait until Sasuke wakes up to learn what happened."
The Third Hokage asked, "How serious are Sasuke's injuries? When might he wake up?"
Kakashi reported, "The Medical Team's diagnosis is that Sasuke suffered a severe mental shock and shut himself off from the outside world, so..."
Danzo pressed him. "So what?!"
Kakashi sighed. "So they can't say when Sasuke will wake up. Only that person might be able to help."
Everyone present knew who Kakashi meant. But Tsunade was away from the village, and they had no way to contact her anytime soon.
After a moment's thought, the Third Hokage ordered, "Notify Jiraiya and have him bring Tsunade back. The village needs them now!"
Kakashi bowed. "I'll make the arrangements at once!"
Mitokado Homura suddenly asked, "Did that