The Hokage Office.
Kakashi handed an interrogation report to the Third Hokage. "Lord Hokage, this is the information the Interrogation Department just compiled."
The Third Hokage took the report. "Have you confirmed those people's identities?"
"Yes, we have." Kakashi nodded. "Their leader is Night Owl, a Jōnin from the Red Eye Clan and a Kirigakure missing-nin. The other three are a mixed group: some are missing-nin from Kirigakure, while others are from Yugakure. They're all quite strong, roughly at the level of Special Jōnin."
The Third Hokage frowned slightly and read through the report.
Kakashi continued his briefing. "This group is well known around the Land of Hot Water. Kirigakure launched several purges against them, but none succeeded."
"They kidnapped Shinji Uchiha?" The Third Hokage glanced up at Kakashi. "That was their reason for infiltrating the village?"
Kakashi nodded. "I've confirmed it repeatedly. Their primary target was indeed Shinji Uchiha."
The Third Hokage asked, "Then how do you explain their attack and abduction of Sasuke?"
Kakashi replied, "They said it was a coincidence."
The Third Hokage didn't press the point and continued reading.
A moment later, he set the report down. "So Scorpion and Deidara of the Akatsuki Organization hired Night Owl to sneak into the village and abduct Shinji Uchiha. Then the Akatsuki's 'A' attacked him in the Forest of Death and took both his eyes and those of one of his subordinates?"
"Yes. We examined Night Owl's body. His eyes had been removed, and his legs showed signs of severe burns. Everything matches their statements."
Kakashi nodded.
The Third Hokage said gravely, "What about 'A'? Have you found any trace of him?"
Compared with Night Owl's group of missing-nin, he was clearly more concerned about "A," who was still hiding within the village.
Kakashi shook his head helplessly,