Tsunade closed her eyes, reined in her personal feelings, and carefully reviewed the intelligence once more.
She discovered that Akatsuki's actions were becoming increasingly brazen and reckless!
First, they had attacked Sunagakure and captured the One-Tail Jinchuriki. Now, they had attacked Iwagakure and captured the Five-Tails Jinchuriki. Would Konohagakure be next?
The situation was growing more severe by the day.
"How are things on Naruto's side?" Tsunade asked.
Shizune said, "Sai sends back intelligence every few days, and Danzo hasn't concealed any of it. At present, Naruto and the others are nearing the border of the Land of Fire. No attacks have occurred so far."
Tsunade nodded. "I hope Naruto can grow stronger as soon as possible. Akatsuki hasn't left us much time!"
Land of Water, Kirigakure.
The Fifth Mizukage, Terumi Mei, had been in a terrible mood lately. A large number of foreign ninja had entered the Land of Water to gather intelligence. Ninja from Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Sunagakure, and Konohagakure had all infiltrated the country, and for a time, Terumi Mei had thought those four hidden villages were joining forces to destroy the Land of Water and Kirigakure.
Fortunately, her right-hand man, Chojuro, captured several of those ninja. After handing them over to the Kirigakure Anbu for interrogation, they finally obtained intelligence that left her both amused and exasperated.
"Those bastards actually think Akatsuki was born from the Bloody Mist policy, and that its headquarters is within the Land of Water. How ridiculous!"
Terumi Mei was so furious she nearly flipped the table. "Our Bloody Mist policy was created by Akatsuki! How could the Bloody Mist policy have given birth to Akatsuki?!"
Chojuro hurried over to gather the documents scattered across the floor and said with a wry smile, "Mizukage-sama, why don't we send the intelligence we have