Naruto and Kakashi set out, with Sai temporarily joining them in Sasuke's place. Tsunade had originally planned to have Nawaki join Team 7, but Danzo had stirred up trouble again, arguing that Team 7 already had an exceptionally powerful fighter in Naruto and did not need another. What they lacked, he claimed, was a reconnaissance ninja like Sai.
Tsunade was no pushover, either. Since Danzo had planted Sai in Team 7, she planted Nawaki in Root. Danzo initially objected, saying Nawaki's personality made him unsuitable for Root, but Tsunade threatened to block Sai's admission to Team 7. Danzo had no choice but to agree, since he needed Sai to pass information to him.
Watching the large party leave Konoha, Itachi said to Tsunade beside him, "Lady Tsunade, Naruto and the others have set out. What should we do next?"
Tsunade smiled. "Hehe, I originally wanted Nawaki to go to the Land of Snow with Naruto and the others, but joining Root isn't a bad outcome, either. And there's Hoshigakure. I planned to have Nawaki take a look there after finishing the mission in the Land of Snow, but now we'll have to change that. Let Team 8 go instead. It'll be good to get Hinata out of the way, too. She's better off not being involved in what comes next. Oh, has Shizuka Uchiha returned?" (Danzo: I'm just here to stir up trouble and ruin all of Tsunade's plans! Hahaha.)
Itachi nodded. "Yes, she's back."
Tsunade smiled. "Then you and she will go see Hiashi together this time."
Itachi nodded, then said hesitantly, "Lady Tsunade, it doesn't seem right for us to interfere in the Hyuga Clan's internal affairs like this. I don't think Hiashi, the Hyuga Clan Leader, would want us getting too involved in his clan's affairs, either.