At the Hokage Building, Tsunade summoned Shibi Aburame and Uzumaki Reikawa.
"Your mission this time is to go to our allied nation, Sunagakure, and temporarily take responsibility for protecting the One-Tail Jinchuriki, Gaara. According to the intelligence Guy brought back, Akatsuki has most likely set its sights on the One-Tail."
"!" Shibi Aburame nodded gravely, accepting the mission.
Seeing this, Tsunade gestured for him to leave first, then spoke with Uzumaki Reikawa alone. "Do you know why I called you for this mission?"
Uzumaki Reikawa thought for a moment. "To prevent Shukaku from going berserk?"
Tsunade shook her head slightly. "Yes and no. If possible, I want you to bring Shukaku back to Konoha without anyone finding out."
"!!!" Uzumaki Reikawa was somewhat surprised. This did not seem like Tsunade's style.
"Sunagakure still hasn't chosen a Kazekage. It may sound arrogant, but Sunagakure currently has no way to withstand Akatsuki's attack. Konoha can't keep dispatching ninja to support them indefinitely, either."
Uzumaki Reikawa questioned this after hearing it. "But Konoha would gain nothing from doing this. Sunagakure won't agree, and it might even provoke hostility from the other ninja villages. Besides, Konoha already has the Nine-Tails. If we bring back the One-Tail too, won't that make Akatsuki focus even more on Konoha?"
"Mm." Tsunade answered in an unreadable tone. This was also something she had repeatedly considered. "I've thought about everything you said. Konoha can't afford another war right now, so it would be best if we could bring it back without anyone knowing. Of course, it doesn't matter if we can't."
Uzumaki Reikawa was somewhat confused, but since Tsunade had said so, she must have had her reasons. "I want to hear your thoughts."
Instead of answering directly, Tsunade asked, "How is the Nine-Tails doing with Naruto?"
"Barring any