Perception

Akatsuki was not in an advantageous position when compared to the combined military strength of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

What made this rogue ninja organization so feared was that they lurked in the shadows, while their enemies found it difficult to hide their own targets.

Especially now—just when they had finally learned the location of Akatsuki's headquarters, the leader's death had brought about a major upheaval, and the organization had once again gone underground.

Just how dangerous a powerful rogue ninja organization that was always ready to launch sneak attacks could be was apparent from its past battles.

This time, their move against the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara, was surprising because of Kabuto Yakushi's audacity, but no one found it unexpected. It was only strange that he was acting together with Akatsuki.

The joint operation of Team 7 and Team 8, the simultaneous deployment of the Security Department's chief and deputy chief, and even Tsunade's disciple joining the mission—this level of combat strength was enough to fight a war in the Shinobi World.

However, a technical mission like finding and rescuing someone required the right specialties. Otherwise, even great effort would yield little result.

Even with an outstanding tracking and reconnaissance team like Team 8 under Mizuki's lead, finding a hidden person was still like searching for a needle in the ocean.

If Chiyo, Temari, and Kankuro, who had traveled with them, had not been able to offer some help, Mizuki might have given up already.

"Can you people actually do this or not? You said you were close last night, but now you're saying you haven't found anything—not even a trace of him. What a waste of time!"

Several times, Chiyo had fiddled with some ramshackle device of unknown principle, then pointed out a direction and led the group