Land of Earth, Iwagakure.
Ōnoki was holding a routine meeting.
The topic, naturally, was the incident that had sent shock waves through the Shinobi World: Akatsuki and the Hidden Cloud had suffered a crushing defeat.
The Hidden Cloud had been bold, sending two Jinchūriki onto the island to carry out a mission in the Hidden Mist Village.
Of course, Akatsuki's involvement had given them enormous confidence.
But no one had expected Akatsuki, which had never failed before, to suffer a crushing defeat in the Hidden Mist Village.
Four core members had even defected.
Then there was Kaguya Gaito's terrifying combat strength and identity.
"We've received information Akatsuki sold on the Black Market."
"Kaguya Gaito possesses the legendary Shikotsumyaku."
Yanakawa Kai, the intelligence adviser responsible for the Black Market, delivered the report.
He had printed out all the documents and distributed them to Ōnoki and the other advisers.
"The Kaguya Clan hasn't produced anyone with the Shikotsumyaku in years, so this information dates back fifty years. Treat it as a reference."
The Shinobi World was vast and full of strange Kekkei Genkai. Not everyone in Iwagakure could be expected to know what the Shikotsumyaku was.
Ōnoki and the other advisers looked down at the documents in their hands.
"As you all know, members of the Kaguya Clan fight using the bones in their bodies."
"They have keen combat instincts and excel at taijutsu."
"But each clan member can usually use bones from only one part of the body."
"That Kekkei Genkai is convenient to use, but it isn't especially powerful."
"The Shikotsumyaku is entirely different. Its wielder can draw bones from anywhere in the body to attack or defend, and can even form a layer of bone beneath the skin."
"That makes its wielder a taijutsu specialist with both offensive and