The group's return to the Hidden Leaf Village immediately drew attention. The Hokage's direct ANBU took custody of the sealed rogue ninja and the dangerous sample, while Kakashi led Ling Yue, Sakura, and Gaara straight to the Hokage's office.
Tsunade was buried in a mountain of paperwork, while Shizune stood nearby helping with Tonton in her arms.
When she saw Kakashi and the others enter, especially the Kazekage from the Sand Village following behind them, she looked up in surprise.
"You're back already? The mission's complete? Hm? Gaara? Why are you here too?" Tsunade set down her pen, her gaze sweeping across them before settling on Kakashi.
Kakashi gave a concise report of the mission, from the lost contact with the outpost and their encounter with the rogue ninja, to the discovery and destruction of the abnormal chakra source, followed by Deidara's appearance and Gaara's timely assistance.
As Tsunade listened, her expression grew increasingly grave. When she heard about the abnormal purple chakra, mutation catalysis, and Deidara and the Akatsuki being involved, her fingers began tapping unconsciously on the desk.
"Purple chakra with corrosive, catalytic properties..." Tsunade murmured, looking at Shizune. "Send the sample to the encrypted analysis room immediately. Highest confidentiality level. Notify the key personnel from the sealing squad and medical research department to stand by."
"Yes!" Shizune immediately went to make arrangements with Tonton in her arms.
Tsunade looked at Gaara again. "Kazekage, thank you for your help this time. Does the Sand Village have any intelligence regarding this abnormal chakra?"
Gaara shook his head. "Not for now. But there have indeed been several reports of small creatures becoming abnormally violent near the Land of Rivers border recently. They were not taken seriously before. Now, it seems they may be related. I will immediately assign more people