The steam from Ichiraku Ramen temporarily dispelled some of the tension.
Naruto cradled an enormous bowl of tonkotsu ramen and slurped it down like he was trying to make up for three years' worth of missed meals.
Sakura sat beside him, scolding him for his awful table manners, but her eyes kept darting worriedly toward Sai, who sat quietly nearby.
Sai ate at an unhurried pace, the standard smile on his face never wavering, making it impossible to tell whether he thought the ramen was good or not.
Kakashi looked at this strange group, sighed, and pulled out Make-Out Paradise to hide his face. "Anyway, that's the situation. Akatsuki has its sights on the tailed beasts, and Naruto is a priority target. Starting today, Team 7's primary mission is to protect Naruto while investigating Akatsuki's movements."
He glanced at Sai. "Sai, does Root have any more specific intelligence on Akatsuki? The known members' detailed abilities, their patterns of activity, that sort of thing?"
Sai set down his chopsticks, his smile unchanged. "Lord Danzo instructed that relevant intelligence be provided gradually, based on mission progress and team assessments. What I can tell you for now is that Akatsuki members usually operate in pairs. They are all S-rank or higher rogue ninja, with unusual abilities. Extreme caution is required."
"What's the difference between that and telling us nothing?!" Naruto grumbled with noodles still stuffed in his mouth.
"Efficiency comes first. Providing too much information too early may lead to errors in judgment or unnecessary panic," Sai replied calmly.
Sakura could not help speaking up. "Then at least tell us what you can do. What kind of ninjutsu do you use?"
Sai smiled faintly and took out a scroll and a brush from his ninja tool pouch. "I specialize in Super Beast Imitating