Within Kirigakure, the entire village was swiftly mobilized.
Hurried footsteps echoed through the streets and corridors as ninja poured out of their quarters, assembling into squads in the square at the village entrance.
Scrolls, ninja tools, rations, signal flares-every supply was distributed in an orderly fashion.
Commanders at every level rapidly exchanged orders and coordinates over maps. Commands issued from the Mizukage Building spread like an invisible net over the entire Land of Water.
Soon, countless Kirigakure ninja dispersed in squads, taking fast boats or running across the water to cover the Land of Water's entire coastline and border regions.
Every squad carried signal flares and messenger birds. Their orders were clear: upon discovering members of the Akatsuki, they were forbidden to engage. They were to fire a signal flare immediately and send back intelligence by messenger bird.
Early the next morning, a small patrol boat cruised slowly across a gray expanse of sea along the Land of Water's northeastern border.
The hull rocked gently with the waves. On deck, two chunin held binoculars, carefully scanning in different directions.
The sea breeze blew against their faces, carrying the scent of salt and moisture. The distant horizon flickered in and out of sight through the morning mist.
One chunin lowered his binoculars and rubbed his aching eyes. Turning toward his companion, he asked conversationally, "Tano, do you think... we can beat the Akatsuki?"
The chunin called Tano lowered his binoculars as well. He turned around with a grin, his tone relaxed:
"Of course! Kirio, you've got to have faith in Lord Mizukage. This is the sea. I don't believe anyone can beat him out here. He's a perfect jinchuriki-he's invincible in the water."
He paused, then leaned closer, lowering his voice with a knowing look. "Besides, we've got Lady Mei Terumi