Discussion About the Akatsuki Organization

Inside the Hokage's Office, Shimura Danzō was in a towering rage.

"How many times do I have to say it?! I know nothing about some mysterious organization called Nine Nether, and I never sent anyone to assassinate Minato Namikaze!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was getting angry too. "Danzō, how much longer are you going to hide the truth? Do you really think I don't know what you've been doing behind my back all these years?!"

"You!" Shimura Danzō shot to his feet and glared at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Everything I've done was to make Konoha stronger and more prosperous! If you weren't such a weak Hokage, I wouldn't have had to do any of it!"

"All right, all right. The two of you are over a hundred years old between you. Why get so worked up over something we don't even know is true?"

Mitokado Homura stepped in to make peace, and the two finally sat down again.

"Now, let's discuss Akatsuki. Danzō, you've always been responsible for intelligence on that organization, haven't you? Don't tell me you know nothing about them either!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi drew on his pipe and shot Shimura Danzō a sidelong glance.

Swallowing his anger at Hiruzen's jab, Shimura Danzō began to report what he knew about Akatsuki.

"According to our intelligence, Akatsuki appears to be a mercenary organization made up of missing-nin from various nations. We still don't know where its headquarters is."

"Even the intelligence Itachi Uchiha sent back mentioned this. Akatsuki's leader is cautious. He has never revealed his true identity to them!"

"Akatsuki," Utatane Koharu murmured. The name was at once familiar and strange to her.

"That mercenary organization made up of missing-nin from different nations? They have enough power to control the Nine-Tails?"

"Hmph." Shimura Danzō gave a cold snort from the shadows, his cane tapping lightly against the floor.

"I've said all along that potential threats must be dealt with decisively."

"Hiruzen, your indecision and blind optimism cost Konoha dearly. If we'd committed ourselves to wiping out those missing-nin sooner, perhaps that tragedy would never have happened."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned sharply toward Danzō, pain and anger flashing in his eyes. "Danzō! This isn't the time to assign blame!"

"Our first priority is finding out what Akatsuki wants. Controlling Tailed Beasts and attacking a Hokage—those aren't the actions of an ordinary missing-nin organization!"

"What they want?" Danzō's voice was cold and brimming with ambition. "Whatever their goal, the fact that they possess power capable of threatening someone of Kage Level makes them the greatest threat to Konoha and the Shinobi World!"

"We must use every means at our disposal to wipe them out before they make another move. Seize their secrets and research. That is the only way to protect Konoha."

"As if eliminating them by force would be easy!" Mitokado Homura countered. "Akatsuki's movements are a mystery. Every member is exceptionally powerful, and they're scattered across the Shinobi World."

"A large-scale operation would only tip them off. It might even make the other great nations misread our intentions and spark another Shinobi World War!"

"So we should sit by and let an organization that may be even more dangerous than Hanzo the 'Demigod' grow stronger, just because we fear war?" Danzō refused to yield.

Utatane Koharu watched the two argue, then sighed and turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had remained silent. "Hiruzen, what do you think?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi rose slowly and walked to the window. Outside, Konoha lay quiet and peaceful, its countless lights glowing warmly in the night.

Minato had given his life for this peace.

He turned back. Resolve gradually replaced the sorrow on his face, and his gaze sharpened again. It was the resolve of the Third Hokage.

"Konoha's threats must be eliminated!" His voice was steady and firm. "But not through the extreme methods you propose, Danzō. We need a more careful plan."

"First, raise Akatsuki's threat level to the highest classification and designate the investigation an S-rank covert mission."

"Mobilize all ANBU and intelligence units. Spare no expense in infiltrating Akatsuki and gathering every scrap of information about its members, abilities, hideouts, and ultimate goal."

"Second," he said, looking at Danzō, "Root may be deployed, but every operation must have the Hokage's approval. You are not to provoke an international dispute on your own authority."

"Finally," the Third Hokage said, his gaze passing over the two Advisors and Danzō.

"This matter will be classified at the highest level. Until we have enough intelligence and a sound strategy, nothing can be leaked. We cannot cause panic among the villagers or invite needless speculation from the other shinobi villages."

"We must protect the village as Minato did—with the resolve to defend it and the clear judgment to do so wisely. This time, we cannot afford another mistake!"

Danzō narrowed his eyes. He offered no further objection, merely giving a slight nod. But his gaze flickered in the shadows, and no one knew what he was truly planning.

Meanwhile, much the same meeting was taking place in every shinobi village.

They had no intelligence on Nine Nether, but they all knew something about Akatsuki.

Kirigakure in particular was rumored by outsiders to be Akatsuki's base.

In the Mizukage Office, Mei Terumi, the prospective Fifth Mizukage, sat in the seat of authority, exhaustion plain on her face.

The atmosphere in the office was heavy. Even the thick fog beyond the window seemed unwilling to approach.

Mei Terumi tapped the desk lightly, breaking the silence. "Well? What has the Intelligence Division gathered on this organization called Akatsuki? Ao, report."

Ao immediately stepped forward and scanned the scroll with his one eye. "Yes, Lady Mizukage. The situation is far more troublesome than we expected."

"Akatsuki is no ordinary band of missing-nin. Based on intelligence obtained through various channels, including some costly Black Market sources, we can confirm the following."

He paused, then spoke more gravely. "First, its members are all S-Rank Missing-Nin from the major shinobi villages. Every one of them possesses terrifying strength."

"Second, their goal appears to go far beyond taking mercenary contracts. We still don't know exactly what they're after."

Elder Genji spoke slowly, his voice aged and grave. "The mysterious Masked Man who controlled the Fourth Hokage... He called himself Madara Uchiha. It now seems he must be Obito Uchiha, the man mentioned on the Canopy Screen."

"We cannot verify his identity, but there is no doubt about the power of his eyes. If he truly is an Akatsuki member—or even the one pulling its strings—then everything fits together."

His words stirred painful memories of the Village of the Bloody Mist era in everyone present.

At that, Mei Terumi's gaze turned razor-sharp. A thin wisp of water vapor gathered unconsciously at her fingertips. "The man who ruined our village back then. We still haven't managed to track him down."

"If he and Akatsuki are one and the same, then Akatsuki is Kirigakure's sworn enemy!"