Reactions Across the Nations

One of the senior officials stepped forward and lowered his voice.

"Kumogakure and Konoha already have a history of bad blood."

"Konoha is in chaos right now. The Uchiha Clan and Hyuga Clan have joined forces, the leadership's authority is in tatters, and the Third Hokage has his hands full."

"If Akatsuki suddenly appears now and muddies the waters even further..."

"Then Konoha will have a reason to shift everyone's attention from its internal conflicts to an outside threat."

He paused, then added,

"Maybe... Konoha created Akatsuki as a smokescreen."

The other Kumogakure officials fell into thought.

The Fourth Raikage was silent for a moment, his gaze shifting.

Then he snorted.

"Whether Konoha is behind this or not,"

"if Akatsuki dares show itself, we'll drag it out!"

"Pass on my orders. Kumogakure's intelligence division is to investigate Akatsuki with everything it has! And send someone to demand answers from Konoha. Put some pressure on them."

"Yes, sir!"

The Kazekage's Office, Sunagakure, Land of Wind.

Fourth Kazekage Rasa sat behind his desk, an intelligence scroll spread out before him.

After reading it, he frowned slightly but said nothing.

A guard ninja behind him asked quietly, "Lord Kazekage, the Daimyo has pressed us several times already... He insists we uncover Akatsuki's background."

Rasa did not answer at once.

He rose, walked to the window, and looked outside.

Sand filled the sky, and yellow dust rolled across the ground.

Relations between Sunagakure and the Daimyo's court had never been good.

Each year, the Land of Wind allocated Sunagakure a pitifully small budget.

If Sunagakure had not spent all these years taking on mission after mission, the village might have collapsed long ago.

"Investigate?" He gave a soft laugh, a hint of mockery in his smile.

"A prince from the Land of Fire