Takigakure was a village hidden behind a mysterious waterfall in the Land of Waterfalls.
Ever since Kakuzu's defection, the village had remained isolated from the world.
Only after the Daimyo of the Land of Waterfalls personally vouched for Kakuzu and cleared his name as a rogue ninja did the secluded village resume contact with the outside world.
Under Kakuzu's leadership, and with the Chiba Commerce Association secretly supporting him all along, living conditions in Takigakure steadily improved.
Kakuzu had also risen step by step to the position of leader.
Inside the Takigakure leader's office, Kakuzu was reviewing financial reports.
Bang!
With a muffled crash, someone shoved the office door open.
A Takigakure ninja cried out urgently.
"Chief, this is bad! Something terrible has happened!"
"What happened? Calm down and explain."
Kakuzu set down the financial report in his hands and gestured for the newcomer not to panic.
"Chief, we just received reliable information that the Tsuchigumo Clan was attacked by the Akatsuki.
"The Tsuchigumo Clan has been wiped out, and Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki who was hiding among them, has been captured by the Akatsuki."
"What? The Six-Tails Jinchuriki was captured by the Akatsuki? Sooner than I expected."
With that, Kakuzu slapped the desk and said,
"Convene the Elder Council!"
"Yes!"
Before long, the conference room was full.
Takigakure's senior officials had all gathered there.
"Everyone."
Kakuzu rose from the head of the table, drawing everyone's attention the moment he spoke.
"I'm sure whoever summoned you to this meeting has already told you that the Tsuchigumo Clan was wiped out because of the Six-Tails Jinchuriki and the Akatsuki.
"You should also be aware of the briefing Konoha sent to the various shinobi villages. That utterly vicious criminal organization has begun moving again.
"Their targets are jinchūriki, which means our village