"Puppets casting Ninjutsu themselves?" Granny Chiyo frowned and declared firmly, "That is absolutely not Sasori's Puppet Technique! His puppets, whether Hiruko or the Third Kazekage, require him to control them from within. There is no way he could make a puppet directly cast such powerful Kekkei Tōta. Someone is framing him!"
Chiyo's words made Raikage A's expression darken further. He had intended to hold the Akatsuki and Konoha accountable for Sasori of the Red Sands as well, but she had just pulled the rug out from under him.
Every clue pointed to one terrifying conclusion.
Tsunade took a deep breath and laid Jiraiya's final theory-the heart of the entire incident-before the Five Kage in full.
"There is a mysterious man with a second pair of Rinnegan. Disguised as a member of the Akatsuki, he used means we don't understand to create puppets capable of using Kekkei Genkai, then attacked Kumogakure and Konoha in succession. Meanwhile, the Akatsuki itself is also on the move. They have taken control of the Fourth Mizukage and are hunting the tailed beasts."
"This is no coincidence. It's a vast conspiracy!"
Tsunade's voice echoed through the spacious conference hall, every word landing like a hammer blow on the hearts of everyone present.
"This mysterious man's goal is far more than just the tailed beasts! He is provoking an all-out war between the Five Great Shinobi Villages and the Akatsuki! He wants us to fight them to the death and leave both sides crippled! Then he can reap the rewards and seize something capable of completely upsetting the balance of the Shinobi World!"
Dead silence.
Silence so complete they could have heard a pin drop.
The fury on Raikage A's face froze, replaced by incredulous horror.
For the first time, genuine gravity and apprehension appeared in Tsuchikage