The Hokage Office.
Several key figures who had taken part in the operation gathered, waiting for the Hokage to speak.
After Jiraiya handed over the mission report, the Third skimmed it, then held his pipe between his lips without a word.
The report detailed the failed operation against the Masked Man and the intelligence on the Missing-nin who had appeared during it.
Orochimaru, Sasori, Juzo Biwa, Kakuzu.
As he read the names of the Missing-nin one after another, the Third could only let out a deep sigh.
These were dangerous fugitives from their respective villages, all rated at least S-Rank. Even an entire ANBU Squad sent to capture them would most likely return defeated.
The combined strength of the Missing-nin listed alone already surpassed that of most small Shinobi Villages.
Even Amegakure, which had once seemed poised to become the sixth great Shinobi Village, was no stronger than that.
After a moment of thought, perhaps still unwilling to believe it, the Third asked Jiraiya, "Jiraiya, do they really all belong to the same organization?"
Jiraiya nodded solemnly. From what he had seen, that was indeed the case.
Danzo, standing nearby, also silently gave the Third a confirming look.
At that, the Third abandoned any lingering hope and murmured, "With so many Missing-nin gathered together, what exactly are they planning? Do they intend to attack Konoha, or establish a new Shinobi Village?"
No one answered the Third's muttering. The others were equally bewildered and could not make sense of their objectives.
After a stretch of silence, the Third looked toward Zou Hyuga and the others who had carried out the mission. The operation had been launched because of the intelligence Zou had provided.
Although it had ultimately failed, it had yielded even more important intelligence.
A Mercenary Organization with strength rivaling