Naraku sat at the head of the table and spoke once the last person had finished reading.
"The documents you have already contain very detailed intelligence on the Underground Base in the Land of Rivers."
"I'll briefly summarize a few key points."
He paused. The Conference Room was very quiet, everyone waiting for him to continue.
"First, the base belongs to Ōtsutsuki Issshiki's organization, which has existed for at least over four years."
"Second, the base was fully functional. It accommodated over fifty people operating simultaneously and had the capacity for long-term occupation and experimental research."
"Third, we still don't know why they abandoned this base, but I keep feeling there must be a very important reason."
"Fourth, I suspect Isshiki may already have noticed the Search Team's movements. He could react violently at any time."
After hearing Naraku's summary of the intelligence, the others all frowned.
Kakashi turned a page of the documents and said, "If Isshiki knows about this, then he..."
Jiraiya spread his hands. "Then he'll definitely do something next."
Naraku listened quietly as they exchanged opinions. Only after those words fell did he speak. "He will indeed do something."
"And the time for it may already be very close."
All three turned their eyes to him at once.
Naraku leaned forward slightly, resting his interlaced fingers on the table.
"The Five-Nation Joint Chunin Selection Trials!"
"This is Konoha's most important upcoming large-scale event. The Daimyo of the Five Great Nations, the Kage of each village, and large numbers of Jonin, Chunin, and Genin will gather here. With so many people spread around, our defensive forces will inevitably be dispersed."
"And Naruto, as one of the Search Team's key combatants, will be recalled to the village to take part in matters related to the trials."
"That will