Day thirty-three.
Shuo was woken by knocking at the door.
It wasn't the usual light knock, but a frantic pounding, as urgent as if something were on fire.
He opened his eyes and lay still.
Lightspeed Thinking activated automatically-two people outside the door, Saw from the ANBU and one of the Third's personal guards, both breathing heavily and irregularly.
"Uchiha Saku! The Hokage summons you, immediately!"
Shuo sat up.
The bedding on the opposite bed was neatly folded, and Sai was already waiting by the window.
"Going together?"
"Yeah."
The two went downstairs, with Saw leading the way at a sprint.
The people on the street cleared a path as soon as they saw them.
All of Konoha remembered how a single flash of golden light had subdued eight hundred people that day.
The Hokage's office.
The Third sat behind his desk, his pipe unlit.
ANBU stood beside him, along with Minato-he had been discharged from the hospital, and his face was still a little pale, but he stood steadily.
"Sit," the Third said.
Shuo sat down, and Sai stood behind him.
"Akatsuki. Have you heard of them?"
"Yes. S-rank rogue ninja. They collect tailed beasts."
The Third glanced at him. "Your intelligence is accurate. They went to Sunagakure last night. The Fourth Kazekage is dead."
The room fell silent for a beat.
Minato frowned. "Akatsuki has made its move."
"Their targets are all the tailed beasts." The Third looked at Shuo. "Including Naruto."
Shuo blinked. "So?"
"I want you to go to Sunagakure to investigate Akatsuki's objectives and protect someone while you're at it."
"Who?"
"Temari of Sunagakure. She's coming to Konoha to take part in the Chunin Ninja Exams. The exams are a cover. The real purpose is to join forces against Akatsuki."
Shuo said nothing. He took