Inside the Hokage's office.
Bang!
Tsunade slammed both hands on the table, her tone slightly agitated.
"So you're saying you successfully captured a member of the Akatsuki alive!"
Kakashi slowly nodded. "That's right. The target is a rogue ninja from the Village Hidden in the Mist—Kisame Hoshigaki!"
Tsunade gave a slight nod and turned to Shizune.
"Shizune, immediately arrange for the Torture and Interrogation Force and have them prepare!"
"Yes!" Shizune responded, then left the Hokage's office carrying Tonton.
Watching her leave, Rorin couldn't help but think: Sorry, Kisame—we're not trying to bully an honest guy. Interrogation is better than being roasted alive.
After giving her orders, Tsunade shifted her gaze back to Kakashi and Rorin.
"Kakashi, Rorin—the main reason I called you back this time is Uchiha Sasuke."
Hearing this, both Rorin and Kakashi frowned, waiting for her to continue.
Tsunade glanced at Yamato and said softly, "Yamato, you explain the details."
Yamato nodded slightly. "It starts from when we were tracking Uchiha Sasuke…"
He then recounted everything he knew in detail.
"Yamato, you said there were traces of Wood Release at the scene. Could it be…?" Kakashi frowned slightly.
Tsunade stepped forward a few paces and nodded. Meanwhile, Rorin stood to the side with a look of 'confusion,' watching the three of them.
"The one who fought Uchiha Sasuke this time was likely Shimura Danzō," Tsunade said, turning to explain to Rorin.
Rorin paused slightly, then lowered his head, falling into thought.
Tsunade's brows knitted tightly as she rubbed her temple.
"I didn't expect him to get involved as well. Based on Yamato's description, Danzō was likely trying to kill Uchiha Sasuke."
Yamato nodded in agreement.
"Although we don't know how Sasuke avoided that attack, one thing is certain—they were fighting a life-and-death battle."
At this point, Kakashi raised a question.
"Yamato, according to what you said, Sasuke was heading toward the Hidden Leaf Village. So what exactly is his purpose in coming here?"
Tsunade and Yamato both shook their heads—they were equally puzzled.
"Regardless of his goal, we need to be even more cautious in the operation to bring him back. After all, he's now being targeted by Danzō," Tsunade said slowly.
Everyone fell silent.
"In that case, we should obtain information on the Akatsuki as soon as possible, Tsunade-sama."
"I'll head back to the Hidden Sand Village now and bring Kisame Hoshigaki over."
Rorin spoke, and Tsunade nodded in approval.
In an instant, Rorin vanished!
Tsunade turned to look out the window, thinking of the person who had left the village to gather intelligence. She murmured,
"This time… I'll probably still lose."
...
Hidden Sand Village, inside the Kazekage's office.
Rorin's figure appeared beside Gaara.
"Did something happen to Naruto?" Gaara asked with concern.
Rorin nodded. "He did run into a bit of trouble—he was injured by his own ninjutsu. But he's fine now."
Gaara's brows relaxed as he nodded.
"Gaara, I came back this time to take Kisame to the Hidden Leaf Village," Rorin said.
Gaara nodded slightly. It had already been agreed that they would help capture an Akatsuki member alive for the Hidden Leaf Village.
Afterward, Gaara led Rorin to the prison where Kisame Hoshigaki was being held.
Carrying the unconscious Kisame on his shoulder, Rorin said goodbye to Gaara.
"I'll be heading out first, Gaara. As for the others, please let them know for me later."
Gaara nodded faintly.
As soon as he finished speaking, Rorin and Kisame disappeared.
After returning to the Hidden Leaf Village, Rorin handed Kisame over to Tsunade and went back home.
...
Elsewhere, after traveling for some time, Uchiha Itachi stopped to rest and received a call from Pain.
The Akatsuki's video conference began once again.
"Leader, my apologies. This mission to capture the One-Tail jinchūriki… has failed," Uchiha Itachi said with a hint of guilt.
Hearing this, Pain's phantom eyes flickered. "What exactly happened?"
"For some reason, when Kisame and I arrived at the Hidden Sand Village, they didn't seem surprised. Moreover, several ninjas from the Hidden Leaf Village were already present—it was as if they knew we were coming."
"You're saying someone among us leaked information about the mission?" Pain's phantom spoke meaningfully.
Uchiha Itachi neither confirmed nor denied it.
"By the way, where is Kisame?"
Pain glanced beside Itachi, not seeing Kisame Hoshigaki, and asked.
Itachi shook his head and explained,
"At that time, the One-Tail jinchūriki escaped from the village. I had no choice but to pursue him alone, while Kisame stayed behind to cover my retreat."
"After that, I didn't see Kisame again. Perhaps he already…"
Is Kisame dead? Pain fell into thought.
At the side, Deidara mocked coldly,
"Who was it that said this mission would be a piece of cake? And now look—you ended up worse than us. At least both of us made it back. Hmph!"
Itachi didn't care in the slightest.
Pain also felt somewhat irritated—he hadn't expected capturing a single One-Tail jinchūriki to be this difficult.
"Then we'll put the One-Tail matter aside for now. Kakuzu, how are things on your end?" Pain asked.
"We still haven't found the Eight-Tail jinchūriki," Kakuzu said calmly.
Pain's phantom shook his head and turned to Itachi.
"Itachi, investigate Kisame's situation. If something has happened to him, find yourself a new partner."
Itachi nodded slightly. The meeting ended, and everyone dispersed.
Itachi looked up at the sky and let out a long breath.
He faintly sensed that Pain had begun to suspect him. It seemed the time had come to leave the organization.
...
Hidden Rain Village.
Pain turned to Konan beside him and asked,
"What do you think about what Itachi said—about a traitor?"
Konan narrowed her eyes slightly. "Could it be him?"
"I don't think so. His goals should align with ours," Pain shook his head slowly. He had once suspected Uchiha Obito, but quickly dismissed the idea. After all, the plan to collect the tailed beasts had come from him—it wouldn't make sense for him to sabotage it.
Lowering his head in thought, Pain said calmly,
"Konan, do you remember what I told you before?"
Konan turned to him. "You mean Uchiha Itachi?"
"Exactly. I've always felt there's something off about him. This mission's failure only deepens my suspicion. With his strength, this shouldn't have happened."
Pain spoke slowly.
"But what would his motive be?" Konan asked, puzzled.
Pain shook his head. "I can't figure it out either. But I think… we should start guarding against him."
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