Chapter 404: Intelligence on the Akatsuki
The intelligence sent by Itachi was shocking.
The others in the Akatsuki were fine; counting carefully, Haruno Sakura had actually fought most of them, so Konoha understood the specific intelligence in detail. The key lay in the few Konoha didn't know about, each more shocking than the last.
Orochimaru.
Konoha had always only known there was a conflict between Orochimaru and the Akatsuki, but didn't know that Orochimaru had actually stayed in the Akatsuki organization, later defected, and had since been high on the Akatsuki's hit list. Hearing this from Tsunade, Haruno Sakura was also very surprised that Orochimaru and the Akatsuki had such a connection. However, on second thought, an evil ninja joining an evil organization seemed completely logical and not out of place at all!
Orochimaru defecting from the Akatsuki was rather unexpected—the cost and benefit of defecting were completely unequal.
However, the three people present, including Haruno Sakura, understood Orochimaru quite well. His style of conduct was even more unexpected than Naruto's, so it wasn't surprising he would do such a thing.
Sakura vaguely felt that a person like Orochimaru was essentially more like a mad scientist without a bottom line, rather than the evil ninja who committed all kinds of crimes as perceived by people. That was probably why he left the Akatsuki, an organization with a strong political flavor, right?
To some extent, Sakura and Orochimaru had communicated deeply. The two had many things in common. Orochimaru even thought she was actually him who chose another path...
Perhaps Sakura could understand him.
Pain.
The leader and founder of the Akatsuki. A man who calls himself "God." He hasn't fought with full strength so far, but judging from past battle records and Itachi's observations, his strength is more than a notch higher than ordinary Akatsuki members, even far exceeding Itachi. In addition, he may possess a powerful Dōjutsu; other abilities are unknown.
Konan.
A founder of the Akatsuki. The only female in the Akatsuki. Her strength is high, not inferior to other members of the Akatsuki. The rest is unknown.
And... the most mysterious Tobi.
A candidate member of the Akatsuki. Ability unknown, strength unknown, identity unknown.
A man like a riddle. He looks frivolous in speech and ridiculous, but he is the member Itachi fears most in the Akatsuki. Itachi, who possesses extremely keen observation skills, can feel the unfathomable nature of this man. His usual joking style is actually just a disguise. The real Tobi's strength is far more than a candidate member, perhaps even stronger than Pain!
Perhaps, he is the real mastermind stirring up trouble behind the scenes?
These were the main members of the Akatsuki.
There was other content in Itachi's intelligence, such as the Akatsuki's base being in the Land of Rain. This was a difficult problem Konoha had been tracking for a long time but still couldn't figure out. One has to admit that Itachi's spy work was effective; his efforts alone were worth years of intelligence reconnaissance by the entire Konoha village, including Jiraiya.
"That's basically the intelligence Itachi passed over," Tsunade rubbed her throbbing temples and said to Haruno Sakura.
The amount of information in the genjutsu was too large, poured into the mind all at once; even Tsunade felt a little dizzy. While repeating it to Sakura, she was also taking the opportunity to organize her thoughts.
"..." Haruno Sakura also felt a little dizzy.
Listening to it, she had fought so many tricky enemies, but in the end, were they all just small fry? Only after fighting did she find out they were just the weakest in the Akatsuki? There are stronger, and even stronger BOSSes behind?
Sakura suddenly thought of the Seven Warlords of the Sea next door...
And thought of the online complaints about the power collapse in the later stages of Naruto in her previous life...
However, in her previous life, these were just complaints; venting resentment was enough to get over it. Now it has become a difficulty Haruno Sakura needs to face. With life and death at stake, the girl has no energy to complain.
"It seems this Akatsuki is really unfathomable!" The girl felt a little tired at heart, "How are we going to deal with them?"
She thought she was already strong enough, but looking at it this way, to deal with the Akatsuki, her strength was probably far from enough!
Hn, probably can only fight Pain—this was someone's estimation of her own strength in her heart.
"Don't think too much, dealing with the Akatsuki is not just your business alone." Tsunade looked at her disciple with a gentle expression. Seeing this guy who never admitted defeat showing a rare tired expression, she felt a little guilty. She had placed too many burdens on this underage girl.
Especially regarding dealing with the Akatsuki. Unknowingly, in these few years, either by coincidence or necessity, Haruno Sakura had already fought most of the Akatsuki members.
Such an impressive battle record, besides making Haruno Sakura a powerful supernova of Konoha's new generation, also made people criticize why a little ninja who had just graduated a few years ago was always made to stand out. Was there no one left in Konoha?
—Konoha really has no one left.
The Third Hokage is old and frail, Tsunade must guard Konoha, and Jiraiya's tasks are no easier than anyone else's. Kakashi and Guy are still in the critical period of breaking through to Kage level. Sasuke, Naruto, and others have not yet grown up. Haruno Sakura is Konoha's best card at the moment.
"Alright, hope so." Haruno Sakura shrugged.
"During this time, just lead the team and take a rest. After the Chunin Exams, when those three kids are promoted to Chunin, they can form teams to perform missions on their own, and you'll be relaxed. After that... I'll give you a long vacation. You go to Shikkotsu Forest; it's time to learn Senjutsu!" The Fifth Hokage nodded as she looked at the girl's face which was gradually blooming and becoming exquisite, and her figure which was quietly growing taller and becoming slender.
Tsunade gave a sweet reward.
"Alright, that's it for today. By the way, hn... tomorrow afternoon, let's hold a Jonin Squad Leader meeting. I need to tell everyone about the situation with the Akatsuki. You come too and be prepared to speak."
"Eh... I have to speak too?"
"Of course. You've fought so many Akatsuki members, just briefly talk about their intelligence. You are a party involved after all." Tsunade waved her hand and said, then looked at the Third Hokage, "That's it... Old man, do you have anything else to add?"
The Third Hokage knocked his pipe, puffed out a mouthful of smoke, looked at Haruno Sakura, and his eyes suddenly became sharp: "There is one thing to pay attention to."
"Hm?"
"Homura and Koharu might raise some questions at the meeting." The old man's voice sank, "Questions regarding the conflict between Sakura and Root a few days ago."
"Hmph!" Tsunade sneered, shook her head, and said half-amused and half-indifferent, "Inexplicable! I'll go talk to them later."
"No need," Haruno Sakura waved her hand to refuse, saying faintly, "Let them ask."
The two Hokage advisors moving closer to Danzo was both unexpected and expected. Haruno Sakura and the remaining two in the room never held any hope for the integrity of politicians.
"Alright then." Tsunade glanced at Haruno Sakura and said readily.
Tsunade didn't think the two advisors could do anything other than hold them back; they couldn't do it when the Third was there, and they certainly couldn't do it while she was in power.
The Third Hokage gave a reminder and didn't say more: "Then let's leave it at that. I'm going out for a walk."
"Goodbye, Third-sama." Sakura nodded obediently.
"Bye, old man." Tsunade stood up, "Sakura, we're leaving too, to the hospital."
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